Notting City

Meow Meow slept very soundly.

When he woke up, the textbooks on the table had already been flipped through by Bibi Dong.

Her Holiness the Pope had even left annotations in several places.

Meow Meow leaned in to take a look.

Beside the first page of Soul Master Ethics and Martial Soul Hall Statutes, a line of text had been added.

[Soul Masters are protected by the Martial Soul Hall and must also abide by the Martial Soul Hall Statutes; they shall not oppress commoners without soul power.]

Meow Meow blinked.

"This is good."

After saying that, he looked at the second page.

[Soul rings obtained from hunting must be legally registered; low-level soul beasts shall not be slaughtered without cause.]

"This is also good."

Looking further ahead, Meow Meow finally saw an annotation that made his ears twitch.

[Within the Martial Soul Hall academies, no new student shall be absent from morning classes.]

Meow Meow fell silent for a moment.

"Isn't this a bit strict?"

Bibi Dong raised her eyes to look at him.

"Do you intend to teach them to be lazy?"

Meow Meow sat up straight immediately.

"Of course not."

"This Meow just thinks the children are still young and need a balance of work and rest."

Bibi Dong did not speak, simply closing the textbook.

Watching her movements, Meow Meow silently lit a stick of incense in his heart for the future children of Notting City.

The Martial Soul Hall academy had not even been built yet, but the morning classes were already scheduled.

This was the efficiency of Her Holiness the Pope.

However, this was not a bad thing.

What commoner soul masters lacked most was not talent, but someone to tell them from the very beginning what they could and could not do.

If soul masters only knew how to cultivate without knowing how to restrain themselves, they would mostly end up as thugs who bullied others by relying on their soul power.

Meow Meow did not want the commoner soul masters he had worked so hard to support to eventually turn into a bunch of scoundrels who used Martial Soul Hall subsidies to run rampant everywhere.

"Then let it be so."

Meow Meow patted the textbook with his paw.

"Send them to Notting City first."

"Also, engrave the Martial Soul Hall seal on every textbook to prevent anyone from tampering with them."

Bibi Dong nodded.

"That has already been arranged."

Meow Meow was stunned.

"So fast?"

"You slept for two days."

"..."

Meow Meow looked down at himself.

No wonder he felt so energetic.

This sleep had truly been a bit long.

"And what about Notting City?"

"The branch hall has already begun preparing the academy."

Bibi Dong said, "Su Yuntao will go to Holy Soul Village today to deliver the subsidies and enrollment arrangements."

Meow Meow nodded in satisfaction.

"That's good."

After saying that, he suddenly felt something was off.

Su Yuntao was going to Holy Soul Village.

Tang San was going to Notting Academy.

Old Jack led the way.

These elements gathered together felt somewhat familiar.

Meow Meow narrowed his eyes.

"This Meow must take another look."

Bibi Dong was about to say something, but Meow Meow had already curled back up on the prayer mat, the Soul-Calming Bell at his neck chiming softly.

A faint light flickered into existence.

In the vision, the morning at Holy Soul Village had just broken.

Old Jack arrived at the blacksmith shop early in the morning.

This time, he did not just bring the work-study student quota for Notting Academy.

He was accompanied by Su Yuntao.

Tang Hao sat by the doorway, reeking of alcohol, his gaze listless.

Su Yuntao felt uneasy.

He did not know why his superiors had insisted he personally deliver this subsidy document.

He understood even less why Lord Holy Cat had specifically warned him not to disturb this child too much.

A Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power.

It was indeed strange.

But it hardly warranted a deacon of the Martial Soul Hall making two trips.

Old Jack, however, was overjoyed.

"Tang San, this is the subsidy from the Martial Soul Hall for you."

"Once you get to Notting Academy, study hard and don't bring shame to Holy Soul Village."

Tang San took the document, his eyes flickering as he looked at the Martial Soul Hall seal upon it.

He did not yet understand the Martial Soul Hall.

But the fact that this organization provided free soul awakening for village children and was willing to subsidize tuition for a commoner child like him did earn a measure of goodwill in his heart.

Tang Hao glanced at the document, his expression unchanging.

Only when he saw that Martial Soul Hall seal did a trace of coldness flash deep within his eyes.

But that coldness quickly sank away.

"Go."

Tang Hao's voice was hoarse.

Tang San looked up at his father.

"Dad, I will come back."

Tang Hao did not answer, merely picking up the wine flask beside him.

Tang San was accustomed to this silence.

Yet, before leaving, he could not help but cast one more glance at his father.

Old Jack urged him on, "Let's go, Tang San, don't miss the hour."

Su Yuntao added from the side, "I have already sent word to Notting Academy; you just need to take the document and go."

Old Jack smiled until the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.

"Many thanks, Deacon."

Su Yuntao waved his hand.

"This is what the Martial Soul Hall ought to do."

As the words left his lips, he felt a sense of righteousness himself.

It was as if he had suddenly become someone remarkable.

Su Yuntao nodded inwardly.

No wonder the higher-ups wanted to build academies.

This feeling of helping commoner children embark on the path of a Soul Master was truly not bad.

After Tang San left with Old Jack, Tang Hao finally raised his head and looked at Su Yuntao.

Su Yuntao felt his back tighten under that gaze.

"Do you have other business?"

Tang Hao asked indifferently.

"No."

Su Yuntao hurriedly shook his head.

He did not know why, but facing this slovenly blacksmith always made it feel difficult to breathe.

Clearly, the man was just an ordinary villager.

Yet, that gaze was deeply unsettling.

It felt as if he had been struck through the air by a heavy hammer.

"Then let's go."

After Tang Hao finished speaking, he stood up and returned to the house.

Su Yuntao stood where he was, only letting out a sigh of relief after a long while.

"This Holy Soul Village is truly strange."

Notting City was not particularly large.

Yet to Tang San, it was already far livelier than Holy Soul Village.

Old Jack brought him to the gates of Notting Junior Soul Master Academy. Just as he was about to step forward to explain their purpose, the gatekeeper caught sight of the document in Tang San's hand.

The gatekeeper had been somewhat lethargic, but upon seeing the seal of Martial Soul Hall, he immediately sat up straighter.

"A recommendation from Martial Soul Hall?"

Old Jack puffed out his chest.

"This is a child from our Holy Soul Village, possessing Innate Full Soul Power."

The gatekeeper was stunned.

The way he looked at Tang San changed as well.

Even though he was not a soul master, he knew that the words Innate Full Soul Power meant something formidable.

"Go on in; the academy has already received notification."

Old Jack had been prepared to explain for a long time, so he found it somewhat disorienting that things had gone so smoothly.

Tang San was also a bit surprised.

He had expected enrollment to be more troublesome.

He had not anticipated that the document from Martial Soul Hall would be so effective.

"Grandpa Jack, does Martial Soul Hall have that much influence at the academy?"

Old Jack laughed. "Martial Soul Hall is the most powerful soul master organization on the continent; of course they have influence."

"However, Little San, once you enter the academy, remember: others helping you is a favor, but your own hard work is your duty."

Tang San nodded.

"I understand."

Old Jack escorted Tang San into the academy and gave him a few more repeated instructions before finally leaving with reluctance.

Tang San stood within the academy, watching the students coming and going, a faint sense of anticipation rising in his heart.

The cultivation of soul masters in this world was finally about to truly begin.

Just then, a middle-aged man wearing a simple robe passed by.

He had an ordinary appearance and a thin frame, and he did not look particularly energetic.

But his eyes were very distinct.

He glanced at the document in Tang San's hand and paused his steps.

"Blue Silver Grass, Innate Full Soul Power?"

Tang San looked up at him.

"Teacher, do you know me?"

The middle-aged man shook his head.

"I do not know you."

"But I know that Blue Silver Grass cannot possess Innate Full Soul Power for no reason."

Tang San's gaze sharpened.

His vigilance toward this middle-aged man spiked instantly.

The middle-aged man seemed to notice his wariness and said in a calm voice, "No need to be nervous; I am just an ordinary teacher at the academy."

"Everyone calls me Grandmaster."

Tang San looked at him.

Grandmaster?

That title sounded rather strange.

However, the fact that the other party could identify the issue with his Blue Silver Grass at a glance meant he was certainly no ordinary person.

Grandmaster continued, "Would you be willing to let me see your Martial Soul certificate?"

Tang San hesitated for a moment.

Just then, a voice came from the other side of the academy.

"Tang San?"

Both of them turned their heads at the same time.

A member of the Martial Soul Hall walked over quickly, carrying a few new booklets.

"These are the basic textbooks provided to you by the Notting City branch of the Martial Soul Hall."

"Since the schoolhouse hasn't been built yet, Notting Academy will be keeping them in custody for the time being."

Tang San took the textbooks.

The one on top was titled Martial Soul Basic Identification.

The second was titled Soul Power Introduction and Meditation.

The third was Soul Hunting Safety Regulations.

Grandmaster looked at those textbooks, his brows furrowing slightly.

He had originally intended to use the opportunity of Tang San being completely ignorant of Martial Soul knowledge to guide him into listening to his own explanations.

But the sudden arrival of these materials from the Martial Soul Hall had changed things.

Tang San flipped to the first page.

A line of text was written there.

[A Martial Soul is not defined by its name alone; bloodline, mutation, and soul power compatibility can all influence its potential.]

Tang San's eyes flickered.

This sentence corresponded exactly to his Blue Silver Grass.

Grandmaster saw this line as well.

His expression became complicated.

Since when had the Martial Soul Hall started writing their basic textbooks in such detail?

Tang San looked up at Grandmaster.

"Grandmaster, you just said that it's impossible for Blue Silver Grass to have Innate Full Soul Power for no reason. Does that mean the same thing as what is written here?"

Grandmaster was silent for a moment before saying, "More or less."

Tang San nodded.

"Then I will go back and read the books first."

Grandmaster: "..."

Was this child being too cautious?

If it were any other ordinary child, hearing their secret exposed in a single sentence would surely make them curious and eager to ask questions.

Yet, Tang San chose to read the books first.

This did not seem like a six-year-old child at all.

Grandmaster's eyes flashed, becoming even more certain that Tang San was not simple.

"If there is anything you don't understand, you can come and ask me."

Tang San nodded politely.

"Many thanks, Grandmaster."

The Martial Soul Hall member also looked at Grandmaster and said courteously, "If you are willing, Grandmaster, you could also assist our Hall in organizing basic theories."

Grandmaster's expression stiffened slightly.

"I have my own research to attend to."

"Then I shall not disturb you further."

The Martial Soul Hall member said nothing more.

Tang San watched the brief exchange between the two, his mind deep in thought.

Grandmaster seemed to be at odds with the Martial Soul Hall.

He had picked up on this very quickly.

But he was in no rush to take sides for now.

He only wanted to understand the cultivation system of this world as quickly as possible.

With that, Tang San clutched the textbooks and headed toward the work-study student dormitory.

Grandmaster stood where he was, watching his retreating figure, and did not move for a long time.

"Blue Silver Grass, Innate Full Soul Power."

"And the textbooks suddenly sent over by the Martial Soul Hall."

"This child..."

Grandmaster's brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

He had a feeling.

He might have originally encountered a piece of raw jade perfect for proving his theories.

But now, a carving knife from the Martial Soul Hall had already been placed beside this piece of raw jade.

Dorm Seven.

As soon as Tang San pushed open the door, a group of children looked over.

The work-study student dormitory was not luxurious; it was, in fact, rather crude.

But most of the children here came from ordinary backgrounds, and since it was already difficult enough to get into the academy, no one was too picky.

Wang Sheng, the leader, stepped forward and sized Tang San up.

"New here?"

"Yes."

"What's your name?"

"Tang San."

Wang Sheng nodded. Just as he was about to test Tang San according to the rules of Dorm Seven, he noticed the textbooks Tang San was holding in his arms.

"Issued by the Martial Soul Hall?"

Tang San nodded.

"Yes."

Wang Sheng was stunned, and the other work-study students crowded around as well.

"The Martial Soul Hall issued books to you?"

"Does your family have someone in the Martial Soul Hall?"

Tang San shook his head.

"No."

Wang Sheng scratched his head.

"Then you're quite lucky."

Tang San looked at the group and suddenly asked, "You don't have these?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Dorm Seven fell instantly silent.

Wang Sheng's face showed a hint of embarrassment.

"How could we have them?"

"It's already good enough that we can come to school."

Tang San looked down at the books in his arms.

He suddenly realized that the materials the Martial Soul Hall had given him might be even more important than he had imagined.

"We can look at them together."

Tang San said.

Wang Sheng's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Tang San placed the books on a bed.

A group of work-study students immediately gathered around.

The first page of Soul Power Introduction and Meditation was written very clearly, and the wording was not complex; even those with a weak foundation could understand it.

Wang Sheng stared at it for a long time, muttering, "So soul power circulation actually requires specific routes; I used to just let it rush around randomly."

A work-study student beside him remarked, "If you didn't let it rush around randomly, would you have a stomachache every day?"

Wang Sheng glared at him.

"Shut up."

Tang San ignored their bickering and carefully studied the content of the book.

He discovered that although this set of textbooks was foundational, it was very solid.

Every sentence did not seem like it had been written casually.

Especially the meditation section, which mentioned that the execution of soul power must not be rushed and must align with the characteristics of one's Martial Soul.

This was somewhat similar to his Mysterious Heaven Skill, yet also somewhat different.

Tang San was engrossed in his reading.

It was not until a light, brisk sound of footsteps came from outside the door.

"Is this Dorm Seven?"

A crisp voice rang out.

Everyone turned their heads.

A little girl wearing simple clothes stood at the doorway, clutching a bundle in her arms, her eyes sparkling.

Tang San looked up.

The girl wore her hair in a scorpion braid and looked very cute.

It was just that those eyes were far too spirited for an ordinary child.

"Are you also a work-study student?" Wang Sheng asked.

"Yes."

The girl smiled brightly. "My name is Xiao Wu, the Wu for dance."

Far away in Martial Soul City, Meow Meow's tail paused slightly as he watched this scene through the Soul-Calming Bell.

"It has begun."

He had originally been lying on a prayer mat with a dried fish in his mouth.

Upon seeing Xiao Wu appear, Meow Meow put the dried fish down.

Xiao Wu enrolls.

Tang San enrolls.

The Notting Academy arc has begun.

Meow Meow narrowed his eyes as he looked at the image.

Inside Dorm Seven, Wang Sheng had already begun explaining the rules to Xiao Wu.

Tang San sat to the side, still holding the Martial Soul Hall textbook in his hand.

Xiao Wu looked curiously at the book in Tang San's hand.

"What is this?"

"A textbook issued by Martial Soul Hall."

Tang San replied.

Xiao Wu blinked.

"Martial Soul Hall?"

Her tone was very light.

But Meow Meow caught the flash of vigilance within it.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form.

It was only natural for her to be wary of Martial Soul Hall.

However, the current Xiao Wu did not know that there was a cat in Martial Soul Hall watching her.

Meow Meow did not continue to stare for too long.

Xiao Wu was not simple, and Tang Hao was not simple either.

If he kept peeping through the Soul-Calming Bell, he might be detected by certain sensitive existences.

"That's enough."

Meow Meow withdrew his gaze.

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"Did you see that Soul Beast?"

Meow Meow nodded.

"I saw her."

Bibi Dong's eyes turned cold.

"Hundred-thousand-year?"

"Mm."

Bibi Dong's fingertips paused slightly.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form was an unimaginable temptation for any Soul Master.

A soul ring.

Soul Bone.

It is enough to drive any Title Douluo to madness.

Meow Meow noticed her reaction and quickly said, "Don't touch her."

Bibi Dong raised her eyes.

Meow Meow said earnestly, "Now is not the time."

Bibi Dong was silent for a moment.

"Do you think she is still useful?"

"It's not about whether she is useful or not."

Meow Meow sighed.

"She is just a child right now."

Although her true age was not small, she was indeed experiencing growth all over again after taking human form.

Bibi Dong did not refute this.

She simply looked out the window.

A long while later, she said indifferently, "Since you say so, we won't move for now."

Meow Meow breathed a sigh of relief.

What he feared most was Bibi Dong suddenly deciding to send someone to Notting Academy.

That would truly throw everything into chaos.

"But keep a record."

Bibi Dong added.

"Mm, keeping a record is fine."

Meow Meow nodded.

"But we cannot alert the enemy."

"She is at Notting Academy, and Tang Hao is also nearby."

"If we really push him into a corner, it will be a huge problem."

Bibi Dong glanced at him.

"You certainly consider things thoroughly."

Meow Meow puffed out his chest.

"This Meow has always been thorough."

Bibi Dong did not expose him.

Meow Meow laid back down, his tail swaying slowly.

Things had already begun over at Notting Academy.

Tang San, Xiao Wu, Yu Xiaogang.

The first step of the original Protagonist Group had already taken shape.

But this time, the shadow of the Martial Soul Hall was also by their side.

A textbook.

A subsidy.

A school about to be built.

These things seemed small.

But Meow Meow knew they would slowly change many things.

At the very least, Tang San would no longer listen only to one person's theories.

At the very least, the commoner soul masters of Notting City would have one more path to take.

At the very least, Xiao Wu would know that the Martial Soul Hall was not just about hunting soul beasts.

"Take it slow."

Meow Meow closed his eyes.

"This Meow is not in a rush."

But not long after he closed his eyes, the system's voice rang out again.

[Ding, Host has successfully changed the initial Node of Notting Academy.]

[Ding, Host has caused Tang San to come into contact with the Martial Soul Hall's foundational system ahead of schedule.]

[Ding, Host has caused Xiao Wu to enter the observation range of the Martial Soul Hall ahead of schedule.]

[Reward: One Soul Master Enlightenment School Expansion Blueprint, Spirit Treasure: One box of Meow Meow Chalk.]

Meow Meow's eyes snapped open.

"Chalk?"

He waved a paw.

A box of white chalk appeared before him.

The description surfaced along with it.

[Meow Meow Chalk: Can be used to write down fundamental concepts of the Great Dao. Suitable for introductory lectures, making it easier for listeners to comprehend the content being taught.]

Meow Meow stared at the chalk for a long while.

"This thing is pretty good."

Bibi Dong looked over as well.

A bold idea suddenly surfaced in Meow Meow's mind.

In the future, when the Martial Soul Hall academy held classes, he could have Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan use this chalk to teach.

Especially Yan.

He could have him teach "Soul Master Ethics and Martial Soul Hall Statutes" to the children.

Just thinking about it was amusing.

The corners of Meow Meow's mouth curled up slightly.

"It seems the curriculum can be a bit more enriched from now on."

Bibi Dong looked at his expression and said calmly, "Don't teach them nonsense."

Meow Meow's smile stiffened.

"Does this Meow look like the type to teach nonsense?"

Bibi Dong did not answer.

Meow Meow silently put the chalk away.

Forget it.

Better not say anything for now.