Journey to Nuoding City, Stopped by the Gate Guard

Ever since Martial Soul Awakening day, three months had flown by in the blink of an eye.

In the blink of an eye, it was the opening day of Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy, the day Lin Ye would enroll in the Soul Master Academy.

Originally, on the day of Martial Soul Awakening, Tang Hao had firmly refused to let Tang San attend a Soul Master Academy.

But a week before Nuoding Academy was due to open, Tang Hao ultimately changed his mind. He went to see Old Jack and agreed to let Tang San attend the Soul Master Academy.

In Holy Soul Village, if there was anyone who gave Old Jack the biggest headache, it was definitely Tang Hao!

Tang Hao had actually taken the initiative to yield, which made Old Jack happy for quite a while.

That day, a gentle breeze brushed against their faces and the sun shone brightly. It was truly a fine day for traveling.

That morning, after breakfast, Lin Ye packed his things at home. Grandpa Old Jack brought along the Martial Soul certificates they needed, and they prepared to set off.

After heading to Tang San's house and calling him along, the three of them left Holy Soul Village together and hurried toward Nuoding City.

They passed through the vast farmlands outside Holy Soul Village and traveled along the murmuring riverbank.

Although Lin Ye had gone to Nuoding City with Grandpa Old Jack before, this trip was completely different from the previous ones.

Before, they had gone sightseeing together and returned in the afternoon.

But this time, once he arrived at the Soul Master Academy, Lin Ye might have to stay there for nearly half a year.

Having never been apart from Grandpa Old Jack, although Lin Ye had always been independent and mature since childhood, he could not help falling silent now.

Beside him, Tang San also felt restless as he watched the familiar scenery around them gradually recede.

The journey from Holy Soul Village to Nuoding City was long and would take several hours on foot. There was no point in staying anxious like this.

So Tang San decided to ask Old Jack about Nuoding Academy.

"Grandpa Jack, can you tell me what exactly Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy is?"

As they walked slowly alongside the river, Tang San asked curiously.

"Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy? It's a place specially meant to train Soul Masters. It teaches you knowledge about Soul Masters, though I don't know the specifics since I never attended it."

Old Jack explained while stroking his long beard, then smiled.

"But I heard that besides teaching you knowledge related to Soul Masters, junior Soul Master academies also teach other useful subjects, such as literacy, geography, arithmetic, and so on."

"You may have learned these things in the village school, but only in broad strokes. At the junior Soul Master Academy, the teachers will teach you more complete and thorough knowledge. You must study hard!"

"Mm, then Grandpa Jack, does attending the Soul Master Academy cost money? If it does, is it expensive?"

Tang San thought for a moment before continuing to ask.

"You silly child! A Soul Master Academy isn't your own home, of course it costs money!"

Old Jack did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"But don't worry. You and Little Ye are both Work-Study Students. Work-Study Student placements at Soul Master Academies waive the enrollment fee, tuition, and lodging fees. You only need to cover your own meals."

"As for meal expenses, the academy assigns Work-Study Students some odd jobs. As long as you do some cleaning around the academy, you can earn a bit of pay. Though it's only a few Copper Soul Coins, it's enough to cover a day's meals."

Old Jack smiled and comforted him.

"So that's how it is."

Tang San nodded thoughtfully.

They chatted as they traveled.

Having set out in the morning and traveled for several hours, they finally neared Nuoding City shortly after noon.

In the distance, endless towering city walls gradually came into view. Tiny figures stood atop the dark walls, soldiers responsible for guarding them.

At the entrance to the city gate, a long line had formed.

Although Nuoding City was merely a border city of the Heaven Dou Empire, it stood at the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Merchants from both nations often came here to trade, so Nuoding City was fairly prosperous.

Led by Old Jack, the three lined up and paid the entry fee to the gate soldiers before finally entering Nuoding City.

Nuoding City truly deserved its reputation as a major city.

Although it was not his first time here, as soon as Lin Ye entered the city, he was still drawn to the clean and orderly houses around him, the clock tower rising in the distance, the shops calling out their wares, and the street stalls lining the roads.

Such a prosperous, bustling city was truly beyond comparison with Holy Soul Village! Lin Ye could not help yearning for it.

"Excuse me, where is Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy?"

After entering Nuoding City and walking for a while, Old Jack found a middle-aged man running a street stall and asked him.

Although Old Jack was familiar with Nuoding Academy, Holy Soul Village had not produced a child qualified to become a Soul Master for many years, and he had long forgotten where Nuoding Academy was located. "From here, follow this street all the way to the end, turn left, then keep going... Nuoding Academy is at the very end!"

The stall owner gave them directions.

"Oh, thank you!"

Leaning on his cane, Old Jack thanked him politely.

"Children, let's go!"

Following the route indicated by the stall owner, the three continued onward.

After walking for more than ten minutes, they were finally about to reach Nuoding Academy.

Looking at the arched gate rising ahead, Old Jack could not help sighing. "Little Ye, Little San, we'll be at Nuoding Academy soon. Once Grandpa gets you registered, Grandpa will have to head back. At Nuoding Academy, you must focus on your studies and listen to your teachers. The school term is about half a year long. By the time it ends, it will almost be New Year. Grandpa will come pick you up then."

"I understand, Grandpa."

After a moment of silence, Lin Ye spoke.

Although he knew he would definitely leave Grandpa Old Jack someday, Grandpa Old Jack had raised him since he was young, and Lin Ye had long developed deep feelings for him.

Knowing they were about to part, Lin Ye could not help feeling sad and unsettled.

But given Lin Ye's personality, he would not show those emotions on his face. He would leave Nuoding City in the future as well, so he would treat his journey through the Soul Master Academy as a trial.

Once I achieve success and make a name for myself, I'll come back and repay Grandpa!

Lin Ye thought to himself.

They continued toward Nuoding Academy.

Perhaps because it was noon, quite a few students were returning to Nuoding Academy from Nuoding City.

Young men and women in standard uniforms could be seen running or hurrying along.

They rushed over from behind one after another, passed through the iron gate beneath the archway, and entered the academy.

But just as Old Jack was about to lead Lin Ye and Tang San through the iron gate, a young man suddenly stepped out from the side and blocked the entrance.

"Stop! What are you trying to do?"