Douluo Continent III Haotian Wulin

"Hello, sister. My name is Tang Wulin. I'm here to report for duty."

Tang Wulin walked to the table and spoke politely first.

The black-haired girl sitting behind the table looked up at him, her expression softening noticeably. She had only seen him from afar—a young boy carrying a large bag, running alone to ask for directions—but now that he was closer, he was easier to remember. He wasn't short, with clean features and bright black eyes, though that brightness carried a hint of awkwardness from someone new to the place.

"Hello." The girl smiled. "I'm Liu Yuxin, a first-year student in the senior division of Donghai Academy. I'm in charge of welcoming new students this time. Please fill out this form first, and then give me your letter of recommendation."

"it is good."

Tang Wulin took the form and stood by the table, filling it out carefully.

Liu Yuxin had only glanced at it casually, but her gaze paused slightly when she saw the middle line.

"Tang Wulin, nine years old, graduated from Hongshan Junior Academy in Aolai City, Level 11 Weapon Soul Master, Martial Soul... Sinking Star Hammer?"

She raised her head and looked at Tang Wulin.

"Your martial spirit is a hammer?"

Tang Wulin nodded.

"Um."

Liu Yuxin's eyes showed a hint of interest.

Hammer-type weapon spirits aren't uncommon, but the name "Sinking Star Hammer" was something she'd never seen before. Moreover, the fact that this nine-year-old had reached level eleven already indicated that the child's cultivation was quite fast.

"Quite a rare name." She finished looking at the form and smiled at him again. "Reaching level eleven at nine years old is very impressive."

Tang Wulin was used to people judging his age first, then his martial spirit, and finally showing some scrutiny or disdain. Hearing her say this, he felt a sense of relief.

"Thank you, senior."

"Don't be so formal." Liu Yuxin took the letter of recommendation, glanced at it, and stamped it after confirming that it was correct. She then took out a small metal tag from the side and handed it to him. "Wear this around your neck for now. You'll need it to enter and exit the college during the reporting period. After you arrive at the college, you'll need to go to the academic affairs office to complete the formal procedures and get your dormitory key and school uniform."

Tang Wulin took the metal plaque, which was slightly cool to the touch. The front of the plaque bore the emblem of Donghai Academy, while the back had the words "Temporary Pass for New Student Reception" in small print.

"Senior, where should I go next?"

Liu Yuxin raised her hand and pointed behind her.

"The college bus behind us will take you all to the college once everyone is seated. Don't wander off after you get on the bus; just follow me when we arrive."

"Okay." Tang Wulin nodded. "Thank you, senior."

This time, he said thank you much more naturally than before.

Liu Yuxin watched his retreating figure as he walked towards the bus, a slight smile playing on her lips.

A senior boy next to him, also wearing a blue tracksuit, curled his lip in disapproval.

"Yu Xin, you're being way too patient with this junior. He's carrying such a big bag; he looks like he's from a small town. And his martial spirit is a hammer—it doesn't sound that special."

Liu Yuxin glanced at him.

"Among the new students in the intermediate division, there aren't many who have reached grade 11 at the age of nine. What makes you think they won't amount to anything in the future?"

The boy shrugged.

"I was just saying."

"Then you'd better say less." Liu Yuxin withdrew her gaze, her voice not loud but crisp, "Donghai Academy has no shortage of talented children, nor does it lack children who catch up later. If you look down on others now, don't be embarrassed when they catch up with you one day."

After being retorted by her, the boy immediately fell silent.

Tang Wulin naturally didn't hear any of this.

He had already boarded the bus with his luggage on his back.

The bus was spacious enough to seat dozens of people. There were already quite a few people on the bus, mostly parents accompanying their children. Some were whispering instructions, some were helping to organize clothes and luggage, and some children seemed very excited, looking out the window as soon as they got on the bus.

Tang Wulin chose a seat by the window and put his backpack on his lap.

Once I sat down, the surroundings became even more lively.

The sounds of adults talking filled the air, while children bombarded the car with questions. The car also echoed with the soft clatter of suitcase wheels against the seats. Tang Wulin sat quietly, his hand resting on his bag, and suddenly felt a pang of homesickness.

It's not about regretting coming.

But at times like these, it's inevitable to think about how I looked before I left home.

His mother helped him straighten his clothes one by one, and before he left, she repeatedly reminded him not to get too cold in Donghai, not to kick off the covers when he slept at night, to keep his money in separate places, and not to let his bag out of his hand even if he fell asleep on the bus. His father wrote down the route and registration process on a piece of paper. There weren't many words, but they were very detailed. He even wrote down what the bus sign looked like.

Neither of them said they were reluctant to part with it.

But Tang Wulin knew that they were reluctant to part with it.

He himself is one of them.

But since we're already here, there's no point in thinking about it anymore.

Tang Wulin looked down at his wrist.

The silver ring rested quietly on his wrist, inconspicuous. Its surface was dusty and unremarkable, looking much like an ordinary bracelet. But only he knew how convenient and valuable it was.

He could have packed his luggage inside.

But this time when he came to the East Sea, Mang Tian didn't allow him to use the Sinking Star Hammer, and instead made him bring out the pair of thousand-forged tungsten steel hammers. Add to that a change of clothes and daily necessities, and the space in the Sinking Silver Ring was naturally insufficient.

Thinking of this, he subconsciously clenched his fist again.

The Sinking Star Hammer wasn't in his hand at the moment, but its steady presence remained. It was his martial spirit, and the thing he could rely on most now.

The bus got more and more crowded.

Tang Wulin leaned against the window and mentally reviewed his father's route plan once more.

First, register, then complete the formalities, and then find a dormitory.

Don't go running around with strangers.

Once inside the college, the first thing to do is familiarize yourself with the route.

He silently read it over and over, and gradually felt more at ease.

I can do it myself.

As this thought arose, the expression on his face gradually relaxed. Although it was his first time coming to a big city alone, and everything around him was unfamiliar, he believed that as long as he did things one by one, he could eventually get them done.

When he looked up again, the sky outside the window was already brighter than before.

Not long after, the doors closed, the bus shook slightly, and it finally started moving.

Tang Wulin sat up straight immediately.

The streets outside the car window began to recede into the distance.

Donghai City was larger than he had imagined, with skyscrapers one after another, wider roads, and more cars. The shops along the streets, the traffic lights at the intersections, the pedestrians coming and going, and the elevated highways and large screens that were nowhere to be seen in Aolai City all made the city seem exceptionally compact and bustling.

Everyone here seems to have their own direction.

No one will stop and wait for anyone.

The bus continued forward, and the voices inside gradually quieted down. They'd seen everything they needed to see, given everything they needed to say, and even the initial excitement had worn off somewhat with the journey. Tang Wulin leaned against the window, his eyelids growing heavy, and he almost drifted off to sleep.

He only came to his senses when the car finally slowed down.

"We've arrived. Everyone, please take your belongings and don't wander off after getting off the bus."

A familiar voice came from ahead.

Tang Wulin looked up and realized that Liu Yuxin had somehow moved to the front row and was now standing up, greeting the new students and their parents on the bus.

The car door opened, and a slightly damp breeze blew in.

Tang Wulin picked up his bag and got off the bus with the crowd.

As soon as he got out of the car, the first thing he saw was the high courtyard wall.

The wall stretched out to both sides, long and sturdy. Further ahead lay the true main gate of Donghai Academy. A tall stone gatehouse stood there, its lines simple yet imposing. Behind the gatehouse, one could see large groves of trees and a wide road, noticeably quieter than the area around the station.

Tang Wulin stood still and looked up for a few seconds.

This is where he will be staying for the next six years.

"Tang Wulin".

Liu Yuxin's voice came from the front.

Tang Wulin quickly raised his head.

Liu Yuxin was standing to the side watching him. When she saw him come back to his senses, she waved to him.

"Follow me."

"Okay, senior." Tang Wulin immediately replied, slung his luggage over his shoulder, and quickly followed.