Chapter 16.
E/N: Sorry for the blunder. My bad, I copied and pasted same chapter from my drafts.
I have rectified the mistake. Hope you all enjoy.
Your Allfather Author - PrimorDious.
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As they made their way toward the academy, Old Jack began to explain to Tang San about the Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy.
"At the academy, they'll cover some basic topics, such as the cultural history of our mainland, an introduction to martial soul and a simple understanding of soul beasts." Old Jack said.
"The school courses spans six years and by the time you turn twelve, you should have made some progress in your cultivation. Otherwise, you'll only end up as an ordinary soul master and that means taking up ordinary professions. The extent of your martial soul's strength plays a role in this but you don't need to worry. Your soul power is naturally abundant and you're both destined to become great soul masters quickly. The status of your martial soul doesn't really matter in that regard."
Tang San listened attentively to Old Jack's words, eager to learn more about what awaited him at the Junior Soul Master Academy in Nuoding City.
"And what the Intermediate Soul Master Academy teaches is even more profound," Old Jack continued, sharing the news he had heard in advance with the two young boys.
"You'll find it quite challenging at the academy."
"But to graduate from the Intermediate Soul Master Academy, you'll need to achieve much more." Old Jack compared.
"You must reach level twenty, obtain a second spirit ring and earn the title of Soul Grandmaster!"
Wang Feng also listened attentively, realizing that he had mostly ignored such details while watching Douluo Dalu. In the past, he didn't find them interesting and considered them to be filler information injected by the author. However, at this moment, he found himself intrigued and eager to hear more about these requirements.
Tang San couldn't hide his surprise and asked,
"I can graduate from the Intermediate Academy at Level 20?"
"It's not that difficult." Wang Feng nodded with confidence. He felt that the energy in his body had already surpassed the 20th level, even without a spirit ring just like Qian Renxue.
However, he still couldn't perform at his full potential without having a soul ring.
Tang San teased, "Easy for you to say, you training maniac!"
Old Jack knocked Wang Feng's head,
"It's not that easy! Yes, you both have abundant soul power and can get the first soul ring with the help of the academy's instructor but for the second soul ring, you'll have to hunt a level 20 soul beast yourself! Hunting a soul beast is dangerous and many civilian soul masters have been injured or killed in the process. It's not as simple as you think. Only those from noble families, accompanied by family cultivated warriors, have a safer and easier time hunting soul beasts in the forest. For us common people, relying solely on ourselves to hunt soul beasts has remain a major obstacle."
Wang Feng raised an eyebrow at the mention of soul beasts. He was curious about them since he hadn't encountered them much in the forest outside of the village.
He wondered about their strength compared to soul masters and even found himself thinking about their taste. However, he chided himself for such thoughts, realizing his ingrained Chinese disposition had persisted even in this new world.
"Grandpa Jack, are there different levels of soul master academies, like elementary, intermediate, and advanced?" Tang San asked curiously, not as preoccupied with the culinary aspect as Wang Feng.
"Advanced?"
Old Jack seemed surprised and sighed, "The Senior/Advanced Soul Master Academy is not something ordinary people like us can easily aspire to. It's extremely difficult to get into. In the Heaven Dou Empire, there are only two Senior/Advanced Soul Master Academies and they only recruit less than a hundred students a year. Most of these spots are reserved for the children of nobles. However, those who do manage to graduate from the Senior/Advanced Academy become highly sought-after soul masters, revered by all people from all walks of life. Despite their achievements, the empire still rarely grants them noble titles."
"Nobleman."
Wang Feng smiled, realizing that the structure of the Douluo Dalu was similar to the Middle Ages in his previous life, with a system of nobility in place. The Advanced Soul Master Academy was comparable to prestigious universities like Peking University, Tsinghua University, Harvard, and Cambridge, with high entry requirements that made it difficult for ordinary people to get in.
"Senior/Advanced Soul Master Academies..." Tang San muttered, expressing his desire to witness the higher levels of soul world.
"Even if you manage to enter the Advanced Soul Master Academy, graduating from there is no easy feat," Old Jack continued, explaining the challenges faced by soul masters.
"Obtaining a soul ring is just the beginning but its not the only thing that hinders the development of many soul masters. Without family support or the help of powerful forces, improving oneself by hunting down soul beasts and obtaining soul rings is incredibly difficult."
"Some people are born into wealth and have everything arranged for them. They lack nothing. But for us common folk, every step is an uphill battle." Old Jack sighed, reflecting on the disparities in the world.
Listening to Old Jack's words, both Tang San and Wang Feng found them meaningful. The village chief's wisdom struck a chord with them, making them realize that life's opportunities and resources were often unequally distributed.
"The prerequisite for a senior soul master to graduate is to reach level 30 and obtain the third spirit ring. Crossing this hurdle, one can be considered an Soul Elder. Graduation requirements are limited not just by spirit rings and age but not just any spirit ring can qualify you to graduate." Old Jack further explained.
"Even if you enter the Senior/Advanced Soul Master Academy, only a fraction of the students may truly graduate. The higher levels are even more distant and challenging. To progress, stronger spirit rings and more dangerous soul beasts are required. That's why very few actually become Title Douluos. The total number of them can be probably counted on one hand."
Old Jack then fell silent, realizing that he didn't possess much knowledge beyond this basic understanding. He knew that the two children would have to explore and learn on their own from that point onward.
In the afternoon, the three of them arrived in Nuoding City. Old Jack encouraged the boys, "You must persevere and become soul masters. When the semester is over, I'll hire two carriages to personally take you back!"
Walking into Nuoding City, Old Jack greeted people with a smile, feeling proud of the development of Holy Soul Village. Wang Feng, on the other hand, hadn't visited the city much before due to the distance and his previous indifference towards urban life.
Now, however, Wang Feng strolled into the city with a certain majesty. As he looked around, he noticed the bustling streets and the comfortable environment. Although they were still dressed plainly, the improvements in Holy Soul Village had made Wang Feng feel more at ease.
While admiring the city, he couldn't help but notice a few beautiful young girls passing by. Wang Feng sighed inwardly, appreciating their natural and unadorned beauty, free from cosmetics and artificial enhancements.
Shaking off his distraction, he reminded himself of his purpose in coming to Nuoding City.
"Wait, I'm here to study, not to look at beautiful girls," Wang Feng coughed and closed his eyes. However, his wandering thoughts continued to distract him. He couldn't help but notice the attractiveness of the people around him.
With a mix of self-restraint and curiosity, Wang Feng struggled to focus on his primary goal of acquiring knowledge. He playfully argued with himself, debating whether to indulge in glances or concentrate on his studies. It felt as if his head and eyes were at odds with each other and he found it amusing.
Eventually, Wang Feng shook his head, took a deep breath and resolved to maintain his focus on his studies, putting aside his momentary distractions.
After undergoing four months of rigorous hell like training, Wang Feng's determination had significantly strengthened. Now, it was time for Old Jack to accompany them to the esteemed Junior Soul Master Academy.
The grand archway was constructed from solid rock and beneath it stood two imposing iron gates, giving it a respectable and dignified appearance. However, compared to the magnificent structures Wang Feng had encountered in a previous life, it was relatively modest.
In the heart of the archway, four characters read "Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy." reminiscent of the top middle schools in some first-tier cities of China from Wang Feng's past life. As he gazed upon it, he was interrupted by a creepy voice tinged with some familiarity.
"Work-study students? From which village do you come from? Can a small, insignificant village like yours produce a soul master? In your muddy little swamp, all you have are earthworms. Do you really expect to find dragons there? Prove it!"
Suddenly Wang Feng who was lost in admiring the school's gate was interrupted. Old Jack's expression changed and he swiftly presented the certificate to the academy guards. After reviewing the document, the guard burst into mocking laughter.
"Hahaha, innately full of soul power, Blue Silver Grass... this is definitely a forged document? Innate full of soul power is a once-in-a-century rarity. I've been here for years and haven't witnessed even the descendants of noble lords possessing such a gift. Do you really expect us to believe someone from your impoverished village could be born with full soul power?"
With disdainful glances, the guard carelessly tossed the proof to the ground.
Upon hearing the guards' taunts, Old Jack's expression underwent another change and a simmering anger welled up within him. Yet, he restrained himself, well aware of the prestigious reputation of Nuoding Academy. Tang San, too, furrowed his brows, eyeing the two guards with a hint of frost in his gaze.
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