Arrival at Nuoding Academy, Black Iron Rank Task: Teach the Gate Guard a Lesson!

Three months flew by in a flash, and the day to register at Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy finally arrived.

The weather was clear and pleasant that day, perfect for traveling. Grandpa Jack got up early.

That morning, after breakfast, Bai Ge packed the things he needed to bring at home, while Grandpa Jack went to get Tang San.

The road out of Sacred Soul Village was near Bai Ge's home, and anyone leaving the village had to pass through there. So Bai Ge did not go along. Instead, he packed his things at home at an unhurried pace.

In truth, Bai Ge did not have much to bring. There was not much in the house worth taking in the first place, so he only packed a few changes of clothes.

Before long, Grandpa Jack arrived with Tang San.

Perhaps because they were going to Nuoding City, Grandpa Jack had deliberately changed into a new set of clothes that day. Bai Ge had done the same.

On ordinary days, Bai Ge wore pure white clothing, but today he had changed into white clothes patterned with purple designs. They matched Bai Ge's silver hair and purple eyes quite well.

"Grandpa, isn't Uncle Tang Hao coming with us?"

Although he knew Tang Hao probably would not come, Bai Ge still asked with feigned confusion.

"Him? He's lazy to death. It's already good enough that he's letting Xiao San go. Expecting him to see you off? Keep dreaming!"

Grandpa Jack said disdainfully.

"Enough, let's not talk about that. Children, let's go. We need to get there early today so we can register you!"

Grandpa Jack shook his head and spoke.

Sacred Soul Village was not actually far from Nuoding City. The three of them walked for half a day, stopping to eat some simple dry rations along the way. By the afternoon, they could already see the city walls in the distance.

Nuoding City was not a particularly large city, but because it was close to the border of the Heaven Dou Empire, its walls had been built quite sturdily.

Perhaps because he had been here once before, Grandpa Jack seemed quite experienced. He led Bai Ge and Tang San into the line entering the city. After undergoing the same inspection as the other passersby, the three quickly entered Nuoding City.

"Bai Ge, Xiao San, after I bring you to the academy, Grandpa will have to head back. You must listen to the teachers at the academy. Don't leave the academy without permission. By the time the term ends, it should be almost New Year's. Grandpa will come pick you up again then."

As they walked through Nuoding City, Grandpa Jack spoke reluctantly.

Although Grandpa Jack wanted to stay longer and spend more time with the two children, if he left any later, he would not be able to return to Sacred Soul Village that day. Besides, an inn in Nuoding City cost more than a dozen Copper Soul Coins a night. That was not something an ordinary family could afford.

"...Then, Grandpa, be careful on your way back..."

Although Bai Ge had visited countless modern cities in his previous life that were far more prosperous than Nuoding City, more than six years had passed since his transmigration, and his memories of that life had already grown hazy. In this life, it was his first time leaving home and leaving the familiar Grandpa Jack, so he could not help feeling reluctant.

But Bai Ge also knew that, since the Work-Study Student spot had been given to Tang San, his family's circumstances in this life were still strained even with the pension left behind by his deceased parents. It was only natural that Grandpa Jack did not want to spend money carelessly. Their family had never been wealthy to begin with.

Fortunately, Bai Ge possessed Innate Full Soul Power. As long as he could become a Soul Master as soon as possible and register at Spirit Hall, he would be able to receive a monthly subsidy of one Gold Soul Coin from Spirit Hall. That would definitely be enough for living expenses and would not place too great a burden on Grandpa Jack.

Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy was located in the western part of Nuoding City. After Grandpa Jack asked several passersby for directions, he finally brought Bai Ge and Tang San to the entrance of Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy.

Before them stood a towering archway, twenty meters wide and more than ten meters high, constructed entirely of hard stone. Beneath the archway were two closed iron gates.

In the center of the archway, a line of bold, sweeping characters had been written: Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy!

"We're finally here!"

Looking at Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy before him, Grandpa Jack could not help letting out a long breath. Then he led Bai Ge and Tang San forward.

"Who are you people? What are you here for?"

Just as the three were about to approach the Main Gate, a young man suddenly blocked their path. Judging by his attire, he should have been Nuoding Academy's Gatekeeper—in other words, a Gate Guard.

"Little brother, it's like this. We're from Sacred Soul Village. These two children from our village both qualify to become Soul Masters this year, and I brought them here to register. Could you tell us what procedures we need to go through?"

Grandpa Jack said with an ingratiating smile as he looked at the Gatekeeper.

Upon hearing Grandpa Jack's words, A Hint of suspicion flashed through the Gatekeeper's eyes. Then, in a strange, mocking tone, he said, "Oh? Even a shabby nest can produce golden phoenixes?"

"Your tiny village actually produced people qualified to become Soul Masters, and two of them at once? Say, you aren't here to scam us, are you? And even if it's true, can country bumpkins like you afford to attend our Nuoding Academy?"

After saying that, A Hint of disdain flashed through the Gatekeeper's eyes.

Hearing the Gatekeeper's mocking and contemptuous words, Grandpa Jack clenched his fists tightly, his heart filled with anger.

Beside him, Bai Ge and Tang San frowned at the same time.

Bai Ge also remembered this Gatekeeper somewhat.

When Bai Ge had read the Douluo Continent novel in his previous life, he had already hated this character. Now that he had come to the real world of Douluo Continent, with Grandpa Jack having become his own Grandpa, this Gatekeeper actually dared to mock him to his face. Bai Ge found it even harder to tolerate.

"Ding! The system has detected a minor character mocking the Host. A task is now issued: teach the Gatekeeper a lesson. Upon completion, the Host will receive one Black Iron Rank Lottery opportunity."

In his mind, as though it had guessed Bai Ge's thoughts, the system actually issued a task. This only strengthened Bai Ge's resolve.

"You think we aren't qualified to become Soul Masters?"

Bai Ge took a step forward and looked at the Gatekeeper, who was still preparing to continue mocking them.

"Of course. In all my years, I have Never Heard Of a single village producing two Children qualified to become Soul Masters."

The Gatekeeper still looked arrogant, as though he had seen a great deal.

"Hmph! That only proves how narrow-minded you are! Grandpa, show him our Martial Soul certificates."

With a cold snort, Bai Ge turned to Grandpa Jack.

"Here."

Hearing his grandson's words, Grandpa Jack took out two Martial Soul certificates from In His Arms and handed them to the young Gatekeeper.

"Let me see whether you're real or fake."

A Hint of suspicion flashed through the Gatekeeper's eyes. Muttering to himself, he accepted the Martial Soul certificates.

"This is..."

When he saw the seal on the Martial Soul certificates, the Gatekeeper was somewhat startled. But when he read their contents, his expression became uncertain once more.