Two and a Half Years Later

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two and a half years had passed.

Ever since that previous upheaval, nothing troublesome had happened at Nuoding Academy.

Lin Nuo was more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Thanks to the large sum of Gold Soul Coins the City Lord's Manor had sent to win his favor, Lin Nuo had consumed quite a bit of aged Whale Rubber during this time.

Combined with his day-after-day diligent training, both his physical condition and Soul Power underwent a qualitative leap.

By now, Lin Nuo's Soul Power had successfully reached the bottleneck of level twenty.

All he needed was to hunt and absorb another Soul Ring to officially enter the ranks of a Soul Grandmaster.

"Nuoding City isn't a place to stay for long. It's time to graduate."

Lin Nuo stretched lazily, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

His target for his second Soul Ring was at least a thousand years old.

He even felt that if he still chose a spider-type soul beast, then with the formidable attributes of the Death Spider Emperor, challenging one that was two thousand years old would not be a problem.

But if he wanted to absorb a Soul Ring beyond his level, he had to make plans in Heaven Dou City.

Although heading rashly to Heaven Dou City, or even Sunset Forest, at his current age and strength carried some risk,

as the capitalists from his previous life had said, as long as there was a three-hundred-percent profit, they would dare risk the gallows!

As long as he planned properly, he could minimize the risks.

In short: the advantage was his!

However, before leaving Nuoding City, there was one crucial matter he needed to handle along the way.

Ever since he had been locked onto by that killing intent two and a half years ago, Lin Nuo had never sensed Tang Hao's presence again.

Obviously, that old bastard had gone off somewhere to drink himself into oblivion and was definitely nowhere near Nuoding City.

In that case, it was time to retrieve the treasure destined for him.

The hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone in the waterfall cave outside Holy Soul Village might not perfectly match the attributes of the Death Spider Emperor, but a top-tier Spirit Bone like that would be excellent to keep as a foundation.

Besides, Tang San's mother, who had turned into a blade of grass, was still waiting in that sunless little cave.

Lin Nuo had a strong feeling that he would definitely have no shortage of life-and-death clashes with Tang San in the future.

Since they were bound to face off sooner or later, he might as well get his hands on the other party's mother beforehand and use her as a bargaining chip.

How pitiful was it for a blade of grass to be left all alone in a cave where it never saw the sun?

It would be better for her to stay by his side and get some sunlight.

After all, Lin here loved taking care of ladies the most.

After briefly tidying up the dormitory he had lived in for two and a half years, Lin Nuo turned and left, heading straight for Director Su's office in the academic affairs department.

"Lin Nuo, you... you're graduating already?"

Looking at the tall, upright youth before him, Director Su wore a complicated expression, and his voice was filled with reluctance.

At first, he had indeed deliberately befriended Lin Nuo because he had taken a liking to his heaven-defying talent.

But the boy was sensible and knew how to conduct himself. After two and a half years together, he had genuinely come to like this outstanding young talent.

Though he knew this great figure would leave the little temple of Nuoding Academy sooner or later, the day arriving so quickly still left him somewhat dazed.

"Please help me process the paperwork, Director Su." Lin Nuo smiled as he handed over his application. "For my next destination, I'll ask Deacon Su Yuntao of Spirit Hall to help make the arrangements."

After two and a half years of consideration, Lin Nuo had ultimately decided that his first stop would be Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

As for the specific enrollment arrangements, once he spoke with Su Yuntao, Spirit Hall naturally had channels to handle everything for him.

Director Su nodded deeply in agreement.

In his view, for a genius like Lin Nuo, born a commoner with no background whatsoever, choosing Spirit Hall was undoubtedly the wisest choice.

With the boy's monstrous talent, was it not only a matter of time before he caught the attention of Spirit Hall's higher-ups and soared to greatness?

"Fine. Since you've already made your arrangements, I won't try to keep you any longer."

Director Su sighed, swiftly stamped Lin Nuo's documents, completed his graduation certificate, and solemnly placed it in his hands.

"Lin Nuo, as your director, I wish you a bright future on the path of a soul master and a smooth journey ahead."

Director Su patted his shoulder. "Remember, you will always be Nuoding Academy's greatest pride!"

The moment he stepped out through Nuoding Academy's gates, Lin Nuo did not waste a second and headed straight for Spirit Hall in the city center with practiced familiarity.

As soon as he entered the main hall, he happened to run into Su Yuntao, who was preparing to head out on business.

The moment Su Yuntao saw the monstrous genius whose top-tier martial soul he had personally awakened years ago, his eyes immediately lit up, and he hurried over with enthusiasm.

"Yo, Lin Nuo? Did the sun rise in the west today? What brings you to Brother Tao's place?"

Lin Nuo did not stand on ceremony. A gentle smile curled across his lips as he got straight to the point.

"Brother Tao, my Soul Power has reached level twenty.

I've just completed my graduation paperwork at the academy. For what comes next, I suppose I'll have to shamelessly trouble Spirit Hall for some help."

In an instant, it was as if someone had pressed the mute button on the entire hall.

The smile on Su Yuntao's face froze abruptly, and he wondered whether he had slept so poorly last night that he was hearing things.

Not even nine years old, and level twenty?!

What the hell was this terrifying cultivation speed?!

Even a monster with Innate Full Soul Power could not cultivate at such an absurd rate, could he?!

Once he came to his senses, Su Yuntao did not even bother with the task at hand. He grabbed Lin Nuo by the arm and dragged him in a panic toward Master Ma Xiunuo's office on the second floor.

A few minutes later, inside the office.

As they looked at the testing crystal ball beneath Lin Nuo's hand, radiating a dazzling brilliance, Su Yuntao and Ma Xiunuo, two deacons from different generations, simultaneously sucked in a sharp breath.

Level twenty. It really was level twenty!

Looking at that crystalline radiance, bright enough to blind them, the two felt something crack inside their minds. The common sense and worldview they had maintained for so many years shattered into pieces at that very moment.

"Cough, cough..."

Master Ma Xiunuo was the first to recover.

He tried hard to calm his wildly pounding heart. When he looked at Lin Nuo again, his eyes were practically those of a man staring at a priceless, peerless treasure, and even the wrinkles on his face bloomed with smiles.

"Lin Nuo, you said just now that you needed help with something?

Just say it! With your talent, as long as it falls within the authority of Spirit Hall in Nuoding City, this old man will put his reputation on the line and get it done for you!"

Faced with their enthusiasm, as though they wanted to worship him, Lin Nuo maintained his courteous demeanor.

First, he flawlessly thanked Spirit Hall for all the care it had shown him over the years, fully satisfying their emotional needs, before calmly stating his request.

"Grandpa Ma Xiunuo, Brother Tao, here's the situation.

Nuoding Academy's courses are no longer of any use to me. Next, I plan to continue my studies at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

At this point, Lin Nuo paused slightly, revealing a trace of perfectly timed helplessness. "But I heard that the threshold there is quite high, and enrollment requires a recommendation letter from a noble.

As someone born a commoner, I truly don't have connections in that regard. After thinking it over, I could only come to Spirit Hall for help."