Chapter 2: Soul Master Academy

But this is the key to you becoming a Soul Master.

With a poor family background, you can only obtain Soul Rings on your own.

A Soul Beast's strength surpasses that of ordinary beasts, even a ten‑year Soul Beast.

Even an adult, when facing even the lowest‑grade ten‑year Soul Beast, could become the Beast's food.

Hunting a Hundred‑Year Soul Beast easily with a youngster's physique and simple traps? That's pure nonsense.

As long as you can obtain the first Soul Ring, you can become a Soul Master and aim for a Hundred‑Year level on the second Soul Ring.

The ages of the First and Second Soul Rings may determine one's future Soul Power Level; the best outcome is becoming a Four Ring Soul Ancestor.

But that's enough; take Manuo City, where even the city lord is only a Three Ring Soul Honorable.

A Four Ring Soul Ancestor can dominate a small city, establishing a Soul Master family.

Ideally, a Four Ring Soul Ancestor who possesses a Thousand‑Year Soul Ring.

Comparing a Ten‑Year Soul Ring with a Hundred‑Year Soul Ring;

Tie Li certainly knows the gap between them, especially since his martial soul is just an ordinary Forging Hammer; the attributes and foundation granted by high‑age Soul Rings are far more important, yet I am only a Soul Master born of a common family;

Being able to obtain a Soul Ring and become a Soul Master is enough; it already surpasses all ordinary people who cannot cultivate.

That evening, his father summoned all three or five of his friends.

This was the happiest moment for Tie Niu in over twenty years; he got completely drunk, and only Tie Li and his mother together managed to help him onto the bed.

The next day, Tie Niu took out the family's savings, put on his best garment, and took Tie Li to Manuo City's Beginner Soul Master Academy.

Manuo Beginner Soul Master Academy!

At the entrance stood two gatekeepers, exquisite marble pillars, with the surrounding wall extending to both sides, and atop a stone arch plaque bearing the words 'Manuo Beginner Soul Master Academy.'

Seeing Tie Niu and Tie Li, the gatekeepers guessed they were there to register; one took charge of leading them to the registration area, while the other stayed to continue guarding.

"Big brother, your family's luck is really good; unlike my kid, none of the three have this fate," the gatekeeper said helplessly.

Since yesterday, Tie Niu's smile has not faded.

"There will always be hope," Tie Niu comforted.

At the registration office, the gatekeeper gave a brief reminder and left; Tie Niu thanked him and led Tie Li inside.

The teacher in charge appeared quite young, with a gentle smile, and did not deliberately show any discontent because of their social gap.

"Show your the Spirit Hall certificate, then go over there to pay the tuition. You can stay in the dormitory or be a day‑student; staying requires an extra boarding fee,"

Tie Niu originally wanted his son to stay on campus, so he could devote himself fully to study, but Tie Li requested day‑student status, partly to save money; he also has two younger brothers who might develop Pre‑Heaven Level 2 Soul Power, which would later increase tuition costs;

Another consideration was the cultivation environment for his martial soul; his martial soul is a Forging Hammer, and training in a blacksmith shop would certainly be faster.

After paying the tuition, he received two sets of Manuo Beginner Soul Master Academy uniforms and a day‑student pass.

The father, who usually winced at buying a pot of cheap wine, showed not a hint of hesitation when paying the steep tuition.

"Pre‑Heaven Level 2 Soul Power, the talent is quite good," the young teacher praised.

"As a father, if you don't mind, I can take him to get familiar with the academy first,"

"No problem, of course not," as a blacksmith, he would certainly not refuse a Soul Master's goodwill.

And as an academy teacher, he is also willing to extend his goodwill within his capability.

"Then you rest here for a while; I'll take him to get acquainted with the academy,"

The academy is vast—dormitory area, cafeteria, public zones, etc. —and at this time most students are in the teaching building.

"Your talent is good; you might reach Level‑10 Soul Power by the fifth grade,"

"If luck's on my side, maybe!"

"The cafeteria is ahead; the first floor meals are cheapest, the second floor a bit more, the third floor the most expensive; although you're a day‑student, it's best to eat in the cafeteria at noon, so you don't waste time going back and forth and miss afternoon classes."

At each place, he would give an explanation, clearing Tie Li's doubts.

"Teacher, thank you," Tie Li expressed sincere gratitude.

"You're welcome."

A smile appeared on the teacher's face; that was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Back home, after changing into the academy uniform, Tie Li instantly drew his two younger brothers' envious gazes.

"Brother looks just like a noble young master,"

"Haha, you're so sweet,"

The fabric of the attire is excellent; Tie Li has never worn such fine clothes before.

After lunch, Tie Li hurried to the academy; there are classes in the afternoon.

From then on, Tie Li's schedule was basically a two‑point line, trying to absorb as much Soul Master knowledge as possible.

When there's no afternoon class, he would return to the blacksmith shop to help out, or cultivate beside the forge, which indeed speeds up training considerably.

Unwittingly, Tie Li has become a fourth‑year veteran of the Beginner Soul Master Academy.

"Huh"

Tie Li emerged from meditation, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes.

His Soul Power Level finally reached Level 10, allowing him to obtain the First Soul Ring.

A forge was added to his room; his father, knowing the forge could aid his cultivation, specially built it for him.

"A year earlier than expected," Tie Li thought to himself.

Once he obtains a Soul Ring, he becomes a true Soul Master, able to collect the Martial Soul Allowance from the Spirit Hall, and the family's situation can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Funded by the Two Great Empires, the Spirit Hall issues it on their behalf!

In these years, he has exhausted the family's meager savings.

One Gold Soul Coin per month, and with the allowance he can save enough for the next two years' tuition, with surplus.

His household can't even earn one Gold Soul Coin a month, yet a Soul Master receives one without doing anything; when one becomes a Great Soul Master or Soul Elder, the gap becomes even more staggering.

Now we need to hurry to the Academic Affairs Office to report, submit our Soul Power Level, and then the academy will arrange teachers to lead a team to the Hunt Soul Forest to obtain Soul Rings.

Tie Li got up, tidied up, and hurried to the academy; upon reaching the Academic Affairs Office, he saw Ma Si organizing files—Ma Si was the first teacher he had seen when he first entered the academy.

"Da Li, how did you come?"

"Teacher Ma, my Soul Power Level is ten." Tie Li said truthfully.

"You reached level ten so quickly?" Ma Si's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Release your soul power so I can confirm."

"Okay."

Tie Li released his soul power, indeed reaching level ten.

"Not bad, I'll register you for it—coincidentally, a teacher is leading a team to the Hunt Soul Forest tomorrow, so I'll bring you along."

"Thank you, teacher."

"This is what a teacher should do."

After leaving the Academic Affairs Office, Tie Li saw a familiar face hurrying toward the back mountain.

Seeing this, Tie Li couldn't help but call out.

"Jin Bao, where are you headed?"

(End of chapter)