“What else?
Two bookshelves aren’t enough for you?”
Wang Sheng walked up to one of the bookshelves, casually pulled out a book, and handed it over.
“This shelf is mostly biographies and travelogues, recording the life stories of various soul masters from Notting City and a few nearby towns.”
Wang Teng took the book and glanced at the title and author on the cover, momentarily stunned: “The Lonely Lone Wolf, author Su Yuntao…
no way, Big Brother Tao wrote this?”
He skeptically flipped through a few pages.
The content was a first-person account of how the author fought, obtained soul rings, and eventually became a Grand Soul Master, written with a somewhat self-satisfied tone.
It really did seem to be Su Yuntao’s work.
Wang Teng silently returned the book to the shelf and pulled out a few others to browse.
Dean Emmon’s Travelogue, Master Masino’s Growth Record, Chronicles of Notting City’s Soul Masters…
Sure enough, the entire shelf was filled with similar biographies or local anecdotes.
“They’re really all just this stuff…”
Wang Teng couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
“If you don’t like those, there’s more over there.”
Wang Sheng’s voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
Wang Teng turned to look at the other bookshelf, a glimmer of hope rekindling: surely this one would be different?
He walked over quickly, scanning the spines.
Emmon: On Soul Ring Selection, Grandmaster: The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, Dean Xia: A Brief Analysis of Fire-Attribute Soul Beasts, A Geographical Overview of Fasino Province, Illustrated Guide to Common Ten-Year Soul Beasts, Illustrated Guide to Common Hundred-Year Soul Beasts…
The books on this shelf were clearly more “practical,” covering knowledge about soul beasts, martial souls, soul rings, geography, and more.
Wang Teng quickly pulled out a few to flip through, but soon, his initial excitement faded.
Though the content was varied, most of it remained superficial.
For example, the geography atlas only roughly outlined the borders and major cities of Fasino Province, with detailed maps only for the area around Notting City.
And the soul beast-related books only included the most common, most basic information—scattered and unsystematic.
“These books…
they all seem to be written by different authors, with no connection between them at all.”
Wang Teng pulled out the thickest volume—a compiled notebook organized by Dean Emmon a few years ago—and muttered as he quickly browsed through it.
“You’re right,” Wang Sheng came over to explain.
“These books were all recorded by past teachers of the academy based on their own experiences and insights.”
“Each book on this shelf roughly represents one teacher’s accumulated knowledge.”
“The thickest one in your hand is Dean Emmon’s life’s work.”
“How could this be…
I thought the academy library would at least have some systematic knowledge texts.”
Wang Teng scratched his hair in frustration.
“There’s no way around it.”
Wang Sheng sighed, his tone carrying a sense of helplessness.
“Detailed intelligence on soul beasts, experience on compatible soul rings, cultivation tips for soul skills, and even specific maps of the various Soul Hunting Forests…”
“Most of this deeper knowledge is tightly guarded by the major families and sects.
It’s the foundation of their status—why would they readily share it?”
“Take the most widely circulated theory on soul ring age limits: first soul ring limit 423 years, second soul ring limit 764 years, and so on—that only became widely known in recent years.”
“It’s precisely because of this that the gentleman who proposed the theory is respectfully called ‘Grandmaster’ by many.”
“To some noble families, that title might be mockery, but to us commoner soul masters, it carries genuine gratitude.”
After hearing Wang Sheng’s words, Wang Teng fell silent.
He suddenly gained a deeper understanding of this world: the Douluo Continent was ultimately a world rooted in bloodlines and families, where knowledge was monopolized layer by layer.
The hard-earned experience accumulated by major families over generations would naturally not flow easily to the lower classes.
So-called “knowledge” here had become a scarce resource that required entry barriers.
He recalled how, in the original story, Yu Xiaogang’s seemingly simple strategy of “circling behind to harass the supply lines” could earn praise from someone like Ning Fengzhi.
Now, viewed against this background of knowledge monopolization, it was truly striking.
“So, if I really want to learn systematic knowledge, I’ll have to join those major sects and major powers?”
Wang Teng murmured to himself.
“Little brother, don’t worry too much.”
Wang Sheng saw his furrowed brow and offered comfort.
“With your innate soul power, you’ll definitely have the chance to study at a higher-level soul master academy in the future.”
“Once you’re there, you’ll naturally have access to more and deeper knowledge.”
“Mm, no point thinking that far ahead.”
Wang Teng shook his head to clear the distracting thoughts and said, “Big Brother, since you’ve helped me copy some books before, I roughly know which ones on this shelf I’ve already read.”
“Could you help me find any I haven’t read yet?”
“Sure.”
Wang Sheng began searching through the shelves and soon pulled out five or six books that Wang Teng hadn’t seen before.
The two found a table in the corner of the library and sat down to read and take notes in silence.
Time passed quietly amid the rustling of pages. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
A whole morning went by.
Wang Teng carefully put away his notebook, which contained useful information he had excerpted, and returned the borrowed books to their proper places.
“These are the notes I took today—things I found useful.”
“I can take them home later.
Maybe they’ll even be useful for the next generation.”
As they left the library, Wang Teng said to Wang Sheng.
“That’s a good idea.”
“When I was copying books for you back then, I did the same thing—pulling together key parts from several books into one.”
Wang Sheng nodded approvingly.
“Big Brother, if that’s the case, haven’t we pretty much read everything in the library by now?”
Wang Teng suddenly realized.
“Exactly.” Wang Sheng spread his hands.
“There wasn’t much useful information to begin with, and what there was, was scattered across different books.”
“Honestly, I think the truly practical knowledge in this library doesn’t even add up to what we’ll learn in our six years of textbooks.”
“Forget it, enough of that.
I’m hungry—let’s get lunch first, then head back to the dorm for a good nap.”
Wang Teng waved his hand, temporarily setting aside his worries.
The brothers walked with the flow of students toward the cafeteria.
After lunch, they returned to Room Seven to rest.
Wang Teng had just sat down on his bed when his peripheral vision caught Tang San on the bed diagonally opposite, absorbed in reading a book.
He had an idea, remembering something, and got up to walk over.
“Wang Teng?
What’s up?”
Tang San sensed someone approaching, looked up, and his gaze carried a questioning look.
“Xiao San, I have a favor to ask.”
Wang Teng organized his thoughts and said, “Today at the library, I read Grandmaster’s book The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls.
I found it very enlightening.”
“Unfortunately, the library doesn’t have any more in-depth related books…”
“So, I was wondering if you could ask Grandmaster whether he’d be willing to lend me some of his other writings or notes?”
“I’d really like to learn more about this area.”
Wang Teng planned to approach Grandmaster as an admirer, hoping to access more systematic theoretical knowledge through him.
His attitude was respectful and sincere.
Tang San’s face indeed lit up with pleasure upon hearing this.
Having someone hold his teacher’s theories in such high regard naturally made him feel proud.
“Of course.
Teacher has always been spreading his theories.
He’ll be very happy that a student is interested in his research.”
“I’m going to his office this afternoon anyway.
I’ll pass along your request.”
“Thank you so much!”
Wang Teng’s face broke into a smile.
With one concern settled, Wang Teng returned to his bed in a relaxed mood, ready for a good nap to recharge.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches of light on the dormitory floor.
Room Seven gradually quieted down, filled only with even breathing.
Before long, over an hour had passed.
After the afternoon rest, the work-study students of Room Seven slowly woke up, and the dormitory began to stir with soft sounds.
Wang Teng also rubbed his eyes and sat up.
He saw that Tang San had already tidied up and was heading out with a book under his arm.
“Xiao San!” Wang Teng called out quickly.
“Don’t forget about that favor I asked!”
Without turning around, Tang San raised a hand and waved it back at him: “Don’t worry.
I remember about the books.”
Watching Tang San’s figure disappear through the doorway, Wang Teng let out a breath of relief.
He turned to Wang Sheng on the adjacent bed, who had also gotten up, and asked, “Big Brother, what do people usually do at this time in the afternoon?”
Wang Sheng scratched his head while putting on his shoes and said, “The academy has classes in the morning, and most people meditate in the evening.”
“The afternoon is free, so everyone usually makes their own arrangements.”
“A few of us older ones generally go to the playground to stretch our legs.”
“Then I’ll go to the playground to train too—consider it adapting to academy life ahead of time.”
Wang Teng said as he nimbly got off the bed.
“Alright, let’s go together!”
Wang Sheng agreed and called out to two other work-study students in the dormitory.
I’m coming too!”
Turning around, they saw Xiao Wu hopping down from her bed, her eyes sparkling.
“Of course, it’d be great if Big Sister Xiao Wu wants to come!”
Wang Sheng agreed with a smile.
With Xiao Wu—the strongest fighter in Room Seven—along, they felt more at ease.
If they ran into Xiao Chenyu and his gang at the playground and a conflict broke out, having Xiao Wu on their side would greatly improve their chances of winning.
So the five of them left the dormitory chatting and laughing, heading toward the playground.
The playground looked completely different from yesterday.
Now that the academy had officially started and all students had returned, the vast field was filled with active figures.
Some jogged steadily around the track, others sparred in pairs, and groups of three or five practiced basic physical training.
The playground buzzed with youthful energy.
Wang Teng looked around and pointed to a quieter area to the south.
“There are fewer people in that garden over there.
Let’s go there.”
Xiao Wu followed his gaze and nodded.
“Sure, let’s go.”
Though called a garden, it didn’t actually have many flowers.
Instead, it was filled with lush trees, more like a planned grove of sparse woodland.
Wang Sheng walked ahead, explaining, “These trees were specially planted by the academy teachers—common varieties.”
“Sometimes during practical combat classes, students are brought here for simulated training.”
“Right here.”
The five stopped in the middle of the grove, looking around.
“How do you want to train?
Sparring?
If so, how about you all come at me together?”
Xiao Wu looked at Wang Teng and the others eagerly, her eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.
Wang Teng thought to himself, “What a combative rabbit.”
But out loud, he quickly declined, “I’m going to train on my own.
I don’t even have a single soul skill yet.
Fighting you would just be running and getting hit—no point.”
With that, he walked off to an open area nearby.
“What about you guys?”
Xiao Wu turned her gaze to Wang Sheng and the other two.
“We’ll pass too…”
Wang Sheng and the other two work-study students smiled awkwardly.
Their soul power wasn’t high to begin with, and the conflicts with Xiao Chenyu’s gang were mostly unavoidable.
None of the three were naturally combative, so they had no desire to seek out a beating.
“Boring.”
Xiao Wu pouted, lightly kicked off the ground, and nimbly leaped onto a thick branch nearby.
She sat cross-legged and began meditating by herself.
Meanwhile, Wang Teng had already started his training.
Over the years since his reincarnation, he had not been unprepared.
Now, he began a training regimen that combined memories from his past life with practical experience from this one.
First came a warm-up: moving his joints, stretching his limbs, slowly waking up his body.
Then from walking to jogging, gradually accelerating to a steady run.
Next was basic strength training: push-ups, squats, lunges, planks.
Then cardio and agility: taking out the hemp rope he carried with him, he started jump rope, shuttle runs, high knees, jumping jacks, and bent-over leg presses simulating mountain climbing.
After that came comprehensive fitness: lifting suitable stones from the grove, climbing tree trunks, striking tree trunks with moderate force to toughen his fists and feet.
Finally, he finished with systematic stretching: stretching his limbs, relaxing his back, and walking a few slow laps to let his body fully recover.
Throughout the entire afternoon, Wang Teng cycled through this routine.
But he wasn’t repeating it mechanically—he paid close attention to his body’s back, adjusting intensity and rest intervals as needed.
This method was the result of years of continuous experimentation and refinement.
Wang Teng believed it was the most efficient comprehensive physical training plan possible under his current conditions.
Of course, the physical foundation of the Douluo Continent was far superior to his past life’s world.
At just six years old, Wang Teng’s training volume would already have shocked teenagers in his previous life.
At first, Wang Sheng and the others merely watched Wang Teng’s somewhat unusual training movements with curiosity.
But as time passed and his training volume continued to accumulate, their curiosity turned to surprise, and finally to astonishment.
Even Xiao Wu, having finished her meditation, jumped down from the tree and stood with Wang Sheng and the others, silently watching the figure who kept pushing his own limits.
In the small grove beside Notting Academy’s playground.
The sun was setting, the sky growing late, the western horizon dyed a brilliant orange-red.
“Huff—hah—”