Taking It Slow to Earn More Slacking Value, Bidding Father and Neighbors Farewell for Nuoding

At first light, Tang San woke up. He had not been awakened by any noise outside; he simply remembered that he had to pack today and would be leaving for Nuoding Academy tomorrow, so he woke up naturally. He did not get up right away. Instead, he lay in bed with his eyes closed, waiting for the system prompt—based on the pattern from the past few days, "extending rest time" always earned him a little Slacking Value.

Actively extended bed rest, avoiding the energy expenditure of getting up too early. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 6 points.

Just 4 more points, and I can exchange them for a Soul Power Increase. Tang San calculated silently before slowly sitting up. As he got dressed, he deliberately slowed his movements. Buttoning his shirt and tying his belt both took half a beat longer than usual—there was no rush. Taking his time would not only earn Slacking Value, but also keep him from forgetting anything in a hurry.

Actively slowed daily movements, reducing physical exertion. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 7 points.

The system prompt sounded again, and Tang San's lips curled slightly. When he entered the outer room, Tang Hao was already busy in the kitchen, the scent of porridge drifting from the pot. "You're up?" Tang Hao did not turn around, his tone as flat as usual. "The porridge is almost ready. Go wash up first."

Tang San answered and took a towel to wash beside the water vat in the courtyard. Just as he wrung it dry, he saw figures moving outside the courtyard gate. Aunt Wang had come to see him off with several villagers. He quickly wiped his face and went to greet them.

"Little San, you're leaving already?" Aunt Wang held a cloth bundle containing several boiled eggs. "Take these for the road. Don't go hungry. Take good care of yourself at the academy, and come back to the village when you have time."

"Thank you, Aunt Wang." Tang San accepted the bundle, warmth filling his heart. The villagers beside her began speaking as well. Some reminded him not to quarrel with his classmates, while others told him to study Soul Master knowledge diligently. Their voices overlapped in lively chatter.

Tang San did not respond to each of them individually. He merely smiled and nodded. "Thank you, everyone. I'll keep it in mind." He knew that if he answered them one by one, it would not only waste words, but they might keep him talking and delay his packing—though he had planned to pack slowly anyway, "reducing unnecessary social expenditure" was just the thing to earn Slacking Value.

Avoided excessive social interaction, reducing time and energy expenditure. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 8 points.

After seeing the villagers off, Tang San returned to the kitchen. Tang Hao had already served the porridge. Father and son sat at the table drinking it without speaking, with only the faint clink of bowls and chopsticks between them. Tang San secretly glanced at Tang Hao and noticed bloodshot eyes beneath them. He must not have slept well last night.

After breakfast, Tang San began packing. He folded the spare clothes Old Jack had given him neatly and placed them in a small cloth bag. Then he put in Aunt Wang's boiled eggs, the silver coins Tang Hao had given him, and the remaining steamed buns one by one. As he packed, he deliberately slowed down. He folded the clothes with exceptional care and paused now and then to "check whether he had forgotten anything"—when he was actually waiting for the system prompt.

Actively slowed the pace of packing, avoiding mistakes caused by haste. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 9 points.

Just 1 more point. Tang San had just tied up the cloth bag when Old Jack's voice came from the courtyard gate. "Little San, are you done packing? A Li is already waiting at the village entrance."

"I'll be right there!" Tang San replied. He picked up the cloth bag and went to Tang Hao. "Dad, I'm leaving."

Tang Hao nodded and took a small black box from his clothes, handing it to Tang San. "Take this. Open it when you get to the academy."

Tang San accepted the box. It felt heavy, and he had no idea what was inside. "Dad, take care of yourself. Drink less."

"Got it." Tang Hao waved a hand. "Go on. Don't keep Old Jack waiting."

Tang San said nothing more and turned to leave the courtyard. Old Jack was already waiting outside. When he saw Tang San come out, he quickly pulled him toward the village entrance. "Hurry up, hurry up. A Li has been waiting forever."

Tang San deliberately slowed his pace and lagged a little behind Old Jack. "Grandpa Jack, don't rush. We still have a long way to go. Leaving early or late makes no difference." It was the truth, but he also wanted to earn that final point of Slacking Value—"refusing to hurry along the road and reducing physical exertion" should trigger a system prompt.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the system prompt rang out in his mind.

Avoided hurrying along the road, reducing excessive expenditure of physical strength and time. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 10 points.

Great, that's enough for a Soul Power Increase! Tang San rejoiced inwardly and followed Old Jack slowly to the village entrance. A Li was already waiting there with an old yellow ox. A bamboo basket lined with dry grass rested on the ox's back.

"Little San, get on. I'll take you to the academy gates." A Li smiled as he lifted Tang San onto the ox's back, then placed his cloth bag into the bamboo basket.

Old Jack stood beside them and gave a few more reminders. "Be good when you get to the academy. If you have any trouble, find a teacher. Don't force yourself. And if it really doesn't work out, come back to the village. Our village will always welcome you."

"I understand, Grandpa Jack." Tang San nodded, his eyes growing a little hot, but he quickly held it back—this was not the time to get sentimental. Besides, "avoiding excessive emotional fluctuations" might earn Slacking Value too, though he did not dare try it for fear that Old Jack would notice something strange.

A Li led the old yellow ox slowly out of the village. Sitting on its back, Tang San turned to look at Holy Spirit Village. Old Jack was still standing at the entrance and waving. Tang Hao was nowhere to be seen at the blacksmith shop's door—he was probably hiding inside, unwilling to let Tang San see him.

I'm off to Nuoding Academy. Tang San murmured inwardly as he opened the system panel and selected "Exchange for Minor Soul Power Increase."

A warm current instantly spread through his body. The Soul Power in his dantian became noticeably fuller, and the sensation was even stronger than the previous increase. The system prompt sounded.

Successfully exchanged for "Minor Soul Power Increase." Current Soul Power Level: Level 12 (minor increase). Remaining Slacking Value: 0 points.

Level 12! Tang San was delighted. He leaned against the bamboo basket, closed his eyes, and felt the swaying of the ox's back as he enjoyed this rare moment of leisure—the journey to the academy did not require rushing. If he traveled slowly, he could rest and perhaps even earn more Slacking Value.

The old yellow ox plodded along. Wildflowers by the roadside swayed in the breeze, while birds chirped in the trees. As Tang San watched the scenery pass by, he began considering his plans for the academy: first, he would find somewhere to stay, then learn theoretical knowledge from the teachers. Usually, he would try not to cause trouble, slack off more, and strive to raise his Soul Power again as soon as possible.

Before he knew it, the sun had risen overhead. A Li stopped, took out a steamed bun from his clothes, and handed it to Tang San. "Little San, have something to eat. We'll rest a while before continuing."

Tang San accepted the steamed bun and took a bite. "Thanks, Brother A Li." As he ate, he thought, Resting sounds good. I can earn some Slacking Value too.

Actively accepted rest, avoiding the physical exertion of traveling for too long. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 1 point.

The system prompt sounded again, and Tang San secretly rejoiced. It seemed that no matter where he was, as long as he "slacked off," he could accumulate points and grow stronger. He had definitely chosen the right path—the road to becoming the ultimate slacker.

After finishing the steamed bun and resting for a while, A Li led the old yellow ox onward. Tang San leaned against the bamboo basket with his eyes closed, a smile on his lips—Nuoding Academy, here I come. There would surely be more chances there to earn Slacking Value, and he would encounter more interesting people and events as well.

By the time the sun was setting, they had already left the bounds of Holy Spirit Village. Ahead lay the great road leading to Nuoding City. Tang San looked at the distant cooking smoke, his heart full of anticipation—a new life was about to begin.