Dong Yun's Letter

Xiao Wu gave Tang San a somewhat strange look. "No. Why would she come looking for trouble with me?"

"Then what did she come to see you for?" Remembering Nan Li's arrogant manner, Tang San found it hard to believe.

"She... she met me before. I was just too young then, so I don't remember much. The two of us were just... just catching up, yes, catching up!" Naturally, Xiao Wu could not reveal her secret, so she hastily made up a lie.

As if afraid that everyone would not believe her, she patted the bedding on her bed. "Look, she gave me this bedding. You believe me now, right?"

Although they wondered why Xiao Wu, a Work-Study Student, had met a wealthy young lady before, the clean and tidy bedding, embroidered with beautiful patterns, made them believe her.

After all, where could a Work-Study Student who could not even afford tuition get such obviously expensive bedding?

Meanwhile, Nan Li returned to her dormitory and took several items from the Soul Tool on her wrist, making a few simple adjustments to the room's layout.

The wrist guards Nan Li wore were a pair. After she took Humanoid Form, the clan leader had given them to her, saying they were among the things her father and mother had left behind. The pair of wrist guards were not only storage Soul Tools, but could also be infused with Soul Power to temporarily enhance her arm strength or defensive ability. They were considered high-grade even among Soul Tools.

They were indeed extremely useful for her journey of training in the human world.

After Nan Li finished arranging her things, her Spirit Power sensed something approaching. She swiftly turned and retreated, her eyes fixed warily on the window.

"It's me."

The visitor was the red-robed figure from the entrance of Nuoding Academy that morning—the Third Elder of the Flame Feather Sparrow Clan, a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.

Seeing this, Jiang E Li awakened Nan Li, the Soul Beast, within the Sea of Consciousness and yielded control of the body to her.

"Third Elder?" Nan Li looked at the visitor in confusion. Had they not met just that morning? Why had the Third Elder come to find her again so soon?

"Dong Yun has already arrived at Four Elements Academy." The Third Elder took out a letter and handed it to Nan Li. "Compared to Nuoding Academy, Four Elements Academy has far superior instructors and cultivation resources. It would originally have been more suitable for the two of you to train in the same place... But since you chose this place, focus on cultivating. As long as you know what you are doing, that is enough."

Nan Li nodded, thanked the Third Elder, and accepted the letter.

"A'li, it has been several months since we last met. Have you been well?"

"I have entered Blazing Fire Academy within Four Elements Academy, and everything is going smoothly for now. A Soul Sage-level Clan Member of our clan experienced a Martial Soul mutation, and his Xumi Raven Martial Soul developed toward the lightning attribute. He now serves as vice dean at Thunder Academy. With me at Four Elements Academy, my safety can be ensured. However, Nuoding Academy is remotely located and close to the Star Luo Empire. Spirit Hall's influence can easily infiltrate it. Though an elder is accompanying you, you must still be cautious in all matters."

"Although I selfishly hope that you will come to Four Elements Academy so we can look after one another, everything shall be according to your wishes. Should you change your mind, you may contact me at any time. I will naturally make arrangements for you regarding the academy."

"You and I both bear responsibilities and must do our utmost, but you must never act rashly. The accident back then should serve as a warning..."

It was all scattered, long-winded rambling.

After Nan Li finished reading the letter, she stuffed it into her Soul Tool and rose to look at the Third Elder.

Seeing her stand, the Third Elder leaned against the bed and looked back at Nan Li.

For a moment, the two merely stared at each other, wide-eyed.

"Is there anything else?" Nan Li wondered why the Third Elder had not left yet.

"You... that's it?" The Third Elder was also somewhat confused. Nan Li had folded the letter up and put it away after reading it. Was that all?

"What else would there be?" Nan Li did not understand.

The Third Elder reminded her, "Aren't you going to write a reply or something?"

"Dong Yun explained everything quite thoroughly in the letter. What is there for me to reply?"

The Third Elder was momentarily speechless, unsure how to answer. He looked at Nan Li for a long while before finally saying, "He wrote you a letter. You should at least write one back."

Nan Li waved a hand, speaking with complete indifference. "Oh, please. Dong Yun and I have lived together for nearly two hundred thousand years. We even know how many feathers the other has. We're as familiar as can be, so there's no need for this polite nonsense."

The Third Elder choked, unable to refute her.

After seeing the Third Elder off, Nan Li rubbed her temples. "I didn't expect soul damage to be so troublesome."

Nan Li handed control of the body over to Jiang E Li, who came from Blue Star World. Drowsiness struck again, but this time, she forced herself to stay awake.

Leaning against the bed, the two communicated silently.

Jiang E Li asked, "Is it really that difficult for Soul Beasts to become gods?"

"Humans are the Heavenly Dao's favored children, while Soul Beasts are creatures without its favor. Humans can become gods by proving the Dao, accepting inheritances, or receiving divine appointments from gods. But given the Douluo World's current state, no Soul Beast has attained a god's position here in a very long time."

"Even the legendary Million Year Soul Beast that endures ten great tribulations to become a god cannot condense a divine position."

"That is why Dong Yun and I took Human Form—to break through the Level 100 limit of human Soul Masters and become true gods with divine positions. At that time, your soul can ascend to the God Realm with us and gain Eternal Life..."

Jiang E Li did not respond. Instead, she brought up their next plan. "Tomorrow is Nuoding Academy's Opening Ceremony. Rather than wasting time, I think we should go to Nuoding City and see whether there is anything useful for the soul."

What use was Eternal Life? Being given the chance to live another life was already an enormous blessing. After several years together, she had developed a sense of belonging toward Sun Island and the Flame Feather Sparrow Clan. She regarded Nan Li as her closest friend. Now that the Flame Feather Sparrows faced the danger of extermination, she only wanted to save the countless living beings of Sun Island alongside Nan Li.

Nan Li sat on the bed without sleeping and cultivated through the entire night.

The next day was Nuoding Academy's Opening Ceremony.

Tang San followed Master to Soul Hunting Forest to obtain his First Soul Ring.

Nan Li slipped out of the academy alone, familiarizing herself with Nuoding City while also looking for anything beneficial to the soul.

However, Nan Li had not been wandering for long when the Third Elder silently appeared in an alley and transmitted his voice directly to her. "Nan Li, the alley to the right ahead."

Nan Li was somewhat surprised. What was going on? The Third Elder had been looking for her far too often. When she saw him in the alley, however, his brows were tightly furrowed and his expression was grave.

Before Nan Li could ask, the Third Elder raised a hand to stop her. "There are people from Spirit Hall."

Nan Li realized something and cautiously said, "Isn't that normal? Nearly every town has them."

Spirit Hall branches had spread even into villages.

"No, it is more than that. On the surface, those people appear to be ordinary civilians, but upon close observation, you can see that some of them are deliberately revealing their identities as people of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Deliberately? Nan Li frowned, deep in thought.