Chapter 7: Enrollment

"Xiao San!"

"Xiao Jiu! Grandpa Jack!"

Upon arriving at the blacksmith shop, Hu Jiu saw Tang San waiting for them.

As Old Jack prepared to leave with Tang San, Tang San showed a reluctant expression. He stared at the dilapidated earthen house for a long time and left a line of words on the ground before finally following them out.

"Xiao San, don't worry! Uncle Tang Hao is a grown man; there's no need for you to be concerned!" Hu Jiu comforted, patting Tang San on the shoulder.

"It's not that; I just feel reluctant to leave," Tang San shook his head, quietly putting away his emotions of reluctance.

"Ha ha, it's no big deal! If necessary, grandpa can just go check on him often," Hu Jiu said with a smile.

"Xiao Jiu is right. Xiao San, don't worry; I'll keep an eye on your father. If he dares not take care of himself properly, I'll give him a good scolding," Old Jack added, turning back to speak to them.

"Mm!"

The three of them took half a day to reach Nuoding City, arriving just before noon. After asking for directions a few times, they finally found the Primary Spirit Master Academy.

As they arrived at the entrance, the gatekeeper stopped them.

"What do you want? Is this a place for you country folks to come?"

Seeing this scene, Hu Jiu didn't intervene, as it was related to whether Tang San could apprentice. If it weren't for Tang San, Hu Jiu would have already thrown a hammer at him.

Old Jack smiled and said, "Young man, we're from Holy Spirit Village. These two are students enrolling this year. Could you please tell us what procedures we need to complete?"

"From Holy Spirit Village? That little village hasn't produced anyone with Spirit Master cultivation talent in years. Could it be that a golden phoenix can emerge from a thatched hut?" The gatekeeper frowned and said sarcastically.

"Damn it! If you can't speak properly, then don't! Do you believe I'll smash you with this hammer?" At that moment, Hu Jiu's ears suddenly perked up. He smirked, his expression instantly changing as he raised the hammer, glaring fiercely at the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper was the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. Seeing Hu Jiu holding a hammer, he was instantly intimidated by his bully-like aura. Even though Hu Jiu appeared to be only six years old, he had a weapon! As an ordinary person, the gatekeeper had every reason to be afraid.

"You... you're being outrageous! This is Nuoding Academy, how dare you!" the gatekeeper shouted, his bravado faltering. At this moment, he didn't dare to approach Hu Jiu like in the original story. If Hu Jiu smashed him with that hammer, he might end up injured!

"What's going on?"

At that moment, a hoarse and stiff voice came from a distance.

Looking up, they saw it was the Grandmaster.

The Grandmaster was of medium height, slightly thin, and his face appeared lazy and dispirited.

"Grandmaster, you're back," the gatekeeper's expression changed as if he had found support. He stepped forward and hurriedly said, "It's this brat; he's causing trouble. Look, he's still holding a hammer and wants to hit me."

"Hmph!" Hu Jiu scoffed, "If it weren't for your narrow-mindedness, do you think I would bother with you?"

As Hu Jiu stopped speaking, the Grandmaster frowned.

"This teacher, we are here to enroll in school. This gatekeeper not only refuses us entry but also speaks harshly. My companion is just upset and reacted this way," Tang San explained from the side.

The Grandmaster cast a faint glance at the gatekeeper, who had complained first, putting immense pressure on him.

The gatekeeper hadn't expected these two kids to be so quick with their words, clearly laying out what had just happened.

"Do you have the proof issued by the Spirit Hall? If so, you can show it to me," the Grandmaster turned his head, his expression softening. Even the Grandmaster wouldn't keep a stern face in front of an old man and two children.

"I have it right here, Grandmaster, please take a look." Old Jack, having been the Village Chief for many years, immediately recognized the Grandmaster's significant status at the Academy and quickly pulled out the proof for both Hu Jiu and Tang San to hand to him.

"Martial Spirit: Carrot, Innate Soul Power: Level Two. Hmm, this is indeed proof issued by the Spirit Hall." The Grandmaster first saw Hu Jiu's proof, but when he looked at Tang San's, his expression changed instantly.

"An Innate Full Soul Power, and the Martial Spirit is Blue Silver Grass." After seeing this, the Grandmaster raised his head and looked deeply at both Hu Jiu and Tang San, "Which one of you is Tang San?"

"Teacher, I am Tang San." At this moment, Tang San felt a bit confused. Was there something wrong with his Martial Spirit?

"Hmm, very good." The Grandmaster nodded, then turned to Old Jack and said, "Old sir, I apologize on behalf of the Academy for what happened earlier. I will take these two children and help them with their enrollment."

Clearly, the Grandmaster had noticed the issue with Tang San's Martial Spirit, and his attitude toward them became a bit more enthusiastic.

"No need, no need. It's my child who is just too impatient. I'll leave these two children in your care. Xiao Jiu, Xiao San, you two go in with this Grandmaster, and make sure to listen to him!"

After giving Hu Jiu and Tang San a few words of instruction, Old Jack slowly left.

Once Old Jack had departed, the Grandmaster glanced at the gatekeeper coolly. "This is the last time. If it happens again, you won't need to come back."

That warning nearly scared the gatekeeper to death.

It's important to know that while the Grandmaster may not hold a formal position at the Academy, being a friend of the Dean means he could easily deal with the gatekeeper if he wanted to.

"I won't do it again, I promise!"

After scolding the gatekeeper, the Grandmaster forced a stiff smile and said to Hu Jiu and Tang San, "Children, let's go inside!"

"Teacher, thank you!" Tang San said, following the Grandmaster.

"I'm not a teacher at the Academy," the Grandmaster replied, glancing at Tang San with a calm expression.

"Not a teacher? But didn't you just say you were representing the Academy?" Tang San looked at the Grandmaster in confusion.

Beside Tang San, Hu Jiu watched the scene with interest. He knew the Grandmaster had already taken a liking to Tang San. While he himself had no intention of becoming the Grandmaster's disciple, he would be happy if Tang San did, especially since he hadn't revealed his own skills until the Grandmaster arrived.

Next, the Grandmaster showcased his skills and successfully took Tang San as his disciple.

In response, Hu Jiu looked up to the sky in silence, feeling as if he had been ignored again. Because of that damn talent, the Grandmaster didn't even speak to him during the entire journey.

Hmph, you look down on me today, but one day, I'll make you regret it, Hu Jiu swore silently to himself.

It was his choice not to become the Grandmaster's disciple, but the Grandmaster shouldn't look down on him. How could a distinguished traveler like him be overlooked? It was embarrassing!

...

After that, the Grandmaster finally took Hu Jiu and Tang San to the Academic Affairs Office.

At the Academic Affairs Office, the two smoothly became students of Nuoding Academy, but Hu Jiu was classified as a working student, while Tang San was merely a self-study student.

Hu Jiu was very excited about the successful enrollment; he was finally going to see Xiao Wu!

"Xiao San, it seems like we won't be living in the same place. Once we settle down, let's meet up!"

The first meeting with Xiao Wu certainly couldn't have Tang San present.

After all, Tang San was the destined child of this world, and Hu Jiu was quite afraid of that power.