That night, the room flickered with light.
At times, blue light blazed; at others, the moon shone like a silver disk.
Su Yan sat cross-legged on the sofa, the veins on his forehead throbbing with irritation.
"Enough!" he shouted.
Beside him, Tang Chi gripped the Thunderclap Hammer and kept repeating his First Soul Skill.
He was so excited that he'd lost track of time. When he glanced to the side, the moon was already high in the sky.
"Sorry." He quietly put the hammer away, walked over to Su Yan, and sat down cross-legged beside him.
After a while, he leaned over and asked, "Su Yan, do you want a Soul Ring too?"
Su Yan drew a deep breath.
"Yes, yes, of course I want one."
Su Yan clenched his fists.
"Why didn't we look for a Soul Beast today? There are so many in the Soul Hunting Forest."
"Quiet!" Su Yan practically spat the word through clenched teeth.
Tang Chi pressed his lips together, silently sat back down, and assumed a cross-legged meditative pose.
Su Yan let out a breath, relaxing a little.
"Su Yan, thanks for helping me get a Soul Ring."
Tang Chi said with a smile.
Su Yan slowly opened his eyes and glared at him.
"Tang Chi, do you know why Consort Qi slapped Zhen Huan?"
Tang Chi shook his head. "Why?"
Su Yan ground his teeth. "Because Consort Qi didn't have a Huan."
Tang Chi didn't understand, but he could feel a chill run down his back. He quietly sat back down and muttered, "A real ring? Are there fake rings too?"
With that, he took out the Thunderclap Hammer again and glanced at it, chuckling to himself. "Good thing this one's called a Soul Ring."
Su Yan suddenly felt a little ridiculous.
Why get mad at a little kid who hadn't even lost his baby teeth?
He looked up at the newly added gray orb, unable to keep the smile from spreading across his face.
Just as he'd expected, touching someone earned him a gray orb containing their Martial Soul.
Not long ago, at the entrance to Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong had hurried back to the Main Martial Soul Hall in the middle of the night, entrusting the two little ones to Ma Xiunuo.
To show his gratitude to Grandpa Ma Xiunuo, Su Yan had held out his small hand and, amid everyone's bewildered looks, performed this world's first handshake.
And so he'd gained a new gray orb.
He pulled it down. Inside was a writing brush.
No wonder Grandpa Ma Xiunuo's long beard flowed so elegantly. It was just like a writing brush.
Tang Chi had already fallen asleep beside him. Su Yan yawned too. Using meditation instead of sleep was fine once or twice, but he couldn't rush into doing that every day.
The next day, Director Ma Xiunuo took the two little ones to have their Soul Power tested.
Su Yan still hadn't obtained his First Soul Ring and remained at Level 10.
Tang Chi, meanwhile, had reached Level 12 and officially become a Soul Master. He'd receive a Gold Soul Coin allowance from Spirit Hall each month.
It was the first time he'd ever had so much money in his hands, and Tang Chi excitedly patted Su Yan on the shoulder. "Su Yan, let's go buy some good food!"
"We should go to school," Su Yan said calmly.
"Too bad you didn't get your First Soul Ring yesterday," Tang Chi remarked casually.
Su Yan's eye twitched. He wouldn't stoop to arguing with a little kid.
Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy accepted students under the age of twelve and had three grades: lower, middle, and upper. Students weren't assigned by age, but by Soul Power.
Those with Soul Power above Level 10 studied in the upper grade.
Those below Level 7 studied in the lower grade.
Everyone in between went to the middle grade.
Tang Chi was assigned to the upper grade, while Su Yan had to report to the middle grade.
Director Ma Xiunuo escorted the two little ones to Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy.
From a distance, they saw a splendid carriage parked at the entrance.
Su Yan and Director Ma Xiunuo stopped in perfect unison.
"What's wrong?" Tang Chi asked, turning around.
The two shook their heads together.
Su Yan's face twisted as he recalled something unpleasant. He shuddered. "Stay away from that person over there."
Tang Chi looked into the distance. Someone stepped down from the carriage at the school gate.
As soon as he appeared, the world seemed to change color. The bustling crowd scattered as if they'd seen something terrifying.
"Young Master Xiao, you're as dashing and handsome as ever. Those common folk don't dare look upon your face."
"Mm. You can go now." Xiao Chenyu waved him away casually. The man drove the carriage off, while Xiao Chenyu strode into the school with an air of utter disregard for everyone around him.
Only after Xiao Chenyu had gone and the school guards had fanned the stench away did the entrance grow lively again.
"Tsk, why is Silencer still at school? He's thirteen this year, isn't he?"
"Who knows? He's Lord Xiao's precious son. Who'd dare say anything?"
"That damned Silencer has turned the school into a stinking mess. I want to ask for leave and go home."
"Just put up with it today. I heard a teacher from Suotuo City Intermediate Soul Master Academy is coming to recruit students. Anyone with strength close to having a Soul Ring will get a chance."
"Ah, let's go."
Su Yan couldn't help but reflect.
Tsk, that was what it meant to be famous—the infamous kind of famous.
The three of them entered the academy. The guards clearly recognized Director Ma Xiunuo and let them through after saluting.
Inside the gate, a woman in a Soul Master's robe hurried over.
"Director Ma Xiunuo, it's a pleasure to meet you. We're honored that you came in person," the woman said, greeting him.
"Director Su, there's no need to be so formal. I'm glad I can entrust them to you."
"Thank you for your trust." Director Su looked down at the two little ones. "These are the children enrolling, right?"
"Hello, Teacher. I'm Su Yan."
"Hello, Teacher. I'm Tang Chi."
"Good. Come with me." Director Su took the two children by the hand. "Director Ma Xiunuo, I'll take it from here. Please head back."
Su Yan and the others walked farther into the school, and their classes were soon arranged.
Returning to student life made Su Yan feel remarkably relaxed. No English classes that made him want to die, no math lessons that left him tearing his hair out.
One word: bliss!
The classroom was in an uproar. Written on the blackboard were the words, "Welcome, teachers from Suotuo City Intermediate Soul Master Academy!"
Su Yan casually picked a seat by the window in the back row. He was only here temporarily for a few days, so he planned to take it easy.
A chubby little boy sitting in front of him turned around. "Hey, hey, you can't sit here."
"Why not?"
"Silencer's little sister sits here."
"Why do you all call Xiao Chenyu Silencer?" Su Yan asked, taking the seat beside the little boy in front of him.
"Shh!" The little boy pressed a finger to his lips. "Don't say Silencer's real name at school. It's terrifying!"
"Fine." Su Yan shrugged. "Why do you call him Silencer?"
The little boy looked just as miserable. As if he could smell something, he pinched his nose and said, "He farts, and they stink to high heaven. No matter how noisy a place is, the moment he shows up, everything goes silent. Everyone has to cover their mouths and noses and keep quiet."
"I see," Su Yan said, understanding.
Suddenly, the entire classroom fell silent. A girl of about ten walked in from outside, followed by two boys dragging another girl into the room.
The girl who'd entered first sat down behind Su Yan, while the other girl was thrown onto the floor at the back of the classroom.
Not a soul dared make a sound.
Half a minute later, the classroom returned to its earlier bustle, as if nothing had happened.
Naturally, no one dared reach out to help the girl up.
Su Yan's eyes narrowed. Just as he was about to stand, the little boy grabbed the back of his shirt.
"Don't go," the little boy whispered, his arm trembling involuntarily.
But Su Yan shook off his hand and walked to the back of the classroom. Under everyone's astonished, bewildered gazes, he helped the little girl up and sat her on a chair.
The girl who'd just sat down behind Su Yan stood up too, glaring straight at him.
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