Chapter 21: The Sea is Wide Enough for Fish to Leap
Three days later, Tang San supported a weak Yu Xiaogang as they returned to the academy.
Much like the original plot, the two encountered a Datura Snake during their spirit hunt, and Yu Xiaogang was poisoned.
Relying on Tang Sect ultimate techniques, Tang San killed the Datura Snake and obtained his first spirit ring.
Everything was back on track.
However, what Lin Yang didn't expect was that as soon as Tang San obtained his first spirit ring, he couldn't wait to find him and challenge him again.
"You're saying you want to fight me again?"
Lin Yang casually placed the book in his hand onto the shelf, looking at the high-spirited Tang San with a look of surprise and speechlessness.
The sky has cleared, the rain has stopped, and you think you're all that again.
You are the famous God-King Tang, not some Erzhuzi.
Do you really think having one more Soul Ring makes you tough?
Lin Yang couldn't be bothered to say much to Tang San and directly replied with two cold words: "Not going."
However, Lin Yang's refusal was seen as a sign of weakness in Tang San's eyes.
A hint of mockery appeared in Tang San's eyes; just as his teacher said, Lin Yang only knew how to use his strength to bully the weak.
"Are you afraid?"
"Yeah, I'm terrified," Lin Yang sneered sarcastically.
"I'm afraid of someone who can't afford to lose and likes to launch sneak attacks from behind."
"Besides, you lost last time and still haven't apologized to Wang Sheng even now..."
These were just excuses; after all, Tang San's overbearing father was hiding somewhere, lurking in the shadows.
What if I hit too hard and he comes out to protect his cub?
This old geezer has no martial ethics.
So, in Lin Yang's eyes, Tang San's challenge was like a toad crawling on one's foot—not just disgusting, but also unsettling.
If you didn't have a good father, I'd beat the crap out of you.
Hearing Lin Yang's string of sarcasms, Tang San's face looked as ugly as could be.
Because of what happened at the start of the term, his reputation in the school was now terrible, and other students avoided him like the plague.
Although he didn't care, the taste of being isolated by everyone was not pleasant.
And all of this... stemmed from Lin Yang in front of him.
If Lin Yang knew what Tang San was thinking, he would definitely give him two words: Big Idiot.
Talking to this kind of person, one simply couldn't communicate using normal logic.
They never reflect on their own behavior but instead blame all problems on others.
Ignoring Tang San, Lin Yang took a few books and left the library, intending to go back to his room to read.
At the same time, he decided that as soon as he mastered the patterns of Tang Hao's movements, he would immediately apply for graduation.
Otherwise, facing this pair of eccentric master and disciple, and father and son every day, he would get high blood pressure sooner or later.
About half a month later, Lin Yang had confirmed through his informants that Tang Hao would not be leaving Nuoding City anytime soon.
He had rented a residence near the academy, living in seclusion and rarely appearing in public.
He didn't even cultivate while hiding in his room.
His daily life was basically the same as in Holy Soul Village: eating, sleeping, drinking, and occasionally glancing at Tang San from a distance.
Although Lin Yang looked down on Tang Hao's self-abandoning behavior, it was precisely because of this that he had an opportunity to find a loophole.
One day, Lin Yang arrived at the Dean's office. He came to a halt, took a deep breath, and then raised his hand to knock on the door.
"Come in."
Su Hong's voice came from inside the room.
Lin Yang pushed the door open and entered.
At that moment, Su Hong was sitting behind his desk, holding a book in his hand.
Looking up and seeing it was Lin Yang, a smile immediately appeared on Su Hong's face. He set the book aside and said with a smile,
"Lin Yang, what brings you here to see me?"
Lin Yang didn't beat around the bush: "Dean, I'm here to apply for early graduation."
Su Hong fell silent for a few seconds, looking at Lin Yang with a complicated expression.
He had long known this day would come; given Lin Yang's talent, a junior academy was ultimately too small.
The resources here could no longer satisfy Lin Yang's growth.
A greenhouse cannot grow a great tree, and shallow waters cannot produce a flood dragon.
"Sigh..." Su Hong gave a light sigh, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"I approve your graduation application."
Pausing for a moment, he continued,
"The academy has nothing left to teach you; the road ahead must ultimately be walked by yourself."
"With your talent and temperament, you are bound to achieve great things in the future."
Seeing the Dean agree so readily, Lin Yang breathed a small sigh of relief and then gave a respectful bow.
"I will always remember the academy's nurturing."
"Good, good, good," Su Hong nodded with a chuckle.
"Having this heart means I wasn't wrong about you."
After thinking for a moment, Su Hong stood up, pulled a thick hardcover book from the shelf behind him, and handed it to Lin Yang.
"This spirit beast illustrated manual was a gift given to me years ago by a Spirit Hall Deacon after I was fortunate enough to help him with a small favor."
"It records information on some rare Spirit Beasts. I'm giving it to you now as a graduation gift."
Lin Yang was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly waved his hands.
"Dean, this is too precious, I can't accept it."
Information regarding Spirit Beasts is extremely valuable knowledge anywhere; the spirit beast illustrated manual Su Hong offered was definitely a grand gift.
"Take it," Su Hong signaled for Lin Yang to take it.
"I've long since memorized the contents of this encyclopedia. Leaving it here would be a waste; it can still be of some use in your hands."
Lin Yang took the thick hardcover book with both hands: "Thank you, Dean."
Seeing Lin Yang accept it, Su Hong chuckled and then inquired,
"What are your plans after graduation?"
Lin Yang thought for a moment: "I plan to go home first, then report to an intermediate spirit master academy."
Going home was just an excuse; in reality, he was preparing to go get the Soul Bone.
Su Hong nodded; this didn't come as a surprise to him.
Afterward, Su Hong briefly introduced the intermediate academies within the Heaven Dou Empire.
The most famous one is naturally the Heaven Dou Intermediate Academy. Backed by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, there is a chance to advance directly into the Tiandou Royal Academy after graduation.
Whether it's the faculty, the academy environment, or the cultivation resources, it is considered the best in the country.
Everyone tries their hardest to squeeze their way in.
Of course, those who can be admitted to the Tiandou Royal Academy are naturally geniuses among geniuses, or children with noble backgrounds.
People with average talent and poor family backgrounds can't even step through the front gate.
The World of Soul Masters is just that cruel.
Below that are the intermediate academies affiliated with the Five Great Elemental Academies, which also have good conditions and can lead directly to the corresponding advanced Soul Master academies.
The third tier is relatively poor, such as the nearby Suoto Intermediate Spirit Master Academy, the Hundred Beasts Spirit Master Academy, and so on... The reason Su Hong introduced so many was that he was afraid Lin Yang would choose the wrong school and waste his talent.
Lin Yang understood this well and said in a sincere tone,
"Rest assured, Dean. No matter which intermediate academy I go to, I will definitely not tarnish the reputation of our Nuoding Academy."
"Haha," Su Hong laughed heartily.
"Good, good, good. You have ambition. I believe you can definitely do it."
After saying that, Su Hong processed the graduation certificate for Lin Yang on the spot.
"Thank you, Dean," Lin Yang took the graduation certificate with both hands, looked it over carefully, and then put it in his pocket.
After coming out of the office, Lin Yang returned to Dormitory Seven. After saying goodbye to Wang Sheng and the others, he went back to his rented room.
Putting all his luggage into his Storage Ring, he left Nuoding City overnight under the cover of darkness.
Once Nuoding City was completely submerged in darkness within his sight, Lin Yang stopped, took one last deep look back, and then left without looking back again.
The road ahead was broad and open!
From then on, the sky was free for the birds to fly, and the sea was wide enough for the fish to leap.