First Encounter at Nuoding: Master's Keen Eye

The August wind carried the lingering heat of late summer as it swept past Nuoding Academy's gates. Tang San stood before the stone plaque engraved with "Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy," a bundle of luggage on his back and Lin Zhixia's hand in his, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Is this Nuoding Academy? It's so much bigger than Sacred Soul Village." Lin Zhixia spoke softly, her gaze sweeping over the students coming and going. Her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes—there were too many people here, and it made her uneasy.

Tang San patted the back of her hand and comforted her softly. "Don't be afraid. We're here as Work-Study Students. As long as we cultivate properly, we'll adapt soon enough."

Just as the two were about to enter, a guard at the entrance stopped them. "Halt! What are you here for?" The guard eyed them sideways, his tone tinged with contempt. "Judging by what you're wearing, you must be Work-Study Students, right? The entrance for Work-Study Students is over there. Don't block the main gate."

Tang San paid no mind to the guard's attitude and led Lin Zhixia toward the side entrance. Lin Zhixia, however, frowned. She disliked being looked down on like this, but remembering Tang Hao's parting advice—cause less trouble and cultivate more—she suppressed her feelings.

The registration area for Work-Study Students was set up outside a shabby wooden hut, and there were not many people in line. When their turn came, the teacher handling registration looked over their martial soul awakening certificates, then looked at the two of them. "Tang San, Blue Silver Grass martial soul, Innate Full Soul Power; Lin Zhixia, Starfall Bow martial soul, Innate Full Soul Power?" The teacher's voice was full of surprise. "Sacred Soul Village actually produced two children with Innate Full Soul Power. Come with me. I'll take you to the Work-Study Student dormitory."

The dormitory was a large communal room, already occupied by several children. When they saw Tang San and Lin Zhixia enter, they merely lifted their heads before returning to what they had been doing. Tang San and Lin Zhixia chose two beds in a corner. They had barely set down their luggage when someone shouted outside, "All Work-Study Students, gather at the training ground! A teacher has something to say!"

The two followed the crowd to the training ground, where they saw a thin middle-aged man in a plain long robe standing on the steps. His hair was somewhat disheveled, and he wore a pair of worn-out glasses, but his gaze was exceptionally sharp, as though it could see straight into one's heart—he was Yu Xiaogang.

"I am your supervising teacher, Yu Xiaogang." The man's voice was not loud, yet it carried an inexplicable authority. "From today onward, I will be responsible for your cultivation. Now, I will inspect your martial souls. Step forward one at a time."

The students formed a line and displayed their martial souls in turn. When it was Tang San's turn, he extended his right hand, and pale blue Blue Silver Grass slowly emerged. A round of snickering rose from the crowd. "It's actually the useless martial soul Blue Silver Grass, and he even has Innate Full Soul Power. What a waste of good talent."

Tang San did not care. He merely looked calmly at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang's gaze fell on the Blue Silver Grass, but his brows furrowed slightly. He stepped closer, carefully examining it, then reached out and lightly touched one of its leaves. The moment his fingertips made contact, his expression suddenly changed—the Blue Silver Grass's aura seemed ordinary, yet it concealed a subtle power. It was absolutely not some ordinary useless martial soul.

"Next, Lin Zhixia."

Lin Zhixia took a deep breath and extended her right hand. The silver Starfall Bow slowly appeared, the star patterns along its shaft flowing beneath the sunlight and giving off a faint glow. The snickering around them instantly vanished, and everyone was drawn to the beautiful martial soul.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes fell upon the Starfall Bow, and his pupils abruptly contracted. He strode quickly toward Lin Zhixia, his eyes filled with shock. "This martial soul... you call it the Starfall Bow?"

Lin Zhixia nodded, puzzled. "Yes, Master. This is my martial soul."

Yu Xiaogang said nothing. He stared at the Starfall Bow for a long time before finally speaking slowly. "Come with me. Tang San, you too."

The two exchanged glances, each seeing the other's confusion, but they still followed Yu Xiaogang toward the teaching building. He led them into an empty classroom, closed the door, and only then turned to face them.

"Tang San." Yu Xiaogang's gaze settled on him, his tone grave. "Do you have another martial soul?"

Tang San was startled. He had not expected this teacher to see through his secret. After hesitating for a moment, he looked at Lin Zhixia. Seeing her nod, he slowly raised his left hand—a pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer appeared out of thin air, carrying such terrifying pressure that the entire classroom trembled faintly.

"Clear Sky Hammer!" Yu Xiaogang's voice shook slightly. He stared fixedly at the Clear Sky Hammer, his eyes full of complicated emotions: shock, relief, and a trace of barely perceptible nostalgia. "As expected... it really is the Clear Sky Hammer."

Lin Zhixia stared at the Clear Sky Hammer in surprise. She had not expected Tang San's other martial soul to be so powerful.

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and suppressed his emotions before turning to Lin Zhixia. "Lin Zhixia, your Starfall Bow is actually the Star River Shattering Bow, isn't it?"

Lin Zhixia abruptly raised her head, disbelief filling her eyes. "Master, how did you know? My father said the Star River Shattering Bow is the Lin Family's exclusive martial soul. Very few people know of it."

"Not only do I know of the Star River Shattering Bow, I also know who your father is." Yu Xiaogang's tone became gentler. "Your father's name was Lin Jingyuan, wasn't it?"

"Yes!" Lin Zhixia's voice caught slightly. "Master, did you know my father?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded, his eyes full of regret. "Your father and I were old acquaintances. Back then, his Star River Shattering Bow was renowned throughout the soul master world. What a pity..." He did not continue. Instead, he gently patted Lin Zhixia on the shoulder. "Your father was a hero. You must properly inherit his martial soul."

Tears could not help but fall from Lin Zhixia's eyes. Since arriving at Nuoding Academy, this was the first time she had heard anyone mention her father—and from someone who had known him.

Yu Xiaogang looked at the two children, his eyes full of appreciation. "Tang San, you possess Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power. Lin Zhixia, you are the inheritor of the top-tier Tool Martial Soul, the Star River Shattering Bow, and you also possess Innate Full Soul Power. You are both geniuses seen only once in a century."

He paused, his tone turning solemn. "I want to take the two of you as my disciples. I will teach you the knowledge needed to cultivate as soul masters and help you become stronger. Are you willing?"

Tang San and Lin Zhixia exchanged glances, each seeing delight in the other's eyes. Tang San knew Yu Xiaogang was no ordinary man; being accepted as the disciple of such a teacher was a rare opportunity. As for Lin Zhixia, Yu Xiaogang's acquaintance with her father gave her a little more trust in him.

"We are willing!" the two said in unison.

Yu Xiaogang smiled. It was the first time since arriving at Nuoding Academy that he had smiled so easily. "Good! From today onward, you are my disciples. Tang San, your Twin Martial Souls are a secret. Before you become strong enough, you must never reveal the Clear Sky Hammer. I will first teach you how to cultivate the Blue Silver Grass."

"Why cultivate the Blue Silver Grass first?" Tang San asked in confusion. "Isn't the Clear Sky Hammer stronger?"

Yu Xiaogang shook his head and explained, "The Blue Silver Grass may seem ordinary, but it possesses tremendous resilience and potential for growth. Its concealment is also excellent, making it suitable for early cultivation. Once you have cultivated the Blue Silver Grass to a certain level, you can then cultivate the Clear Sky Hammer and bring out the greatest power of your Twin Martial Souls." He paused, a complicated look flashing through his eyes. "Besides, the Clear Sky Hammer represents too many things. Revealing it too early would do you no good."

Tang San nodded, half understanding. He could sense there was more behind Yu Xiaogang's words, but he did not press further—he knew his teacher would not harm him.

Looking at Yu Xiaogang, Lin Zhixia asked softly, "Master, then how should I cultivate my Starfall Bow?"

"The Star River Shattering Bow requires exceptionally strong Spiritual Power and Spirit Power Control." Yu Xiaogang's tone became serious. "I will first teach you methods to cultivate your Spiritual Power, then teach you how to use Soul Power to drive the bow and arrows. Once you obtain your first soul ring, you will be able to truly unleash the Star River Shattering Bow's power."

The setting sun shone through the windows, casting long shadows of the three across the classroom. Tang San held the Clear Sky Hammer, while Lin Zhixia held the Starfall Bow. Their eyes were full of anticipation for the future. They knew that from the moment Yu Xiaogang accepted them as his disciples, their path of cultivation would grow broader—and their legend would write a new chapter at Nuoding Academy.