Hot-tempered and sharp-witted, he was decisive in everything he did and placed great importance on loyalty and brotherhood. He was practically the most loyal person in the world.
His martial soul was a rare Ice Phoenix, and his first Spirit Seed was already eight hundred years old. His soul skills were powerful, and he could keep absorbing more powerful martial souls. The young dean's eyes widened in surprise. This person's potential was truly beyond measure...
After finishing the letter, he carefully folded it and placed it inside a specially sealed letter tube, then handed it to the white-feathered carrier pigeon.
"Go on. Make sure you deliver it to the dean in person."
The carrier pigeon spread its wings and soared into the sky, disappearing into the night.
At Ju Yuan City Ghost Academy, in the dean's office.
The elderly dean, whose hair was streaked with silver, brewed a pot of fragrant tea. Smiling, he looked at the young man seated across from him.
In just over a year, he had watched the boy grow, and every bit of that growth had filled him with pride.
From a timid, scruffy child to a Soul Master with twelve ranks of soul power, the effort he'd put in—and the sweat he'd shed—were beyond what most people could imagine.
"Little Rong, I've seen how hard you've worked over the past year. I'm proud of you."
The dean set down his teacup, his eyes filled with warmth.
"Now that you've obtained your first Spirit Seed, according to the academy's rules, you can graduate at any time."
"I don't know whether you've thought about which intermediate Soul Master academy you'd like to attend."
The old man continued, "I can put in a good word for you. Any academy in the Heaven Dou Empire you want to attend—even if it's one of the very best—I'll make sure you get in."
After a pause, Mu Rong's expression turned slightly solemn.
At his age, his gaze carried a maturity that seemed out of place.
Going to an intermediate Soul Master academy was certainly something to celebrate.
Ju Yuan City was simply too small. Its resources and knowledge were limited. If he wanted Ice Phoenix to evolve into its second form, he'd have to reach a broader world and learn more about martial souls.
But...
He was caught between two worlds, with nowhere to call home, and he'd left Suo Ling behind.
After all that talk about being the big brother, how could he leave first?
"Ah, Dean, you're in a hurry to leave, aren't you?"
Mu Rong scratched his head, revealing a boyish grin.
"About the intermediate Soul Master academy...I...I haven't thought it through yet."
Besides, he didn't know what the intermediate Soul Master academies out there were like. It would be best to ask his good friend to help him decide!
"Hahaha, I'm getting old. I forgot."
The dean smiled warmly, took a thick booklet from the shelf, and handed it over.
"Here. Take this back and have a look. It lists all the registered intermediate Soul Master academies in the Heaven Dou Empire, along with an introduction to each one."
"Great. Thank you, Dean."
Mu Rong accepted the booklet, rose, bowed, and left the office.
Walking along the path back to the dormitory, an inexplicable feeling of loss crept into his heart.
It was just like that final season on Blue Star. Everyone had to go their separate ways; there was no such thing as a gathering that never ended.
Lin had already left, and with some hard work, he'd break through the tenth rank in a couple of months.
But Suo Ling...
She was only at the sixth rank. Given her talent, even with resources to support her, it would take at least eight years for her to reach the tenth rank.
By then, the trio would be going their separate ways, wouldn't they?
Ah, he'd just have to take things one step at a time.
Back at the dormitory, Mu Rong opened the thick booklet and began reading carefully.
Heaven Dou Imperial Soul Master Academy, Four Elements Academy, Blazing Academy, Elephant Armor Academy...
One impressive name after another came into view.
The best was undoubtedly Heaven Dou Imperial Soul Master Academy, with its abundant resources and powerful faculty.
Unfortunately, the first line of its admissions charter read: only children of nobility may enroll.
That one was an immediate pass.
Tianshui Academy seemed like a good fit for his Ice Phoenix martial soul, too. But its admissions rules were even more outrageous: only beautiful girls could enroll.
Mu Rong rubbed his chin, which was so stubbly it was already starting to itch, and clicked his tongue helplessly.
Most of the remaining academies had similar requirements. Some insisted that applicants come from noble families, while others demanded that their martial souls be powerful.
It seemed as if every road was blocked, leaving no path for an ordinary person to make a name for himself. It was enough to make anyone despair.
By the end, only two academies met the requirements.
One was the intermediate Soul Master academy in Suotuo City, in the Kingdom of Barak.
The other was Shrek Academy.
Just as he was sinking into thought, someone pushed open the dormitory door.
"Boss! I'm back!"
Lin stumbled in, his steps unsteady. Suo Ling followed behind him, smiling brightly.
Before he could even show off his martial soul, a ring of yellow light appeared beneath him. His Spirit Seed had suddenly risen a rank, and he strutted around, pleased with himself.
Mu Rong raised an eyebrow and glanced at the Spirit Seed.
"Your martial soul's color hasn't changed. How come it looks like it's eight hundred years old?"
Lin's grin froze for a moment. Then he burst into laughter, his face creasing with delight.
"That... Boss, it's not like I hunted down a three-hundred-year-old Flamehorn Wolf and absorbed it. I just asked for one of its horns, then spent a full year refining it."
"But I'm already more than satisfied! I've got a better Spirit Seed than my dad. His first Spirit Seed was only ten years old!"
Mu Rong was speechless.
"Oh, not bad."
Then he closed the thick booklet and set it on the table.
"Good timing, since you're both here. There's something I want to discuss with you."
The smile disappeared from his face, and his voice took on a seriousness that made the moment feel heavy.
Lin immediately stopped grinning, and Suo Ling's lively expression also grew solemn.
"Boss, what is it? Go ahead."
Mu Rong cleared his throat.
"Uh, you both know I've already become a Soul Master."
The vice dean has asked me to make a choice about whether I want to attend an intermediate Soul Master academy.
I think...we might have to part ways soon.
"Ah? Boss, you're going to an intermediate Soul Master academy?"
Lin was stunned at first, then immediately nodded as if the decision made perfect sense.
"That's only natural. With your talent, Boss, you can't stay cooped up in little Ju Yuan City forever!"
He puffed out his chest, speaking in a loud, confident voice.
"But don't worry, Boss. I'm a Soul Master now, too! Wherever you go, I'll go!"
Mu Rong shook his head.
"What I mean is, the three of us might be able to attend the same academy together."
At last, his gaze settled on Suo Ling.
"Little Suo, you're only at the sixth rank. At this rate, it'll probably take you another eight years to reach the tenth rank."
The atmosphere in the dormitory suddenly turned heavy.
Suo Ling's face paled. She lowered her head, her hands twisting together at her sides.
That was true. The dean and Lin were both geniuses. She was just someone who was lagging far behind.
"Boss, I..."
Suo Ling's voice was hesitant, but she soon pulled herself together and looked determined.
"Why don't you go to the intermediate Soul Master academy first and wait for me? I...I'll work hard to cultivate and catch up with you!"
Her eyes shimmered with tears, and Mu Rong's heart tightened.
He stepped forward and gave Suo Ling's shoulder a firm, reassuring pat.
"Okay, Little Suo. If you can think that way, then I'm relieved."
"Remember what I told you: only a soul master with a powerful beast-type martial soul can become a powerful Soul Master!"
"I'll wait for you at the intermediate Soul Master academy!"
Lin went over too and put an arm around Suo Ling's shoulders, comforting her.
"Little Suo, don't worry. I won't leave you behind!"
Before you continue