Martial Soul Hall Academy

At 8:00 PM, the family returned to the hotel where they had stayed before their departure.

Back at the supply town, the Zhang family spent two full days resting and recuperating, finally allowing their tightly wound nerves to relax.

Two days later, the carriage began its return journey, and it was not until mid-December that they finally arrived back in Heding City.

Upon returning home, before the servants could even serve tea to Zhang Lingyue, the gatekeeper Liu Shouzhuo walked in clutching a letter.

"Master, two days ago, a deacon from the Heding City Martial Soul Branch Hall delivered this letter."

Zhang Lingyue tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter. At a single glance, his calm expression shifted into astonishment: "What? Martial Soul Hall Academy?"

Heding City Martial Soul Branch Hall, reception room.

There were only a few people in the reception room, but every one of them held a pivotal position in Heding City.

The only exception was six-and-a-half-year-old Zhang Yang, who possessed a soul power of level eleven.

At this moment, Zhang Yang was dressed in an exquisite robe, sitting quietly in a corner of the room.

Before long, the door to the reception room was pushed open, and a middle-aged man in a purple robe walked in, led by a maid.

Seeing the arrival of the purple-robed man, everyone in the room stood up to greet him.

"Bishop Sanders, let me introduce you..."

Also dressed in a purple robe, the Heding City Martial Soul Branch Hall master, Austin, acted as the host and began to introduce the guests one by one.

Bishop Sanders had short, steel-needle-like hair and thick eyebrows, his expression naturally imposing even without anger.

After the introductions were complete, Austin pointed to Zhang Yang, who was standing at the end of the crowd appearing very quiet: "This child is Zhang Yang, the only son of Deputy Hall Master Zhang Lingyue."

Zhang Yang bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Bishop Sanders."

Bishop Sanders nodded, and the next moment he reached out to grasp Zhang Yang's palm, pinching it carefully.

"Bone age six years, very good. Release your martial soul."

"Yes."

Zhang Yang obediently raised his right hand, soul power erupted from his palm, and the M14 appeared in his hand.

At the same time, a yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring appeared beneath Zhang Yang's feet, pulsing rhythmically.

"If it were someone who didn't know the truth, they certainly wouldn't guess that Zhang Yang's Innate Soul Power is only level one."

Bishop Sanders nodded slightly: "To have obtained your first soul ring at only six years old, you are indeed a genius as the secret letter stated. You truly have the qualifications to enter the Martial Soul Hall Academy."

Only then did Bishop Sanders satisfiedly allow Zhang Yang to retract his martial soul.

After checking the bone age and seeing the martial soul, Bishop Sanders cupped his hands toward Hall Master Austin and Zhang Lingyue: "Verifying identities is a matter of duty; I hope Bishop Austin and Bishop Zhang Lingyue will not take offense."

Zhang Lingyue waved his hand quickly: "No, no, how could I? The regulations are as they are, and Bishop Sanders is simply following protocol. I understand."

After the pleasantries, everyone sat back down, and the maid outside the door poured fresh tea at the opportune moment.

Taking a sip of tea, Bishop Sanders said with a calm expression: "Very well, since the identity has been verified, let us proceed to the main topic."

"I now announce that Zhang Yang will enter the Martial Soul Hall Academy as a specially recruited student."

Specially recruited students were a manifestation of the Martial Soul Hall Academy's unconventional approach to talent.

It was mostly used for genius youths like Zhang Yang who had already demonstrated their soul master talent to the outside world.

For example, Tang San, who had just obtained his soul ring.

If he had accepted the recruitment of Soul Grand Master Ma Xiunuo, then after reporting to the Martial Soul Hall, there would have been a high probability of Tang San becoming a specially recruited student to study at the Martial Soul Hall Academy.

Compared to students admitted through the normal process, the treatment for specially recruited students at the Martial Soul Hall Academy was clearly a grade higher.

Perhaps it was to make up for the time these genius soul masters lost studying elsewhere, or perhaps it was a deliberate display of the Martial Soul Hall's sincerity in "paying a thousand gold for a horse's bones" to win over hearts.

This time was no exception.

"Of course, this decision was also made because Zhang Yang is a child of our Martial Soul Hall, one of our own, and because of the cultivation talent he has displayed."

"As a specially recruited student, the academy will arrange for a Black-robed Bishop to serve as your personal mentor for one-on-one instruction during your initial period."

"Once Zhang Yang's cultivation talent is further verified, a higher-ranking mentor will take over."

"A Black-robed Bishop?" Everyone in the room was shocked.

A Black-robed Bishop was a powerful soul master at the Soul Emperor level who could only be promoted from a purple-robed bishop after reporting to the two Martial Soul Sacred Halls following the accumulation of a certain amount of merit.

A bishop of this level, when sent to a local area, would inevitably be the absolute leader of a city. No one expected that at the Martial Soul Hall Academy, they would merely be a mentor.

And an initial mentor at that.

With such formidable teaching staff, it would be hard to find a second place like this on the entire continent.

"Hmm." Bishop Sanders nodded: "Bishop Zhang Lingyue, as Zhang Yang's father, if you have any doubts in your heart, feel free to speak them."

Zhang Lingyue stood up and bowed: "Lord Sanders, I am naturally happy that the Martial Soul Hall Academy thinks highly of my son."

"Your academy holds a transcendent position within the Martial Soul Hall's educational system and possesses a formidable teaching staff. It is his good fortune that Zhang Yang can enter your academy to study."

"However, there is one thing I cannot fathom, and I ask Lord Sanders to provide some guidance."

Sanders nodded. "Bishop Zhang Lingyue, please speak freely."

"How did Martial Soul Hall Academy come to know the specific situation of my son?"

Zhang Lingyue said earnestly, "I wonder which colleague recommended my son to your esteemed academy? Such a kindness is something I cannot pretend to be unaware of."

"So that is what this is about." Sanders smiled upon hearing this and spoke frankly, "There is no such thing as kindness here; it is merely a matter of duty."

"The information regarding Zhang Yang comes from multiple sources."

"One, naturally, is Heaven Dou Academy."

"Our Martial Soul Hall Academy does not recruit students from the outside world; all students are recommended through internal channels."

"Among these, Heaven Dou Academy and Star Luo Academy are the primary sources."

"These two academies must submit a report on the recent cultivation status of all their students to our academy every six months for us to screen and absorb."

"When Bishop Zhang Lingyue's letter was sent to Heaven Dou Academy, it happened to coincide with the critical point of Heaven Dou Academy's second report of the year. Thus, Heaven Dou Academy included Zhang Yang's information in the report materials and sent it along to Martial Soul Hall Academy."

Zhang Lingyue suddenly realized. "So that is how it is."

"Correct." Bishop Sanders nodded. "As for the second source, it comes from the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Temple."

"Some time ago, the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Temple received a report from your Heding City Martial Soul Branch Hall, which contained information about Zhang Yang."

"The Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Temple, eager to cherish talent, recommended Zhang Yang to our Martial Soul Hall Academy."

"After verifying both sources, the school leadership decided to send me to Heding City to recruit Zhang Yang to study at our academy."

Zhang Lingyue finally understood; so that was the whole story.

No wonder he had submitted the application to the Martial Soul Hall Heaven Dou City Academy, yet the result that came back was for Martial Soul Hall Academy.

"I see. Thank you, Bishop Sanders, for clearing up my confusion. I have no further questions." Zhang Lingyue cupped his hands in thanks.

Sanders nodded, and with a flip of his hand, a sheet of paper appeared in his palm.

"This is the admission notice for Martial Soul Hall Academy. Please keep it safe, Bishop Zhang Lingyue."

"According to the committee's orders, student Zhang Yang must report by December 31st. Do not delay."

"I understand."

"Good." Bishop Sanders nodded, stood up, and said to the Branch Hall Master Austin beside him, "Bishop Austin, my mission is complete, so I shall not impose any longer. Please arrange for horses; I must return to Martial Soul City immediately."

"Alas, Bishop Sanders, why the rush? Why not stay for a few more days so that we may fulfill our duties as hosts..."