The setting sun stretched the old yellow ox's shadow long. Tang San leaned against the bamboo basket, watching the grass by the roadside sway gently in the wind. A Li led the ox at an unhurried pace, humming a little village tune under his breath. Clearly, he did not take the journey seriously—sending Tang San to Nuoding Academy was merely along the way for him. Arriving early or late made no difference.
"Brother A Li, can we reach Nuoding City tonight?" Tang San asked casually. What he really cared about was whether "extending the travel time" could earn him more Slacking Value.
A Li scratched his head and glanced at the sky. "Probably not. We're still more than ten li from the city, so there's no way we'll make it before dark. There's a rundown inn up ahead. We'll rest there tonight and enter the city first thing tomorrow morning. We should arrive right when the academy opens."
Tang San was delighted. This was exactly what he wanted. "That's great. We've been walking all afternoon, and I'm a little tired too. Resting for the night sounds perfect." He deliberately rubbed his legs, pretending to be too exhausted to continue.
Voluntarily accepted a rest stop along the way, avoiding the physical strain and safety risks of traveling at night. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 2.
The system notification sounded, and Tang San's lips curved faintly upward. The old yellow ox plodded along slowly. After another hour or so, a dilapidated inn finally appeared ahead. Several roof tiles were missing, and a faded banner hung over the entrance.
A Li led the ox to a pile of grass beside the inn and let it feed, then brought Tang San inside. There was hardly anyone there. Only the innkeeper was dozing behind the counter. "Innkeeper, two rooms, and get us something to eat," A Li said, rapping on the counter.
The innkeeper raised his head and rubbed his eyes. "Two rooms? There's only one vacant room left, with two beds inside. You'll have to make do for one night. As for food, all I've got is steamed buns and pickled vegetables. Want some?"
A Li looked at Tang San, who hurriedly nodded. "Making do is fine. Steamed buns are enough. No need to trouble yourself." He had no intention of wasting effort by asking for another room or better food. Lowering his expectations would save him the trouble—and earn him Slacking Value too.
Voluntarily lowered lodging and food requirements, avoiding extra communication and waiting. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 3.
The innkeeper tossed over a key, then went to the back kitchen and brought out two plates of steamed buns and a small dish of pickled vegetables. The two carried the food into the room. It was indeed bare-bones: two beds, one table, and not even a chair.
"Little San, eat first. I'm going to feed the ox. I'll be back soon." A Li handed Tang San a steamed bun and left the room.
Tang San picked up a bun and slowly ate it with the pickled vegetables. He ate at a leisurely pace while opening the system panel. He only had 3 points of Slacking Value, still far from exchanging them for a "Minor Soul Power Increase."
I wonder if I'll find chances to earn more points once I get to the academy tomorrow. After finishing the bun, he lay down on the bed for a nap. There was nothing else to do anyway, and "increasing rest time" should always earn some Slacking Value.
Sure enough, not long after he lay down, the system notification sounded.
Voluntarily extended nap time, recovering physical strength and avoiding needless energy expenditure. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 4.
By evening, A Li returned with a wild fruit in his hand and offered it to Tang San. "Picked it on the road. It's pretty sweet. Give it a try."
Tang San accepted the fruit and took a bite. It really was sweet. "Thanks, Brother A Li." The two chatted briefly about village matters before going to bed. They still had to travel tomorrow, so turning in early would help them recover their energy—and earn Slacking Value.
Voluntarily went to bed early, avoiding the energy drain of staying up at night. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 5.
Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, Tang San woke up. He did not get up right away. Instead, he lay in bed and waited for the system notification. Sure enough, it came.
Voluntarily extended time spent in bed, avoiding the energy expenditure of getting up too early. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 6.
After getting up and washing, he and A Li ate some leftover steamed buns before leading the ox onward. The old yellow ox seemed well rested and walked a little faster than yesterday, though it was still taking its time.
After roughly two hours of walking, the walls of Nuoding City finally appeared ahead—tall and thick, with soldiers guarding the gates. A Li led the ox smoothly into the city. It was bustling inside, with people coming and going, some selling goods and others hurrying along the road.
"Nuoding Academy is in the eastern part of the city. We'll go straight there." Familiar with the route, A Li headed east. After about half an hour, an imposing building came into view. A sign above its entrance read, "Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy."
A Li stopped the ox outside the academy, lifted Tang San down, and handed him the cloth bag. "Little San, this is as far as I'm taking you. Go in by yourself. I still have errands to run, and I'll head back to the village once I'm done."
"Thanks, Brother A Li. Be careful on the road." Tang San took the cloth bag and watched A Li lead the ox away before turning toward the academy gates.
Two gatekeepers stood at the entrance. They wore gray uniforms and held clubs, looking rather fierce. The moment Tang San approached, one of them stopped him. "Hold it. Who are you? What are you here for?"
"My name is Tang San. I'm here to enroll. Old Jack from Holy Spirit Village recommended me." Tang San spoke quickly, keeping his attitude as humble as possible. He did not want to clash with the gatekeeper. Avoiding pointless arguments was the perfect way to earn Slacking Value.
The gatekeeper looked him up and down, then curled his lip. "From Holy Spirit Village? Recommended, huh? You look like nothing more than a country bumpkin, and you want to enter Nuoding Academy? Pay up first. The enrollment fee is one silver coin. Otherwise, don't even think about going in."
Tang San's heart sank. He knew that in the original story, the gatekeeper would deliberately make things difficult for new students and demand an "entrance fee." He touched the silver coins in his cloth bag. There were only two, given to him by Tang Hao. He did not want to spend more money, but he also did not want to argue with the gatekeeper. So he pretended not to understand the rules. "Sir, I never heard anything about an enrollment fee. Old Jack never told me. I only have two silver coins, and my father gave them to me for food. Could you please make an exception?"
Avoided a direct conflict with the gatekeeper, reducing arguments by claiming ignorance of the rules. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 7.
Just as the gatekeeper was about to lose his temper, a man in a blue robe suddenly emerged from inside. His hair was streaked with gray, his face was covered in wrinkles, and he held a book in his hand. He looked like a very learned man. "What's going on? Why all the noise?"
The gatekeeper immediately put away his fierce expression and forced a 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 Master Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San with a trace of curiosity in his eyes. "Your name is Tang San? You're from Holy Spirit Village?"
Tang San nodded. "Yes, Master. I'm from Holy Spirit Village. Old Jack recommended me. My martial soul awakened as Blue Silver Grass, and I have Soul Power." He deliberately made it sound ordinary and did not mention his Soul Power Level, avoiding too much attention.
Master Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up as he walked over. "Blue Silver Grass martial soul? And you have Soul Power? Come with me. I'll take you to see the dean. Don't worry about the enrollment fee."
Tang San was overjoyed and quickly followed Master Yu Xiaogang. "Thank you, Master." He glanced back at the gatekeeper, whose face had darkened, though he did not dare say anything more.
Following Master Yu Xiaogang into the academy, Tang San found it bustling inside. Some students trained on the field, while teachers gave lessons nearby. As they walked, Master Yu Xiaogang asked, "What level was your Soul Power when it awakened?"
Tang San deliberately slowed his pace and pretended not to remember. "I'm not sure either. The crystal ball for testing Soul Power only lit up a little. The official said my Soul Power was very weak, barely enough to count as having Soul Power." He did not want to reveal that his Soul Power was at level 12. Otherwise, Master Yu Xiaogang might keep questioning him. It was better to weaken his apparent strength and continue earning Slacking Value.
Voluntarily downplayed personal strength, reducing excessive attention and questioning from others. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 8.
Master Yu Xiaogang frowned but did not ask further. He led Tang San to an office building. "Wait here for a moment. I'll go get the dean."
Tang San nodded and stood at the entrance, watching the students training on the field. Some practiced punches, while others trained their martial souls. They all looked extremely diligent.
They can train as hard as they want, but it definitely won't be as fast as me earning points by slacking off. He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and started slacking around. He was waiting anyway, so reducing needless observation might earn him more Slacking Value.
Sure enough, before long, the system notification sounded.
Voluntarily reduced attention toward irrelevant matters, avoiding scattered focus. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 9.
Just one more point, and I can exchange it for a Soul Power Increase. Tang San had just opened his eyes when he saw Master Yu Xiaogang emerge with a man in a red robe. The man was tall, with a warm smile on his face, and looked quite kind.
"Is this Tang San?" the man asked warmly as he looked at Tang San.
Master Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Yes, Dean Flender. This is Tang San, from Holy Spirit Village. His martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, and he has Soul Power."
Dean Flender walked up to Tang San and patted him on the shoulder. "Good. Since Old Jack recommended you, and you're a child Master Yu Xiaogang has taken an interest in, you won't need to pay the enrollment fee. You may enroll directly. I'll have someone take you to the dormitory. Classes begin tomorrow."
Tang San quickly thanked them. "Thank you, Dean. Thank you, Master." He was delighted. Not only had he enrolled successfully, but he had also saved the enrollment fee. Most importantly, avoiding the trouble of paying that fee should earn him his final point of Slacking Value.
Sure enough, the system notification sounded.
Avoided the extra expense and communication trouble of the enrollment fee. Slacking Value +1. Current total: 10.
Great, I have enough to exchange for a Soul Power Increase! Tang San felt delighted as he followed the teacher arranged by Dean Flender toward the dormitory. He knew that life at Nuoding Academy had officially begun. Here, he would surely find even more opportunities to earn Slacking Value, and his path toward becoming the ultimate slacker had taken another important step.
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