Choice

After playing with his Martial Soul for a while, Ye Han was a little tired. He thought of the system again and immediately pulled it up.

He asked expectantly, "System, what functions did you load for so long? Is there something like a Novice Gift Pack?"

Please choose a faction. The system will provide a Novice Gift Pack based on the faction chosen by the host.

Hearing this, Ye Han could only turn his gaze toward the choices before him.

With his foresight, Ye Han immediately ruled out the Three Upper Sects. After all, the Clear Sky Sect was currently in seclusion. Even if he chose it, he might not be able to find it, and even if he did, he might not necessarily be able to join.

There was even less need to mention the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. One had been reduced to a third of its people, while the other had been wiped out. Even if he joined them, he might not survive when Spirit Hall attacked.

Next were the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire. Ye Han considered them for a while before ruling them out as well.

They were not easy to join, for one thing. Take the Star Luo Empire first—its future emperor was Dai Mubai. He might as well join Shrek. As for the Heaven Dou Empire, it had already been backstabbed by Spirit Hall without even realizing it.

There was even less need to mention the Soul Beasts. Ye Han was not some Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast himself, so how was he supposed to blend in? If he chose that, he would probably never complete a mission in his life.

Looking at it this way, only three choices remained.

Spirit Hall

Shrek/Tang Sect

Freedom

Spirit Hall was the easiest to enter, but whether he would be valued was another matter. Moreover, the enemies he would face in the end were terrifying.

Shrek was the easiest route to success. As long as he did not court death, he could at least live freely and comfortably. But now that Ye Han had activated the system, he was somewhat unwilling to remain beneath others.

After pondering for a long time, Ye Han steeled himself. Taking a deep breath, he asked, "System, I choose Freedom."

This was the conclusion Ye Han had reached after much thought. First, he would not join the war. That did not mean he would not be dragged into it, but it was still a way to stay away from the center of the conflict.

Whether he ultimately became a god or not, Ye Han did not care. As long as he lived comfortably, that was enough. Finally, and most importantly, Ye Han wanted a force of his own.

Choice successful.

Congratulations, host. You have obtained the Freedom Novice Gift Pack.

Please note: by choosing Freedom, the host will be unable to join any other sect or faction. The host may establish a force independently or become a Freedom Soul Master.

Since Ye Han had already wanted to establish a force, he immediately opened the so-called Freedom Novice Gift Pack.

Congratulations, host. You have obtained one Advanced Soul Master Academy and six Second Dimension Summoning Scrolls.

Side Quest triggered: Site Selection.

Mission content: Choose a suitable location to place the Advanced Soul Master Academy.

Mission reward: Automated academy facilities.

Side Quest triggered: Companions.

Mission content: How can one person participate in the tournament? Please use the summoning scrolls to gather six companions.

Mission reward: Eligibility to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Main Quest: I am not the center of the storm, but the storm has always carried my legend.

Mission content: Win the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Mission reward: Unknown.

Looking at the three missions that had suddenly appeared, Ye Han was rather surprised. Fortunately, the missions were not mandatory and had no time limits. It did not matter if he failed them.

However, these Second Dimension Summoning Scrolls had indeed disrupted Ye Han's plans. Originally, he had intended to poach people from Shrek, but now it seemed unnecessary.

Furthermore, when he saw this Main Quest, Ye Han immediately came up with a cunning plan. He did not need to clash head-on with Tang San, who had protagonist luck. He could simply participate a generation earlier or later and avoid Tang San and the others.

Still, that was just a thought. Originally, Ye Han might have avoided Tang San based on his team's actual strength. But now that he had the Second Dimension Summoning Scrolls, Ye Han naturally had confidence. Since he had come to Douluo Continent, he had to test himself against Tang San.

With a plan in mind, Ye Han was not one to drag things out. He immediately prepared to act, and the first step was naturally to choose a location to build the academy.

Early the next morning, Ye Han found the Village Chief and lied that an Advanced Soul Master Academy had taken a liking to his potential and wanted to take him there. The condition for joining was that he had to go with them.

Although the Village Chief was still somewhat doubtful, under Ye Han's patient persuasion, he decided to believe him.

By noon, Ye Han had prepared two sets of worn-out clothes and the money he had saved during this period. It was not much—just ten Silver Soul Coins and some Copper Soul Coins—but it was enough for Ye Han at the moment.

After lunch, Ye Han seriously bid farewell to everyone in the village. Then he found the merchant caravan he had contacted that morning and prepared to leave.

Sitting atop the caravan's goods, Ye Han looked at the villagers gathered at the village entrance. He could barely hold back his tears. Rising to his feet, he waved and shouted, "Uncles, aunties, grandpas, grandmas, please take care of yourselves! I'll come back to see you during the holidays!"

Listening to the noisy farewells and words of concern, Ye Han finally could not hold back any longer and shed his first tears in this world.

The caravan moved quickly, but it could only take Ye Han to the town. After all, the road ahead was not on their route.

Ye Han had already planned things out. He wanted to get closer to the border of the Star Dou Great Forest. One reason was that the area was sparsely populated, and another was to conceal himself.

Most importantly, he did not have any Soul Rings yet. If the academy did not come with teachers, he could only try his luck in the Star Dou Great Forest.

As for the Soul Hunting Forest, entry required a permit, and he did not have one.

Along the way, stopping and starting, nothing major happened to Ye Han. Whenever he ran out of money, he found work at a tavern. Thanks to his willingness to endure hardship, he managed to keep himself fed and clothed.

He was mistaken for a girl many times. At first, Ye Han tried desperately to explain, but later, he could not be bothered to care. The change happened naturally.

After more than a month of traveling, Ye Han finally arrived at an officially recognized entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest. It was a relatively safe entry point, and the area was fairly prosperous. This was probably the place Tang San had come to back then.

Many Soul Masters came and went, and there were numerous inns nearby. But this was not Ye Han's destination. He continued onward, needing to find a broad and quiet place to build the academy.

Ye Han did not have to spend much effort to find such a place. He soon discovered an abandoned village. After entering and looking around, he found many traces of Soul Beast activity.

More importantly, this place lay at the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire. That was why no one had come to deal with it.

After traveling for so many days, Ye Han eagerly opened the system. Pointing at the empty land ahead, he said, "System, place the academy!"

Inspection initiated.

Location meets academy requirements.

Placement initiated.

In that instant, Ye Han saw what it meant for a towering building to rise from level ground. Though "towering" might have been an exaggeration, the sudden appearance before him was still truly astonishing.

Congratulations, host. You have completed the Side Quest: Site Selection.

Reward distributed.

Academy automation complete.

The academy's Dean, Wang Hu, is an 88th-rank Power Attack Type Soul Douluo.

Vice Dean Hua Weicheng is a 76th-rank Control Type Soul Saint.

Dean of Students Xie Yi is a 74th-rank Agility Attack Type Soul Saint.

Cafeteria Director Liu Zhaoxiang is a 75th-rank Food Department Soul Saint.

Infirmary Director Liu Feifei is a 66th-rank Support Department Soul Emperor.

Admissions Director Yang Chenfu is a 67th-rank Power Attack Type Soul Emperor.

Head of Logistics Jiang Luotian is a 63rd-rank Agility Attack Type Soul Emperor.

Guest Elder Zhao Lei is a 96th-rank Power Attack Type Titled Douluo.

Food and drinking water within the academy will be replenished automatically. Mimicry cultivation environments, dormitory buildings, classrooms, cafeterias, an infirmary, training grounds, and other facilities are all fully provided.

Note: The academy has been registered with the Star Luo Empire, the Heaven Dou Empire, and Spirit Hall. The host need not worry about its origins.

As Ye Han browsed the system's introduction to the academy, he suddenly felt invincible. After all, a whole group of Soul Emperors and Soul Saints had appeared out of nowhere, along with a Soul Douluo and even a Titled Douluo.

A Titled Douluo could establish a sect of their own. Unfortunately, when Ye Han reached the end of the description, he saw a line of text.

All academy personnel and items may not be taken away from or leave the academy for matters unrelated to the academy.

Those final words made the somewhat-relaxed Ye Han ask nervously, "If I need to obtain Soul Rings, does that count as an academy matter and fall within its scope?"

Obtaining Soul Rings, participating in Soul Master tournaments, and handling disturbances within academy territory all fall within the academy's scope. Those who withdraw or graduate will no longer receive the academy's protection. Academy personnel will not participate in continental conflicts.

With that explanation, Ye Han understood. In other words, this place was like his safe zone. Unless someone attacked the academy directly, the combat power inside was effectively useless.

Still, this was already very good. Having a way out was far more reliable than being exposed to the winds and rain as he had been before.

If the host has no further questions, please name the academy and officially activate it.

When it came to the name, Ye Han did not hesitate for long. He said directly, "Let's call it Second Dimension Academy!"

Ye Han had long been prepared when it came to planning the academy. Although Second Dimension Academy was unknown for now, once he won the Soul Master tournament, people would notice it no matter what.

As soon as the academy was officially activated, the teachers naturally came out and respectfully bowed to Ye Han. "Young Master."

Hearing all these Big Shots call him that made Ye Han feel excited, but he quickly calmed down and said composedly, "Teachers, you can just call me Xiao Han. Also, could you arrange accommodation for me and give me a few changes of clothes?"

Ye Han would not get carried away merely because these people called him Young Master. Solving practical problems was what mattered now.

At this moment, Jiang Luotian, the Head of Logistics, spoke first. "I'll take you to the dormitory directly. As for clothes, we only have School Uniforms."

Hearing that there were clothes, Ye Han naturally would not refuse. He had only brought two old outfits, including the one he was wearing. After more than three months of constant travel, they had suffered considerable wear and tear.