Two Wasted Martial Souls Exchange Ideas, Xia Yang's Plans

Inside the Martial Soul Academy dormitory, Xia Yang sat on the edge of his bed, his calm gaze resting on Yu Xiaogang at the door.

This young man from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wore shoulder-length black hair and a blue tight outfit.

His complexion was somewhat dark, and his figure was slightly lean, yet he lacked the dejected air Xia Yang remembered entirely.

On the contrary, he gave off an alert and capable impression.

Though he looked thin, Xia Yang, with his years of experience training his body, could clearly make out the taut lines of muscle beneath his clothes.

Clearly, Yu Xiaogang had undergone physical training.

Thinking about it carefully, it made sense. In the story Xia Yang knew, this "Grandmaster" would later place great importance on his disciples' physical foundations. It seemed that truly came from his own personal experience.

(Note: Most other Soul Masters only meditated and engaged in actual combat. Only Yu Xiaogang, during his time at Shrek, trained running and weight-bearing exercises.)

While Xia Yang silently observed him, Yu Xiaogang was also sizing him up.

Xia Yang was tall and powerfully built, with fair skin. Even while sitting still, his back remained straight and his bearing relaxed. He was indeed an impressive-looking young man.

Facing this "theory master" from the Original Work, Xia Yang felt neither contempt nor mockery.

At his age, wearing a mocking expression would have been far too childish.

What he was considering instead was what practical help or insight he could gain from this man.

"You're Yu Xiaogang of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

Xia Yang spoke first, breaking the silence.

"That would be me."

Yu Xiaogang stepped into the dormitory and asked in return, "May I ask how I should address you, fellow student?"

"Xia Yang."

"You were assigned to this dormitory too?"

"But Director Xuan just told me that this was a single-occupancy room."

There was a trace of confusion in Xia Yang's voice.

"It's rather embarrassing to explain."

As Yu Xiaogang explained, he took bedding from his Storage Soul Tool and began arranging the bed opposite Xia Yang's.

"I'm also a transfer student who just enrolled."

"Director Xuan arranged for me to stay here just now. He said another transfer student was already here, so it would be good for us to keep each other company."

Before long, Yu Xiaogang had finished organizing his belongings.

The two sat facing each other in the dormitory, and the atmosphere became somewhat stiff.

"I've heard a little about your reputation."

Xia Yang was truly unaccustomed to this sort of awkwardness, so he could only take the initiative to find a topic.

"Is that so..."

Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened slightly. Clearly, he had misunderstood Xia Yang's meaning.

He had always borne the reputation of the Shame of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, so he instinctively assumed that was what Xia Yang meant.

"Don't misunderstand. I wasn't trying to mock you."

Xia Yang hurriedly clarified, saying, "I merely heard that your Martial Soul is a malignantly mutated Wasted Martial Soul, and that you possess only Innate Half-Level Soul Power."

"Coincidentally, my circumstances are almost exactly the same as yours."

"Really? You too..."

Yu Xiaogang abruptly raised his head, an incredulous light of excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Absolutely."

Xia Yang nodded firmly.

"I-I didn't mean any offense. I was simply too excited."

Yu Xiaogang hurriedly explained, his tone carrying the joy of someone who had finally met a kindred spirit. "I never thought there would be someone else in this world whose circumstances were so similar to mine."

"Xia Yang, may I ask what your Martial Soul is exactly?"

"Bone Martial Soul."

"Bones... that falls within the category of Body Martial Souls."

Yu Xiaogang fell into thought, unconsciously displaying his analytical side. "This type of Martial Soul is indeed troublesome. Whether in offense or defense, it is difficult for it to compare with Beast Martial Souls of the same type."

"Exactly."

Xia Yang followed his words, revealing his intentions with a mix of truth and falsehood.

"That's why I came to Martial Soul Academy. I hoped to find a way to compensate for my Martial Soul's flaws among Spirit Hall's collection of records amassed over ten thousand years."

"Indeed! We even arrived at the same idea without discussing it."

A look of having met too late appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face. He was so excited that he nearly stepped forward to swear brotherhood with Xia Yang.

"By the way, Xiaogang, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you this year? What level is your Soul Power now?"

Xia Yang changed the topic at the right moment.

"Fifteen years old, Level 16 Soul Power."

"Why do you ask?"

"It's nothing. I was just asking."

Xia Yang quickly calculated in his mind.

Yu Xiaogang possessed Innate Half-Level Soul Power. He had likely begun cultivating at around six years old, reached Level 10 at eleven or twelve, and obtained his First Soul Ring. His Soul Power should then have been around Level 11 or 12.

Now, at fifteen years old, he was at Level 16. That meant his current Cultivation Speed was one level per year.

That speed was not much different from Xia Yang's true Cultivation Speed.

If not for using Whale Rubber to assist in absorbing Spirit Rings beyond his level, which had caused his Soul Power to surge, his current level would probably have truly been close to Yu Xiaogang's.

Though he was now Level 25, a whole major tier above Yu Xiaogang, his future Cultivation Speed would likely still fall into the predicament of advancing one level per year.

If he wanted to break through Level 30 before turning twenty, it seemed that relying on hard cultivation alone would not be enough. He had to find another way.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo... the knowledge of Immortal Herbs in your hands is simply too crucial to me."

Xia Yang unconsciously furrowed his eyebrows and fell into thought.

"But how can I approach Chrysanthemum Douluo, or even... take him as my master?"

Seeing Xia Yang deep in thought, Yu Xiaogang wanted to talk, but he understood that it would be inappropriate to disturb him. He could only remain quietly at the side.

After quite a while, Yu Xiaogang glanced at the darkening sky beyond the window and finally suggested softly, "Xia Yang, it's getting late. It's already time for dinner. We should head to the academy cafeteria, shouldn't we?"

Xia Yang was pulled back to reality by his voice. Looking outside, he saw that the setting sun was indeed sinking in the west.

"We really should get something to eat. We've been busy all day and haven't had a proper meal yet."

As they spoke, the two rose and left the dormitory, walking side by side toward the Martial Soul Academy cafeteria.

After arriving at the cafeteria, Yu Xiaogang was exceptionally enthusiastic and took the initiative to order a large table of the most expensive and exquisite dishes.

It was clear that he was extremely pleased with Xia Yang, this roommate who shared his plight, and even treasured him somewhat.

Xia Yang understood his intentions, so he no longer declined and calmly accepted his generous hospitality.

As the highest academy directly under Spirit Hall, Martial Soul Academy's cafeteria was indeed extraordinary.

Every dish was made with Spirit Beast meat, and the dishes Yu Xiaogang had ordered were all prepared from choice cuts taken from Ten-thousand Year Soul Beasts.

Aside from fish-type Spirit Beasts, this was the first time Xia Yang had tasted the meat of other kinds of Ten-thousand Year Soul Beasts.

After a whirlwind dinner, the two left the cafeteria in satisfaction and strolled along the academy's tree-lined paths to aid digestion.

Before they knew it, they had arrived beside a lake.

By then, the sun had completely set, and the Soul Guide Lamps embedded throughout the academy lit up one after another.

The gentle light dispelled the night, shrouding the campus in a tranquil, hazy glow.