The Ascension of Contracted Spirits

Chapter 58 - 57: Cafeteria_1

"Yiye?"

The little tadpole tilted its head, indicating that it did not understand.

Actually, human language can be difficult, but it can also be simple.

But the main point is, the little fellow doesn’t have the conscious will to learn and instead prefers to take an unconventional route.

Whether it’s spitting water or floating bubbles, new skills were comprehended as a result of weird and strange reasons that aroused his spiritual essence.

Could this Water Invisibility Technique... also be learned that way?

Ye Hanjun rubbed his forehead thoughtfully, daringly making outlandish assumptions while guiding the little tadpole to display its skills. After almost ten minutes, he finally confirmed the cause-and-effect relationship.

Talk about unbelievable.

Indeed, nothing ever goes as expected.

It turns out, the little tadpole thought it was playing a game where it had to be still like Huazhu.

It joined in, no longer swimming or calling out.

In the silence, it then had trouble trying to mimic its own soul disassembling and spiritual essence disappearing, giving it an "empty and soulless" look.

The little tadpole wracked its brain, and in its confusion, it found a way to make its form invisible.

And then... it disappeared.

"You’re just a little tadpole, do you really need so many skills?"

"Forget about other people’s spirit fonds being jealous, even our own- look at Sister Huazhu, her gaze, her expression, isn’t that jealousy?"

Ye Hanjun took a deep breath, recounting carefully.

The majority of his occasional quips in this life were thrown at GuaGua.

Indeed, seizing the essence of heaven and earth and also being blessed by Heaven and Earth, that’s the talent of Pure Fond Spirits!

"I have a feeling that you’re going to become a chaos world great demon king in the future."

"Don’t think that being a Pure Fond Spirit means you’re absolutely pure and good. The more innocent and untainted you are, the more likely you are to be lawless in another aspect, completely disregarding the norms and rules of the world..."

"Yiye~~~ Yiye~~~"

The carefree GuaGua didn’t pay attention to anything besides its own name.

Ye Hanjun played with it for a while and then ordered it back into the water bottle, preparing to leave the target practice room.

"Master, why wasn’t GuaGua sucked into the Gate of Life and Death?" Huazhu asked suddenly.

It was a bit odd that the Pure White Tadpole had been the only one ignored amongst those present earlier.

"Only the key-holders of the Gate of Life and Death can enter," Ye Hanjun paused, "The Key of the Gray Sun hiding in my Sea of Souls is one of the symbols of the ’Instructor’ and also the highest authority key."

"Since you’re my Contracted Spirit Fond Spirit, you can naturally follow me in."

"GuaGua has not signed a contract yet, and thus can’t enjoy the training effect granted by the death challenge until I ascend to the 4th Order."

"Can other people, or other spirit fonds, not enter then?"

"No." Ye Hanjun shook his head lightly. "Regarding being an instructor, my overall aim has never been wrong, but details need to be tweaked."

"I originally thought that assimilating into the role of a mentor, educating various types of humans or spirit fonds and nurturing them into talents were the only ways for my authority to grow."

"But now, I realize that while generalized education still works, I have an alternative shortcut. I can pursue a more refined elite education."

Ye Hanjun’s thoughts stirred, and the Key of Gray Sun reappeared on his brow. The three crescent moons revolving around it breathed like they possessed a spirit on their own.

"The Key of the Grey Moon was born out of the Gate of Life and Death and is a companion of the Key of Gray Sun."

"Those who possess the Key of the Gray Moon can also bring their Contracted Spirit Fonds to train within the Gate of Life and Death."

"Next, I will select three ’suitables’ and take them under me."

"Their authority doesn’t need to be particularly rare or powerful. Consideration will be given first to character and comfort level."

"Once placed on the correct track for growth, the holders of the Key of Gray Moon can provide me with valuable experience supporting my rapid authority growth in the form of patronage..."

Upon saying this, Ye Hanjun was increasingly looking forward to the upcoming academy life.

The growth direction for the Instructor’s role has become clearer with the legacy information.

These three disciples, unless something unexpected happens, should be found among the lower-ranking Patrons at Canghai Pavilion.

Once found, the Key of Gray Moon will be given to them. They will become my ’disciples’ and form a subordinate relationship with me, the ’Instructor’."

Future advancement from the 1st Order to the 2nd Order relies heavily on these three disciples, taking up eighty percent of the requirements. Their importance cannot be ignored!

...

"I’ll think about it when I get back."

Ye Hanjun activated the Contract Imprints, collecting Huazhu.

After rebagging his water bottle over his shoulder, he glanced at the number 6 on the door, standing silently.

Of the 10 hours privilege given by the assistant every month, a surprising forty percent was consumed during this trip.

But it doesn’t matter, as the experiences during those four hours were actually... rather interesting.

"Booom!"

The door opened, and Ye Hanjun left without hesitation.

He didn’t head back directly, but stopped by the nearest cafeteria on his way home.

"Freshly cooked Squid Tentacles with 108 Claws! Delicious and affordable! Crunchy! Welcome for tasting!"

"Come take a look! Opening promotion for our shop - top up 10 Lower Quality Spirit Stones today and enjoy 20% off on everything, stand a chance to receive a lucky big gift pack, shop with us and you won’t be disappointed!"

"Still struggling with a rumbling stomach? Still troubled by spirit fonds with no appetite? Keep calm and don’t rush. Our shop has hired a professional pastry chef. Our special rice dumpling with a hint of vinegar is perfect before a meal, increases up to 120% nutrient absorption!"

Ye Hanjun slowed down, taking a leisure stroll around the first floor of the canteen.

Here, it was all snacks, a dazzling array of choices, a feast for the eyes.

Although mostly junk food was on offer, it was truly tempting. Both the Patrons and their Fond Spirits were indulging, their faces full of grease and enjoyment.

Upon reaching the second floor, the atmosphere drastically changed.

Half of the floor was dedicated to gourmet food, while the other half sold ingredients.

Ye Hanjun became somewhat interested in the magical food prepared by certain pastry chefs, cooks, and beverage makers.

All these professions were of E rank, and as long as the recipes were not awful and were cooked with care, they could indeed be enticing.

Most intriguing was today’s special dish, "Explosive Fried Rice with Eggs," known for its ability to replenish vitality, causing Ye Hanjun to stop in his tracks.

"Who knew the day would come when an empty wallet would stand in the way of my culinary delight..."

The explosive fried rice with eggs was priced at a whopping 10 lower quality Spirit Stones.

This one meal represented more than half a month’s food expenses for a new Patron and their Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits!

Ye Hanjun agonized for a bit, but eventually decided against spending his only medium quality Spirit Stone.

Although one medium quality Spirit Stone could exchange for 10 orders of the fried rice.

The places where money was needed were far too many: life-saving equipment, emergency medicine, ceremonial materials, daily necessities... he was barely scratching the surface.

It was better to focus on how to double it, and make a fortune with this as the seed money.

Ye Hanjun continued to ascend.

The third floor was a free food zone for students.

A cursory glance suggested it could fill you up halfway.

If you’re hoping it will provide the necessary nutrients to promote individual development, however, you can just forget about it.

Slightly comforting was the fact that the assistant position was entitled to the second-ranked free meals on the fourth floor.

Dual-tailed raccoon meat, aged salted fish, deep-fried snake head, centipede rice balls, giant sparrow stewed with mushrooms...

Even though these couldn’t compete with his previous meals in terms of taste and effects,

they did contain some nutritional value, which barely met Ye Hanjun’s acceptance level, so they would suffice for now.

"I’ll take one serving."

He lowered his cap, swiping his personal badge.

Having eaten in the daylight and used up all of the Shield Armor Turtle’s meat, theoretically, he wouldn’t be hungry for one day.

Strangely after his stroll in the Gate of Life and Death, he felt hungry again. So, he ordered food as his supper.

"Huh? It’s been a while since we had a proper assistant come to order food."

The cook, a sturdy woman, looked skeptically at his badge as she served the food.

There were many students struggling in the academy, and though the free food was average, it still appealed to a considerable audience.

But once someone was promoted and attained the second rank and had the ability to secure an assistant position, with several avenues for income,

Most people prioritized the nutritional value of food.

They’d rather hunt or buy their own food than taste the free low-cost food.

On the contrary, staff with more average abilities would occasionally come here to purchase at cost, ensuring there was a market for all the food prepared each day.

"I’ve ran into some trouble recently..." Ye Hanjun laughed it off, "Also, give me half a serving of fresh cut Flame Frog Meat and half a serving of Black Radish."

"Here." The steam from the stove behind the woman sizzled and popped, as if a dish was finished cooking.

The hot-tempered cook, wielding a spatula half her size, hurried to pack the takeaways as requested.

After stirring with her souls stirrer, just before it got full on the third time, she gently pushed the two boxes to the front.

Ye Hanjun took it smoothly, weighing it in his hands, he broached the topic, "Isn’t there free soup?"

"In the bucket on the right, help yourself!"

The cook with a wave of her hand, pompously handed over a giant ladle that was a meter long.

Then she turned back, stomping loudly in her high heels, chopped more meat, and tossed it into the stove, all in one fluid motion.

"..."

Looking at the ladle which was as large as his face, Ye Hanjun fell into contemplation.

Finally, he lifted the lid of the giant black bucket, a green, thin, long bug, nonchalantly raised its eyes at him, it leisurely crawled to the edge of the bucket.

"Woosh——"

Without being surprised, Ye Hanjun ladled a bowl of soup, packing it in a box.

This must be the cook’s Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits.

This creature, known as the "Green Leaf Bamboo Stick Bug," doesn’t have much combat power, but when deep-fried, it’s crispy and sweet, carrying high nutritional value.

If you don’t cook it as a main course, soaking it in 20 liters of natural spring water, slow-cooked over medium heat for roughly 5 hours, it would yield a pot of vegetable soup.

For the heat-resistant Green Leaf Bamboo Stick Bug, it just felt like a bath and a nap.

But this soup was slightly sweet, a few sips before meals would warm the stomach,

and consuming it after meals not only promoted digestion but slightly increased the absorption efficiency of food, it was pretty good.

Of course, if it could evolve into Jade Infant and transform into Red Leaf Bamboo Stick Bug, that was what Ye Hanjun desired.

The soup from Red Leaf Bamboo Stick Bug was as beneficial as 100-year-old medicinal soup, it was a blood tonic which was regarded as an excellent supplement for the current stage.

Unfortunately.