Ice Age

In less than half a quarter of an hour, Han Bing had finished absorbing his First Soul Ring and finally became a Soul Master.

Guang Ling sat leisurely nearby, watching Han Bing finish absorbing it. He didn't ask what his Soul Skill was, but instead asked:

"Disciple, does your Six-Pointed Ice Star have a domain skill? Just now, in an instant, it froze all four Lightning Cheetahs."

Han Bing scratched his head. He supposed it did, so he said:

"To be honest, Master, it does. That was the domain skill of my Six-Pointed Ice Star: Ice Age."

"Ice Age?"

Guang Ling nodded repeatedly. "Mm, not bad. Now that you're a Soul Master, you don't need to go to Spirit Hall Academy. Just train with me from now on. Of course, if you want to visit the academy, I won't stop you. It's good to make some friends. When you reach level twenty, I'll take you to hunt for a Soul Ring."

"Thank you, Master!"

Han Bing thanked him. He looked at the successful First Soul Ring on his Candy Spirit, the yellow ring bobbing up and down as it revolved.

His Candy Spirit's first Soul Skill was Speed Candy. After eating it, his speed would increase by two hundred percent for three minutes. That was quite a boost.

Han Bing followed behind Guang Ling as they walked. Guang Ling said:

"If you want to attend Spirit Hall Academy, start out as an auxiliary-type Soul Master. Your Candy Spirit could develop into a very powerful auxiliary Martial Soul. That way, you can support your allies and attack as well. That's impressive! Hahaha, I've struck gold!"

Han Bing scratched his head. Guang Ling had a youthful face and was grinning now, no different from a child.

"Sure, Master. I think I'll go to the academy first and learn some basics. I won't trouble you with that."

"No need to worry, disciple. If you want, I can teach you personally, but there won't be much difference. The most important thing in cultivation is a solid foundation, so you must build yours firmly and train diligently. Even if you're a peerless genius, you mustn't slack off!"

Han Bing nodded. "I'll remember, Master!"

"Mm. I've never taken a disciple in my life. You're the first. But teamwork, sparring with teammates, and battle experience are all things you need to learn by meeting other Soul Masters at an academy."

"Disciple, you're a rare genius. I hope you won't grow arrogant, and that you'll improve yourself with humility. I'll arrange everything for you to attend Spirit Hall Academy. Go back and rest for a day. Tomorrow, someone will take you to the academy to study!"

"Thank you, Master!"

Han Bing returned to Spirit Hall. His room was a luxurious guest room, situated near the Worship Hall where Guang Ling Douluo resided.

That day, he familiarized himself with the surroundings of Spirit Hall and rested in his room.

His room was spacious enough for him to train at home.

Alone in his room, he practiced Haki. He discovered that his Haki and Soul Power were one and the same. As he practiced Haki, his Soul Power rose rapidly too.

Today, his Soul Power had already reached level twelve. Perhaps it was because he had spent a month practicing Haki at home before this.

Just then, he heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

A polite, gentle voice came from outside.

"Young Master Han Bing, I'm an attendant from the Worship Hall, here on the orders of Guang Ling Douluo. You'll be going to Spirit Hall Academy to study tomorrow, so I've brought your uniform and other necessary items, along with some information about enrollment."

Han Bing got up and opened the door. A young female attendant dressed in Spirit Hall clothes stood there, holding a neatly folded set of clothes and a sealed letter.

The attendant smiled and said:

"This is your academy uniform and your enrollment pass, Young Master Han Bing. Lord Guang Ling Douluo said that everything has been arranged at the academy. A carriage will be waiting outside the hall for you tomorrow morning. He also said you should get an early night tonight. Though academy life starts with the basics, you'll still need plenty of energy."

Han Bing took the items, thanked her, and closed the door.

Master really is good to me, he thought. He's much better than Gangzi. Everything's been arranged. All I have to do is move forward.

He unfolded the letter. It was written in Guang Ling Douluo's own hand, and carried the Soul Power of ice; the writing was an icy blue.

"Disciple, although the academy focuses on the fundamentals, don't neglect teamwork or actual combat. With your talent, you should train in both the auxiliary and assault paths. Remember, a solid foundation is most important. If you have any questions, you can come to the Worship Hall and find me anytime!"

Han Bing nodded. A little while later, the attendant brought him breakfast.

Spirit Hall treated him very well. Han Bing spent the day training, with his meals taken care of.

The next day~

Han Bing changed into his academy uniform, tidied up a little, and went outside the Worship Hall. A carriage decorated with gemstones waited at the entrance.

Guang Ling Douluo was waiting there. Han Bing hurried over to pay his respects. He hadn't expected Guang Ling Douluo to see him off in person, so he clasped his hands respectfully and said:

"Master, your disciple is here. I didn't expect you to wait for me here. Please forgive me for my discourtesy!"

"Don't worry, disciple. Spirit Hall Academy isn't far from here. From now on, a carriage will pick you up and drop you off every day. A teacher will meet you at the academy entrance. Everything has been arranged. Just focus on your training and make a name for yourself across the continent."

Guang Ling Douluo had truly gone to great lengths. He could have left these things to his attendants, but he had personally arranged them.

"Thank you, Master!"

Han Bing clasped his hands in gratitude and climbed into the carriage.

Guang Ling nodded, looking at him as if he were his own child, then slowly left.

Spirit Hall Academy was nearby, not very far away, but since everything had been arranged with such fanfare, Han Bing couldn't very well refuse.

It wasn't long before they arrived at Spirit Hall Academy.

He got out of the carriage. A woman wearing glasses and a Spirit Hall teacher's uniform came over to greet him.

"Han Bing! Hello, I'm Gao Lan, Teacher Gao. I teach Senior Class One, and I've been waiting here for you!"

Han Bing nodded, respectfully bowed, and said:

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Teacher Gao!"

"No problem. I'll take you to Senior Class One!"

Han Bing was a little taken aback when he heard that. "Senior class?"

"That's right. Didn't Worship Elder Guang Ling tell you?"

"You were specially placed there by him. You don't have to work your way up from the lower grades—you'll go straight into a senior class!"

Gao Lan pushed her glasses up. She had delicate features and looked to be around thirty.

"Teacher Gao, I don't quite understand. Could you explain the difference between the lower and senior grades?"

Teacher Gao explained:

"It's very simple. Newcomers who join Spirit Hall usually begin at the junior academy, which lasts six years. You need to reach at least level ten to graduate. If your Soul Power exceeds level ten during that time, you can move straight on to the intermediate academy, which lasts three years. You need to reach at least level fifteen to graduate. As for the senior academy, you must have Soul Power of level twenty or higher to qualify!"

"The senior academy is the real core of Spirit Hall. It's where the most important training takes place."

Han Bing understood. Those requirements weren't too high; most commoners would only make it as far as the intermediate academy.

Only those with superior talent could enter the senior academy.

According to the requirements, someone who entered at age six and reached level twenty before turning fifteen could join the senior academy.

That was a little less demanding than Shrek's requirements, but it was still difficult.

But I'm only level twelve!

Han Bing said nothing. Teacher Gao saw the reason for his silence and said:

"Worship Elder Guang Ling arranged it. We can only follow his orders!"