Chapter 6: Nuoding Academy
Three months after Lu Chen obtained the Work-Study Student quota for Luobo Village, Nuoding Academy in Nuoding City was about to begin its school year.
After three months of breathing exercises, Lu Chen’s strength had grown even more. Now, carrying his luggage, he arrived at the village entrance under the farewell of Lu An and Rose.
Old Jack and a villager driving an ox cart were already waiting for them at the village entrance.
He saw the family of three—Lu Chen, Lu An, and Rose—walking toward them.
Old Jack reached out to pull Lu Chen over, then waved to Lu An and Rose, saying:
"Lu An, Rose, leave Little Chen to me. You can rest easy and head back now."
"I will definitely deliver Little Chen safely to Nuoding Academy in the city."
Hearing Old Jack say this, Lu An and Rose were immensely grateful, repeatedly voicing their thanks before finally leaving the village entrance reluctantly, looking back with every few steps.
After seeing off Lu An and Rose, Old Jack pulled Lu Chen onto the ox cart, followed by another long wait.
It was only then that Tang San, carrying just a small bundle, arrived late. He was wearing old clothes covered in patches, and inside his small bundle were only a few more sets of the same old clothes.
He was completely unlike Lu Chen, who carried a massive pack containing a soft quilt, brand-new clothes, a washbasin, towels... and dozens of silver coins stuffed in by his parents.
From this, it was clear that Tang Hao had completely failed in his responsibilities as a father, yet Tang San happened to be foolishly filial; he truly was a worthy successor of feudalism.
Seeing Tang San again, Old Jack’s attitude was much colder. He didn’t reach out to pull Tang San up, only speaking in a casual tone:
"Little San is here. Get on the cart first; we’re departing immediately."
Tang San, possessing a deep and calculating mind, noticed the change in Old Jack’s attitude. He frowned slightly before suppressing all his emotions deep within his heart.
He nodded in agreement and then climbed onto the ox cart, sitting in a corner.
Looking at Lu Chen’s massive luggage and then at his own small bundle, Tang San lowered his head deeply, his thoughts unknown.
After picking up Lu Chen and Tang San, Old Jack signaled to the villager driving the cart. The villager cracked his whip, lightly striking the old ox’s rump. The ox flicked its tail and pulled the cart toward Nuoding City.
...
Nuoding City, though only a small city, was located at the border of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Its geographical location was relatively important, with merchant caravans traveling north and south passing through, making the city quite prosperous.
Nuoding Academy, as an Elementary Spirit Master Academy, recruited children who had just undergone Spirit Awakening and possessed Spirit Master talent, training them for six years.
After six years, as long as their spirit power reached level ten, they could hunt any Spirit Beast, absorb its spirit ring, and become a One-ring Spirit Master to graduate successfully from Nuoding Academy.
After graduation, whether they advanced to an Intermediate Spirit Master Academy to continue their studies or went out to find work, they would be sought after by various factions.
For children from poor families, this was a golden opportunity to change their fate!
After more than two hours of travel, Old Jack and his group arrived outside Nuoding City.
Old Jack had the villager wait outside the city with the ox cart while he personally took Lu Chen and Tang San to queue for entry into Nuoding City, eventually finding his way to Nuoding Academy after asking for directions.
At the main gate of Nuoding Academy!
Old Jack took out Lu Chen and Tang San’s Spirit Certificates and Work-Study Student Certificates. With a face full of smiles, he walked toward the Gatekeeper standing outside Nuoding Academy and said very politely:
"Young man, these are the Spirit Certificates and Work-Study Student Certificates for these two children. They are both students enrolling in Nuoding Academy this year."
The young Gatekeeper, whose brow carried a hint of arrogance, took the Spirit Certificates and Work-Study Student Certificates and looked them over.
He suddenly sneered, tossed the Spirit Certificates and Work-Study Student Certificates onto the ground, and said with a face full of mockery:
"Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul? Innate Full Spirit Power? And two of them? Do you take me for a fool?"
"Do you know what Innate Full Spirit Power even means? In the history of our Nuoding Academy, such a Genius has never appeared."
"I think you’re just beggars and scammers trying to sneak into Nuoding Academy for free food and drink. Get lost now before I’m forced to get rough."
As he spoke, the Gatekeeper waved his hand impatiently.
Old Jack, looking pained, bent down to pick up the Spirit Certificates and Work-Study Student Certificates that had been thrown on the ground.
He patted the dust off them as if they were precious treasures, then looked up at the Gatekeeper, preparing to argue his case.
However, Lu Chen, who had long expected this to happen, didn’t say a word. He stepped forward, reached out a hand as strong as iron pincers, and grabbed the Gatekeeper’s wrist, forcibly dragging him outward.
As Lu Chen walked, he said:
"Those Spirit Certificates were personally issued to us by Grandmaster Su Yuntao of Spirit Hall. If you don’t believe it, I’ll take you to confront him right now."
The Gatekeeper was completely stunned. Lu Chen’s strength was terrifyingly high; by grabbing his wrist, the boy sent him stumbling, unable to even put up a fight.
Seeing Lu Chen’s piercing gaze, his youthful face filled with seriousness and determination, his sturdy physique with well-defined muscles, and hearing his booming voice, the Gatekeeper’s face turned green with fear.
Is this kid really six years old?!
At this moment, the Gatekeeper’s mind was filled with disbelief.
In the next instant, he was dragged along by Lu Chen without any power to resist.
The Gatekeeper realized he couldn’t break free from Lu Chen’s grip and immediately panicked. If they truly went to confront someone from Spirit Hall, even a single frown from the other party would surely cost him his job.
So he cried out in a panic:
"Alright, alright, I believe you! Let go of me! You can enter Nuoding Academy. Go straight to the Academic Affairs Office in the Teaching Building to register."
Hearing this, Lu Chen let go. Caught off guard, the Gatekeeper fell flat on his backside.
Lu Chen ignored him, turned to take his Spirit Certificate and Work-Study Student Certificate from Old Jack’s hand, and said with a grin:
"Goodbye, Village Chief Grandpa. You don’t need to walk us any further. I’m going inside Nuoding Academy to register."
Old Jack glanced at the young Gatekeeper with a sense of triumph. Hearing Lu Chen’s words, he gave a kind exhortation:
"Little Chen, after you enter Nuoding Academy, you must take good care of yourself and study hard. You’ll be a noble Spirit Master when you come out. Grandpa is proud of you!"
Beside them, watching the deep bond between Old Jack and Lu Chen as they played out their reluctant farewell, Tang San’s forehead was covered in black lines. His heart churned with a sense of discomfort.
Then Tang San approached and said in a low voice:
"Village Chief Grandpa, I’m going to register as well."
Hearing Tang San speak, Old Jack seemed to only just notice him. He handed Tang San his Spirit Certificate and Work-Study Student Certificate and dismissed him casually:
"Little San, go register yourself."
Having dismissed Tang San, Old Jack took another deep look at Lu Chen before turning and leaving with a satisfied heart.
Leaving Tang San standing there alone, tightly clutching his Spirit Certificate and Work-Study Student Certificate.
(End of Chapter)
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