Today, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy was exceptionally lively. The school gates were bustling with people coming and going, and occasionally, the figures of nobles could be spotted.
The voices of children echoed continuously as they crowded toward the academy, creating a noisy atmosphere. Yet, no one commented on the scene.
After all, this was the day the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy welcomed new students. For these students to have the chance to come here was indeed something worth celebrating.
"Nana, this is it."
Outside the school gates, an unremarkable father and daughter approached on foot. The little girl looked up at the towering gates, her excitement impossible to conceal.
"Dad, I'll go in by myself from here."
"Alright." The man smiled and patted his daughter's head, a trace of loneliness flashing in his eyes. "Nana, I know you still think about your mother…"
As he spoke softly, Nana's cheerful expression quickly faded. "Dad, I…"
"You're my daughter. How could I not understand your thoughts? These past two years, you've buried yourself in soul tools, barely resting. I'm afraid it's not just about getting into the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, is it?"
Nana looked up, her face now serious. "Dad, have you already forgotten about Mom?"
The man froze, his raised hand trembling slightly. "How could I? Dad will never forget."
"Then I can't let it go either."
"But Nana, the world of soul masters is far more complicated than you can imagine. I'm not a soul master, but I've seen them. Your mother's cultivation wasn't weak among soul masters, but until she disappeared, she never told us anything about her work as a soul master."
His voice trembled. "What she was doing, who she was working for—she kept it all from us because those people are far beyond what we can handle."
"I know," Nana said, nodding firmly. "That's why I'm determined to come here. This is the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, the best academy in the entire Sun Moon Empire. It's not just about improving my cultivation. Graduates from here are sought after by nobles, and there are the academy's connections too."
"I know Mom was protecting us. With my current strength, I can't do much, but just because I can't now doesn't mean I won't be able to in the future. Even if I can't take on those people, at the very least, I want to know where Mom is now and whether she's still alive."
The man looked at his daughter, unable to speak for a long moment.
Two years ago, his wife suddenly left them, and Nana, unbeknownst to him, had secretly followed her. He didn't know what Nana had seen, only that his wife never returned, and Nana seemed like a different person afterward.
Though he never actively asked what his wife was doing, the occasional smell of blood on her hinted at the dangerous nature of her work. Yet, he didn't know how to persuade her. After all, he had no cultivation and, despite holding a noble title, wielded no real power.
"Dad, I've grown up. Now I have the chance to enter the best soul master academy in the Sun Moon Empire. I have to find out where Mom went and who took her away."
The man was speechless. Knowing his daughter as well as he did, he understood the determination behind her words. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Alright, Dad supports you. But no matter what you do, strength is the most important thing. Once you're at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, study hard. Even if you can't uncover the truth, you need to gain the strength to protect yourself."
His eyes were filled with complex emotions. How could he let go of his wife's disappearance? Yet, entrusting such a dangerous task to his daughter filled him with reluctance.
"Okay," Nana nodded, turning to walk into the academy.
"Nana," her father called out after a few steps.
"Take care of yourself."
"Okay."
Inside the academy, on the plaza, Lin Jiayi watched the influx of new students with a broad smile, his already plump features squeezing together until his eyes were barely visible.
As the dean of education at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, seeing so many new students filled him with satisfaction.
"Teacher."
A voice made Lin Jiayi turn around, and his expression showed slight surprise upon seeing who it was.
"Lin Xiao, when did you get back?"
"I returned last night, but it was too late to disturb you, Teacher."
Lin Jiayi looked Lin Xiao up and down, nodding slightly. "It seems you've successfully acquired your sixth soul ring?"
"Yes, it went fairly smoothly."
"Good to hear. But now that you have your sixth soul ring, you'll need to upgrade your soul tools."
"Teacher, I actually think some of my current soul tools are just right," Lin Xiao said, declining Lin Jiayi's offer. "Last night, when I returned, I tested my flight soul tool. I can now fly at full speed with a Level 5 soul tool, but switching to a Level 6 would likely increase soul power consumption significantly."
"Are you sure?" Lin Jiayi asked, uncertain. "The speed difference between them isn't small."
"Yes," Lin Xiao nodded. "For soul tools like soul cannons, higher levels mean greater power. But for flight soul tools, you have to consider sustained soul power consumption. I think prioritizing endurance over excessive speed is more important."
"Fair enough. It's your call. Come to me if you need anything," Lin Jiayi said, not pressing further. Every soul engineer had their own ideas—some chased extreme speed, while others, like Lin Xiao, prioritized efficiency. Though Lin Xiao was his student, he didn't want to interfere too much.
"If you're heading to the research lab, I can give you the key." Lin Jiayi's gaze returned to the new students. "I'll head back after watching a bit longer."
"I'll stay with you, Teacher," Lin Xiao said, glancing at Lin Jiayi's face.
It was clear that much of Lin Jiayi's heart was devoted to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy. Whether it was welcoming new students or recruiting special admissions, he was always personally present.
Even for a teacher as idiosyncratic as Xuan Ziwen, he showed great patience, doing his best to provide whatever materials were needed. No wonder Jing Hongchen trusted him so much and appointed him dean of education—he truly had an extraordinary love for this place.
Lost in thought, Lin Xiao also looked at the lively new students. They were mostly around eleven or twelve years old, their eyes full of curiosity.
But soon, his gaze froze slightly.
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