Level Twenty

Two months later.

Early evening.

Spirit Hall Academy, Mimicry Cultivation Area.

By the time Duan Fan finished cultivating, the light in the wooden cabin had already dimmed.

The calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall dangled quietly in the gloom.

The ink-washed landscapes had a certain charm to them just then.

Duan Fan rose from the cushion and stretched his stiff limbs.

A dull ache spread through his body, drawing an involuntary groan from him.

His skin felt tacky. Duan Fan looked down and saw another layer of grayish-brown grime seeping from his arm.

As the body-tempering technique, Diamond Skill, circulated, every breath Duan Fan took seemed to force impurities out from deep within his body.

The process was painful, but his body grew stronger with it.

Duan Fan went to the basin in the corner and wiped his arms and face with cold water. It quickly turned murky.

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

He'd gotten a little stronger again.

The first level of body tempering, Copper Skin, was nearing its limit.

It shouldn't be long before he broke through and entered the second level.

Duan Fan then felt the surging Soul Power inside him.

It was full and abundant, like a water tank filled to ninety-nine percent, needing only one last trickle before it overflowed.

His Soul Power Level was about to reach level twenty. It was only a matter of a day or two.

Fantasy Pen would soon receive its Second Soul Ring, and Duan Fan was looking forward to it.

He pushed open the cabin door and walked outside.

The Mimicry Cultivation Area lay among the woods on the western side of the academy.

Following the path out brought him to the academy's main road.

As soon as Duan Fan stepped onto it, he spotted a middle-aged man standing not far away.

The man was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in the dark gray staff uniform of Spirit Hall Academy.

He was looking this way. The moment he saw Duan Fan, a smile spread across his face, and he raised a hand to wave.

Duan Fan's steps quickened without him realizing it, and his expression softened. The quiet composure he'd worn while cultivating gave way to a lightness that came from the heart.

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

Fang Qingshan smiled warmly. "Finished cultivating? Come on, let's go to the cafeteria for dinner."

"Mm."

Duan Fan answered and walked with Fang Qingshan toward the academy cafeteria.

Fang Qingshan had arrived in Spirit City over a month ago, bringing Ding Yutang and Fang Qian with him. The whole family had come.

With years of teaching experience and the strength of a Soul Elder, Fang Qingshan had easily secured a position at Spirit Hall Academy.

A Soul Elder could easily find work as a teacher at any small city academy, but that wasn't much to boast about at a place like Spirit Hall Academy.

On top of that, the academy wasn't short on teachers, so Fang Qingshan had ultimately gotten a job managing the library.

Managing the library wasn't as prestigious as teaching, but the pay was much better than what he'd earned in Notting City.

Fang Qingshan wasn't dissatisfied. He'd told Duan Fan several times that the job was easy and comfortable. He could spend every day surrounded by books, and he found it far more pleasant than his old work.

His aunt, Ding Yutang, hadn't looked for another job. Fang Qian was still young and needed constant care, so she'd decided to focus on raising her at home.

The family of three had rented a small courtyard in Spirit City. It wasn't as spacious as their old home, but it was comfortable and cozy.

The academy cafeteria.

It was crowded at this hour, and the clamor mingled with the aroma of food as it washed over them.

The uncle and nephew found a seat in the corner and ate as they chatted.

Fang Qingshan casually asked, "How's your cultivation going?"

"I'm close to a breakthrough. It should happen in the next day or two."

Duan Fan put a piece of braised pork into his mouth. The meat was fragrant and rich without being greasy. He followed it with another couple of bites of rice. It was downright satisfying.

Fang Qingshan's chopsticks paused. He looked up, clear delight in his eyes, and said with a smile, "You're progressing so fast. It's only been a few months since you awakened your martial soul, and you're already about to get your second Soul Ring."

"Looks like coming to Spirit Hall Academy was the right choice. The environment here is far better than in Notting City."

"Even in the month or so I've spent in the library, I've learned a lot. There are many books about Soul Masters and Soul Beasts, and some of the knowledge and ideas in them are things I'd never encountered before. I've learned a great deal."

Hearing that, Duan Fan suddenly smiled. "Uncle, what do you think of it compared with Master Yu's theories at Notting Academy?"

Fang Qingshan was raising his soup bowl to drink when the question made him choke. He coughed twice.

He glanced at Duan Fan, his lips twitching, but in the end, he only smiled without replying and lowered his head to continue drinking.

Duan Fan didn't press him. He chuckled and bent over his rice.

After finishing his soup, Fang Qingshan wiped his mouth and asked with a smile, "What's the plan for your second Soul Ring? I suppose your uncle won't be the one taking you to Soul Beast Forest to look for a Soul Beast."

Duan Fan replied, "It's already arranged. Once my Soul Power Level reaches twenty, our class teacher will take me to get my second Soul Ring right away."

"There might also be a teacher who specializes in studying martial souls coming along."

Fang Qingshan smiled. "You mean Teacher Li Yi, the one you mentioned before?"

Duan Fan nodded. "That's right. Teacher Li Yi is Teacher Li's older brother."

"I know. You told me before."

"I've seen Teacher Li Yi in the library several times. He really is a good person—humble and deeply dedicated to studying martial souls."

"I've talked with him a few times about martial soul research. He doesn't hold anything back; he says what he thinks, and he's very sincere. He doesn't look down on me at all for being the library manager. When he has questions, he even humbly asks for my advice."

"I haven't met someone so genuine in a long time."

Duan Fan listened and nodded.

He'd always had a good impression of Li Yi. Hearing his uncle say the same only made him think more highly of him.

By the time they left the cafeteria, it was completely dark outside.

Fang Qingshan glanced at the sky, then at Duan Fan. "All right, head back to your dorm and get some rest. I should be going home too."

The library manager's job was very relaxed. Fang Qingshan mainly worked the daytime shift, from nine to five.

The academy didn't require its teachers to live on campus, so he went home each evening after having dinner with Duan Fan.

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

After walking a few steps, Duan Fan glanced back.

Fang Qingshan's tall figure was heading toward the west gate, his long strides carrying him along. His worn leather boots struck the stone path with steady thuds.

As if sensing Duan Fan's gaze, Fang Qingshan turned around too.

"Get back to your dorm," Fang Qingshan called, waving.

Duan Fan looked away and continued toward the dormitories, a warmth spreading through him.

"I heard students get a few days off after advancing by obtaining a new Soul Ring. I can go home and stay for a while then. I wonder if that girl Qianqian misses me."

"I'll bring her something tasty when I go back and surprise her."

A smile still lingered on Duan Fan's lips.

It felt good to have family.

In this vast Spirit City, at Spirit Hall Academy, where geniuses gathered, he was no longer all alone.

The next day.

Around noon.

Duan Fan's Soul Power Level successfully reached level twenty, and his body-tempering technique advanced to the second level.