Master, Do You Want to Take Me as Your Master?

Below the girls' dormitory.

The afternoon sun cast its warm glow over the bluestone path.

Lin Xi was returning from the cafeteria with Xiao Wu and Tang San.

Xiao Wu hummed an off-key tune, holding a half-eaten chicken drumstick in her hand, her face full of bliss.

Tang San walked quietly beside them, pondering what Lin Xi had said yesterday—about the Blue Silver Emperor, about the First Soul Ring.

He had already decided that no matter what Lin Xi asked him to do, he would do it.

There were too many mysteries surrounding this girl, but he was certain of one thing: she meant him no harm.

Just as the three of them were about to reach the dormitory entrance, a staggering figure rushed out from around the corner and blocked their path.

"Lin... Lin Xi!"

The newcomer's clothes were disheveled, his hair a mess, and he was barefoot, with mud and grass clippings stuck to his feet. His face was pale, but his eyes shone with a frightening brightness as he stared fixedly at Lin Xi, as if she were his final salvation.

It was Yu Xiaogang.

"Ah! It's that Master who coughed up blood!" Xiao Wu jumped in fright, nearly dropping the chicken drumstick in her hand. She stepped forward and spread her arms, shielding Lin Xi behind her like a mother hen protecting her chicks. "Y-you... what do you want? Are you here to fake an injury again?"

Tang San also frowned. Without drawing attention to himself, he moved to Lin Xi's other side as Soul Power quietly circulated within him, ready to act at any moment.

The passing students nearby stopped as well, gathering at a distance to watch and point.

"Look! It's Master!"

"Why does he look like that? He looks like a madman."

"He came looking for Lin Xi! What does he want? Revenge?"

Yet, contrary to everyone's expectations,

Yu Xiaogang was neither angry nor roaring.

As he looked at Lin Xi behind Xiao Wu, the fanatical flames in his eyes burned even more fiercely.

He took a deep breath, then did something that made everyone present feel as though their eyes were about to pop out.

He straightened his rumpled patient's gown, then, facing Lin Xi, his knees gave way. With a thud, he dropped stiffly to his knees!

He lowered the head that had once been proud to the extreme and prostrated himself before Lin Xi in the most formal, reverent gesture of complete obeisance.

"This student, Yu Xiaogang, spent half his life in ignorance before finally learning the truth!"

"I beg Teacher Lin Xi to accept me as her disciple and dispel my doubts!"

His voice was hoarse yet exceptionally loud, filled with resolve and earnestness, carrying clearly throughout the entire dormitory district!

BOOM!!!

The whole world seemed to have been muted at that moment.

Time stood still.

Every student watching seemed to have been struck by a petrification spell. Their mouths hung open, their eyes were wide, and their minds had gone blank.

Xiao Wu's little mouth formed an "O," wide enough to fit an egg.

Tang San's pupils shook violently as well. He had considered countless possibilities, but never had he imagined that the man hailed as "Master" would... appear before them again in this manner.

He had knelt!

He had actually knelt!

And he called himself "this student," addressed a six-year-old girl as "Teacher"!

He was begging her to accept him as a disciple!

The impact of this scene was ten thousand times more intense than when he had coughed up blood three times on the podium yesterday!

He had utterly trampled all his dignity, status, and pride beneath his feet, crushing them to pieces!

All for... the pursuit of truth!

Lin Xi quietly watched Yu Xiaogang prostrating himself at her feet. Her cool eyes showed not the slightest ripple.

Everything was within her expectations.

For a true seeker of knowledge, when he discovered that everything he had pursued throughout his life was wrong, the path to truth became the only meaning for his continued existence.

Before truth, dignity was worthless.

"You want to take me as your master?"

Lin Xi spoke, her voice still cool, as though she were merely stating something insignificant.

This question was almost identical to the one she had asked from the dormitory building yesterday.

But this time, Yu Xiaogang's answer was completely different.

"Yes!" He raised his head, fanatic flames burning in his eyes, without the slightest hesitation. "This student, Yu Xiaogang, is willing to observe all the rites of a disciple and serve at Teacher's side. I ask only that Teacher guide me through my confusion and allow me a glimpse of the truth of martial souls!"

"A fine 'glimpse of truth.'" Lin Xi nodded faintly.

She neither agreed immediately nor refused at once.

Her gaze passed over Yu Xiaogang and fell upon the Dean and several teachers hurrying over.

When the Dean saw this scene, he stumbled and nearly fainted on the spot.

He wanted to die.

What kind of mess was this?!

A dignified Master was kneeling before a six-year-old new student to take her as his master!

If word got out, Nuoding Academy would likely become the laughingstock of the entire Douluo Continent!

"Accepting you as a disciple is not impossible."

Just as the Dean was preparing to step forward and dissuade him, Lin Xi finally spoke again.

At her words, wild delight burst from Yu Xiaogang's eyes!

"However," Lin Xi's tone shifted, "I have my own rules for accepting disciples."

"First, I only accept registered disciples, not personal disciples. I have neither the time nor the interest to teach you step by step."

"Second, I am only responsible for proposing theories and pointing out directions. How you verify and improve them is your own business."

"Third, and most importantly, my theories must not be casually passed on. Without my permission, not a single word of what you learn today or comprehend tomorrow may be revealed to anyone. Otherwise, I can let you glimpse heaven, and I can also make you... return to hell."

Her words were soft, yet they carried an unquestionable authority and chilling coldness.

After hearing her conditions, Yu Xiaogang showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever. Instead, he became even more respectful.

In his eyes, this was the bearing of a true Master!

How could truth possibly be obtained so easily?!

He knocked his head heavily against the ground, his voice trembling with excitement. "This student, Yu Xiaogang, shall faithfully heed Teacher's teachings!"

"Get up," Lin Xi said flatly.

"Thank you, Teacher!" Only then did Yu Xiaogang climb to his feet. He stood respectfully to one side like the most obedient elementary school student.

The sight nearly made everyone around them dislocate their jaws.

Lin Xi no longer looked at him and instead said to Tang San and Xiao Wu beside her, "Let's go."

"Huh? Oh..." Xiao Wu was still completely dazed. Pulled along by Lin Xi, she walked forward mechanically.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang hurriedly followed behind them step by step, keeping a distance of three paces and not daring to overstep in the slightest.

Thus, an extraordinarily bizarre scene appeared at Nuoding Academy.

A cool, ethereal girl walked at the very front.

A delicate little girl and a boy with deep eyes walked on either side behind her.

And behind them, a middle-aged man once hailed as "Master" lowered his head and followed cautiously like the humblest servant.

This scene became the most unbelievable legend in Nuoding Academy's history.