The First Lesson

Walter handed Yan Jin a ring and said kindly, "Take it. This is my first lesson."

Yan Jin accepted the ring blankly, followed Walter's instructions blankly, poured Soul Power into it, and blankly took out the contents. Then the glittering gold scattered across the floor nearly blinded her.

Walter's first lesson for her was a ring-shaped spatial Soul Tool, twenty thousand Gold Soul Coins, and an entire chest of books on Soul Power, Soul Masters, and Soul Beasts!

These books were all difficult to find on the market. Some were even closely guarded secrets passed down only within certain small families and sects!

With a concrete example, Walter further explained his teaching philosophy to the three of them and demonstrated his way as a teacher.

"So this is what they mean by 'a master's strength brings resources, and those resources enhance the disciple's strength, thereby indirectly imparting power'?"

Amon curled his lips into a smile and said to Walter with great interest,

"I have a friend. He's seventeen this year, with level thirty-four Soul Power. He's drifted through life without ever meeting a renowned teacher. If you don't mind..."

Walter shook his head with an amused smile. "Your... hmm, the friend you mentioned might not be suitable.

"Though I have certain purposes and other considerations in taking disciples, I also hope to cultivate a bond between master and disciple.

"Your friend is too rational. He would only turn the relationship between master and disciple into a naked transaction."

Walter knew that what he had done could be seen as stealing Amon's disciple, and he had guessed at Amon's reaction. He might resist, or he might comply. What Walter had not expected was that Amon wanted to take a master as well.

Amon smiled and shook his head, not disappointed by this.

He had merely wanted to see whether he could wring some benefits out of Walter right now. If not, it did not matter.

Seeing the gold coins covering the floor, Yan Jin suddenly did not feel quite so sad anymore.

This master did not seem too bad. Well, he was only a tiny bit worse than Amon. Just a tiny bit...

Lei Yin's eyes were dazzled by the sight. He thought that if his sister was upset, then so be it. With her personality, she would not stay upset for long. She would probably be fine by tomorrow. Please, have several more lessons like this!

Sorry, Mr. Walter. You're a good teacher. I wrongly blamed you just now! he silently apologized in his heart.

"So much has happened in a single day. I think you all need time to calm down and think things over. Let's stop here for today," Walter said.

After leaving Spirit Hall, Yan Jin could not help asking, "How did you guess that he was behind all this?"

Amon chuckled. "The three groups of bandits on the road were too specifically targeted. They happened to be at a level we could deal with based on the strength we showed publicly, but not too easily...

"The combination of Flame Bird and Lightning Turtle had a certain resistance to your magma and Lei Yin's lightning.

"One of the third group of bandits could even resist my soul skill. That is rather rare. Taken together, it is hard to believe it was a coincidence.

"From then on, I suspected someone was targeting us from behind the scenes, though they probably did not bear us much ill will.

"Once we arrived at Northland Advanced Soul Master Academy, the attitude of the dean of studies, Zhu Youzhi, confirmed it even further.

"Then there was Glen's warning... Glen appearing here in the first place was abnormal. Not to mention that the academy rejected us at noon, yet he came to pressure us that very night. Clearly, someone had deliberately arranged for him to wait there for us.

"Ma Wen knows some of our strength. Even the power we have displayed now is enough to contend with the Ice Thorn Chamber of Commerce. She would not be foolish enough to threaten us with such a hardline attitude.

"She would only be making a powerful enemy for herself, unless she had no choice.

"And if she truly wanted to coerce us into doing something for her, she would not have sent Glen. She would have sent Wasef, who has always been at odds with Yan Jin.

"Besides, when Glen said, 'I hope you won't refuse That Lord's goodwill,' he was hinting at something.

"The lord he referred to was not Ma Wen... He had always called her 'Lady Ma Wen.'

"Someone who can send six Soul Elders to serve as our whetstones, make Northland Advanced Soul Master Academy reject outstanding students, and command the Ice Thorn Chamber of Commerce all the way in Frostleaf City...

"Tell me, among those who have crossed paths with us, who possesses such immense influence and would be willing to go to such lengths?"

Yan Jin thought for a moment, resting her chin on her hand. "It really could only be him."

Then she looked at Amon again. "But... Amon, am I really going to be his disciple from now on?"

"Didn't you already bow your head to him?"

"I'd rather be your disciple..." she muttered softly.

Amon shook his head. "It was a necessary compromise. I do not care about being threatened, but you are different. You have people you care about, bonds that tie you down.

"The moment you first showed your brilliance in Frostleaf City and caught Spirit Hall's attention, it became inevitable that you would cross paths with him.

"Can you be certain that if you refused, he would not fly into a rage from humiliation?

"Do you truly believe his promise that he would no longer interfere with us if he was refused again?

"Because of some of Spirit Hall's strategic objectives, they currently do not want to see talented Soul Masters outside their control grow stronger.

"So if you had refused just now, he would have been more likely to kill all of us.

"You must remember this: do not overestimate others' kindness, and do not underestimate others' malice.

"Many of the things he told us just now are of questionable truth. For instance, he said those bandits were captured from elsewhere..."

Yan Jin looked confused. "What's wrong with that?"

"They may have truly been bandits, or they may not have been... As far as I know, Spirit Hall secretly trains Dead Servants," Amon replied.

"Probably... not? They went through the trouble of training them, only to use them for something like this?" Yan Jin hesitated.

Amon lifted the brim of his hat slightly and said softly,

"Who knows? Human lives are not worth much... After dealing with Ma Wen for so long, you should understand that deeply.

"I am inclined to believe that the third group of bandits were Spirit Hall's Dead Servants. The first two groups were more likely genuine bandits coerced and directed by him.

"If those people were Dead Servants and we were killed because we could not defeat them, it would mean you were nothing special and not worth Walter's expectations.

"If we won but let them escape, it would mean your talent was decent enough for him to take you as a disciple, and Walter would lose nothing in that scenario.

"There was also a third possibility, like what happened now. We won, and they could not even escape.

"That meant your talent had exceeded his expectations. He was willing to pay a greater price to take you as his disciple... and it also meant you had to accept him as your master.

"And there is something else. He said he had been watching you all along... When do you think that 'all along' began?"

"Six years ago?" Yan Jin blurted out. But knowing Amon well enough to understand that there had to be an issue if he deliberately pointed it out, she immediately rejected her own answer. "No, that's not right..."

Amon slipped his hands into his pockets and nodded slightly in approval.

"That's right. It could not have been six years ago. A Soul Douluo's time is not that cheap... His words merely created that illusion when connected together.

"The 'all along' probably did not begin very long ago. It was likely after you defeated a Soul Elder as a Soul Grandmaster and your deeds spread throughout Frostleaf City...

"Anyone could see that it would not take you long to gain the ability to influence the situation in Frostleaf City. Mi Zonglan would certainly report your affairs.

"And Walter, who once considered taking you as his disciple, would surely receive that intelligence report as well."

"So that's how it was..." Yan Jin suddenly smiled. "Sorry. With your help these past five years, everything has gone too smoothly for me. I forgot the cautious mindset I had five years ago. I'll adjust in time."

"Temporary endurance is for soaring higher one day... Remember today's helplessness... Though, judging by the result, it turned out rather well." Amon's gaze was deep, his expression solemn.

"Mm. I'll work even harder to become stronger... until I never have to compromise or retreat for anyone again."

Yan Jin nodded, then asked curiously, "But, Amon, who was that friend of yours without a teacher? Why have I never heard you mention him?"

Amon's expression froze. He looked at her suspiciously, and seeing that she did not seem to be joking, he could not help taking a deep breath. He did not answer.

You really thought I had a friend like that?!

Lei Yin covered his face and silently turned away, refusing to let her see the smile he was barely holding back.

For a moment, the atmosphere was rather strange, leaving Yan Jin completely bewildered.

At the academy, Vidal stood before his aunt Luo Na and said somewhat agitatedly,

"Why? Why can't the three of them enroll? Can't we really think of some way?

"With their talent, they might even have a chance at winning the Academy Tournament! Was Zhu Youzhi kicked in the head by a donkey?"

Luo Na said helplessly, "I have already tried. I contacted quite a few people too, but the dean of studies refused to budge. It seems the person who prompted him to make this decision has a great deal of influence."

"Aunt, you know I must obtain a place to represent the academy in the Soul Master Tournament..." Vidal clutched at his hair, sounding somewhat weak.

His position in the family was not actually secure. Although he was the eldest son, several younger brothers behind him were eyeing his position as heir.

That was why he needed the honor of competing in the Soul Master Tournament, and why he needed others to acknowledge his talent.

"Since Mother died and Father married that woman, my status in the family has declined day by day. That woman's son has been constantly trying to take away my position as heir to the viscountcy."

Luo Na gently patted his back and comforted him. "I know. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I, your uncle, and your grandfather will all support you. It will not be so easy for them to take what belongs to you.

"You do not necessarily have to rely on those three to represent the academy. I know Zhu Youzhi well. He is best at weighing the pros and cons and adapting his actions to the people involved.

"This time, I used the family's connections to pressure him, yet he still refused and would not reveal even the slightest information. That means the person obstructing us behind the scenes is an important figure beyond our expectations.

"Continuing to associate with them may bring you unfavorable consequences. Think it over carefully yourself."

Vidal lowered his gaze slightly, a trace of hesitation on his face.