By the time they reached the outskirts of Nuoding City, the sun had risen well into the sky. The journey had taken several hours, but none of the children appeared fatigued. Tang San walked steadily at Old Jack's side, occasionally glancing toward Eren and Xīrán who followed a short distance behind. Xīrán's gaze wandered across the vast fields and distant stone walls of the city, eyes wide with awe.
The city gates loomed ahead—tall, guarded, and engraved with the symbol of the empire. Compared to the simplicity of their village, Nuoding was a different world altogether. Horses and carriages passed through the gates in both directions, and merchants called out from market stalls within earshot. Despite its moderate size, the city pulsed with a sense of structure, order, and activity.
"This is Nuoding City," Old Jack said, stopping briefly before the gate. "It isn't the capital, but for children like you, this is where your cultivation begins."
They continued past the guards without issue. Jack led them through the outer district, bypassing the bustling market lanes, and took a direct path toward the west side of the city.
As they walked, Tang San finally turned to Xīrán, attempting polite conversation.
"Have you trained much before this?" he asked carefully, still unsure of her background.
Xīrán shook her head. "Not really. My Martial Soul isn't very good. But Ma- Eren told me to give it a try. So I'm here."
Eren's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered with a hidden amusement. He had coached her well. The best disguise was always the plainest truth, twisted just enough to keep others blind.
Before Tang San could ask further, they arrived at the outer gate of Nuoding Academy.
It was an enclosed compound, surrounded by high stone walls. The academy itself sat within—a large, traditional complex of tiled roofs, stone walkways, and training fields. The outer gates bore a simple emblem: a pair of crossed swords encircled by laurel.
For Tang San and Xiran, this was the threshold of a new chapter in their lives. Both carried a spark of excitement in their eyes, their steps quickening unconsciously as they approached.
Old Jack walked ahead, his weathered face full of pride as he prepared to complete the enrollment procedures for the children. However, before they could even enter the courtyard, a sharp, disdainful voice rang out.
"Stop right there!"
A uniformed gatekeeper stepped in their way, his arms crossed and his expression laced with arrogance. His gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on their plain attire. Old Jack's coarse robes, Tang San's simple clothes, and Eren's modest appearance made them easy targets. Even Xiran, though dressed more decently, was judged the same simply for being with them.
The man's lips curled into a smirk. "Nuoding Academy isn't a place just anyone can walk into. What do you think you're doing here?"
Old Jack's expression stiffened for a moment before he forced a polite smile. "Little brother, these three children are this year's working students from our village. Here are their recommendation letters."
He handed over two parchment scrolls, then turned to Xiran. She silently passed her own letter to him, and Old Jack offered all three to the gatekeeper with both hands.
The man took the letters with exaggerated arrogance, scanning them one by one. His brows rose slightly when he read the first, innate spirit power of level three, Martial Spirit: Lotus of Life. The second one startled him even more—innate full spirit power. But his surprise quickly turned to doubt as he read further.
"Blue Silver Pig?" The gatekeeper sneered inwardly. Innate full spirit power with such a worthless Martial Spirit? Impossible.
Jealousy stirred within him. Why should these poor brats have such talent? He cast a glance at the girl's letter and let out a breath of relief. So, one of them's trash after all.
Though he knew the letters were authentic, the man's disdain deepened when he saw who had brought them. This village chief clearly didn't understand the unspoken rules here. With a cold snort, he decided to make things difficult.
"Hmph! Country bumpkins claiming to have Spirit Masters?" The man threw the letters onto the ground with deliberate contempt. "A Blue Silver Pig with innate full spirit power? Do you take me for a fool? These forgeries are laughable. Do you even know impersonating Spirit Hall documents can get you executed, or worse, imprisoned for life?"
Old Jack's face darkened. He bent down and picked up the letters carefully, his hands trembling slightly, with rising anger.
"Sir Gatekeeper, these letters were issued by Spirit Hall itself. If you doubt their authenticity, I will personally take the children there for verification," Old Jack said, voice cold yet controlled.
For a moment, the man froze, a flicker of fear flashing in his eyes. To challenge Spirit Hall was not something even the Academy could afford. But he quickly masked it with mockery, letting out a harsh laugh.
"Spirit Hall? Ha! Go ahead, old beggar! Take your little rats and run there if you like. No wonder your whole village is full of beggars, you don't even know how to read the world. Thinking trash like you can step into Nuoding Academy… laughable!"
The insult struck like a whip. Old Jack's aged hands clenched tightly, his breath heavy with restrained fury. His pride as a village elder had been trampled upon.
Tang San silently watched the scene, his calm eyes turning colder with every word the gatekeeper spat. In that moment, the teachings of the Tang Sect resurfaced in his mind:
one of the Tang Sect's core principles:
"Repay kindness with kindness, repay enmity with death."
A shadow flickered in his gaze. The boy's expression didn't change, but in his heart, a killing intent bloomed quietly, sharp as a hidden blade.
---
We drop 3 chapters a day, like clockwork, but cooler.
Want Bonus chapters? Easy.
Just toss 100 Power Stones our way, and bam!, a wild chapter appears!
(Yes, it's that easy. No summoning circle required... probably.)
Stay stoned, stay blessed.
___