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Returning to school after half a year, Yang Xiong noticed significant changes in the entire class. Everyone seemed to have grown considerably.
Now at twelve years old, nearly all of them were Soul Grandmasters and beginning to decide their futures.
According to the rules of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, some students would continue their studies at the school but would be reorganized into new classes based on their soul power levels and spirit attributes.
After sixth grade, the curriculum would correspond to intermediate and advanced soul master academies. The school would introduce more practical combat training to differentiate auxiliary soul masters from battle-oriented ones, as well as categorize them into subtypes like power attackers, agility attackers, controllers, and defenders—since each type required different training and combat strategies.
Another group of students would transfer to prestigious advanced soul master academies. For example, Yang Xiong's older brother, Yang Wei, had enrolled in Zixing Academy. There were also other intermediate and advanced academies supported by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The school conducted soul power tests for everyone. Surprisingly, every student in Class One had become a Soul Grandmaster. Ning Rongrong still ranked highest, with an astonishing soul power level of twenty-eight.
Yang Xiong had reached level twenty-six, making him the second-highest in the class. Others peaked at level twenty-five, including the student who had been born with seven levels of innate soul power.
Yang Xiong made a rough comparison and concluded that very few in Class One would meet the admission standards of Shrek Academy, especially considering their rigorous practical combat assessments. This highlighted just how exceptional the geniuses Shrek recruited truly were.
Ning Rongrong showed some interest upon seeing Yang Xiong. "Little Bear (Same pronunciation as Xiao Xiong), where have you been all this time? I heard you went to Tian Dou City, but there's nothing fun there."
Yang Xiong was momentarily speechless. "Rongrong, I returned from Tian Dou City a while ago. I've just been cultivating at home recently."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong smirked smugly. "You're not bad at cultivation, reaching level twenty-six. But I'm already at twenty-eight. Aren't I amazing?"
Yang Xiong quickly responded, "Rongrong, your talent is truly outstanding. You're undoubtedly the most gifted genius the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has seen in years."
Though Ning Rongrong was playful and enjoyed teasing others, her cultivation talent was undeniable. Her achievements were remarkable, living up to her reputation as a rare genius among the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Rongrong continued, "I see you're always busy cultivating. You should hang out with us more often. Otherwise, you're so boring!"
Yang Xiong sighed inwardly. "I don't have much talent. I can't compare to you. I think cultivation is more important for me."
Ning Rongrong pouted. "I knew you'd say that. If Father hadn't told me to learn from you, I wouldn't bother inviting you out to play."
Yang Xiong replied, "Lord Ning overestimates me. I'm just an ordinary disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Rongrong muttered something about being uninteresting and didn't say anything further. However, her wandering eyes suggested she might be plotting something mischievous.
Yang Xiong paid no mind to it. He didn't have time to entertain this little troublemaker. Besides, judging by the timeline, she would soon run away from home, likely causing chaos within the sect.
That evening, the family of four gathered for dinner—a rare occasion, especially since Yang Wei had returned from school.
After dinner, Yang Xiong intended to return to his room to continue cultivating but was stopped by his father, Yang Lin.
"Xiao Xiong, don't rush off to cultivate tonight. Let's sit together as a family."
Seeing the serious expressions on his father and siblings, Yang Xiong sat down.
Yang Lin appeared unusually solemn. "Xiao Xiong, you're now considered eligible to graduate. Do you have any plans for your future cultivation? Will you continue training within the sect?"
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate. "Father, I'd prefer to stay and cultivate at home. The sect provides excellent resources and even simulated environments, which should suffice for my current stage of cultivation."
Yang Lin shook his head. "Xiao Xiong, I know you work hard at cultivation, but you need to think about your future. At your current soul power level, you're qualified to attend an advanced soul master academy."
Yang Xiong quickly interjected, "Father, I don't want to leave the sect. Advanced soul master academies don't offer much that I can't already learn from the sect's library."
Yang Lin smiled. "Reading books does impart knowledge, but theory and practice are entirely different. Attending an advanced soul master academy will allow you to interact more with peers, making your cultivation journey less lonely. Additionally, it will expose you to broader and more talented individuals, which may benefit you in the future."
"Moreover, if you participate in soul master tournaments in the future, staying within the sect could earn you greater recognition."
Yang Xiong was momentarily speechless. With the treasures he possessed, the sect would likely treat him with utmost care. Not to mention, he held the key to the evolution of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Martial Soul—the sect's ultimate pursuit.
However, neither the Yin-Yang Meditation Technique nor the immortal herbs he concealed were things he planned to reveal anytime soon. These matters were far too sensitive.
The Yin-Yang Meditation Technique was his original creation and still incomplete. In the future, he might consider teaching it to his family members, but only to them. He had no intention of widely disseminating it—it would remain exclusive to his household.
As for the immortal herbs he had hidden, he didn't even plan to tell his family about them. Especially since his older brother, Yang Wei, was still at Zixing Academy. Even a hint of such treasures could attract unwanted trouble.
Besides, the sect wasn't his family's property—he was merely an ordinary disciple. His contributions to the sect thus far already surpassed ninety-nine percent of its members.
At this point, Yang Wei chimed in. "Xiao Xiong, why don't you come to Zixing Academy with me? We can look out for each other. With your soul power, you might even join me in the soul master tournament."
Yang Lin, however, had a different opinion. "Xiao Xiong, given your current soul power level, enrolling in the Tian Dou Imperial Academy shouldn't be a problem. Perhaps in the future, you could represent the academy in competitions, bringing honor to our sect and earning its focused cultivation resources."
Yang Xiong's mother, Sun Yu, was more laid-back. Her son had always had his own methods and ideas for cultivation, so she rarely worried about him.
"Xiao Xiong, do whatever you want. Staying in the sect is fine—it's safe, at least."
Yang Xiong: …
A/N: Attending an advanced soul master academy is a common phenomenon in the soul master world. Take Yu Tianheng and his peers, for instance. Would the environment at Blue Lightning be inferior to a school's? But the soul master world places great emphasis on community and sects—or rather, on having allies.
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