Replacing the Master

Led by Yu Xiaogang, Qian Bing and Tang San finally entered Notting Academy.

Perhaps because there was one more person present, aside from expressing his gratitude to Yu Xiaogang, Tang San did not engage in any deeper conversations involving privacy with him.

Thus, the scene from the novel where Tang San took Yu Xiaogang as his master never occurred. The three chatted idly as they soon arrived at the academy's Dean's Office.

Once inside the academy, Qian Bing could not help secretly looking around in curiosity. He found that it was not as large as it appeared from the outside, consisting mainly of three areas: the main Teaching Building, the training grounds, and the dormitory building east of the training grounds.

Although Notting Academy was only a Junior Soul Master Academy, its requirements for students were equally strict. Even if a student's home was right next to the academy, they still had to live on campus under unified management.

The Dean's Office was on the first floor of the main Teaching Building. The person specifically responsible for receiving new students was a teacher who looked to be in his sixties, assisted by two young teachers under thirty.

The Master placed Tang San's certificate on the desk and said to the older teacher, "Director Su, these two children are this year's Work-Study Student from Holy Soul Village and a new student reporting from Peach Forest Village. Please help them register."

Director Su beamed. "Master, what brings you here? What a rare visitor! Have a seat for a while."

The Master shook his head and said to Qian Bing and Tang San, "Register yourselves here. These teachers will tell you what to do. I'll be leaving first. If there's a chance, I'll come talk to you two little fellows again."

Upon hearing that, Qian Bing respectfully spoke before Tang San could. "Thank you, teacher. Goodbye."

Yu Xiaogang rubbed his head and said with a smile:

"I'm not a teacher at the academy. You should call me Master, like everyone else..."

"Uh... Aren't you a teacher at the academy?"

Yu Xiaogang merely smiled and shook his head. Without further explanation, he turned and left.

Watching him leave, Qian Bing silently let out a breath of relief and thought to himself:

Phew, that guy finally left. Sorry, Master, but if I want to get close to Tang San, I can only replace your place in his heart, so...

In truth, the instant Qian Bing saw Yu Xiaogang, he suddenly came up with a perfect idea for getting close to Tang San.

He also understood Yu Xiaogang's Spirit Ten Core Competitiveness theory, and he even clearly knew which spirit rings Tang San should obtain in the future.

Therefore, Qian Bing was fully capable of replacing Yu Xiaogang's role in Tang San's life—playing a role that was both teacher and elder brother, guiding him along the path of a soul master.

And as his relationship with Tang San gradually deepened, wouldn't it naturally follow that he would blend into the protagonist's group and become one of the Shrek Seven Devils?

Only after Yu Xiaogang had gone far away did Director Su smile and say to Qian Bing:

"Young man, the Master isn't a teacher at our academy. Don't call him that incorrectly in the future."

Tang San asked in confusion, "Then who is he?"

A strange look appeared on Director Su's face. He seemed to consider how to explain the matter to the two children, then finally shook his head and smiled.

"The Master is considered a guest of our academy. He has been staying here these past years to conduct theoretical research. But his theories truly run counter to orthodox soul master knowledge, so just listen to them casually. Don't take them seriously."

Tang San nodded after hearing this, silently labeling Yu Xiaogang an "unreliable scholar who only knows how to talk."

At that moment, one of the two young teachers beside Director Su picked up Tang San's certificate and examined it. Surprise first flashed through his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by regret.

"Tang San, right? Innate Full Spirit Power is rare indeed. What a pity your spirit is Blue Silver Grass."

Tang San clearly understood why the young man reacted that way. A trace of loneliness appeared on his face, but he said nothing.

Seeing this, Qian Bing immediately seized the excellent opportunity to grow closer to Tang San. He stepped forward, patted Tang San on the shoulder, and said cheerfully:

"Brother, I didn't expect you to be an Innate Full Spirit Power genius like me. Hmm... Although the Blue Silver Grass spirit is somewhat weak in its base form, it has a broader range of development. Later, I'll help you choose some spirit rings that suit you, and you can become a very powerful soul master too."

"Hahaha."

Hearing Qian Bing's grand words, so mature for his age, everyone present burst into laughter.

However, none of them examined the implications behind Qian Bing's words. They merely thought he was kindly comforting Tang San, so they formed an even higher opinion of Qian Bing's character and temperament.

Tang San also understood Qian Bing's goodwill toward him and gratefully thanked him. Though he had never liked getting close to others, he unexpectedly allowed Qian Bing's arm to rest over his shoulder without pushing it away.

Seeing this, Qian Bing secretly rejoiced.

Ha, looks like this kid has a favorable impression of me! We're both transmigrators, so we should get closer. Things like the Mysterious Heaven Skill can be shared too!

Director Su then took the enrollment token Su Yuntao had given Qian Bing and said:

"So you're the other child among this year's new students with Innate Full Spirit Power. I heard your spirit is also..."

At this point, Director Su seemed to realize that saying certain things aloud might hurt the child's self-esteem. He quickly changed the subject and said with a smile:

"You two children really should spend more time together, encourage each other, and improve together. All right, these are your things. The academy provides them free of charge. Considering your family circumstances, the academy has waived your tuition. You'll be staying in Dormitory Room Seven. Wait off to the side for now."

Next, after Director Su took Tang San's certificate from the young teacher, he handed Tang San an identical set of items and said:

"Since you two children came to report together, I'll arrange for both of you to stay in Dormitory Room Seven. The teacher in charge there will arrange your Work-Study Student duties. You may go."

"Thank you."

After accepting the items Director Su handed them, Qian Bing and Tang San bowed together before turning and leaving the Dean's Office.

Only after leaving the Dean's Office did Qian Bing get the chance to carefully inspect what Director Su had given him. He found it to be a standard Notting Academy uniform, its white fabric looking quite clean.

"Heh, these clothes actually look pretty good. Brother, my name is Qian Bing. Nice to meet you."

Tang San came from the same background as him and had received help from him twice already. In his heart, he had begun to see Qian Bing as a friend worth knowing.

"My name is Tang San. Nice to meet you."

"Ha, let's go to the dorms together."

Just as the two were about to leave, they vaguely heard the voice of the young teacher who had spoken earlier coming from inside the Dean's Office.

"Director, why hasn't the Master been properly researching his theories lately? He actually came out and started showing himself around, even making these new students mistake him for one of our academy's teachers.

Tch, I remember he had some so-called Spirit Ten Core Competitiveness theory. It's absolutely ridiculous—misleading students like that."

"Enough. The Master is a friend of the dean, so don't make careless judgments. Although no one has proven his theories correct, no one has proven them wrong either. In the spirit world, the Master is quite a renowned figure."

"That's not right, Director. He should be a renowned clown. Everyone treats him as nothing more than a joke."

Hearing the conversation inside, Qian Bing and Tang San slowed slightly, exchanged a glance, and then continued walking out.

Seeing the doubt in Tang San's eyes toward the Master growing ever deeper, Qian Bing practically wanted to shout at the young teacher inside, who was constantly setting things up for him, Well done!