Chapter Seven: Entering School

  As people enter the building closest to them, three front desks are manned by six staff members.

  The sign of "New Student Registration" was standing on one side, and the crowd spontaneously formed three lines. The efficiency of the new student staff was very high, and it didn't take long for Zong Yin's turn to arrive. Zong Yin also didn't say much, following the example of the people in front, he handed his file bag over to the staff member's hands.

  The person who received Zong Yin was a middle-aged man with pale skin, as if his body had been soaked in water for countless years. A small name tag hung on his chest, which read "Yin Kun".

  Yin Kun took over Zong Yin's file bag, skillfully taking out the contents, an ID card, a blood lineage identification book, photos and ancestral relationship.

  Confirmed that the person in the photo and Zong Yin are the same, Yin Kun recorded something on a notebook, Zong Yin vaguely saw the words "private son", but unexpectedly, Yin Kun himself did not have any expression, as if he was used to it, and put the file bag into the grid on his left hand side.

  Another thing that made him suspicious was that he had seen Yin Kun put the file bag of the person in front of him into the grid on his right hand, and the grid on the left side was obviously thicker than the right side. Were these all like him, illegitimate children?

  Yin Kun, however, did not notice Zong Yin's puzzled gaze and handed him a ring.

  "The school uniformly issued a soul device, the Nà Jiè. It can store some small items and is also the key to your residence and identification of your identity. After infusing it with spiritual power, only you can use it. Put it on first, then I'll tell you other things."

  After finishing speaking, Yin Kun did not continue to speak, but instead stared at the Naxi ring in Zong Yin's hand, obviously waiting for him to put it on before continuing to explain.

  Zong Yin raised an eyebrow, thinking that on the first day of school, he would actually receive a storage soul device. To know that not everyone can own a spatial soul device that can store items, and those who can manufacture soul devices are all dignitaries with noble status.

  But Yin Kun was so proactive in asking him to put it on immediately, and suddenly a wave of suspicion arose. Why did he seem like he couldn't wait for himself to put on this soul device? Something's wrong!

  Furrowing his brow, Zong Yin was hesitating whether to put it on or not when Yin Kun said somewhat impatiently: "Hurry up, there are still other new students behind."

  Zong Yin reluctantly put the Nascent Soul Ring on his index finger, using the newly learned Condensing Soul Technique to infuse soul energy into the ring. Suddenly, Zong Yin's Nascent Soul Ring flashed with a ray of light and established a connection with his soul. Faintly, an intangible object seemed to slip out of his body and float towards the interior of Ding Sheng.

  "I know why you had to put on the ring first, it's a collector and tracker, it just collected a strand of your soul and sent it to that building in the depths. Now even if you take off the ring, no matter where you go, they can still locate you, and also recreate your soul through this strand of connection."

  Zong Yin was still wondering what had slipped out of his body when Hun Yu had already answered his question.

  A surge of anger suddenly rushed to Zong Yin's forehead. His soul had been locked by the dark shadow before, and he was already furious about it. Now, someone actually controlled his movements through his soul! Even as a hostage, he should be treated fairly. What is this?!

  It was as if the balloon that had been blown to its limits would burst with just a slight prick, and Zong Yin would immediately explode. But in the next moment, Hun Yu's voice was like ice water on a winter day, instantly extinguishing Zong Yin's anger.

  "I advise you not to act rashly, I can sense that there are at least three people in this Soul School who are almost as strong as the black shadow that bound your soul. As soon as you make a slight move, they will kill you mercilessly without hesitation. Most importantly, I have a way to sever the strand of soul that was just collected from you and reconnect it with your main body."

  Hun Yu's words suddenly made Zong Yin feel much better, and this was also the first time Zong Yin felt that Hun Yu was suddenly very useful.

  "New student handbook, school rules and regulations, as well as some miscellaneous items such as uniforms are all in there. Take a good look at them carefully, be careful not to break the rules, or else no one will be able to save you later. Next, he'll take you around to get familiar with the environment."

  Yin Kun saw the reaction on Nazha's ring and knew that it had taken effect. He said mechanically, waving his hand, and a fellow student from Ding Sheng stepped forward, smiling at Zong Yin.

  "Hello, Zong Yin, right? I'm Hong Yun, but everyone usually calls me Red Eagle. I've been here for four years now. Follow me, and welcome to Ding Sheng Soul School. Here, you'll find that you're actually entering heaven, not hell."

  Zong Yinyin nodded and followed Hong Yu's back into the interior of Ding Sheng.

  Hong Yin's personality is obviously very lively, all the way introducing Ding Sheng's history and what to do and what not to do. What he said are basically things that Zong Yin would not touch on, such as colluding with outsiders to prepare for escape or wanting to steal imperial intelligence, these are all dead-end conclusions.

  Zong listened quietly, occasionally asking a few questions, such as why the file bags were divided and opened.

  Hong Yin smiled and said casually, "I won't say what people who come here do, but they can be divided into two kinds. One kind is like me, not valued in the family, maybe a second son, maybe an illegitimate child, or even an adopted son, anyway, just sent to make up the numbers."

  He glanced around and pointed at a student in the distance who looked more spirited than the others.

  "There is also another kind, these people are the direct descendants of large families, who will later take on important positions in the empire. They were sent here by their respective families to receive imperial education and training, so they are all key targets for cultivation. People like us basically serve them."

  Although Hong Yin didn't reveal much, Zong Yin already had a general understanding of the Ding Sheng Soul School and couldn't help but secretly admire the means of the Xuan Ling Guo's ruler.

  In short, the Soul Academy of Jingying is a machine that specializes in manufacturing fresh blood for the empire.

  Those who were sent here, most of them were forced to do so under the disappointment of their families, and after graduation, they would naturally join the empire. As for those who were sent from large aristocratic families, their purpose was to establish their own power groups with themselves as the core, paving the way for the future.

  Where there are people, there is war. Without a doubt, those like Zong Yin who were not valued in their families became swords or cannon fodder in the hands of these elite young masters.

  Zong Yinyin remained silent, coldly snorting in his heart. It was best if those elite young masters didn't come to provoke him; otherwise, he wouldn't mind dismantling their power.

  "People who have just arrived here are a bit unadapted, after all, losing freedom is not happy for anyone. However, as time passes, you will find that this place is actually quite good. Except for limited outings, even if you do something outrageous, no one will punish you. As long as your family doesn't disappoint the ruler, you can live on forever. Moreover, if you are particularly excellent and gain the ruler's favor, you might even be able to leave your original family and establish a new one."

  Hong Yin saw Zong Yin lowering his head in deep thought and assumed he was in a bad mood, so she spoke up again to give him some hope.

  Speaking carelessly, the listener had intentions, Zong Yinheng's heart moved slightly, a short-term goal was quietly born, and a bold plan had gradually taken shape in his mind.

  "My fate will only be in my own hands, whoever wants to control me will pay a heavy price! Even if it's at the cost of being crushed to pieces! Jade and stone will burn together!"

  Zong Yin clenched his fists tightly, and his eyes were filled with a resolute light.

  In the blink of an eye, three days have passed. Today is also the first day of school for new students at Ding Sheng Soul Academy. During these three days, Zong Yin didn't waste any time and stayed in the library of Ding Sheng all along. Fortunately, there are quite a lot of books here, and the first and second floors are open to everyone.

  "Who would have thought that technology could still rely on the soul, it's really amazing. It seems that the underground ruins are worth visiting, if I can get a treasure, that would be great."

  Zong hid in a deserted corner, flipping through books on the history of ancient Thai cities.

  The more he delves into this world, the faster his heart beats. There isn't a young person who doesn't have curiosity towards unknown things. Zong Yin's heart yearned for passion and adventure at that moment, fiercely pounding away.

  "The underground ruins, before you have the power, it's better not to go there to die. In the past few days, I've studied the entry-level soul-refining techniques and basic soul skills in this world, and I roughly understand their cultivation methods. First, I'll teach you how to form your first human soul stone, then use the human soul stone as the main body to condense the three spirits of Qi, Power, and Central Pivot."

  It seemed as if he felt Zhong Yichen's excitement in his heart, and a basin of cold water was poured directly onto his head.

  Zong Yin's reading materials over the past few days were not limited to the history of this continent, some widely spread soul-refining techniques and commonly used soul skills had also been absorbed by Hun Yu through his eyes.

  "What is a 'human soul stone'? What does the multiple 'person' characters mean? And what concept is 'soul stone'?"

  Zong Yin had just gained some understanding of the cultivation system on this continent over the past two days.

  Life has a soul, and as the soul is cultivated, countless strands of soul power will form within it. When the soul power breaks through 100 strands, the first Soul Stone will be formed in the body, at which point one becomes a true Soul Master, an initial-level Soul Disciple. After that, every time the soul power increases by 100 strands, the level of the Soul Disciple rises by one level, until it breaks through 1,000 and forms a second Soul Stone in the body, entering the stage of a Soul Warrior.

  For example, through this period of practice in the "Yu Hun Shen Jue" Condensing Soul Chapter, Zong Yin has formed two strands of soul power. The birth of his soul power made Zong Yin so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.

  Originally, Zong Yin thought that by continuing to cultivate, he would be able to become a Soul Master and find a way to break the soul lock. But at this moment, Hun Yu suddenly told him two completely unfamiliar terms, which obviously Hun Yu said these two things, on this continent, he had never heard of them.

  "What a lot of questions! The Human Soul Stone is the true soul stone. I mentioned earlier that humans have three souls and seven spirits, one of which is the human soul. Logically speaking, the Human Soul Stone should also be the best soul stone to cultivate. Once you've formed the Human Soul Stone, the Qi, Strength, and Central Spirit that belong to the human soul should also form a core similar to a soul stone, let's call it a Spirit Stone for now. As for the others, there's no point in telling you about them yet."

  Hun Yu's tone was filled with impatience, but she still simply explained it to Zong Yin.

  The explanation of Hun Yu did not give Zong Yin any sense of security, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily, and Hun Yu's "in theory", "should" made him feel deeply worried, it was clear that Hun Yu had taken him as a guinea pig.

  "Is this for real?! It feels totally unbelievable!"

  Zong Yinyin's face was all scrunched up, and it wasn't that everyone dared to be the first to try eating crab.

  "It's much more reliable than these inferior goods! Whether you practice or not, it's none of my business if I've already told you the cultivation method I've summarized!"

  Facing Zong Yin's questioning, Hun Yu seemed to have gotten angry as well. A cultivation technique suddenly appeared in the depths of Zong Yin's mind and was deeply imprinted on his brain. Afterwards, Hun Yu fell silent once again.

  Zong Yin couldn't help but take out the "Yu Hun Shen Jue" from his ring, and looked at it deeply for a few moments. His eyes flashed with countless struggles, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and tore the incomplete Lian Hun Jue to shreds.

  "I don't believe our reputation is so bad!"

  Thoroughly cutting off his own retreat, Zong Yin feared that one day he would not be able to bear it and continue to cultivate the "Yu Hun Shen Jue", so he destroyed it, and also eliminated a worry in his heart.

  "You won't regret your decision today."

  The sound of Hun Yu reappeared, but his tone was filled with determination.