Time flew by quickly, and before long, it was October.
"Finally reached level 10." Late at night, Zhu Wu opened his eyes while sitting at the bedside, cultivating his soul power.
He glanced around. Moonlight streamed through the holes in the windows, illuminating the room softly. His dorm mates were all asleep, and the room was silent.
"I'll go to the Academic Affairs Office first thing tomorrow to request leave to go out and hunt for a soul ring," he thought, then lay down and fell asleep.
The night passed quietly. The next morning, before dawn, Zhu Wu woke up as usual, washed up, then went out for a run and practiced Vajra Skill. When the sun rose high, he stopped and headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. Afterwards, he strolled at a steady pace to the Academic Affairs Office, knocked, and went inside.
"Ah, it's Xiao Zhu. What brings you here?" Director Su smiled upon seeing him.
Having innate level 6 soul power, Zhu Wu was already a rare talent in the small surrounding area of Notting City, nearly a once-in-a-decade prodigy. Naturally, Su paid close attention to him.
Besides, the dean had given Su special instructions regarding Zhu Wu.
"Director Su, I've reached soul power level 10 and would like to request leave to go hunt for a soul ring," Zhu Wu said politely.
"What? You're level 10 already?" Su was shocked and muttered, "That's fast!"
Counting the time, Zhu Wu had only been enrolled for seven and a half months—counting the three months at home after awakening his martial soul, it totaled ten and a half months. To advance from level 6 to 10 in such a short time, averaging one level every two and a half months, was extremely fast.
"I just broke through last night," Zhu Wu replied simply.
Su regained his composure and sized Zhu Wu up from head to toe. He knew Zhu Wu trained diligently, having seen him running in the early mornings and evenings within the academy. But such rapid progress was beyond expectation; it wasn't just diligence, but also talent. Innate level 6 soul power was indeed extraordinary. With this in mind, Su stood up.
"Xiao Zhu, have a seat here for a moment. I'll notify the dean right away," he said, then strode out of the office.
"So, the dean wants to be my angel investor?" Zhu Wu thought, watching Su leave.
Not bad, very insightful!
Unlike Yu Xiaogang, who looked down on my innate level 6 soul power despite only having level 0.5, completely clueless!
I might look ordinary, have no house or car, be older with a low salary, but I've lived in a big city, met many influential people, and even caught the eye of important figures. A man protected by the Spider Queen would never settle for a common silkworm like you! Zhu Wu recalled some toxic motivational quotes from older single ladies in his past life and applied them to Yu Xiaogang, realizing how fitting they were.
"No matter which world you go to, there are always those with the weirdest logic," he sighed internally.
He didn't sit but stood quietly, waiting.
Soon, the sound of footsteps approached — the dean arrived, accompanied by Director Su.
"Student greets the dean," Zhu Wu greeted respectfully.
The dean smiled, straightened his posture, and warmly said, "Zhu Wu, would you be willing to take me as your teacher?"
Although not innate max soul power, level 6 was still respectable, and definitely higher than the dean himself!
Zhu Wu was momentarily stunned—not because he looked down on the dean, but because the dean couldn't teach him much. Besides, his path to advancement wasn't through the academy. Unless something unexpected happened, after obtaining his first soul ring, he would apply for graduation.
Xiao Bai was waiting for him to head into the mountains to forage for herbs!
"Your kindness, dean, is unforgettable, and I will repay it someday!" Zhu Wu bowed deeply and politely said, "However, my martial soul is unprecedented, so my journey is destined to be one of exploration. Therefore, I want to walk it myself, so that if I make mistakes, no one else will be blamed."
"I bear no regrets," he said firmly.
"Besides, it's said that traveling ten thousand miles is better than sitting and pondering. I believe this is the direction I must take."
The dean fell silent, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. For someone so young to have such mature insights was unexpected. The saying "poor children grow up fast" seemed true. But as Zhu Wu said, the Silkworm Martial Soul had no precedent of reaching a high level, so there was no reference and the dean hadn't studied it much.
Thus, he really couldn't teach Zhu Wu much.
If he taught wrongly and ruined him, as a teacher, he'd be the first to blame.
As for helping hunt soul rings, he could only assist with the first two. Later soul rings were unlikely to be found in the Primary Soul Hunting Forest, nor could he easily help with them now.
Without understanding and without the strength to provide protection, this teacher would be rather unqualified.
"In that case, I won't force the matter," the dean sighed and spoke.
"This child is quite sensible. With the promise of future repayment, helping him a little now is a good way to maintain goodwill."
Thinking this, his expression softened and he smiled warmly: "Zhu Wu, I happen to be free these days. I will accompany you to the Primary Soul Hunting Forest."
"For your first soul ring, if you have a particular type of soul beast in mind, you can tell me now."
"Thank you, dean!" Zhu Wu was pleasantly surprised and bowed deeply, then said, "Dean, I want to hunt a fox-type soul beast."
"Fox-type soul beasts," the dean murmured, thinking for a moment before smiling: "That's a good choice. Many fox-type soul beasts possess mental abilities like illusions, charm, and cloning, and they're not too hard to find."
Clearly, Zhu Wu had chosen based on the beginner soul beast compendium that Xiao Chenyu had given him. But that wasn't important—the key was that century-old fox-type soul beasts mostly relied on illusions, without much real combat power. Zhu Wu could handle them!
After all, he was a level 41 artifact soul sect member, powerful enough to dominate the Primary Soul Hunting Forest.
A safe investment, of course not to be missed.
Confidently, he added, "Rest assured, dean, I'll do my best to find the best-aged soul beast for you."
"Alright, Zhu Wu, go back to your dorm and pack your things. I'll wait here for you."
"Thank you, dean!" Zhu Wu bowed again and dashed out.
Back at the dorm, all his roommates had gone to class. The room was empty. Zhu Wu packed lightly and headed back.
Soon, the sound of creaking wheels could be heard as a carriage slowly pulled away from the academy gate.
At noon, Teacher Mo Hen arrived at the Seventh Dormitory to inform everyone of Zhu Wu's whereabouts.
"What! Xiao Zhu broke through to level 10 and is being taken by the dean to hunt a soul ring?"
"No wonder, innate level 6 soul power—his cultivation is really fast!"
"You can't say that without acknowledging how hardworking he is. Good talent plus diligence, how could he not progress quickly?"
...
The next day at noon, Zhu Wu followed the dean and successfully entered the Soul Hunting Forest.
After all, the dean had the necessary credentials; Zhu Wu didn't need to apply himself.
(End of chapter)
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