47: First meeting at the academy and soul training

The flying ship slowly descended onto the vast plaza of Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Chen, following Instructor Ruolin and the other new disciples, stepped off the flying ship and was immediately awestruck by the majestic aura of the continent's foremost academy.

The academy was built into the mountains, with pavilions and towers nestled amidst clouds and ancient trees.

The air was permeated with a spiritual energy several times denser than the outside world.

In the distance, the colossal testing grounds, the towering library, and the Alchemy Department area, from which the faint scent of medicine wafted, all showcased its profound heritage.

The students bustling about exuded a sharp and formidable aura, their eyes keen, clearly indicating they were all one-in-a-hundred talents.

Instructor Ruolin settled the new disciples in the Outer Academy's freshman area and briefly explained the academy's rules: freshmen must study basic courses in the Outer Academy, and only after passing the annual assessment can they enter the Inner Academy to receive more top-tier training and cultivate in the mysterious "Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower."

"Xiao Chen," Instructor Ruolin kept Xiao Chen behind, her tone gentle but with a hint of inquiry, "Your situation is special; you have no Dou Qi, yet possess extremely strong Soul Power.

Traditional Dou Qi courses are largely meaningless to you.

I will apply to the academy to allow you to focus on cultivating your soul and will search for suitable soul cultivation methods and instructors for you."

"Thank you, Instructor!" Xiao Chen felt grateful; this was exactly what he needed.

"However," Instructor Ruolin's tone shifted, her expression slightly serious, "While Jia Nan Academy advocates academic freedom, it also values strength.

Your unique situation will inevitably attract some unnecessary attention and even... provocation.

You must be prepared, be cautious in all matters, and do not easily get into conflicts with others, but if someone comes knocking on your door, you need not tolerate them excessively; the academy has its own laws."

Xiao Chen nodded in agreement; he understood the principle of low-key development but also did not fear challenges.

With Instructor Ruolin's directive, Xiao Chen moved into a relatively secluded independent courtyard.

As soon as he settled in, he eagerly began to explore his own changes.

His Spirit Realm Soul (initial stage) became even more active in the academy's rich energy environment, and the operation of the Spirit Nurturing Art became much smoother.

He tried to circulate the cultivation method, and his soul perception spread out like mercury, clearly sensing the chirping of insects, the movement of ants, and the flow of energy within dozens of meters around the courtyard.

"System, Scan my current status and evaluate the available resources in Jia Nan Academy," Xiao Chen commanded in his mind.

Scan: Host Xiao Chen

Soul Realm: Spirit Realm (initial stage) (1620/10000)

Energy Pool: 580/10000

Skills Mastered: Spirit Nurturing Art (Second Stage), Iron Bone Fist (Mastered), Swimming Fish Steps (Minor Accomplishment), Basic Soul Impact, Breath Concealment Technique.

Physical Condition: Nourished by Dou Di Bloodline (weak), physical strength comparable to a Great Dou Master, clear meridians, no Dou Qi.

System Evaluation: Jia Nan Academy has abundant resources.

Suggested Priorities:

Library: Search for high-level soul cultivation methods, Dou Technique theories, and continental secrets.

Energy Tower (Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower): The energy inside the tower is extremely dense, and Energy Absorption efficiency may be greatly increased (requires access qualification).

Alchemy Department: Soul Power is the foundation of alchemy; this identity can be used to acquire resources and build connections.

Arena: Practical combat to hone soul combat skills, but strength must be concealed to avoid premature exposure of trump cards.

Warning: A subtle Soul Imprint has been detected probing the host; source unknown; it is recommended to remain vigilant.

As expected, there was a probe!

Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed.

Was it a routine inspection by the academy's higher-ups, or... someone with ulterior motives?

He became even more determined to act low-key.

The next day, Instructor Ruolin brought good news.

After learning about Xiao Chen's soul talent, the academy's higher-ups specially approved him to be exempt from most basic Dou Qi courses and allowed him free access to the first floor of the Outer Academy's library to consult soul-related classics.

At the same time, they arranged a special instructor for him—an elder of the Soul Department who had been living in seclusion in the academy's back mountain for many years and had a peculiar temperament, Elder Mu She.

Elder Mu She was said to have extremely high soul cultivation.

Many years ago, due to an incident, his Dou Qi cultivation stagnated, and he turned to specializing in the path of the soul, becoming reclusive and rarely meeting people.

Instructor Ruolin's ability to persuade him clearly took a lot of effort.

Under Instructor Ruolin's introduction, Xiao Chen met Elder Mu She deep within a bamboo forest in the academy's back mountain.

He was an old man with gray hair and a withered face, but his eyes were unusually bright, as if they could see through people's hearts.

He merely gave Xiao Chen a faint Scan, and Xiao Chen felt as if his soul had been seen through completely.

"Spirit Realm Soul? So young, yet so rare," Elder Mu She's voice was hoarse.

"However, having only the realm without understanding how to use it is like a child wielding a sledgehammer.

Starting tomorrow, come here every morning, and this old man will teach you how to truly wield the power of the soul."

In the following days, Xiao Chen began a regular and fulfilling academy life.

Every morning, he would arrive at the back mountain on time to receive guidance from Elder Mu She.

Elder Mu She's teaching methods were extremely strict, even cruel.

He was no longer satisfied with Xiao Chen's simple Soul Impact but began to train him in fine soul thread manipulation (such as simultaneously controlling dozens of soul threads to thread a needle), soul illusion construction (creating illusions realistic enough to deceive opponents), and the condensation and strengthening of soul defensive barriers, even attempting soul attachment (briefly attaching soul power to objects for manipulation or reconnaissance).

These trainings demanded extremely high consumption of Soul Power and precision in control.

Xiao Chen was mentally exhausted every day, but the effects were also significant.

His use of Soul Power became increasingly refined and flexible, no longer a simple and crude mental impact, but with more variations and strategies.

Although Elder Mu She never praised him verbally, the occasional flicker of satisfaction in his eyes indicated his approval of Xiao Chen's progress.

In the mornings, Xiao Chen would immerse himself in the first floor of the Outer Academy's library.

He voraciously read various soul classics, continental marvels, introductions to sect forces, and analyses of the principles of various Dou Techniques.

Although the Outer Academy's library was not high-level, the vast basic knowledge base greatly broadened his horizons, giving him a more systematic and in-depth understanding of the Dou Qi Continent.

He also began to consciously search for snippets related to keywords like "system," "replication," and "transmigration," but found nothing for now.

In the afternoons, he would attend lectures in the Alchemy Department as an auditor.

With his Spirit Realm Soul, he had a natural advantage in perceiving medicinal ingredients and controlling heat (though without actual fire, he could perceive energy flow), quickly attracting the curiosity of an Alchemy Department lecturer.

Through Instructor Ruolin's mediation, Xiao Chen was exceptionally allowed to use the Alchemy Department's low-grade cauldrons and medicinal ingredients to attempt the most basic liquid medicine extraction.

He couldn't condense flames like an Alchemist, but he found an alternative approach, attempting to directly guide and activate the medicinal properties within ingredients using highly condensed Soul Power for fusion.

This method was unheard of and had an extremely high failure rate, but he occasionally succeeded in extracting medicinal liquids of decent quality, which amazed the lecturer.

Xiao Chen's actions were primarily to cover his tracks and provide a plausible excuse for his future "synthesis" of pills.

Evenings were dedicated to the unwavering cultivation of the Spirit Nurturing Art and energy accumulation.

The energy concentration in Jia Nan Academy far surpassed that of the outside world, and his energy pool's growth rate significantly accelerated.

During this period, he also made some new friends, such as Shi Hao, a simple and honest young man who was also a new student, and Qing Ling, a quiet young woman with a keen interest in formations.

He had also seen the young woman with the peculiar pupil technique during the enrollment assessment (named Liu Fei) a few times from a distance, as well as the green-clothed young man who concealed his strength (named Lin Xiuyai); both were prominent figures among this year's new students.

The calm and fulfilling days passed quickly.

Xiao Chen's soul realm steadily advanced towards the middle stage of the Spirit Realm, and his application of Soul Power became increasingly proficient.

However, a tree desires calm, but the wind will not cease.

His special treatment of "exemption from courses" and "personal tutelage by an elder" finally aroused the dissatisfaction of some senior students.

This day, as Xiao Chen emerged from the Alchemy Department, he was blocked by three senior students, each with a formidable aura.

The leader, with an arrogant expression, possessed the strength of a Three-Star Dou Shi and was a member of "Wolf Fang," a somewhat renowned faction in the Outer Academy.

"Hey, kid!

Are you that Xiao Chen who has no Dou Qi but got lucky and was favored by Instructor Ruolin and Elder Mu She?" The leading senior student looked at Xiao Chen askance, his tone contemptuous.

"I heard your Soul Power is decent?

Dare to come to the arena and play a bit?

Let us senior brothers see how much this 'genius' of yours is truly worth!"

Students gradually gathered around, pointing and whispering, eager to watch the show.

They all wanted to know whether this "Dou Qi-less genius" favored by the instructors truly had ability or was merely famous in name.

Xiao Chen looked at the three individuals before him, his expression calm.

He knew this trouble would come sooner or later.

This was both a challenge and an opportunity for him to establish his first reputation in Jia Nan Academy!

He slowly raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting the Three-Star Dou Shi, and spoke faintly:

"Arena?

Yes.

However, a mere spar would be dull.

How about we add some stakes?"

A new challenge had arrived!

How would Xiao Chen respond?

How would this confrontation affect his future in Jia Nan Academy?