Slow Journey to Accumulate Slacking Value, First Entry into the Academy Meets the Gatekeeper

The setting sun cast long shadows from the old yellow ox. Tang San leaned against the bamboo basket, watching the grass blades by the roadside sway gently in the wind. A Li led the ox, walking at an unhurried pace, humming a village tune. He clearly wasn't in a rush to get there; sending Tang San to Nuoding Academy was just on his way, so arriving early or late made no difference to him.

"Brother A Li, can we reach Nuoding City tonight?" Tang San asked casually, though what he was really concerned about was whether "extending the travel time" could earn him more Slacking Value.

A Li scratched his head and glanced at the sky. "Doubtful. We're still over ten li from the city, definitely won't make it before dark. There's a rundown post station ahead, we'll rest there tonight and head into the city first thing tomorrow. That way, we'll arrive right when the academy opens."

Tang San's heart leaped; this was exactly what he wanted. "That's great. I'm a bit tired after walking all afternoon, resting for a night is perfect." He deliberately rubbed his leg, feigning exhaustion.

[Actively accepting a mid-journey rest, avoiding stamina loss and safety risks of traveling at night, Slacking Value +1, current total 2 points]

The system's prompt sounded, and a slight smile touched Tang San's lips. The old yellow ox ambled along. After about another hour, a dilapidated post station indeed appeared ahead. Several roof tiles were missing, and a faded banner hung by the entrance.

A Li led the ox to a pile of grass beside the post station, letting it graze. Then, he took Tang San inside. There weren't many people inside, just an innkeeper dozing at the counter. "Innkeeper, two rooms, and get us something to eat," A Li said, tapping the counter.

The innkeeper looked up, rubbing his eyes. "Two rooms? We only have one room left, with two beds. You'll have to make do for the night. For food, we only have steamed buns and pickles. Want them?"

A Li looked at Tang San, who quickly nodded. "Making do is fine. As long as there are steamed buns, no need to trouble yourself." He didn't want to go through the hassle of "asking for a different room" or "better food." It was better to "lower his demands" and earn some Slacking Value in the process.

[Actively lowering accommodation and dining demands, avoiding extra communication and waiting time, Slacking Value +1, current total 3 points]

The innkeeper tossed them the key and went to the back kitchen to bring out two plates of steamed buns and a dish of pickles. The two men took their things and entered the room. It was indeed simple, with two beds, a table, and not even a chair.

"Little San, you eat first. I'll go feed the ox and be right back," A Li said, handing the buns to Tang San before turning to leave the room.

Tang San picked up a steamed bun and slowly ate it with the pickles. He ate slowly, opening the system panel as he did. He only had 3 Slacking Value, still a long way from redeeming "trace soul power increase." I wonder if I'll encounter opportunities to earn points at the academy tomorrow, he mused. After finishing the buns, he lay down on the bed for a nap. Since there's nothing to do, "increasing rest time" should earn some Slacking Value.

As expected, shortly after lying down, the system prompt sounded: [Actively increasing nap time, restoring stamina, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure, Slacking Value +1, current total 4 points].

In the evening, A Li returned, holding a wild fruit. He handed it to Tang San. "Picked it on the road. It's quite sweet, try it."

Tang San took the fruit and took a bite. It was indeed sweet. "Thanks, Brother A Li." They chatted for a bit about village matters before going to their respective beds to sleep. We have to travel tomorrow, so sleeping early will help us conserve energy and also earn Slacking Value.

[Actively sleeping early, avoiding energy depletion from staying up late, Slacking Value +1, current total 5 points]

The next morning, Tang San woke up as soon as it was light. He didn't get up immediately but lay in bed waiting for the system prompt. Sure enough: [Actively extending rest in bed, avoiding energy depletion from getting up too early, Slacking Value +1, current total 6 points].

After getting up and washing, he ate the remaining steamed buns with A Li, then led the ox to continue their journey. The old yellow ox seemed to have rested enough and walked a bit faster than yesterday, but it was still at its usual slow pace.

After about two hours of travel, the city walls of Nuoding City finally appeared ahead, tall and thick, with soldiers guarding the entrance. A Li led the ox smoothly into the city. It was bustling inside, with people coming and going, vendors selling goods, and travelers on their way.

"Nuoding Academy is on the east side of the city. Let's head straight there." A Li, familiar with the way, headed east. After about half an hour, a grand building appeared ahead. A sign at the entrance read, "Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy."

A Li stopped the ox at the academy gate, lifted Tang San down, and handed him the cloth bag. "Little San, I'll take you this far. You can go in by yourself. I still have some business to attend to, and then I'll head back to the village."

"Thanks, Brother A Li. Be careful on your way back." Tang San took the cloth bag and watched A Li lead the ox away before turning towards the academy's main entrance.

Two gatekeepers stood at the entrance, dressed in grey uniforms and holding staffs. They looked quite fierce. As Tang San approached the gate, one of them stopped him. "Halt! Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"My name is Tang San. I'm here to attend the academy. Old Jack from Holy Spirit Village recommended me," Tang San said quickly, adopting a humble attitude. He didn't want to get into a conflict with the gatekeepers. "Avoiding unnecessary arguments" is a good way to earn Slacking Value.

The gatekeeper sized him up, then sneered. "From Holy Spirit Village? Recommended? I think you're just a country bumpkin trying to get into Nuoding Academy? Pay the fee first. The enrollment fee is one silver coin. Otherwise, don't even think about coming in."

Tang San's heart sank. He knew from the original story that the gatekeepers would deliberately make things difficult for new students and demand an "entrance fee." He felt the silver coins in his cloth bag; there were only two, given to him by Tang Hao. He didn't want to spend extra money, but he also didn't want to argue with the gatekeeper. He could only pretend to be "ignorant of the rules." "Uncle, I didn't hear about an enrollment fee. Old Jack didn't tell me. I only have two silver coins, which my dad gave me for food. Can you make an exception?"

[Avoiding direct conflict with the gatekeeper, using "ignorance of rules" as an excuse to reduce conflict, Slacking Value +1, current total 7 points]

Just as the gatekeeper was about to get angry, a man in a blue robe walked out from inside. He had graying hair and a face full of wrinkles, holding a book. He looked quite learned. "What's the matter? What are you arguing about?"

The gatekeeper quickly dropped his fierce demeanor and put on a fawning smile. "Master Yu Xiaogang, it's nothing. This child wants to enroll, but he hasn't paid the enrollment fee. I was just explaining the rules to him."

The man called Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Your name is Tang San? From Holy Spirit Village?"

Tang San nodded. "Yes, Master. I'm from Holy Spirit Village, and Old Jack recommended me. I awakened the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul and have Soul Power." He deliberately spoke plainly, not mentioning his Soul Power Level, to avoid attracting too much attention.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up, and he walked over. "Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul? With Soul Power? Come with me. I'll take you to see the Dean. Don't worry about the enrollment fee."

Tang San's heart rejoiced, and he quickly followed Yu Xiaogang. "Thank you, Master." He glanced back at the gatekeeper, whose expression was unpleasant, but he dared not say anything more.

Following Yu Xiaogang into the academy, the interior was lively. Students were training on the field, and teachers were giving lectures. Yu Xiaogang asked as they walked, "What is your Soul Power Level after awakening?"

Tang San deliberately slowed his pace, pretending to "not remember." "I don't know either. The Soul Power testing crystal ball only lit up a little. The registrar said my Soul Power was very weak, barely considered having Soul Power." He didn't want to reveal his Level 12 Soul Power and be questioned further by Yu Xiaogang. It was better to "weaken his strength" and continue accumulating Slacking Value.

[Actively weakening his own strength, reducing excessive attention and questioning from others, Slacking Value +1, current total 8 points]

Yu Xiaogang frowned but didn't ask further. He led Tang San to an office building. "Wait here for a moment. I'll go call the Dean."

Tang San nodded and stood by the door, watching the students training on the field. Some were practicing punches, others were practicing their Martial Souls. They looked very diligent. Tang San thought to himself, Training so hard, they definitely won't earn points as quickly as I do by slacking. He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and started to "slack off." Since I'm waiting anyway, "reducing unnecessary observation and consumption" might earn some Slacking Value.

As expected, after a short while, the system prompt sounded: [Actively reducing focus on irrelevant matters, avoiding energy dispersion, Slacking Value +1, current total 9 points].

"Just 1 more point and I can redeem the soul power increase," Tang San calculated. As he opened his eyes, he saw Yu Xiaogang walking out with a tall man in a red robe. The man had a broad smile and looked very kind.

"Is this Tang San?" the man asked, looking at Tang San with a friendly tone.

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Yes, Dean Flender. This is Tang San, from Holy Spirit Village, with the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul and Soul Power."

Dean Flender walked up to Tang San and patted his shoulder. "Good. Since he was recommended by Old Jack and is a child Yu Xiaogang favors, there's no need to pay the enrollment fee. You're admitted directly. I'll have someone take you to the dormitory. Classes start tomorrow."

Tang San quickly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Dean. Thank you, Master." He was overjoyed. Not only was he successfully admitted, but he also saved the enrollment fee. Most importantly, "avoiding the hassle of paying the enrollment fee" should earn him the last point.

As expected, the system prompt sounded: [Avoiding extra expenditure and communication hassle for enrollment fee, Slacking Value +1, current total 10 points].

"Great, that's enough to redeem the soul power increase!" Tang San was delighted and followed the teacher arranged by Dean Flender to the dormitory. He knew that his life at Nuoding Academy had officially begun, and he was sure to find more opportunities to earn Slacking Value here. His "peak slacking path" had taken another important step.