The academy wasn't very familiar to Lin Feng. The students who had been in the same batch as him had either graduated, moved on to intermediate or advanced academies, or started working directly.
The Spirit Hall, as an organization spread across the entire continent, had a significant demand for basic personnel.
Most of the grassroots workers, like Su Yuntao, were graduates from local primary academies.
In a bright and spacious classroom, a fourth-year class was in session.
Principal Zhang led Lin Feng to the podium.
Due to the early maturity of people in the Douluo Continent, there wasn't the usual noisy atmosphere.
However, there were still some whispers.
"Is that Academic Lin Feng? He's really good-looking."
"I like the belt he's wearing. Can he use it to—"
"Long time no see..."
Eyes filled with admiration watched as Lin Feng entered the classroom.
As the current leading figure in martial soul theory, Lin Feng enjoyed immense prestige among students.
After all, practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.
Lin Feng's theories weren't like some competitive claims—mere words without substance.
The tangible 15% improvement was something every soul master could experience. When someone could bring you benefits without asking for anything in return, it was no wonder Lin Feng's reputation hadn't waned even long after the third path was announced.
Instead, it continued to rise, almost reaching a level of blind admiration.
"Stand up!"
"Good morning, teacher~"
A sweet yet charming voice rang out, and the students stood up in unison.
"Please sit down. In my class, there's no need for such strict formalities. Think of it as a casual conversation among friends."
Principal Zhang gave Lin Feng a meaningful look before leaving the classroom.
...
He joined the group secretly observing from outside the classroom.
Is this really okay? In the future, whenever the students see you, they'll remember you crouching and peeking...
Lin Feng shook his head and wrote the word "Martial Soul" in the center of the blackboard.
"Students, you probably already know my name—Lin Feng, just a passing scholar.
At the invitation of the Pope, I'm here to share knowledge that you can't directly get from textbooks.
Today's topic is simple—Martial Souls."
Lin Feng casually sat on the edge of the desk, spreading his hands, "Feel free to speak up, but let's keep it orderly."
Hu Liena sprang to her feet, her fox-like eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Teacher Lin Feng, I'll answer."
"And your name is?"
"Teacher, I'm Hu Liena. We've met before."
"Wow~ Sister Liena knows Academic Lin Feng? So jealous—"
"What a coincidence! Do you think Academic Lin Feng came here because of Sister Liena?"
"Ahem, quiet down."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. She's grown up so fast?
It's only been a little over two years, but she's changed so much.
Hu Liena blinked her bright eyes, shining with enthusiasm.
"Giggle..."
A red-haired boy at the back of the classroom gritted his teeth, clearly displeased.
"Alright, long time no see, Liena.
So, what's your understanding of martial souls?
You can talk about definitions, cultivation methods, anything."
Hu Liena nodded, her face beaming with a smile.
"Martial souls are the foundation of us soul masters.
They are the external manifestation of our bloodline. By cultivating soul power and continuously advancing, our martial souls undergo transformations, allowing us to gain greater strength."
"Very well said."
Lin Feng gestured for her to sit down. Hu Liena obediently took her seat, propping her head up with her hands, her eyes fixed solely on Lin Feng.
"Does anyone else have something to add? Anything related is fine."
The room fell silent for a moment, reminiscent of Lin Feng's past life classrooms.
Lin Feng smiled and shook his head, "Perhaps you all have thoughts but are too shy to share. Let me continue then."
I've finally become what I used to dislike... Lin Feng felt a strange sense of irony.
"Martial souls are the external manifestation of our bloodline, but more importantly, they are a part of us.
When we absorb soul rings and our martial souls change, our bodies and temperaments are also affected. Has anyone experienced this?"
Hu Liena raised her hand again, "Teacher, you're absolutely right. That red-haired guy at the back—his hair turned red after his martial soul awakened and he absorbed his first soul ring."
Red-haired guy...
Yan's heart shattered.
No!—
Liena, how could you do this to me~
"Ahem, well... that's a vivid example."
Lin Feng gave Yan a sympathetic look. I told you to stop simping, but you're just not cutting it.
"Martial souls don't just bring physical changes; they also affect our temperaments.
For example, soul masters with fire attributes tend to be more hot-tempered and carefree."
---
And the water attribute..."
Hu Liena raised her little hand again:
"Teacher Lin Feng is right, that red-haired freak behind is always so neurotic and impulsive, really annoying!"
Lin Feng couldn't hold back anymore. Has Yan been this clingy since childhood?
Clearly, they are all childhood sweethearts. Look at me and Xiao Xue, we ended up together. What's going on with you?
"Nana..."
Yan looked utterly devastated. The most painful hurt in the world is the betrayal by the one you love.
"Stop, stop, stop, let's get back to the topic.
Hmm, regarding the term 'Martial Soul,' you've already learned enough from the textbooks.
Here, I'll just add a little bit of my own humble opinion.
The Martial Soul is a part of your body.
Never separate it from yourself.
I believe you all know about the Martial Soul Avatar, the powerful skill that Soul Masters gain when they reach the Soul Sage level.
Do you know why the seventh soul skill is fixed? It's because only from the Soul Sage level can we begin to touch the source power of the Martial Soul.
Transforming yourself into the Martial Soul and gaining enhancement is a great path."
Hu Liena seemed to ponder:
"Teacher Lin, does that mean there are other paths?"
Lin Feng glanced at Hu Liena in surprise and nodded slightly:
"I believe you all have practiced my Innate Soul Evolution Technique. How do you feel about the three paths?"
"Very powerful! Not only does it enhance our cultivation speed, but it also slightly improves our physical fitness!"
Lin Feng nodded:
"The emergence of these three paths is to tell you that the improvement of a Soul Master doesn't necessarily have to be so separate from the Martial Soul.
Self-improvement is even more important. The hidden path is the mystery of the human body, waiting for us to explore. Only by tempering both ourselves and the Martial Soul can we possibly reach the highest realm."
Xie Yue poked the fuming Yan beside him and whispered:
"Hey, don't act like you've met your nemesis. Look at yourself, can you compare to Scholar Lin Feng?
If it weren't for the fact that we came from the same orphanage, just the fact that you have a crush on my sister, I could beat you to a pulp.
Give up early. Can't you see how annoyed Nana is with you every day?
Look at her attitude towards Teacher Lin, it's completely incomparable, right?"
"Xie Yue, don't say anymore. I won't give up.
Even if Nana doesn't like me at all, doesn't give me a single glance, I, Yan, will still love her for a lifetime!"
"Ahem, you two at the back, everyone here is a Soul Master. You haven't reached the Soul Sage level yet, so you can't use sound transmission.
At such a low volume, we can all hear you."
Lin Feng kindly reminded them. Please, stop being so pathetic!
The three of them changed their expressions. Hu Liena's ears turned red, and she sneakily glanced at Lin Feng, then glared fiercely at the back.
Xie Yue facepalmed. How long has it been since he last saw such a look? He heavily punched Yan beside him.
"Ugh—cough, are you trying to kill me?"
Xie Yue gritted his teeth:
"You made my sister angry, and I'm also in her line of blame. Don't leave after class, I'm going to beat you into a pulp!"
So embarrassing, so embarrassing!
What on earth are my brother and that annoying guy doing?
Hu Liena's cheeks flushed red as she rubbed her face, her eyes filled with despair.
Teacher Lin Feng must have a very bad impression of me now, right?
She sneakily glanced up and saw Lin Feng looking at her too.
"Eek—"
She hurriedly lowered her head, her heart pounding.
"Teacher Lin Feng, will you continue to research paths in the future?"
Lin Feng smiled:
"Of course, but cultivation methods are not limited to one. While ensuring our own safety, I hope to see other techniques spring up like bamboo shoots after rain."
Lin Feng checked the time:
"That's all for today. I'll come back to teach tomorrow, but it will be for other grades. If you're interested, you can come and listen in."
Hu Liena's eyes lit up:
"Will it still be about Martial Souls?"
Lin Feng paused, stroked his chin:
"Not necessarily, maybe something else."
Hu Liena nodded repeatedly:
"I will definitely come!"
Under Dean Zhang's stop, the students ultimately didn't leave the classroom.
Walking on the academy path, Lin Feng felt very calm.
But suddenly, a sharp shout made him stop.
"Come over here and apologize! Do you want to taste my poison?"
Lin Feng glanced sideways.
A figure in a purple dress, with emerald green eyes and dark green hair, stood beside a large tree.
One foot was stepping on a white boulder, and one hand was rubbing the head of a crying girl.
Her gaze was fierce.
Looking further ahead, two boys were trembling, ready to flee.
One of them swallowed hard:
"Du... Dugu Yan, don't act like a hero.
I... I... I'm not afraid of you!"
"Oh, really?"
Dugu Yan sneered:
"Jade Phosphor Serpent Dragon Poison!"
"Roar!"
A purple-green serpent dragon circled behind Dugu Yan, accompanied by a terrifying soul ring configuration.
One yellow, one purple!
Just about to turn eight years old, with less than three years since her Martial Soul awakening, Dugu Yan was already a Soul Grandmaster!
And judging by her soul power fluctuations, she had reached the Soul Grandmaster level several months ago.
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.
Dugu Bo really couldn't hold back!
Did he directly give Dugu Yan the immortal herb?
Showing off like this? Isn't he afraid of outsiders capturing Dugu Yan for research?
A faint dragon's might was released.
"Now, say it again?"
"We're wrong, we're wrong, Dugu Yan, big sister, we shouldn't have made her pay for us. We'll return her gold soul coins now."
A second-year Soul Grandmaster, what is this?
This is an eight-year-old?
Lin Feng had a sense of déjà vu.
"Hmph, just returning it isn't enough. Bullying others comes with a price, ten times the price!
Weren't you so arrogant just now? Have I not made a move for so long that you think I can't wield a knife anymore!"
Lin Feng, hidden in the shadows, grinned. He felt that Qian Renxue's agreement with her had set her on an extraordinary path.