Chapter 12: Companions, Soul Hunters
“Judging by your expression, has something major happened at the academy again?” After sitting down, Nian Yun asked directly.
“Bang.”
Morris approached from the doorway, his expression grave. “I hope it’s not rude of me to ask, but I need to confirm—did you meet with His Holiness the Pope this morning?”
“Yes.”
Morris exhaled tightly upon hearing the answer.
System: “Mission issued...”
[Mission: Twin Martial Souls battle with the Circular Giant Blade—Victory. Reward: Soul Power +3 levels]
“What? Just meeting the Pope and someone dares to pick a fight?” Nian Yun asked nonchalantly. Since the mission had popped up, there was no avoiding the fight.
“Meeting His Holiness is a tremendous honor; no one questions that. But who gets to meet him—that’s the real issue.”
“Usually, only the most outstanding few from the Martial Soul City’s Junior Spirit Master Academy earn such a privilege. Though you’ve demonstrated your strength, only a few know of it; most remain unconvinced.”
Leaning against the bedpost, Nian Yun chuckled softly and clenched his fist toward the sky. “As expected, I’ll have to prove my strength so no one dares to doubt me.”
“I think you’ll need to be cautious this time,” Morris said slowly after a moment’s hesitation.
Nian Yun turned toward him, noticing the complexity in his eyes.
“Is his strength greater than Xie Yue’s?” he asked, puzzled.
“Not because of that,” Morris replied. “Because with your appearance, you’ve taken a position that originally belonged to him.”
“Sun Chuantao, Martial Soul: Circular Giant Blade. He was on the pre-selection list for the audience at the Junior Spirit Master Academy.”
“His position?” Nian Yun sat up, a slight smile playing at his lips. “Almost forgot. If I appear, one of the original seven from the Martial Soul Golden Generation has to be eliminated. Since I stepped forward, that saves me the trouble of looking.”
“Since you’re here, you just need to accept it. You said you need to be cautious—what should you watch out for?”
“You need to watch out for his father, Sun Lin, a level 59 fierce attack Soul King and Purple-Clothed Bishop of the Martial Soul Hall.”
After reflecting, Nian Yun understood the implications. “I’ve just advanced to Soul Venerable, so I should first focus on completing my soul rings. You mentioned issues with soul hunting before—any other details?”
Morris thought for a moment. “Just report to the academy. The Martial Soul Academy promotes free cultivation, so normally, unless it’s a special course, approval is given.”
Seeing Nian Yun’s serious expression, Morris stood and said, “If you don’t mind, may I accompany you?”
“Thanks, but I don’t want to hold up your training. I appreciate the kindness, but I have a capable bodyguard already, so no trouble.” Nian Yun declined and headed for the door.
“Bang—”
The door opened. Nian Yun glanced back leisurely. “By the way, who should I see?”
“In the tallest building of the academy, third floor, Vice Dean’s office—Shan Li.”
“Thanks.”
“Thud—”
---
Following Morris’s directions, Nian Yun soon spotted the towering building beyond the conspicuous long staircase.
He dispelled the wind orb he had just formed in his left hand, sighed, and stepped up the first stair.
Under the relentless sun, he panted as he reached the final step. “Who designed this? They must be crazy.”
He arrived at the third floor.
Peeking down the long corridor, he saw only one door.
“Even more pretentious than me.”
Knock knock—
After a long pause, a voice called, “Come in.”
“That voice... sounds familiar.”
Bang—
His eyes entered the room first, immediately catching sight of a massive long table with two rows of sofas on each side.
“A Vice Dean’s office is almost as grand as the palace chambers I saw in my first cycle. Hah.”
Nian Yun’s curiosity surged, and he lingered in the doorway for a while.
“Do you need something?”
Nian Yun turned naturally toward the speaker. A woman wearing academy uniform and silver-rimmed glasses slowly stepped out from the right side of the room.
At first glance, Nian Yun’s eyes dimmed slightly.
“Teacher...”
“From your gaze, I see you’re surprised I’m the Vice Dean.” Shan Li took a sip of the coffee in her hand and sat down.
“No, please don’t misunderstand,” Nian Yun quickly averted his eyes.
“Forget it. Speak—what’s the matter?”
“My soul power has reached Soul Venerable. I want to go to the Starry Forest to complete my soul rings, so I’m here to report to the academy.”
Shan Li stirred her coffee, then nodded slightly. “Level 31, hmm... How many are going?”
“Just me.”
Upon hearing this, Shan Li’s face instantly grew cold. “Alone? Do you think you’re strong enough?”
The sudden chill made Nian Yun shiver slightly. “I’m only hunting on the outskirts, and there’s also a certain gentleman protecting me from the shadows.”
“That gentleman?” Shan Li hesitated. “Hunting Martial Souls isn’t a game. Even on the outskirts, the spirit beasts suitable for you are not something you can handle alone. Though he’s responsible for your safety, the spirit beast forest is still dangerous, and he’ll be overwhelmed eventually.”
“I...”
Knock knock—
Just as Nian Yun was about to speak, the knocking interrupted him, and a curse caught in his throat, making him uncomfortable.
“Come in.”
Bang—
“Teacher, five students in our class failed this assessment.”
Nian Yun’s impatience faded instantly upon hearing the voice. He turned to meet the gaze.
“Nian Yun.”
“Xie Yue.”
After glancing at the list Xie Yue handed over, Nian Yun’s gaze returned to him. “According to academy rules, regardless of strength, spirit beast hunting requires at least five participants to be approved. Come back when you have a team.”
Having said that, Shan Li’s eyes left Nian Yun and focused on the list.
Nian Yun felt speechless. He always felt these school rules were tailor-made for him. Wherever he went, there were rules everywhere.
“Spirit beast hunting? Nian Yun, can I join your team?” Hearing about soul hunting, Xie Yue’s interest was piqued.
“I just arrived a few days ago; it might affect your training. Thanks for the offer.” Nian Yun repeated his usual phrase.
“No, quite the opposite. I believe this soul hunt will greatly improve my strength.” Xie Yue looked at Nian Yun seriously.
Just as Nian Yun was about to reply,
Ding.
System: “Mission triggered...”
[Mission: Soul Hunt Companionship. Reward: An eight-thousand-year-old spirit beast.]
“System, you jerk, are you deliberately playing tricks on me? Do I really need to hunt a spirit beast?”
System: “System detects no conflict between the two missions.”
Nian Yun was momentarily speechless.
“Count me in.”
As they spoke, a captivating figure entered through the doorway.