Martial Soul Hall Random Inspection Hides Strength, Morning Training and Extra Classes for Skillful Slacking

The candlelight made the dormitory walls gleam faintly. Tang San finished writing the inscription on the last page of his notes and put down his pen, his wrist already aching slightly. He rubbed his wrist, then stacked the three neatly written notebooks, which nonetheless showed signs of "slow work yields fine results," and put them into his cloth bag. These three days of forced copying hadn't been in vain; not only had he met Master Yu Xiaogang's requirements, but he had also accumulated a considerable amount of Slacking Value. Blowing out the candle, he lay down on his bed and soon fell asleep to the sound of Wang Hu and the other two roommates' breathing.

As dawn broke, the dormitory door was gently knocked twice. A teacher responsible for morning exercises called from outside, "All dorms, wake up! It's time for morning exercise!"

Wang Hu and the other two jolted awake and fumbled to get dressed. Tang San rolled over, not even opening his eyes. "You guys go ahead. I was copying notes until late last night, so I'll rest a bit longer and catch up with the latter half of the morning exercise."

[Using "lack of sleep" as an excuse to delay morning exercise, avoiding high-intensity early morning exertion. Slacking Value +1, current total 25 points]

Wang Hu wanted to say something, but Li Qing tugged at his sleeve. They had figured out Tang San's "fondness for resting" over the past few days, and arguing would be useless. The three tiptoed out of the dormitory. Tang San listened until their footsteps faded before slowly opening his eyes. He leaned against the headboard, waiting for the system's notification to finish before getting up to wash.

Just as he stuffed a steamed bun into his mouth, he saw Xiao Wu running back from the morning exercise field, sweat beading on her forehead. "Tang San, why are you just getting up? The morning exercise teacher said today they'd be checking attendance, and being late means laps as punishment!"

Tang San chewed his bun, unhurriedly wiping his mouth. "It's fine. I told the teacher I was tired from copying notes; he probably won't make a fuss. By the way, what did you practice in morning exercise?"

"Practicing basic Martial Soul evasive maneuvers," Xiao Wu said, handing him a handkerchief. "The teacher said the Martial Soul Hall will send people for an inspection next week, so we need to solidify our basics."

Tang San's heart stirred. The original story did mention the Martial Soul Hall conducting inspections at Nuoding Academy, but he hadn't expected it so soon. He took the handkerchief, deliberately slowing his pace. "An inspection is an inspection. We'll just stick to our usual pace; no need to rush the progress, lest we get tired."

[Actively downplaying the importance of the inspection, avoiding "blitz training" involution. Slacking Value +1, current total 26 points]

As they walked towards the morning exercise field, they saw Master Yu Xiaogang standing by the side just as they reached the entrance. Beside him was a man in the white robes of the Martial Soul Hall, his badge more exquisite than Su Yuntao's. Xiao Wu quickly pulled Tang San to the back of the line. The morning exercise teacher, who was leading the students in evasion practice, frowned upon seeing Tang San but said nothing. Master Yu Xiaogang had spoken to him earlier, asking him to look after Tang San, who had "weak Soul Power."

The man from the Martial Soul Hall's gaze swept across the field, finally landing on Master Yu Xiaogang. "Yu Xiaogang, is this the beginner class you're teaching? They don't look like much."

"Strength isn't always apparent," Master Yu Xiaogang replied calmly. "You'll know during the inspection later."

After morning exercise, Master Yu Xiaogang gathered the students. "We won't have theory class this morning. We'll focus entirely on preparing for the inspection this afternoon, emphasizing Soul Power control and basic Martial Soul application. Tang San, come with me."

Tang San's heart skipped a beat, but he slowly followed. Reaching a corner of the teaching building, Master Yu Xiaogang took out a blue crystal ball from his robes. "Your Soul Power hasn't increased much recently? Let me test it again."

Knowing he couldn't avoid it, Tang San deliberately released only thirty percent of his Soul Power when he placed his hand on the crystal ball. The crystal ball emitted a faint blue light, not much brighter than the last time. "Still around level 10?" Master Yu Xiaogang frowned. "Have you not been meditating properly?"

"I meditate every day, it's just slow progress," Tang San feigned helplessness. "Maybe my Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul is inherently difficult to cultivate."

[Explaining slow Soul Power progress with "Martial Soul characteristics," avoiding additional meditation requirements. Slacking Value +1, current total 27 points]

Master Yu Xiaogang didn't ask further, merely telling him "not to be lazy" before turning to arrange the training for other students. Tang San breathed a sigh of relief. On his way to the cafeteria, he ran into Wang Hu and the other two. "Tang San, what were you doing with Master just now? Were they giving you special tutoring?"

"No special tutoring," Tang San waved his hand. "Just testing my Soul Power; Master thinks my progress is too slow. By the way, are you nervous about the inspection this afternoon?"

"Of course, we're nervous!" Wang Hu scratched his head. "I heard the people from the Martial Soul Hall are very strict. If our Soul Power progress is too slow, they might even suggest we withdraw."

Tang San, however, didn't take it to heart. "It won't come to that. We'll just perform at our usual level; no need to be too nervous. Come on, let's go eat. If we're late, there won't be any hot congee left."

[Actively alleviating classmates' anxiety while also downplaying his own nervousness, avoiding "excessive worry" energy expenditure. Slacking Value +1, current total 28 points]

The inspection in the afternoon was stricter than expected. The Martial Soul Hall official held the crystal ball, testing each student's Soul Power one by one and having each student demonstrate the basic application of their Martial Soul. Wang Hu's Wooden Hammer Martial Soul could barely produce a faint wave of Soul Power. Li Qing's scythe Martial Soul could cut straw. Zhao Yu's calligraphy brush Martial Soul could write characters imbued with Soul Power.

When it was Xiao Wu's turn, her rabbit Martial Soul immediately drew the official's attention. "Martial Soul, Soft Bone Rabbit, Soul Power level 12." The official noted it down in his book, his tone a little gentler than before. "Good basic application. Keep practicing."

Xiao Wu hopped back to the line. Tang San took a deep breath and slowly walked forward. When he summoned his Blue Silver Grass, he deliberately made the grass blades appear limp and weak, resting powerlessly on his wrist. Placing his hand on the crystal ball, he released only twenty percent of his Soul Power. The crystal ball flickered with a dim light, even dimmer than Wang Hu's.

"Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, Soul Power level 8." The official frowned. "This Soul Power progress is too slow. What about basic application?"

Tang San gently waved his Blue Silver Grass. The grass blades barely managed to wrap around a nearby piece of straw before breaking. "Official, my Soul Power is weak; this is all I can do."

[Actively downplaying Martial Soul performance, avoiding excessive attention from the Martial Soul Hall official. Slacking Value +1, current total 29 points]

The official didn't say anything further and told him to return to the line. After the inspection, the official spoke briefly with Master Yu Xiaogang and Flender before leaving with his entourage. Flender gathered the students. "Starting tomorrow, we'll add one morning exercise class every day and one basic training class in the afternoon. We must catch up on Soul Power progress!"

A chorus of groans erupted from the students. Tang San, however, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Extra classes? Fine. I have plenty of ways to slack off.

Back in the dormitory that evening, Wang Hu and the other two discussed the added classes with long faces. Tang San leaned against the wall and opened his system panel. 29 points of Slacking Value. He still needed 21 more points for the next Soul Power Increase exchange. He took out "Martial Soul Basic Theory," flipped to the page on "Soul Power Recovery," and slowly read, contemplating. Tomorrow, during morning exercise, I'll find an opportunity to claim "physical exhaustion" and rest. In the afternoon training, I'll practice the simplest movements. I'm sure I can accumulate enough Slacking Value.

The moonlight outside streamed through the window, falling on the pages of the book. Tang San closed the book and lay down, a slight smile on his lips. No matter how the academy adds classes, my "peak slacking path" will proceed steadily. After all, a slow pace is the way to go.