Director Su was rubbing his temples as he looked at Grandmaster. He sighed and said, "Grandmaster, it's obvious Tang San provoked him first this time. You can't blame Xiao Qing."
"That doesn't mean he had to hit him so hard! Just look at what's become of Xiao San! I won't let this go. The academy must give me an explanation!" Grandmaster protested relentlessly.
Director Su let out a cold laugh. "Then go talk to the dean. As far as I'm concerned, Chu Qing did nothing wrong."
A Soul Grandmaster who hadn't even reached level thirty had been mooching off the academy for years, peddling his Ten Great Martial Soul Fusion Theories all day long, and now he was trying to twist the facts? What an absurd man!
Too bad he wasn't the dean. If he were, he'd have thrown Grandmaster out long ago!
Grandmaster ground his teeth in fury. With a cold snort, he swept out of the room. He would make those people see that his theories were absolutely right! He might have suffered a minor setback, but Tang San would surely trample Chu Qing underfoot!
After the battle that day, Chu Qing didn't dwell on it. He continued going to the library every day, studying all kinds of knowledge about the Soul Master World and exploring his own Martial Soul.
He discovered that his Martial Soul was not only effective in attack, but also quite capable on the defensive.
Once he manifested his Martial Soul, he could gather flames around himself to form a barrier of fire. Ordinary attacks couldn't even get close; the moment they met the flames surrounding him, they were swallowed up.
Over the two years, he'd had no rivals left at Nuoding Junior Academy. As for Tang San, he didn't even dare show his face when he saw Chu Qing, though whenever they crossed paths, his eyes still held a vicious gleam.
Chu Qing paid him no mind. He quietly cultivated, improving his strength and familiarizing himself with his Martial Soul. But he'd reached a bottleneck at Nuoding Academy.
His Soul Power had already reached level nineteen. It was time to seek out his Second Soul Ring.
It looks like it's time to leave, Chu Qing thought.
In fact, he'd met the graduation requirements at Nuoding Junior Academy long ago. He'd stayed only to learn more about the Soul Master World and figure out what kind of Soul Ring he truly needed.
At last, he made up his mind to leave Nuoding Junior Academy and head for the Star Dou Great Forest to seek the Soul Ring he wanted.
Surviving in the Star Dou Great Forest would be difficult with his strength, but fortune favored the bold. He was a commoner Soul Master with no background. Unless he fought for it himself, even top-tier talent wouldn't take him very far.
Once he'd made his decision, he went straight to the Academic Affairs Office and told them he wanted to leave.
Director Su listened, then said, "Xiao Qing, you've met the graduation requirements with your current strength, but you're still very young. Are you sure you want to leave now?"
Director Su admired the boy, who had so much potential and such firm resolve, and was also quite worried about him.
Nuoding Junior Academy had never had a student graduate at such a young age. And as an academy for commoner Soul Masters, Director Su didn't have the influence to get him into a higher-level academy.
"Teacher Su, thank you for taking care of me these past two years. But I've made my own plans, and now it's time for me to leave," Chu Qing said, firm and composed.
Director Su looked at the boy's resolute eyes and opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to refuse. After all, the young had their own soaring ambitions. This little Nuoding Academy was never going to hold back an eagle spreading its wings.
He sighed. "Fine, then. Go if you must. There isn't much room for growth here anyway..." As he spoke, he took some Gold Soul Coins from his Soul Tool.
"Take these. They're some travel money for you to use on the road. It isn't much, so don't turn your nose up at it." Then he took a ring from his robes and said, "I got this Soul Tool through a stroke of luck many years ago. Don't let its small size fool you—it can hold a full thirty square meters' worth of things. I'll give it to you as well. You can give it a name."
Chu Qing was just about to refuse, but Director Su cut him off. He could only accept the ring-shaped Soul Tool and the Gold Soul Coins with a solemn expression.
"Teacher, I'll never let your guidance go to waste!" Chu Qing said. Then he bowed deeply three times.
Director Su looked at him with emotion. Perhaps the mood had grown too somber, so he changed the subject. "Have you thought of a name for the Soul Tool?"
"I'll call it the Storage Ring. It stores things," Chu Qing replied after a moment's thought.
"Not bad. That's a good name." Director Su smiled, then added, "Come on. I'll take care of the paperwork for you."
Chu Qing respectfully said goodbye. He held Director Su in great esteem; the older man had helped him a great deal over the past two years. If he ever came across a great opportunity in the future, he would be sure to give Director Su a hand.
The Gold Soul Coins had come at just the right time. Though he was registered with the local Spirit Hall branch and received an allowance, he was still strapped for cash.
He soon bade the teachers farewell, hired a carriage, and left Nuoding City for his destination—the Star Dou Great Forest.
The Star Dou Great Forest lay along the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. It covered a vast area and teemed with powerful Soul Beasts, making it nothing like the Soul Hunting Forest. Its dangers were naturally on an entirely different scale as well.
Several days later, a boy dressed in black stepped down from the carriage. He stretched his aching neck; the long ride had left him feeling miserable.
Is this the town outside the Star Dou Great Forest? It's getting late. I'd better find a hotel first.
He entered a hotel and sat down. Before long, a little girl with a delicate, doll-like face walked in and plopped herself down right in front of Chu Qing. He couldn't help taking a couple of extra glances at her.
"What are you looking at? Keep staring and I'll kill you!" the girl said arrogantly.
"Oh? Who are you, and where did you get that nerve?" Chu Qing asked, staring at her with interest instead of fear.
The girl was used to throwing her weight around. Now, seeing that the boy in front of her wasn't afraid at all and had even dared to question her, she was quite surprised.
"Hmph! I'll have you know, I'm Ning..." She abruptly stopped halfway through. She'd snuck out this time and couldn't just reveal her identity.
"Who I am is none of your business. You still haven't answered my question—why were you staring at me?" the girl replied haughtily.
Chu Qing looked over her clothes. Every piece was expensive; she was clearly a noble's child. Feeling playful, he said, "I was just thinking you looked like you'd snuck out."