Seeing the boy's silence, Yu Xiaogang allowed a faint smile to curl his lips, the expression of a man savoring victory. His voice carried the weight of a lecture as he continued,
"To understand martial soul mutation, we must first grasp martial soul inheritance. Generally, a child's martial soul is inherited from one of the parents.
However, because both parents possess a certain degree of inheritance variability, when that variability reaches its extreme, the child's martial soul may mutate into a completely new form.
Most of these mutations weaken the martial soul, much like the flaws caused by inbreeding. Yet, just as rare geniuses appear from such unions, occasionally… an extraordinary martial soul is born."
His tone brimmed with confidence, each word striking with precision.
Hearing this, Tang San's doubts dissolved like mist under sunlight. The master's theory, his logic, and his demeanor all aligned with the truth Tang San had seen in life, this was no fraud. This was a true scholar.
Without hesitation, Tang San fell to his knees.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
Three solid kowtows echoed in the courtyard.
Yu Xiaogang stiffened, eyes widening. He had expected conviction, not this display. "What are you doing?"
Tang San lifted his head, his expression solemn, his voice ringing with respect.
"Grandfather, please accept me as your granddaughter!"
"…What?" Yu Xiaogang froze mid-breath.
Nearby, Tang Hao, hidden in the shadows, stopped dead.
"What did he just call him?."
Yu Xiaogang's lips twitched uncontrollably. "Silly boy… you don't need to kowtow to become my granddaughter. That courtesy belongs to kings and parents. Just a bow will do."
But Tang San didn't move. His eyes remained firm as he declared with utmost seriousness,
"Once a grandfather, always my grandfather."
For a moment, silence blanketed the courtyard. Then Yu Xiaogang exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"…Fine. From today onward, Tang San… you will be my granddaughter."
"Good. I accept your bow."
"…Huh?" Tang San blinked.
"…Huh?" Yu Xiaogang echoed.
"…Huh?" From the shadows, Tang Hao's jaw nearly unhinged.
Beside them, Xiran tilted her head, her big eyes blinking in complete confusion.
At the back, Eren clamped a hand over his mouth, his shoulders shaking violently. He had tried, truly tried, not to laugh, but the dam burst the next second. A strangled laugh escaped, sharp as a crack of thunder.
Click!
A sleek device shimmered into existence in his hand, a modern mobile phone forged from his mysterious pen. The screen lit up as he began recording, his eyes gleaming with wicked delight.
Xiran tugged on his sleeve softly, her voice hushed yet brimming with curiosity.
"Master Eren… what are they doing? Why are they calling each other grandfather and granddaughter?"
Eren schooled his expression into something resembling solemnity, though his eyes danced with mischief. He leaned slightly toward her and whispered, loud enough for all to hear, of course:
"They must have some… strange fetish. You'd better stay away from them, Xiran, or you might catch it too."
His tone was serious, his face calm, yet his words detonated like a bomb in the dead silence.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned an alarming shade of green. Tang San froze mid-bow, his ears burning crimson. Xiran blinked again, still processing the meaning, while Eren… simply leaned back, his smile sharp as a crescent moon.
Sensing the awkward silence pressing down on them like a heavy fog, Yu Xiaogang was the first to speak.
"Ahem… kids, let's head to the principal's office to complete the enrollment procedure."
His gaze lingered on Tang San for a moment before he cleared his throat again.
"And, Tang San… please, don't call me that again. From today onward, just call me 'Master.' I will guide you in your cultivation."
Tang San's face flushed crimson. He nodded quickly, unable to muster a single word. Even if he wanted to explain, what could he possibly say?
Like that, the four of them walked down the quiet corridor toward the principal's office. No one spoke. The only sound was the measured rhythm of footsteps… punctuated now and then by Eren's soft chuckle that shattered the silence like ripples across still water.
When they arrived, the principal, a plump, middle-aged man with a genial smile, sat behind a large wooden desk, the enrollment letters in his hand. His eyes shone with unconcealed excitement as he scanned the details before him.
"Well, well!" His voice brimmed with delight. "Tang San, Blue Silver Pig martial soul, innate full soul power! And Eren, with the Lotus of Life, a rare healing and support-type martial soul! Both of you are outstanding talents. Welcome to Nuoding Academy!"
His words were full of praise, his tone almost reverent.
Xiran, standing quietly beside them, lowered her gaze. She knew her own martial soul could not compare, and this was not the time to seek attention. For now, she would simply observe.
After the enrollment process concluded, Eren wasted no time. With a casual wave, he turned toward the door. "Dormitory No. 7, right? Let's go."
Xiran followed close behind, her light steps trailing his without hesitation.
Tang San, still in the principal's office, caught faint snatches of conversation, the remnants of Eren's laughter and the mocking tone aimed at that… embarrassing title from earlier. His face stiffened, then softened into a helpless smile.
"Only Grandfather could recognize my twin martial soul. What do they know?"
With that thought as his armor, he left the office. But as he stepped into the sunlight and caught sight of Eren walking ahead with Xiran beside him, felling envious.
Tang San: My fellow villager already has a girl by his side before even entering the academy… while I…
His expression hardened, his eyes darkening as a sharp thought cut through his heart like a blade.
"So what? Strength is absolute. With your low-level, trash martial souls that can't even be used in battle, you'll always be beneath me."
Self-assurance swelled like a tide, washing away the discomfort as he strode forward with renewed determination. Without another glance at Eren and Xiran, he quickened his pace, passing them and heading straight toward Dormitory No. 7.
The path ahead was bathed in golden light in Tang San's heart.
Eren: Did he unlock chunni attributes?