Soul Master Academy

But this was the key to becoming a Soul Master.

If your family was poor, you could only rely on yourself to obtain Soul Rings.

Soul Beasts were far stronger than ordinary wild animals, even a Ten-Year Soul Beast.

Even an adult could become a Soul Beast's meal when facing the weakest Ten-Year Soul Beast.

Hunting a Hundred-Year Soul Beast with a young body and a few simple traps? That was pure nonsense.

As long as he obtained his first Soul Ring, he could become a Soul Master and strive for his Second Soul Ring to reach the Hundred-Year level.

The ages of the First Soul Ring and Second Soul Ring might determine his future Soul Power Level. The best outcome would be becoming a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor.

But that was enough. Take Manno City, for instance—even the city lord was only a Three-Ring Soul Elder.

A Four-Ring Soul Ancestor would be enough to wield great influence in a small city and establish a Soul Master family.

Better yet, he could become a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor with a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Compared with Ten-Year Soul Rings and Hundred-Year Soul Rings—

Tie Li naturally understood the difference between them. His Martial Soul was merely an ordinary Forging Hammer, so the attributes and foundation granted by higher-aged Soul Rings were even more important. But he was only a Soul Master born into a commoner family.

Being able to obtain a Soul Ring and become a Soul Master was enough. He had already surpassed all ordinary people who could not cultivate.

That evening, his father called over all three or five of his close friends.

This was the happiest Tie Niu had been in over twenty years. He drank himself senseless, and Tie Li and his mother had to work together to help him into bed.

The next day, Tie Niu took out the family's savings, put on his best clothes, and brought Tie Li to the Junior Soul Master Academy in Manno City.

Manno Junior Soul Master Academy!

Two guards stood at the entrance. Marble pillars stood on either side, while the walls extended outward. Above them hung an arched stone plaque bearing the words, Manno Junior Soul Master Academy.

Seeing Tie Niu and Tie Li, the guards guessed that they had come to enroll. One of them led them to the registration area, while the other remained behind to stand watch.

"Brother, your family is really lucky. Unlike my boys—none of the three had this opportunity," the guard said helplessly.

Since yesterday, the smile on Tie Niu's face had never faded.

"There's always hope," Tie Niu comforted him.

When they reached the registration office, the guard gave them a brief reminder before leaving. Tie Niu thanked him and led Tie Li inside.

The teacher in charge looked quite young, with a gentle smile on his face. He did not deliberately show any displeasure because of the difference in their status.

"Present Spirit Hall's certificate, then pay the tuition over there. You may board at the academy or commute. Boarding requires an additional lodging fee."

Tie Niu had originally wanted his son to board so he could devote himself fully to his studies, but Tie Li requested to commute. On one hand, it would save money. He still had two younger brothers, and they might also awaken Innate Soul Power someday, which would mean more tuition fees.

On the other hand, he had considered the cultivation environment for his Martial Soul. Since his Martial Soul was a Forging Hammer, cultivating in the blacksmith shop would certainly be much faster.

After paying the tuition, he received two sets of Manno Junior Soul Master Academy uniforms and a commuter student's pass.

His father, who would normally feel pained even buying a jug of cheap liquor, did not hesitate in the slightest when paying the expensive tuition.

"Rank 2 Innate Soul Power. Your talent is quite good," the young teacher praised.

"If you don't mind, as his father, I can take him around to familiarize him with the academy."

"Not at all, of course not." As a blacksmith, Tie Niu naturally would not refuse the goodwill shown by a Soul Master.

And as an academy teacher, he was willing to extend his goodwill within his means.

"Then rest here for a while. I'll take him around the academy."

The academy was very large, with dormitories, a cafeteria, public areas, and more. At this hour, most students were in the teaching building.

"Your talent is good. You might reach Soul Power Level 10 by fifth grade."

"If I'm lucky, maybe."

"The cafeteria is up ahead. The food on the first floor is the cheapest, the second floor is more expensive, and the third floor is the most expensive. Even though you're a commuting student, it's best to eat lunch here so you don't waste time going back and forth and delay your afternoon classes."

Every time they arrived somewhere, he explained it in detail and cleared up Tie Li's questions.

"Thank you, Teacher," Tie Li said sincerely.

"You're welcome."

A smile appeared on the teacher's face. That was exactly what he wanted to hear.

When he returned home, Tie Li, now dressed in his academy uniform, immediately drew envious looks from his two younger brothers.

"Big Brother really looks like a noble young master."

"Haha, you two really know how to talk."

The uniform's material was excellent. Tie Li had never worn such fine clothes before.

After lunch, Tie Li hurried to the academy. He had classes that afternoon.

Over the following days, Tie Li's life was basically a straight line between two places, and he absorbed as much Soul Master knowledge as possible.

When he occasionally had no afternoon classes, he would return to the blacksmith shop to help out or cultivate beside the forge. His cultivation speed truly was much faster than normal.

Before he knew it, Tie Li had become a fourth-year student at the Junior Soul Master Academy.

"Hu..."

Tie Li awoke from meditation, excitement flashing in his eyes.

His Soul Power Level had finally reached 10. He could obtain his First Soul Ring.

There was now a forge in his room. After learning that the forge could help his cultivation, his father had specially made it for him.

A year earlier than expected, Tie Li thought to himself.

As long as he obtained a Soul Ring, he would become a true Soul Master. He could receive the Soul Master allowance from Spirit Hall, and his family's situation would finally ease considerably.

The two great empires funded it, while Spirit Hall distributed it!

Over the past few years, he had practically eaten through the family's meager savings.

One Gold Soul Coin per month. With the allowance alone, he could save enough for the next two years of tuition, with some left over.

His family could not even earn one Gold Soul Coin in a month, yet Soul Masters could receive one without doing anything. Once they became Soul Grandmasters or Soul Elders, the disparity became even more outrageous.

Now he needed to hurry to the academic affairs office, report his Soul Power Level, and submit it. The academy would then arrange for a teacher to lead a team into the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain Soul Rings.

Tie Li got up, tidied himself, and hurried to the academy. As soon as he entered the academic affairs office, he saw Mas organizing documents. Mas was the first teacher he had met when entering the academy.

"Dali, why are you here?"

"Teacher Mas, my Soul Power Level has reached 10," Tie Li answered honestly.

"You reached Level 10 so quickly?" A trace of surprise entered Mas's voice.

"Release your Soul Power and let me confirm it."

"All right."

Tie Li released his Soul Power. It had indeed reached Level 10.

"Not bad. I'll submit the report for you. A teacher happens to be leading a team to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow, so you can go along."

"Thank you, Teacher."

"It's what a teacher should do."

After leaving the academic affairs office, Tie Li spotted a familiar face hurrying toward the rear mountain.

Seeing this, Tie Li could not help calling out.

"Jin Bao, where are you going?"