"Congratulations to the young lady on winning the Thousand Year Ice Marrow Jade Marrow!"
Zhou Hanyou lowered her bidding paddle, her expression still calm, as if she had just spent not forty-five million, but forty-five hundred.
Zhou Tian'er leaned over, her eyes shining.
"Big Sister, you finally got it!"
"Now that you have this Ice Marrow Jade Marrow, you'll definitely break through to the Three-Ring level soon, right?"
As she spoke, she turned to Wang Zhi and explained.
"Xiao Zhi, my sister's Soul Power is already Level 27."
"Once she absorbs the Ice Marrow Jade Marrow, she might even jump straight to Level 30!"
Level 27.
Wang Zhi understood.
He remembered that Zhou Hanyou had been Level 31 when she took part in the Tianhai Competition in the Original Work.
The Tianhai Competition was still about a year away, so Level 27 seemed about right.
He turned his head almost without thinking and looked at Zhou Tian'er.
If he remembered correctly, Zhou Tian'er had only been Level 27 when she took part in the Tianhai Competition in the Original Work.
So now...
Feeling Wang Zhi's gaze, Zhou Tian'er froze for a moment, then a blush appeared on her face.
She understood what Wang Zhi was thinking.
"I..."
"I'm only Level 24 right now."
She spoke softly, but immediately lifted her chin and added with conviction,
"But I'll reach the Three-Ring Soul Elder level soon!"
"I mean it!"
Wang Zhi looked at her, doubt showing in his eyes.
From Level 24 to Level 30 in a year?
It wasn't impossible, but for a twelve-year-old, it would certainly be difficult.
Seeing the obvious disbelief in Wang Zhi's eyes, Zhou Tian'er flushed even more.
The next second, she reached over and pinched Wang Zhi's cheek.
"Hey! What's that look for?!"
"You don't believe me?!"
She glared at him, putting on a fierce expression as she gave his cheek a little squeeze.
Wang Zhi's face was pinched out of shape, and he hurriedly shook his head.
"I believe you! I believe you!"
His words came out muffled.
Only then did Zhou Tian'er let go, lifting her chin smugly.
"Hmph, that's more like it."
"I'm telling you, I'm a Genius Maiden!"
"Level 24 is nothing. I'll catch up in no time!"
Zhou Hanyou spoke calmly beside them.
"Even the most talented person is no good if she doesn't train hard."
Her even tone poured cold water over Zhou Tian'er's enthusiasm.
Zhou Tian'er immediately deflated and lowered her head.
"I know, Big Sister..."
"I'll definitely train hard..."
She muttered softly, looking pitiful.
Watching them, Wang Zhi couldn't help smiling.
The sisters were quite amusing.
The Auction House ended.
The three followed an attendant to an elegant room.
It wasn't large, but it was tastefully furnished, with a soft sofa, a gleaming coffee table, and several ink paintings hanging on the walls.
The attendant soon brought in two trays.
On one was the blue jade box containing the Thousand Year Ice Marrow Jade Marrow Zhou Hanyou had won.
On the other was a jade bottle containing the Mysterious Water Pill Zhou Tian'er had won.
Zhou Hanyou took out her Soul Guide Card and swiped it over the device the attendant held out.
With a chime, forty-five million Federal Currency was deducted.
Zhou Tian'er took out her own Soul Guide Card and paid six million.
The attendant bowed respectfully and left, gently closing the door behind him.
Zhou Tian'er picked up the jade bottle and turned to hand it to Wang Zhi.
"Here, Xiao Zhi. It's yours."
She smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Wang Zhi looked at her, then down at the jade bottle in his hand.
He didn't refuse again.
He would remember her kindness.
"Thank you, Tian'er Jie."
He spoke earnestly.
Zhou Tian'er reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Good boy!"
"Go back and absorb it properly. Try to break through soon!"
After leaving the Auction House, the three went their separate ways.
Zhou Hanyou took the Ice Marrow Jade Marrow back to the academy, Zhou Tian'er returned to her dormitory, and Wang Zhi went back to the small place he rented outside.
He closed the door. The room was quiet.
Wang Zhi sat on the bed and took out the jade bottle.
The bottle was translucent, and he could just make out the pale blue liquid inside, gently sloshing.
He took a deep breath and opened the stopper.
A crisp, refreshing scent wafted out, carrying a faint medicinal fragrance that instantly invigorated him.
Without hesitation, he tipped the Mysterious Water Pill into his mouth.
The pill melted on his tongue, turning into a warm liquid that flowed down his throat. The warmth quickly spread through his body, reaching his limbs and bones.
Wang Zhi closed his eyes and began circulating his Soul Power.
The medicinal power flowed through him. Wherever it passed, his meridians felt as if they were being rinsed with warm water, leaving him indescribably comfortable.
He could feel his Soul Power steadily growing, far faster than it did during ordinary meditation.
Time passed slowly.
He didn't know how long it took before the warmth gradually faded.
Wang Zhi opened his eyes, a flicker of delight in them.
Level 13.
His Soul Power had risen by two levels.
And that wasn't all...
He also felt much lighter, and his meridians seemed more open than before.
What delighted him most was that when he tried meditating again, his Soul Power circulated noticeably faster.
The Mysterious Water Pill's effect of Marrow Cleansing and Tendon Changing was real.
He looked down at the now-empty jade bottle in his hand and smiled faintly.
Though he was only Level 13 for now, his cultivation speed had improved, and the road ahead would be much easier.
He would remember her kindness.
The days of classes were uneventful.
Every day was the same: theory lessons, meditation, Basic Soul Power Training, over and over.
The First Year Class One and First Year Class Two classrooms were next door to each other. When they occasionally crossed paths in the corridor, they only exchanged nods.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
The New Students gradually adjusted to the academy's routine. They had met the people they needed to meet and grown familiar with those they needed to know.
And so, Combat Training was added to the schedule.
The weather was lovely on the day of Combat Training.
Sunlight spilled over the Training Ground, and a breeze carried the scent of grass.
The students of First Year Class Two faced those of First Year Class One. A wide-open space between them served as the combat arena.
A little over twenty children stood on each side...
Some were nervous, some excited, some eager to try, and some uneasy.
Wang Zhi stood among the Class Two students, looking composed.
Over the past month, he had already gotten a clear picture of the New Students.
It could only be said that this academy wasn't like the Original Work, where all the main characters gathered. There were very few Two-Ring Soul Grand Masters across the entire first year—only seven.
First Year Class One had five, and First Year Class Two had two.
The rest were all One-Ring Soul Masters.
And the quality of everyone's Martial Souls was quite ordinary. Most were common Tool Martial Souls or Beast Martial Souls, with nothing particularly outstanding.
Iron Rhinoceros, Green Vine, and Fire Sparrow were decent enough in an ordinary academy, but they were far inferior to the freaks gathered in a place like Shrek.
As for himself...
Wang Zhi said nothing more and simply stood there quietly.
Before you continue