✨ 300 gems = 1 bonus chapter
✨ 500 gems = another bonus chapter
***********
Five months had passed in a flash. Nuoding Academy, Back Mountain.
As late autumn approached, the weather turned cooler. The grass and trees withered, turning yellow, and leaves fell one after another. A few lonely birds still pecked at the ground, searching for grass seeds and insects to fill their bellies.
At this time, a figure as fast as a hare darted through the forest. The figure was exceptionally agile, moving like a monkey. It startled several birds that were pecking at the ground.
But the birds didn't escape. Just as the figure flashed past, the birds flying in the air disappeared without a trace.
After a moment, the figure returned to the ground and opened his hands. 7 or 8 birds, caught in his hands, were able to escape. They flapped their wings and chirped as they fled quickly.
This figure was none other than Wang Li. He had been living at the academy for 8 months. Compared to 8 months ago, he had grown much taller. His shoulders were broader, and his physique was stronger. The once loose school uniform now fit perfectly on his powerful body.
His muscle tissue was thick and powerful. His subcutaneous fat felt as hard as iron. And his skin was as tough as cowhide.
This was the result of Wang Li constantly crashing into trees. The process was torturous, but the results were gratifying. Now, every move Wang Li made could unleash his full strength. With his powerful body, he was not weaker than power-type Soul Masters of the same rank.
Moreover, compared to power-type Soul Masters, Wang Li also had extremely high speed and agility. After constant attempts, he had created his own movement-type Spirit Skills.
Burst Step!
By using his superb control over soul power, Wang Li compressed the soul power on the soles of his feet. He artificially restrained the direction of its eruption to increase his speed. He could even hover briefly in the air and change direction mid-air. However, the energy consumption was extremely high.
As a level 10 Soul Master, Wang Li couldn't use this skill many times. This troubled him greatly, so he created an improved version.
He compressed the soul power on the soles of his feet, condensing it without letting it disperse. Then, by pushing off the ground, he let the condensed, compressed soul power act as a spring. This created his second movement spirit skill.
Instant Step!
Instant Step consumed less soul power but was equally difficult to control. When jumping on the ground or trees, controlling power and direction was a significant challenge.
He also had to learn to control his focus. The soul power clusters on the soles of his feet required constant attention. If he became distracted during battle, the soul power clusters could explode, injuring his feet first.
Wang Li's legs had been injured countless times. But thanks to his Vitality and Tenacity, he recovered each time and became stronger, reducing the severity of injuries with each incident.
The flexible use of Explosive Feet and Instant Step was key to Wang Li's ability to twist and turn through the forest—as swift as a hare and as agile as a monkey.
The development of these two movement Spirit Skills was just the beginning. His soul power would continue to increase, and his control over soul power would strengthen. When these two skills were truly perfected, he would have the qualifications to establish his own sect.
Looking back at the Back Mountain, where he had stayed for 5 months, Wang Li sighed.
"Time flies so fast. I probably won't come back here again!"
After saying this, Wang Li walked down the mountain.
At Nuoding Academy, a semester lasted one year—10 months, to be precise. It was only 8 months in, so it wasn't yet time for the first grade to have a vacation. But it was time for the sixth grade to graduate.
Because hunting Soul Beasts was dangerous and time-consuming, preparations had to start 2 months in advance.
Tomorrow was the day of the sixth-grade assessment. Wang Li planned to participate. He would then use the academy teachers to help him hunt Soul Beasts and obtain his Soul Ring.
The next day!
Wang Li skipped morning classes and ran outside the sixth-grade classroom. Many students had gathered, but they were not sixth-graders—they were students from other grades.
The sixth-grade students were all inside the classroom, taking the assessment. Many students had skipped class to watch. After all, this was a process they would all have to go through in the future.
Wang Li squeezed into the crowd and looked inside. 5 teachers, led by Director Su from the Academic Affairs Office, oversaw more than 40 students. Except for Xiao Chenyu—who had already obtained his Soul Ring and become a Soul Master—the others looked both excited and uneasy.
As the teachers called out names, students walked up and placed their hands on the crystal ball used to test soul power. If their soul power reached level 10, they were elated. If not, they were filled with frustration.
This assessment determined their fate. Those who reached level 10 would be taken by academy teachers to hunt Soul Beasts for free. Those who didn't would face expulsion and could not graduate normally. Even if they reached level 10 later, they would need their parents to hire a Soul Master to help hunt Soul Beasts—which was very expensive.
One student after another stepped forward, either joyful or frustrated.
Soon, Wang Li saw an acquaintance. Wang Sheng placed his hand on the crystal ball. The light shone brightly—a sign that his soul power had reached level 10.
Wang Sheng almost jumped with excitement. Wang Li smiled. Yesterday had definitely been Wang Sheng's hardest day of cultivation. He had been afraid something might go wrong during the assessment.
Self-funded students had decent family backgrounds. Even if they failed, their parents might be able to pay to hire Soul Masters to hunt Soul Beasts. But for work-study students like Wang Sheng, unless they essentially sold themselves to other powers, no Soul Master would help them without a compelling reason.
Not long after, all 40-plus students had completed the assessment. Only 12 had reached level 10 soul power. It was clear that Soul Masters were still quite rare in a remote city like Nuoding.
At that moment, Wang Li walked directly into the classroom. Under the astonished gazes of others, he loudly declared:
"Dear Teacher, I want to take the assessment too. My soul power has reached level 10."
Everyone present was stunned.
Finally, Director Su spoke:
"What's your name? Which grade are you in? You say your soul power has reached level 10? Come over and test it!"
Wang Li stepped forward calmly. "My name is Wang Li, a first-year student."
He placed his hand on the crystal ball. Instantly, the light shone brightly.
***********
Get access to advanced chapters at my P@treon.
[email protected]/meowthtl