Over the past two months, besides cultivating, Yin Zhang had also been continuously developing his own Spirit.
For example, regarding the move Flamethrower—it was an ability Yin Zhang had comprehended while developing his Spirit. Unlike ordinary Spirit Abilities, when Flamethrower was first used, it still felt somewhat unrefined.
However, after becoming proficient with it, Yin Zhang was able to use Flamethrower in all kinds of flexible ways.
For instance, by controlling Flamethrower and shaping the expelled flames into a barrier, he could form a defensive shield around himself while simultaneously absorbing incoming attacks to increase the power of his Spirit techniques.
Yin Zhang named this application the Fire Shield Technique. Although its effect was decent, it was merely a method of using Flamethrower and could not be considered a true Spirit Ability.
Compared to his First Spirit Ability, Azure Flame Shield, the Fire Shield Technique was clearly inferior in defensive power.
However, its spirit power consumption was far lower, and in many situations, it could serve as a substitute for Azure Flame Shield.
---
The next morning arrived.
Yin Zhang went to Nuoding Academy early. Thanks to Dean Zhang's prior instructions, the two gatekeepers treated him with particular caution.
Soon after, Yin Zhang arrived at Dormitory 1.
Nuoding Academy was not large, and the number of students was limited, with only seven dormitories in total.
Dormitories 1 through 6 were assigned to first- through sixth-grade students respectively, while Dormitory 7 was reserved for work-study students.
Originally, Yin Zhang was from Saint Spirit Village and should have been assigned to the work-study dormitory.
However, after Ma Xiunuo casually mentioned the matter to Dean Zhang, Yin Zhang was naturally arranged into Dormitory 1, which had noticeably better living conditions.
As soon as Yin Zhang stepped into Dormitory 1, he noticed how clean it was.
Only three beds were already occupied, so Yin Zhang chose a spot he liked and sat down.
After a short while, a man who introduced himself as Teacher Mo arrived, carrying bedding and some washing supplies.
Ten minutes later, everyone assigned to Dormitory 1 had arrived.
One boy stepped forward and released his Spirit—a Lone Wolf. A pair of glowing green wolf eyes appeared, making people feel uneasy just looking at them.
"My name is Xiao Chenyu. I'm six years old. I'm the son of the Nuoding City Lord. My Spirit is Lone Wolf, and my innate spirit power is rank 2.5. Let's all introduce ourselves!"
Xiao Chenyu?
Yin Zhang raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected to meet this guy here.
Although Xiao Chenyu was indeed the City Lord's son, in the original story, his first spirit ring hadn't even reached the hundred-year level. He was most likely an unloved concubine's son—or perhaps even an illegitimate child.
There were fifteen people in Dormitory 1, including three girls.
All of them were natives of Nuoding City, and only Yin Zhang seemed somewhat out of place.
The next moment, Xiao Chenyu looked toward Yin Zhang.
"This brother looks unfamiliar. Why don't you introduce yourself first?"
[Detected that the host is facing a choice. The following options are triggered:]
[1: Xiao Chenyu was the boss of Nuoding Academy before Tang San and Xiao Wu in the original work. Choose to become his underling.
Reward: Proficiency in Spirit Theory.]
[2: Display your true strength and become the boss of Dormitory 1 and Nuoding Academy.
Reward: Spirit ring age +200 years.]
[3: Turn around and leave Dormitory 1. Move to Dormitory 7 and become the boss of Dormitory 7 and Nuoding Academy.
Reward: +1 level of spirit power.]
Yin Zhang raised his eyebrows slightly.
Spirit theory again? Can't get past that, huh…
He had no intention of choosing the first option. The third option looked tempting—it would save him months of cultivation—but running away was not his style.
I choose the second option.
After his spirit ring age increased last time, Yin Zhang had already tested his First Spirit Ability.
The effect hadn't changed much; it still felt like a hundred-year-level ability.
He estimated that once it crossed into the thousand-year threshold, the improvement would be obvious.
Yin Zhang felt his body grow lighter as a pure wave of spirit power surged through his limbs and bloodstream, clearing his senses and sharpening his perception.
He stood up from the bed.
"My name is Yin Zhang. I'm seven years old. My Spirit is Charizard, and my spirit power is rank 16."
Spirit Possession!
Charizard possessed Yin Zhang's body. The ferocious draconic face, along with dragon horns, tail, claws, and scales, made him look overwhelmingly domineering.
"This… this is a dragon!"
Several children were so frightened they fell straight to the ground.
Xiao Chenyu swallowed hard, staring in disbelief.
"Seven years old… rank 16? A century-level spirit ring?! Are you joking?!"
"In the coming years, I hope we can all get along harmoniously."
Yin Zhang smiled faintly and withdrew his Spirit and spirit ring.
Xiao Chenyu, however, grew excited.
Although he could no longer be the boss of Dormitory 1, the opportunity to latch onto someone powerful was right in front of him.
He quickly looked around and said loudly,
"Everyone saw it, right? Brother Zhang is not only older than us, but he's also a rank 16 Spirit Master! I propose we make Brother Zhang the boss of Dormitory 1! That way, we won't be bullied at Nuoding Academy!"
His words immediately tempted everyone present.
"I agree! Brother Zhang should be the boss!"
"With Brother Zhang here, no one will dare bully us!"
Yin Zhang smiled slightly as the task was effortlessly completed.
After that, everyone introduced themselves.
Yin Zhang discovered that among the fifteen people in Dormitory 1—including himself—only three had spirit power above rank 1: himself, Xiao Chenyu, and Liu Long.
Liu Long's Spirit was a Long Staff, and his innate spirit power was rank 2.
Though it seemed weak, compared to the so-called Grandmaster, rank 2 innate spirit power was actually not bad at all.
After settling things in the dormitory, the group headed to the Nuoding Academy cafeteria.
The cafeteria was divided into two floors.
Most people on the second floor were teachers, along with a few wealthy students.
As soon as they arrived, Xiao Chenyu patted his chest proudly.
"Brother Zhang, from now on, I'll cover our meals in the cafeteria!"
Yin Zhang raised an eyebrow. Although Xiao Chenyu was unloved in the City Lord's manor, he was still the City Lord's son—this bit of money meant nothing to him.
Still, Yin Zhang waved his hand.
"No need. I have money. I received gold coins from Spirit Hall after becoming a Spirit Master, and Grandpa Ma Xiunuo also gave me some."
"Grandpa Ma Xiunuo? The Hall Master of Nuoding City's Spirit Hall?"
"Mhm."
Ignoring Xiao Chenyu's shocked expression, Yin Zhang led his underlings straight to the second floor to eat.
"Are freshmen this arrogant now? He already has a whole group of underlings."
"Isn't that Xiao Chenyu? He's the City Lord's son—why is he someone else's follower?"
"I saw it too. Who knows that kid's background?"
It had to be said—the food on the Douluo Continent had a unique flavor.
The meat they ate was all Spirit Beast meat, incredibly delicious.
Just as they were finishing their meal, a teacher approached.
It was Teacher Mo, the one who had delivered the bedding earlier.
"Xiao Zhang," he said, "an elderly man has arrived outside, claiming to be your grandfather…"