Directly Nurtured Disciple of Spirit Hall

[Congratulations, host. You have obtained...]

[Half a level of Soul Power]

As the system's voice faded, Chu Heng felt the Soul Power within him surge. He had only reached level eight two days ago, yet in a few short breaths, he was already close to level nine.

"Hm?"

They were still on their way to Spirit Hall when Su Yuntao seemed to sense the fluctuation in Chu Heng's Soul Power and looked at him in confusion.

But Su Yuntao was only a level twenty-six Soul Grandmaster. Though he sensed that half-level increase for an instant, once the surge ended, he could no longer detect any change in Chu Heng.

So he took it for a momentary lapse in Chu Heng's control that had let some Soul Power leak out.

That was close...

Chu Heng breathed a silent sigh of relief. Luckily, the system had only rewarded him with half a level of Soul Power. If it had given him a full level and he had broken through in the middle of the street, who knew what disturbance it might have caused?

Besides, his Soul Power had tested at only level seven half a month ago. Reaching level eight in that time could be put down to hard work, but reaching level nine now would certainly make Su Yuntao suspicious. He had no explanation ready.

Looks like I need to find something that can conceal my Soul Power Level soon.

"Chu Heng, keep your spirits up. Tang San may have gone with the Grandmaster, but you'll have resources in Spirit Hall that he won't. Spirit Hall's teachers aren't much worse than the Grandmaster, either. And your Martial Souls are worlds apart. There's no telling what either of you might achieve."

Afraid that what had happened earlier had dealt Chu Heng a blow, Su Yuntao offered him a few thoughtful words of comfort.

"Don't worry, Uncle Su Yuntao. I'm fine."

Chu Heng was touched by Su Yuntao's concern. They had only met a handful of times. Perhaps Su Yuntao was treating him well partly because he saw promise in him and wanted to build a connection early, but he also clearly valued talented children as a Spirit Hall deacon.

Spirit Hall... How did such a "good" faction end up being destroyed by Tang San?

Despite Chu Heng's answer, he remained silent throughout the journey. Su Yuntao worried about him but could do nothing more than hope the boy would soon get past it.

In that silence, the two arrived at the Spirit Hall Branch in Nott City.

Only when Chu Heng stood before the building did he fully grasp just how magnificent this symbol of Spirit Hall was.

Sunlight fell across its snow-white dome, lending the entire building a solemn grandeur and an imposing air of nobility. Thinking of the Angel God's divine position, which Spirit Hall had inherited, Chu Heng felt a stir of awe.

Seeing Chu Heng stare in a daze, Su Yuntao patted him. Pride colored his voice.

"Come with me. This is Spirit Hall."

Chu Heng followed Su Yuntao into the Spirit Hall Branch. The first floor was an administrative hall, where dozens of clerks were busy at work. Su Yuntao led him to an unoccupied counter.

"Deacon Su!"

The receptionist clearly knew Su Yuntao and greeted him as he approached.

"Mm. I've brought this child to register. From now on, he'll be a Directly Nurtured Disciple of Spirit Hall."

"A Directly Nurtured Disciple?!"

The receptionist was startled by the title.

Plenty of children chose to study at Spirit Hall rather than enroll in a Soul Master Academy after awakening their Martial Souls, but most came from forces affiliated with Spirit Hall.

Those children were not considered Directly Nurtured Disciples. After leaving Spirit Hall, they might return to their homes, sects, or clans; they would not necessarily choose to stay.

Only the children of Spirit Hall members, or exceptionally talented children with no faction behind them, received the title of Directly Nurtured Disciple upon entering Spirit Hall. Once they completed their studies, they were required to remain there.

Of course, anyone given that kind of treatment was unlikely to choose to leave.

"Yes. The branch master has already approved it."

Su Yuntao answered in a firm voice.

"Oh! All right!"

The receptionist recovered from her surprise, her smile growing brighter as she turned to Chu Heng.

"Little one, how old are you? What's your name? What's your Martial Soul? And what level is your Innate Soul Power? Tell me, all right? I'll help you..."

"Uh..."

Unused to her sudden familiarity, Chu Heng quickly cut in.

"Miss, my name's Chu Heng! I'm six years old! My Innate Soul Power is level seven, and my Martial Soul..."

Chu Heng did not know how to describe his Martial Soul. Su Yuntao had not recognized it before, and he could hardly tell her its name.

"Chu Heng's Martial Soul is rather unusual, so we can't disclose it for now. Just register the other information."

Su Yuntao picked up where Chu Heng had left off and explained it to the receptionist.

"Will do."

The receptionist bent over a form and filled in Chu Heng's information. Then she took out a strange device, scanned the form, and handed it to Su Yuntao.

"Deacon Su, his information is registered. Sorry for the trouble, but could you take him to his room?"

Su Yuntao took the form, caught Chu Heng by the hand, and headed for the staircase opposite the main entrance.

"Little Chu Heng! I work here on odd-numbered days each week! Remember to come see me!"

As they left, the receptionist enthusiastically told Chu Heng her work schedule, hoping for more chances to speak with him.

"Thank you, miss!"

Chu Heng called back and waved before quickening his steps to keep up with Su Yuntao.

They climbed flight after flight of stairs to the fifth floor, finally stopping outside room 507.

Su Yuntao tossed Chu Heng a key.

"This will be your room from now on. It has a sitting room, a bedroom, and a meditation room."

Then Su Yuntao glanced at the neighboring rooms and thought for a moment.

"Of the ten rooms on this floor, only 506 next door is occupied. The boy there joined the branch four years ago and is already a level twenty-one Soul Grandmaster. If you run into an emergency, you can ask him for help."

"Your schedule is in the room. Some other staff members will come by shortly to confirm a few details to help arrange your training. Go in and wait for them."

With that, Su Yuntao turned to leave, as though his task was done.

"Uncle Su Yuntao!"

Chu Heng called out to him.

"How can I find you?"

Su Yuntao stopped, then spoke softly.

"I live in the deacons' quarters nearby. Go there, and someone will show you the way."

After saying that, Su Yuntao lingered no longer and walked briskly away.