Questioning

Over the next few days, Xiao Tianyang lived an ordinary life.

During the day, he was either attending class or buried in the library, absorbing vast amounts of knowledge about Soul Beasts and Soul Masters.

Though Xiao Tianyang found it painful in a sense, there was nothing he could do about it.

After all, if he did not want to die while hunting Soul Beasts due to a lack of knowledge, then he had to learn these things.

At the same time, Xiao Tianyang did not have much time left.

The reason was that he had to complete a challenge mission in the Soul Hunting Forest before finishing his studies at Notting Academy.

Otherwise, not only would it delay his enrollment at Shrek Academy with Tang San, but it would also directly affect his subsequent plans.

As for the evenings, Xiao Tianyang got no break then either.

First, he had to deal with Tang San and Xiao Wu coming over to mooch meals, followed by several hours of training.

Even his final rest time late at night was squeezed out for meditation and cultivation.

The process was not only dull, but tedious.

After only a few days, Xiao Tianyang already looked considerably thinner as he staggered out of the teaching building.

"Brother Tianyang, you don't seem to be in very good spirits?"

Seeing Xiao Tianyang, who normally cared quite a bit about his appearance, looking so listless, Tang San could not help asking, "How about I ask Master for leave? You can skip class today."

"No. I've already resolved to become a top student. How could I give up halfway? It's only been a few days!"

By the end, Xiao Tianyang seemed to have encouraged himself, and his eyes brightened.

Of course, it only lasted for a moment...

The torment brought by mental exhaustion and boredom could not be dispelled by a single sentence.

Before long, the two chatted as they made their way to Master's residence.

That was right. Today's classes had already ended, but Tang San still had another teacher.

In order to gain more knowledge, Xiao Tianyang had tagged along after school. Since Master had no objections, he naturally stayed as well.

As for Xiao Wu, there was no need to mention her!

The moment she heard about food, her eyes lit up. The moment she heard about studying, she ran faster than anyone else!

Xiao Tianyang could not have been more envious!

But then again, regardless of one's attitude toward studying, the knowledge Xiao Tianyang gained from Master was far richer than what he learned in class. At the very least, the quality was on a completely different level.

After all, these were the most practical and profound topics available at present.

Master closed the ancient book on the table and looked at Xiao Tianyang and Tang San. "That's all for today's lesson. Is there anything the two of you don't understand?"

In truth, Master did not teach much each day, and the actual lesson only lasted Half an Hour.

But Master's method was to impart a fixed amount of knowledge every day. If they did not understand something, they asked, and the problem was resolved immediately.

Xiao Tianyang seemed rather uninterested, while Tang San beside him was extremely engaged. After asking several questions in succession, he began discussing them with Master.

Who knew how much time had passed when Xiao Tianyang felt someone nudging him. Turning his head, he realized Tang San was calling him.

"Class is over?"

Xiao Tianyang asked as he drew circles on the table with his finger.

"Not yet, but don't you have any questions you don't understand?"

Tang San tilted his head.

Xiao Tianyang suddenly remembered something and looked up. "Master, do you know Teacher Miao?"

Master frowned when he heard the question, as it was clearly unrelated to the lesson.

But after thinking it over, Master's expression became strange as he answered, "I know a little. He has an eccentric temperament and a mysterious background, and he rarely interacts with others."

"He has held a position at the academy for two years, yet he has never taught a single class. He seems to have a good relationship with the dean, which is why he has remained at the academy. Do you know him?"

"We've met a few times."

Xiao Tianyang was somewhat disappointed. "Is that all?"

Over the past few days, he had actually tried approaching Miao Zhenshan, but it had been useless.

Not only had he failed to probe anything out of him, he had even been toyed with by the man, leaving him thoroughly depressed.

He had also tried other avenues, but unfortunately, the answers were no different from what Master had just said.

It was precisely because this matter had been bothering him that Xiao Tianyang's attitude toward studying had steadily worsened... That was right, it was all Miao Zhenshan's fault!

Unable to get an answer here, Xiao Tianyang could only give up. After asking a few questions he did not understand, he left with Tang San.

But just as the two were about to leave the academy and go buy groceries as usual, someone stopped Xiao Tianyang.

Staring blankly at the person before him, Xiao Tianyang blinked. "Teacher Miao, what are you doing?"

"Kid, come with me."

Miao Zhenshan was as unreasonable as ever. He grabbed Xiao Tianyang by the back of his collar and dragged him away.

"But I still have to go home and cook!"

Xiao Tianyang struggled as he said, "There are two hungry children waiting to be fed at my house, Teacher Miao. You can't do this!"

Although he wanted to investigate the other man, being hauled away for no apparent reason still made him feel uneasy.

Tang San had wanted to speak, but when he heard Xiao Tianyang's words, his expression stiffened. What kind of thing was that to say?

Still, after Xiao Tianyang had been dragged dozens of meters away, he finally spoke. "Brother Tianyang, do you want me to..."

Tang San meant that he could find other teachers to save him.

Just as Xiao Tianyang was about to answer, he heard Miao Zhenshan say, "Haven't you been trying to find out about my background? Come with me, and I'll tell you myself!"

Swallowing the words he had been about to say, Xiao Tianyang said instead, "Little San, go buy the groceries first, then go home and wait for me. Oh, Bubu might not be home. Here's the key!"

As he spoke, he took out the key and tossed it to Tang San.

Tang San caught it, nodded, and said, "Then I'll be going first."

"..."

Xiao Tianyang was speechless. What if he really was being dragged away by a bad person?

Couldn't Tang San be a little more cautious?

Watching Tang San turn and leave, Miao Zhenshan stopped hesitating. Taking three steps as two, he pulled Xiao Tianyang into his own office.

This was also the area Xiao Chenyu had warned him not to visit too often.

Set down in a corner, Xiao Tianyang had just opened his mouth when Miao Zhenshan spoke first. "Kid, tell me. Why have you been constantly asking about my background these past few days? What are you after?"

"Is it too much to ask about the background of someone who helped you for no reason at all?"

Xiao Tianyang gave the excuse he had prepared long ago.

"The academy can help students obtain their first soul ring. That isn't a reason."

Miao Zhenshan refused to accept it. Shaking his head with a stern face, he said, "If you still won't tell the truth, be careful, or I'll make you suffer!"

Xiao Tianyang's heart trembled as he remembered being beaten up two days ago. He suddenly felt as though thorns were pressing against his back.

"But your concern has already gone beyond the limit. Does a teacher need to follow a student around morning and night?"

As though he had barely mustered the courage, Xiao Tianyang puffed out his chest and spoke.

Miao Zhenshan froze. He had thought he had concealed himself perfectly and had not been discovered. How had Xiao Tianyang known?

And as a Titled Douluo, being discovered by a Soul Master barely over level ten was a little too absurd, wasn't it?

Driven by instinct, Miao Zhenshan asked, "How did you notice I was nearby, and how were you so sure I was watching you?"

He had no intention of denying it, because he was already prepared to come clean.