Prelude to Departure

Then the old headmaster's gaze passed over Jiang Lin and shifted to Little Dragon Girl and Tian Yan beside him.

"The auras of these two women are concealed to an extreme degree. They are clearly no ordinary Soul Masters. Xiao Yan's defeat was not undeserved."

"Perhaps there really is a reclusive clan called the Jiang Clan somewhere on this continent?"

The old headmaster could only think so. Otherwise, there was simply no explanation for why Tian Yan and Little Dragon Girl were following Jiang Lin.

Then the old headmaster's expression turned serious as he spoke solemnly.

"Jiang Lin, I apologize to you on Xiao Yan's behalf. He was indeed in the wrong. However, regarding Xiao Shan, the lord of Notting City—although he is currently only a rank 44 Soul Ancestor, his true identity is that of a collateral descendant of the Capital Xiao Clan. You will have to deal with him yourself."

"The Capital Xiao Clan? Headmaster, do you know exactly how strong the Xiao Clan is?"

Confusion appeared in Jiang Lin's eyes. There had been no such faction in the Heaven Dou Empire in the original story. Could it have been a chain reaction caused by his arrival?

The old headmaster shook his head, a trace of reminiscence appearing in his eyes.

"I do not know the specifics either. But with the Xiao Clan's foundation of several hundred years, there should be at least several experts at the Soul Douluo level within the clan."

"A Soul Douluo? In the system's rankings, that should count as Silver Three-Star, right? Drawing one would cost at least ten thousand Collapse Points!"

Jiang Lin immediately furrowed his brow. If that was the case, things would be troublesome.

However, Jiang Lin's brow soon relaxed.

It was not because he had gained some trump card capable of confronting a Soul Douluo, but because he felt that he had been worrying too much.

Xiao Shan was merely a collateral branch member of the Capital Xiao Clan. If he had been demoted to such a remote place as Notting City, he had likely committed some grave offense. In that case, so long as Jiang Lin acted discreetly, perhaps the higher-ups of the Xiao Clan would not expend great effort to send anyone to investigate.

Even if they did send someone, that person's strength likely would not be too high. If Jiang Lin could not defeat them, he could always run.

Seeing that Jiang Lin had remained silent for so long, hesitation appeared in the old headmaster's eyes. After a brief silence, he finally voiced the thought in his heart.

"Jiang Lin, Notting Academy is too small for you. It cannot provide any real tempering."

"If you wish to complete the training task assigned by your family elders, I suggest you take a look at Soto City. It is the largest and most prosperous city within several hundred miles. Whether in the number of Soul Masters or the variety of resources, it far surpasses this tiny Notting City."

"I imagine it would be far more helpful to you than our little Notting Academy."

Hearing this, Jiang Lin instantly came back to his senses, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Headmaster, I have only been here for two days, and you are already trying to drive me away?"

"Cough, cough—"

The old headmaster smiled awkwardly, but he did not deny it.

In his view, Jiang Lin's temperament was far too ruthless and domineering. In just one day, he had killed Suke, severely injured Xiao Yan, and extorted Xiao Chenyu and the others without mercy. If Jiang Lin remained any longer, there was no telling what even greater trouble he might cause.

His small elementary Soul Master academy simply could not withstand Jiang Lin's antics. For the sake of his academy, the old headmaster truly did not dare keep Jiang Lin any longer.

Seeing the old headmaster admit it, Jiang Lin could not help falling into thought.

If he left Notting Academy, where could he go? Soto City? The Star Dou Forest? Or Shrek Academy?

And if he did not leave Notting Academy, what else could he gain here?

Cultivation resources? He could simply buy them in other cities.

Guidance from powerful Soul Masters? All the teachers at Notting Academy combined could not even defeat Little Dragon Girl.

Following Tang San around to alter the plot and harvest Collapse Points? The main plot during this period centered on Xiao Wu, and because of him, Xiao Wu's relationship with Tang San could no longer return to what it had been. That meant he could not harvest any Collapse Points for the time being.

Looking at it this way, there truly seemed to be no need for him to remain here.

"So the headmaster's suggestion does not seem to have any drawbacks."

Jiang Lin murmured softly, then looked at Xiao Wu.

"Huh? What is it, Jiang Lin?"

Sensing his gaze, confusion appeared in Xiao Wu's eyes.

"Xiao Wu, I plan to leave Notting Academy. Are you interested in coming with me?"

As soon as those words were spoken, surprise and delight immediately appeared in the old headmaster's eyes. He had not expected that a casual suggestion would make Jiang Lin genuinely consider leaving.

After hesitating slightly, Xiao Wu's gaze also became firm.

"Sure, Jiang Lin. If you are leaving, I will go with you."

"Uh, do you not want to think it over some more? I am not planning to leave immediately. It will not be too late to go after you have thought it through."

Jiang Lin was somewhat surprised by Xiao Wu's decisiveness. Their relationship did not seem to have reached that level yet, did it?

"There is no need, Jiang Lin. I have thought it through clearly."

Xiao Wu shook her head. The reason she was so decisive was not only because Jiang Lin was the first friend she had met after leaving the Star Dou Forest, but also because she had realized that academy life was not as interesting as she had imagined.

Now that she had the chance to leave with Jiang Lin and see other places, she naturally would not refuse.

"Alright, then once I have dealt with matters here, we will leave Notting Academy."

Xiao Wu immediately nodded.

The old headmaster also quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Having received the answer he wanted, there was no need for him to stay any longer. He said, "Then you all continue eating. I have some matters to attend to, so I will leave first."

After the old headmaster left, Jiang Lin pondered for a while before looking at the three women.

"Xiao Wu, Sister Long, Sister Tian Yan, is there anywhere you want to go or anything you want to play with?"

"Since we will be leaving Notting Academy soon anyway, let us take this time to properly enjoy ourselves in Notting City."

"Sure, but I am not familiar with Notting City. Do you have any places to recommend, Jiang Lin?"

"Cough, cough, I am not familiar with it either. But we can stroll around as we go. We can buy whatever we want. I have quite a bit of money on me, after all."

"Mm, that sounds good too. Then when are we going, Jiang Lin?"

"Let us finish eating first. We will see whether the rain stops in a while. If the weather is good, we will go today."

"Today? Jiang Lin, are we skipping class?"

"Haha, Xiao Wu, we are leaving in a few days anyway. What does it matter whether we skip class or not?"

"Mm, that is true."

"..."

About half an hour later, Jiang Lin and the other three walked out of the dining hall, warm sunlight falling across their faces.

"The rain actually stopped?"

Jiang Lin was somewhat surprised. Judging by the sky earlier, he had thought it would rain until at least noon.

"Yay—"

"Jiang Lin, are we leaving now?"

Excitement appeared in Xiao Wu's eyes, and even Little Dragon Girl's eyes held a trace of eager anticipation.

"Mm, let's go!"