As the faint morning light pierced through the clouds, the peach trees of peach blossom Spring Academy were the first to awaken, rustling and swaying. The sunlight scattered, making thousands of branches and twigs appear as if plated with a thin layer of gold.
Ye Lingling pushed open her dorm room door, welcoming the first ray of morning sun, and immediately felt the vibrant vitality of peach blossom Spring Academy.
Perhaps at this moment, even she herself felt like she was dreaming.
This Spirit Master's Academy, which was clearly much smaller in scale than Heaven Dou Royal Academy, was filled with peach blossoms and red maple leaves, making it extremely beautiful.
It gave her a sense of peace and comfort, a feeling she rarely experienced anywhere else.
Several senior Disciples who had enrolled before her had already begun their morning exercises.
Morning exercises were not about pursuing high-intensity physical exertion, but rather about awakening the body after a night of sleep and meditation, and invigorating it for the day—this was what the teacher had taught.
Teacher Su Ran practiced alongside his students; all rose at the hour of Mao and were already performing a set of sword techniques beneath the academy hall.
The sword techniques Su Ran practiced today were slow. Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Meng Yiran couldn't understand them, but Xiao Wu stared intently, exclaiming, "Teacher's sword techniques today are very similar to my Tai Chi Fist. Is Teacher applying Tai Chi boxing to sword techniques?!"
Ye Lingling didn't understand the profound mysteries of martial arts; she only found them enigmatic. These senior Disciples seemed to have their own unique paths of cultivation, different from what she had learned at Heaven Dou Royal Academy or from Grandmaster.
Whether it was the Royal Academy, Grandmaster, or other academies, all had a set Spirit Master's template where teachers followed rules and taught step-by-step. However, they took an unconventional path, with Spirit Ability training not being the primary focus, but rather these unique arts and Spirit.
At the beginning of the Chen hour, it was time for morning lessons and readings in the academy hall.
"As Heaven maintains vigor through movements, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-Perfection; as Earth's condition is receptive devotion, a gentleman should hold the outer world with broad-mindedness and thick virtue."
"Do not commit evil, however small; do not abandon good, however insignificant."
"Where there's a will, there's a way. Breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, the Qin Pass, with its hundred and twenty li, will eventually belong to Chu."
"Heaven rewards those who work hard. Sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall, three thousand Yue soldiers can swallow Wu."
Ye Lingling heard the clear morning recitations, though she struggled to grasp their full meaning.
She walked in wonder. The environment of the academy hall was very elegant and ancient, exuding a scholarly aura, completely different from the luxury and coldness of the Royal Academy. Moreover, more than ten framed school mottos teaching character were hung between the pillars around the hall:
[Respect Teachers and Value the Dao]
[Not Corrupted by Wealth]
[Not Swayed by Poverty]
[Unity of Knowledge and Action]
[Think of Righteousness at the Sight of Gain]
[Strive for Self-Improvement]
[Respect the Old and Love the Young]
[Establish Oneself and Settle Down]
[...]
These were school mottos not seen in any other Spirit Master's Academy.
Although Ye Lingling didn't understand the deep meaning of these mottos, she could grasp their superficial meaning from the words themselves and was greatly amazed.
In the Spirit Master's world, where strength is revered and the weak are preyed upon, teaching moral character was an absolute anomaly.
At the end of the Chen hour, after breakfast.
Ye Lingling was still staring blankly at those ancient sayings, finding it incredible.
This academy was truly too civilized.
"Lingling, don't space out, hurry and gather."
Dugu Yan took Ye Lingling's hand and led her to the white jade slab in front of the academy hall. As they stepped, fragrant peach petals gently rose, carrying away all worries.
Teacher Su Ran put away his peach branch, counted the students, and began, "You should already know about Lingling's enrollment. You should all be familiar with each other as classmates, so I won't make a separate introduction today. After class, you can interact with each other. From now on, you are a team, and you must be united, friendly, and help each other."
"Today, all classes are suspended. I have an important announcement to make."
Su Ran stood on the steps of the academy hall, and the gentle breeze, imbued with the scent of peach blossoms, blew, refreshing everyone.
Last night, the other students had also heard from Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan about what happened in Sunset Forest. They generally understood that the shameless bunch from Shrek had come to provoke the teacher again, and they all felt indignant for the teacher. Today, it was likely about the Spirit Master's Competition.
Indeed, Su Ran said calmly, "After a year of study and cultivation, you have made me angry at times, and also made me happy. Overall, you have all made great progress."
"The All-Continent Elite Soul Master Competition is about to begin. I have already registered you all to participate. The Spirit Master's Competition gathers young Genius Spirit Masters from across the continent. This is both a test of your learning achievements over the past year and a fulfillment of a small personal desire of mine—a gamble. I am ashamed."
"Similarly, the Spirit Master's Competition is also the final assessment of your first major stage of cultivation. I will pay attention to your performance in every match in the Spirit Master's Competition and give you a final rating. If you can pass the assessment, then congratulations, you can enter the second major stage of learning I have set, completing the transformation from novice to elite student."
"This is the annual summary score for your performance over the past year. After receiving it, return to your dorms, pack your luggage, and we will depart for Heaven Dou City tomorrow."
Su Ran distributed the six annual score cards in his hand sequentially to the six students who had enrolled earlier.
"Yay! Teacher, we love you!"
"We definitely won't let Teacher lose!"
Ning Rongrong, who received her score, winked at Su Ran. She finally passed the excellent line for her total score!
[Ning Rongrong: Spirit Ancestor, Level 45, Spirit: Nine Treasure Golden Body Glazed Tile, Golden Bell Cover at fifth Perfection, Inch Punch mastery, Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart fully open, improved command ability—Annual Performance Score: 82 points.]
[Wang Sheng: Spirit Ancestor, Level 45, Spirit: Storm Fiend Heavenly Tiger, Tiger Form Fist grand mastery, Subduing Tiger Fist Minor Achievement, cultivating Gengjin Art—Annual Performance Score: 83 points.]
[Zhu Zhuqing: Spirit Ancestor, Level 46, Spirit: Nine Nether Spirit Cat, Ten Yama Halls opened to third Perfection, Yellow Springs Evasion movement technique excellent, netherworld instrument thousand cry Minor Achievement—Annual Performance Score: 83 points.]
[Meng Yiran: Spirit Ancestor, Level 44, Spirit: Undead Snake Staff, opened three Undead Heavenly Gates, Yellow Springs Evasion movement technique mastery, netherworld instrument thousand cry Minor Achievement—Annual Performance Score: 82 points.]
[Xiao Wu: Spirit Ancestor, Level 45, Spirit: Two Forms Soft Bones Rabbit, Yoga body training excellent flexibility, Tai Chi Fist mastery, Two Forms Fist mastery, cultivating Jade Moon Clear Heart Art—Annual Performance Score: 83 points.]
[Dugu Yan: Spirit Ancestor, Level 47, Spirit: Blue Phosphor Serpent Queen, Serpent Form Fist grand mastery, Dragon Form Fist mastery, Calamity Poison Art three flowers four colors—Annual Performance Score: 84 points.]
"Yan Zi, you're already Level 47?"
Seeing Dugu Yan's annual performance summary, Ye Lingling's face showed some emotion.
Dugu Yan nodded: "Yes, Teacher used immortal grade herbs to refine my body, and combined with the Cultivation Technique I practice and my Physique, plus the Nine-Section Jade for refining poison, my spirit power has improved quite well. But the other students are not far behind me; everyone is already in their forties."
"All in their forties?! I remember just over a year ago, they were only Level 30..."
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling's pretty face was filled with surprise:
"They... are all Spirit Ancestors now?!"
Although Ye Lingling had prepared herself for a slight gap between herself and the other students after joining peach blossom Spring Academy, she hadn't expected the gap to be this large.
A year ago, their spirit power was several levels lower than hers.
Yet, in just one year, not only did their spirit power surpass hers, but they directly advanced to Intermediate Spirit Ancestor, breaking through more than ten levels!
What kind of opportunity had she missed a year ago?
Ye Lingling felt some regret for her ignorance back then.
If she had joined peach blossom Spring Academy a year ago, what would have happened?
Moreover, winning the Spirit Master's Competition was only the first major stage of teaching?
In other academies, achieving a good ranking in the Spirit Master's Competition already qualified one for graduation.
As if seeing through Ye Lingling's thoughts, Dugu Yan comforted her: "Lingling, it's alright. Since Teacher has accepted you as a Disciple, he must have already tailored a cultivation plan for you. As long as you train according to what Teacher teaches, you will catch up to us very quickly."
"Yes, I will work hard."
Ye Lingling bit her lip. The Nine Heart Sea棠 Spirit was unmatched on the continent, and when she was at the Royal Academy, she was like a star surrounded by the moon. This was the first time she experienced feeling like the tail end.
"You're dismissed. The rest of the time is free activity."
"Lingling, come with me."
After settling the matters for the other six students, Su Ran looked at Ye Lingling and said.
"Lingling, go ahead."
Dugu Yan smiled faintly.
"Ling Xiao Qi, focus on learning with Teacher, no daydreaming!"
"The competition is about to start, we can't lose, so let's cheer up!"
Ning Rongrong also cheered on Ye Lingling.
She had encouraging intentions, but what she feared more was probably the 'milkmaid' style of support.
Teacher, as another support, you can't give your favoritism to the super healer—Nine Heart Sea Tang!
I, Nine Treasure Golden Body Glazed Tile, I am tanky, I am more durable, more effective, more resilient!
Come at me!
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