The morning sun streamed through the dormitory window, signaling the start of a new day. Xuan Yan, who had spent a portion of the night meditating and familiarizing himself with his system's functions, rose early. His 'Enhanced Sense' allowed him to wake naturally, feeling refreshed and ready. Tang San was already awake, sitting cross-legged on his bed, his eyes closed in deep meditation. A faint, almost imperceptible aura of soul power surrounded him, a testament to his diligent cultivation of the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
Xuan Yan quietly dressed, then performed a series of stretches and exercises, subtly incorporating movements from his previous life's martial arts and the basic forms he'd practiced in Green Willow Village. He could feel his body responding, growing stronger with each movement, fueled by his Transcendent race and innate physical enhancements.
After a while, Tang San opened his eyes. He looked at Xuan Yan, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "You're up early. And those exercises… they're quite unique."
Xuan Yan chuckled. "Just some personal habits. Good morning, Tang San."
"Good morning," Tang San replied, then rose and began to get ready. Wang Sheng was still sound asleep, snoring loudly.
They made their way to the academy's mess hall for breakfast. It was a simple meal of porridge and steamed buns, but Xuan Yan found it surprisingly satisfying. He noticed Xiao Wu already seated at a table, happily munching on a bun. She spotted them and waved enthusiastically.
"Xuan Yan! Tang San! Over here!" she called out, her voice bright and cheerful.
They joined her. "Good morning, Xiao Wu," Xuan Yan greeted.
"Morning!" Tang San added with a nod.
"So, how was your first night in the dorms?" Xiao Wu asked, her eyes sparkling. "Mine was great! Though my roommate snores a lot."
Xuan Yan glanced at Tang San, who gave a slight, almost imperceptible shrug, indicating Wang Sheng's presence. "Mine was peaceful enough," Xuan Yan said, opting for a diplomatic answer.
As they ate, they discussed their expectations for the first day of classes. Xiao Wu was eager to learn about Spirit Masters and soul rings, while Tang San maintained his quiet, observant demeanor, listening more than speaking. Xuan Yan, armed with his extensive knowledge, mostly listened, occasionally interjecting with a question that seemed innocent but was designed to gauge their understanding and perspectives.
After breakfast, they headed to the main teaching building. The Elementary Spirit Master Class was a large classroom filled with children of varying ages, all around six to eight years old. They found seats near the back.
Soon, an elderly man with a stern but kind face walked in. He wore a simple teacher's robe and carried a wooden pointer. This was Grandmaster Yu, a figure renowned for his theoretical knowledge of Martial Spirits, though often misunderstood by the common folk.
"Good morning, students," Grandmaster Yu's voice was clear and resonant. "Welcome to Nuoding Academy. For those of you who are new, I am Grandmaster Yu, and I will be overseeing the Elementary Spirit Master Class. I also have a special interest in a few of you, particularly those with unique Martial Spirits." He paused, his gaze briefly lingering on Tang San, then surprisingly, on Xuan Yan.
He then proceeded to give a general introduction to Spirit Masters, soul power, and the basic concepts of cultivation. Xuan Yan listened with feigned interest, already knowing everything being taught. He used this time to subtly observe his classmates, particularly their Martial Spirits and soul power fluctuations, using his 'Eyes of Heaven'. He noted the usual array of common spirits – tools, animals, plants – and the varying levels of innate soul power, most of them low.
When Grandmaster Yu began to explain the concept of soul rings and how they were obtained by hunting spirit beasts, Xuan Yan saw a flicker of concern in Tang San's eyes. He knew that Tang San, with his gentle nature, found the idea of killing spirit beasts difficult. Xiao Wu, on the other hand, seemed fascinated, though Xuan Yan knew her true nature as a 100,000-year-old spirit beast would make this topic particularly sensitive for her.
"Now," Grandmaster Yu continued, "let's talk about the most important aspect of cultivation: increasing your soul power. The most fundamental method is meditation. Every morning, you will spend time meditating to absorb the ambient soul power from the world around you. This is a slow process, but it is essential."
He then demonstrated a basic meditation posture and explained the breathing techniques. Xuan Yan closed his eyes, mimicking the posture, but instead of the academy's basic method, he activated his own 'Energy Manipulation' skill. He could feel the ambient soul power in the air, not just absorbing it passively, but actively drawing it in, guiding it through his body with incredible efficiency. His cultivation speed was undoubtedly many times faster than any ordinary Spirit Master.
He also subtly used his 'Void Devouring Flame' to purify any impurities in the absorbed soul power, making his cultivation even more efficient. He kept his soul power fluctuations minimal, not wanting to draw undue attention from Grandmaster Yu or his classmates.
After the meditation session, Grandmaster Yu called out students one by one to test their current soul power using a small crystal ball. Most students showed minimal progress, perhaps a fraction of a level.
When it was Tang San's turn, he placed his hand on the crystal ball. The ball glowed faintly, then steadily, indicating a significant increase. Grandmaster Yu nodded approvingly, a rare smile gracing his lips. "Tang San, your soul power has reached level 10. Excellent! You are now a Soul Scholar at the peak of your current stage. You will soon be ready to obtain your first soul ring." He then added, "From this day forward, Tang San, you will be my personal disciple. I will guide you on your path to becoming a true Spirit Master."
A murmur went through the class. Everyone knew Grandmaster Yu rarely took disciples. Tang San, though surprised, bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Grandmaster. I will not disappoint you." Wang Sheng, who had been watching with a sneer, looked visibly annoyed.
"Hmph, so what if he's level 10 and has a private teacher?" Wang Sheng muttered, loud enough for those around him to hear. "He still needs a soul ring to be a real Spirit Master."
Next was Xiao Wu. She eagerly placed her hand on the crystal ball. It glowed with a vibrant pink light, then showed a reading of level 10.
"Xiao Wu, level 10. Very good for a Rabbit Martial Spirit," Grandmaster Yu praised. "You too are ready for your first soul ring."
Finally, it was Xuan Yan's turn. He calmly walked up to the crystal ball. He knew his true soul power was already level 20, but he couldn't reveal that without causing an uproar. He decided to suppress his soul power, showing only a fraction of his true strength.
He placed his hand on the crystal ball. A golden light, far brighter than Tang San's, but still restrained, emanated from it. The numbers flickered, then settled.
"Xuan Yan… level 12!" Grandmaster Yu exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise, a flicker of genuine excitement in their depths. "In just one night, you've reached level 12! This is truly astounding! Even more impressive than Tang San!"
The classroom erupted in whispers. Level 12 in one night? It was unheard of. Tang San looked at Xuan Yan, his calm demeanor momentarily broken by a flicker of genuine shock and curiosity. Wang Sheng's jaw dropped, his face a mixture of disbelief and envy.
Xuan Yan simply smiled politely. "I suppose I just had a good night's rest, Grandmaster Yu."
Grandmaster Yu shook his head, a bewildered smile on his face. "A good night's rest indeed! Xuan Yan," he said, his voice now serious, "your talent is truly unprecedented. With your twin Martial Spirits and this incredible cultivation speed, you are a rare gem. I, Grandmaster Yu, offer to take you as my second personal disciple. Will you worship me as your teacher?"
Xuan Yan's mind raced. He knew Grandmaster Yu's vast theoretical knowledge, his insights into Martial Spirits. For any other genius, this would be an unparalleled opportunity. But Xuan Yan already had the system, a cheat far beyond anything Grandmaster Yu could teach him. Accepting would mean revealing his secrets, or at least constantly hiding them, and being bound by a master-disciple relationship he didn't need. He needed freedom to grow, to explore his own path.
He looked at Grandmaster Yu, then at Tang San, who was watching intently. "Grandmaster Yu," Xuan Yan began, his voice respectful but firm, "I am deeply honored by your offer. It is a privilege to be recognized by someone of your esteemed knowledge." He paused, then continued, "However, I believe my path is… unique. I prefer to cultivate independently, to explore my own methods. I respectfully decline your generous offer to become your personal disciple."
A collective gasp went through the classroom. Rejecting Grandmaster Yu, the renowned theoretician? It was almost unheard of! Grandmaster Yu's expression remained calm, though a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He studied Xuan Yan for a long moment, as if trying to decipher the boy's true intentions.
"Very well," Grandmaster Yu finally said, his voice devoid of anger, only a lingering curiosity. "I respect your decision, Xuan Yan. But know that my door is always open should you ever reconsider or require guidance." He then turned to the rest of the class. "Alright, everyone, that concludes our soul power test. Remember, consistent meditation is key. Now, for our next lesson, we will discuss the different types of spirit beasts and their characteristics…"
As Grandmaster Yu continued his lecture, Xuan Yan subtly observed Tang San. Tang San's gaze was fixed on him, a thoughtful expression on his face. Xuan Yan knew Tang San was intelligent enough to realize that a "good night's rest" couldn't explain such a leap in soul power, and his rejection of Grandmaster Yu was even more puzzling. He was likely pondering the implications, perhaps even suspecting Xuan Yan had some unique cultivation method.
During a break, Xiao Wu immediately rushed over to Xuan Yan and Tang San. "Xuan Yan, that was amazing! How did you get so strong so fast? And why did you reject Grandmaster Yu? He's so smart!"
Xuan Yan winked. "That's my secret, Xiao Wu. Maybe one day I'll tell you. As for Grandmaster Yu, I just prefer to learn on my own. No big deal."
Xiao Wu pouted playfully. "Hmph! You're no fun!" But her eyes still held admiration.
Tang San, however, approached with a more serious expression. "Xuan Yan, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of cultivation method do you use? And why did you decline Grandmaster's offer?"
Xuan Yan met his gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It's a rather unique method, Tang San. Not something easily taught. But rest assured, it's legitimate. As for Grandmaster Yu, I simply believe my path is different. I appreciate his knowledge, but I need the freedom to explore." He didn't want to lie, but he couldn't reveal the system or his fanfiction-based powers.
Tang San considered his words, then nodded slowly. "I understand. Everyone has their secrets, and their own path." He didn't press further, showing his characteristic respect for others' privacy.
The rest of the day passed quickly. They learned about the hierarchy of Spirit Masters, the different soul rings, and the various Spirit Hall branches. Xuan Yan absorbed it all, not for new information, but to reinforce his understanding of this world's intricacies. He also took mental notes of the other students, assessing their potential and personalities.
As classes ended for the day, Xuan Yan, Tang San, and Xiao Wu walked out together.
"I can't wait to get my first soul ring!" Xiao Wu declared, punching the air.
"It will be an important step," Tang San agreed. "Grandmaster said he'll take me tomorrow. But it's also dangerous. We must be careful."
Xuan Yan nodded. "Indeed. The Spirit Beast Forest is not to be underestimated." He knew that Tang San would soon be heading to the forest to obtain his first soul ring, and he intended to be there. Not just to observe, but to ensure his safety, and perhaps, to subtly influence the outcome. His own first soul ring would be a unique process, thanks to his 'Spirit Ring Replica' items.
The first day at Nuoding Academy had been a success. He had confirmed his place, met his key companions, and subtly established his extraordinary potential while maintaining his independence. The journey ahead was long, but Xuan Yan was ready for every challenge.