Chapter 13: Having a grudge against money

"Good morning, Senior Brother Wang Feng." Yin Fu responded politely. She had heard about what happened last time and knew Mo Tong's character. Senior Brother Wang Feng might be a bit naughty, but it was probably just self-defense. And for him to volunteer to clean the public toilets during his free time, that kind of spirit is truly something she should learn from.

Mo Tong snorted through his nose, remembering the warning he received. He continued to ignore everyone, tidying up his desk while muttering, "Seeing a dead fly first thing in the morning!"

Old Wang smiled; he was a magnanimous person: "Junior Brother Mo Tong, you smell really good today. Did you use cologne? Real man."

Mo Tong took a deep breath and lowered his head, saying nothing more.

Yin Fu couldn't help but laugh: "Senior Brother Wang Feng, please let him be. Mo Tong has been having a tough few days."

"What nonsense," Mo Tong snapped, unable to hold back: "Who’s letting who be? I don’t care about him at all! Hmph, I’ve been very happy these past few days. Yin Fu, don’t talk to him; he’s full of tricks!"

Yin Fu stuck out her tongue and gave Wang Feng an apologetic smile. After all, she needed to consider her companion's feelings and didn't want to continue the conversation.

Old Wang stared at Mo Tong with a half-smile for a moment, making Mo Tong feel uneasy. Was this a provocation? He couldn't win in a verbal fight, and he didn't dare to fight physically now. All he could do was maintain a dignified appearance.

Fortunately, Old Wang didn't say anything further, considering it a gesture towards a lady.

The room fell silent for a few minutes.

"Good morning, Junior Brothers and Sister," Li Sitan said as he entered precisely at eight o'clock, like a walking clock. He usually handled the classes unless there were special circumstances: "Let's start the lesson."

For Rune Masters, time is life. The teaching etiquette at the Rune Academy is the most casual in the entire Rose Holy Sanctuary. Li Sitan placed the rune book under his arm on the lectern without any pleasantries and immediately began teaching.

"We've all just started formal rune studies, and many beginners fall into a common misconception, thinking they can rely solely on rote memorization. I'm not entirely against this method, but in reality, relying only on memorization is unlikely to break through the First Order Rune level. At least, no one I know has done so."

As Li Sitan spoke, he waved his hand, and blue soul force flowed like light ribbons, leaving trails in the air. In just a few minutes, hundreds of different runes appeared before him, each flowing smoothly like art, shimmering with brilliance, showcasing Li Sitan's skill.

Yin Fu and Mo Tong sat upright, fully focused. If there was one area where the Eight Tribes fell short compared to humans, it was runes.

"This is our first task today. Identify how many different runes there are here," Li Sitan said with a slight smile. "Learning runes requires talent and a natural ability to distinguish and recognize runes and three-dimensional spaces."

Yin Fu concentrated on the front, and even Mo Tong, who had been cursing Old Wang in his heart, now focused intently, his eyes wide open. He was determined to prove himself, as even Lucky Heaven had said that if he had the ability, he should surpass the other in runes.

There were over three hundred floating runes, each like a suspended imprint, gently swaying with the air, subtly changing with each movement.

Li Sitan sat down with a stool, reading his rune book and occasionally jotting down notes, quickly immersing himself in his world.

The room, which had been warm, soon became eerily quiet, as if time had frozen, leaving only four wooden carvings.

Yes, this is what Rune Masters do—mostly solitary work with runes. This was just the first lesson.

The floating runes were all First Order Runes, not too complex, but mixed together in mid-air with slight movements, causing ordinary people to become dizzy after a few seconds. Mo Tong felt uncomfortable, but by channeling soul force into his eyes, he could focus better, being a god-seed.

Old Wang also looked focused, resting his chin in his hand, unmoving. But his focus wasn't on these low-level runes.

In the past few days, besides verifying various theories, he had also reviewed the process and possibilities of his return plan.

The Great Freedom Space Transfer Technique was definitely possible!

Every spatial movement leaves a coordinate, and such a powerful event would leave a clear energy exit point!

To build the Great Freedom Space Transfer Array, three preparations were needed: a soul force-rich location, which was relatively simple since the Rose Holy Sanctuary itself was a place of abundant soul force; materials for drawing the transfer boundary and a boundary tablet, which helped locate oneself and protect the soul from getting lost in space; and soul crystals, the core energy source of the technique. The more powerful, the better, though he knew this would be expensive and hard to come by.

It all boiled down to one issue—money.

Thinking about it made Old Wang feel sad. On Earth, he had spent a lifetime in debt, finally seeing a chance to turn things around and get rich, only to find himself in another poor body. Was money his enemy?

Even being a minor noble or a small businessman would have been better. His predecessor, this Wang family brother, chose to be a dead soldier!

As he thought about it, Old Wang felt hungry. The food in the Holy Sanctuary was mediocre; the city supposedly had better food, entertainment, and places for men...

Suddenly, he missed the street-side skewers near his old neighborhood, paired with a beer, forgetting about being a tycoon or dating a rich girl.

...

Li Sitan emerged from his research, checking the time. The morning had passed.

Rune study is a tedious yet enjoyable pursuit born from solitude and tranquility. Rune Masters found joy in it.

Noticing the trio's state, Li Sitan nodded inwardly.

(This time, the Wang family brother faces greater survival pressure. Things were too comfortable in the past, but now it needs to be more colorful and fulfilling.)