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Time flowed like a river—before anyone realized it, three years had passed since Fang Yang first entered Red Mountain Academy.
The boy who once carried traces of childhood innocence was now gone.
In his place stood a youth of graceful stature and striking features, his brows sharp with an air of quiet intensity.
With such presence, it was certain that in a few more years, he would become the object of countless young girls' admiration.
Nor had he neglected his cultivation.
Thanks to the time-acceleration ability of the Heavenly Flame Orb, Fang Yang—still only nine years old—had already reached Level 29, standing at the pinnacle of Strong-Attack Soul Grandmaster, merely one step away from becoming a Soul Elder.
His fire-attribute martial soul granted him devastating offensive power. Such talent was unmatched—not just in his class, but in the entire academy.
As the most dazzling genius in this Junior Soul Master Academy, his studies were now coming to an end. Soon, he would step through the gates of an Intermediate Soul Master Academy.
But Aolai City—a small coastal town—had no intermediate academy of its own.
By tradition, exceptionally gifted students like him would be recommended to academies in mid-sized cities, where admission standards were extremely strict: applicants must be Level 10 or above and have successfully fused at least one soul spirit.
Only then would they be eligible to apply.
Generally speaking, any student who broke through to Level 10 before graduation would receive a Letter of Recommendation from the academy—a symbol of recognized potential, a true "seed of hope."
Those who reached Level 10 only after turning ten, however, would face far harsher entrance trials—fighting fiercely just for a chance to enroll.
For Fang Yang, of course, these conditions were no obstacle at all.
Yet, surprisingly, in this graduating class of twenty, several others had also reached Level 10—beyond just Fang Yang.
And among them… was Tang Wulin.
Other than Tang Wulin, the rest were unexpected—but Fang Yang wasn't overly concerned.
After all, within Red Mountain Academy, there existed not only a genius like Fang Yang—but also a so-called "waste": Tang Wulin.
Tang Wulin's cultivation speed had stunned his classmates.
With only Level 3 innate soul power and the "useless" Blue Silver Grass martial soul, he had somehow reached Level 10 in three years.
While this pace wasn't fast by general soul master standards—merely average—it was remarkable for a Blue Silver Grass user.
After all, many in class had higher innate soul power and superior martial souls than him—yet only a handful had outpaced him.
Though Tang Wulin couldn't compare to true geniuses, he still ranked solidly in the upper-middle tier of the class.
At this point, some "great master" might say:
"There are no useless martial souls—only useless soul masters."
But if you actually believe that nonsense?
Then your life is already ruined.
If Tang Wulin weren't the main character—with extraordinary bloodline heritage—could any ordinary person with Blue Silver Grass possibly cultivate this fast?
Now, Tang Wulin needed only one soul spirit to break through and officially become a soul master.
Just as in ancient times—without fusing a soul ring from a slain spirit beast, one could never become a true soul master.
A spirit soul-less Soul Trainee was barely stronger than an ordinary person.
But once they fused a soul spirit and awakened a soul skill?
That was an entirely new world.
As Fang Yang stepped out of the classroom, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
Turning, he saw Tang Wulin jogging to catch up.
"Fang Yang—you're heading to get our recommendation letters from the dean, right? Mind if I tag along?" Tang Wulin scratched his head, offering a guileless smile.
"Let's go," Fang Yang nodded.
Soon, they stood before the dean's office. Fang Yang knocked lightly.
"Come in," came the dean's gentle voice.
They entered.
The dean set down his documents, looked up—and his face lit up the moment he saw Fang Yang. "Ah! Fang Yang—and Tang Wulin! Please, sit."
"Thank you, Dean," they said in unison, settling onto the sofa.
Fang Yang cut straight to the point: "Dean, we've come for our recommendation letters."
"Three years… gone in the blink of an eye," the dean sighed wistfully, his gaze lingering on Fang Yang. "I still remember when Teacher Lin Ximeng brought you and your sister here for enrollment—it feels like yesterday."
Fang Yang smiled. "Dean, I'm just going to study elsewhere. I'm not leaving forever—my mother still teaches here, after all."
"Haha! True enough!" The dean laughed heartily, then pulled two sealed letters from his drawer. His expression turned solemn.
"Fang Yang—take this. You are the finest student Red Mountain Academy has ever produced. I have every faith you'll shine brilliantly at the intermediate academy."
"I won't disappoint you, Dean," Fang Yang said, accepting the letter with both hands and bowing deeply.
The dean then turned to Tang Wulin, eyes warm with encouragement. "Tang Wulin—though your martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, your diligence is evident to all. Stay true to your heart, keep striving, and never look back."
He handed over the second letter.
Tang Wulin accepted it reverently and bowed low. "Thank you, Dean."
"Tang Wulin," the dean added gently, "could you wait outside for a moment? I'd like to speak with Fang Yang privately."
Tang Wulin nodded and quietly closed the door behind him.
Once alone, the dean reached into his drawer again—and slid a bank card across the desk.
"This holds one million Federation credits. Password: six sixes. Consider it… a graduation gift."
Fang Yang froze. "Dean, you—"
He'd accepted gifts from Tower Master Liu Yang—but that was within organizational protocol.
This… was personal. Unexpected. Overwhelming.
"It's just a small token from me," the dean said kindly. "You're Aolai City's pride. I know you'll carve out your own legend out there."
Fang Yang's throat tightened. Words of refusal hovered on his lips—but he couldn't speak them.
Instead, he bowed deeply. "Student Fang Yang… will not fail your trust."
"Good boy," the dean murmured, rising to clap him on the shoulder. "Go—witness the wonders of this vast world. And remember: if you ever miss home… come back. Aolai City will always be your home."
"I will, Dean," Fang Yang promised, then turned to leave.
The dean watched his retreating figure, whispering softly:
"Even the youngest eagle must one day spread its wings…"
Outside, Fang Yang found Tang Wulin leaning against the hallway railing, waiting.
"Wulin? You're still here?" Fang Yang asked, surprised.
Tang Wulin turned, smiling sincerely. "Of course—I was waiting for you."
"Recommendation letter secured. Let's go," Fang Yang said.
Tang Wulin nodded, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Yeah… tomorrow, I'll go buy my soul spirit."
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