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After shaking off the enthusiastic villagers, Wang Li finally returned to his home. He had only just awakened his Martial Soul and had not even obtained his first Soul Ring yet.
He let out a long sigh of relief. Although nothing had changed overnight, as an orphan with no one to rely on, he had instantly become the center of everyone's attention.
Back at home, Wang Li picked up his weeding tools and headed out again, making his way toward the fields.
Even though he had awakened his Martial Soul, the land still needed to be tended.
Wang Li wore a thoughtful expression as he worked, thinking to himself:
There are still three months left. Once I arrive at Nuoding Academy, I will not have to farm anymore. Work-study students do not need to pay tuition, but I still have to figure out how to cover my food expenses.
This year's harvest, after paying taxes, will all be sold. For the fields at home, I will sell what I can and rent out what I cannot.
As long as I officially become a Soul Master and start receiving subsidies from Spirit Hall, I can finally escape this difficult life.
***
Three months, neither long nor short, passed quickly.
Wang Li counted all his savings, mostly copper soul coins mixed with some silver soul coins. After counting, he said,
"Twenty-five silver soul coins and two hundred and thirty-four copper soul coins. That translates to twenty-seven silver soul coins and thirty-four copper soul coins. This should be enough for me to get by for a while."
In Douluo Continent, one golden soul coin can be exchanged for one hundred silver soul coins or ten thousand copper soul coins.
(Author Note: In the original work, one golden soul coin equals ten silver soul coins, which equals one hundred copper soul coins. The author must have been careless with the calculations or perhaps did not write it clearly. Otherwise, sweeping the floor at the academy for one day would earn ten copper soul coins, and sweeping for ten days would be one golden soul coin.)
Wang Li sold the grain, and with the help of Village Chief Wang Ping, rented out his family's fields to other villagers at a low price. If possible, Wang Li would have liked to raise the price, but given the village's economic situation, no one would rent at a higher rate.
As it was, the price was not high, but the income was steady. Wang Li was already very satisfied.
At that moment, a voice called from outside the house.
"Xiao Li, are you home?"
Hearing this, Wang Li put away his two money bags, one large and one small, and quickly ran to open the door. There stood Wang Ping, along with several villagers. Wang Li greeted them,
"Village Chief Wang Ping, uncles and aunties, why are you all here? Please come in and sit down, I will pour you some water!"
Wang Ping knew there were too many people and Wang Li's house could not fit them all, so he did not go inside. Instead, he smiled and said,
"Xiao Li, we will not go in. You are going to the city with me tomorrow, and you must have a lot to pack. Make sure you bring everything you need. Once you enter Nuoding Academy, we commoners will not be able to visit you."
After speaking, Wang Ping took out a bag and solemnly handed it to Wang Li, saying seriously,
"The city is different from our countryside. Once you leave, you might not come back for a year or two. Take this money, it is everyone's wish. Cultivate well, study hard, and you must become a Soul Master in the future!"
Wang Li accepted it as if it were a treasure. He did not know how much money was inside, but seeing the expectant faces of Wang Ping and the other villagers, he thanked them loudly,
"Thank you, Village Chief Wang Ping. Thank you, uncles and aunties. I will definitely become a powerful Soul Master!"
It felt just like a small village sending off its first college student, heading to the city with the hopes of everyone behind him.
Wang Li did not refuse their kindness. When his strength grew, it would be easy to repay the village many times over.
Wang Ping's face was full of joy. In a small place like this, after so many years, they finally had a Wang Li with soul power, so all their hopes rested on him. He took a deep breath and said again and again,
"Good child, good child..."
In addition to Wang Ping, a group of villagers also brought Wang Li some dry food and fruit. Wang Li accepted everything with a smile.
After sending everyone away, Wang Li's face was a little stiff from smiling. He returned to the house, sorted out the dry food and fruit, then opened the money bag Wang Ping had given him and counted it carefully. There were a full thirty silver soul coins inside.
Wang Li's eyes shone with excitement. It seemed that after going to Nuoding Academy, he would not only have enough to eat but could even eat well. At the very least, he could look forward to adding a chicken drumstick to his meal.
He quickly put away all the money. Just as Wang Ping had said, Wang Li really did need to pack a lot of things: two sets of clothes, socks, bedding, dry food... It truly felt like preparing for college.
The next day, before dawn, Wang Li got up. He did not cook but boiled a pot of hot water and filled his stomach with dry food.
Carrying his luggage, he walked out the door, looked back at the place where he had lived for six years, then closed the door and resolutely set out on his path to becoming a Soul Master.
Martial Soul, Soul Ring, Spirit Bone... Douluo Continent was truly something to look forward to.
***
At the entrance of the village, Wang Ping and his son, Wang Shun, were already waiting, with a bullock cart beside them.
Wang Li quickly walked over and called out,
"Village Chief Wang Ping, Uncle Wang Shun."
Wang Ping's old face was full of smiles. Looking at Wang Li, he greeted him warmly.
"Xiao Li is here. Hurry up and get in the cart. Let's set off early, we cannot delay your enrollment."
Wang Shun, tall and strong, strode over to help Wang Li load his luggage onto the cart. His eyes were full of envy, since Wang Li was likely to be the only Soul Master in their village in the future.
Everything was ready. Wang Ping and Wang Li sat on the bullock cart, and Wang Shun drove them out of the village.
Along the way, Wang Ping spoke loudly, telling Wang Li everything he knew about Soul Masters. Some were true stories, some were legends, and all were filled with longing for the world of Soul Masters.
In Douluo Continent, Soul Masters were equivalent to nobles. Nobles were born, but Soul Masters gave commoners hope, even if that hope was slim.
This showed just how special the status of a Soul Master was.
When they arrived outside Notting City, Wang Shun stayed to watch the cart, while Wang Ping took Wang Li into the city. After asking around, they found the location of Notting Academy.
Arriving at Notting Academy, Wang Li saw a vast building. The gate alone was twenty meters wide and four meters high, made of refined iron.
At that moment, in front of the gate, there was also an old man and a young man who seemed to want to sign up, but they were stopped by the gatekeeper.
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