The Soul Hunting Operation lasted five days before it finally ended. Afterward, the teacher leading the group brought everyone back to Nuoding City.
They had just entered the city gates when they encountered the principal, the other teachers, and students from other grades, all of whom had been waiting there for them.
"Ahem, these are the graduates of this year's class at Notting Academy."
"In a moment, we'll have the graduates say a few words."
"But before they speak, let me say a few things first."
"It won't take long. Just a few words."
The principal cleared his throat, then proceeded to speak for a whole hour, mostly about the history of Notting Academy.
He talked about how hard he worked as principal, how hard the teachers worked, and how the students ought to study hard in the future—in other words, a bunch of nonsense.
"The principal's amazing! Even my dad can't talk for that long."
"That's the skill you get from being an old hand!"
"Every sentence sounds like nonsense, and in the end, it really is nonsense!"
"But being able to deliver nonsense with such passion—that takes skill, too!"
The sixth-year students whispered among themselves below. When Qin Qi heard them, he nodded along.
"Being good at talking nonsense is a skill, too!"
Qin Qi thought of Director Ma from back then. He'd thought the man was foolish and dull, but looking back now, he'd been a great mind hiding behind a humble appearance!
"Ahem, all right, that's enough nonsense. Now I'll lead everyone to Spirit Hall for your certification."
"Once your certification is complete, you'll officially become Spirit Masters!"
After the principal finished speaking, he gave a few perfunctory coughs, then took the lead and brought everyone to Spirit Hall for their certification.
"Useless at everything, first to claim the credit!"
Seeing the principal naturally take his place at the front, Qin Qi couldn't help grumbling to himself.
During this Soul Hunting Operation, you did nothing but make speeches and go through the motions. The teacher leading the group did everything.
And you just naturally take all the credit for yourself? Is that really okay?
"Bah."
The teacher leading the group turned around and spat disdainfully on the ground. He didn't say anything, but it was obvious he was furious.
At the entrance to Spirit Hall, the principal exchanged a few pleasantries with Spirit Hall's Ma Xiunuo, then the Spirit Soul certifications began.
The sixth-year students lined up and went in one by one. Almost everyone had a Soul Power level of eleven.
The Ten-Year Soul Rings had given them so little Soul Power that they couldn't skip grades continuously.
Qin Qi was the last. Under Ma Xiunuo's guidance, he entered the room for Martial Soul advancement certification.
Inside stood a crystal ball made of the same material as the one used for Martial Soul Awakening. He placed his hand on it.
A yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring appeared.
"A Hundred-Year Soul Ring!"
Seeing the Hundred-Year Soul Ring beside Qin Qi, Master Ma Xiunuo looked utterly shocked!
"A Hundred-Year Soul Ring!"
The principal stared at the Soul Ring on Qin Qi and shouted in astonishment, his eyes wide.
"It really is a Hundred-Year Soul Ring! I've been at the academy for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever seen one!"
"Boss Qin is amazing!"
"Are Hundred-Year Soul Rings that powerful? What's the difference between one and the Soul Rings we've seen before?"
Tang San, a first-year newcomer, had also been called to welcome the sixth-year seniors. Hearing Wang Sheng and the others exclaim, he asked in confusion.
"Of course they're powerful. The higher a Soul Ring's age, the stronger it is."
"But students at Notting Academy can usually only hunt Ten-Year Soul Rings."
"I don't know how their power compares, but the age alone is ten times greater!"
"And the first Soul Ring is the foundation. It can determine your future!"
Wang Sheng explained to Tang San, "This is common knowledge. Didn't Grandmaster teach you?"
"N-no, not yet."
Tang San's expression darkened. Since he'd become Yu Xiaogang's disciple, the only thing Yu Xiaogang had told him was that he possessed Twin Martial Souls.
He hadn't taught him anything else. Honestly, having this master was barely any different from having no master at all.
"Xiao San, we already told you. That big fraud swindled you."
Xiao Wu spoke up.
"..."
Tang San fell silent.
"Child, your Soul Power is... level fourteen!"
Master Ma Xiunuo was astonished once again. In their little town, most students had a Soul Power level of eleven.
Those with good talent could reach level twelve, but he'd never seen anyone at level fourteen!
"Level fourteen!"
The principal seemed like he was playing the straight man, immediately chiming in with his own look of astonishment before turning to the teacher leading the group.
"Hmph."
The teacher leading the group stood tall, looking extremely proud.
He'd brought this genius along on the expedition. It was true that he hadn't found the Soul Ring for him, but he was the teacher leading the group!
"Level fourteen... Is that the Soul Power from the Soul Ring, plus the Soul Power I've built up from practicing the Five Treasures Body Protection Method all this time?"
Qin Qi paused, then immediately understood where all this Soul Power had come from. Learning would never let you down!
"Child, how old are you this year?"
Looking at Qin Qi's height, Ma Xiunuo could tell he was young, but he'd returned with the sixth-year students.
For a moment, he couldn't be sure how old Qin Qi was.
"I'm six, almost seven."
Qin Qi replied.
"Six? What a genius! Child, would you like to join Spirit Hall?"
Ma Xiunuo glanced at the principal, then asked quietly.
He wouldn't normally ask such a thing, but a six-year-old with level-fourteen Soul Power and a Hundred-Year Soul Ring was a genius even in a big city. As a Spirit Hall deacon, he had to give it a try!
"Um, I'll have to ask the principal about that. Principal, can I join Spirit Hall?"
Qin Qi turned and tossed the difficult question straight to the principal.
"Master Ma Xiunuo, what do you mean by this?"
The principal glared at Ma Xiunuo, looking displeased. The man was trying to poach a student right in front of him.
The old bastard had no shame at all!
"Ahem, old habit. It just slipped out."
Ma Xiunuo coughed a couple of times. Even Spirit Hall couldn't simply steal students from an academy, so he had no choice but to brush it off.
"All right, your certification is complete. Let's go."
The principal watched Ma Xiunuo warily, afraid the man would poach his genius student.
"Wait a moment, Principal. Master Ma Xiunuo, I heard that you can collect money after completing Spirit Master certification."
"Where do I collect it?"
Qin Qi looked at Master Ma Xiunuo. He'd been looking forward to this day for ages. A whole Gold Soul Coin was about to be his!
"I—I'll give it to you."
Ma Xiunuo paused, then reached into his pocket, took out a Gold Soul Coin, and handed it to Qin Qi.
"Thank you, Master Ma Xiunuo!"
Qin Qi accepted the Gold Soul Coin with a solemn expression and began praising Spirit Hall in his heart.
"Long live Spirit Hall! Long live the subsidy!"
But no matter how long it lived, if you asked whether he wanted to join Spirit Hall, the answer was definitely no.
Spirit Hall's system seemed decent enough, but its leaders were all crazier than the last.
Qin Qi figured that as a normal person, he was better off staying at the academy and getting by.
After he collected the subsidy, the principal made a point of calling Qin Qi over on the way back and having him walk beside him.