Notting City Soul Master Academy
Old Jack brought Tang San to the Notting City Soul Master Academy.
As expected, they encountered trouble at the academy gate.
"A golden phoenix from a straw nest? Someone from a little village actually has soul power? The academy hasn't had a working student in years. You're not fakes, are you?"
"A Blue Silver Grass martial soul? And innate full soul power? What a joke—this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I've been a gatekeeper here for four years, and I've never seen a student with innate full soul power. This kid's martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, and you're telling me it's full soul power? This certificate from the Spirit Hall must be forged."
"You're deliberately making things difficult. Fine, wait here. I'll go get the steward from the Spirit Hall. Xiao San, let's go."
"Saint Spirit Village? More like Beggar Village, if you ask me."
"What did you say?"
"What? Don't like what you heard? I said you're from Beggar Village. Look at this little pauper—his clothes are full of patches. You two should be out begging, not here. This is Notting Academy, not a charity house. Get lost!"
Tang San stood quietly on the side, like a bystander. Unlike in his previous life, he didn't step in to defend Old Jack. Back then, he had lived in Saint Spirit Village for six years and had formed an emotional bond. But now, after living through decades in his past life, those attachments had long since faded.
To Tang San, the gatekeeper's behavior was simply courting death. But as someone who had once ascended to become the Sea God, lowering himself to deal with a mere gatekeeper was beneath him.
Everything was unfolding as Tang San expected. What came next was the master's entrance.
"Enough. That's enough," a calm yet subtly emotional voice interrupted the farce.
The gatekeeper froze, and his angry face instantly melted into obsequiousness. The speed of the change was almost comical. He bowed and grinned at the newcomer, saying, "Master, you're back!"
A man of medium height, lean build, with a buzz cut and a calm expression, hands behind his back, appeared in front of the three. It was Yu Xiaogang, projecting the image of a worldly-wise master.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Old Jack and Tang San, a ripple of emotion flashing in his otherwise calm eyes.
Inside, he was overwhelmed with joy.
Tang San… this child is the key to my rise. A gift from the heavens! My fated disciple!
Unaware that Tang San had been reborn, Yu Xiaogang thought this was their first meeting and maintained his dignified demeanor. He extended his hand to Old Jack and said, "Old sir, may I see the certificate from the Spirit Hall?"
Old Jack handed it over. Yu Xiaogang glanced at it seriously, then looked Tang San over from head to toe, and nodded.
"It's genuine. Old sir, please allow me to apologize on behalf of the academy for what just happened. I'll take this child from here."
Having someone of at least Soul Master level apologize to him satisfied Old Jack's sense of pride. He quickly waved his hands and said, "No need to apologize, no need. We were also in the wrong. Master, I'll leave the child to you then. Xiao San, be sure to listen to him."
After giving Tang San a few more reminders, Old Jack left.
Yu Xiaogang gave the gatekeeper a cold glance. "This is the first—and the last—time. If it happens again, you won't be needed here anymore."
His hoarse yet calm voice left no room for argument.
The gatekeeper broke out in a cold sweat and nodded repeatedly as he quickly stepped aside.
Yu Xiaogang looked down at Tang San, smiled, and took his hand. "Come, let's go in."
"Thank you, teacher," Tang San said.
"Teacher? I'm not a teacher at this academy," Yu Xiaogang replied, looking down at Tang San with a faint smile.
"You're not? But didn't you just say you were representing the academy?"
"Who says only teachers can represent the academy?" Yu Xiaogang snorted.
He had suffered countless humiliations at Notting Academy. It was just like the saying: Even a dragon is mocked when stranded in the shallows. How could someone like him be a formal teacher here?
Tang San said thoughtfully, "I see… then you must be the principal or someone in charge?"
Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but chuckle. "You're a clever six-year-old, but still wrong."
"Then who are you?" Tang San asked.
"I'm just a resident who eats and sleeps here for free," Yu Xiaogang replied with mystery. "Everyone calls me 'Master.' I've even forgotten my real name. According to the certificate, your name is Tang San, right? You should know—'Master' and 'Teacher' are very different titles. Don't mix them up. Unless…"
"Unless you're going to teach me how to cultivate my martial soul?" Tang San asked.
Yu Xiaogang stopped walking and turned to face him. "And if I am—would you be willing?"
Neither knew the other was reborn, and both were skilled at hiding secrets. So their first meeting turned into a mutual performance, leaving each convinced that the world remained unchanged.
Yu Xiaogang placed his hands behind his back, ready to launch into an impressive speech to showcase his vast theoretical knowledge.
But then—
"I'm willing," Tang San said calmly.
In his past life, he had already apprenticed under Yu Xiaogang and knew him well. There was no need to play games—he cut straight to the point.
"You're willing??" Yu Xiaogang was stunned. In his previous life, Tang San had hesitated and waited for him to demonstrate his abilities!
"Yes, Teacher, I'm willing."
Tang San dropped to his knees and kowtowed three times.
"One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father."
Yu Xiaogang was so elated he nearly burst with joy.
Tang San—a genius with dual top-tier martial souls and innate full soul power—was now his disciple.
With a student like Tang San, Yu Xiaogang barely needed to teach him. While other masters carried their disciples forward, Yu Xiaogang could simply ride his disciple's success.
Haha! This is my moment to rise!
But…
Tang San had accepted so quickly that Yu Xiaogang hadn't even gotten the chance to show off in front of his prized disciple. That left him feeling a bit unsatisfied.
Tang San would rise so fast in the future that Yu Xiaogang felt it necessary to at least establish some authority while he could.
He led Tang San to his study and said mysteriously,
"Since you've taken me as your master… do you still plan to hide your second martial soul from me?"
(End of Chapter)
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