After that, Lin Yan continued his usual physical training and Soul Power cultivation. In the blink of an eye, the first day of school arrived.
Students streamed back onto campus, and Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy regained its usual bustle.
Rather than heading to a classroom or the training grounds like the other students, Lin Yan went straight to the principal's office.
After knocking and entering, Lin Yan saw the old principal, whose kindly face contrasted with his shrewd eyes, sitting behind his desk handling files.
The old principal was somewhat surprised to see Lin Yan. Setting down his pen, he asked gently, "Young man? Why have you come to see me instead of attending class on the first day of school?"
Lin Yan bowed respectfully and got straight to the point. "Hello, Principal. I've come to request permission to read the books on the library's second floor."
"Oh?" The principal raised his eyebrows slightly and leaned back, folding his hands on the desk. "Why do you suddenly want to visit the second floor? The books there aren't suitable for students in the lower years."
Lin Yan had already prepared his explanation. "I know my Innate Soul Power is weak and my cultivation progresses slowly. Perhaps I won't be able to go very far on the path of a Soul Master. But I'm very interested in Martial Souls, Soul Beasts, and all kinds of knowledge about the continent. I hope to broaden my horizons and perhaps blaze another trail. Please make an exception, Principal."
"Low Innate Soul Power?" The old principal looked puzzled.
"Yes. My name is Lin Yan, my Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and my Innate Soul Power is half a level," Lin Yan hastily explained.
"Oh, so it's you. I remember now. The work-study student who arrived last year."
A student with half a level of Innate Soul Power had left a fairly strong impression on the principal.
The principal considered it for a moment, but ultimately shook his head slowly. "Lin Yan, I understand your thinking. But rules are rules. The library's second floor is not open to students in the lower years. This isn't a matter of treasuring an old broom as though it were a priceless possession; it's for your protection."
He paused, then explained, "Many books on the second floor cover more advanced and complex Soul Master theories, Soul Skill principles, and even knowledge of Soul Beasts. Younger students have unsteady foundations and limited understanding. Encountering these things too early can easily lead to misunderstandings, or make them reach for lofty heights without being willing to keep their feet on the ground and temper their basic Soul Power. That does nothing but harm their future cultivation. The academy has seen far too many cases of students secretly tasting forbidden fruit out of curiosity, only to ruin their foundations. Your Innate Soul Power already puts you at a disadvantage. All the more reason to advance steadily and build a solid foundation, rather than pursue those illusory things."
The principal spoke sincerely, with an elder's concern and admonition.
Lin Yan fell silent for a moment. He understood that the principal's concerns had merit. For ordinary students, these truly were words worth their weight in gold and jade.
But his circumstances were unusual. The Supreme Purity Breathing Technique and his knowledge from another world meant that he needed higher-level knowledge to verify and plan his own path.
He took a deep breath and spoke again, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable resolve. "Principal, I understand. Thank you for your guidance and for the academy's instruction over the past year. In that case... I would like to apply to withdraw."
"Withdraw?" This time, the principal was genuinely surprised, unconsciously leaning forward. "Just because you can't read the books on the second floor? Lin Yan, don't act rashly! Your Innate Soul Power may be low, but if you work hard, becoming a Soul Grandmaster or even a Soul Elder isn't entirely without hope. At the very least, you could secure a decent job in the future. If you leave the academy, your path as a Soul Master may well end here."
Lin Yan raised his head, showing just the right trace of helplessness and acceptance. "Principal, thank you for trying to persuade me to stay. But I've thought it through. It isn't entirely because of the library. Mainly... after a year of effort, my Soul Power has barely progressed. Perhaps I really am unsuited to this path. There are also considerable tuition fees to pay every year, which burden my family."
He paused, then continued with his prepared explanation. "Fortunately, with help from my elders, I've been running a small shop in the city. Business is passable. I think perhaps devoting myself entirely to running it and learning an honest trade to make a living would be a more realistic choice for me. I hope you'll grant my request, Principal."
The principal looked at Lin Yan. The boy before him had calm eyes and a steady tone. Clearly, this was no momentary impulse, but a carefully considered decision. He felt regret, but had nothing more to say. Every year, many students like Lin Yan, with limited talent and no prospects in their own eyes, chose to withdraw. He had long since ceased to find it unusual. The academy truly had neither the need nor the obligation to insist that such students stay.
The principal sighed, his tone softening. "Since you've made up your mind to leave, I won't insist. Everyone has their own aspirations. I hope you'll achieve something on your own path. I'll write you a certificate. Take it to the academic affairs office to complete the withdrawal procedures."
"Thank you, Principal." Lin Yan bowed again, his attitude still respectful.
The procedures went smoothly. Lin Yan had been practically invisible at Nuoding Academy. Apart from the tiny ripple caused by his "Blue Silver Grass with half a level of Soul Power" upon enrollment, he had barely made his presence felt over the past year. He had no teachers he knew well and no close friends. He returned to his single dormitory room and packed his few belongings.
Lin Yan's luggage was simple: just a few changes of clothes and some daily necessities. A small bundle held it all.
Lin Yan soon finished packing. With the bundle on his back, he took one last look at the place where he had lived for nearly a year, then turned and left without the slightest reluctance.
The sunlight was just right, spilling over the academy's gravel paths. Carrying his belongings, Lin Yan headed toward the academy gates.
Just as he reached the entrance, he ran into Tang San and Xiao Wu, who had just returned to school.
Sharp-eyed Xiao Wu was the first to spot Lin Yan and the bundle on his back. Curiosity appeared on her rosy face. "Huh? Lin Yan? Where are you going with that bundle? Are you heading home on the very first day of school?"
Tang San also looked over, his gaze settling on Lin Yan's bundle as a trace of puzzlement flickered in his eyes.
Lin Yan stopped and greeted them first, then forced just the right hint of dejection and helplessness onto his face. "I'm not going home. I've withdrawn."
"Withdrawn?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened in surprise. "Why? Isn't school fun?" To her, life at the academy, with fights to be had, carrots to eat, and people to play with, was simply wonderful.
"My Innate Soul Power is only half a level, and I haven't made much progress after a year of cultivation." Lin Yan spoke flatly, as though discussing something that had nothing to do with him. "Perhaps I really don't have the talent to become a Soul Master. Staying at the academy would only waste time and money. My family helped me open a small shop. I think it would be more practical to go back sooner and learn a trade to make a living."
His explanation was perfectly reasonable and sounded utterly genuine.
Yet Tang San frowned slightly upon hearing it. Looking at Lin Yan, for some reason, his keen senses detected a vast yet restrained bloodline power within him!
Standing before him, Tang San even felt a faint sense of pressure, as though he were facing not a person, but a Ferocious Beast.
This stark contrast in his perceptions sent doubts sprouting in his mind.
Xiao Wu, however, seemed to feel nothing of the sort. After hearing Lin Yan's explanation, she blinked her large eyes and nodded with only a hazy understanding. "Oh... I see. All right, then. I hope your shop does well!"
Tang San continued staring at Lin Yan, still feeling that something was wrong. How could someone with half a level of Innate Soul Power, who had cultivated fruitlessly for a year, possess blood and vitality as vigorous as a dragon's? It defied all common sense!
Seeing Tang San staring fixedly at him, Lin Yan felt a little uneasy too.
"Anyway, I'll leave you to it. I'm off." With that, he quickly walked away.
Tang San watched Lin Yan's retreating figure, unable to look away for a long time.
"Brother? What are you looking at?" Xiao Wu tugged at Tang San's sleeve, growing a little impatient. "Come on, come on! I'm hungry. Let's see if the cafeteria has anything tasty left!"
Xiao Wu's interruption abruptly brought Tang San back to his senses. He shook his head and inwardly chuckled. Perhaps I imagined it? The Mysterious Heaven Skill's perception can make mistakes too. What could be so special about someone with half a level of Innate Soul Power? I'm probably overthinking it.
He cast that absurd feeling out of his mind, then headed toward the cafeteria with Xiao Wu.