While Lu Yuan was still lost in thought, Tang San suddenly moved.
He exerted a slight force with his right foot and, in the blink of an eye, appeared before the gatekeeper.
Then his right palm shot forward with a sudden strike.
In an instant, the gatekeeper’s entire body was sent flying backward.
Tang San stood there quietly, watching the gatekeeper crumple to the ground.
At that moment, Lu Yuan clearly noticed that Tang San’s right hand clenched slightly into a fist, and a glint of light flashed from his sleeve.
Lu Yuan knew—Tang San had just silently recited in his heart, “You have earned death,” and was about to send the gatekeeper to the afterlife.
“Alright—stop right there!”
But before Tang San could strike, an unexpected voice shattered the discordant atmosphere.
Hearing this, Tang San’s right hand relaxed, and the sleeve dart was retracted.
He turned around, looking with surprise at the direction the voice had come from.
“Oh ho—so Yu Xiaogang finally shows up.”
Watching Yu Xiaogang walk up to Tang San, ready to put on his act of authority, Lu Yuan shook his head in exasperation.
“This guy sure knows how to time his entrance.”
In fact, Lu Yuan had noticed Yu Xiaogang hiding nearby, watching the show, long before Tang San made his move.
“So this is what Director Su meant—before the semester starts every year, Yu Xiaogang lurks at the gate to scout for students.”
Then, under a barrage of Yu Xiaogang’s verbal output, Old Jack’s face lit up with smiles, while the gatekeeper immediately began bowing and scraping before Yu Xiaogang.
As for Tang San—he still wore a wary expression.
Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to lead Tang San into the academy, for some reason, Tang San suddenly turned to look at Lu Yuan.
His gaze was alert, his face expressionless.
Noticing Tang San’s stare, Lu Yuan cheerfully waved at him.
Tang San glanced at Lu Yuan’s greeting but didn’t pay it much mind—after all, he could see that Lu Yuan was carrying several bulging bags and holding one in his arms.
It was clear to Tang San that Lu Yuan was also a student of the academy.
But he was also curious—he hadn’t noticed when Lu Yuan had appeared behind him.
“Hm?
When did this guy show up?
Could he have been watching the whole time?”
Under Tang San’s uncertain gaze, Yu Xiaogang also spotted Lu Yuan.
Seeing this, Lu Yuan figured it would be awkward to keep tailing them, so he strode forward with casual confidence, passing right by them.
As for Yu Xiaogang—Lu Yuan didn’t even acknowledge him.
“Hm?”
Yu Xiaogang’s face showed a look of great puzzlement.
“Hmph—still as rude as ever.
Can’t even greet me when he sees me.”
“Oh?” Watching Lu Yuan’s retreating figure, Yu Xiaogang muttered meaningfully to himself:
“I haven’t seen that kid in a while—he seems different somehow.”
Though Yu Xiaogang’s voice was quiet, Tang San, standing beside him, still heard.
“Looks like that student isn’t a newbie.”
“Come on, Tang San—I’ll take you to register.”
“Yes, Teacher!”
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang’s expression darkened as if something had occurred to him, and he said flatly: “I’m not a teacher at this academy.” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Then, under a barrage of Tang San’s perfectly timed remarks, Yu Xiaogang began unleashing his strongest weapon—his silver tongue.
Say what you will about Yu Xiaogang—his way with words was truly something.
With just the strength of a level-29 Great Spirit Master, he had managed to deceive two women into falling for him.
Even the Pope of the Spirit Hall had been willing to bear Qian Xunji’s child for his sake.
If nothing else, in a world of romance, the underlying code worked just fine.
For Tang San, who had always been starved of love and attention, he too ultimately fell under the spell of Yu Xiaogang’s rhetoric.
“Teacher—who was that student just now?
Is he also a work-study student?”
While walking, Tang San recalled the strange smile Lu Yuan had given him.
To probe into Lu Yuan’s background, he turned his attention to Yu Xiaogang.
He figured that since Yu Xiaogang had called Lu Yuan a “rude brat,” he must know something about him.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang’s steps faltered slightly, and he paused.
“Come to think of it—I don’t even know that kid’s name, or his martial soul.”
“Why did I just leave without asking anything that day?”
Then a flash of realization struck him.
“Oh, right—it was because of that innate half-level spirit power.
That’s why I ignored him.”
“So he didn’t acknowledge me today because I left so abruptly back then?”
“Sigh—why is this kid so petty?
Can you blame me?
Without talent, you can’t become a strong spirit master—and then you’d be useless for testing my theories.
I was just cutting my losses.”
Letting out a sigh, Yu Xiaogang said flatly: “I’ve only met that kid once.
I heard his innate spirit power is only half a level.”
Glancing at his disciple, he said lightly: “You don’t need to worry about him.
You’re a full-innate spirit master with twin martial souls—you and he are destined to move in different worlds.”
“Mm-hmm, I understand, Teacher.”
After hearing Yu Xiaogang’s explanation, Tang San finally felt at ease.
“So he’s just got half-level spirit power—nothing to worry about.”
…
After leaving Tang San and the others, Lu Yuan didn’t return to the dormitory directly.
Instead, he headed to Director Su’s office.
Knocking on the door, he heard the familiar voice and pushed it open.
Director Su was sitting behind his desk as usual.
“Ah—Xiao Yuan’s back!
How was your time at home?”
“Very happy—I spent a few days playing with the village kids.” Lu Yuan smiled and answered, then placed the bundle he was carrying on the desk.
“What’s this?” New chapters come out on g.com first.
“Hehe—something good!”
With that, Lu Yuan unwrapped the bundle, revealing a clear glass jar.
“Hehe, Teacher Su—this is tiger penis wine I made myself!”
Director Su’s face flushed red, and he waved his hands dismissively: “Go on, go on—I don’t need that sort of thing.
Take it away.”
Seeing this, Lu Yuan squinted his eyes.
Tiger penis steeped in wine could strengthen yang—while not as potent as whale gel, it still had some use.
Though Lu Yuan hadn’t studied Director Su closely, he had noticed the man’s eyes darting toward the jar more than once.
“So—Director Su was just saving face just now.”
Lu Yuan then explained: “You misunderstand—that’s not what I meant.
I caught this while hunting before.”
“You’ve helped me so much, and I’ve never given you anything.
I heard from the elders in the village that men like drinking wine steeped with this stuff.”
“So I thought of you.”
With that, he stared at Su Daqiang with wide, innocent eyes, his expression utterly sincere.
Hearing this, Su Daqiang suddenly understood.
Lu Yuan was only six—how could he possibly know so much?
It must have been an idea suggested by the village elders.
“Sigh—what a mess.” Su Daqiang could only sigh inwardly.
“Ahem!”
Looking at Lu Yuan’s big, watery eyes, Su Daqiang had to clear his throat twice to break the awkward silence.
“Alright—I misunderstood.
Since that’s the case, I’ll accept it.”
“By the way, the Ironclad Rhino meat we brought back is all in my cold storage at the cafeteria.
Whenever you want some, just go get it.”
With that, Su Daqiang handed Lu Yuan a token.
“This is the pass to the cold storage—use it when you go in.”
“Got it!
I’ll grab some this evening, cook it up, and bring it to you tonight.”
Lu Yuan tucked the token into his chest without hesitation.
“Mm!”
After the small talk, Su Daqiang brought up something more serious.
“By the way, Xiao Yuan—now that you’ve obtained your first spirit ring, you’ve technically met the graduation requirements.
But your foundation isn’t the strongest.”
“So what are your plans?
Do you want to stay at the academy a while longer to study, or graduate directly and move on to an intermediate spirit master academy?”
But as soon as he said it, he regretted it—after all, during their hunting trip, Lu Yuan had easily passed all his tests.
Still—the words had already been spoken, so he could only wait for Lu Yuan’s answer.