Leaving the Village

Such a beautiful land had made countless heroes bow in competition.

In the blink of an eye, three months slipped through his fingers like sand.

Facing the rising sun, Yang Ming ran along a narrow path barefoot, his small body carrying a heavy object resembling a turtle shell as he raced through the morning light.

Ever since watching Dragon Ball, Yang Ming had been fascinated by Master Roshi's training methods. Over the past three months, he had constantly trained with the fifty-pound turtle shell on his back. Though grueling, the results had been remarkable.

Sweat poured from Yang Ming's skin, while heavy breaths burst from his nostrils.

Yang Ming had not grown complacent after awakening his Martial Soul. Instead, he had become even stricter with himself.

Time belonged to those who strove forward!

Yang Ming did not dare slack off in the slightest. He squeezed every minute and second dry, working hard to improve himself.

After three months of training, he had grown a little taller. At six years old, he was already 1.2 meters tall, resembling a half-grown adult.

Sweat flowed over his sturdy muscles, making them gleam beneath the sunlight with a healthy, radiant beauty.

His pair of starry eyes, sharp as an eagle's, carried a piercing gaze that left a deep impression.

After running ten kilometers every morning, Yang Ming continued with push-ups and sit-ups. Once he had completed a hundred of each, he practiced spear techniques with meticulous precision, drawing out his body's potential to the greatest extent possible.

The spear tip trembled as it sliced through the air with a shriek, and Yang Ming spun several dazzling spear blossoms.

Over these past days, Yang Ming had thoroughly absorbed Han Xin and Zhao Yun's insights into spear usage. Every thrust flowed smoothly through the force of his waist, shoulders, and arms, and each move faintly carried the bearing of a master.

Wiping the sweat from his chin, Yang Ming looked at the long spear in his hand with some regret. It was only an ordinary weapon. If it were the Hextech Gunblade from League of Legends, that would have been perfect.

Putting away his spear, Yang Ming ran back toward his home in the village.

As expected, by the time he returned home, Tang San had already arrived early in the morning.

Because today was the day they would set off for the Noding City Junior Soul Master Academy.

Old Jack, the village chief, came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of freshly baked bread. Seeing Yang Ming reeking of sweat, his expression darkened. He curled his middle finger against his thumb and lightly flicked Yang Ming's damp forehead.

"You little rascal, you come back filthy every time. Hurry up and take a bath, or the bread will be cold by the time you're done."

"Okay."

Yang Ming was too exhausted to speak. He gave a simple reply and rushed into the bathroom.

Old Jack stayed behind and warmly greeted Tang San. Handing him a piece of bread, he said with a smile, "San, your father probably didn't make you breakfast, did he? Now that you're at my house, don't stand on ceremony. Come on, have a taste and see whether my bread is good."

Tang San had initially wanted to decline, but seeing how insistent the village chief was, he could only accept it and nibble at the bread in small bites.

To be fair, although Yang Ming was not Old Jack's biological grandson and had merely been adopted by him, Old Jack had worked hard at honing his cooking skills for Yang Ming's sake. The bread was exceptionally soft and had an excellent texture.

Seeing that Tang San seemed quite satisfied, Old Jack's smile deepened.

"San, I have something to tell you."

"Hm?" Tang San looked at the old village chief in confusion.

"San, after Yang Ming goes with you to the Noding City Junior Soul Master Academy today, I hope that, for the sake of how you two grew up together, you can look after him if fellow students bully him at the academy, or if the teachers do not teach him properly. Don't let Yang Ming be bullied by outsiders."

Yang Ming had already finished bathing, and just as he reached the bathroom door, he happened to hear Grandpa Old Jack giving Tang San these instructions.

Yang Ming's heart warmed. He knew that because he was young and came from the countryside, his grandfather feared that he would easily suffer losses living in a big city.

He feared that city people would isolate and bully him, which was why he had entrusted Tang San with this. Yang Ming silently clenched his fists and thought, Grandpa, don't worry. I'll definitely make something of myself out there and return to the village in glory!

The door opened, and Yang Ming walked out of the bathroom. Old Jack promptly stopped talking.

He had to maintain the image of a stern grandfather before his grandson!

Nothing in Old Jack's stern expression suggested that he had just said those words.

Old Jack picked up his chopsticks and tapped the corner of the table, saying to Yang Ming, "Hurry up and eat breakfast. Once we're done, we'll set off for the city."

Yang Ming nodded like a pecking chick, pulled out a chair, and sat down. He bit into the bread, and its rich flavor immediately filled his mouth.

Taking advantage of the time, Old Jack explained a few things to Yang Ming and Tang San, so they would not become country bumpkins in the city who knew nothing.

"The Noding City Junior Soul Master Academy you're about to attend teaches only basic subjects, along with some cultural courses. It accepts only children whose Martial Souls have just awakened, and the program lasts six years. When you reach twelve, if you show no particular promise, you'll only become an ordinary Spirit Master. But if you have good potential, most people choose to continue their studies at an Intermediate Soul Master Academy, all the way until they're eighteen."

Old Jack glanced at Yang Ming and Tang San, a trace of admiration in his eyes.

"You two are both among the gifted, so you needn't worry about that. I only hope that you won't cause trouble at school, that you'll study seriously, listen to your teachers, and care for your classmates. Do you understand?"

Yang Ming and Tang San answered in unison, "We understand."

Seeing that Yang Ming and Tang San had almost finished eating, Old Jack cleared away the dishes and led the two of them out the door.

Yang Ming and Tang San were both geniuses. To keep them from becoming too tired during the journey, Old Jack had specifically rented a horse-drawn carriage, which was now parked outside the door.

Yang Ming and Tang San climbed into the carriage one after another. Old Jack personally took up the reins, cracked the whip, and the old nag shook its head before raising its four hooves and heading toward the end of the village.

Lifting the curtain, Yang Ming watched the scenery outside steadily recede.

Villagers who had already heard the news had gathered along both sides of the road.

The villagers all liked Yang Ming. Especially after he had dared to question Cao Mengyun for galloping his horse through the streets some time ago, they sincerely hoped that Yang Ming would make something of himself.

The villagers waved farewell to Yang Ming, and some even jeered playfully, saying, "Yang Ming, study hard at school! When you come back, I'll marry my precious daughter Ruhua to you!"

Ruhua?

In Yang Ming's mind immediately appeared the image of a girl with a boyish face, wearing a ponytail, heavy rouge and powder, picking her nose, and looking prematurely aged... a girl.

Yang Ming shuddered and hurriedly pulled his head back into the carriage.

At the sight, the villagers erupted into laughter.

The entire village overflowed with a festive atmosphere.