The entire courtyard fell silent. Not a single person dared to speak; most didn't even know how to react to Eren's speech. His words still lingered in the air like a sharp blade, making the atmosphere tense and suffocating.
Eren, however, stood there calmly, hands clasped behind his back. His expression was composed, but inside, his thoughts rippled with smug amusement.
How was that? Impressive, wasn't it? I bet even the Cloud Retainer would be left speechless by my oratory skills.
Yu Xiaogang's throat bobbed as if his words had lodged there, his sharp retort swallowed whole. Tang San's mouth twitched involuntarily, unsure whether to laugh or sigh. Beside him, Xiran clapped her hands softly, her eyes sparkling with admiration for Eren's boldness.
Not far away, a shadow behind a nearby wall stirred slightly. Tang Hao, his figure cloaked in silence, watched the scene unfold. His lips quivered faintly as he suppressed the urge to scoff.
If someone didn't know better, they might think this boy owns Spirit Hall itself.
Finally, Yu Xiaogang exhaled and straightened, his face settling into a calmer expression. He cleared his throat.
"Ahem… I must apologize," he said, voice stiff with restraint. "I spoke without understanding the full situation and judged you too quickly. That was my fault."
What else could he say? Admit he was about to shield someone who just spat on Spirit Hall's authority? Even if Spirit Hall might not go to extremes over this, Yu Xiaogang had no intention of inviting trouble unnecessarily.
He stepped forward and took the letters from Old Jack's trembling hands, scanning through them carefully.
"Lotus of Life… support-type martial soul. Blue Silver Grass… fairly common." His voice was indifferent—until his eyes reached the last line. His brows rose sharply.
"Innate full spirit power?"
His gaze flicked toward the boy standing quietly—Tang San. For an instant, something flickered in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. Recognition? Calculation? Perhaps both.
He coughed lightly to mask his reaction, then nodded with forced composure. "Ahem… everything checks out. You three are legitimate students of Nuoding Academy."
Then his face hardened as he turned to the gatekeeper. His voice carried cold authority. "This is your last warning. Do not repeat such behavior again."
The gatekeeper, still on his knees and drenched in sweat, could only nod frantically, too humiliated to speak.
Yu Xiaogang gestured for the children to follow. "Come with me."
The three exchanged glances before turning to Old Jack. The elder's weathered face held both pride and worry, but he forced a smile.
"Work hard," he said gently. "Make the village proud."
Tang San bowed slightly, his voice soft but resolute. "We will, Grandpa Jack."
After brief farewells, Old Jack departed down the cobbled road, his figure growing smaller against the sunlit horizon.
The gates of Nuoding Academy opened at last. With mixed hearts—some excited, some heavy—the three stepped inside, their shadows stretching long behind them.
None of them noticed the faint glimmer of intent in Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he glanced once more at Tang San.
They walked in a neat line as they entered the Academy grounds, Yu Xiaogang leading at the front, his steps steady and composed. Behind him was Tang San, calm as ever, followed by Xiran. Eren took the rear, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, his eyes roaming over the sprawling courtyard with mild interest.
As they passed under the arching gateway, Eren's expression shifted ever so slightly. His fingers brushed against the storage ring on his hand. With a flick of thought, a small piece of folded paper and a sleek pen materialized between his fingers.
Lowering his gaze to conceal his movements, he began writing swiftly, each stroke deliberate, the corners of his mouth twitching with amusement as words formed across the page.
[When Tang San wanted to say "Please accept me as your disciple, Master. Once a master, always a father," change it to "Please accept me as your granddaughter. Once a grandfather, always my grandfather." Which Yu Xiaogang will reply: "Yes, you will be my granddaughter and I will be your grandfather."]
After scribbling the last word, Eren folded the paper neatly, slid it back into the ring, and let out a low chuckle under his breath.
Eren: What will Tang Hao think… when his own son suddenly bring him another 'father'? Hahaha.
A barely suppressed laugh slipped past his lips, earning a brief glance from Xiran, who tilted her head in curiosity. Eren only grinned, pretending innocence as they continued walking.
The rest of the group remained oblivious to his little scheme. Yu Xiaogang, focused on his thoughts, didn't even turn around, while Tang San strode silently, unaware of the mischief brewing behind him.
The group soon reached the inner courtyard where Yu Xiaogang would begin his examination. The calm before the storm stretched thin as fate quietly set the stage for the events to come.
---
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