The first checkpoint, broken!
A surge of joy rose in Ye Feng's heart, but he forcibly suppressed his excitement. He knew this wasn't the time to get distracted.
The first surge was strongest; the second would weaken, and by the third, it would be spent.
Gathering all his focus, he guided that wisp of energy, now slightly stronger, along the established route and toward the second checkpoint.
A soft sound rang out.
The second checkpoint, broken!
The third...
The fourth...
He swept through them like a hot knife through butter!
As that initial wisp of golden energy broke through one checkpoint after another, it seemed to rouse some dormant power within Ye Feng's body. At that moment, the foundation of his innate Level Seven Soul Power was fully activated.
Within his silent body, threads of golden energy began to emerge on their own, joining the torrent and making it grow stronger and stronger.
From a single strand of hair, to a cotton thread, then to a stream.
The instant the final major checkpoint broke open, Ye Feng felt his whole body shake.
The golden energy that had gathered into a stream finally completed its first circuit. It surged into the sea of qi in his dantian and settled there, forming a tiny golden vortex.
This was his very first wisp of Soul Power!
Though weak, it was incomparably pure, carrying the bright, righteous aura of light.
He'd done it!
Though this was only the most basic application, it meant he had stepped beyond being an ordinary person with nothing but talent and officially crossed the threshold into becoming a Soul Master!
Time flew by, and before long, another month had passed.
Over the past month, Ye Feng's life had grown even more disciplined.
By day, he was still the most inconspicuous waiter at the Red Romance Hotel.
By night, he became the most devout ascetic.
Whenever the night grew quiet, he would sit cross-legged on the wooden bed in his dormitory and cycle through his meditation method again and again, drawing in the energy particles between heaven and earth to strengthen his Soul Power vortex.
His innate Level Seven talent was now on full display.
In just one month, the Soul Power in his dantian had grown from its initial wisp to nearly Level Ten.
Early this morning, before the sky had even fully brightened, Ye Feng had packed up all his belongings.
There wasn't much to pack.
A half-worn cloth bundle held a newly bought set of black brocade clothes, with tight stitching and reasonably sturdy fabric.
This outfit, together with the one he was wearing, had cost him one Silver Soul Coin in total.
It was the biggest expense out of all the savings he had painstakingly scraped together over the past three months, rising early and working late.
He had carefully wrapped his remaining twenty-nine Silver Soul Coins in a strip of cloth and tucked them close to his chest.
After packing, Ye Feng went to the kitchen in the hotel's back courtyard.
Wang Dali was chewing on a toothpick as he supervised the cooks preparing ingredients for breakfast.
"Uncle Wang."
Ye Feng walked over and bowed slightly.
Wang Dali turned around. Seeing him with his bundle, he wasn't surprised at all. He simply took out the toothpick and smiled.
"You've made up your mind? Going today?"
"Yeah."
Ye Feng nodded.
"The academy starts today. I should be going."
"You brat..."
Wang Dali looked him up and down and shook his head.
"You've got no luggage at all. You're heading to the academy like that? Planning to sleep on a bare plank tonight?"
Ye Feng scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
"It's fine. I'll make do for one night, then buy something in town tomorrow."
Wang Dali gave him an exasperated look, then turned and went into the storeroom nearby. A moment later, he came back carrying a neatly folded bedding set and shoved it straight into Ye Feng's arms.
"Here, take it! The shop has an extra set. Take it with you—it's... it's Uncle Wang's way of supporting you."
The bedding was thick and sturdy, and smelled of sunshine and soap.
Holding it in his arms, Ye Feng didn't know what to say.
Over the past three months, Wang Dali had looked after him in many ways, even if he never said so outright.
He had taught him to read and arranged easier work for him.
Ye Feng would always remember that kindness.
"Uncle Wang... I..."
"Enough, enough. You're a grown man. Don't get all sentimental."
Wang Dali waved him off impatiently, but couldn't help adding:
"Once you get to the academy, train hard. Don't waste that talent of yours.
"If things don't work out or someone bullies you, come back anytime. Uncle Wang's always got room for another server."
"Yeah!"
Ye Feng nodded firmly.
"Uncle Wang, I'll be sure to repay your kindness."
"It's nothing. Come back and visit anytime you get bored."
"Okay, Uncle Wang!"
Ye Feng bowed deeply once more, then hugged the bedding tightly and turned toward the hotel entrance.
He crossed the streets, still tinged with the chill of early morning, and soon the imposing gates of Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy came into view. They weren't grand, but they certainly had a stately air.
Two guards in academy uniforms stood at the entrance, looking bored as they kept watch.
When they saw a boy approaching with a bundle on his back and a bedroll in his arms, one of them instinctively moved to shoo him away.
Ye Feng said nothing. He simply pulled his Martial Soul verification slip from his chest and handed it over.
"Hello. I'm a new student here to register."
One guard reluctantly took the slip and glanced at it. The next second, he froze.
"Martial Soul... Light and Shadow... Innate Soul Power... Level Seven?!"
He rubbed his eyes, leaned in for another look, and, once he was sure he hadn't misread it, stared at Ye Feng as though he were some kind of monster.
The other guard leaned over curiously. After seeing what was written on the slip, he sucked in a sharp breath too.
"You... You're that genius Soul Master who awakened three months ago here in Nuoding City?!"
One of the guards asked in shock, unable to believe it.
A genius with innate Level Seven Soul Power!
This had long since ceased to be a secret in Nuoding City. It was practically common knowledge among the upper circles and in fields related to Soul Masters.
As academy guards, they had naturally heard about it countless times.
They simply hadn't expected that the legendary genius would be this plainly dressed boy, carrying an old bedroll.
"Heh, I wouldn't say that."
Ye Feng smiled modestly.
"There are plenty of geniuses out there. I'm not much of one."
That was true enough.
In a small place like Nuoding City, innate Level Seven Soul Power might be a once-in-a-century talent.
But across the whole continent, he was only a minor prodigy at best—barely worth calling a genius.
The guards' attitude changed completely. They respectfully returned the slip to Ye Feng and stepped aside to let him pass.
"Please, come in. The registration office is on the first floor of the tallest teaching building up ahead."
Ye Feng thanked them and carried his bedding through the academy gates.
However, the moment he stepped inside, a familiar and unwelcome figure appeared ahead.
Yu Xiaogang.
With his hands behind his back, he stood in the middle of the path with an air of lofty pride, seemingly waiting for him.
"Ye Feng, right?"
Yu Xiaogang spoke slowly, wearing an expression that suggested he had everything under control.
"This Grandmaster knew you'd come to study at the academy."
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