"Your uncle has some savings. It won't be a problem to take you to Spirit City. You'll definitely have more opportunities there."
"I remember your father once mentioned that there's a Spirit Hall Academy in Spirit City, built by Spirit Hall."
"With your talent for Innate Full Soul Power, getting into Spirit Hall Academy isn't impossible."
"Backed by Spirit Hall, Spirit Hall Academy definitely has far more resources than an ordinary academy."
Fang Qingshan said patiently.
After hearing him, Duan Fan felt conflicted.
Uncle Fang really was still the same as ever.
He considered everything for my sake.
Seeing Duan Fan stay silent, Fang Qingshan continued, "If you don't want to join Spirit Hall or go to Spirit City, you can stay at Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy, too."
"Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy may have somewhat poor teaching resources, but it's still an Elementary Spirit Master Academy. You can study here for a few years, then transfer to a better academy."
"Whatever you decide, your uncle will support you!"
For a moment, Duan Fan didn't know what to decide. "Uncle, I need to think about it."
"All right. Let me know when you've made up your mind."
Fang Qingshan smiled warmly. "You earned a Gold Soul Coin today through your own efforts. What are you planning to spend it on?"
Duan Fan took the Gold Soul Coin he'd received from the Spirit Hall Branch out of his pocket. Without giving it much thought, he said, "I'll buy Qianqian some snacks and toys, and give the rest to Auntie. I don't have much use for Soul Coins anyway."
Fang Qingshan said with mock reproach, "You're such a thoughtful child, but you never think to buy something for yourself."
An hour later.
Duan Fan returned home carrying a pile of snacks and toys, making Fang Qian overjoyed.
Auntie Ding Yutang scolded Duan Fan with a smile for wasting money. She didn't take the Soul Coins he had left over, instead telling him to keep them safe himself.
"Old Fang, you're back. I'll head to the academy now," Ding Yutang said.
Fang Qingshan nodded. "Mm. It wouldn't be good to keep taking leave."
"Uncle, why don't you go to the academy, too? I can look after Qianqian."
Fang Qingshan smiled. "No need. I don't teach theory at the academy anymore. I only have a nominal position now, so I just have to show my face there every so often."
"Would you be interested in attending classes at the academy?"
Duan Fan shook his head. "No."
"The best teacher at Notting City's Elementary Spirit Master Academy is right here in front of me. Why would I go to the academy?"
Fang Qingshan was pleased to hear that and laughed heartily. "You sure know how to make people happy."
"It's fine if you don't want to go to the academy. You can study at home."
"But compared to theoretical knowledge, I'd recommend making cultivation your top priority."
"Theoretical knowledge is more suited to Soul Masters like me, who lack the talent for cultivation. For a Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power like you, there's no need to waste time on it. Cultivate diligently and raise your Soul Power—that's what matters most."
Duan Fan nodded. "I understand, Uncle."
Over the next two days, Duan Fan spent almost all his time cultivating.
In his free time, he also gave serious thought to what he should do next.
Should he follow the usual path and attend a Soul Master Academy, or go to Spirit City to look for opportunities?
If he went to a Soul Master Academy, he would most likely be able to get through the next few years in peace.
Then, when he turned twelve, he could transfer to an advanced Soul Master Academy.
But if he went to Spirit City, there would certainly be more opportunities.
Unless something unexpected happened, he should be able to get into Spirit Hall Academy.
The only thing was, once he went there, he probably wouldn't be able to come back for many years.
What truly made Duan Fan hesitate were his uncle, aunt, and Fang Qian.
He had long since come to regard them as his real family and couldn't bear to leave them.
At noon, Duan Fan finished cultivating.
He felt that his Soul Power was getting closer and closer to level fourteen. If he kept cultivating, he should be able to break through in just a few days.
As usual, the first thing Duan Fan did after finishing his cultivation was check on Tang San's current situation.
After nearly three days of traveling, Tang San and Deacon Ding Xiulun had finally reached Soul Hunting Forest.
To save a few Soul Coins, Ding Xiulun had insisted on taking Tang San in the slowest carriage.
They finally made it. I'm sick of looking at the inside of that carriage after three days. After all that hardship, do those two really still have the energy to search Soul Hunting Forest for a suitable Soul Beast? Duan Fan grumbled inwardly.
The new content continued to refresh.
After reaching the market outside Soul Hunting Forest, Ding Xiulun surprisingly didn't dawdle again. He didn't even stop to rest, instead leading Tang San straight toward Soul Hunting Forest.
Part of the reason was that Ding Xiulun couldn't bear to spend money on Tang San at the market. He was afraid Tang San might ask for something and he'd be unable to resist putting on a brave face and paying for it.
At the fence outside Soul Hunting Forest, Tang San and Ding Xiulun were stopped by the soldiers on guard.
As a senior Deacon of Notting City Spirit Branch Hall, Ding Xiulun naturally had a Spirit Hall permit that allowed him to enter Soul Hunting Forest.
And Ding Xiulun didn't let a single chance to brag about himself pass him by. Holding up the permit, he went on and on about how powerful he was.
Tang San frowned as he listened.
Duan Fan frowned as he watched.
I can't let Ding Xiulun keep running his mouth like this. If he keeps bragging, Tang San probably won't believe a single word he says.
I need to step in early.
With a thought, Duan Fan began editing.
[The outskirts of Soul Hunting Forest.
Ding Xiulun walked ahead, holding a rake. A white and a yellow Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.
Tang San followed behind him, eyes sweeping over the surrounding bushes, a kitchen knife gripped tightly in his hand.
The kitchen knife was the weapon Ding Xiulun had prepared for Tang San to defend himself with.
They hadn't gone far when the bushes ahead rustled, and a low snore could be heard.
Ding Xiulun's hand visibly trembled. He pulled Tang San aside and led him around the bushes.
"From the sound of it, that's an animal-type Soul Beast. You have a Plant-type Martial Soul, so it won't be of any use to you."
Ding Xiulun lowered his voice. "Soul Beast Forest is extremely dangerous. If a Soul Beast isn't our target, we should avoid provoking it whenever possible."
Tang San asked, "Then what kind of Soul Beast is our target?"
"At the very least, a Plant-type Soul Beast. A Plant-type Soul Beast matches a Plant-type Martial Soul."
Ding Xiulun searched the area ahead with his eyes, then suddenly fixed his gaze on a bamboo grove dozens of meters away.
"Let's go over there."
Ding Xiulun pointed at the bamboo grove. "Solitary Bamboo is a Plant-type Soul Beast. It has a gentle temperament, little inclination to attack, and its Soul Ring is easy to absorb.
"For a Soul Master like you, who's just starting to deal with Soul Beasts, it's the safest choice.
"Besides, Soul Skills from Plant-type Soul Rings usually lean toward control and support, which makes them perfect for your Blue Silver Grass."
Tang San nodded slightly, finding his words reasonable.
Ding Xiulun continued, "As for the age of the Solitary Bamboo, it should be at least a hundred years old.
"The gap between a Ten-Year Soul Ring and a Hundred-Year Soul Ring is enormous.
"A Hundred-Year Soul Ring can give a Soul Master a much greater boost.
"Back then, I simply didn't have a good guide, so my First Soul Ring was only a Ten-Year Soul Ring.
"I've regretted it for most of my life.
"If I'd absorbed a Hundred-Year Soul Ring for my First Soul Ring, I might have reached the Soul Elder rank by now."
Ding Xiulun sighed and patted Tang San heavily on the shoulder. With a firm gaze, he said, "Don't worry, Tang San. I'll make sure you get a Hundred-Year Soul Ring."
With that, Ding Xiulun dashed into the bamboo grove and began searching.
After searching for about ten minutes, Ding Xiulun suddenly spotted a huge Solitary Bamboo growing among the tall trees.
Ding Xiulun exclaimed in delight, "A two-hundred-year-old Solitary Bamboo! Tang San, your First Soul Ring is right here!"]
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