Yu Yuanzhen's old face darkened. He grabbed the figure by the neck with one hand, his voice turning stern. "Yu Xiaogang, what are you doing here?"
"Dad, I heard that big brother was going to study at Spirit Hall Academy. I want to go too." Yu Xiaogang's neck throbbed with pain as he spoke, his face twisted into a miserable expression.
"You want to study at Spirit Hall too?" Yu Yuanzhen frowned and released his grip on Yu Xiaogang, displeasure showing on his face.
Wouldn't letting Yu Xiaogang study at Spirit Hall make him lose face?
Given the bastard's nature, once he was out in the world, he would definitely tell people that his dad was Yu Yuanzhen.
Then he would lose every shred of face he had!
"Yes, Dad. I feel like Spirit Hall can make me stronger. Maybe they have books that can solve the problem of my low Innate Soul Power." Yu Xiaogang rubbed the back of his neck, his face full of hope.
"No. Spirit Hall Academy doesn't accept level-thirteen students!"
Yu Yuanzhen's voice turned cold as he continued, "Besides, do you think Spirit Hall is our territory? Even if they do have books recording a secret method to make up for low Innate Soul Power, do you think you're qualified to read them?"
"I..." Yu Xiaogang's eyes reddened and filled with tears. He threw his arms around his father's arm and roared, "I'm going! I want to study at Spirit Hall! Father, you must have a way. Take me to Spirit Hall!"
Smack!
A crisp slap rang out. Yu Yuanzhen's face turned livid as he shouted, "Day in and day out, you have no ability, but you have so many damn demands. And you still want me to swallow my pride and arrange for you to enroll."
He paused, looking sternly at him. "Yu Xiaogang, you can't even keep cultivating in the clan. Do you think you'll be able to cultivate in peace at Spirit Hall?"
"I'm telling you, it's impossible! In the clan, I do my best to keep the disciples from disturbing you. As long as you stay at home and cultivate in peace, nobody will come over to mock you and affect your state of mind."
"But out there, those people won't care about your feelings, and there'll be nobody to keep them in line. Just see how many people bully you."
Yu Xiaogang lay sprawled on the ground, one hand covering his red, swollen cheek. Choking back aggrieved sobs, he couldn't utter a single word for a long while.
"Leave. Don't ride Luo Sanpao. Walk home yourself." Yu Yuanzhen waved a hand irritably.
"Fine," Yu Xiaogang said in a low voice. He bowed his head, turned around, and headed back to his family's residence.
Of course, he hadn't taken his father's words to heart.
Since his father thought he would fare even worse outside than he did in the clan, Yu Xiaogang was determined to prove him wrong!
Tears soaked Luo Sanpao as he swore to slap his father in the face!
He, Yu Xiaogang, was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's most outstanding disciple!
Luo Sanpao grunted twice and hurried after him.
The figures of the man and the pig disappeared in the morning light.
"That unlucky fellow is finally gone." Yu Yuanzhen snorted and looked at Yu Xuan. "Xiao Xuan, go inside and pack your things."
"Okay." Having just enjoyed a good show, Yu Xuan went to his sitting room, thoroughly satisfied.
After packing a few things, Yu Xuan returned to the living room and looked at his father. "Let's go."
"All right." Yu Yuanzhen nodded.
Spirit Hall Academy had not been built inside Spirit City, but on a great mountain outside the city.
Its layout was quite similar to Heaven Dou Royal Academy's, making it easier to establish large Mimicry Training Grounds.
When Yu Xuan and his father arrived at Spirit City, it was noon.
Since Spirit Hall Academy was opening for the term and enrolling students that day, the foot of the academy's mountain had also grown lively. Rows of vendors had set up stalls along both sides of the road.
"Are you Sect Master Yu?"
A square-faced man dressed in black came up to them.
"I am." Yu Yuanzhen gave a slight nod.
The man said respectfully, "I'm Kong Lin, the dean of Spirit Hall Academy. His Holiness the Pope instructed me beforehand to come and meet you both. Your son can follow me; I'll handle his enrollment."
"Good. Then I'll be on my way." Seeing that someone had come to meet them, Yu Yuanzhen prepared to return.
As the master of a clan, it was already somewhat inappropriate for him to accompany his son in person to enroll.
After parting with Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Xuan followed Kong Lin straight up the mountain.
Stone steps had been carved into the mountainside specifically for people from the academy to use.
Spirit Hall Academy was quite large. The entire mountain fell within its grounds, with various Mimicry Training Grounds scattered across it and at its foot.
A number of buildings had been constructed on the academy's main campus, their classrooms linked by long corridors.
At the center of the main campus's training ground stood a towering Angel God Statue, dignified and solemn, with an air of majesty all its own.
Yu Xuan followed Kong Lin along the way, listening as he introduced the various parts of the academy. He gained a basic grasp of the campus layout, enough not to get lost.
The two arrived at the main teaching building, where Yu Xuan handed over fifty Gold Soul Coins and completed his enrollment.
According to Kong Lin, commoner students were exempt from tuition, but had to serve Spirit Hall after graduation.
Yu Xuan nodded upon hearing this, understanding the situation.
Paying the Gold Soul Coins himself also served to make his position clear: he was only here to study.
Besides, it was only fifty Gold Soul Coins a semester. Compared with that shabby place, Shrek Academy, the fee was quite reasonable.
After all, Shrek Academy charged a hundred Gold Soul Coins in tuition.
After collecting three sets of uniforms at the main teaching building, Kong Lin led him to the dormitory building.
The dormitory building was six stories high.
As a freshman invited to enroll, Yu Xuan went straight into the elite class and was assigned a room on the sixth floor.
"This is the key to room 605. It's a single room with a private bathroom. Someone cleans the dormitory every three days, so you don't need to worry about it being dirty."
Kong Lin handed Yu Xuan a key.
Yu Xuan nodded slightly.
Kong Lin smiled. "Young Master Yu, I'll take my leave now. Classes won't officially start for another three days, so you can spend the next few days getting familiar with the academy."
"If you run into any difficulties, you can find me in the dean's office in the main teaching building."
"All right. Goodbye, Dean Kong." Yu Xuan answered and turned toward his dorm room.
He pushed open the door and found an entryway. Beyond it was a living room furnished with a sofa, stools, and a table. Farther inside were a bedroom and a private bathroom.
"The accommodations aren't bad." Yu Xuan offered that brief assessment, then thought of that Shrek Academy.
"Pah, how unlucky!"
Meanwhile.
After Yu Xuan arrived at the academy, Yu Xiaogang, far away in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, also packed his belongings into a Soul Tool.
He cast a reluctant glance at the furnishings in the room, then placed the note he had written on the table and weighed it down with a brush. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Goodbye, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Once I've made a name for myself out there, I'll come back in glory."
He didn't know where he was going either, but going out to search for a way to become stronger was his only path. He would return in glory and give his father a resounding slap in the face!