"Sir, would you mind taking another look to see if our documents are in order?" Ren Arakawa stepped forward, pulling out a small pouch and handing it to the gatekeeper.
The certification from the local branch of the Martial Soul Hall was, of course, a fake. The gatekeeper, who had been in his position for four years, could easily discern authenticity. Every year, new students were admitted to the Junior Soul Master Academy in Nuoding City. There was a saying: "It's easier to deal with the King of Hell than with his little devils." As long as you knew how to grease the wheels, the gatekeeper would happily let someone through to report in.
Old Jack, being from the countryside and an honest man, naturally didn't understand these unwritten rules.
The concierge took the pouch from Ren Arakawa, tore a small slit to peek inside, weighed it, and his face lit up with joy. He quickly bent down to pick up the previously discarded certificates, gave them a cursory glance, and said with a grin, "Elder, I was mistaken earlier. After thorough verification, these documents are indeed authentic. You're free to enter."
"What?"
"What?" Both Old Jack and Tang San were dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at the gatekeeper whose attitude had done a complete 180.
It was just like the old saying goes: Money makes the world go round. If it doesn't, then you simply haven't used enough.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations! You have disrupted a plotline from the original storyline. Reward: 1 attribute point."
"Congratulations! Since this is the host's first time disrupting the storyline, the system awards an additional bonus of 10 attribute points."
"Attribute points? System, what are attribute points?" Ren Arakawa asked curiously.
"Attribute points function similarly to soul rings; they enhance various attributes of a soul master, such as strength, agility, spirit, and defense. Unlike soul rings, the attribute points awarded by the system can precisely increase specific abilities of the host."
As the system spoke, a holographic light screen materialized:
Name: Ren Arakawa
Soul Power: Level 30
Martial Souls: Xuanyuan Sword, Nine-Hearted Mystic Hall, Eye of Hell
Soul Rings: None
Soul Skills: None (currently in Sword Unity Comprehension phase)
Strength Bonus: 0
Agility Bonus: 0
Spirit Bonus: 0
Defense Bonus: 0
Available Attribute Points: 11
"System, these strength, agility, spirit, and defense bonuses—do they mean enhancements external to my physical self?" Ren asked thoughtfully.
"Host's understanding is correct. Please note: once attribute points are allocated, they cannot be changed," the system replied.
"Offense is the best defense. Let's go all in!" Ren Arakawa commanded without hesitation.
As he spoke, a warm current coursed through his body. Ren looked at his hands, sensing a significant increase in power. The exact extent of this boost? He'd have to test it in real combat.
Nearby, Tang San's expression shifted subtly. He felt something was different about Ren, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Gentlemen, you may enter now," the gatekeeper said with a smile.
"Grandpa Jack, Tang San, let's go," Ren said, grinning.
"Hold on!" A hoarse voice called out behind them.
The gatekeeper stiffened. He quickly hid the pouch Ren had given him and bowed toward the approaching figure. "Master, you're back."
Ren, Old Jack, and Tang San turned to see a middle-aged man, likely in his early fifties, with neatly combed black hair parted three-to-seven. Though his appearance was average, he stood with hands clasped behind his back, exuding a noble air. Yet his eyes betrayed a hint of laziness and melancholy.
Ren recognized him instantly—this was Yu Xiaogang, the Grandmaster.
"Sir, may I see the Martial Soul Hall certification?" Yu Xiaogang asked politely, extending his hand.
Old Jack, understanding that this man held authority at the academy based on the gatekeeper's reaction, promptly handed over the documents.
Yu Xiaogang studied them, then looked at Ren and Tang San. Something stirred in his heart, though his face remained calm. After decades of being labeled useless, he had learned to remain composed.
"Sir, I am a guest of the academy. Leave the children to me; I will escort them to registration," Yu Xiaogang said in an even tone.
"Very well. Tang San, Ren, listen to your teacher. Especially you, Ren Arakawa," Old Jack said with heartfelt concern.
Ren followed Yu Xiaogang into the Junior Soul Master Academy of Nuoding City. Next up, Tang San would officially become Yu Xiaogang's disciple.
Ren hadn't forgotten that he had just disrupted a major plotline and earned an attribute point for it. If Tang San became Yu Xiaogang's disciple as per the original story, how many points would be rewarded then?
He walked at the back, observing Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, but ultimately dismissed the idea.
"Once a teacher, forever a father. You two have received such a grand gift from me," he mused.
Soon, the familiar scene unfolded. With Yu Xiaogang's articulate reasoning, Tang San was impressed and officially took him as a mentor.
"And what about you, Ren?" Yu Xiaogang turned his gaze toward Ren after accepting Tang San.
To Yu Xiaogang, Tang San was exceptional, but Ren Arakawa was even more impressive. Tang San had innate full soul power at level 10, while Ren had level 20—at least, according to the certificate.
In Yu Xiaogang's mind, Ren was the ideal candidate.
"Me? Why?" Ren paused and asked, "Aren't you planning to take me as your disciple too?"
"Would you like me to guide you with your martial souls?" Yu Xiaogang asked, pausing before continuing, "After all, you are the fourth person in a century to awaken twin martial souls."
"What?! Twin martial souls?" Tang San was stunned, turning to look at Ren in disbelief. "Teacher, you mean Ren also awakened twin martial souls?"
"Yes," Yu Xiaogang confirmed with a nod, his eyes sparkling as though he had just found a gold mine.
He hadn't stayed at Nuoding Academy all these years for nothing. His dream had always been to find students who could prove his theories.
Never had he imagined that two such talents would appear at once.
From his perspective, Ren would naturally become his student just like Tang San.
Ren didn't deny the claim. Though he wasn't truly a twin martial soul wielder—he had three martial souls.
"Will you accept me as your teacher?" Yu Xiaogang asked.
"I don't want to," Ren Arakawa replied.
(End of Chapter)