This Is What the Soul Master World Should Be Like!

At last, by the eighth lap, Qin Yi's speed inevitably slowed again.

The prolonged sprinting had severely drained his stamina.

Lin Wan also slowed his pace, no longer following closely. He maintained his fairly high position, as though he had not been the one competing with Qin Yi just moments ago.

When Iron-Faced Zhao called for a stop, most of the students had already collapsed to the ground.

Qin Yi braced his hands on his knees and panted heavily. Sweat had soaked through his back. He raised his head and looked at Lin Wan, who was adjusting his breathing not far away, with a complicated expression filled with confusion and unwillingness.

He could not understand why someone with only a level-one Innate Soul Power Ice Fox martial soul had such excellent physical fitness.

Lin Wan only had one response to that.

Bro, I have cheats.

Iron-Faced Zhao walked to the front of the group. His gaze swept over the collapsed students before finally settling on Lin Wan and Qin Yi, lingering on Lin Wan for two seconds in particular.

"Physical fitness is the foundation of a soul master. Look at yourselves! You're done after just a few laps?"

Iron-Faced Zhao's voice remained stern. "Qin Yi, Lin Wan, you two have decent physical fitness. Class dismissed."

Lin Wan helplessly rubbed his nose. It seemed someone as dazzling as him was destined to be unable to keep a low profile.

He glanced at the system panel. His Reputation Points had gone up by a few more points.

The day's lessons came to an end, and the lingering glow of the setting sun painted Frost City in a weary gold-red hue.

Lin Wan followed the crowd out of the somewhat dim teaching building.

The Soul Power within him continued to circulate, rapidly repairing his physical fatigue, but it could not dispel the weariness in his mind.

After all, a full day of classes was not easy for a six-year-old child.

Lin Wan planned to make do with a rough dinner at the work-study students' cafeteria before heading back to the dormitory.

Just as he reached the open space in front of the teaching building, a familiar figure entered his field of vision.

"Brother Wan!" The voice was full of excitement and affection.

Lin Wan paused. A hint of surprise flashed through his sea-blue eyes before understanding dawned on him.

The newcomer was Lin Zao.

He wore a brand-new gray training outfit issued by Martial Soul Hall and stood beneath a withered tree that had nearly lost all its leaves, waving vigorously at Lin Wan.

"Zaozao." Lin Wan walked over, a gentle smile naturally rising on his lips.

"Why did you come to the academy? Martial Soul Hall didn't arrange anything for you today?"

"Hehe, I was free after finishing basic training this afternoon! Lord Moraki said I could move around freely for a while."

Lin Zao ran a few steps over to Lin Wan, his face brimming with pure joy. "Brother Wan, come on! I'm treating you to a meal!"

"A meal?"

Lin Wan let himself be pulled along, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "The cafeteria is right over there. You don't need to treat me."

He pointed at the low building in the distance, where faint cooking smoke rose into the air.

"Ah, not there!"

Lin Zao shook his head like a rattle drum and pulled Lin Wan straight toward the academy gates.

"I asked around about the work-study students' cafeteria. The food isn't good. I'll take you somewhere with good food!"

Watching Lin Zao lead him expertly out of the academy gates before turning toward the city center, in the direction of Martial Soul Hall, the scattered pieces of Lin Wan's doubt finally came together.

He stopped and asked tentatively, "Zaozao, you're not taking me to the Martial Soul Hall cafeteria, are you?"

Lin Zao whipped around, his eyes widening into circles as he stared at Lin Wan in astonishment.

"Brother Wan! You're amazing! You guessed that too?"

He scratched the back of his head honestly. "That's right. Lord Moraki agreed to it. He said I could bring friends to eat in Martial Soul Hall's public dining area."

Lin Wan understood. It seemed that Martial Soul Hall in Frost City had granted considerable freedom to Lin Zao, a genius with level-seven Innate Soul Power.

"Is that really appropriate?"

Lin Wan frowned slightly. There were too many abnormalities surrounding him, and he still did not want too much contact with Martial Soul Hall.

"It's fine, really."

Lin Zao patted his chest in assurance. "I asked very clearly. Lord Moraki said it himself. Since you're my friend, it's no problem to bring you over for a meal. It'll also help you get familiar with the place. He specifically told me not to bring too many people and not to wander around."

Lin Zao even imitated Lord Moraki's tone for Lin Wan, and did so remarkably well.

Seeing the anticipation on Lin Zao's face, Lin Wan ultimately agreed. Lin Zao would soon be leaving to study at Martial Soul Academy, and who knew when they would meet again.

He stopped refusing and nodded.

"Fine, then I'll benefit from your influence, Lord Lin Zao." There was a hint of teasing in his voice.

Lin Zao's face reddened at being called "Lord." He gave two embarrassed chuckles and pulled Lin Wan along even faster.

"Brother Wan, stop making fun of me. Hurry, hurry! The meal time at Martial Soul Hall is almost over."

After crossing several increasingly prosperous streets, Martial Soul Hall's grand golden dome appeared before them once more.

This time, Lin Zao did not stop in the plaza. Instead, he led Lin Wan around to a relatively low-key yet still imposing entrance at the side rear of the building.

Two guards in standard Martial Soul Hall leather armor stood at the entrance, their expressions solemn.

Lin Zao stepped forward and took a small bronze badge from his clothes, handing it over.

"Guard brother, I'm Lin Zao."

The guard accepted the badge and inspected it carefully, then raised his eyes to examine Lin Wan.

Lin Wan's striking silver hair and blue eyes caused a flicker of surprise in the guard's gaze, but he did not ask any questions. He merely nodded sternly.

"Deacon Moraki informed us. Go in. The public dining area is at the end of the west corridor on the first floor."

"Thank you, Guard Brother!" Lin Zao quickly took back the badge and pulled Lin Wan inside.

The moment he stepped into Martial Soul Hall, Lin Wan could not help sighing. Martial Soul Hall really was rich!

The corridors were broad, the floors polished like mirrors, and the walls were carved with exquisite martial soul patterns and epic battle reliefs.

Lin Zao clearly was not visiting for the first time. He skillfully led Lin Wan toward the dining area.

When he pushed open the two heavy oak doors, the aroma of food rushed into Lin Wan's nose, making him swallow instinctively.

It smelled far too good!

In the three years since coming to Douluo Continent, this was the first time he had smelled something so delicious.

Martial Soul Hall's public dining area was far larger and more luxurious than Lin Wan had imagined.

The spacious, brightly lit hall was furnished with neat rows of long dining tables and comfortable high-backed chairs.

The long serving counters were laden with a dazzling variety of food: whole chickens roasted golden brown, fragrant stewed meat, fresh bread, seasonal vegetables and fruit, even delicate desserts and steaming hot soup.

At the sight, tears of disappointment trickled from Lin Wan's mouth.

He truly had not seen this much food in three years.

Lin Zao pulled Lin Wan toward the serving counters. "Brother Wan, look! There's so much delicious food. Just take whatever you want to eat."

Looking at the abundant feast, Lin Wan sighed inwardly: This is what the soul master world should be like!