Just like that, Fang Ling spent a rather uneventful year at the academy.
With nowhere else to go, he stayed on campus even during holidays.
Of course, the pigs were still slaughtered.
A year passed. Thanks to the steady supply of meat, he looked completely different from when he was a beggar.
His freshly washed face was delicate and gentle, his features soft, and a warm light shimmered in his eyes.
He couldn't be called extraordinarily handsome, just somewhat good-looking.
With no sharp edges to his appearance and a calm demeanor, he easily blended into the crowd.
His body had also gradually recovered, changing from skin-and-bones to the figure of an average child.
Not too tall or short, not too fat or thin.
His physical transformation was significant, but his stats hadn't changed much.
Only the soul power stat had a small update: 1 → 4 (12%).
4 was his soul power level, and the 12% represented his current cultivation progress.
This progress could only be improved through meditation. Both upgrades came from direct level-ups. Perhaps becoming a Soul Master would bring some changes?
Fang Ling wondered.
The plus sign was still greyed out, indicating all points had been allocated to soul power.
As he had originally expected, cultivation through meditation only increased his level by one.
Slaughtering a pig gave him one point — one level.
The progress bar automatically filled — another level.
Cultivated one level, gained two more from points, bringing him to level four.
By now, Fang Ling had become more skilled in his craft. He could stab his sickle cleanly through a pig's throat and open the carotid artery with precision.
Unfortunately, he couldn't skip classes in the morning, and there weren't many pigs to kill in the afternoon.
With Grandpa Liu's help, he managed about one pig every three days.
Counting holidays, in a year the progress bar could increase by about 1.4 points.
That 0.4 couldn't be used.
So in one year, he gained three levels!
To Wang Sheng and the other work-study students, that speed was unbelievable.
Most of them could only gain one level per year.
Fang Ling had tripled that. Even though he was only at level four, his cultivation speed was impressive.
If he kept up this pace, he could graduate two years early.
In Douluo Continent, early graduation signified fast cultivation, higher strength at the same age, and greater talent.
Any academy would be eager to recruit someone like that.
He could also get better recommendations and be admitted into a more prestigious intermediate Soul Master academy.
How could they not be envious?
His soul power had increased remarkably, but the "Specialization" section still showed no change.
He had tried many methods.
For example, he practiced his self-created sickle techniques.
Primary academies rarely taught combat. Fang Ling had come from a peaceful country in his past life, where civilians had little experience with weapons.
He wasn't good at fighting and had only read some novels. He just swung the sickle around blindly as his martial soul.
Even so, Fang Ling forced himself to make time every day, swinging the sickle with each arm for at least thirty minutes.
There was no change in specialization, but he did develop strong arms. His cuts during slaughter became steadier.
That could be considered progress too.
School hadn't started yet, and the tuition-paying students hadn't returned, only a few poor work-study students were around.
So Fang Ling wandered the academy freely, racking his brain for ways to unlock a specialization.
Suddenly, he spotted a familiar teacher ahead, the one who taught soul beast knowledge.
Soul beasts = soul rings = specialization!
This equation flashed through Fang Ling's mind. Remembering the teacher's personality, he quickly called out and jogged over.
"Teacher Song, please wait!"
The slightly chubby middle-aged man, whom Fang Ling had called "Teacher Song," turned his head slightly.
His plump face showed a hint of confusion, then a faint smile.
"You're… Fang Ling, the first-year work-study student?"
There was only one limping student at the academy, and such work-study students were rare. He remembered him.
"Yes, teacher, that's me," Fang Ling said, surprised the teacher remembered him.
Teacher Song paused to recall more details.
"I remember you were only at level one. Why are you looking for me, a teacher of soul beast types and identification?"
"And if it's about borrowing money, forget it."
"I'm not here to borrow money. I've reached level four," Fang Ling replied, with a hint of pride.
"Level four?" Teacher Song was surprised. "So, what brings you here?"
"I happened to see you, and I wanted to ask for your advice about my future soul ring choices."
Teacher Song frowned slightly, then relaxed and smiled.
"Soul rings, huh? Even if you've reached level four in one year, you're still far from the level ten requirement for obtaining your first soul ring. Don't get ahead of yourself."
Fang Ling walked alongside him, smiling. "I just want to be prepared in advance so I won't panic when the time comes."
"Better to be ready than caught off guard."
"If you're busy, teacher, I won't take up your time. I can come back another day."
"That's not necessary. I was just taking a walk. But this isn't the place to talk. Let's go to my office."
Teacher Song shook his head.
Fang Ling followed him into a small office.
Two of the walls were lined with bookshelves. The books weren't new, their yellowed covers showed they had been read many times.
Fang Ling scanned the room as the teacher sat down.
"With your physical condition…" Teacher Song began but stopped halfway.
"You've studied for a year. You should be familiar with common soul beasts. What are your thoughts?"
"I want to become a Battle Soul Master."
Fang Ling then shared the ideas he had carefully considered:
"I'm thinking of choosing a Hardhide Bull to enhance my sickle's durability, or a Blade Mantis to improve its sharpness. Or perhaps a soul beast that gives a powerful self-enhancement skill."
Teacher Song nodded in approval. "Sharpness and durability, not opting for ranged skills. That's a good mindset."
"These are concepts usually taught in higher years. You've clearly done some thinking."
"But the academy won't help you obtain such dangerous hundred-year soul rings."
Seeing Fang Ling's confused expression, he got up and pulled a book from the shelf while asking softly:
"Given your limited mobility, are you sure you want to choose the thorny path of a Battle Soul Master?"
"Absolutely!" Fang Ling nodded firmly.
"I was once a beggar. Getting into this Soul Master academy was sheer luck. Precisely because of that, I never want to feel powerless again."
Teacher Song flipped through the book and explained his earlier comment more clearly.
"Even in the controlled soul beast forests, it's still dangerous for those without a ring or with only one."
"For safety reasons, small academies like ours will only help students get ten-year soul rings, even for powerful combat-type beasts."
"This…" Fang Ling fell into deep thought.
Teacher Song interrupted him.
"If I suggested not focusing on durability, sharpness, or enhancement, but instead choosing a relatively weak hundred-year soul beast, would you consider it?"
"Please advise me, teacher," Fang Ling quickly bowed and asked.
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