Summoner-type Soul Master

"Grandpa, don't go!"

At that moment, Qian Bing suddenly called out to stop Old Jack, who was about to leave with Tang San.

The instant he saw what was happening, he remembered the plot from the original story. He knew that Tang San would soon make a move against the gatekeeper, and that Yu Xiaogang, who had just returned to Notting Academy, would witness the dispute.

The outcome of the incident might have been set, but the course of events did not necessarily have to remain unchanged. If he stepped in to help Tang San, would he be able to win his favor?

Qian Bing did not dwell on it any longer. He hurried forward, taking three steps in two, and stood in front of Tang San and Old Jack. In a childish voice, he sternly questioned the gatekeeper like an adult:

"You gatekeeper are too outrageous! Who says us country folk must have poor talent? Besides, the certificate from the Spirit Sub-Hall can't possibly be fake. You're just making things difficult for us newly enrolled students because you want to extort some benefits from us!"

The young gatekeeper's expression immediately turned extremely ugly at his words, while Old Jack suddenly seemed to understand. He secretly sighed, This child is incredible. At such a young age, he already understands these subtle matters.

With Qian Bing exposing the filthy little thoughts in his mind, the gatekeeper flew into a rage out of humiliation and snarled at him menacingly:

"Where did this brat come from? Just wait until I catch you—I'll beat your ass raw!"

As he spoke, he reached out with one hand to grab Qian Bing by the chest.

Qian Bing had long expected the gatekeeper to make a move. He swiftly retreated, while his right hand clenched around the Spirit Ball Spirit that had already appeared in his palm.

A white soul ring suddenly appeared, floating up and down around his small body.

"First Soul Ring Skill, Summon Pidgey!"

After Qian Bing followed convention and called out the name of his soul skill, the white soul ring flew out at once and transformed into a miniature Spirit Ball.

Bathed in the red light of the Spirit Ball Spirit, the miniature Spirit Ball formed from the soul ring rapidly expanded, becoming a lifelike Pokemon.

"Pidgey, use one-tenth of your strength and hit him with Quick Attack."

Hearing Qian Bing's command, Pidgey, hovering in midair, beat its enormous wings. A powerful gust of wind surged behind it as it shot head-on toward the young gatekeeper.

Bang!

Struck by the tremendous force, the young gatekeeper was instantly sent flying backward. After a thunderous crash, his body slammed into the stone wall beside the iron gate.

As they watched the gatekeeper's back press against the stone wall before he slowly slid down, everyone present stood dumbfounded, unable to accept the scene before them.

"Xiao Bing, you..."

Qian Xiao stood farther away and had seen everything more clearly. He could hardly believe that the child he had always thought of as obedient and sensible had quietly acquired a soul ring and become a Soul Master—and was even so decisive when making a move. Good. The child has grown up. It seems I won't need to worry so much about him in the future.

"You little bastard, you're asking for death! How dare you cause trouble at Notting Academy!"

Clutching his chest, the gatekeeper spoke sharply. Though his face betrayed his weakness beneath its fierce expression, his tone remained utterly defiant. He struggled to rise from the ground, preparing to charge at Qian Bing again.

"Enough. Stop."

Just then, a somewhat hoarse voice rang out, halting the gatekeeper's movements.

The gatekeeper froze for a moment. Then, the anger on his face instantly transformed into fawning servility. The change was so fast it was hard to believe. Bowing and scraping before the newcomer, he said, "Master, you're back."

Qian Bing turned to look and saw that a medium-built, slightly thin man had somehow appeared beside them.

The man appeared to be in his forties or fifties. His short black hair was parted three-to-seven, and his features were ordinary. With his hands clasped behind his back, he nevertheless possessed a distinctive air. His half-lidded eyes carried hints of laziness and dejection.

The Master merely glanced at the gatekeeper and ignored him. Instead, he said to Qian Bing:

"I heard that among this year's new students, there are two children with innate full Soul Power. You are Qian Bing from Peach Forest Village, correct?"

Qian Bing stared blankly for a moment before nodding dazedly. "Yes."

"You are warmhearted and brave enough to stand up for what is right. Not bad, not bad. However, your Spirit's characteristics seem rather unusual. Your First Soul Skill can actually summon a creature to fight for you. It clearly does not belong to the auxiliary, food, or control types, and classifying it as an attack type would be rather forced.

"Mm... perhaps you might create an entirely new Spirit category—the summoning type? Haha, if possible, I hope you can cooperate with me in some research in the future."

Yu Xiaogang had only spoken casually, but to Qian Bing, the words were like a thunderbolt. In an instant, he came to a realization.

Of course! Summoning Pokemon to fight is exactly what a summoning type is! If I can keep advancing and become a Titled Douluo, perhaps I really could create a new category for Soul Masters.

Then being recorded in history books and revered for generations would seem...

Wow!

As Qian Bing's thoughts ran wild, Yu Xiaogang had already turned his attention elsewhere.

He spoke kindly to Old Jack, "Sir, could you let me see the certificate from Spirit Hall?"

After all, Old Jack had once been a village chief and knew how to read people. From the gatekeeper's expression alone, he could tell that this middle-aged man's status in the academy was definitely not low. Not to mention, he bore the title of Master. Old Jack hurriedly handed over the certificate in his hand.

Yu Xiaogang lowered his head to examine the certificate, then shifted his gaze to Tang San. He looked him over several times, as though he intended to see through him completely.

"The certificate is genuine. Sir, on behalf of the academy, I apologize for what happened just now. Leave Tang San to me."

Faced with an apology from a Soul Master, Old Jack naturally did not dare put on airs. He quickly shook his head and entrusted Tang San to him.

Only then did Qian Xiao finally come to his senses. If Qian Bing could receive the care of such an important figure, his studies at Notting Academy would go much more smoothly in the future. He hurried forward, grabbed him, and pushed him several steps ahead. "Xiao Bing, hurry and take out the enrollment certificate the Soul Master gave you!"

Qian Bing obediently pulled out the admission token Su Yuntao had given him.

Only then did Qian Xiao politely say to Yu Xiaogang, "Sir, Xiao Bing is the one from Peach Forest Village who qualified for admission this year. May I entrust him to you as well? Looking at the sky, if I don't hurry back now, I'm afraid I won't make it back to the village before dark."

Yu Xiaogang nodded at this and said, "No problem." After Qian Xiao and Old Jack each gave the two children a few reminders, they bid them farewell and left.

Yu Xiaogang then beckoned the two children toward the academy. Before stepping through the gates, however, he cast an indifferent glance at the gatekeeper standing nearby.

"This is the first time, and the last. If it happens again, you won't need to stay here."

His voice was hoarse yet calm, but it carried an authority that left no room for argument.

Cold sweat broke out across the gatekeeper's back. He hurriedly nodded in agreement and moved aside.

Only then did Yu Xiaogang lower his head to look at Qian Bing and Tang San. He forced a somewhat stiff smile onto his face, took both their hands, and said, "Let's go in."