Chapter 152: Settling Mortal Affairs
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Now, back to Wangjia Village!
After absorbing the spirit bone and resting for the night, Wang Li and Dugu Yan woke up the next day to find the villagers enthusiastically bringing them large quantities of grain, oil, vegetables, and fruits.
To these simple villagers, food was the best gift they could offer.
Wang Li and Dugu Yan exchanged helpless smiles—they truly didn't need so much food. In the end, they went door to door, returning most of the offerings.
At the same time, Wang Li secretly used his life energy to nourish the villagers' bodies. Though the amount was limited, it was enough to ensure that, for the rest of their lives, they would be free from illness and remain healthy and energetic until their final days.
These were just ordinary people. If Wang Li left behind too much wealth, it would only bring disaster upon the village.
A few days later, Wang Li visited the village chief, Wang Ping, to bid farewell.
"Grandpa Village Chief, we have to leave. We set out to train and can't stay here forever."
"Tomorrow, I'll head to the city and speak with the city lord, asking him to send people to repair the village roads. I'll also arrange for a school to be built and hire a few teachers to come and provide free education for the village children—teaching them literacy and arithmetic."
"Becoming a spirit master is incredibly difficult, but if they can read and do calculations, they'll have more opportunities in life. Their future will be much brighter."
Wang Ping was visibly moved. After taking a moment to compose himself, he asked,
"Xiao Li, you're truly a blessing to this village. Ever since you returned, everyone's health has improved—even the elderly can now walk without crutches. I feel like I've grown ten years younger myself."
"And now, you're planning to repair roads and build a school. Won't this be too much trouble for the city lord?"
Wang Li shook his head and smiled.
"Not at all. I'll leave him with appropriate compensation. For him, it's just a small favor."
Wang Ping grasped Wang Li's hands, his expression filled with both gratitude and pride.
"Good child, good child. Even if you must leave, this village will always welcome you home."
The next day—
Under the watchful eyes of the villagers, Wang Li and Dugu Yan set off on their journey, soon disappearing from sight.
Their first stop was Nuoding City. Wang Li went straight to the city lord, revealed his identity, and presented him with a grand vision. Coercion was too crude a method—only sufficient temptation could serve as true motivation.
As for fulfilling those promises, anyone who could find Wang Li would have their wishes granted, as long as they didn't go against his principles. With his current strength and status, he could satisfy 99% of people's desires.
With that settled, Wang Li left the city without worry.
This was his first time attempting flight on his own—without anyone carrying him.
Holding Dugu Yan in his arms, he channeled his soul power into his spirit bone. His body quickly grew lighter until he soared into the sky, drifting gracefully away.
Half a day later—
Liejia Academy.
The academy's headmaster, Gorfah, suddenly became alert, scanning his surroundings.
"Who's there?!"
He sensed two unfamiliar auras appearing within the academy grounds. Following their trail, he made his way to the forest behind the school.
There, he saw a young man and woman waiting for him.
The blue-haired, blue-eyed young man smiled slightly and said,
"Headmaster, it's me—Wang Li. I came back to visit the academy and see you all again. I didn't want to cause a commotion, so I entered quietly. I apologize for that."
Gorfah's face was filled with shock, but his surprise quickly turned into overwhelming joy. He looked at Wang Li, then at Dugu Yan, and said excitedly:
"Wang Li, is it really you?!"
As the headmaster of a mid-level spirit master academy, Gorfah had once been a Spirit King and was now a Spirit Emperor. He was well-informed about the happenings in the spirit master world.
In recent years, Wang Li's reputation had only grown, solidifying his status as a true prodigy. He had caught the eye of a Titled Douluo and become his granddaughter's fiancé, won the Spirit Master Tournament, and defeated the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall. In the past year, he had been making even bigger waves—challenging Spirit Douluo-level experts across the continent, shaking up the entire spirit master world single-handedly.
Though many people shared the same name, Wang Li's age and martial soul left no room for doubt—this was indeed the Wang Li who had once been a student at their academy.
Gorfah felt immense pride, knowing that he had personally assisted Wang Li in hunting the soul beast for his second soul ring.
Wang Li nodded again and said,
"That's right, it's me. This is Dugu Yan, my girlfriend. A lot of people have been searching for me this past year, and since Liejia City is a major city, I had to avoid drawing too much attention."
"Headmaster, this isn't the best place to talk. Let's go somewhere more private. I also came back to see Elder Ling."
Gorfah glanced at Dugu Yan, immediately recognizing her as the granddaughter of the legendary Poison Douluo. His expression grew respectful—after all, her grandfather was one of the continent's top-tier powerhouses.
He quickly responded, "You're right. Let's go to my study."
---
A short while later, in Gorfah's study—
Elder Ling entered the room, visibly confused. He had no idea why the headmaster had summoned him so urgently. However, as soon as he stepped inside and saw the three people waiting for him, his eyes widened. Apart from Gorfah, there was a young man and a young woman standing side by side.
Wang Li smiled at Elder Ling and said,
"Elder Ling, it's been a long time. It's me, Wang Li—I came back to visit you."
Liejia Academy had been a crucial turning point in his life. Elder Ling had taken care of him since the moment he enrolled, and Headmaster Gorfah had helped him hunt soul beasts, given him a storage soul tool, and even led him to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
He had been too busy before, but now that he had some free time, he wanted to visit them before returning to Heaven Dou City.
At this moment, Elder Ling's shock and joy were no less than Gorfah's—perhaps even greater.
Back then, he had discovered this rare genius and believed that Wang Li would, at best, reach the level of a headmaster. But now, Wang Li's name was feared across the continent. He had crushed the Five Elemental Academies, trampled over the Lower Four Sects, and defeated countless Spirit Douluo powerhouses. His fame was undeniable, and his strength was awe-inspiring.
Elder Ling glanced between Gorfah, Wang Li, and Dugu Yan, momentarily at a loss for words. "Headmaster, Wang Li, what exactly is going on…?"
Wang Li explained,
"Too many people are looking for me lately, so I can't stay in big cities for long. Headmaster, Elder Ling, I've brought you both a gift, but after that, we must leave soon. Yan Yan-jie…"
Dugu Yan reached for her waist pouch, pulling out two exquisite jade boxes. She then introduced the items inside,
"This is Purple Cloud Ganoderma, and this is Blood Spirit Ginseng—both excellent tonics that strengthen the body, enhance vitality, and reinforce one's foundation."
Wang Li took the two jade boxes, thanked her, then handed one to Gorfah and the other to Elder Ling.
"Headmaster, Elder Ling, take these now. I'll guard you while you absorb their effects. Also, please don't mention this to anyone—these items are too rare and could attract unwanted trouble."
Gorfah and Elder Ling immediately understood the value of these medicines. Without hesitation, they swallowed the herbs and began channeling their soul power to absorb their effects.
At the same time, Wang Li summoned his martial soul, releasing his life energy to nourish their bodies and awaken their dormant potential.
---
Half a day later—
Wang Li and Dugu Yan had already departed.
Elder Ling, feeling as though he had regained ten years of his youth, couldn't help but marvel, "I never imagined that, at my age, when I was already halfway to the grave, I'd be blessed with such an opportunity. Perhaps… I still have a chance to break through to Rank 50, absorb another soul ring, and become a Spirit King."
Gorfah stood with his hands behind his back, his soul power having risen significantly. He was in high spirits as he said, "Elder Ling, your recruitment efforts back then were exceptional. If not for you, our academy wouldn't have produced such a genius. The entire spirit master world is calling him the strongest below the Titled Douluo level. It's only a matter of time before he becomes a Titled Douluo himself."
(End of Chapter)