Nuoding Academy

"Although the Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff had the stats, it was still lacking a bit in terms of mechanics. In the end, it was just missing that certain something."

"But that is a Soul Beast's weakness. Since it is my Martial Soul, I can use Soul Rings to make up for that shortcoming!"

A sharp glint flashed through Su Ge's golden eyes as an idea formed in his mind.

"Whether it is countering mechanic-based soul skills or dragging others into forcibly comparing stats with me, there is plenty I can do!"

With that thought, he could not help nodding, briefly settling on his future development path.

"Before the seventh ring, I will stack enhancement soul skills. After the seventh ring, I will make up for my shortcomings in mechanics."

Thinking of how his left fist would deal high damage and his right fist would deal even higher damage, Su Ge could not help feeling excited.

"However, before going to Nuoding Academy, I should first familiarize myself with my own strength. It will be necessary for future battles and hunting Soul Rings."

No sooner said than done. Su Ge possessed his Martial Soul once more, and as his Soul Power circulated, faint golden patterns flowed across his body.

He spun around and threw a punch, the howling fist wind smashing heavily into a massive tree behind him that was at least wide enough for three people to wrap their arms around!

Crack—!

Bang!

With a crisp snapping sound, the huge tree exploded apart!

Its trunk flew forward, crushing several large trees before finally coming to a stop!

"That would be bad."

Yet at the sight, Su Ge's lips curled upward. He was clearly very satisfied with that punch.

At that moment, his golden eyes carried a hint of sharpness and high spirits.

Suddenly, the whole world seemed a little brighter!

The time spent waiting for school to begin passed quickly. Apart from helping everyone in Small Stone Village as usual, Su Ge spent his days continuously becoming familiar with his tremendous strength.

On the final day before his departure for Nuoding Academy, the village chief came to find Su Ge again.

After preparing lunch as usual and getting ready to head to the small woods to adapt to his strength, Su Ge saw the village chief arrive at his home carrying a piece of meat and a bundle.

"Grandpa Dashan, you are here. Please, sit down."

"I just finished cooking. Would you like to eat something with me?"

The village chief's real name was Su Dashan. He was a kindly old man in his seventies or eighties, and he had always taken especially good care of Su Ge.

Though Su Ge was somewhat surprised by his arrival, he still warmly greeted Su Dashan and brought out a stool to place before him.

"No need to eat. This time, I came on everyone's behalf to congratulate little Ge."

Su Dashan smiled and rubbed Su Ge's head, then placed the meat and bundle in his hands onto the table inside the wooden hut.

As he looked around the small but spotless house, his eyes held a gratified expression.

"Little Ge, I have always known that you are a child with your own ideas. Since you have chosen to go to Nuoding Academy for further study first, all of us support you."

As Su Dashan spoke, he untied the bundle he had brought.

"This meat is wild boar that your Uncle Da Niu bought from the neighboring village. It will be very nourishing."

"Small Stone Village is not particularly wealthy, but we still gathered a little money. Make sure you eat well when you get to school."

"This dagger was forged by a blacksmith in the neighboring Holy Soul Village."

As Su Dashan spoke, a silver-white dagger wrapped in leather was revealed inside the bundle, along with two silver coins and several copper soul coins...

Su Ge froze for a moment, then quickly waved his hands.

"Grandpa Dashan, I cannot accept this. These things are too valuable!"

As he spoke, he tried to return the items, but Dashan grabbed him.

Su Ge did not dare use force, so he could only let Su Dashan hold him as he listened to his advice.

"These are tokens of affection that everyone has spent a long time preparing. Just accept them, little Ge."

With a beaming smile, Su Dashan rubbed Su Ge's head, then stood and walked toward the door.

"These things are not all that valuable, and they cannot be returned anyway."

"Since you were little, everyone in the village has watched you grow up. They all believe that you will accomplish something in the future."

"We only hope that after a child of Small Stone Village leaves, he will not go hungry or mistreat himself."

"If being a Soul Master becomes too exhausting, the door to your home will always be open for you."

Su Dashan did not tell him to become successful in the future, nor did he tell him not to forget the village.

He merely gave the final reminders of an elder to a child about to leave home.

Yet those simple words made Su Ge's eyes redden...

He knew everyone in Small Stone Village. They were all simple, honest people, and those two silver soul coins and copper soul coins might have been all the spare money they had.

The wild boar meat and dagger reflected their meticulous care for him even more!

"I will remember this, Village Chief Grandpa!"

"I will definitely come back to visit everyone!"

Su Ge shouted at Su Dashan's receding back, his vision growing somewhat blurred.

Though he said that, he knew clearly that once he stepped onto the path of a Soul Master, his life was destined to be anything but peaceful!

"I will come pick you up tomorrow and take you to Nuoding Academy."

Su Dashan did not turn around. He merely walked forward toward the sun and raised a hand to wipe the corner of his eye.

"The sun is so bright. The sunlight is a little blinding."

Su Dashan also understood that after this, every meeting with Su Ge might be one less than before. Not only was the path of a Soul Master difficult, but he himself was no longer young.

On the other side, after briefly composing himself, Su Ge did not delay any longer and headed to the small woods again to familiarize himself with his strength.

Tomorrow, he would be going to Nuoding Academy, and his path as a Soul Master would officially begin.

He had also learned that there was an Innate Full Soul Power child in the nearby Holy Soul Village. Most likely, that child was Tang San.

"I really am looking forward to it!"

His golden eyes held both curiosity toward a character from the original work and a faint trace of excitement...

Early the next morning, Su Ge and Su Dashan boarded the village carriage bound for Nuoding Academy.

Though the journey was somewhat bumpy, they arrived safely at Nuoding City's gates.

After getting off the carriage, he followed Su Dashan's steps toward Nuoding Academy within Nuoding City.

Upon arriving at Nuoding Academy's entrance, Su Ge saw the gatekeeper bold enough to extort a future Soul Master.

Su Ge still handed the gatekeeper the recommendation letter Su Yuntao had given him, but he remained cautious and did not take out his Martial Soul certification.

Seeing Su Ge's manner, the gatekeeper felt somewhat displeased. However, the moment he saw the letter's Spirit Hall format, his thoughts of probing further immediately died away.

Instead, he promptly opened the gates and let the two of them through!

Su Ge raised an eyebrow at this. Though he found it somewhat strange, he had no interest in investigating further. The fewer troublesome matters there were, the better!