Joining Spirit Hall

"Hahaha, good child." A smile flickered across Charlton's face. He was clearly very satisfied with Qin Ming's response.

Then he asked, "Can you tell me about your situation?"

Qin Ming nodded and told Charlton about his family circumstances and the Martial Soul he had awakened. He even released his Inferno Grey Wolf Martial Soul, making Charlton nod repeatedly.

Even Nuo Si, who had personally awakened Qin Ming's Martial Soul, could not hide his shock upon seeing it again.

"Child, I can understand what you have been through." Upon hearing that Qin Ming's parents had died in the Soul Hunting Forest, Charlton closed his eyes, a look of reminiscence appearing on his face.

"This old man is seventy-five years old. I was born into an ordinary hunting family, but when my father went out hunting, he encountered a ten-year Soul Beast. By the time the adults in the village found him, more than half of my father's body had been torn apart and eaten."

"My mother soon passed away from grief as well. I grew up surviving on handouts from the neighbors. Fortunately, when my Martial Soul awakened, it was the Mutated Tool Spirit, the Wind Spirit Bow, with level-five Innate Soul Power."

"I suppose I am one of those who changed their fate by becoming a Spirit Master."

"So, child, I understand you."

Charlton's words weighed heavily on Qin Ming's heart. This was the reality for the poorest people on Douluo Continent. Forget about eating their fill—in this world with extraordinary powers, if they accidentally offended some esteemed Spirit Master one day, or encountered a wild Soul Beast outside the Soul Hunting Forest, they could die without anyone to seek justice from.

Qin Ming had lived more than twenty years in peace in his previous life. Even after six years here, he still had not grown accustomed to it.

"Nuo Si told me that you agreed to join Spirit Hall?"

"Yes, Grandpa Charlton. I want to join Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall can help me grow stronger quickly." Qin Ming was honest. There was no point hiding his goal of becoming stronger.

As for why he was in such a hurry to become stronger? What a joke! Did becoming stronger need a reason?

"Qin Ming, join our Spirit Hall without worry. From now on, no one will bully you again. As for that Flender, surely he knows his place. How would he dare set his sights on someone from Spirit Hall?" Nuo Si chimed in from the side.

"From now on, in Suotuo City, I've got your back!" Nuo Si pounded his chest hard, looking every bit like a big brother.

"Thank you, Deacon Nuo Si."

"What Deacon? I'm only a little over twenty years older than you. Just call me Big Brother."

"Uh... Big Brother Nuo Si." Qin Ming deliberately made his voice a little sweeter when he said "Big Brother."

Nuo Si awkwardly rubbed his nose. It was the first time such a young child had called him Big Brother, and in such a sweet voice too. It actually felt rather nice.

"In that case, I will write to Spirit City later and report your situation, Qin Ming."

"And you, Nuo Si. I will also report that you were the one who discovered Qin Ming. In a few months, you will probably receive another promotion."

"Thank you, Bishop." The excitement on Nuo Si's face was nearly overflowing. When the time came, it would not just be a promotion—he would also receive a huge reward in Gold Soul Coins.

Charlton then changed the subject. "I still need to tell you in advance about the arrangements for your future."

Hearing that it concerned him, Qin Ming could not help sitting up straighter. Was this finally the crucial part?

"Our Spirit Hall's method of training talented children from commoner backgrounds with high-level Innate Soul Power follows the principle of nearby training."

"We send them to the nearest city with a Martial Soul Main Hall. After they complete their studies at a junior Soul Master Academy and their Soul Power breaks through level twenty-one, they are sent to Spirit City."

"This is because Spirit City lies at the center of the continent, and for most people, the journey is simply too far. It takes at least several months."

"The gifted children who have just awakened across the Two Great Empires and the many kingdoms and duchies are still too young. Without cultivation, they cannot endure such a grueling journey."

"Another reason is that junior Spirit Master education mainly consists of foundational theory, with little actual combat involved. The requirements for teachers are not high, so ordinary cities can handle it."

"Having junior Spirit Master education in Spirit City would be a waste of talent. Teachers at the Soul Emperor and Soul Saint level are also unwilling to teach such basic material." Charlton explained with a smile.

Qin Ming nodded in agreement. He understood as well. Having high-level Spirit Masters at the Soul Emperor and Soul Saint level teach a group of six- or seven-year-old children was indeed far too wasteful. Probably few high-level Spirit Masters would be willing to do it.

In Qin Ming's memories from his previous life, Shrek Academy, which was said to be the number-one Spirit Master Academy on the continent in the second part of Douluo Continent, also admitted students at the age of twelve. That threshold was likely set with such considerations in mind. Ordinary geniuses would also be around level twenty by then.

"Of course, there is another possibility: an unparalleled monster with Innate Full Soul Power. If such a freak, one rarely seen in a century, appeared, Spirit City would directly dispatch an Elder at the Title Douluo level to swiftly bring them back."

"A Title Douluo's speed can shorten a journey of several months to just a few days."

But Charlton immediately gave a bitter smile. "As for a monster with Innate Full Soul Power, let alone seeing one, this old man has only ever heard of one in all my years."

"That would be His Holiness Bibi Dong, the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall and the current Pope's personal disciple."

"I know. The Pope personally brought her back to Spirit City. I heard that although she is only in her twenties, she is already a Soul Saint," Nuo Si added at just the right moment. Thinking that he was also in his twenties yet still only a Soul Elder while she was already a Soul Saint, bitterness inevitably rose in his heart.

Comparisons really did make people miserable, especially when compared to a monster with Innate Full Soul Power.

Bibi Dong? Based on the current timeline, Bibi Dong should have long since been imprisoned by Qian Xunji. Qin Ming found it difficult to judge what Bibi Dong had done in the original story.

But she would undoubtedly be a major problem for him.

He would just let things take their course. He had no ability to resolve it now, so he might as well stop thinking about it.

"Grandpa Charlton, I am willing to cultivate in Suotuo City first."

"Good child." Charlton nodded approvingly.

"Then would you like to study at a Soul Master Academy, or cultivate and study directly in the Martial Soul Main Hall?"

"I can choose?"

"Of course. Geniuses have privileges." Charlton said it as though it were only natural.

"I want to cultivate and study in the Martial Soul Main Hall."

Since he could choose, Qin Ming had nothing to hesitate over.

The school model, where one teacher instructed forty or fifty students at the same time, was not suitable for him. His learning ability was nothing like that of an ordinary six-year-old child.

If he attended school, he might even have to start by learning to read. Yet under Qin Chuan's instruction, Qin Ming had already learned most of the writing system of Douluo Continent.

What Qin Ming sought now was the ability to make better use of his own initiative. Thinking of the enormous collection of books in the Martial Soul Main Hall, a thirst for knowledge rose in his heart.

Besides, just imagining living with a group of six- and seven-year-old brats was already unbearable to Qin Ming.

"Very well. You only returned to Suotuo City today, and the journey has been tiring. It is getting late as well. We can discuss anything else tomorrow."

"Nuo Si, take Qin Ming to change into clean clothes, get something to eat, and then arrange a room for him."

"Got it! Leave it to me!" Nuo Si puffed out his chest, looking as though he could handle everything.

"Qin Ming, come to my room after you wake up tomorrow. I will teach you the Meditation Technique and guide you through the basics."

"Thank you, Grandpa Charlton." Hearing that he could finally begin cultivating, Qin Ming felt as though a little rabbit were constantly hopping about in his heart.

He had asked Qin Chuan for a Meditation Technique before, but had been sternly refused. Entering the path of a Spirit Master was something that required great care.

When absorbing Soul Power, there were many details involved in how the Soul Power within the body should circulate and how the Vessels should be sorted out. Qin Ming was young and his Vessels were fragile. Blindly practicing on his own could easily damage them, so it was best to have a senior guide him through the beginning.

And Qin Chuan knew that he did not have that ability.