Graduation and Choices Five Years Later

In the days that followed, Notting Academy returned to its usual peace.

No one from Spirit Hall appeared again. It seemed that investigation really had been nothing more than routine business.

But Director Su and the few teachers who knew the truth understood without saying so. They took especially good care of Lin Yi, neither paying him excessive attention that might arouse suspicion nor withholding certain conveniences in secret.

For example, when Lin Yi complained about the poor food in the Work-Study Student cafeteria, they would make appropriate adjustments.

At the very least, breakfast was no longer those black, rock-hard steamed buns every morning.

Aside from the improved meals, he also received considerable preferential treatment when it came to study materials, even though Lin Yi only put on a superficial show of diligence.

In the academy library, the precious soul cultivation manuals that had originally been available only to outstanding students somehow opened their doors to him.

Lin Yi himself noticed these subtle differences.

He was a little curious.

The teachers seem to treat me rather specially?

Could they have discovered my Twin Martial Souls too?

No, if they had noticed, would that thick-skinned Yu Xiaogang not have tried every possible way to take me as his disciple?

Could it be because I'm handsome?

Hearing these Heart Voices, Xiao Wu could not help rolling her eyes.

This guy was terrifyingly shrewd sometimes and adorably foolish at others.

Still, she did not expose him and merely watched in silence.

Tang San, meanwhile, threw himself into frenzied cultivation.

Other than regular classes and group activities, he spent all his time between the training grounds and the blacksmith shop.

Whenever he happened to encounter Lin Yi on the training grounds, he would stop and watch.

Or rather, he was waiting for Lin Yi to reveal a flaw.

But the martial soul Lin Yi displayed remained an utterly ordinary support type, and there was nothing unusual about how he interacted with others.

Tang San did not even hear Lin Yi speak ill of him once.

After observing him for some time, Tang San realized that Lin Yi was not targeting him.

Lin Yi probably did not know about his Twin Martial Souls.

After all, whenever Lin Yi saw him or whenever he approached Lin Yi, Lin Yi merely acted somewhat distant and showed almost no other thoughts.

And everyone's attention toward Lin Yi really did seem to be because he was more handsome than Tang San.

Naturally, Lin Yi was well aware of Tang San's secret observation.

But he did not care much and continued playing the role of a support-type Soul Master.

Go ahead and watch. As long as Tang San did not use Hidden Weapons to ambush people, he could look all he wanted.

As spring gave way to autumn, five years passed.

The maple leaves of Notting Academy had turned red five times, then fallen five times.

In the sixth-year classroom, Director Su stood at the lectern and looked at the students about to graduate, his heart filled with emotion.

"Students." His voice echoed through the classroom. "Next, you will face an important choice in life. Will you enter an intermediate Soul Master Academy to continue your studies, or step into society and begin your careers as Soul Masters..."

As he spoke, he deliberately—or perhaps inadvertently—looked toward Lin Yi.

Over the years, he had actually become quite grateful to Lin Yi.

With his original talent and martial soul, he might have remained at the Soul Elder realm for the rest of his life.

But according to what Lin Yi's Heart Voice had revealed, he had actually broken through to Rank 43 Soul Ancestor.

Below the stage.

The students wore different expressions upon hearing this.

Five years were enough to turn children into youths, and enough to quietly change many things.

Xiao Chenyu, who should originally have graduated when Lin Yi and the others entered their second year, had stayed back an extra year because of Lin Yi's Heart Voice.

By now, he might have already carved out a place for himself at the empire's most famous Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Although Work-Study Students such as Wang Sheng and Li Yan did not possess a family background like Xiao Chenyu's, they had reached around Rank 17 or 18 when they left.

It was said that after leaving Notting Academy, they had not chosen to directly enter a Soul Master Academy for further studies but had instead joined a small Soul Master mercenary group.

Those were the choices made by the upper-year students after graduation.

Now, only three people remained at the center of attention...

Tang San, Rank 29, Blue Silver Grass control-type Battle Soul Master.

Over five years, he had grown considerably taller. The childishness had faded from his face, replaced by calmness and resolve.

But perhaps because he had spent too much time with Yu Xiaogang, he had actually gotten a little darker.

The other was Xiao Wu, also Rank 29, Soft Bone Rabbit assault-type Battle Soul Master.

Five years had passed, and she too had grown much taller. Her babyish face had lost some of its immaturity, gaining a young girl's liveliness and playfulness.

It was just that she... aside from when she slept, she had almost never left Lin Yi's side, and Lin Yi had never figured out why.

Finally, there was Lin Yi.

He had also grown considerably taller, but compared with Tang San's sturdy build, he appeared more slender and lean.

The five years had not left many traces on his face. He still wore that gentle, calm expression.

At the moment, his publicly displayed Soul Power Level was Rank 19, but he was actually Rank 29 as well.

Precisely because of Lin Yi's low profile and concealment, he had not achieved good results in the graduation assessment a few days ago. As a result, he had not received a recommendation letter for a Soul Master Academy.

Of course.

Other than Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, everyone knew what was going on.

Director Su looked at Lin Yi and secretly shook his head. He tapped the desk twice. "Everyone, quiet down. As is customary, after the graduation assessment, our academy has ten recommendation letters."

He looked at Tang San and continued, "However, since student Tang San and student Xiao Wu do not need recommendation letters, the letters will go to those with the best assessment results..."

As soon as he finished speaking, whispers spread through the classroom.

"Tang San doesn't want a recommendation letter? Is that for real?"

"Director Su said it himself, so it has to be true. I just wonder where he plans to go next."

"What about Xiao Wu? She doesn't want one either?"

As everyone discussed it, they all glanced toward Lin Yi intentionally or otherwise.

Lin Yi, meanwhile, rested his chin on his hand, his gaze drifting toward the window.

Five years. I'm finally leaving Nuoding City.

According to the original plot, Yu Xiaogang will recommend Shrek to Tang San, and Xiao Wu will follow him, but now...

Ah, if Tang Hao hasn't left yet, maybe the plot can still be put back together.

He turned his head and glanced at Xiao Wu, who sat beside him.

For the past five years, Xiao Wu had stayed by his side.

Wherever he went, Xiao Wu followed, like a little tail he could not shake off.

At first, Lin Yi had tried to get her back onto the original plot, but after several failed attempts, he simply let her do as she pleased.

Forget it. The plot went off the rails long ago, so there's no point agonizing over it.

My goal... I don't really have one. As long as I don't go to that Shrek place with Tang San, it'll be fine.

If Xiao Wu weren't following me, I could go take a look at Heaven Dou City.

Lin Yi wanted to go to Heaven Dou City, but with Xiao Wu following him, things would become troublesome.

Although he did not want to get involved, Xiao Wu had followed behind him for five years. He could not just watch her walk into her death.

Hearing Lin Yi's Heart Voice, everyone immediately understood.

Tang San did not want an academy recommendation letter because Grandmaster was secretly taking care of him.

And judging by Xiao Wu's attitude, she seemed determined to follow Lin Yi to the end.

But none of them cared about that. As long as they could get a recommendation letter, that was enough.

"Lin Yi." Suddenly, Xiao Wu's lowered voice came from beside him. "Where do you plan to go after graduation?"

Lin Yi pulled back his wandering thoughts and turned to look at her. "I haven't decided yet."

Can I say I want to go to Heaven Dou City?

Forget it. I'll brush her off for now.