First Entry into Plant Academy (Second Update)

Heaven Dou City.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled across the bustling streets. Behind him, the auction house's gilded doors slowly closed, shutting out the rising and falling clamor over priceless treasures within.

Lin Mo slowly stepped out of the crowd, then vanished into the stream of people.

This trip to the auction had brought him immense wealth. He had completely escaped poverty, cast off the straitened circumstances he had faced upon first arriving in Heaven Dou City, and gained the means to live freely.

He did not linger in the lively marketplace. Avoiding the passing noble carriages and wandering Soul Masters, he turned into the quiet lanes of a residential quarter.

Heaven Dou City.

Inside a luxury room at a top-tier hotel.

Before a full-length mirror, Lin Mo studied the figure reflected within. He wore a moon-white brocade robe, its hem and cuffs embroidered with subtle bamboo patterns. As light shifted across it, the robe exuded understated luxury.

The young man stood tall and slender, with handsome, tranquil features. The immaturity of youth had faded from him, replaced by the refined bearing of a young nobleman.

Sure enough.

Clothes made the man, and the saddle made the horse.

Lin Mo lowered his head and adjusted his cuffs. The fabric was silky smooth.

He had bought quite a few of these extravagantly luxurious brocade robes and stored them in the system storage space for later use.

On Douluo Continent, having one's clothes torn apart in battle was rather common.

Besides that, he had also purchased many high-quality items.

To him, money was merely a string of numbers.

With six million Gold Soul Coins, he had already achieved financial freedom.

Now, it was time to set out.

A glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes.

The following morning.

An exclusive luxury beast-drawn carriage had long been waiting outside. The Soul Beast pulling it was covered in snow-white fur and possessed powerful limbs. It was a traveling Soul Beast reserved for nobles.

"Young Master, everything is ready. We can depart for Elemental City at any time." The servant driving the carriage bowed with his head lowered, his attitude exceedingly respectful.

Lin Mo gave a slight nod, lifted his robe, and stepped into the carriage.

The carriage curtains gently fell, shutting out the noise outside.

The wheels began to turn. The Wind Horse Beast strode steadily forward, carrying the carriage smoothly out of Heaven Dou City's gates and racing toward Elemental City.

The carriage sped along, and the journey passed without incident.

Lin Mo sat quietly in the carriage with his eyes closed, regulating his breathing as Soul Power slowly circulated through his body.

Elemental City was not far from Heaven Dou City.

As the carriage raced onward, the outline of Elemental City appeared on the horizon by noon.

In the distance, a city surrounded by boundless greenery gradually came into view.

It lacked Heaven Dou City's majestic grandeur and overwhelming presence, yet it radiated freedom and tranquility everywhere.

Above the city gates were two ancient, weighty characters—Elemental City.

The luxurious carriage did not stop. After entering the city, it headed directly for Plant Academy.

Quite a few young Soul Masters walked through the streets along the way, chatting noisily.

Looking out through the carriage window, Lin Mo discovered that the city was lively, and most of its residents were young Soul Masters.

With such a huge gathering of young Soul Masters, it somewhat resembled a university town from his previous life.

In a sense, that was indeed the case.

Before long, the luxurious carriage stopped outside Plant Academy's gates, drawing the attention of many people nearby.

Plant Academy had no towering, forbidding walls. In their place stood a ring of naturally growing, incredibly tough thorny vines.

They served as both a defensive barrier and a natural decoration.

Ancient vines wound around the academy gates, intertwining with one another as lush flowers and leaves draped down. Above them hung an ancient wooden plaque bearing the four seal-script characters: Plant Academy.

The entrance was rather deserted. It seemed that registration had ended long ago.

Lin Mo stepped down from the carriage and calmly walked forward.

At the admissions desk, an upperclassman in a dark green dress sat with her arms folded, dozing off.

"Hello, I'm here to register," Lin Mo said as he approached the admissions desk.

The young woman was startled awake from her nap.

Who am I?

Where am I?

Once she saw who had arrived, her pretty face flushed crimson, and she was utterly mortified.

"Y-you're here to register?"

"Are you a new student here to enroll, junior?" An upperclassman with delicate features and a gentle temperament approached him, her voice soft.

"That's right." Lin Mo nodded slightly.

"You're rather late, junior. General admissions for this year's new students ended several days ago. However, if you have special circumstances or a letter of recommendation, an exception can be made," the upperclassman explained gently.

This position had been specifically kept for receiving those "special individuals."

The girl who had been on duty stood beside them, her face flushed as she did not dare make a sound.

"This is a recommendation letter from Spirit Hall. Would this do?" Lin Mo raised his hand, and a letter immediately appeared in his palm. He wore a ring on his hand.

The upperclassman's gaze shifted slightly.

A storage Soul Tool.

"With a recommendation letter from Spirit Hall, there is naturally no issue. I can take you inside to complete your enrollment procedures." The upperclassman smiled gently and stepped aside to lead the way, her attitude extremely welcoming.

Once Lin Mo followed, she turned and began guiding him.

Before leaving, the upperclassman glanced at the girl on duty, the meaning in her eyes obvious.

Lin Mo followed the upperclassman into the academy. Pavilions and towers along the way were surrounded by lush vegetation, while flowing water murmured and floral fragrances lingered in the air. Everywhere brimmed with vibrant life, like a paradise secluded from the world.

"My name is Su Yue. What is your name, junior?" Su Yue asked.

"Lin Mo."

"Junior Lin."

As they walked, Senior Su Yue took the initiative to explain the academy's freshman class assignment rules, speaking with patient care.

"At Plant Academy, the first-year students are divided into three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C."

"Class C is the ordinary freshman class. It accepts students with average Soul Power and talent, focusing mainly on basic Soul Power cultivation and fundamental knowledge of plant Martial Souls."

"Class B is the quality freshman class. It admits students below level twenty-five Soul Power whose Martial Souls show decent growth potential. They are provided with better teachers and cultivation resources."

"Class A is the elite experimental class. It only accepts new students with outstanding talent, rare Martial Souls, and extremely high potential. They receive the academy's best resources and are personally taught by senior academy instructors."

"All students who enroll late must take the academy's unified freshman assessment in three days. It consists of a talent and Soul Power evaluation as well as a basic practical combat trial. Those whose overall scores meet the standard will be assigned to Class A, Class B, or Class C according to merit," Su Yue said seriously.

Lin Mo listened quietly and understood.

The class assignment rules were simple and straightforward. Strength determined one's standing; background and status did not matter. Only talent and potential were considered, making it exceptionally fair.

Before long, the two arrived at the academy's freshman registration office.

The teacher responsible for registration and fee collection looked up at Lin Mo. Seeing his extraordinary bearing, the teacher was briefly stunned before quickly returning to normal and methodically stating the enrollment fees.

"The annual enrollment fee for new students, basic resource fee, and shared dormitory accommodation fee come to a total of five hundred Gold Soul Coins."

"Mm. I would like to apply for a private single dormitory," Lin Mo said.

"A single dormitory?" The teacher paused.

"We do have detached villas, but they are considered special accommodations... If you wish to stay in one, the annual fee is five thousand Gold Soul Coins. The environment is absolutely quiet, and no one will disturb you." The registration teacher introduced them with particular enthusiasm.

Lin Mo raised his hand and placed down a bulging money pouch.

A storage Soul Tool?

He really was a big shot.

The teacher carefully opened the money pouch and was immediately dazzled by the golden light.

I acknowledge this kind of strength—financial strength.

This new student definitely had an extraordinary background.

The teacher quickly checked the fees, recorded the information, and handed over a freshman identity token carved with plant patterns along with a dormitory pass.

"The procedures are complete. Your residence is located in the academy's Quiet West Garden. The environment is excellent and suitable for secluded cultivation."

"Three days from now, report to the academy's martial arena at dawn for the freshman class assignment assessment."

"Thank you."

Lin Mo accepted the token and held it in his palm, his fingertips brushing over its cool wooden grain.

He raised his eyes toward Plant Academy before him, filled with lush greenery and endless vitality. A faint light gleamed in his gaze.

Hide one's edge among the grass and trees; lie dormant in quiet seclusion.

From this day onward, he was a member of Plant Academy.