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After listening to Dai Mubai, Lin Jin realized he had been overly excited.
To put it bluntly, he had underestimated the allure of a spirit bone to spirit masters across the continent.
From Dai Mubai's expression of envy just now—even as the prince of powerful empire—it was clear how valuable a spirit bone truly was.
"An innocent man harbors guilt simply by possessing treasure. The ancients never lied."
Lin Jin reminded himself not to be arrogant before gaining sufficient strength.
"Thank you, Mubai," Lin Jin said sincerely.
Dai Mubai shook his head with a smile.
"I really like this place. I just don't want to see the academy fall apart."
"The academy won't fall. Never!" Lin Jin's words rang with determination, his eyes gleaming with resolve.
How could Tianxing Spirit Master Academy collapse so easily when it aimed to become the number one Spirit master academy on the continent?
It had to be like Shrek—thriving for a thousand years. Even in the face of disaster, it would rise like a phoenix reborn from the flames.
The next day, with all the students having grasped the basic cultivation method, Lin Jin officially began teaching the fundamentals of combat.
Since it was the first class, he gave a general overview of spirit master knowledge—explaining the classification of ranks and the primary methods of combat.
Even though it was only basic information, the students listened intently, captivated by the new world opening before them.
After class, Lin Jin called out to Peng Fan.
"Peng Fan, does your family know you came here?"
Peng Fan hesitated, then nodded.
Just as I thought, Lin Jin mused.
He felt a bit guilty—after all, he had persuaded Peng Fan to come here, and this was something he had considered from the start.
"Write a letter home. I'm heading to Blackstone City today—I'll deliver it to your father for you."
"But..."
Peng Fan bit his lip, his expression conflicted, his voice filled with hesitation.
"But what?"
"But... what if my father wants me to go back?"
Peng Fan looked up at Lin Jin, eyes filled with worry.
Over these past days, he'd realized how much he liked this place—surrounded by others working hard to become spirit masters.
For once, he didn't feel alone.
Lin Jin chuckled, a confident smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He made a promise without hesitation.
"If you don't want to go back, then you'll stay—unless your father can offer you a better environment for cultivation. Otherwise, I won't let him take you away."
Peng Fan's eyes sparkled. He nodded enthusiastically, then turned and ran toward the dormitory.
"Got it, Dean!"
That afternoon, Lin Jin set off for Blackstone City, taking Shen Xin along.
"Dean, why are we going to Blackstone?"
Shen Xin asked as they made their way from the city to Yon Village.
Lin Jin was trying to manage the reins of an old horse borrowed from the villagers—one of the few means of transportation available in the village.
Though the horse was stubborn, he felt oddly proud of his natural riding talent.
Hearing Shen Xin's question, Lin Jin smiled and replied, "Of course, we're going for something good."
Shen Xin, holding onto Lin Jin's waist from behind, leaned forward and asked curiously, "Then why did you bring me along?"
"Because," Lin Jin said, turning his head slightly with a grin, "it has everything to do with you."
Shen Xin was just about to ask another question when Lin Jin cut her off.
"Don't speak! I know exactly what you want to ask, and I'll get to it."
The words stuck in Shen Xin's throat, leaving her feeling a bit frustrated—but she held her tongue.
Lin Jin, on the other hand, felt a wave of relief.
'This girl must've been a book in her past life… probably titled One Hundred Thousand Whys.'
"Do you know about Spirit Hall? The person who awakened your martial spirit was from there."
Shen Xin nodded. Her bright eyes continued to fix on him with intense curiosity.
"Any spirit master who reaches level ten spirit power and obtains their first spirit ring can register with the Spirit Hall. After that, they receive a monthly subsidy of one gold spirit coin."
"A gold spirit coin?!" Shen Xin gasped in a hushed tone.
For someone who hadn't been born into wealth, that was an amazing deal.
"Yup, one gold coin a month. But here's the catch—you can only receive that subsidy during your Spirit Master stage, and only for three years. After that, it stops."
"Why?" Shen Xin finally got to ask the question she'd been itching to say, her voice full of satisfaction.
"Because some people don't have much talent, and they may never progress past the Spirit Master level. The subsidy is meant to encourage advancement, not provide lifelong support. That's why there's a time limit."
"When you break through to Spirit Grand Master, the subsidy increases to ten gold spirit coins per month, but only for five years. Once you reach Spirit Elder, the subsidy ends entirely. But by then, if you're doing even small tasks, the money you earn as a spirit master can still be significant."
Thinking of all this, Lin Jin sighed.
'I've never received that kind of money... why couldn't I experience this myself? So unfair.'
"Spirit Hall is so nice!" Shen Xin said in awe.
"One gold spirit coin every month? That's amazing!" Her eyes narrowed in delight.
"Nice?" Lin Jin raised a brow.
"That money doesn't come from the Hall itself—it's funded by the 2 Empire. Spirit Hall just hands it out."
"Eh? Then why are they the ones giving it out?"
"Who knows? Maybe there's some secret deal between them."
Lin Jin tugged on the reins, urging the old horse forward.
But the beast continued its lazy trot, as if it were on a casual stroll through the fields.
Lin Jin frowned. 'Is it me, or is this horse just being difficult?'
"Shen Xin, give me one of your petals."
"Eh? O-Okay…"
She blinked in surprise, then quietly recited her spirit incantation.
A dark blue petal materialized in her hand, which she handed over.
Lin Jin chuckled, then promptly shoved the petal into the horse's mouth.
"No energy, huh? Let's give you a boost!"
The old horse hesitated, then chewed on the petal reluctantly.
But suddenly, it felt a surge of strange energy coursing through its body.
Its joints loosened, its back straightened—it felt younger, stronger, alive!
"Heee!" it neighed with excitement and burst into a gallop.
'This… this is the feeling of youth! I haven't felt like this in years! Maybe I'll go flirt with that cute mare next door tonight!'
Lin Jin was completely caught off guard. Even though he had braced himself, the horse's sudden speed shocked him.
"What the—did it just take some kind of stimulant?!"
He tightened his grip on the reins and held his waist steady, wind rushing past his ears.
Turning his head slightly, he asked suspiciously, "Shen Xin, is there anything else about your first spirit skill I don't know? Were you planning to drug me from the start?!"
"No…?" Shen Xin replied, looking utterly bewildered.