Leaving the Village

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

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

With the rising sun at his back, Yang Ming ran along a narrow path, barefoot, his small frame carrying a turtle-shell-like weight as he raced through the morning light.

When Yang Ming had watched Dragon Ball, he had been fascinated by Master Roshi's training method. Over the past three months, he had kept up weighted training with this fifty-pound turtle shell on his back. Though it was 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 just because he had awakened 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 second for all it was worth, working hard to improve himself.

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

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

His starry eyes, sharp as an eagle's, were fierce and unforgettable.

After running ten kilometers every morning, Yang Ming continued with push-ups and sit-ups. Once he had completed one hundred repetitions of each, he meticulously practiced his spear techniques, drawing out his body's potential to the fullest.

The spear tip quivered, slicing through the air with a shrill whistle as Yang Ming spun several dazzling spear flourishes.

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

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

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

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

Because today was the day they would set out for Notting City Junior Academy.

Village Chief Old Jack emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of freshly baked bread. Seeing Yang Ming covered in smelly sweat, his expression darkened. He curled his middle finger against his thumb and lightly flicked Yang Ming's wet 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 smiled and said,

"San'er, your father probably didn't make you breakfast, did he? Now that you're at my house, don't stand on ceremony. Come, have a taste and see whether my bread is any good."

Tang San had originally wanted to decline, but seeing how insistent the village chief was, he could only accept it and take small bites of the bread.

It had to be said that although Yang Ming was not Old Jack's biological grandson and had been adopted instead, Old Jack had worked hard to improve his cooking for Yang Ming's sake. The bread was exceptionally fluffy and tasted wonderful.

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

"San'er, I have something to tell you."

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

"San'er, after Yang Ming goes with you to Notting City Junior Academy today, I hope that, for the sake of having grown up together, you'll look after him if any students at the academy bully him, or if the teachers don't teach him properly. I don't want Yang Ming getting bullied by outsiders."

Yang Ming had just finished bathing. As he reached the bathroom door, he happened to hear Grandpa Old Jack giving Tang San those instructions.

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

Afraid that city folk would isolate and bully him, Old Jack had entrusted Tang San with this request. 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 stepped out of the bathroom. Old Jack promptly stopped talking.

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

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

Old Jack picked up a pair of chopsticks and tapped the corner of the table, saying to Yang Ming,

"Hurry up and eat breakfast. We'll set off for the city once you're done."

Yang Ming nodded like a pecking chick, pulled out a chair, and sat down. He took a huge bite of bread, and its rich flavor immediately filled his mouth.

Taking the opportunity, Old Jack explained a few things to Yang Ming and Tang San, so that they would not arrive in the city as ignorant country bumpkins.

"The Noding City Junior Soul Master Academy you're about to attend teaches only basic subjects, along with some general academic courses. It accepts only children whose Martial Souls have just awakened. The program lasts six years. Once you reach twelve, if you don't show much promise, you'll just become an ordinary Spirit Master. But if you have decent potential, most people choose to continue their studies at an Intermediate Soul Master Academy until they turn eighteen."

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

"You two are both considered geniuses, so you needn't worry about that. I only hope that you won't fool around at school, that you'll study diligently, listen to your teachers, and get along with your classmates. Do you understand?"

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

Seeing that Yang Ming and Tang San had nearly finished eating, Old Jack tidied up the tableware and led the two out of the house.

Yang Ming and Tang San were both geniuses. To keep them from becoming too exhausted on the journey, Old Jack had specially rented a carriage, which was now waiting outside the door.

Yang Ming and Tang San climbed into the carriage one after the other. Old Jack personally took the reins. With a crack of the whip, the old horse shook its head, lifted its four hooves, and headed toward the end of the village.

Pulling back the curtain, Yang Ming watched the scenery outside continuously 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 riding his horse through the street some time ago, they sincerely hoped that Yang Ming would make something of himself.

The villagers waved farewell to Yang Ming, and some even shouted teasingly,

"Yang Ming, study hard at school! When you come back, I'll marry my precious daughter Ruhua to you!"

Ruhua?

An image immediately surfaced in Yang Ming's mind: a girl with a boyish face, a ponytail, heavy rouge and powder, a finger in her nostril, and the prematurely aged look of... a girl.

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

At the sight, the villagers burst into laughter.

The entire village was filled with a festive atmosphere.