Talent is Not Everything

Able to break the academy's rules?

Has connections within the academy?

A senior's son?

Or even the dean's son?

Fang Ling considered the possibility and felt a surge of joy.

Connections are good.

If he really is the dean's son, considering the dean once defeated three opponents of the same rank at the Soul Emperor level, then Lin Tianyang's combat power wouldn't be weak at all.

It would also be easier to obtain soul rings in the future.

Manager Wang glanced at Fang Ling's broken leg and asked, "A soul master defeating a one-ring soul master across ranks?"

Lin Tianyang was more excited than Fang Ling, the one involved, and boasted, "Of course. I have proof from the Angel Corps' Demon Hunting Division of the Spirit Hall. I killed a fallen soul master."

"The Angel Corps, huh? Good kid."

Manager Wang seemed to know something and nodded in approval of Fang Ling's talent. "Wait here."

He returned with a key and handed it to him.

"That courtyard next to you and your wife's place should be fine."

"No one's living there. You can also teach him when you have time."

"Thank you, Manager Wang. I'll treat you to a drink when I get the chance."

After thanking him, the couple brought Fang Ling to a quiet courtyard.

There was a two-story building inside.

It was quite messy, with dry leaves and branches scattered all over, and dust covering everything in the rooms.

But the furnishings were still decent.

The two helped Fang Ling clean out a room he could sleep in.

During this time, Lin Tianyang's martial soul came in handy.

The Flowing Wind Blade, a wind-attribute long blade, as the name suggests.

He reduced the power of his soul skill and swung once, blowing all the dust outside.

The room was instantly clean.

Fang Ling was delighted by his precise control over his soul skill.

It was a clear indication of his skill, just from this small detail, it was obvious that Lin Tianyang truly deserved to be a teacher at the Battle King Academy.

A soul master who had fought in the Soul Master Tournament preliminaries.

Although not as talented as Tang San, he was also a weapon-type martial soul master, making him the perfect teacher for Fang Ling.

I'm sure I can learn a lot from him!

Time to advance my scythe technique and footwork!

Fang Ling happily helped out with small tasks.

Teacher Lin Tianyang cleaned the room, while Madam Shu Manyun brought over suitable bedding and pillows from their courtyard and helped set things up.

Such a meticulous teacher, maybe I'm his first disciple?

Fang Ling guessed randomly.

What moved him even more was that ever since he became a genius, the world suddenly seemed a lot brighter.

Besides his solid strength, he truly had to thank those three from the Angel Corps.

All of this came from that certificate.

Otherwise, it would've been much harder to receive the same treatment and attention from a teacher.

Before leaving, Lin Tianyang said to Fang Ling:

"I'll show you around the academy tomorrow. After I get a general sense of your strength, we'll begin training."

"Thank you, teacher and madam!"

After a long day, exhaustion set in. He took a quick shower and fell asleep immediately.

The next day, Fang Ling got up early.

After a light warm-up, he immediately began training.

Previously, due to the dangerous journey, he had been conserving energy, and it had been about a month since he last trained.

He firmly believed: Consistent effort leads to progress.

Training must never stop.

He sprinted among the stones, pond, and bushes in the courtyard, swinging his scythe to trim away excess branches.

In the attic, Lin Tianyang and Shu Manyun sat by the window, quietly observing his every move.

"What do you think of this kid?" Shu Manyun asked gently.

"A promising seedling," Lin Tianyang praised.

He mimicked Fang Ling's blade movements with a swish of his hand.

"Look at his movements, fast, accurate, and fierce with the scythe, his body well-balanced and controlled."

"His attacks aren't limited to rigid techniques. Most people wouldn't be able to master that scythe handling in three to five years, let alone combine it with such swift footwork."

"It's hard to believe he learned this without a teacher."

Shu Manyun asked, "How does he compare to you?"

"In terms of raw combat talent, he might surpass me. But I've lived far longer, there's no way he matches me in technique and experience." Lin Tianyang tapped her nose.

"After all, relying on yourself alone, there are things you just can't grasp."

"Let's go. Let's take him around the academy first, then test him in actual combat."

"Fang Ling, come here," Lin Tianyang called from his own courtyard.

"Good morning, teacher."

"No need to be so formal. You haven't had breakfast yet, right? Come eat with us."

"Thank you, teacher."

After breakfast, the couple took Fang Ling on a tour.

"This is the teaching building, where you'll have classes in the mornings."

The building was luxurious, it was clear the academy had money.

"This is the training ground... the simulation practice area is over there, but not many people use it. Except for some special terrains and soul masters with matching attributes, it doesn't really boost training speed much."

"The academy also has a library, but few soul masters use it. If you like reading, feel free to check it out."

"This is the infirmary. Your teacher's wife is the assistant director. You can go to her if you get injured in the future…"

Fang Ling silently followed and committed everything to memory.

"Teacher, do I need to attend classes too?"

Lin Tianyang was surprised. "Of course."

"Even though you only need to participate in ten soul battles and reach the Grand Soul Master level to graduate, knowledge about soul beasts, their habits, potential soul skills, and common martial souls in the soul master world is essential."

"There's also the proper methods for countering different types of soul masters, team composition and coordination, and so on."

"Classes are only in the morning. In the afternoon, I'll train you myself, mainly on scythe usage and movement coordination for now."

Fang Ling nodded to show he understood.

Just like at Notting Academy, classes were only held in the morning, and afternoons were free, no one interfered.

Now, he didn't have to slaughter pigs anymore, so he could dedicate more time to training.

"What about the Great Soul Arena?"

"Huh? The Great Soul Arena?" Lin Tianyang was taken aback.

"Yes, I remember even one-ring soul masters can enter the Great Soul Arena, right?" Fang Ling looked at him expectantly.

He wanted to gauge the soul masters' level here.

If they were weak, then it was time to hunt.

He was hungry for soul power and martial souls.

"You've just arrived at the academy, and you already want to go to the Great Soul Arena?" Lin Tianyang twitched his lips.

"I like fighting. The tension in battle helps me train faster."

After a moment of silence, Lin Tianyang placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's too early."

"Our academy encourages combat, but we don't fight unprepared battles."

"Also, I've been meaning to tell you, your mindset really fits our school's motto."

Fang Ling looked at him curiously.

This academy had a motto? He didn't recall Notting Academy having one.

"Talent is not everything. A determined will can change anything!"

Lin Tianyang clenched his fist and shouted with great momentum, "Fang Ling, remember this motto well!"

"So what if you're born with first-level innate soul power? There's no such thing as a useless martial soul, only useless soul masters. Talent's limits can't stop someone born to be strong with an unshakable will!"

"Yes, teacher!"

Fang Ling responded loudly, though he found it a bit strange inside.

"There's no useless martial soul, only useless soul masters." That line was from Yu Xiaogang.

It spread widely in the soul master world, inspiring many with mediocre talent to keep striving.

Although it also indirectly proved that Yu Xiaogang, who couldn't break through the Soul Sect level, was indeed a failure, the words themselves weren't wrong.

Later, a soul master named Ji Juechen rose purely through willpower.

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