Level Twenty

Two months later.

Dusk.

Spirit Hall Academy, Mimicry Cultivation Area.

By the time Duan Fan finished his cultivation, the light inside the wooden hut had already dimmed.

The calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls hung silently in the gloom.

The ink-washed landscape paintings truly possessed a certain artistic charm at this moment.

Duan Fan stood up from the meditation cushion and stretched his somewhat stiff body.

A sensation of soreness and swelling radiated from every part of his body, causing Duan Fan to let out a low groan he couldn't suppress.

His skin felt sticky. Duan Fan looked down and saw, as expected, a layer of grayish-brown grime seeping out from his arms.

Whenever he circulated the body-refining technique, Diamond Skill, every breath he took felt as if it were purging impurities from deep within his body.

Although the process was painful, his body was growing stronger as a result.

Duan Fan walked to the water basin in the corner and wiped his arms and face with the cold water, which quickly turned murky.

He shook the water droplets from his hands and silently sensed the changes in his body.

He had grown stronger once again.

The first level of body refining, [Copper Skin], was nearing its limit.

It shouldn't be long before he completed the breakthrough and entered the second level of body refining.

Duan Fan then sensed the surge of spirit power within him.

It was full and abundant, like a water vat filled to ninety-nine percent, needing only that final trickle to overflow.

His spirit power level would reach twenty in no time; it was a matter of these next two days.

The Fantasy Pen was about to welcome its second Soul Ring, and Duan Fan was very much looking forward to it.

Pushing open the door of the wooden hut, Duan Fan walked outside.

The Mimicry Cultivation Area was located on the west side of the academy, nestled within a mountain forest.

Following the small path led directly to the academy's main thoroughfare.

As soon as Duan Fan stepped onto the main road, he saw a middle-aged man standing not far away.

The man was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing the dark gray uniform of a Spirit Hall Academy staff member.

He was peering in this direction, and the moment he saw Duan Fan emerge, his face blossomed into a smile as he raised his hand to wave.

Duan Fan's pace quickened involuntarily, and the expression on his face relaxed, shifting from the stillness of cultivation to a genuine, lighthearted joy.

He walked over and called out with a smile, "Uncle."

Fang Qingshan wore a gentle smile. "Finished cultivating? Let's go, time for dinner at the canteen."

"Mm."

Duan Fan replied, walking alongside Fang Qingshan toward the academy canteen.

Fang Qingshan had arrived in Spirit City over a month ago, bringing Ding Yutang and Fang Qian with him; the whole family of three had moved.

With his many years of teaching experience and his strength as a Soul Exalt, Fang Qingshan had successfully secured a position at Spirit Hall Academy.

With the strength of a Soul Exalt, he would have been more than qualified to be an academy teacher in any small city, but in a place like Spirit Hall Academy, it wasn't quite enough.

Furthermore, since Spirit Hall Academy was not currently lacking teaching staff, Fang Qingshan had ultimately landed a job as a library administrator.

A library administrator might not sound as prestigious as a teacher, but the salary was indeed significantly higher than what he had earned back in Notting City.

Fang Qingshan had no complaints; he had told Duan Fan several times that this job was leisurely and comfortable, allowing him to immerse himself in books every day, which was actually much better than before.

His aunt, Ding Yutang, had not sought employment; Fang Qian was still young and at an age where she couldn't be left alone, so she simply stayed home to focus on raising the child.

The family of three rented a small courtyard in Spirit City; although it wasn't as large as their previous home, it was comfortable and cozy.

Academy canteen.

It was crowded at this hour, and the noise mingled with the aroma of food wafting through the air.

The uncle and nephew found a corner seat and began to eat while chatting.

Fang Qingshan asked casually, "How is your cultivation progress?"

"Almost at a breakthrough, just a matter of these next two days."

Duan Fan popped a piece of braised pork into his mouth. The meat was fragrant, rich but not greasy. He followed it with two mouthfuls of rice, feeling utterly satisfied.

Fang Qingshan's chopsticks paused. He looked up, his eyes filled with clear gratification, and he sighed with a smile, "It's so fast. It's only been a few months since you awakened your spirit, and you're already about to obtain your second Soul Ring."

"It seems coming to Spirit Hall Academy was the right choice; the environment here is truly far superior to Notting City."

"Even I have learned a great deal in the library over this past month. There are many books on Spirit Masters and Soul Beasts, and some of the knowledge and insights within them are things I had never encountered before. I have benefited immensely."

Upon hearing this, Duan Fan suddenly smiled. "Uncle, how do you think that compares to the theories of Master Yu from Notting Academy?"

Fang Qingshan was just lifting his bowl to drink some soup; he choked at the question and coughed twice.

He glanced at Duan Fan, his lips twitching, but he ultimately just smiled and said nothing, lowering his head again to continue drinking his soup.

Duan Fan did not press the matter, chuckled twice, and lowered his head to shovel down his rice.

Fang Qingshan finished his soup, wiped his mouth, and asked with a smile, "How do you plan to arrange your second Soul Ring? I suppose it won't be your uncle's turn to take you to the Soul Beast Forest to hunt for a soul beast."

Duan Fan replied, "It's already been arranged. Once my soul power reaches level twenty, our class teacher will take me to obtain my second Soul Ring immediately."

"At that time, a teacher who specializes in martial soul research might also come along."

Fang Qingshan laughed, "That would be the Teacher Li Yi you mentioned before, right?"

Duan Fan nodded, "Yes, that's him. Teacher Li Yi is the older brother of our Teacher Li."

Fang Qingshan said, "I know, you've mentioned that before."

"I've seen Teacher Li Yi in the library several times. He is indeed a good man—humble and very dedicated to his research on martial souls."

"I've chatted with him a few times, discussing topics related to martial soul research."

"He doesn't hold anything back when he speaks, saying exactly what is on his mind. His attitude is very sincere, and he doesn't look down on my status as a library teacher at all. When he has questions, he even humbly asks for my advice."

"It has been a long time since I've met someone so pure."

Duan Fan listened and nodded.

He had always had a good impression of Li Yi, and hearing his uncle say the same, his approval of Li Yi grew even more.

After finishing their meal and walking out of the cafeteria, the sky outside had turned completely dark.

Fang Qingshan looked at the sky, then at Duan Fan, and said, "Alright, go back to your dormitory and rest. It's time for me to head home as well."

The work of a library teacher was very leisurely; Fang Qingshan was mainly responsible for the daytime shifts, from nine to five.

The academy did not require teachers to live on campus, so he went home every evening after having dinner with Duan Fan.

Duan Fan nodded, said goodbye to Fang Qingshan, and turned to walk toward the dormitory.

After walking a few steps, Duan Fan looked back.

Fang Qingshan's tall figure was walking toward the west gate with long strides, his worn leather boots making steady sounds against the stone path.

As if sensing something, Fang Qingshan also looked back.

"Hurry back to your dorm." Fang Qingshan waved his hand.

Duan Fan withdrew his gaze and turned to continue toward the dormitory, a wave of warmth in his heart.

I heard that after students obtain a new Soul Ring and advance, they get a few days off. I can go home and stay for a while then. I wonder if that girl Qianqian has missed me.

I'll bring her some delicious food when I go home and give her a surprise.

A smile still lingered on the corners of Duan Fan's mouth.

It felt so good to have family.

In this massive Spirit City, in this Spirit Hall Academy filled with geniuses, he was no longer all alone.

The next day.

Around noon.

Duan Fan's soul power level successfully reached level twenty, and his body-refining technique also reached the second layer.