Early Graduation, Ignoring the Clown

Three cold words squeezed through the gaps in Ye Feng's teeth.

Too lazy to keep up the pretense, he strode forward, walking straight past Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang was stunned by this sudden shift.

He had not expected that Ye Feng, who was "humbly seeking guidance" just a second ago, would dare to treat him, a master of theory, in such a manner the next.

By the time he reacted, Ye Feng had already walked out of the shop's entrance.

"You... what did you say?!"

Yu Xiaogang's face instantly flushed a liver-colored purple. A surge of anger from being toyed with and humiliated welled up in his heart, and he pointed at Ye Feng's retreating back, roaring in exasperation.

"Fine! Very well, Ye Feng! You just wait! Once we return to the academy, see how this Master deals with you!"

Ye Feng's footsteps did not falter in the slightest, treating the words as if he hadn't heard them at all.

Just wait, indeed.

If not for the fear that the woman far away in Martial Soul City might go insane, he truly would have killed this bastard right now.

Calming his churning emotions, Ye Feng hurried back to the inn.

He closed the door, shutting out all the clamor of the outside world.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took the thin booklet, Introduction to Heart Separation Control, from his robes and let his gaze fall upon the cover.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

It was once again the annual opening day at Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy.

The campus was buzzing with noise, filled with the excitement of new students and the rowdiness of the seniors.

However, none of this had anything to do with Ye Feng.

While other students were still preparing for the new semester, he walked straight toward the academy's administrative office and knocked on the door of the dean's office.

The dean was an old man who looked kind and amiable, and he still had a deep impression of the name Ye Feng.

After all, a congenital soul power of level seven was something that might not appear in a place like Nuoding City for decades.

"Student Ye Feng, is there something you need? Is there anything about academy life you aren't accustomed to?"

The dean put down the files in his hands and asked gently.

Ye Feng shook his head and got straight to the point.

"Dean, I am here to apply for graduation."

"What?"

The dean thought he had misheard; he adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose and confirmed again:

"Graduation? You have only been enrolled for a year, and your soul power has just reached level twelve. Isn't it a bit too early to apply for graduation now?"

"It is not too early."

Ye Feng's attitude was resolute:

"I have already mastered all the basic knowledge the academy can teach.

Whether it is martial soul theory or the Soul Beast Illustrated Handbook, I have basically finished reading all the books in the library."

"As for actual combat... the academy's instruction holds little meaning for me."

These words were spoken very directly, perhaps even arrogantly.

Yet, coming from Ye Feng's mouth, they carried an unquestionable sense of confidence.

The dean fell silent.

He carefully scrutinized the youth before him.

Silver hair, a face so handsome it didn't seem mortal, and a composure and calmness far beyond his peers.

He understood clearly that for a genius like Ye Feng, using conventional educational methods to restrain him was a waste in itself.

There was indeed little left that the academy could offer him.

Rather than letting him waste his time at the academy, it was better to let him go to a broader world.

"I understand."

After a long while, the dean nodded and took a form out of his drawer.

"Since you have already decided, I will not try to persuade you further. Fill out this graduation application, and I will sign it for you."

"Many thanks, Dean."

Ye Feng did not hesitate in the slightest; he picked up a pen and filled in his information with a few swift strokes.

The entire process was crisp and efficient.

When Ye Feng walked out of the administrative office holding the stamped graduation certificate, his heart felt light.

One more shackle that had bound him had been removed.

Back at Dormitory Seven, Aolan, Wang Sheng, and the others were gathered together, excitedly discussing their plans for the new semester.

Seeing Ye Feng push the door open and enter, Aolan slung an arm around his shoulder in a carefree manner.

"Brother Feng, where did you run off to? The teacher just came to notify us that there's an opening ceremony this afternoon, don't be late!"

Wang Sheng also crowded over, a simple and honest smile on his face.

"Yeah, Brother Feng, I heard there are quite a few pretty female students this year. Let's go check them out together when the time comes."

Ye Feng looked at these roommates he had spent a year with, a rare trace of softness appearing on his face.

He took the graduation certificate out from his pocket and waved it in front of everyone.

"From now on, you'll have to go see for yourselves. I've graduated."

"What?!"

Aolan's voice shot up instantly as he snatched the paper away, his eyes widening.

"A graduation certificate?! Brother Feng, you aren't joking, right? School just started!"

Wang Sheng and the other Work-Study Students all gathered around, their faces filled with shock and confusion.

"Brother Feng, why are you leaving?"

"Exactly, we were still planning on following your lead."

The atmosphere in the dormitory shifted from lively to silent in an instant.

Ye Feng patted Aolan on the shoulder and took back the graduation certificate.

"There is no banquet in the world that doesn't come to an end. The academy has nothing left to teach me; staying here would just be a waste of time."

He scanned the group, then pulled several dozen Gold Soul Coins from his coin purse and shoved them into Wang Sheng's hand.

"Take this money. Don't let anyone bully you while you're at the academy. Aolan, you're the strongest, so look after everyone."

Although their year together had been short, this group of simple, honest Work-Study Students in Dormitory Seven had truly made him feel a long-lost warmth.

Aolan, once a defeated opponent of his, felt his eyes turn slightly red.

"Brother Feng... where are you going?"

"I don't know. I'll find a place to stay first and focus on my cultivation."

Ye Feng's answer was concise and to the point.

He packed up his meager belongings, which consisted of nothing more than a small bundle.

"I'm off."

There were no excessive words, no drawn-out, messy farewells.

Ye Feng slung his bundle over his shoulder and, under the reluctant gazes of the group, turned and walked out of Dormitory Seven.

However, just as he reached the academy gate, an expected figure blocked his path.

Yu Xiaogang.

He seemed to have been waiting there specifically, his face twisted with barely suppressed anger and a cold sneer.

"Ye Feng! You actually dare to appear before me! You managed to run away at the shop last time, but today, this Grandmaster will make you understand what it means to respect your teacher!"

Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, striking a pose as if ready to hold him accountable.

In his view, since Ye Feng had come to school today, he was still an academy student, and he had countless ways to deal with this arrogant brat.

But the moment his words fell, he saw Ye Feng glance at him as if he were an idiot, then walk around him and head straight for the gate.

This feeling of being completely ignored sent Yu Xiaogang's rage to its peak.

"You stop right there!"

He lunged forward, blocking Ye Feng's path once more, and roared:

"What kind of attitude is that! Do you think I won't..."

"Do you think you'll go to the Dean and report me, preventing me from graduating?"

Ye Feng finally stopped and looked at him with amusement.

Yu Xiaogang froze, then let out a cold snort.

"It seems you aren't completely stupid! Now, apologize to this Grandmaster immediately, and I might consider a lighter punishment!"