ALL NOVEL Chapter 37: Integration into the Circle
In the first-grade classroom on the third floor of the main teaching building, Ling Yi sat upright in the center of the third row below the podium, fully focused on the teacher's lecture.
With his pen moving swiftly, he diligently summarized the key points mentioned by the teacher, noting each one down meticulously.
Despite being the central figure of recent events, Ling Yi paid little mind to the gossip. After all, the rumors had spread naturally through casual conversations with acquaintances among the working students and some self-funded peers.
Would any noble faction target him because of this?
Such thoughts were purely overthinking.
As the discussions among the academy's young students suggested, although Master Jin was one of the 'Three Great Craftsmen,' his age was advanced, and none of his twelve disciples had yet reached the rank of master blacksmith.
The Jin Geng Blacksmith Shop in 'Wooden City' hovered at a middling level—neither at the top nor the bottom. Those above maintained courtesy due to mutual necessity, while those below, despite needing their services, showed both respect and a professional distance due to the hierarchical disdain inherent in their fields.
Moreover, Ling Yi's background seemed transparently clean to everyone—born in a village, with the wasted Martial Soul "Blue Silver Grass" and only half a level of innate soul power. His future prospects appeared limited, making his choice to become a blacksmith a wise one.
Indeed, many who saw Ling Yi's profile would label him as a lucky young man.
The seemingly ordinary and commonplace nature of the "Bluesilver Grass" presents an interesting contradiction. Despite possessing a mere half level of innate spirit power, records indicate that in environments brimming with "Bluesilver Grass," its cultivation speed receives a notable boost, making the prospect of becoming a Soul Master not insignificant.
Even though "Bluesilver Grass" is typically seen as a useless martial spirit, for a blacksmith's martial spirit, reaching just the first ring as a Soul Master would be quite sufficient.
In fact, with decent aptitude, achieving the first ring status provides a decent chance at becoming a high-level blacksmith.
Though within the realm of high-level blacksmiths, there are varied levels of skill, where the works of the stronger ones could support advanced Grand Soul Masters and the weaker ones barely meet the needs of lower-tier Grand Soul Masters, it still offers substantial assistance.
Regrettably, the potential of "Bluesilver Grass" is still too weak. Ling Yi's chances of advancing to become a Grand Soul Master are generally viewed as almost negligible.
Failing to become a Grand Soul Master nearly eliminates any hope of rising in the blacksmith ranks.
Without question, the demands for high-quality material refinement are not low; the furnace temperature, the strength, and endurance of forging—all have strict standards.
A crisp ringing of a bell echoed through the air, drawing a close to this session of the class. The tall, thin teacher at the podium closed his textbook, surveyed the seated students, and let his gaze linger briefly on Ling Yi, the talk of the past few days, before looking away.
"You'd best review thoroughly at home," the teacher advised in an unhurried tone. "There will always be a time when it comes in handy. Well, today's class ends here..."
He concluded, paying no heed to the students' reactions, and gathered his materials before heading towards the classroom exit.
As the tall, thin teacher finally stepped out of the classroom door and distanced himself, a collective sigh of relief swept through the room.
Despite this teacher being merely a grandmaster soul expert, and without putting forth any effort to project authority, his status as a teacher and his stern expression instilled considerable pressure on the class of six-year-olds whose abilities barely touched level five.
“Phew—”
At that moment, the classroom was filled with novice students, both those on scholarships and those paying their own way, all anxious at the start of the new school term.
Timid, cautious, obedient by nature... every single one of them was like a perfectly behaved child.
Only over time, as they realized the teachers stayed out of their personal affairs, as long as they didn’t go overboard, they’d ignore them. That's when they would begin to show their true colors.
When the influence of senior students on the junior ones intensified, a natural division between paying students and scholarship students would emerge.
Within these factions, small cliques would form—based on shared hometowns, similar martial soul attributes, or familial business ties...
Fortunately, none of this had yet manifested among the first-year newcomers, including Ling Yi.
This marked a possible chance for Ling Yi.
Mo Yuan approached Ling Yi, always accompanied by Yun Lan, from the fourth row on the right side of the classroom, wearing a shy and slightly embarrassed smile. He quietly asked, “Did you remember everything the teacher said?”
"Mm~," Ling Yi nodded, turning his head to gaze at his younger dorm mate with a smile, "Don't worry, I've remembered everything~."
He gestured to the notes beside him, still smelling faintly of ink, "And I've written them all down. It'll make reviewing later much easier..."
"Hehe~, you're impressive, Yi-ge," Mo Yuan said, admiration sparkling in his eyes as he looked at Ling Yi. "During class, I noticed you kept writing something. So you were taking notes, huh—"
"Haha~ better to rely on a bad pen than a good memory," Ling Yi chuckled, shaking his head gently.
Seeing the hesitance still lingering on Mo Yuan's face, Ling Yi tapped his notebook and offered, "Mo Yuan, if you don't mind, you can borrow my notes to copy. We can discuss the teacher's explanations together later..."
"Ah?" Mo Yuan exclaimed in surprise. Next to him, Yun Lan's mouth dropped slightly, clearly not expecting Ling Yi to extend such an offer.
After all, knowledge related to soul masters is considered very valuable.
Mo Yuan stammered, "Yi-ge, I... you... I..."
While Mo Yuan and Yun Lan were still processing their surprise, Ling Yi remained calm and composed, "Even if it's the same content, everyone's insights are somewhat different. We can learn from each other..."
Ling Yi then glanced around the classroom. The chatter had captured the attention of over thirty classmates. Smiling warmly, Ling Yi invited everyone, "If anyone else is interested, once Mo Yuan is done copying, feel free to take a copy as well. Let's learn and make progress together!"
"We have thirty-six classmates in our class, all hailing from various parts of the eastern region of 'Muzhi City,' some near and some far. Outside the academy, we belong to the same institution; within it, we are part of the same class. Our martial spirit talents vary, and it's hard to say what the future holds. However, for the next six years, we will be together, learning and growing as one, which is a rare luck and destiny..."
Over the first few days of school, Ling Yi hasn't just been idly passing time at the academy.
The working students, both male and female, have instinctively banded together under the influence of rumors from older students. Although Ling Yi's soul power isn't the strongest among them, his robust physique and strength developed from practicing the "Three Styles of the Farmer," which he attributes to blacksmith training, make him quite formidable. Being a year older than most, he is naturally called "Brother Yi," and his words are heeded by the working students.
As for the self-paid students, they are merely six-year-old kids whose families, residing in the capital city of 'Muzhi City' principality, mostly belong to the middle-lower class and can't afford to be too arrogant. Under Ling Yi's charismatic influence, each one can greet others with a smile.
It's important to realize that people are naturally visual creatures. When faced with someone like Ling Yi, who is tall, with fair skin and handsome features, articulated speech, and a pleasant voice, few can resist developing a favorable impression at first glance.
The adults and teachers are no exception, let alone these little ones who are new to the world.
As a result, with Ling Yi's smooth social finesse, the entire freshman class displayed an unexpected harmony that caught seniors in the five other grades off guard.
And so, Ling Yi became the "Brother Yi" of choice for all the new students in the first grade at Green Leaf Junior Spirit Master Academy.
Ling Yi's own excellence played a part in this, but so did the widespread appeal of his identity as a new apprentice to a well-known blacksmith.
Otherwise, why would a countryside boy with such low martial spirit talent blend into the city's circles?
(End of Chapter)
