Chapter 33: Gorfah

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Liejia City, Spirit Hall Sub-chamber!

Wang Li and Wang Sheng smoothly collected their subsidy for the month, receiving a gold soul coin each.

Receiving the subsidy is different from registering as a soul master. There's no need to inspect the martial soul or test soul power. All that's required is to present the soul master certificate and a receipt at the service window in the first-floor administrative hall. Even if they are collecting the subsidy from a different location, the procedure can be completed quickly.

These special papers, made through soul techniques, are a reliable anti-counterfeit measure, so they can be used anywhere without issues.

Although the price of goods may vary slightly across regions, a gold soul coin is more than enough for Wang Li and Wang Sheng to live comfortably, as long as they don't overspend.

The first thing they did after receiving their subsidy was enjoy a large meal in the city, savoring some of Liejia City's signature dishes.

On their way back, they passed through the city's prime real estate district, where a grand building, bustling with people, appeared before them.

Ordinary civilians wouldn't typically visit such places. From the attire and demeanor of the people around, it was obvious they were either wealthy or at least from a middle-class background, exuding a different kind of energy.

"That's the Liejia Great Soul Arena. What kind of place is it?" Wang Sheng asked, staring at the enormous sign. As someone from a small town, he wasn't familiar with the extravagance of big cities.

Wang Li, still calm, but with a hint of excitement in his eyes, smiled and explained:

"It's a place where high-level soul masters, even Soul Emperors, fight and battle for the entertainment of the spectators."

Wang Sheng gasped in shock. As a mere soul master, he regarded Soul Grandmasters and Soul Emperors as revered experts. He couldn't believe such a thing existed, and incredulously asked, "How can they tolerate such humiliation?!"

Wang Li shook his head and continued, "It's all about making money. There's nothing shameful about it. Once a person's basic needs are met, spiritual desires emerge. For soul masters, this mysterious profession, the physical confrontations, and the clashes of powerful soul skills can be incredibly thrilling, easily opening their wallets."

"The Great Soul Arena makes money, soul masters earn money, and the audience enjoys the show. Everyone gets what they need."

Wang Sheng still couldn't wrap his mind around it and shook his head. "I don't get it. Soul Grandmasters, Soul Emperors—they could be professors at an academy, right? Wouldn't that command more respect?"

Wang Sheng was struck by the realization that even the noble soul masters could have less-than-noble moments, leaving him shaken.

Wang Li then offered a perspective that might be easier for him to accept:

"You're still in debt for tuition, right? This place can make money, and quickly. If you can win, you could earn enough for six years of tuition in just one or two months."

This made Wang Sheng uneasy. The tuition fees were astronomical for him, even though he could pay in installments. The burden weighed heavily on his shoulders. The thought of earning six years' worth of tuition in just a couple of months left him breathless. "Really?!"

He had an epiphany: nobility didn't matter. Earning money was what mattered most.

Wang Li glanced once more at the Liejia Great Soul Arena but showed no intention of entering. Instead, he turned and started walking away, saying, "Let's head back to the academy and focus on our training. That's a place only for Soul Grandmasters. When I reach that level, I'll return to the Great Soul Arena."

Wang Sheng wanted to follow but paused to glance back at the arena, determined to come back one day in order to pay off his tuition as soon as possible. Realizing that Wang Li was already far ahead, he quickly hurried to catch up.

"Wait for me!"

When they arrived at the entrance of Liejia Academy, Teacher Gou An was not there. Wang Li and Wang Sheng had to retrieve their luggage from the coachman before heading to their dormitory to settle in and make their beds. This marked the start of their time there.

In the afternoon, Wang Li didn't go out again. He sat on his bed, first focusing on his breathing to recover the soul power he had spent during his fight with Elder Ling. Only once his soul power was fully replenished did he truly enter a state of cultivation.

The battle with Elder Ling had given him a lot of experience, and this experience would certainly help him make significant progress.

However, as his soul power began to increase, he also had to consider the potential consequences of such a rapid improvement.

He had set a goal to work hard, and once his increased soul power was noticed by the academy's teachers, and even the dean, he could confidently declare that his progress was due to his own efforts. After all, he would still need the academy's assistance, and even the dean's help, when it came time for his second soul ring.

…

Over the next two months, both Wang Li and Wang Sheng stayed at Liejia Academy. As time passed, some students returned home for the New Year, while others remained behind.

As the holiday neared its end, the academy became lively again, with students returning, and even the dean had returned.

At this moment, in the dean's study!

Gorfah's tall figure sank into the soft leather sofa. He was the typical type with a high nose and deep-set eyes, his blue irises piercing. His hair was impeccably styled. Though no longer young, his youthful handsomeness was still evident. He looked at the academy's senior staff, including Elder Ling, and smiled as he spoke:

"The graduates from last year all found their places, even A Bing successfully entered the Heaven Dou Royal Senior Soul Master Academy. His strength is impressive, especially compared to the noble heirs, but among all the graduates from intermediate soul master academies, he wasn't the most outstanding."

"To raise the academy's status and secure more recommendation slots, we need to cultivate a true genius."

"Elder Ling, among the new students we recruited last year, do we have any particularly talented kids?"

Elder Ling, a long-time member of the academy, was diligent in his service to the institution. Even though Gorfah was a Soul King, he still respectfully referred to Ling Yun as Elder Ling.

Ling Yun smiled as he replied:

"Actually, there is one. This child has great potential. Upon entering, he already had soul power at level 14. His martial soul is a mutated version of the Blue Silver Grass. Unfortunately, it's a mutation of Blue Silver Grass."

"While the martial soul quality isn't very high, the talent is undeniable. He has level 14 soul power and is only seven years old."

At this, Gorfah leapt to his feet, his eyes burning with intensity. He exclaimed:

"Seven years old with level 14 soul power? Even the geniuses from the great sects rarely reach that level. What a shame, what a real shame that his martial soul is a mutation of Blue Silver Grass."

"Such talent, if paired with a powerful inherited martial soul from one of the Seven Great Sects, could certainly make him a strong figure capable of shaking the entire continent in the future."

By the end of his speech, Gorfah's voice was filled with regret. He added:

"Elder Ling, make arrangements. Once school starts again, I want to meet this child. Please bring his records to me."

Elder Ling replied:

"Understood!"

(End of Chapter)