Part 3
Just one metre, the leaves only flew out to a one metre distance, then were already unable to maintain their rotating state when they stopped being hard.
As it left Tang San's finger, Mysterious Heaven skill's inner strength effect naturally vanished.
"The effect is still too weak."
He could not help but shake his head. Tang San stood up, it was about time to return.
Today was his departure from the village; he did not know when he would be able to come to this hilltop again.
Standing on tip toes, his lower legs emitting force, Tang San gave free rein to Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, faced down the mountain and left.
The intimately familiar scent of congee wafted out. Before departing the village this was the very last time he cooked for his father, so Tang San naturally could not be lazy.
Checking the firewood under the stove, adding some water to the congee, thus when his father later wakes up he can drink the hot congee.
Old Jack had already arrived.
Perhaps because he wanted to leave for Nuoding city, today the clothes old Jack wore were especially new, making him look even more hale and hearty.
"Little San, let's leave. That idle bum of a father of yours can't get out of bed."
Old Jack called to Tang San.
Tang San made a silencing gesture in Jack's direction,
"Grandpa, please be quiet. Dad dislikes having his sleep disturbed the most."
While speaking, he took out a chunk of burnt out charcoal from the stove, and on the ground wrote several lines.
He again turned his head towards his father's room, reluctant to part, and only then did he rise with a cloth bundle on his back and quietly left with Jack.
Regarding this world's written language, Tang San did not understand much.
When the village's school taught the children characters, he once in a while went to see.
After all he had a foundation from his former life, so he also grasped a little of the basic texts.
The door curtain lifted, and a large shadow came out from the room.
In Tang Hao's eyes there was no trace of sleep.
When he walked over to the doorway, he could still vaguely see old Jack and Tang San's frail body.
Tang Hao stood there and didn't move, even when Tang San and village elder Jack's backs had already completely disappeared, he still stood there blankly for a long time.
As if recalling something, Tang Hao abruptly turned back into the smithy, looking at the part of the ground Tang San set aside for his writing.
A few very simple words,
"Dad, I and Grandpa Jack left. You yourself must take good care of your body, drink less.
Congee in the pot, don't forget to eat."
Gaze changing direction from the writing on the ground to the iron cooking pot to the side, Tang Hao briskly walked over and swept open the pot lid by one handle.
With both hands he directly lifted the iron pot.
Thanks to Tang San just now adding water, the congee in the pot still had not been brought to a boil again, but Tang Hao regardless held the iron pot and poured it into his mouth, gulping swallows.
In his eyes was a layer of hazy mist; he didn't realize how quickly time had passed.
Walking along the road, Tang San silently followed by old Jack's side, frequently turning his head back to look in the direction of the village.
"Little San, do you hate to part with the village or still hate to part with that drunkard old man of yours?"
Jack patted Tang San's head, and asked with a smile.
"A bit of both."
Tang San replied in a low voice.
Jack smiled slightly, and said:
"Compared to those however many good-for-nothing grandsons, you, my child are far more intelligent. It would be so good if you were my grandson.
Tang Hao that drunkard truly is fortunate. Do not think too much; outside, heaven and earth are very vast. At the academy you can get to know very many friends.
You can learn very many things. After you have become a spirit master, the country will grant a monthly stipend, and at that time your family will also be able to live well."
Tang San was after all a person who had gained a second life, listening to Jack's words, his mood already gradually recovered to normal, and in his heart was an unbearable thirst for the outside world. He asked:
"Grandpa Jack, can you tell me about the academy? What kind of place is it exactly?"
Jack smiled a bit, and said:
"The academy is of course a place to study. Although I never went, but for the most part I still understand.
Our village has a quota to send one working student every year, but we have already for very many years not sent a working student to study.
Working students still have very many favourable terms, exemption from tuition and accommodation fees; just paying for food yourself is sufficient.
On the campus you can perform simple jobs in exchange for edibles.
For example, sweeping classrooms and so on.
Speaking overall, to a student who is working part time and studying at the academy it does not differ much from being free of charge.
As for funding to study at the academy, it is not something we poor people can be able to bear."
Tang San said:
"Dad told me, after I finally arrive at the academy to find a smithy for work."
"You?
Doing manual work at a smithy?
What joke is that?
I see Tang Hao truly is insane."
Old Jack said angrily,
"Just how old are you?
You still do not have the height of a forging hammer.
What smithy could accept you, this kind of apprentice?
Not to mention, blacksmithing originally is not exactly accepted as a valued occupation, manual work also does not have much of an income.
As long as you study properly at the academy, that is enough."
"Only, come to think of it, if you are able to have some accomplishments to speak of at the academy, that drunkard father of yours should give you some of his little saved money.
But afterwards the intermediate spirit master academy has no working student quota that indeed requires a lot of money to be able to study.
A spirit master stipend alone is far from enough."
Since Tang San had innate full spirit power, old Jack already saw him as a spirit master without doubt.
Tang San looked at Jack, unconvinced, and said:
"There is still an intermediate spirit master academy?
And what is the difference compared to the elementary spirit master academy?
Both are academies, they should both be teaching spirit master lore, right."
Old Jack explained with great patience:
"Naturally there is not only one kind.
The elementary spirit master academy teaches a few basic things, and additionally you can study some educational courses.
They only accept children who have just awakened their spirits as students and the length of the schooling is six years, so by the time they are twelve, in the event they do not have any prospects to speak of, they also become ordinary spirit masters.
But in the event that their latent talent is pretty good, the majority of people can opt to go to take advanced studies at the intermediate spirit master academy, continuously studying until becoming eighteen years old.
The intermediate spirit master academy teaches some advanced things, but the difficulty of the studies rises enormously.
In case they are unable to reach the academy requirements, they will be unable to successfully graduate.
This is different compared to the elementary spirit master academy."
Part 4
Tang San said:
"Like elementary and intermediate, is there also an advanced?"
Old Jack nodded, his eyes revealing a somewhat admiring glint,
"You need not think about the advanced spirit master academy since that is not something that practically anyone can enter.
In our Heaven Dou Empire, there are altogether only two advanced spirit master academies, and every year the number of students accepted number less than a hundred.
That is indeed the cradle of a brilliant career.
Even the nation's spirit hall will strive to directly confer a noble title upon every student who graduates from an advanced spirit master academy."
"Noble? There is such a good possibility."
Tang San said, astonished.
Old Jack said:
"Of course. Spirit master is indeed the noblest vocation, and advanced spirit master even more so. But those are all talents.
Therefore, to us common people who dream to have a meteoric rise, becoming an advanced spirit master is obviously the best shortcut.
Only, coming from the ordinary common people, how many people have the ability to become such a great spirit master?
Even if there were any, without the assistance of a distinguished clan it is very difficult to graduate from an advanced spirit master academy."
"A graduation exam is its own matter, so why is the assistance of other people needed?"
Tang San was somewhat confused.
Old Jack heaved a sigh, and said:
"This is exactly the gap. The gap between poor people and wealthy people, between commoners and nobles.
The elementary spirit master academy graduation requirements are very simple: as long as the spirit reaches the tenth rank, the teachers at the academy will guide you to obtain a spirit ring, and you can successfully advance your spirit master title.
This certainly isn't difficult; provided you have spirit power at the time of awakening, it is something children can do.
It is said, advancing from spirit scholar to spirit master at tenth rank spirit power is the easiest promotion."
"But at the intermediate spirit master academy it is different.
To graduate from this place, the spirit must have reached the twentieth rank and furthermore obtain the second spirit ring to be able to attain the spirit grandmaster title.
Tenth rank to twentieth rank, is something very many spirit masters are unable to achieve in their entire life.
Also, after reaching the twentieth rank, to obtain the spirit ring they must depend on their own strength to hunt and kill a spirit beast and obtain a spirit ring.
That is indeed extremely perilous.
If they are descended from a noble family, and accompanied by family warriors, the danger is naturally much smaller.
Spirit masters descended from common people like us can only depend on themselves."
"The graduation requirements of an advanced spirit master academy are even more exacting.
Only after passing the thirtieth rank bottleneck, and obtaining the third spirit ring, can the spirit grandmaster title be promoted to the spirit elder title.
They say that one who surmounts the thirtieth rank threshold can be called a powerful great spirit master, a genuine noble.
To also go beyond is certainly difficult. Also, at the thirtieth rank obtaining a spirit ring seems like it is not the only restriction.
For the specifics, you should be able to learn when you reach the academy.
At any rate, of those advanced spirit master academy students, the quantity who are still really able to graduate seems to be only a third."
After listening to old Jack, Tang San had a basic understanding of Douluo Continent's spirit masters.
"Grandpa Jack, didn't you say that there are ten spirit master titles?
Advanced spirit master academy graduating students can be spirit elders, how can those later titles be obtained?"
Old Jack spoke with a wry smile:
"I know how.
Those transcending the spirit elder title can all be called great personages, like the spirit saint that came from our village who at that time was supported directly by the country.
I have heard people say that spirit master cultivation later on is exceedingly difficult, and also exceedingly dangerous.
How many people possess the kind of genuine ability that can reach the top level of Title Douluo?
You could even say that it is not known whether such people exist in both our Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire right now."
Old Jack only had some simple understanding regarding spirit masters, nothing more. Hence his words were not detailed.
Tang San understood that he could only search for this knowledge himself in the academy.
In particular, about spirit beasts, spirit rings and such things.
From Holy Spirit village to Nuoding city was certainly not far; two people walking could reach it in half a day's time.
Eating some simple travel rations halfway, by afternoon they could already see the city walls in the distance.
Even though Nuoding city was not counted as a large city, because it was very close to Heaven Dou Empire's border the city walls were still built thick. Tang San and old Jack were examined like all the other travellers when entering Nuoding city.
"Tang San ah! In a moment grandpa will take you to the academy and then return.
When you are alone at the academy you must listen to your teachers, you must not leave the academy without permission.
When the semester ends, Grandpa Jack will again come to meet you.
That time will be almost at the New Year."
This was after all the first time Tang San left home. In his heart he was somewhat flustered, and subconsciously said:
"Grandpa Jack, you are leaving this soon?"
Old Jack said with a wry smile:
"A hotel is not for us poor people to stay in. You must try to win credit.
When grandpa sees you next time, I hope you will already have become a spirit master so that you can be the pride of our Holy Spirit village."
Nuoding primary spirit master academy was located in west Nuoding city.
Old Jack asked passersby for directions several times, and at long last Tang San was brought there.
Distantly, they could already see a large gate arch. The arch was twenty metres wide, and its height was over ten metres, made of solid rock.
Below were two iron gates, jet black.
Tang San saw they had been meticulously forged.
Through the iron bars, a winding path could be seen. A main road led directly inside, lined with trees on both sides.
In the middle of the arched gate were four large characters, "Nuoding Academy".
Just from the gate it could be seen that on Douluo Continent, the vocation of spirit master was significant.
This was still only a primary spirit master academy, nothing more.
Old Jack brought Tang San walking up to the front gate, and they were immediately stopped by the young gatekeeper,
"What on earth?
Is this a place where you country bumpkins can enter?"
Old Jack's apparel counted as bright and new in Holy Spirit village, but arriving in Nuoding city, it completely had the appearance of a country bumpkin.
The gatekeeper had in his eyes a somewhat disdainful look.
Part 5
Old Jack said with an apologetic smile:
"This? Little brother, we have come from Holy Spirit village. This child is our village's working student for this year, you see. We need to go through."
The gatekeeper frowned, and somewhat queerly said:
"So a grass nest can still produce a golden phoenix? A tiny village also has people with spirit power?
But the academy has not had a working student for a good many years. You cannot fake it."
A trace of anger flashed in old Jack's eyes, but he still swallowed the insult and held out the certificate written by that spirit hall attendant Su Yuntao, handing it to the gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper took the proffered certificate, and looked it over from top to bottom,
"Spirit is blue silver grass?
But still innate full spirit power?
Ridiculous, this really is the biggest joke in the world.
I have worked as gatekeeper at the academy for four years, and still haven't heard of a student with innate full spirit power.
This boy's spirit is blue silver grass, and can still have full spirit power?
I think this spirit hall certificate is definitely a forgery."
"You… "
Even if Jack had a better temperament, at this moment he was already unable to restrain himself.
"You are intentionally making things difficult. Very well, you wait and see. I'll go find a lord spirit hall attendant. Little san, we're leaving."
Saying this, Jack brought Tang San around and left in the direction of the inner city wall.
Spirit hall certificates naturally could not be faked, which that gatekeeper well knew.
However, people coming to deliver new students generally would leave a little appreciation, especially common families. What is called 'better King Yama, than an unreasonable little devil', just this principle.
Old Jack was descended from a country village and even though he was a village elder, where could he learn these ways?
The gatekeeper in his heart was somewhat uneasy. If a person from spirit hall truly came, he could bear the responsibility.
Of course, he believed that there was no way a spirit hall person would come to ask questions for the sake of these two hicks.
With his heart gloomy, the words from his mouth naturally did not sound good.
"What Holy Spirit village, I think Beggar village should also be similar."
"What did you say?"
Old Jack fiercely turned around.
The gatekeeper's words could be said to have struck at his heart's biggest pride; originally this was the reason he fell out with Tang Hao.
That this gatekeeper right now was an outsider from the village, made him even more intolerable.
Walking back several steps he glared at the gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper jumped in fright due to fierce old Jack, and could not help but retreat a step.
However he very quickly reacted and came over, in his heart secretly cursing himself:
Wasn't that an old man? What did he have to fear?
"What?
Not convinced ah, I said you came from beggar village.
What's wrong?
You look at this little destitute spirit, all the clothes are completely patched.
I think, you are still looking for a place to go begging, right?
Our Nuoding academy is not a charity. Quickly beat it, quickly beat it."
While speaking, the gatekeeper lifted his left hand and shoved Jack's chest, about to drive the two people away.
Just when old Jack was about to have a heart attack from fury, suddenly, between the two people was a thin and small figure.
Similarly with the left arm raised, that delicate little hand barely managed to reach the gatekeeper's hand, left hand exerting to the right, and at once pushed away the gatekeepers left hand.
Simultaneously, that thin and small figure's right foot took a quick step forward, the sole just happening to step behind the gatekeeper's left foot, while lifting the right hand, and with the left hand together pressing that gatekeeper's hand down.
Originally this palm strike was about to hit the other party's left elbow, causing him to be unable to emit strength, but due to the difference in size, it therefore could only hold the gatekeeper's wrist.
His motion extremely fast, body at the same time moving forward, both hands swinging the gatekeeper's left hand while pushing forward.
Just right to push the gatekeeper's lower abdomen.
Behind the gatekeeper's left foot was just another foot, and even though that foot was far from big, it was already enough to accomplish the proper effect.
The lower belly received the force, the foot below stirred, and with just an ordinary sound, the gatekeeper already sat on the ground.
"Little San, you… "
Jack looked dumbstruck at the person in front of him blocking his body.
The one who displayed his skill was precisely Tang San.
The form he used was not even Tang sect secret lore, originally in that world it was only martial arts' simplest form Full Moon Pushing the Window. Of course, with his body's stature, naturally it would be out of shape.
Not only was he unable to reach the opponent's elbow, the hand that originally should push the opponent's chest pushed at the lower abdomen.
Though of course, the result was the same.
Although Tang San's person was not big, his physical strength was absolutely not small.
After these however many months of swinging the hammer, even if he did not use Mysterious Heaven skill, he could still tip over the gatekeeper.
"Stinking brat, you're looking to die."
To lose face by being toppled by a child made the gatekeeper violently furious. Scrambling up off the ground he was about to charge into Tang San.
"Alright, stay your hands, ok."
Just then, a rather hoarse sounding voice rose, stopping the gatekeeper's movement.
The gatekeeper was at first dazed for a moment, then immediately following, the anger across his entire face suddenly transformed into fawning.
The change was so quick, it was hard to imagine.
Bowing and scraping towards the speaker he said:
"Grandmaster, you have returned."
Tang San turned his head to look: an average of figure, somewhat thin looking man had at some point already come to their side.
It would seem, this person appearing forty to fifty years old, with short black hair with three seven separation, very ordinary looks, both hands held behind his back.
His body possessed a kind of peculiar manner, with both eyes half open he seemed a bit sluggish and dispirited.
'Grandmaster' only glanced at the gatekeeper, without taking any notice of him, saying towards old Jack:
"Old gentleman, is it possible for me to have a look at the spirit hall certificate?"
Old Jack after all was a village elder and could still read a person's mood.
From the gatekeeper's expression he could see that this middle aged person absolutely was not ranked low at this academy, and even more held the title of grandmaster there.
The grandmaster looked over the certificate, his gaze again shifting to Tang San, measuring him up and down.
For some reason, although the grandmaster's gaze certainly was not sharp, Tang San had a feeling as if it saw through him completely.
"There is nothing wrong with the certificate, old gentleman, for this matter just now let me apologize on behalf of the academy.
Deliver this child to me, ok."