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"Is this... is this really the Spirit Master Academy?"
"It's so shabby. It doesn't even compare to my son's regular college."
"Could this be some kind of scam school?"
"Ugh, don't scare me! If that's true, then there's no hope at all."
Parents who had accompanied their children to the entrance exam stared wide-eyed at the sight of the Spirit Master Academy.
Their murmurs filled the air, their skepticism clear.
From the second floor of the office building, Lin Jin stood gazing down at the college he had worked so hard to establish.
Though the entire campus looked modest at best, he was still filled with pride and passion.
From his vantage point, the entire campus was laid out in a simple and orderly manner.
At the center was a neatly arranged playground. To the left stood the dormitory, and to the right stood the teaching building.
Each of these structures was only two stories tall, and their unassuming nature made them seem more like part of a small rural school than a prestigious academy.
Behind the dormitory were the canteen and the bathhouse—functional but far from luxurious.
Lin Jin smiled to himself. Considering his limited time and resources, the fact that they'd managed this much was something to be proud of.
It might seem small, but this was where his dream would take flight.
Outside the front gate, a throng of people had gathered.
Thankfully, he had hired a few villagers to help manage the crowd.
Without them, things would've descended into chaos long ago.
"It looks like the public outreach worked," Lin Jin muttered, observing the crowd with satisfaction.
If only the nearby village of Yon had responded, there wouldn't be so many people here.
His efforts to spread the word about Tianxing Spirit Master Academy in Blackstone City had paid off.
Not only the city but even the surrounding towns and villages had heard of the new college.
The gold coins spent on advertising were well worth it.
Checking the time, Lin Jin decided it was finally time to make his appearance.
As he turned to leave his office, he glanced at the empty desks; there was only one other instructor in the entire building.
He had to keep things running himself, at least for the time being.
Outside, the crowd was restless. Parents had come with their children at the crack of dawn, and after hours of waiting, many were starting to grumble with frustration.
"What kind of lousy place is this? We've been standing here forever, and no tutor has shown up! Is this place even real, or just an empty shell?" a voice rang out from the crowd.
"Exactly! Let's go! This place looks like a joke!" someone else chimed in, and the mood shifted.
The crowd stirred with unease, doubt creeping in.
Many began to second-guess themselves, wondering if they'd been duped. But, despite their frustration, they clung to hope.
After all, they had come all this way. Leaving on a whim wasn't an easy choice.
Just as the uncertainty reached its peak, one of the villagers tasked with guarding the gate spotted Lin Jin emerging from the building.
He quickly called out, "The Dean is here!"
The once noisy crowd slowly fell silent, hundreds of eyes turning to fix on Lin Jin.
Standing alone, faced with so many expectant faces, Lin Jin could feel the weight of their gazes pressing down on him.
This was the first time he had stood before such a large group, and the pressure was palpable.
He felt as though every move and every word would be scrutinized.
But he straightened his posture, knowing he had to present himself as a capable, confident president.
This was his moment.
Facing the crowd for the first time, Lin Jin couldn't help but admit that he was nervous. His heart pounded, but a sudden flash of inspiration struck him.
At that moment, a ruler appeared in his hand, and an unexpected calm settled over him.
To the crowd, it seemed as though Lin Jin's entire demeanor changed in an instant.
His previously unassuming figure now radiated a powerful aura, like a great force surged from within.
Though not particularly tall, he suddenly stood like a towering pine tree—decisive and resolute.
This was Lin Jin's creed: "Heaven rewards diligence. A gentleman is always striving for self-improvement."
With newfound confidence, he addressed the crowd, his voice clear and steady.
"In my academy, we don't prioritize innate talent or the strength of one's martial spirit. We believe that hard work brings rewards. A gentleman should act like nature—unceasing, striving for self-improvement, resolute in pursuing strength."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"But no matter how much effort you put in, without any innate spirit power, I can do little to help. No amount of belief can change that fact."
His eyes scanned the crowd as he continued, "If any of you lack even a trace of spirit power, I urge you not to waste your time here."
Disappointment swept through some of the gathered parents and students. Lin Jin saw their downcast expressions as reality settled in.
He softened his tone and addressed them directly.
"I'm sorry. However, remember that becoming a spirit master is not the only path in life. There are many ways to succeed. Help your children find their right path, and encourage them to keep working hard."
One parent nodded slowly, offering a quiet "thank you" before pulling their child away, clearly discouraged.
Just as Lin Jin was about to sit down, a sharp, mocking voice cut through the crowd.
"Ridiculous! Do you think hard work alone will lead to success without talent? That's nothing but wishful thinking!"
A middle-aged man, accompanied by several followers, pushed his way through the crowd, his eyes locked on Lin Jin with a smug grin.
The crowd stirred at his bold interruption, some muttering in confusion while others glared in frustration.
Lin Jin's eyes narrowed as he sized up the newcomer.
Was this man here to cause trouble?
Among the man's entourage, Lin Jin recognized a few faces—these were the same troublemakers who had stirred up discontent in the line earlier.
The realization hit him: this wasn't just a random disruption.
They were here to sabotage his efforts.
Murmurs spread through the crowd as people began to recognize the man.
"That's Ding Sanshi, the director of Blackstone Junior Spirit Master Academy," someone whispered.
In a far corner, a young man named Dai Mubai watched the scene unfold with cold indifference. He had felt uneasy ever since he first laid eyes on the academy.
The moment he realized Lin Jin was the dean, his suspicion turned to anger—he knew he had been deceived.
Now, he was curious to see how Lin Jin would handle this challenge.
Ding Sanshi swaggered up to Lin Jin, his sharp, predatory gaze never leaving him.
Although Lin Jin's academy was small and posed no current threat, Ding Sanshi had no intention of allowing a second spirit master academy to establish itself in Blackstone City.
Lin Jin remained still, his posture calm, though his mind was racing. He understood the unspoken threat in Ding Sanshi's eyes.
This wasn't just about competition but survival in a cutthroat world. If he faltered here, his college might never get the chance to grow.
But Lin Jin wouldn't back down. This was where his dream began, and no one—not even Ding Sanshi—would take that from him.