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Wang Ping was overjoyed. He thanked the two gatekeepers again and again. Turning to Wang Li, he urged eagerly, "Hurry and catch up! Follow that teacher, and go to the Dean's Office to register together!"
But Wang Li wanted nothing to do with Yu Xiaogang or Tang San. Getting close to them felt like asking for trouble—big trouble he wasn't ready for right now. In stories like these, ordinary people near the main character often ended up as cannon fodder. What good would it do him? He didn't even have a soul ring yet. Of course, he couldn't say any of this out loud.
Carrying his luggage, Wang Li said goodbye to Wang Ping. He quickly walked into the academy. He kept his head down, deliberately avoiding any eye contact with Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
Even though Wang Li tried to stay away, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were waiting for him. As Wang Li got closer, Yu Xiaogang suddenly called out, "Boy, come here. Let me check your Spirit Hall certificate!"
Wang Li felt hesitant but knew he couldn't argue with someone so much stronger. He stopped in front of Yu Xiaogang and handed over his Spirit Hall certificate. "This is my Spirit Hall certificate," he said clearly. "It was issued by Grandmaster Su Yuntao of Spirit Hall."
At that moment, Wang Li couldn't help but wonder: Yu Xiaogang's own Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul mutated, leaving him with only half a level of soul power. Is he now interested in my Blue Silver Grass—with its 3 levels of soul power—as a test subject for his theories?
Wang Li was confident Yu Xiaogang couldn't see his hidden advantage, his system panel. But if Yu Xiaogang decided to use his authority to pressure him, things could become very difficult.
Yu Xiaogang studied Wang Li's Spirit Hall certificate: Wang Family Village, Wang Li. Martial Soul: Mutated Blue Silver Grass. Soul power: level 3. His gaze grew sharper. A flicker of curiosity—and perhaps calculation—crossed his eyes.
He had researched 647 people with the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. Out of all of them, only 16 had any soul power at all. None of those had soul power above level 1. Based on this extensive research, Yu Xiaogang had always firmly believed that Blue Silver Grass was a useless Martial Soul, with no real potential for mutation.
Just moments ago, he had used this very conclusion to assess Tang San. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass couldn't possibly grant level 10 soul power. The only logical explanation, Yu Xiaogang had decided, was that Tang San possessed another, much more powerful Martial Soul—making him a rare Twin Martial Soul user.
But now, Wang Li stood before him. This boy, with his "Mutated Blue Silver Grass" and 3 full levels of soul power, directly contradicted Yu Xiaogang's long-held beliefs. For someone who prided himself on being the top theorist in the Soul Master world, this was like a slap in the face. He felt his cheeks burn with a hint of embarrassment.
Narrowing his eyes, Yu Xiaogang thought, Su Yuntao… These days, anyone dares to call themselves a Grandmaster. Seeing level 3 soul power and just calling it a 'mutated' Martial Soul? The standards at Spirit Hall are clearly slipping.
In Yu Xiaogang's mind, Blue Silver Grass was too weak to truly mutate. As for this child, Wang Li, he was probably just lucky to have 3 levels of soul power. With such a Martial Soul, his future achievements would be limited. It was doubtful he could even reach level 30 soul power in his lifetime.
If things were different, Yu Xiaogang might have considered keeping Wang Li around for some training. Not as a true disciple—that honor was reserved for very few—but perhaps as an apprentice.
However, now that he had found Tang San, who was clearly a much better prospect, Yu Xiaogang lost all interest in Wang Li. Blue Silver Grass, even with 3 levels of soul power, wasn't nearly enough to support his grand theory of the Ten Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls.
A brief look of pity flashed in his eyes. Consider yourself unlucky, boy, he thought. You won't get the chance to be guided by me, the greatest theorist in the Soul Master world.
With that, Yu Xiaogang handed Wang Li's Spirit Hall certificate back. "No problem," he said indifferently. "Go register. The Dean's Office is just ahead. It's easy to find."
Wang Li was a little surprised by the quick dismissal but didn't hesitate. He took his certificate, picked up his luggage, and quickly left.
After Wang Li walked away, Tang San watched his back for a moment. Then, he turned to Yu Xiaogang. "Teacher," he asked, "he has Mutated Blue Silver Grass. Can Martial Souls really mutate like that?"
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, his mind filled with the boy's rare Twin Martial Soul talent. A surge of excitement warmed him. A faint smile touched his lips as he began to explain. "Martial Souls are passed down through family bloodlines—from both father and mother.
Usually, if one parent has a stronger Martial Soul, that's the one that's inherited. But if both parents have Martial Souls of similar strength, they can sometimes influence each other and change. That process is called Martial Soul mutation. These mutations can be good, or they can be bad, but…"
Thinking of Wang Li again, Yu Xiaogang's confidence in his own theories remained firm. He continued, "The Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul is simply too weak to truly change or combine effectively. It won't affect other Martial Souls, and other Martial Souls won't make it much better.
That boy you saw was just lucky to have 3 levels of soul power. That lets him cultivate, but his talent is less than one ten-thousandth of yours. With your talent, Tang San, and my guidance, your future achievements will be far, far beyond anything he could ever reach!"
Hearing this, Tang San completely put Wang Li out of his mind. For the first time in this life, or his previous one, he felt truly seen and acknowledged for his abilities.
A strong sense of purpose filled Tang San. With Yu Xiaogang's deep knowledge of Martial Souls and the secret techniques of the Tang Sect from his past life, he was sure he would achieve heights he had never even dreamed of before. It's a pity, he thought with a touch of irony, that those Tang Sect elders who once looked down on me will never get to see it.
Meanwhile, Wang Li took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. Perhaps his Martial Soul and talent weren't impressive enough to catch Yu Xiaogang's serious attention. Honestly, he was relieved.
He had his own advantage—his system. There was no need to rush things or draw unwanted attention. His main goal right now was to register and learn the academy's basic meditation method as soon as possible.
With this decided, he quickened his pace.
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Nuoding Academy looked grand from the outside, but the layout inside was quite simple. Wang Li easily found the Dean's Office. Before he even stepped inside, he noticed the teachers there had bright smiles. But as soon as he entered, their expressions turned cold—likely due to his shabby, travel-worn clothes.
Wang Li presented his Spirit Hall certificate and the work-study quota certificate. Both were properly stamped by his village chief and the chiefs of several nearby villages. He spoke politely, "Hello, Teacher. I am a new work-study student. I'm here to register."
The middle-aged teacher at the desk took the certificates. His eyes flickered with surprise when he saw "Mutated Blue Silver Grass" and "level 3 soul power" on the documents. Still, he didn't comment. As he processed Wang Li's registration, he explained,
"Alright. From now on, you are a first-year student at Nuoding Academy. All work-study students live in Dorm Seven. You can go there after you're done here. Work-study students are responsible for cleaning certain parts of the academy. A teacher will come by soon to give you your assignments. For today, just get familiar with your dormitory and the campus. And don't be late for the opening ceremony tomorrow."
Wang Li nodded. "I understand," he replied politely. "Thank you, Teacher."
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