The next day, outside Ju Yuan City.
The city lord of Ju Yuan City personally led Suo Ling, Mu Rong, and Soul Eater on their journey.
The people of the city were especially excited, particularly the city lord. Seeing the deputy city lord take his own son away made everyone gather around to watch.
"Brat, after hearing that you caused so much trouble outside, do you know how worried I was?"
The city lord patted Soul Eater's shoulder and laughed.
"It wasn't me who caused trouble outside, Father. The people of Ju Yuan City started it. They even attacked us without warning!"
Soul Eater rubbed his sore shoulder and muttered resentfully.
"I understand, Father. You were only messing around with me. Since you've already accepted those people, I won't complain anymore."
The city lord wiped his mouth, then drew a finger across his palm and stuffed something into Soul Eater's hand.
"This is the child's Soul Eater. There are five thousand spirit stones inside, as well as several rare treasures."
Soul Eater nodded and handed it to Mu Rong.
"Little brother, from now on, take good care of my son. If he causes trouble, make sure you teach him a lesson."
The city lord looked at Suo Ling beside him, who appeared somewhat dejected.
"Little Ling, don't worry. Uncle will take good care of him. I guarantee he'll cultivate properly and won't disgrace you."
As he spoke, the city lord took out a golden soul card and handed it to Mu Rong.
"Take it. It's a token of my sincerity. If you encounter any difficulties outside, use it to contact me."
"If you get tired one day, Mu Rong, come back. Ju Yuan City will always be your home."
"Uncle, this..."
Mu Rong wanted to refuse.
"Take it!"
The city lord shoved it into his hand without giving him a chance to speak.
"This is for you as my adopted younger brother, not as some outsider."
Mu Rong understood that it was both a goodwill gesture and compensation.
"Thank you, Uncle."
The city lord announced that they were leaving. Suo Ling led Soul Eater to the side, while Mu Rong stood tall with his back to them, looking like a father sending his son off on a long journey.
His heart was filled with emotion. His son had made friends with Mu Rong, whose achievements might even surpass his own one day.
They were about to leave through the city lord's residence when Soul Eater hurried over, taking the child ring from Mu Rong's hand.
"Old man, this ring really is a gift from you! Otherwise, I would never have known that someone could possess a child Soul Eater!"
Mu Rong glanced at him and spoke calmly.
"Keep quiet. If you have something to say, say it properly. Don't reveal everything in public."
"Right now, our Soul Eater's strength is rather weak. If anyone with ill intentions notices it, there will be trouble."
Soul Eater nodded seriously and immediately stopped laughing.
He was not an idiot. In order to obtain the soul source, he had already killed many people outside Ju Yuan City.
The caravan soon reached the transfer city south of Ju Yuan City.
One month later.
A huge city wall appeared on the horizon. The fatigue accumulated during their journey vanished at once.
Suotu City had arrived.
The city was several times larger than Ju Yuan City. Its towering walls and deep moat made it look imposing, but that could not compare with the city's bustling prosperity.
Even Soul Eater, despite being the son of the city lord, could not help staring at the dazzling sights.
The dean of Ju Yuan Academy personally saw the three of them off and escorted them to the entrance of Suotu Academy, fulfilling his promise.
"Oh, my! Isn't this Old Dean? What brings you here?"
At the academy entrance, a slightly chubby middle-aged man hurried over to greet the dean warmly.
"Are you here to personally send your student? I didn't expect you to value him so highly!"
The dean laughed and patted the man's shoulder.
"Old Wang, our Soul Eater has already graduated from the academy."
"This year, I'm here to send you a promising young man!"
He turned and pushed Mu Rong forward.
"Come, little fellow. Meet the dean of Suotu Academy."
"Greetings, Dean Wang."
Mu Rong neither bowed nor acted arrogantly.
Dean Wang sized him up. His first impression was that the youth looked somewhat mature, calm, and composed, unlike a spoiled young master.
"Old friend, are you kidding me? This young man..."
Dean Wang interrupted him with a meaningful smile.
"Little fellow, don't worry. His innate soul power is at the ninth level, and his martial soul is the Ice Phoenix. Not long ago, he even obtained the first Spirit Seed. He is now a twelve-level soul master."
Dean Wang's eyes widened. His calm expression instantly vanished, replaced by shock.
"Ninth-level innate soul power? Twelve-level soul master? Innate ninth level?"
The three figures combined into one, and the amount of information was so great that he could hardly react.
He looked at Mu Rong again. His attitude became a hundred and eighty degrees warmer, as though he had seen a rare treasure.
"Good! Good child! You really are an excellent student!"
He then looked at Soul Eater beside him and asked casually.
"And this one is?"
"This is Soul Eater. He has innate eighth-level soul power, a Demon Blade martial soul, and has just become a soul master. His soul power is at the eleventh level."
The dean introduced them concisely.
Dean Wang was stunned again. His expression remained calm, but his heart had already been shaken.
An eleventh-level soul master at such a young age was already quite remarkable.
However, he quickly noticed the unusual color in Soul Eater's eyes.
A hundred-year Spirit Seed? That was indeed a remarkable achievement.
"Old friend, then I'll leave this little fellow in your care. You must take good care of him."
"Rest assured! Rest assured!"
Dean Wang patted his chest and promised, his attention completely focused on Mu Rong.
"With me, Old Wang, here, I guarantee he will receive the best treatment!"
Dean Wang completed the registration formalities. Dean Wang and the others then escorted the three of them into the academy.
"Big brother, Mu Rong, I'm really envious of you."
In the dormitory, Soul Eater sighed.
"Wherever I go, people only see me as an idiot."
Mu Rong chuckled as he tidied his bed.
"Who told you to be so talented? Suotu City is the kingdom's cultivation center. There are dozens of soul masters in every academy, and there are even many innate sixth-level talents. Compared with them, you aren't worth mentioning."
The three of them settled down, ate a meal in the cafeteria, and began strolling through the streets of Suotu City.
The busy streets opened their eyes. They bought quite a few daily necessities and also went to the market to purchase herbs used for cultivation, especially those that helped restore spiritual power.
Inside a shop opened by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Mu Rong revealed the token he had received from the dean. He immediately received the highest-level treatment. Not only were all the goods discounted, but they also prepared a large gift for him.
The next day, they set off for the academy.
On the spacious training grounds, the new and old students gathered together. They were amazed to see how many people were present.
"Big brother, are these people... all very talented?"
Soul Eater stood behind Mu Rong, somewhat nervously swallowing.
"Don't worry."
Mu Rong put his hands behind his head and said confidently:
"They're only from the intermediate academy. At most, there will be nineteen levels of soul power. There won't be any great soul masters above level twenty."
"Nineteen levels?"
Soul Eater's face turned pale.
"Then I'm finished. Won't I be bullied?"
At that moment, a youth with a mischievous grin walked over from behind.
"Who's afraid?"
The youth was tall and sturdy, several years older than Mu Rong. He walked straight over and stood in front of him.
"Don't worry. If anyone dares bully my little brother, I won't let them off easily."
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