Yan Zu sat on the ground and opened the first page of the booklet in his hand.
It was his adapted version of One Thousand and One Nights, which he had transcribed the previous night—he had replaced the characters in the stories with spirit beasts and set the background in the Star Dou Great Forest.
“Today, I’ll tell a story about the ‘Wisdom Fox’ and the ‘Greedy Wolf King,'” Yan Zu cleared his throat and began.
He narrated vividly, his language lively and engaging.
In the story, the fox was clever and resourceful, using its wits time and again to outsmart the wolf king’s schemes.
The wolf king, greedy and cruel, ultimately met its own downfall.
The children listened, captivated, and even passing adults couldn’t help but stop to listen.
“…Finally, the fox said to the wolf king, ‘Strength is not meant to bully the weak, nor is wisdom meant to scheme against others. Every life in the forest has its purpose.'” Yan Zu concluded slowly.
“From then on, the spirit beasts in that territory learned to coexist peacefully, and the forest grew even more lush.”
After the story ended, the children remained immersed in the plot, chattering excitedly among themselves.
“The fox is so clever!”
“The wolf king is too evil!”
“I want to be like the fox and solve problems with wisdom in the future!”
Yan Zu felt a stirring in his heart.
As he told the story, he sensed the Xuanyuan Sword Phantom in his spiritual world tremble slightly, and the golden patterns on the sword seemed to glow a little brighter.
Though the change was minuscule, he could feel it clearly—it was the Civilization Aspiration Power gathering!
“So that’s how it is…” Yan Zu pondered thoughtfully.
“Spreading stories of wisdom can resonate with listeners and generate aspiration power. Though it’s still very faint now, this path is viable.”
He decided that after enrolling in Nuoding Academy, he would find a way to formally publish these adapted stories.
Although the Douluo Continent had a culture of Soul Masters, popular literature was almost nonexistent.
Using novels as a medium to spread the ideals of civilization was both discreet and efficient.
“It seems I’ll have to make time to write a few more stories,” Yan Zu thought to himself.
Over the next few days, Yan Zu spent his days training Xiao Wu and telling stories to the children.
At night, he and Xiao Wu entered the Mimetic Training Ground to cultivate together.
Their synergy grew visibly, and their Martial Soul Compatibility steadily improved.
The nightly storytelling sessions became a fixed expectation for the children of Five Soul Village.
Yan Zu continued to tell adapted versions of stories like Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and The Adventures of Sinbad, each time captivating the villagers.
Seven days later, as evening fell, the family gathered around the stone table in the courtyard for dinner.
However, the atmosphere was not as relaxed as usual.
Yan Hu set down his bowl and chopsticks, his tone serious.
“A’zu, Xiao Wu, your mother and I have discussed it. You’ll soon be reporting to Nuoding Academy, and we… aren’t comfortable letting you two go alone.”
Su Qing continued, “Nottingham City is over sixty miles from the village. You’ll have to live on campus and can only come back once a month. After thinking it over, your father and I have decided to accompany you into the city.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Xiao Wu looked up in surprise.
“Really? Aunt Su and Uncle Yan are coming too?”
“Mm.” Su Qing smiled gently.
“We plan to rent a small courtyard in the city.
Your Uncle Yan can take on escort and guard jobs, and as for me…” She pulled out a wooden plaque from her bosom, engraved with the words “Su Family Clinic.” “I’ll hang this up and practice as a physician.
Those of us from Five Soul Village, who doesn’t know a few medicinal herbs?
Treating minor illnesses and pains shouldn’t be a problem.”
A warm feeling surged in Yan Zu’s heart.
His parents were willing to give up their relatively stable life in the village to accompany them to an unfamiliar city and start anew.
He understood—this was the best plan they could think of: being able to care for them nearby, sustain their livelihood, and avoid drawing attention.
“Mother, opening a clinic requires quite a bit of capital, doesn’t it?” Yan Zu asked.
Su Qing smiled.
“We’ve saved up over the years, and the materials from that Wind Wolf last time fetched a good price. It’s enough. And…” She blinked.
“Your father is now a Soul Venerable, so the rewards for taking on missions are much higher.”
Yan Hu scratched his head sheepishly.
“Actually, it’s all thanks to the cultivation method you gave me, A’zu. I’ve felt my soul power improving again recently. Perhaps in another year or two, I can attempt to break through to level thirty-three.”
Level thirty-three—in a small place like Nottingham City, that was already considered a master.
Only then did Yan Zu feel at ease.
“When do we leave?” Xiao Wu asked eagerly.
“In three days,” Yan Hu said.
“I’ve already asked someone to check Nuoding Academy’s enrollment period. There’s still half a month left. We’ll go early to familiarize ourselves with the environment.”
Over the next two days, the Yan family busily packed their belongings.
There wasn’t much to bring, as most of their household items would remain in the village.
They only took necessary clothing, bedding, and some daily essentials.
Yan Hu carefully cleaned and stored his hunting tools, while Su Qing sorted and packed the dried medicinal herbs.
On the night before their departure, Yan Zu and Xiao Wu entered the Mimetic Training Ground for the last time.
This time, Yan Zu simulated a complex environment: dense forest, dim lighting, and three coordinated Soul Master teams.
“Tonight’s graduation exam,” Yan Zu said with a smile.
“Deal!” Xiao Wu’s fighting spirit soared.
The battle began.
Three Soul Masters closed in from three directions—one advancing with a shield, one providing long-range interference, and one waiting for an opportunity to ambush.
If this had been Xiao Wu from seven days ago, she would have been flustered.
But now, her steps were exquisite with the Wind God Leg Technique, her figure weaving through the trees like the wind.
She no longer charged blindly, instead patiently waiting for the opportunity Yan Zu would create.
Yan Zu did not disappoint her.
First, he used the terrain to restrain the shield-bearing Soul Master, then employed hidden weapon techniques from the Nine Yin Manual to disrupt the long-range Soul Master—though they were only stones, they struck accurately at weak points like the opponent’s wrists and eyes.
Xiao Wu immediately seized the opportunity, shooting forward like an arrow.
Her first spirit ring lit up as she activated “Waist Bow,” her body completing an incredible twist in mid-air before her right leg slammed heavily into the ambushing Soul Master’s back.
“Bang!” The phantom dissipated.
The remaining two Soul Masters were too late to assist.
Yan Zu took advantage of the opening to advance, and with Xiao Wu’s harassment, quickly “eliminated” the other two as well.
The battle ended.
Xiao Wu panted, her face full of excitement.
“Brother A’zu, we won!”
Yan Zu smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
The progress over these seven days was tangible—Xiao Wu’s combat awareness, movement techniques, and timing had all undergone a qualitative leap.
And the tacit understanding between the two had reached a level where a single glance could convey intent.
[Detected that the host and the bound target ‘Xiao Wu’ have completed high-difficulty coordination in a complex environment. Martial Soul Compatibility +5%. Current compatibility: 58%.]
[Reminder: Only 2% away from initial Martial Soul Resonance.]
“Almost there,” Yan Zu thought to himself.
As their consciousness returned to reality, moonlight streamed through the window.
Xiao Wu hugged her pillow and shuffled to his bedside, whispering, “A’zu, I’m a little reluctant to leave the village…”
Yan Zu ruffled her hair.
“We’ll come back. Besides, Nottingham City has more delicious food and more fun things to do.”
“Really?” Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up.
“Really,” Yan Zu said with a smile.
“Sleep now. We have to wake up early tomorrow.”