The first step of the Dark Lord's comeback plan—
Make money!
...
Xia Tian stood in front of the bulletin board in the academy square. There were some job recruitment advertisements posted on it.
There were many types of jobs, but the wages were not high.
For example: cleaning, management, finding lost items, forging, crafting... and so on.
There were jobs inside the academy and jobs outside.
But Xia Tian only took a glance and left directly. He had no interest whatsoever.
"Making money? Heh, it's as easy as flipping my hand~"
The Dark Lord had his own unique way of making money.
Xia Tian first walked around the Outer Court a few times, observing the Outer Court students, especially the freshmen.
From time to time, he would use Legilimency to check their identities.
Finally, Xia Tian roughly divided the students into three categories.
The first category was like Xia Tian: those who signed a deed of sale to study for free and would automatically join Spirit Hall after graduation. They were the fewest in number.
After all, the probability of commoners awakening Innate Soul Power was not high to begin with.
This category had no profit to be made.
The second category was the children of Spirit Hall personnel. They could also enroll for free. They were the largest group, and most of their families lived in Spirit City.
This category was hard to target.
The last category was the non-Spirit Hall personnel, students who hadn't signed contracts and had to pay for their own tuition.
The number of such students was average, and most came from out of town.
This group also included some "hostages" sent by small factions to show loyalty.
Stinking outsiders, coming to Spirit Hall to study!
This is the category!
Most of these students' families were relatively wealthy. After all, the tuition fees for Spirit Hall Academy were not low.
Although the Innate Soul Power of these students might not be ideal (which was why they entered the Outer Court), they carried a lot of resources with them.
In summary, this type of student was a Niffler with treasure in its belly.
Soon, Xia Tian locked onto a freshman. It was a boy with Rank 2 Innate Soul Power.
At this moment, he was walking alone on the road.
Xia Tian approached him and greeted him with a smile, "Hello."
"Hello," the boy replied subconsciously. It was obvious he had a good upbringing.
However, the boy then became puzzled because he didn't know Xia Tian.
Xia Tian looked into his eyes and smiled, "My friend, do you want to make an investment?"
Legilimency!
The boy's eyes gradually lost focus, and he subconsciously repeated, "Investment?"
Xia Tian: "I am a genius. Please give me money."
He even said 'please,' what more do you want?
A moment later, Xia Tian left with one hundred Gold Spirit Coins and a batch of herbs in his pocket.
The boy's eyes gradually regained clarity. He didn't feel anything was wrong; instead, he waved goodbye to Xia Tian's retreating back.
"Work hard! Become strong! You must not fail my expectations!"
Xia Tian waved his hand casually without looking back.
Suddenly, his footsteps paused.
"I forgot to ask his name... Oh well, it doesn't matter. I'll ask next time."
With that, Xia Tian walked with light steps, rushing toward the library.
It was time to read books again.
At dinner time.
Xia Tian went directly to the paid window and ordered a lavish dinner, including Spirit Beast meat.
Spirit Beast meat was more helpful for a Spirit Master's growth.
Then, while eating, Xia Tian met Xiang Ming.
Xiang Ming was accompanied by a few boys, a smile on his face.
It seemed he had made some friends.
Xiang Ming also saw Xia Tian.
However, when Xiang Ming looked at the free boiled vegetable leaves and white porridge on his own tray, and then at the Spirit Beast meat on Xia Tian's plate, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Is this right?
Xia Tian smiled and explained casually, "Someone felt my Martial Soul had great research value, so they invested in me."
Xiang Ming: "Ah, this... Is it dangerous? Should we find a teacher? If it really doesn't work, I'll go contact the matrons for you."
Hearing about "research," Xiang Ming couldn't help but worry.
Xia Tian raised an eyebrow, his smile becoming a bit more sincere. "Don't worry, there's no danger."
After speaking, Xia Tian casually stuffed ten Gold Spirit Coins into Xiang Ming's hand. "Eat something good. You have Rank 3 Innate Soul Power; you are the hope of our entire orphanage."
Xiang Ming was startled by Xia Tian's generosity and wanted to refuse. But for some reason, a voice in his heart told him to listen to Xia Tian.
In the end, Xiang Ming accepted the ten Gold Spirit Coins and said to Xia Tian with emotion, "I will definitely become a Spirit Elder, earn big money, and repay the orphanage! When the time comes, if I have a bite of meat, you'll have a bite too!"
"Good luck~"
After eating, Xia Tian parted ways with Xiang Ming.
"Xiang Ming is really a good child... I like good children the most~"
Night.
Dormitory 9.
Xia Tian lay on the bed. The bedding was still the luggage given by the matron; this set of luggage gave him a sense of security when sleeping.
The other children were already sound asleep.
Xia Tian took out the herbs he had obtained along with the Gold Spirit Coins during the day.
"The herbs on the Douluo Continent are different from those in the Wizarding World. However, as long as I verify their medicinal properties, I might be able to replicate magic potions."
To understand medicinal properties, besides reading books, one needed to taste them personally.
Immediately, Xia Tian stuffed a herb into his mouth.
It didn't taste good at all.
But as Xia Tian savored it carefully, he confirmed the specific effects of this herb.
"Hmm, this herb is exactly as written in the book. It can slightly enhance Qi and blood, but it requires large quantities to show obvious effects..."
"I wonder if the Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well can also be used to make potions..."
Just like that, Xia Tian's first day at Spirit Hall Academy ended.
...
Two days later.
Classes officially began at Spirit Hall Academy.
As the boss of the boys, Xia Tian led the boys to the classroom.
Over the past two days, twenty more people had arrived in Dormitory 9, but Xia Tian still sat firmly in the position of boss, and his position became even more stable.
Because Xia Tian could beat ten people in one breath!
When he walked out leading more than thirty people, it attracted a lot of attention.
In the crowd, Xiang Ming saw this scene and was shocked speechless. For a moment, he couldn't distinguish who was the true hope of the orphanage.
Other dormitories had also decided on a lead big brother, but Xia Tian was the only one who could make others follow him voluntarily.
This time, Xia Tian didn't do much. It was just that after the other children saw Xia Tian take on ten people alone, they completely worshiped him.
Xia Tian didn't think there was anything wrong with punching little kids.
Since they had Soul Power, they weren't ordinary kids, so he had to strike hard.
Just like in the Wizarding World, as long as it was a wizard with magic power, whether an adult or a child, he would treat them seriously.
After all, he didn't want to be like the nose-less Tom, rumored to be defeated by a baby.
Grade One, Class Five.
Xia Tian finally met his homeroom teacher and theory instructor.
It was a calm-looking middle-aged man named Rui Shi. He looked a bit serious, but he seemed like a responsible teacher.
There were sixty-four students in Class Five: forty-one boys and twenty-three girls.
Rui Shi could actually name everyone.
Obviously, Rui Shi had also seen Xia Tian leading a group of lackeys out the door. It was his first time seeing such a situation too.
"Xia Tian, from today on, you are the monitor for the boys of Class Five."
"Now we need a girl as the vice-monitor. Does anyone want to recommend themselves?"
The girls looked at each other. Clearly, the girls hadn't decided on a lead big sister yet.
Finally, the girls elected a gentle-natured girl as the vice-monitor.
The girl's name was Bai Tiantian. Her Martial Soul was White Sugar, and her Innate Soul Power was Rank 1.
Next, Rui Shi first spoke about some precautions within the academy and the upcoming course schedule.
The course schedule of Spirit Hall Academy was not complex. There were mainly two major items: theoretical knowledge and Spirit Master cultivation, each taking up half a day. Students could arrange their time freely at night.
Theoretical knowledge included cultivation theory, Spirit Beast identification, and Spirit Master common sense.
Spirit Master cultivation included meditation classes and practical combat classes.
Xia Tian remembered the matron once saying that Spirit Hall Academy used to have faith classes, where nuns would spread the glory of the Angel God to the children.
Spirit Hall Academy used to be more like a church school.
The matrons had held part-time jobs there when they were young.
However, after Bibi Dong succeeded the throne, this course was gradually cancelled.
After Rui Shi finished saying what needed to be said, he started the class directly.
"This morning, we will learn the theoretical knowledge of Spirit Master cultivation. In the afternoon, we will conduct the meditation class..."
Xia Tian opened his small notebook and began to study seriously.