Soul Land: Xiao Yan Reincarnates as Huo Yuhao

"Spirit Hall?" Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Wang Yan paused, a hint of light flashing in his eyes. He gestured for Xiao Yan to continue.

"Why do you say the social structure of the Three Empires was outdated?"

"In the ancient texts, it was recorded that Spirit Hall, as the largest soul master organization on the continent thousands of years ago, would annually send a group of soul masters across the land to help six-year-old children awaken their martial souls—even to the most remote, underdeveloped places. They did this for decades without fail."

"Spirit Hall also provided a living allowance to low-ranking soul masters, enabling them to focus on cultivating their martial souls and serving the nation and society. However, this beneficial system was entirely eradicated when Spirit Hall was destroyed. Without Spirit Hall, how can children from poor families in remote mountainous regions awaken their martial souls?"

"For example, today, if a six-year-old child wants to awaken their martial soul, they must travel to the main city to do so. For nobles and royalty, it's easy to take a carriage to the city, but what about children from isolated villages?"

"Without Spirit Hall, the total number of soul masters in the Three Empires and the discovery of talented soul masters were greatly reduced."

"I remember that Tang San, the Tang Sect ancestor known throughout the continent, was born in a small, remote mountain village, right? Imagine if Spirit Hall hadn't helped him awaken his martial soul. Wouldn't he have been destined to remain buried in that small village for life?"

"There's an old saying: 'A debt of gratitude is remembered for a thousand years, and kindness blooms forever.' Yet someone who received Spirit Hall's assistance in childhood grew up only to destroy it. Regardless of who was right or wrong in that final confrontation, someone who rises to power yet forgets their roots, destroying everything while also dismantling the beneficial system from which they once profited—that is undoubtedly a mistake."

"When that person was six, Spirit Hall helped awaken their martial soul. But thousands of years later, countless children in remote areas are left without that chance. Destroying an organization is one thing, but doing so without creating a replacement system to carry on its benefits is utterly irresponsible."

"This action essentially denied future generations the privileges once accessible to all. It's like taking from the table only to flip it when you're full."

"Or perhaps it's simply flipping the table after filling up oneself?"

"For millennia since, many potential geniuses were probably buried because Spirit Hall no longer existed. If Spirit Hall were still around, the Three Empires' numbers of soul masters and titled Douluo four thousand years ago would've likely been much greater, making it unlikely they'd have initially lost to the Sun Moon Empire."

Wang Yan, still maintaining his gentle smile, didn't show any anger at Xiao Yan's implicit criticism of Tang San's destruction of Spirit Hall. Instead, he smiled and said, "Xiao Yan, your ability to analyze issues from different perspectives is commendable."

"Evaluating any organization from multiple perspectives is valuable, and not blindly following popular opinion shows independent thinking. The continent's future needs children like you. Destroying an organization without retaining its benefits is indeed a mistake."

"If Spirit Hall had existed four thousand years ago, actively nurturing soul masters and helping them grow, then perhaps the Three Empires wouldn't have initially lost. Shrek Academy wouldn't have needed to step in to clean up the mess."

Many students, unfamiliar with Spirit Hall, whispered among themselves, intrigued by this historical perspective. Some pointed at Xiao Yan, with mixed reactions—some in agreement, some not.

Xiao Yan's words had impressed Wang Yan, who mentally noted Xiao Yan's thoughtfulness. While the points he raised were rooted in historical fact, few were willing to delve into them.

"I believe this isn't just a matter of a lagging social structure; even Shrek Academy's admission system seems flawed. Joining requires reaching level 15 before age twelve and having a recommendation letter from a city lord."

"But where are ordinary folks supposed to get a city lord's recommendation? Doesn't that exclude many talented kids from poorer backgrounds?"

Xiao Yan was about to continue when the bell rang. Seeing this, Wang Yan quickly waved him off, signaling for Xiao Yan to stop. Another word could easily draw the ire of the academy's senior faculty.

Criticizing Tang San might be ignored, as he'd been gone for millennia, but criticizing Shrek Academy would not be tolerated by those in power. "That's all for this afternoon's class. Xiao Yan, come to my office. I'd like to discuss something with you." With that, Wang Yan gathered his materials and walked briskly to his office.

Xiao Yan blinked in surprise but rose and followed him.

"Do you think Xiao Yan's some kind of VIP? He just got here, and the teacher's already calling him in. What's that about?" some curious classmates speculated as they watched him leave.

"Who knows? Let's mind our own business."

"Exactly. Even if he is, look at those scrawny arms. If he dares mess with me, I'll put him in his place!"

"He bad-mouthed Shrek Academy; he's probably in for a lecture."

"…"

On the way to the office, Xiao Yan noticed a group of new students running laps in iron vests on the academy grounds. Each one looked exhausted and miserable, cursing under their breath—it was the students from Class One.

"What are they doing?" Xiao Yan wondered aloud.

Wang Yan paused, turning to explain with a smile, "That's Teacher Zhou's unique training method. It's designed to build students' willpower and stamina, laying a strong foundation for future martial soul cultivation."

"What? Running to build a foundation for cultivation? Isn't that something they could just do at home?" Xiao Yan scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Uh…" Wang Yan had no words for that.

Unlike the Grandmaster, Zhou Yi seemed to believe in supercharged running drills.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan overheard a familiar voice—Wang Dong's—complaining, "Ugh, what a crazy teacher! Is she insane, making us run every day? I think she's just using pressure tactics to cover up her inability to teach."

"Keep it down, Wang Dong. Don't let Teacher Zhou hear you, or she'll have you expelled." The warning came from a petite girl with light green eyes, who looked worried.

Wang Dong, however, seemed unfazed. "Let her try! If she dares to expel me, I'll just go to my two fathers for help. I'm not

afraid of her."

Soon, Xiao Yan arrived at the office with Wang Yan.