Enrollment at Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy

The sky had yet to brighten, but the fragrance of rice porridge already drifted through the courtyard.

Gu Hengzhi crouched before the stove, carefully adding several ingredients gathered from the wilderness to the pot. The slender white Warm Yang Grass resembled threads of flawless jade and gave off a faint, clean scent. The pale-yellow Ox-Knee Fruits, shaped like little bells, swayed gently. Then there were several round, lustrous Bone-Nourishing Lingzhi, like black gemstones gleaming with a mysterious light. These were all low-grade spirit plants he had found in the mountains yesterday under the guidance of Earth God's Divine Will. Normally, such plants were either buried deep within rocky crevices or disguised as ordinary weeds. If Gu Hengzhi had not stood upon the earth and sensed the fluctuations of the earth veins, he would never have discovered them.

"They may not be immortal pills, but they nourish the body and strengthen the bones. They're perfect for porridge," Gu Hengzhi murmured softly, as though speaking to the spirit plants. He skillfully controlled the heat. His Earthfire Sensitivity gave him a mysterious rapport with the land. So long as his feet touched the ground, he could keenly sense the flow of heat from the earthfire beneath the pot, like the breathing of the earth itself echoing with his heartbeat.

The moment he lifted the lid, a rich fragrance surged forth like a clear spring, mingled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs. It seemed alive as it danced through the air, tempting the taste buds. Gu Hengzhi nodded lightly, satisfaction curling at the corner of his lips. He ladled himself a bowl of hot porridge, sat by the threshold, and slowly savored the unique flavor.

After finishing his porridge, Gu Hengzhi rose slowly and drifted like a weightless feather to the small patch of bare earth in the middle of the courtyard. His movements were graceful and natural, as though he had become one with the ground. As the soles of his feet touched down, soul power flowed faintly within him like a clear spring. A gentle earthen-yellow aura quietly enveloped his limbs and bones like a mother's embrace. He closed his eyes, silently recited his breathing formula, and began his morning training.

He ran like a gust of wind, every step like a dance with the earth. With the pull of the earth veins, his strength was transmitted more efficiently, and he seemed to glide just above the ground. He was as swift as lightning without seeming impetuous. Like an agile cheetah racing across the land, he carried a grounded, steady sense of speed.

A little over an hour later, Gu Hengzhi sat cross-legged like a meditating monk and entered a state of meditation. His method did not rely on the guidance of traditional cultivation techniques. Instead, he relied on particles of earth element carried by the land, which nourished his spirit and soul power little by little like a fine drizzle. In meditation, he seemed to sink into a vast expanse of earth, his consciousness like a swimming fish weaving through the deep earth veins, still as a rock.

Though the rate at which his soul power improved was not especially rapid, it flowed on like a trickling stream, steady and unceasing. There were no impurities to interfere with it, nor any hidden danger of an unstable foundation. It was as though nature had bestowed upon him the purest power of all.

After washing up, he sat steadily at the desk, spread out paper and brush, and began another session of "cultivation"—writing novels.

Writing novels was also part of his daily cultivation. To earn enough Gold Soul Coins to purchase spiritual herbs and plants that would aid his training, he had no choice but to devote himself fully to his writing.

These days did not last long, because the next day was the enrollment day for Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy. Brother Su Yuntao had already submitted an application letter for him, so he only needed to report to the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow.

In the afternoon, wind swept through the mountain village, rustling the leaves as if they were whispering something. Gu Hengzhi sat quietly on the stone steps before the courtyard, his figure looking especially slender beneath the sunlight. He focused on mending his bundle, his fingers moving deftly through the cloth while the needle and thread danced like sprites in his hands.

Under the eaves, Su Yuntao sat in a small bamboo chair with a steaming bowl of tea in hand. Yet his gaze was not on the tea, but fixed upon the boy's slightly bowed back. Concern and worry showed in his eyes as he slowly asked, "So you're really planning to go to Notting Academy?"

"Mm." Gu Hengzhi did not look up, his voice low and resolute. "My soul power has broken through to Rank 6. If I don't go learn something systematic now and keep fumbling around on my own, I'm afraid I'll take the wrong path."

Su Yuntao sighed softly and set his tea aside, as if that bowl carried all his worries. He took a letter from his robes, one he had long since written. The letter trembled faintly in his hand as he carefully passed it over, as though it were some precious treasure.

"This is a recommendation letter I wrote for the Academic Affairs Office at Notting Academy. You may not care for this sort of thing, but having it is still better than not. There's nothing shameful about using connections when they're used properly." Su Yuntao's tone carried a trace of helplessness and reflection.

Gu Hengzhi raised his head, and his gaze met Su Yuntao's. In that instant, it was as though they saw the determination and hope in each other's hearts. Gu Hengzhi accepted the letter, warmth flashing through his eyes—gratitude and trust for Su Yuntao.

"Thank you, Brother Tao." Gu Hengzhi's voice held a hint of emotion.

Su Yuntao waved him off, an impatient look appearing on his face. Curling his lip, he said, "What are you thanking me for? I put in no small amount of effort to keep you alive until today. Just become successful in your cultivation sooner, and don't make all my worrying go to waste."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Gu Hengzhi put the letter away, then rose and patted his bundle, as if it carried the weight of his dreams. He picked up his simple luggage, turned his back to the sunlight, and walked toward the distance.

"Be careful on the road," Su Yuntao called from behind him, his voice echoing in the wind with blessings and concern for Gu Hengzhi.

"Mm!" The boy waved without looking back, his figure gradually fading into the sunlight, as though merging with that golden glow...

"Gu Hengzhi, number thirty-seven. Go register in the Records Review Room."

A staff member called out and shoved an ordinary wooden plaque into his hand.

Gu Hengzhi responded, then followed the stone-paved path into the inner courtyard. Before long, he found the half-open wooden door and pushed it open.

The room was quiet. A wooden desk stood by the window, where a middle-aged man sat reviewing student records. He wore a dark-green robe, his hair neatly tied back. He was lean, with sharp eyes, though his brows always carried a lofty arrogance. This was the famous "Master" Yu Xiaogang.

"Student Gu Hengzhi, reporting in." Gu Hengzhi's voice was calm.

Yu Xiaogang did not even raise his head. He first checked the number on the wooden plaque, then casually flipped to the corresponding file. His expression was indifferent at first, but when he saw "Martial Soul: Stone Statue (Incomplete)," the corner of his mouth twitched as if he found it somewhat laughable.

Then his gaze moved lower, to "Innate Soul Power: Rank 5."