Master Yu Wants to Take Yao Yan as a Disciple?

With a slight thought, a stream of azure Soul Power surged from his palm, swiftly wrapping Xiao Ying in a cocoon of light.

Within the cocoon, several fine yet mysterious golden patterns began to emerge across Xiao Ying's pitch-black shell.

Yao Yan was startled!

He had not expected his pet to truly be able to consume Soul Power, and hurriedly increased his output.

Xiao Ying's originally black pupils gradually turned a brilliant gold as well. With every blink, they seemed increasingly lively and spirited.

Before long, however, Xiao Ying's body stopped changing, and only then did he reluctantly cease.

"I knew you weren't an ordinary spider." He happily flicked its forehead, then casually placed it on his shoulder.

When he turned to look at the pot of blackened medicinal herbs, the smile on his face instantly collapsed, replaced by utter heartache.

"This is all hard-earned money!"

Once this pot of herbs was refined, it could make at least three bottles of Healing Potion, each selling for as much as five Silver Soul Coins outside.

One Gold Soul Coin = ten Silver Soul Coins = one hundred Copper Soul Coins

This pot of herbs was worth one and a half Gold Soul Coins.

One Gold Soul Coin alone could cover an ordinary family's expenses for several months.

"Sigh..." Yao Yan let out a sigh.

Fortunately, he still had some stock left, enough to make roughly nine more bottles of potion.

He then returned to his room and took out all the medicinal herbs he had stored there, intending to turn them all into Healing Potions.

Following the proportions in the recipe, he prepared the herbs, lit the fire again, and began brewing them.

He remained busy in the kitchen until late at night.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Early morning.

The sky had only just begun to brighten, and a faint fish-belly white appeared in the eastern distance.

Old Jack led Yao Yan, who carried a small bag on his back, to Tang San's doorstep.

"Xiao San, it's time to leave."

Before long, the wooden door creaked open. Tang San poked his head out and pressed a finger to his lips. "Grandpa, keep your voice down. Father is still resting."

He gently closed the door behind him, slung the bundle he had prepared long ago over his shoulder, and quietly left with the other two.

The three boarded a carriage at the village entrance and headed toward Nuoding City.

Along the way, Old Jack continually introduced them to all sorts of things in the city. Tang San seemed to be leaving the village for the first time and was curious about everything, asking question after question.

Yao Yan listened quietly. He had long since explored every corner of Nuoding City.

Ever since he developed the Healing Potion, he had brought Old Jack along every time he went to sell it. One fairly powerful shop had taken a liking to its effects and was also very satisfied with the quality of Holy Soul Village's herbs, willing to purchase all of them.

With a steady sales channel for Holy Soul Village's herbs, the villagers' purses had gradually begun to fill as well.

To be honest, Tang San was benefiting from him this time.

In the original story, they had walked all the way to Nuoding City.

Less than two hours later.

A tall arched gate built from solid stone came into view, with the words "Nuoding Academy" engraved in its center.

The three got down from the carriage in turn.

"Grandpa, let me hand the Spirit Hall certificates to the academy," Yao Yan suddenly said.

"Alright." Old Jack affectionately patted his head, took out two red booklets from his bundle, and handed them over.

After all these years together, he had long noticed that the boy was somewhat mature for his age. Still, he did not think much of it; country children grew up early.

Yao Yan had always been dependable, so he was quite at ease.

Yao Yan accepted the certificates and discreetly tucked two Silver Soul Coins away before the three of them headed toward the academy gates together.

Just as expected, the moment they reached the gate, they were stopped by the gatekeeper. "Stop! What are you here for? Is this a place country folk like you can come to?"

Although Yao Yan had long known this part of the plot, he still could not help but complain inwardly.

This gatekeeper really had some nerve. He dared to call a Spirit Hall certificate fake and even threw it straight onto the ground.

Wasn't that slapping Spirit Hall in the face? Was he not afraid of biting off more than he could chew?

Old Jack hurriedly forced a smile. "Little brother, we're from Holy Soul Village. These two children are this year's work-study students."

Yao Yan quickly handed over the Spirit Hall certificates.

The gatekeeper frowned and blurted out, "Can a golden phoenix really fly out of a grass nest?"

Then he opened the certificates. His eyes immediately lit up, and his expression changed in an instant, his face breaking into a broad smile.

"Sir, this certificate is genuine, right?" Yao Yan deliberately asked.

"You must be joking, little friend. How could a certificate issued by Spirit Hall be fake? You three, come in." The gatekeeper turned and went back inside, took out a key, and opened the iron gate.

He then returned the certificate to Yao Yan.

Yao Yan sneered inwardly. Good thing I was the one dealing with you. If it had been a certain God King...

Tang San and Old Jack both looked bewildered, unable to understand why the gatekeeper's attitude had changed so suddenly, but neither asked further.

Just as the three stepped through the school gates, a middle-aged man in a long black robe with a full beard slowly approached.

The gatekeeper immediately became exceedingly respectful. "Master, you're back."

Yu Xiaogang gave a slight nod, his gaze falling upon Yao Yan and the other two.

The gatekeeper instantly understood and hurriedly introduced them. "They're new work-study students. One has Innate Full Soul Power, and one is level six. But their martial souls... are both Blue Silver Grass."

"Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power... could it be...?" Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up.

My chance to make a name for myself across the continent has finally come!!!

He hurried forward, his voice trembling slightly. "Little friend, could I borrow your certificate for a look?"

Yao Yan cast a somewhat pitying glance at Tang San before handing over the certificate.

Yu Xiaogang took it, his fingers trembling slightly as he opened it. Seeing that it was indeed as the gatekeeper had said, he drew a deep breath.

"Which of you is Tang San?" His tone was filled with excitement.

Tang San stepped forward. "Teacher, I am."

Yu Xiaogang grabbed his hand and walked into the academy, leaving Yao Yan and Old Jack standing where they were.

Old Jack gave Yao Yan a push. "Xiao Yan, hurry and follow them. Grandpa will head back first. I'll come pick you up again when summer break starts."

Yao Yan didn't dare!

If he heard Tang San's secret of having Twin Martial Souls today, Tang San's father would come knocking tonight with a hammer on his shoulder.

"Grandpa, I'll see you back to the carriage first." Holding Old Jack's hand, he headed outside the school gates.

From the corner of Yao Yan's eye, he saw the two of them walk beneath a large tree and talk privately for a while.

Having had his secret discovered, Tang San had already raised his right hand and disengaged the safety on his Hidden Weapon.

After being thoroughly talked around by the master, Tang San finally dropped to his knees with a thud and knocked his head three times, successfully taking him as his master.

He had found a so-called "road to the heavens" for his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.

Yao Yan watched the carriage disappear. Seeing the two of them still standing there as though waiting for him, he quickly walked over and pretended not to know Master Yu's identity. "Teacher, let's go."

"Yao Yan, Master isn't an academy teacher. He's a master invited by the headmaster," Tang San hurriedly corrected.

A master? More like a master at compiling information!

If the headmaster of this academy hadn't wanted to curry favor with his status, who would have let him freeload for over twenty years?

Yao Yan mocked him inwardly, but revealed none of it on his face. His tone carried a faint trace of sarcasm. "I see. Then Master must be very capable."

"Of course. Teacher is the one who published the Ten Core Competencies," Tang San nodded earnestly.

"Uh..." Yao Yan was instantly speechless. The two of them were talking about completely different things.

Standing nearby, Yu Xiaogang looked at Yao Yan's certificate.

Blue Silver Grass with innate level six soul power. He could help me study martial souls, serving as a comparison to pave the way for Xiao San.

His thoughts turned, and he faced Yao Yan. Slowly, he spoke in a deep, enticing voice:

"Xiao Yan, would you be willing to take me as your master?"