Spirit Academy

But it was not so for Tang San.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled across the stone paths of Spirit Academy, stretching Tang San's thin shadow long behind him.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with force and the veins on the backs of his hands standing out clearly. Looking down at the frayed hem of his clothes, he saw it was still stained with coal dust from his work at the blacksmith's shop a few days ago, the black smudges especially glaring against the faded fabric.

"Three Gold Soul Coins..." Tang San murmured, his voice so low it was nearly inaudible. The number kept circling in his mind like a dull knife slowly sawing at his heart.

The Contract Book and admission ticket alone cost two Gold Soul Coins. With food for the Spirit Beast and other necessities added in, he needed at least three Gold Soul Coins to make a respectable contract attempt.

For a work-study student, that was practically an astronomical sum.

Tang San calculated silently. A day of odd jobs at the blacksmith's shop earned him five Silver Spirit Coins, washing dishes in the cafeteria earned him three, and there were occasional errands for classmates... After deducting his living expenses, even if he neither ate nor drank, it would still take him a full month to save enough.

A burst of laughter came from the distance, interrupting Tang San's thoughts.

He looked up and saw Xiao Chenyu walking through the woods with a snow-white Ice Crystal Fox. The Spirit Beast was crystal-clear all over, glowing with a pale blue halo beneath the sunset. With every step, it left behind a tiny ice flower on the ground.

It was a rare hundred-year Spirit Beast, said to be worth more than fifty Gold Soul Coins.

Tang San's throat bobbed involuntarily, and a trace of longing flashed through his eyes.

He recalled what he had read in the Spirit Beast Illustration Book at the library a few days ago. The Ice Crystal Fox not only possessed astonishing combat power, but could also assist Soul Masters in cultivating ice-attribute Soul Power. It was a contract partner dreamed of by countless Soul Masters.

Xiao Chenyu noticed Tang San's gaze, and a mocking smile curled across his lips.

He smugly patted the Ice Crystal Fox on the head and deliberately raised his voice. "Xiao Bai, put on an ice flower show for that pauper!"

The Ice Crystal Fox elegantly raised a front paw and traced a graceful arc through the air.

In an instant, more than a dozen crystalline ice flowers bloomed beneath the sunset, each refracting seven-colored light and drawing waves of astonished exclamations and applause from the surrounding students.

Tang San turned and left with a blank expression, though his nails had already dug deeply into his palms.

Returning to his shabby dormitory, Tang San dropped heavily onto the bed.

This tiny room, less than ten square meters in size, was free housing provided by Spirit Hall for work-study students. Other than a bed and a battered wardrobe, it contained nothing else.

Tang San was now truly an orphan with no one to rely on. Although Spirit Hall had waived his tuition, what part of food, clothing, housing, and transportation did not cost money?

Not to mention the resources required for cultivation.

He touched the flat purse at his waist. There were only a few Copper Spirit Coins left inside, not even enough to buy a decent dinner.

Besides, Yu Xiao Gang had not had time to look after Tang San lately.

This theoretical master had recently been researching Spirit Beast contracts and had even written specifically to his clan.

But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan did not know much about the matter either and could not provide any relevant research evidence. After much consideration, the only person he seemed able to seek help from was his old lover, Bibi Dong.

Yet Yu Xiao Gang could not put aside his pride and simply ask Bibi Dong for help. It was truly too embarrassing. He spent his days pacing around the laboratory, unable to make up his mind, so naturally he had no mood to care about Tang San's situation.

This only made Tang San's circumstances at the academy increasingly difficult.

The academy was no longer the Notting Academy from the original story, but Spirit Academy, led by Spirit Hall. Covering thousands of acres, this academy resembled a small city. It was a comprehensive academy that directly combined elementary and intermediate Soul Master academies.

Towering teaching buildings, expansive training grounds, fully equipped laboratories, and ecological parks built specifically for Contracted Soul Beasts all displayed Spirit Hall's enormous wealth.

Besides wealthy young masters like Xiao Chenyu, the academy had even greater nobles and more powerful clans. Talented students were everywhere, making Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power aptitude far less conspicuous among them.

What was more, everyone now favored contracting Pokemon Spirit Beasts rather than obtaining Soul Rings like Tang San.

Whenever he saw his classmates walking through campus with all kinds of Spirit Beasts, Tang San felt as though an invisible hand were gripping his heart tightly.

Those Spirit Beasts could not only aid in battle, but also provide all kinds of conveniences in daily life. Some could breathe fire to cook, some could refrigerate and preserve food, and there were even intelligent Spirit Beasts capable of organizing notes.

On top of that, Xiao Wu had been snatched away by Ye Su the moment she left Star Dou Forest.

With Tang San all alone, his position in the academy was truly worrying.

No one in the cafeteria wanted to share a table with him. He could find no sparring partner on the training grounds, and even in practical classes that required groups, he was always the one left over.

The former child of destiny had already fallen into ruin.

Still, this guy had incredible luck. He would probably be back on his feet before long.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Seated in Angel Sanctuary, Solomon watched the scene through a crystal ball and casually shook his head.

"Even God King Tang has his miserable days." He muttered softly, his slender fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his throne. "This is actually rather nice."

Just then, the doors of Angel Sanctuary were pushed open from outside. Gabriel walked in with elegant steps, her six wings gently fluttering behind her and scattering specks of golden light.

"Holy Son, the combat deployment in the Star Luo Empire region has been fully implemented." She bowed respectfully and presented a scroll emitting a faint glow with both hands. "This is the plan I prepared. Please review it."

Solomon accepted the scroll, unfurled it, and read it carefully. It detailed the troop deployments in the major cities of the Star Luo Empire, the distribution of key strongholds, and the Angel Legion's optimal routes of attack.

Every detail had been considered with extreme thoroughness. It even marked how possible local weather changes might affect the operation.

"Excellent work." Solomon nodded in satisfaction and placed the scroll on a crystal table nearby. "Proceed according to this plan."

Gabriel bowed once more before withdrawing. Solomon watched her departing figure, his thoughts returning to Tang San.

Tang San would not be able to stir up any trouble in the short term, so there was no need to pay him much attention. Still, his Favorability rewards were quite good. Perhaps Solomon should find time to raise it.

But he soon shook his head and turned his attention back to his work.

After all, conquering the entire Douluo Continent was far more important than watching Tang San's miserable spectacle.

Meanwhile, above the Nine Heavens.

As time passed, this magnificent complex of buildings floating among the clouds was slowly taking shape. The pure-white palace complex gleamed beneath the sunlight, enormous fountains sprayed golden holy water, and countless Two-winged Angels darted through the air, singing hymns of praise.