Master? I Don't Know Him!

Behind the Spirit Hall branch, in an office far more luxurious and solemn than the main hall.

The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood. A relief sculpture of the Six-Winged Angel, the symbol of Spirit Hall, hung on the wall, shimmering with a golden glow beneath the soft light of a Soul Guiding Lamp. Ma Xiunuo, the branch master of Nuoding City's Spirit Hall and a Soul King-level Master, sat upright behind a broad mahogany desk. Yet the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth and the occasional rubbing of the chair's armrest betrayed that he was far less composed than he appeared.

Su Yuntao stood respectfully to one side with his hands lowered, hardly daring to breathe. Every so often, he secretly glanced from the corner of his eye at the youth standing in the center of the office—Zhang Bufan.

Zhang Bufan, on the other hand, appeared perfectly relaxed. He even looked around this "luxurious" office with curiosity. A medieval fantasy style mixed with a little Soul Tool Technology. This chandelier is pretty unique, though the taste is a bit tacky.

"Ahem." Ma Xiunuo cleared his throat, striving to make his voice sound gentle yet authoritative. "Child, are you Zhang Bufan?"

"Yes, Master Ma Xiunuo." Zhang Bufan withdrew his gaze from the chandelier and gave a slight bow, performing a courteous gesture that was not quite standard but impossible to fault. His attitude was humble, and he had lowered his stance enough. Yet his inner monologue was scrolling madly. Here it comes, here it comes—the classic recruitment scene! Next, is he going to promise me huge benefits, paint me a pretty picture, then trick me aboard Spirit Hall's pirate ship?

"No need for such formality, no need." Ma Xiunuo piled a warm smile onto his face. He rose, walked around the desk, and personally came before Zhang Bufan to examine him closely. His gaze was like that of someone admiring an unparalleled treasure, so burning that it gave Zhang Bufan goosebumps.

"Remarkable! Truly remarkable!" Ma Xiunuo clicked his tongue in amazement, unable to conceal his excitement. "An unknown top-tier Martial Soul, a Soul Power Level never seen before... Child, do you know what this means?"

Zhang Bufan blinked and cooperatively revealed a trace of "bewilderment" and "anticipation." "It means... I'm amazing?"

"More than amazing!" Ma Xiunuo's voice rose as he waved his arms. "This is a miracle! A treasure bestowed by heaven upon our Spirit Hall—no, upon the entire Douluo Continent! Your future is limitless! Becoming a Titled Douluo? That may only be your starting point!"

Su Yuntao's heart surged with excitement, and he felt honored as well. After all, Zhang Bufan had been "discovered" by him.

Oh-ho, he's started painting the picture. A Titled Douluo as a starting point? Well, from the perspective of someone with cheats, that isn't exactly wrong.

"Child," Ma Xiunuo said in an even more earnest tone, carrying the sincerity of someone who claimed to be thinking of Zhang Bufan's best interests, "your talent is unprecedented. But precisely because of that, you need the best guidance, the finest resources, and the safest environment in which to grow! Otherwise, the tallest tree in the forest will be the first to be destroyed by the wind. The dangers of this world far exceed your imagination!"

He paused, finally revealing his true intent. "And our Spirit Hall is the best choice to provide you with all of that! Join Spirit Hall, child! In my capacity as the master of the Nuoding City branch, I can directly recommend you to the headquarters in Spirit City for the highest level of training! If His Holiness the Pope learns of your existence, she will surely give you personal attention! By then, cultivation methods, resources, status... all will be within easy reach! You will become Spirit Hall's brightest star, a future elder, perhaps even... a position among the consecrated ones may not be beyond your reach!"

Ma Xiunuo's voice was bewitching as he painted a radiant vision of the future. He believed that no young person could easily refuse such temptation.

Su Yuntao also looked at Zhang Bufan with excitement, as if he could already see him dressed in Spirit Hall's splendid robes and standing atop the continent.

Yet Zhang Bufan was inwardly mocking him without restraint. Here it comes, the classic three-step con job! Empty promises plus threats plus bait! Joining Spirit Hall sounds great, but I know the plot—I know you'll get beaten to a pulp by the chosen one, Tang San, later on! Joining now would be like enlisting in the losing army in 1949. When the reckoning comes, would a remnant of the old regime like me get any good ending? Bibi Dong goes so crazy that she even kills her own people, while that scheming old bastard Qian Daoliu isn't any better. No, no, I absolutely can't wade into this mess!

Still, he promptly showed an expression of being flattered but troubled. "Master Ma Xiunuo, I am deeply grateful for your regard. I have long heard of Spirit Hall's great reputation as well. It's just..."

"Just what?" Ma Xiunuo frowned slightly, sensing that things might not proceed so smoothly.

Zhang Bufan "hesitated" for a moment before saying, "It's just that I have been used to living freely since childhood, and my nature is somewhat wild. I fear I would not be able to endure the strict rules of headquarters. Besides, I believe that the path of cultivation perhaps... should not be limited to a single school of thought? Traveling more, seeing more, learning from many sources—perhaps that would suit me better."

He had phrased it tactfully, but his rejection was already obvious.

The smile on Ma Xiunuo's face faded, and the atmosphere in the office instantly became tense. Su Yuntao was so anxious that he nearly spoke up to persuade Zhang Bufan otherwise.

"Child, you must think this through." Ma Xiunuo's tone became heavier. "The outside world is vast, yes, but it is also filled with danger. Without the protection of a powerful Power Base, a genius like you could easily perish young. And when it comes to the study of Martial Souls, who on the continent can compare to our Spirit Hall? Those so-called theories of Master Yu Xiaogang? They are nothing more than attention-seeking speculation!"

At the mention of "Master Yu Xiaogang," Zhang Bufan became even more disdainful inside. Yu Xiaogang's theories? They're far too outdated for someone with cheats like me, okay? Martial Soul core competitiveness, Soul Ring age limits... they're all clouds before my Nine Cauldrons! Is my Martial Soul something that talks to you about science and theory? It talks about mysticism, origins, and the proper conduct of someone with cheats! Have his theories guide me? He'd probably guide me straight into a ditch.

He remained respectful on the surface, but his tone grew firmer. "Thank you for the reminder, Master. But I have made up my mind. I wish to travel alone first and broaden my horizons. Perhaps once I have achieved something in my studies, it will not be too late to consider serving Spirit Hall."

That was nothing but a perfunctory excuse. Ma Xiunuo was an old and seasoned man; how could he fail to hear it? His expression completely darkened, and he fixed Zhang Bufan with a sharp gaze. A faint pressure belonging to a Soul King deliberately spread through the room, attempting to make this "ungrateful" youth feel the weight of it.

An ordinary youth would likely have been trembling beneath that pressure. But who was Zhang Bufan? Within him slept a divine artifact that guarded Jiuzhou! Ma Xiunuo's little pressure was no more than a breeze brushing his face. It could not even make him uncomfortable.

He even wanted to laugh. The old man seemed rather adorable to him, like a yapping Chihuahua trying to look fierce.

When Ma Xiunuo saw that Zhang Bufan remained perfectly calm beneath his pressure, with even a trace of... amusement in the depths of his eyes, he was horrified. He understood that his little trick was utterly ineffective against this youth. He immediately withdrew the pressure, his expression shifting uncertainly. Force was out of the question. Setting aside Zhang Bufan's unfathomable Soul Power, his talent alone meant that if he were forced into rebellion, Ma Xiunuo would be unable to bear the consequences once those above him called him to account.

"Sigh..." Ma Xiunuo let out a long sigh and seemed to age several years in an instant, his face filled with regret and helplessness. "Since you have made up your mind, this old man cannot force you. Everyone has their own aspirations. I only hope you will not regret today's decision in the future."

He returned behind the desk, took out a heavy money pouch and a badge representing a Spirit Hall-certified Soul Master's identity—engraved, according to his records, with "Martial Soul: Unknown Cauldron" and "Soul Power: ???"—then pushed them toward Zhang Bufan.

"This is your Soul Master subsidy for the month, one hundred Gold Soul Coins in total. From now on, you may collect it each month at any Spirit Hall branch in any city. This badge is proof of your identity. Keep it safe." Ma Xiunuo's tone had returned to calm, but all of his former enthusiasm had vanished.

"Thank you, Master Ma Xiunuo." Zhang Bufan did not stand on ceremony as he accepted the pouch and badge. One hundred Gold Soul Coins was unquestionably a vast sum in Nuoding City, enough for him to spend freely for quite some time. My startup capital is secured! Sure enough, someone with cheats will never starve anywhere!

"Go." Ma Xiunuo waved a hand and listlessly returned to his chair. He closed his eyes and no longer looked at Zhang Bufan. He knew that a true dragon destined to soar through the skies had already broken free from Nuoding City's little pond. Whatever happened in the future no longer had anything to do with him or Nuoding City's Spirit Hall.

Su Yuntao opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but it ultimately became only a sigh. He silently led Zhang Bufan away.

Once he walked out of Spirit Hall's gates and breathed the fresh air outside again, Zhang Bufan felt relaxed all over. Sunlight fell upon him, warm and full of the scent of freedom.

"I finally shook off Spirit Hall's pestering." He weighed the heavy money pouch in his hand, a smile curling at his lips. "Now then, where should I go next?"

He stood on the steps before Spirit Hall's entrance, watching the bustling crowd of Nuoding City. He had already made his decision.

"Heaven Dou City! That's right, there!" Anticipation gleamed in his eyes. "As the Imperial City of the Heaven Dou Empire, it's prosperous enough and has plenty of opportunities. Most importantly... I hear Heaven Dou Royal Academy has a lot of beautiful girls! Like that girl as dazzling and fiery as Flame..."

Thinking of this, Zhang Bufan felt even more motivated. He could practically see his wonderful future: embracing beauties on both sides—mainly Huo Wu—sleeping drunk upon a beauty's lap, and waking to hold the power of the world in his palm—with the Nine Cauldrons.

"Hehe, Dugu Yan seems to be at Heaven Dou Royal Academy too? But forget a poisonous rose like her. My girl Huo Wu is the real deal!" He happily planned ahead. "As for Tang San and Xiao Wu? We have nothing to do with each other for now. As long as they don't come provoke me, I can't be bothered interfering with the plot of their protagonist lives. We'll stay out of each other's way. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

"It's decided! Destination: Heaven Dou City! Let's go!"

He strode forward in high spirits and merged into the flow of people, heading toward the city gates. The Soul Master badge engraved with "???" was casually tucked into his clothes.

The legendary journey of Zhang Bufan, the man with cheats, had officially begun! His first small goal was to reach Heaven Dou City, find his organization—Heaven Dou Royal Academy—and, while he was at it... admire some beauties.

That was perfectly reasonable, right?