Bai Mu: Grandmaster, Please Show Some Spirit!

After leaving Skywater City, Bai Mu took a carriage south, heading straight for the Great Forest.

But as he got closer, his gaze inexplicably turned in another direction.

A few days later, Nuoding City, which he hadn't seen in a long time, was still as quiet and simple as he remembered.

"This is truly nostalgic."

Bai Mu walked on the familiar stone path, feeling as if he had lived through another lifetime.

The child who had diligently cultivated with Innate Level 1 Soul Power back then had now become a Level 30 Soul Grand Master.

"Yo~ Big brother, still guarding the gate?"

The gate of Notting Academy was the same, and the gatekeeper was the same young man, just a bit more mature.

"You are---- Lord Bai Mu!?"

The gatekeeper was stunned and greeted him somewhat nervously, "I heard you became a Soul Master and graduated early a year ago, truly-- truly amazing----"

His posture was extremely low, a stark contrast to his arrogant demeanor when facing ordinary people.

He was just like the Chameleon in the textbook.

"Is the Dean in the academy?"

Bai Mu, too lazy to chat further, asked directly.

"Yes, the Dean sometimes mentions you during his speeches."

The gatekeeper said respectfully.

"Alright then, I'll go pay him a visit."

Bai Mu smiled and walked into the campus. Students were training on the sports field, and noise came from the dormitory building.

Everything was so familiar, yet so distant.

As he entered the office building, Bai Mu encountered a familiar person—Yu Xiaogang.

The Grandmaster was wearing his signature grey robe, his brows furrowed, his old face set in a grim expression, as if pondering some difficult problem.

Seeing Bai Mu, he was instantly stunned in his original place.

"Bai Mu?"

"Yes, it's me! Long time no see, Grandmaster."

Bai Mu greeted him with a smile.

"After you became a Spirit Master, I wanted to have a good talk with you, but I didn't expect you to apply for early graduation."

Yu Xiaogang wore an expression of mingled reserve and superiority: "How is it? After traveling outside as a Spirit Master for so long, have you seen the cruelty of the outside world?"

"Cruelty?"

Bai Mu was stunned. Many images flashed through his mind: scattered Wolf Bandits, Immortal Herbs eaten, Princes kidnapped by his own hands, countless defeated opponents in the Great Soul Arena----

He nodded in deep agreement, his tone sincere: "That's right, the outside world is truly too cruel, too harsh!"

Those Spirit Masters were weak but loved to play, and they even sent him money and Immortal Herbs. Going outside was like coming home; he loved freeloading outside!

Completely unaware of Bai Mu's inner thoughts, Yu Xiaogang straightened his back, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes: "I told you long ago that strength and background are very important when traveling outside. Being taught by a Famous Teacher and not being taught by a Famous Teacher are completely different!"

"How is it, do you understand now? Do you want to take me as your master? With my help, your future will be absolutely bright!"

Bai Mu looked at the "Grandmaster" in front of him, who didn't know what he was so proud of, and suddenly found it a bit comical.

"I've known for a long time that my future is bright if I cultivate with you, Grandmaster. As long as you can break through to level 29 and become a Soul Elder, I will definitely seriously consider taking you as my master. So, you don't need to say more about this matter."

He grinned and said with utmost sincerity: "I believe that with your skill, Grandmaster, becoming a Soul Elder is as easy as picking something up from a bag. The reason you haven't broken through is simply because you're not interested in getting stronger and want to help juniors with an approachable attitude. It has absolutely nothing to do with the widespread rumor on the continent that you absolutely cannot break through to Soul Elder."

"You----What did you say?"

Yu Xiaogang's expression froze, his face changing colors rapidly. He felt like Bai Mu was being sarcastic, but he had no proof!

"It's not that I'm saying this about you, Grandmaster. You're already an adult. Even children know to cultivate diligently. Why don't you put more effort into your cultivation? I'm still waiting for you to become a Soul Elder so you can take me as your disciple! Please try harder!"

Bai Mu said with feigned anger, but inwardly he sneered, "Once I've taken all the Immortal Herbs, let's see if you old man can still reach level 30 on your own!"

"You----I----"

Yu Xiaogang was momentarily short of breath, pointing at Bai Mu with trembling fingers, wanting to say something. But his lips trembled, and he could only manage to blurt out: "If you don't take me as your master now, you'll regret it later!"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes! Everything you say is right, Grandmaster!"

"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. Keep up the good work, old man!"

Bai Mu walked around Yu Xiaogang and headed towards the Dean's Office, afraid that if he stayed another second, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from laughing out loud.

Yu Xiaogang glared hatefully at Bai Mu's retreating back, his fists clenched, and muttered to himself, "As long as I train Xiao San into a Title Douluo, everyone will know my greatness then!"

"By then, it will be too late for you to regret it!"

Inside the Dean's Office, Dean of Notting saw Bai Mu and examined him carefully for a long time before smiling with relief.

"Good, good, you've grown taller and stronger."

The Dean patted Bai Mu's shoulder. "Someone inquired about you before, and that's how I heard you went to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and then dropped out—you've been through a lot these past few days."

"It's all in the past."

Bai Mu shook his head, unwilling to talk more about it.

The two chatted for a long time, from their days as Work-Study Students to Bai Mu's experiences over the years.

"It's getting late, Dean. I'll be going now!"

A few hours later, Bai Mu patted his backside, ready to leave.

"Why the hurry? You've come all this way, why not share your cultivation experience with the Junior Students, or meet Tang San and the others?"

As soon as Tang San was mentioned, Bai Mu's thought of staying for another day vanished instantly.

He couldn't be sure if Tang Dachui was nearby. To be safe, it was better to have less contact with Tang San in the future.

"No, no, I have urgent matters. I'll be going now. Perhaps another time!"

"Alright then—"

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Bai Mu to stay, Dean of Notting had no choice but to see him out.

When he returned to his office, he found that a booklet had appeared on the spot where Bai Mu had been sitting.

Opening the booklet, the first page read—

[Dean, this is some of my cultivation experience. I hope it will be helpful to you and the academy.]

"This is... a Meditation Technique?"

The Dean read a few more pages, his eyes widening.

This was no mere cultivation experience!

This was clearly a set of universal meditation techniques with complete Soul Power circulation paths and methods, forming a systematic approach!

Although not extremely profound, it was definitely much better than the Meditation Technique ordinary Spirit Masters comprehended on their own!

"Good lad, this is too valuable----"

The Dean's eyes were moist, his voice trembling slightly.

As he walked out of the academy, the setting sun was just right.

Leaving the school, Bai Mu went to the small restaurant he used to frequent.

The boss still remembered him and greeted him warmly, "Little Brother Bai, long time no see, still Xiao Huo Grilled Fish?"

"One Garlic Flavor, one Spicy Flavor!"

Bai Mu smiled and sat down.

When the grilled fish was served, the aroma filled the air, still the taste of memory.

He ate slowly, listening to the idle chatter of the surrounding diners, feeling the vibrant atmosphere of this small city.

After finishing, he paid and left.

Stepping into the night, he left Nuoding City without hesitation, heading towards the Star Dou Great Forest.

He didn't look back.