After eating, Chu Chen left the cafeteria with Wang Sheng and the others. During this time, he didn't see Tang San or Yu Xiaogang again. When he returned to the dormitory, he happened to run into Xiao Wu, who was still fuming with anger.
Chu Chen ignored her and walked straight to his bed.
Over the past three days, obtaining his spirit ring had left him with little time to rest. As a result, he lay down and quickly fell asleep.
After all, there were still classes in the afternoon. Moreover, as a work-study student, he still had duties to fulfill.
If he failed to meet the required standards, he could even be expelled.
…
Time passed.
Chu Chen gradually adapted to life at Notting Academy.
Most of the knowledge taught in class was already familiar to him, but he still chose to study it carefully. By combining it with the knowledge he carried from his previous life, he might be able to forge an entirely new cultivation path for Spirit Masters.
"Ever since my Blue Silver Grass evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor, my perception of surrounding plants has become much sharper."
"It feels like I can absorb this surging life force at any moment."
Chu Chen sat cross-legged in a quiet cultivation field filled with dense vegetation.
For others, this place wasn't particularly ideal.
But for him, it was perfect.
Here, he could absorb life energy to temper his blood and qi.
"As expected, whether it's Blue Silver Grass or the Blue Silver Emperor, once the life attribute is activated, its tenacious vitality becomes its greatest advantage."
For a Spirit Master, the first spirit ring was crucial.
It determined the direction of future development.
Just like Tang San—his path had already been set toward control and poison. From that moment on, his Blue Silver Grass had essentially lost any chance of evolving into the Blue Silver Emperor.
"If he continues like this, his Spirit will remain mediocre until he reaches the Spirit King realm."
Chu Chen withdrew his spirit power after absorbing another wave of life energy.
His spirit power had increased slightly.
At the same time, his body had grown stronger. The life force had fused into his flesh and blood, constantly nourishing him.
"This is the true application of the Blue Silver Emperor."
Chu Chen chuckled.
His cultivation was always done in secrecy. He would never casually reveal the Blue Silver Emperor—especially since he couldn't be sure whether Tang Hao was secretly watching Tang San nearby.
If Tang Hao discovered his secret, things would become troublesome.
After finishing his cultivation, Chu Chen left the academy and entered Nuoding City.
During this period, his work-study duties had earned him some money. However, upon arriving in the city, he realized he didn't actually need to buy much.
According to custom, as a Spirit Master, he was now eligible to receive a monthly stipend.
"Although the funds come from the Empire, without the policies of Spirit Hall, the two great Empires probably wouldn't distribute stipends at all."
"Spirit Hall awakens Spirits for commoners for free and even provides financial support… in that sense, they've truly done something meaningful."
While their actions might take a darker turn in the future, their early contributions couldn't be denied.
"Never mind. I'll buy some things for the Village Chief and the others and bring them back later. This semester is almost over anyway…"
During this time, Chu Chen's cultivation had reached Rank 19.
Breaking through to Rank 20 was only a matter of time.
With a top-tier Spirit like the Blue Silver Emperor—and his second Spirit, the Destruction Ancient Dragon—his cultivation speed was naturally extraordinary.
"Life and Destruction… such opposing forces."
"If I cultivate both, will they clash within my body?"
The thought gave him a slight headache.
After considering it briefly, he decided not to worry about it for now. After all, he had no plans to cultivate his second Spirit yet.
Just then, a group of Spirit Hall personnel passed by.
"They say someone attacked Spirit City and severely wounded Elder Chrysanthemum Douluo," one of them whispered.
Chu Chen paused, listening carefully.
Could it be…
"Someone that strong? To injure Chrysanthemum Douluo in Spirit City? Impossible!" another replied in disbelief.
"Why would I lie? I heard it from the Bishop himself. That person even managed to retreat unscathed after the attack."
"Damn… that's terrifying."
Chu Chen smiled faintly.
There was no need to guess who it was.
Tang Hao.
It seemed his earlier misdirection had worked perfectly. He hadn't expected Tang Hao to be so reckless as to believe it without question.
"Haha… Yue Guan is probably losing sleep right now."
In a great mood, Chu Chen returned to the academy and resumed his daily routine.
…
Inside the dormitory—
As soon as Chu Chen entered, Wang Sheng and the others—who had been bullied by Xiao Wu—rushed over as if they had found a savior.
"By the way, I brought something for you all."
Chu Chen took out several packages wrapped in oil paper.
When opened, they revealed spicy rabbit heads and grilled rabbit legs, rich in color and aroma.
Wang Sheng and the others immediately began drooling.
Chu Chen handed them out generously. Soon, everyone was eating with greasy smiles.
"Delicious! This is amazing!"
Wang Sheng exclaimed between bites.
Chu Chen himself held a rabbit leg in each hand, eating casually.
Xiao Wu's expression shifted between anger and discomfort.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she rushed out of the dormitory.
Though Tang San was tempted by the smell, he still followed after her.
Wang Sheng and the others were confused but didn't think much of it.
…
Just like that, Chu Chen spent a fulfilling semester.
Before long, the holidays arrived.
Carrying gifts prepared for Village Chief Tig and the others, he left Nuoding City and set out on the road back to Dihun Village.
"Now that my spirit power has reached Rank 20…"
"I can use this break to hunt my second spirit ring."
Seated in a carriage, Chu Chen looked out at the changing scenery.
Half a year had passed.
The seasons had shifted.
And now—
He was finally returning to the place where it all began.