Master, You Haven't Become a Soul Master Yet, Is It Because You Don't Like It?

One month later

The morning sun was just beginning to bloom, and the morning breeze was cool.

On the grass in a corner of Notting Academy, Bai Mu arrived early as always and began meditating and cultivating amidst the surrounding green grass.

On his shoulder, Zygarde lazily basked in the sun.

Suddenly, a slightly hoarse voice sounded in front of him:

"An External Martial Soul? That's quite rare."

"?"

Bai Mu slowly opened his eyes and found an ordinary-looking old man with a dispirited look in his eyes staring intently at him and Zygarde on his shoulder.

His gaze carried a hint of perversion.

"Wow~"

Zygarde glanced at Yu Xiaogang, then lazily slumped like a puddle of mud.

"Hello, teacher!"

Bai Mu placed Zygarde on his head and petted him a few times, greeting him politely.

Although he was asking, he already knew the identity of the person in front of him.

This person was the "world-renowned" Martial Soul theory Grandmaster, Tang San's master who had not become a god—Yu Xiaogang.

He had a significant background and powerful persuasion skills, but his actual abilities were harder to judge.

So, even though they both had External Martial Souls and Yu Xiaogang had some cultivation experience, Bai Mu had no intention of interacting with this legendary (CS) Grandmaster after many days at the academy.

"Teacher? I'm not a teacher at the academy."

The Grandmaster looked down at Bai Mu and said indifferently.

He had intended to pique the other party's curiosity with his air of superiority, but who knew...

"Okay, grandpa, please move aside. Don't block my sunbathing."

Bai Mu shifted back and directly closed his eyes to meditate and cultivate.

"Grand... grandpa?"

Yu Xiaogang, who had been trying to act cool, was struck by lightning.

He, Yu Xiaogang, had a lifetime of fame. Though misunderstood by the world, he was clearly in his prime and couldn't be considered an old man, right?

He opened his mouth, about to say something, but saw Bai Mu had already entered a meditative state, showing no interest in conversing with him.

"This child..."

Yu Xiaogang felt a bit helpless but didn't leave.

He believed Bai Mu was ignoring him purely because he didn't recognize him. If Bai Mu knew him, he would be so excited to take him as a disciple!

Of course, a more important reason was that he had roamed the academic world for years, seen countless martial souls, but only his Luo Sanpao was an External Martial Soul.

Now that he had finally encountered another conscious External Martial Soul, how could he possibly let it go?

"As long as I can cultivate a powerful soul master with an External Martial Soul, it will be enough to wash away the shame of these years!"

"Then I'll tell the world that I, Yu Xiaogang, am not a waste, but a master of theory, a true Grandmaster!"

With this thought, Yu Xiaogang calmed his mind and stood to the side.

He secretly decided that once Bai Mu finished meditating, he would win the other over with his unparalleled charisma.

However... time ticked by.

He waited from morning to noon, and from noon to afternoon. Yu Xiaogang's mindset gradually began to shift.

"Strange! Doesn't this kid need to eat?"

Yu Xiaogang, no longer able to maintain his dignified posture, stared at Bai Mu as if he had seen a ghost.

He couldn't understand. Having not had a drop to drink since morning, even he, a max-level Soul Grand Master, was feeling hungry. How could Bai Mu still concentrate on meditating?

Dusk painted the sky red.

"Yo~ Old man, why are you still here?"

Having waited from dawn till dusk, seeing that Yu Xiaogang wouldn't leave, Bai Mu finally opened his eyes and asked, confused and speechless.

Old man? Go to hell!

Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened, then he smiled slightly:

"Child, don't call me old man, call me Grandmaster. Everyone here calls me that."

"Okay, old man... Grandmaster, what do you need from me?"

Bai Mu smiled outwardly, but cursed inwardly.

"Child, let me ask you, what is your name? What is your martial soul? What is your soul power level?"

Yu Xiaogang tried to make his tone sound calm and knowledgeable.

"My name is Bai Mu, a new student. My martial soul is Zygarde, and my Innate Soul Power is level 1."

Bai Mu said truthfully.

"Level 1?"

Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed slightly, the fervor in his heart doused by a basin of ice water.

Innate Soul Power level 1? Only half a level higher than him?

He, Yu Xiaogang, wanted to take a disciple to prove himself. How could he accept a cripple with such low Innate Soul Power, whose future was almost visible at a glance?

Although Yu Xiaogang's strength was low, his vision was high!

He, backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, couldn't break through level 29. Yet Bai Mu, with mere Innate Soul Power level 1, might have trouble breaking through level 29 in the future!

How could a cripple who couldn't become a Spirit Douluo or Title Douluo vindicate him, Yu Xiaogang?

Despite his immense disdain, Yu Xiaogang was still Yu Xiaogang, with a very active mind.

He was not only skilled in theoretical research but also in making the best use of everything.

"Although this child's soul power is low, if I can let him help me experiment with some research ideas, perhaps I can find a way to break through level 29!"

Thinking this, Yu Xiaogang coughed twice, forcing a semblance of a kind smile onto his old face:

"Child, normally, it is extremely difficult for someone with Innate Soul Power level 1 to become a Soul Grand Master."

He paused, seeing Bai Mu frown slightly, and continued in a guiding tone:

"Fortunately, your martial soul is special. Like my Luo Sanpao, it is a rare External Martial Soul. Coincidentally, I have done extensive research on such martial souls. If you are willing to accept my guidance, I can instruct you in cultivation, helping you avoid detours. Perhaps you might have a chance to become a Soul Elder in the future."

"Soul Elder?!"

Bai Mu was completely bewildered.

The cultivation system on the Douluo Continent is divided into: Spirit Scholar, Spirit Master, Soul Grand Master, Soul Elder, Soul Ancestor, Spirit King, Spirit Emperor, Spirit Saint, Spirit Douluo, and Title Douluo.

So you've been rambling on for ages, and you don't even have a 100% chance of helping me break through level 29?

Thinking Bai Mu was intimidated, Yu Xiaogang quickly struck while the iron was hot and asked:

"How about it? Are you willing to accept my guidance?"

"You... want to take me as a student?"

Bai Mu retorted.

"No, no, no, it's just that Grandmaster cherishes talent. Even if you don't take me as your master, I'm still willing to guide you."

Yu Xiaogang's lips curved into a smile, as if he thought himself very noble.

"As expected of Grandmaster, your calculations are truly impressive!"

Bai Mu narrowed his eyes slightly, sneering inwardly.

He says all the right things, but doesn't he just want to use me as a guinea pig for his experiments to help himself break through to level 29, since he heard I have innate level 1 Spirit Power and doesn't even want to take me as a disciple?

Who the hell does he think he's fooling?

"So, are you willing to accept my guidance?"

Yu Xiaogang asked, hands behind his back, full of confidence.

"Not really."

Bai Mu couldn't be bothered to play along anymore.

"That's good... Huh? What did you say?"

Yu Xiaogang froze, looking at Bai Mu in disbelief.

He, the Grandmaster of Martial Soul theory, was willing to personally guide him, share his research findings, and even allowed him to take other masters, yet he refused?!

Bai Mu looked at Yu Xiaogang with a speechless expression:

"Grandmaster, I heard you're almost 50 years old, but your Spirit Power is only level 29. You're not even a Soul Elder yourself, so how can I believe you can help me become a Soul Elder?"

"How can that be the same?"

Yu Xiaogang roared in anger: "I am the number one person in Martial Soul research on the continent! I've developed the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, and my theories are invincible! Do you think my knowledge is insufficient to guide you to become a Soul Elder?"

"Grandmaster is indeed amazing!"

Bai Mu praised him, then asked sincerely:

"So... Grandmaster, you haven't become a Soul Elder yet, is it because you don't like it?"

"You!"

Lies don't hurt people; the truth is a sharp knife.

As soon as these words were spoken, Yu Xiaogang's defenses shattered. He instinctively clenched his fists.

What did he mean by not liking to become a Soul Elder? If he could have, he would have long ago!

Why would he lower himself to offer guidance to a mere level 1 Spirit Master like him?

"Hmph!"

After a few seconds of silence, Yu Xiaogang raised his head and said proudly, "With my abilities, becoming a Soul Elder is only a matter of time!"

"Then I'll wait until you break through, Grandmaster, and then you can guide me. I'm still young, I can wait, I'm not in a hurry."

Bai Mu said with a serious expression, "I believe that with your abilities, Grandmaster, you can definitely do it. I'll go clean up the daily chores first. You take your time, old man."

After speaking, Bai Mu patted his butt and left, as if he had made some kind of decision.

"You can wait, but I can't! You bastard!"

Looking at Bai Mu's receding back, Grandmaster almost couldn't help but curse.

After taking a deep breath, the magnanimous Grandmaster decided to give Bai Mu another chance, to move the other party with his actions and wisdom.

Unfortunately, no matter how he pestered... it was useless!

"Grandmaster, please don't guide me anymore. I'm afraid my classmates will misunderstand."

Bai Mu was speechless, "As long as you become a Soul Elder, Grandmaster, I will definitely accept your guidance, no questions asked!"

With that, he turned and left without hesitation.

Looking at Bai Mu's retreating back, Yu Xiaogang's eyes were quite gloomy.

"A mere trash with Innate Soul Power level 1, I thought you were a bit different from others, but in the end, you're just as vulgar as everyone else."

"Without my guidance, you'll never break through to Soul Grand Master in your life!"

"You missed your chance. Even if you beg me in the future, kneel down and beg, I will never guide your cultivation again!"