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"Sir, do you think there's anything missing?"
In Yon Village, a small figure could be seen overseeing the construction of Tianxing Spirit Master Academy. Numerous workers were busy on the several construction sites, all working in full swing.
Fortunately, the surrounding land was relatively flat, and with Lin Jin's help, the project was progressing smoothly.
The Engineer in charge of the construction approached Lin Jin with a draft drawing.
Lin Jin carefully examined the construction plan for Tianxing Academy, frowning thoughtfully. The overall Academy area wasn't huge—about 20 mu (approximately 13,333 square meters), with only a few planned buildings: a teaching building, office building, student dormitory, teacher dormitory, warehouse, kitchen, and toilets.
"Is there anything missing?" he murmured, scanning the plans.
Then it hit him. "Yes! The bathhouse! Where's the bathhouse?"
"The bathhouse?"
The Engineer was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure. He had nearly forgotten they were building a Spirit Master Academy.
But still... could this humble place be a Academy for Spirit Masters?
He glanced at the construction site and shook his head subconsciously.
Lin Jin noticed his hesitation and stared at him.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
The Engineer, startled, quickly apologized.
"No, no... It's just—are you serious?"
"Excuse me?" Lin Jin's gaze sharpened.
Despite the intimidation he felt, the engineer couldn't help but ask, "I mean, are you going to establish a Spirit Master Academy here?"
"Of course I am!" Lin Jin snapped.
"Why else would I go through all this trouble?"
He sighed in frustration, looking at the bustling site around him. It was a reminder of how weak his current position still was.
Seeing Lin Jin's determination, the engineer's eyes lit up. After a moment of hesitation, he asked cautiously, "My Lord, could you perhaps allow my child to apply?"
"Your child?" Lin Jin raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.
"Couldn't pass the admission test for Blackstone Spirit Master Junior Academy, I take it?"
The Engineer's face turned red, but he didn't deny it.
"Why is that?" Lin Jin asked after a moment.
"Is their innate spirit power too low?"
The Engineer was relieved to hear the question. Despite the ridicule, he knew it was his chance.
"Yes, actually," he admitted.
"His innate spirit power is only at level one, and his martial spirit is... well, it's just an iron stick, about as thick as a finger."
"Iron rod?" Lin Jin muttered, unconsciously amused.
The Engineer noticed his reaction, his eyes hopeful.
"You know of this martial spirit?" he asked eagerly.
Lin Jin gave him an odd look but nodded.
It made sense—an "construction family" would have a martial spirit like that.
After all, an iron rod could still be a weapon, useful for its sharp attacking power.
"Very well," Lin Jin finally said, meeting the engineer's expectant gaze.
"Bring him here when the Academy opens. He can give it a try. However, not everyone will qualify even with our lower enrollment standards this year."
"I understand," the Engineer replied, overjoyed. He glanced at the busy construction site, then said to Lin Jin,
"My Lord, allow me to take care of the wages for the workers here."
Lin Jin looked at him in surprise. This guy knew how to play his cards right—now it would be difficult to refuse the man's son a spot at the Academy.
But the Engineer had no reservations. If his family could produce a spirit master, any expense would be worth it.
"Sir," the Engineer continued, "where should the bathhouse be built?"
Lin Jin thought for a moment.
"Build one on each side of the teaching building. Separate them for men and women."
"Understood."
...
Tianxing Spirit Master Academy was built near a mountain, with no trees on the rear slope—only a stretch of green grass.
From this vantage point, the entire Tianxing Academy and Yon Village are below.
"This is my territory!"
Lin Jin looked down at the busy construction site, filled with emotion and high spirits. But as time passed, his initial excitement waned, and he sat down dispiritedly.
Though this new world was full of wonders, it lacked the comforts he once knew—no internet, no mobile phones or computers, and no familiar faces.
Whenever he had a moment of leisure, a sense of inexplicable loneliness settled around him.
"Alas..." he sighed deeply, raising his head to gaze at the vast sky above—pure and clear, like an immeasurable sea.
From nothing, he was creating what would become the best Academy on the continent. Lin Jin didn't know how far he still had to go or how much time it would take.
A feeling of uncertainty lingered—would he remember his world and all he'd done there when it was over? Or would it all fade into the unknown?
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and a nine-story tower starts with a heap of mud," he murmured.
Focusing his gaze on everything at the foot of the mountain, his heart suddenly lightened. Whatever the future held, it all had to start here.
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Recently, Blackstone City has been buzzing with activity.
The talk of the town revolved around one thing: a new Spirit Master Academy called "Tianxing."
A group of strangers sat together in a teahouse with guests, exchanging conversation. Most of their chatter centered on Tianxing Spirit Master Academy.
"What do you think is the origin of this Academy?" one of them asked.
"I have no idea. I haven't heard of it until now," another replied.
"Could it be some fake spirit master trying to scam people? I've heard about a spirit master who once set up a fake Academy and disappeared with everyone's tuition."
"Really? I hadn't heard that!" someone said in surprise.
"I doubt it. I heard the Academy is already built in Yon Village. It's past admission season, and they've invested much money. If it were a scam, they'd barely recover their expenses," someone reasoned.
"Who knows with these things?" another said with a shrug.
"I'm thinking of letting my boy try it," one father said thoughtfully.
"Isn't your child eight? And his innate spirit power is only half a level?" a friend remarked.
"Well, who knows—maybe we'll get lucky, like a blind cat finding a dead mouse. If he wasn't good enough for Blackstone Junior Spirit Master Academy, Tianxing might still accept him. If he gets in, there might be a glimmer of hope."
"You do have a point. So, when will the Academy start recruiting?"
"Tomorrow!" the man replied.
Many of the teahouse guests looked contemplative, clearly intrigued by the idea.
The two who spoke earlier exchanged smiles, silently touching the gold coin in his pocket.
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At Blackstone Junior Spirit Academy.
"It's just a minor nuisance. There's no need to worry," the dean said dismissively after hearing the report from the director.
Blackstone Junior Spirit Master Academy was well-established in the city—how could a fledgling institution like Tianxing pose any real threat?
Besides, all the qualified students in Blackstone City had already been accepted here. What qualifications did Tianxing Spirit Master Academy have to challenge its status?
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In a Viscount's mansion in Blackstone City.
"My lord, something terrible has happened! The young master is gone!" a guard exclaimed.
"What?"
The middle-aged man, who had been leisurely sipping tea, jumped up from his rocking chair, splattering tea all over the guard's face.