Teacher Song thought for a moment and asked affirmatively, "I heard you used to be a beggar, right?"
"Yeah." Fang Ling nodded.
"And your broken leg, was it injured during that time?"
"Yes."
Fang Ling had only transmigrated a year ago; the leg injury happened before that.
He hadn't inherited many memories from the little beggar, so he simply responded as best he could.
Teacher Song gently tapped the table. "I also remember that when you first came to class, you were skin and bones."
Fang Ling replied, "Yes."
Teacher Song shook his head slightly.
"A year has passed, and you look healthier now. But childhood is a critical period."
"Your life force has already been damaged. Absorbing a strong century-old soul ring won't be easy."
Fang Ling's expression tightened. "Teacher, are you saying…"
"You should take a look at this kind of soul beast," Teacher Song said, handing over a yellowed book.
"Star-nosed mole?"
The drawing was rather crude, but you could tell it depicted a type of mouse.
Its body was dark brown, and its eyes were tiny.
It had four broad paws with short claws.
The most striking feature was its nose, which was surrounded by twenty tentacle-like appendages, radiating like starlight. That's how it got its name.
"That's right, the star-nosed mole!"
Watching Fang Ling carefully read each word, Teacher Song's face showed a kind and warm smile.
"This is a very weak soul beast that lives in shallow soil layers. Typically, it's prey for other soul beasts."
"It survives by eating earthworms, insects, and in emergencies, even dirt."
"Its eyes and ears are quite poor, but its nose is a special sensory organ that gives it extremely fast neural reflexes."
"Neural reflexes!" Fang Ling's eyes lit up.
Teacher Song smiled a little proudly. "That's right. Normally, people choose soul beasts that help develop their martial spirit."
"For example, a blade might develop toward sharpness, toughness, or carry elemental attributes."
"But people often forget: how much can a weak ten-year soul ring really improve things?"
He sighed softly and got up to pour two glasses of water, handing one to Fang Ling.
"Thank you, Teacher Song." Fang Ling gratefully accepted the warm cup.
"Mm." Teacher Song sat back down and motioned, "Now, summon your martial spirit."
Fang Ling summoned his scythe as instructed.
Teacher Song took out a piece of paper and tested it gently.
The sharp silver blade sliced through the paper with ease.
He felt the edge of the paper, then handed the two halves to Fang Ling.
"The cut is clean. That shows your scythe is already quite sharp. A regular ten-year soul ring won't improve it much."
"You're only at level one. At most, you'll probably reach Soul Master rank. Your martial spirit won't grow significantly through soul rings alone."
Normally, someone at level one wouldn't even qualify as a soul master. Good thing I've got cheats, Fang Ling thought gratefully.
Seeing how focused Fang Ling was, Teacher Song continued enthusiastically.
"If you want to follow the path of a Battle Soul Master, it would be better to enhance your neural reflexes."
"Fast reflexes help you dodge and strike. The star-nosed mole may be weak, but you can ask the dean to help you hunt a century-old one."
"Its soul skill would be stronger than that of a ten-year ring, and you'd still be able to absorb it."
Fang Ling made up his mind, placed his cup on the table, and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for the advice, Teacher Song!"
Teacher Song laughed and helped him up.
"No need to thank me. The star-nosed mole grows two more tentacles on its nose every ten years. The one in the book is a hundred-year-old one."
"Just tell the dean. This soul beast is widespread and can be found in the Soul Hunting Forest. It won't be hard to find. He'll help."
"Now go, study hard, and cultivate well."
He waved Fang Ling off, then returned the book to its shelf.
Then he pulled out another book and began reading intently.
Fang Ling, full of excitement, quietly walked out, afraid of disturbing him.
To avoid letting cold air in, he thoughtfully closed the door behind him.
Four days passed in the blink of an eye.
Fang Ling had just returned from slaughtering pigs.
As the start of the semester approached, he had reduced the frequency of butchering and dedicated more time to cultivation.
Not just meditation, but practicing self-developed scythe techniques.
He wanted to learn how to wield his scythe more freely.
Just as he approached the dormitory, he saw a familiar scene, Wang Sheng was stumbling out the door, having been thrown out.
Wang Sheng hadn't noticed Fang Ling, who had returned early.
Enraged, he steadied himself and charged back inside like a tiger descending from a mountain, aiming at a plainly dressed young boy.
The boy had tanned skin and neat, short black hair.
He wasn't particularly handsome, but not ugly either, just an ordinary face you'd lose in a crowd.
A newcomer, clearly a working student.
Able to beat Wang Sheng so easily, he must be Tang San.
Standing at the door with a lunchbox full of marinated meat, Fang Ling quietly watched the fight unfold.
Wang Sheng lunged at Tang San, but Tang San didn't retreat, instead, he stepped forward.
His left hand pulled, right hand guided.
Wang Sheng's right punch seemed to be redirected by a mysterious force.
Then Tang San tripped him perfectly, sending Wang Sheng flying.
With a thud, Wang Sheng crashed onto a metal bunk bed.
Furious, Wang Sheng started to use his martial spirit.
But there were no surprises.
Tang San effortlessly and efficiently defeated him with a few clean moves.
A brilliant fight.
That was the only way to describe it.
Fang Ling's heart pounded. He didn't blink, watching intently, hoping to learn something.
He longed for battles where victory was decided in an instant.
He dreamed of entering life-or-death fights, even the City of Slaughter in the future, combat skills would be essential.
Tang San's skills like Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon, and especially the Xuan Tian Skill, were all powerful.
Unfortunately, there was no way to learn them.
Fang Ling knew his limits. Having access to a stat panel was already a miracle, how could he ask for more?
Wang Sheng seemed to be explaining something to Tang San, showing him a bruise and perhaps assigning him the task of watching over the other working students.
At just the right moment, Fang Ling entered with the lunchbox of meat.
He said in surprise, "Wang Sheng, and this person who just easily beat you, who is he?"
"My name is Tang San."
Tang San gave Fang Ling a friendly smile.
"That's a good name. Tang San, I just saw you fight Wang Sheng. You're really amazing," Fang Ling said with admiration.
He wanted to make a good impression. For the next two years, he'd be under Tang San and Xiao Wu's protection, best not to offend them.
He wasn't looking for trouble.
People said it was a peaceful year, but how peaceful could it really be?
He'd only avoided two beatings because he acted like he was willing to fight to the death, scaring them off.
In the early stages, when strength was still low, a safe environment was a blessing.
"Thanks. I think it's a nice name too."
When Fang Ling smiled, he had a kind of natural warmth, and Tang San instinctively smiled back.
He wasn't trying to suck up to Tang San or Xiao Wu, just repaying their future kindness.
He didn't hate them either.
He simply needed Ah Yin's soul bone.
Let the main characters walk their own path.
He wasn't bowing to the Spirit Hall either, just needed Bibi Dong's help to enter the City of Slaughter.
Just clarifying that.
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