Five months had passed in the blink of an eye. At the back mountains of Nodding Academy,
Late autumn had arrived. The air turned chilly, plants withered, and leaves fell endlessly. Some solitary birds were still pecking on the ground, searching for seeds and insects to fill their stomachs.
At this moment, a figure darted through the forest like a wild rabbit. The figure moved with incredible agility, leaping and dodging like a monkey, startling several birds that had been pecking on the ground.
Yet the birds did not flee immediately. After the figure flashed past, the birds that had taken to the air vanished from sight.
A moment later, the figure returned to the ground, opening both hands to reveal seven or eight birds caught in his grip. Only then were the birds able to escape, flapping frantically and chirping as they quickly flew away.
The figure was none other than Wang Li. After living at the academy for eight months, he had grown considerably taller than eight months ago. His shoulders were broad, his body strong. The previously loose uniform now fit perfectly over his powerful frame.
His muscles were thick and strong, his subcutaneous fat firm as iron, and his skin tough like cowhide.
This was the result of Wang Li repeatedly colliding with trees. The process had been difficult, but the outcome was gratifying. Now, every movement of his body could unleash his full strength. Combined with his robust physique, he was fully capable of matching offensive-type soul masters of the same level.
Compared to offensive-type soul masters, Wang Li also possessed incredible speed and agility. Through constant practice, he had created his own movement-based soul skills.
Raging Step!
By using precise control of his spirit power, he compressed the energy in his feet and directed its release, increasing his speed. He could even remain briefly airborne and change direction mid-air, though this consumed an enormous amount of spirit power.
As a level ten soul practitioner, Wang Li could only use it a few times before exhaustion set in. He found this problematic and eventually refined the technique.
By compressing the spirit power in his feet without dispersing it, then pushing off the ground like a spring, he developed a second movement soul skill:
Instant Step!
Instant Step consumed far less spirit power but was difficult to control. Jumping between the ground and trees required precise control of both power and direction.
He also had to maintain constant focus on the spirit power concentrated in his feet. If distracted in battle, the spirit power would explode, and the first to suffer would be his legs.
Wang Li's legs had been "blasted" countless times, yet thanks to his vitality and resilience, they always recovered, becoming stronger and reducing damage the next time.
Raging Step and Instant Step,mastering these two movement soul skills allowed Wang Li to move through the forest like a rabbit, agile as a monkey.
This was only the beginning. As his spirit power continued to increase, he would further refine control over it. Once perfected, these movement soul skills would make him worthy of founding his own sect.
Looking back at the academy's back mountains, where he had spent five months, Wang Li sighed:
"Time really flies. I probably won't be coming back here again."
He then headed down the mountain.
At Nodding Academy, a semester lasted ten months, essentially a full year. Eight months had passed,still before the first-year winter break,but it was already time to prepare for the sixth-year graduation assessment.
Since it involved hunting spirit beasts, a dangerous and exhausting task, preparation had to begin two months in advance.
The next day was the sixth-year assessment. Wang Li planned to participate, hunting spirit beasts with the help of academy instructors to obtain soul rings.
The following morning, Wang Li skipped his morning classes and ran to the sixth-year classroom. A crowd had already gathered outside,not sixth-year students, but students from other grades.
The sixth-year students were inside, undergoing their assessments. Many other students came to watch because this was a process they themselves would face in the future.
Wang Li squeezed into the crowd and looked inside the classroom. Five teachers oversaw the assessment, led by Director Su of the Academic Affairs Office. Over forty students were inside. Except for Xiao Chenyu, who had already obtained a soul ring, the others were visibly anxious and excited.
As each name was called, a student stepped forward, placing a hand on the crystal orb used to test spirit power. If they reached level ten, they were elated; if not, they were crestfallen.
This assessment determined their futures. Reaching level ten allowed academy instructors to guide them in hunting spirit beasts. Those who did not reach level ten faced expulsion and could not graduate normally. Even if they later reached level ten, obtaining a soul ring would require their parents hiring a soul master,a costly expense.
One by one, students stepped forward, either celebrating or sulking.
Soon, Wang Li saw a familiar face,Wang Sheng. He placed his hand on the crystal orb, which glowed brightly, signaling that his spirit power had reached level ten.
Wang Sheng almost jumped with excitement. Wang Li smiled; yesterday had been Wang Sheng's most diligent training day, all to avoid mistakes in the assessment.
For self-funded students from well-off families, failing this assessment was not catastrophic,they could still hire soul masters later. But for a working student like Wang Sheng, no soul master would hunt a spirit beast for him without compensation.
Not long after, the forty-plus students inside the classroom had all been assessed. Only twelve reached level ten. In a small, remote city like Nodding, producing a soul master was no easy feat.
At that moment, Wang Li walked straight into the classroom. Amid the shocked gazes of others, he declared loudly:
"Teachers, I want to participate in the assessment as well. My spirit power has now reached level ten."
Everyone present froze.
Finally, Director Su spoke:
"What is your name and grade? You say your spirit power has reached level ten? Come forward and test it!"
Wang Li stepped forward calmly and said:
"My name is Wang Li, first-year student."
He approached the crystal orb without hesitation. Placing his hand on it, the orb immediately blazed with light.
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