After introducing Wu Qi to the elders of the Worship Hall, Azure Luan Douluo brought him away to begin cultivation.
For a newly advanced Spirit Master, the first things to learn were foundational theories.
Although Azure Luan Douluo remembered these basic theories, he could not systematically teach them in a structured way, nor was it practical for him to do so.
Thus, he gave Wu Qi two options. "For foundational theory, you can enroll in the Primary Spirit Master Division of Spirit Hall Academy. Or you can stay by my side, and I will have Glowing Feather take you to study in the Worship Hall's library."
Compared to the first option, following Glowing Feather Douluo would likely mean passing the days rather casually.
Foundational Spirit Master theory was crucial, and Wu Qi naturally wanted a complete and systematic education.
Azure Luan Douluo nodded in approval. "A wise choice. Tomorrow, Glowing Feather will take you to enroll. From time to time, I will personally review your progress. Do not disappoint me."
"Remember, this is only your starting point. Although you are ahead of nearly everyone else, if you become satisfied with just this, I will be disappointed."
Children often grew complacent after a small achievement.
Unaware of Wu Qi's true mental maturity, Azure Luan Douluo offered the reminder out of caution.
Azure Luan Douluo owned an estate within the city.
He usually remained in seclusion at the Worship Hall and rarely returned here.
Under the careful maintenance of the gardener, the estate was clean and orderly.
As they walked along a path, a small deer leapt out from a flowerbed. It was only the size of an adult's palm, with a pair of glowing antlers on its head.
"Is that a Spirit Beast?" Wu Qi looked up and asked.
Azure Luan Douluo chuckled softly and crouched down, taking out a portion of finely prepared feed from his storage spirit tool.
"In the future, you may also have a chance to obtain a similar little creature. However…"
He did not finish the sentence. Instead, he handed the storage spirit tool to Wu Qi. "I do not have much to give you. Take this storage spirit tool as a gift for becoming my disciple."
The spirit tool was entirely azure. The moment Wu Qi touched it, he could clearly perceive the flow of air currents around him.
This was likely not just a storage spirit tool, but one that greatly assisted wind-attribute Spirit Masters in cultivation.
"Master, this is too valuable," Wu Qi said, intending to return it.
Azure Luan Douluo did not give him the chance.
Holding the small deer in his hands, he smiled and walked toward the villa at the center of the estate. Wu Qi understood that this estate would be his home for a long time to come.
Still, he wondered about the origin of that small deer.
Azure Luan Douluo's unfinished words stirred his curiosity.
If given the opportunity, he would search through Spirit Beast records to discover its identity.
After settling in, Azure Luan Douluo taught him a more comprehensive meditation method that very night.
Early the next morning, accompanied by Glowing Feather Douluo, who yawned repeatedly they arrived at Spirit Hall Academy in the city.
Spirit Hall operated many academies across the continent, including primary and intermediate Spirit Master academies.
The one located in Spirit City was Spirit Hall's only Advanced Spirit Master academy.
With his current strength, Wu Qi could only enroll in the Primary Spirit Master Division.
This was the highest-level academy under Spirit Hall. Those who studied here were either geniuses with innate spirit power of level seven or above, or descendants of high-ranking officials within the Hall.
With Glowing Feather Douluo personally present, the academy's administration treated the matter with great importance.
Although enrollment season had already passed, special arrangements were made. Wu Qi's registration was quickly completed, and he was assigned to Primary Class One.
Before leaving, Glowing Feather Douluo rubbed his eyes. "I'm going back to catch up on sleep. Tonight, I'll take you out into the city."
After he departed, Wu Qi completed his dormitory registration under the guidance of a teacher.
Spirit Master academies operated on a full-time basis. Although Wu Qi could have returned to the estate each day, he chose to live at the academy for the convenience of cultivation.
After all, the large estate had only him living there. He was not used to such solitude.
Led by the teacher, he arrived at the classroom entrance.
Thinking of the small deer at the estate, he could not help asking, "Teacher, do you know of a small deer with a pair of glowing antlers?"
"A deer?" The teacher paused.
Deer-type Spirit Masters were generally not well regarded. Aside from certain deer Spirit Beasts with healing abilities, favored by healing-type Spirit Masters most deer species attracted little attention.
"Student Wu, your description is too vague. I cannot think of anything specific at the moment. Perhaps we can discuss it with the class during a future Spirit Beast theory lesson."
Young Spirit Beasts often differed greatly in appearance from their adult forms, which made identification even more difficult. The teacher truly had no clear answer.
After entering the classroom, Wu Qi gave a brief self-introduction and was assigned a seat in the front row.
Primary Class One was, without question, the elite class. Besides students with exceptional talent, the rest were children of high-ranking Spirit Hall officials.
Since the start of the term, they had already formed small circles among themselves. Wu Qi had no interest in joining them.
However, not causing trouble did not mean trouble would not come looking for him.
From the day he enrolled, his routine consisted only of studying and cultivating.
His life followed a simple path each day: library, dormitory, classroom.
Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, a month had gone by.
That day, trouble finally came.
"So you're the new disciple taken in by Third Grandpa. You've been in class this long and never thought to come pay your respects?"
During this month, Wu Qi had been absorbed in gaining knowledge. Aside from the teachers, he did not know anyone in the class, nor did he care about their backgrounds.
In his previous life, he had suffered because of a lack of education. In this life, he was determined to build a solid theoretical foundation.
"Not interested." Wu Qi turned to leave, but the lackeys behind the boy blocked his path.
The boy at the front rolled his neck. "No hard feelings. I just want to spar with you. I greatly admire Third Grandpa's strength. I wonder how much of it you've inherited!"
Calling Azure Luan Douluo "Third Grandpa" in such a familiar manner meant this person had to be a descendant of one of the Worship Hall elders.
At that thought, Wu Qi recalled the name Glowing Feather Douluo had mentioned when school began, QianGu Chang Kong.
"You're Sixth Worship's grandson?" Wu Qi asked in return.
Qian Gu Chang Kong placed his hands on his hips. "Not bad, you do know something. But today's sparring match is unavoidable."
"I just absorbed a Spirit Ring recently. Don't say I'm bullying you, I won't even use a spirit skill!"
Such a spar was meaningless.
After obtaining his first Spirit Ring, even without using a spirit skill, his strength as a Spirit Master had undergone a qualitative transformation compared to a Spirit Scholar.
The enhancement a Spirit Ring brought to a Spirit Master's physical attributes could not be ignored.
He had likely relied on that advantage to deal with classmates who lacked real skill.
"If you want something more exciting, go spar with higher-year students. I won't be joining you," Wu Qi said as he turned to leave.
Recently, he had been researching Spirit Beast records. He had a feeling he was getting closer to uncovering the origin of that small deer.
"Stop right there! You're disrespecting me! Or are you only capable of hiding under your elders' protection?"
QianGu Chang Kong shouted angrily, pointing at him.