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“You have already found a path to death’—haha, thinking about it, it really is a bit of a pity.”
Wang Teng muttered to himself, feeling a slight regret at missing that classic moment.
Just then, the guard at the academy gate also noticed Wang Teng and his father.
He stepped out of the guardhouse, chin slightly raised, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance: “Who are you people?
This is a soul master academy—ordinary people can’t just wander in.”
“I’m a new student at Notting Academy.
I’m here to register.”
Wang Teng knew from the original story about the conflict between Tang San and the gatekeeper, and he was well aware that these guards often put on airs with ordinary folk.
He didn’t want to cause any trouble, so he directly stated his identity.
At the same time, to avoid any complications, Wang Teng extended his right hand, palm up, channeled his soul power, and released his martial soul.
A silver-white metal spinning top appeared in his hand.
The next moment, it began to spin at high speed, emitting a “hissing” sound as it rubbed against the air.
In addition, Wang Teng used his left hand to retrieve the certificate issued by the Spirit Hall from his robe, unfolding it for the guard to see.
“A spinning top?
A child’s toy…”
The guard caught a glimpse of the martial soul in Wang Teng’s hand and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
But then he spotted the Spirit Hall certificate in Wang Teng’s left hand.
The young guard immediately dropped his haughty demeanor, bowed his head, and said respectfully, “Greetings, young soul master.
I was only fulfilling my duty.”
“Please, right this way—”
He bent and extended his hand, inviting Wang Teng to enter the academy.
“I actually preferred your arrogant attitude from before.
Could you bring that back?”
Wang Teng paused as he walked past the guard and said casually.
“…”
The guard responded with an awkward smile.
Wang Teng didn’t say anything more, stepping past the guard and heading toward the gate.
“Dad, you can go back now.
I’m going in.”
Wang Teng crossed the threshold and turned to bid his father farewell.
“Mm.”
Wang Wu didn’t say much, simply raising his right hand high and waving it, then giving a firm nod.
The father and son parted ways.
Wang Wu drove the ox-cart away slowly, while Wang Teng picked up his luggage and strode into Notting Academy.
Inside, a wide main road stretched straight into the distance.
On both sides stood tall, lush trees, their canopies joining overhead to cast patches of cool shade.
Wang Teng hadn’t walked far when he spotted a large wooden signboard nailed to a tree trunk on his right.
The board displayed a map of Notting Academy’s interior, with all building locations clearly marked and the registration process for new students listed step by step.
“A junior academy, but they’ve organized everything quite systematically.”
Wang Teng studied the map carefully, committing the main routes and procedures to memory, thinking to himself.
After noting the information, he continued inward with his luggage.
Before long, he arrived at a corner in the road.
Just as he was about to turn, his gaze was drawn to a scene ahead of the corner.
A familiar face stood not far away.
“Tang San?”
Wang Teng was somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t seen him at the school gate earlier and had assumed Tang San hadn’t arrived yet—turns out he’d come in much earlier.
At this moment, Tang San was facing a middle-aged man.
He was of medium build, slightly thin, appearing to be around forty or fifty years old.
“Could this be Yu Xiaogang?
Is the scene where Tang San takes him as his master happening right now?”
Wang Teng’s thoughts raced, and he immediately recalled the plot from the original story about Tang San’s first meeting with Grandmaster.
He quickly focused his observation.
The man standing opposite Tang San had short black hair and a very ordinary appearance.
However, his hands were clasped behind his back, and an unusual aura surrounded him.
Between his blinks, his eyes revealed a hint of laziness and despondency.
“Big mouth, thick lips, somewhat stiff facial muscles—very similar to Tang Hao’s defeated demeanor…
this should be Yu Xiaogang.”
Wang Teng carefully identified the man’s features and expression, confirming his guess.
At this moment, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang stood about two or three meters apart.
Tang San’s body was slightly angled away from Yu Xiaogang—a seemingly casual posture, but Wang Teng noticed it was actually a stance that allowed for quick movement, one that concealed a readiness for action.
Yu Xiaogang, perhaps too emotionally stirred, didn’t notice this detail.
“As expected of a Tang Sect disciple—if nothing else, when it comes to combat awareness, Tang San is impeccable.”
Wang Teng nodded inwardly at Tang San’s stance.
He also noticed Tang San’s right hand was hidden behind his back, his sleeve slightly bulging.
“He’s probably holding a hidden weapon in his hand…
this guy is always ready to go for the kill.”
“But even if Tang San succeeded, does he think he could get away?”
Seeing this, Wang Teng shook his head silently.
“Tang San is decent enough in the first part, but he has a problem with impulsiveness.”
Under Wang Teng’s watch, Yu Xiaogang said something more. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Then, Tang San suddenly knelt, dropping to his knees before Yu Xiaogang and kowtowing three times.
“He actually did take him as his master…
Tang San, in the end, still lacks experience.”
“If this were the version of Yu Xiaogang from the manhua, that would be one thing—but if it’s the novel version…
tsk, he’s practically like a middle school student.”
Wang Teng smirked slightly, silently roasting in his mind.
At this point, he resumed walking toward the two.
“Once a teacher, always a father.
Good, very good!
Xiao San, I was right about you.”
Yu Xiaogang reached out and helped Tang San to his feet, his voice full of satisfaction.
“Yes, Teacher!”
Tang San rose and replied respectfully.
“Xiao San, are you…
taking a master?”
Wang Teng approached the pair, having caught the tail end of their conversation, and asked with a feigned look of surprise.
“Wang Teng?”
Tang San turned at the sound, and upon seeing him, his face also showed surprise.
“You awakened innate soul power too?”
“Xiao San, is this your friend?”
Yu Xiaogang also looked at Wang Teng with some interest.
“Yes, Teacher.
Wang Teng is from the neighboring Tiger King Village.”
Tang San explained.
“Sir.”
Wang Teng quickly stepped forward and asked sincerely, “May I also take you as my master?”
At this moment, Wang Teng wasn’t sure which “version” of Yu Xiaogang stood before him.
But regardless of the version, the knowledge in Yu Xiaogang’s head was undeniably real.
Whether it was beast illustrations, soul master theory, or various experiences regarding soul rings and soul skills, Yu Xiaogang should possess a wealth of information.
And what Wang Teng currently lacked most was precisely this kind of systematic foundational knowledge.
Therefore, even knowing this Grandmaster might be somewhat of a “trap,” Wang Teng still wanted to try becoming his disciple.
After all, knowledge itself was always valuable.
“Oh?
You also want to take me as your master?”
Hearing Wang Teng’s request, Yu Xiaogang’s lips curled upward slightly.
Upon hearing Wang Teng’s words about becoming his disciple, Yu Xiaogang almost instinctively straightened his back, lifting his chest and tucking in his stomach—a fluid, practiced motion.
He raised his chin, and his entire demeanor suddenly became more reserved.
“Yes, I want to take you as my master!”
Wang Teng nodded affirmatively.
“Why do you want to take me as your master?
Do you know me?”
Yu Xiaogang continued questioning, his gaze sizing Wang Teng up.
“I don’t know you, sir, but I know Tang San.”
“He is a very steady and independent-minded person.”
“If even he is willing to take you as his master, I believe that following your teachings will certainly not be a mistake.”
Wang Teng’s words praised both Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
Both of them couldn’t help but show faint smiles on their faces.
“Ahem…”
Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat lightly, seemingly quite pleased, his tone softening somewhat.
“What is your martial soul?
What’s your innate soul power level?”
Feeling that his flattery had worked, Wang Teng didn’t dare delay.
He immediately extended his right hand and channeled his soul power.
The silver-white Blast Spinning Top appeared instantly in his palm, humming softly.
Wang Teng flicked his wrist and sent the spinning top to the ground.
It spun rapidly, gliding in circles around the three of them.
Soon, the metal spinning top had traced a clear circular mark on the bluestone-paved ground.
“Interesting…
though it resembles a toy, it’s made of metal.
This should be a special type of object-type martial soul, at least capable of long-range attacks.”
Yu Xiaogang stroked his chin, wearing a contemplative expression.
“So, what is your innate soul power?”
This time, his tone carried noticeably more weight, as if Wang Teng’s unusual martial soul had genuinely piqued his interest.
“Innate soul power level five.”
Wang Teng answered truthfully.
But the moment the words left his mouth, Yu Xiaogang suddenly turned and walked away, leaving only one sentence behind: “Xiao San, I’ll take you both to the academic affairs office to register.”
After two steps, as if suddenly remembering something, he added without turning back, “Oh, and Wang Teng, is it?
I’m sorry, but I cannot take you as my disciple.”
Yu Xiaogang’s voice came steadily, carrying a deliberately maintained nonchalance.
“Because I only take geniuses.”
With that, he continued walking forward.
Seeing this, Tang San immediately followed, a hint of a lingering smile on his face. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Wang Teng stood frozen, momentarily unable to process what had just happened.
“Oh, come on…
you’ve really mastered that act of pretentiousness.”
Wang Teng watched their departing backs and finally muttered to himself after a long pause.
He truly hadn’t expected that his level-five innate soul power wouldn’t even warrant a moment’s consideration from Yu Xiaogang, and that the man would put on such a high-and-mighty display right in front of him.
“Gangzi, the one chance you had to salvage your image—you just threw it away yourself.”
Wang Teng shook his head helplessly and consoled himself: “Fine, don’t take me then.”
“I refuse to believe that someone with a ‘panel’ who can allocate points will end up inferior to you.”
After muttering a few words to himself, he quickly picked up his luggage and jogged to catch up with the two ahead.
Notting Academy’s campus was clearly divided: the east side housed the student dormitories, the main teaching building stood in the center, and the west side featured a vast training ground (the playground).
The academic affairs office for new student registration was located on the first floor of the main teaching building.
Though it was only a junior soul master academy, Notting Academy’s management was quite strict.
Whether work-study students or those paying tuition, all were treated equally in registration, class assignment, and accommodation—everyone had to follow the academy’s unified arrangements.
At this moment, a queue had already formed at the registration window outside the academic affairs office.
Many new students stood in line, waiting to register.
Yu Xiaogang brought Tang San and Wang Teng to the office but didn’t queue—instead, he walked directly to the front desk at the head of the line.
Behind the desk sat three teachers handling registration: an elderly man who appeared to be in his sixties, and two younger teachers around thirty.
“Director Su, this is this year’s new student—Tang San, a work-study student from Holy Soul Village.
Please help him with his registration.”
Yu Xiaogang took the Spirit Hall certificate from Tang San and gently placed it on the desk.
“It’s Grandmaster!”
“Alright, alright.
I’ll do it right away.”
The elderly man addressed as Director Su smiled and responded, his manner quite courteous.
“Xiao San, after you register, these teachers will tell you about the next arrangements.”
“I’ll be going now.
I’ll come find you later, and I’ll make arrangements for your studies as well.
Don’t worry.”
Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San’s shoulder gently.
“Understood, Teacher.
Please take care.”
Tang San nodded respectfully.
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back and walked away unhurriedly.
Yu Xiaogang had cut in line to register the two of them, which made Wang Teng, following behind, feel a little embarrassed.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang leave, Wang Teng quickly placed his own certificate on the desk: “Director Su, this is my certificate.”
“My name is Wang Teng, from Tiger King Village.
I’m also a work-study student.”
Director Su took Wang Teng’s certificate and placed it beneath Tang San’s.
Then, while flipping through Tang San’s certificate first, he looked up with a slightly odd expression and asked, “Tang San, you just called Grandmaster ‘Teacher’?”
“You’ve taken him as your master?”
“Yes.”
Tang San admitted openly.
“And you?” Director Su turned to Wang Teng.
“Did you also take Grandmaster as your master?”
“Grandmaster said he only takes geniuses,” Wang Teng answered honestly.
“My innate soul power is only level five, so he didn’t accept me.”
“Only takes geniuses?
This…
this…”
After hearing both responses, Director Su clearly understood Yu Xiaogang’s manner.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words, his expression turning somewhat peculiar.
“Oh, by the way, Tang San, you’re actually a genius with innate full soul power.
Although your martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, I think your prospects are still quite good.
Regarding you taking Grandmaster as your teacher, you might want to reconsider.”
At this point, one of the young teachers beside Director Su glanced at Tang San’s information and kindly reminded him.
“No need.
I trust my teacher.”
Tang San shook his head.
“Alright, your procedures are complete.
The academy provides uniforms free of charge.
Since you’re both work-study students, your dormitory will be in Room Seven of the dormitory building.”
“Just go find the dormitory supervisor over there.
Off you go.”
Director Su timely interrupted the young teacher.
Then he handed over Wang Teng’s and Tang San’s certificates, along with two sets of brand-new uniforms.
“Thank you, Teacher!”
Wang Teng and Tang San took the items, expressed their thanks, and turned to leave the office, heading toward the dormitory building.
They hadn’t walked far when they heard a muffled but unmistakable burst of laughter from behind them in the office.
“Hahahaha…
only takes geniuses!”
(Author’s note: In this story, Yu Xiaogang combines elements from both the novel and manhua.
People are complex—even the useless have their shining points.
Besides, didn’t the manhua version of Grandmaster also fail to solve his own problems?)