"What makes you think that?"
"Anyway, I think Su Yun will win. If you don't believe me, we can make a bet."
"How about 10 Copper Soul Coins?"
10 Copper Soul Coins was equivalent to their daily wages.
"Fine! You're on!"
A group of children immediately placed their bets.
They were just waiting for the results that evening.
By dusk, the sun was setting.
Su Yun and Xiao Wu returned to the dormitory.
As soon as the two of them came back, a group of people rushed over.
"Sister Xiao Wu, who won?"
Xiao Wu pouted and glared fiercely at the work-study student, then kicked Su Yun in the toes.
Without saying a word, she jumped straight onto her bed and burrowed under the covers.
Damn it!
She'd miscalculated this time.
She'd originally thought Su Yun's Soul Skill would be similar to Tang San's, but she hadn't expected it to be so shameless.
It could actually slow her down!
Then Su Yun had sent her flying with a sweep of his spear, even though he hadn't used much force.
But she knew she'd lost.
Damn it!
He'd beaten her and then made her keep it a secret.
"Yikes—" Su Yun sucked in a sharp breath after Xiao Wu stepped on his foot, then could only smile awkwardly.
He motioned for everyone to keep quiet and said softly, "I won, but don't make a big deal out of it. Xiao Wu will get mad."
Everyone was initially stunned, then nodded like chickens pecking at grain.
No wonder Sister Xiao Wu's eyes had seemed murderous just now. She'd lost to Su Yun.
They hadn't expected Su Yun to actually beat Sister Xiao Wu.
"Heh heh, pay up! Don't worry, we'll treat you to dinner tonight." The twin brothers stepped forward, grinning as they held out their hands.
Then they looked at Su Yun and said, "Su Yun, we knew you'd win. Come to the cafeteria with us tonight. It's our treat—we'll get you something good."
Su Yun glanced at Xiao Wu, who was hiding beneath the covers, and smiled. "No, thanks. Just bring me two portions of food tonight."
Everyone glanced at the bedcovers in the distance and immediately understood.
Only after the work-study students had left the dormitory did Xiao Wu spring out from under the covers and shout, "Next time, after I get my First Soul Skill, we'll have another match!"
"Sure. But be careful not to let me slow you down again~" Su Yun flashed a mischievous smile.
It was only during actual combat that he discovered just how wide the range of his First Soul Skill was.
"Who's afraid of who!"
Xiao Wu looked thoroughly displeased.
Next time, she'd definitely turn that guy into a pig's head!
Things should pick up the pace a little from here on.
Time spent studying and cultivating at the academy passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, the first year at Notting Academy was almost over.
There was only one month left before the academy's final exams began.
Ever since obtaining his First Soul Ring, Su Yun had spent his days cultivating the Prairie Fire Spear Technique and Wind God Leg, sparring with Xiao Wu, and putting his Martial Soul to the test in actual combat.
Aside from cultivating his Soul Power to level seventeen, Su Yun had also gained a much deeper understanding of his Blue Silver Emperor Tree.
Moreover, after a year of hard cultivation, he had finally mastered the first form of Wind God Leg, [Catching the Wind and Grasping the Shadow], to perfection.
He had even gained a faint insight into the second form of Wind God Leg, [Strong Grass in the Wind].
"If I can master the second form of Wind God Leg over the next month, I'll have another trump card when I face Tang San." Su Yun mused to himself.
For some reason, word of his end-of-term match against Tang San had already spread throughout the academy.
Some people had even learned about his wager with Grandmaster.
After hearing about it, many wealthy businessmen and nobles in Notting City had approached the dean of Notting Academy.
They hoped to enter the academy and watch the match during this year's end-of-term competition.
As Grandmaster's friend, the dean was naturally caught in a dilemma when faced with requests from nobles and wealthy businessmen who regularly sponsored the academy.
On one side was a friend; on the other were powerful merchants and nobles he couldn't afford to offend.
He didn't want to upset either side.
In the end, however, Grandmaster stepped forward.
He even came up with a way to increase the academy's income.
They would sell tickets.
"If you want to watch, then come and watch. I'll show you exactly what my disciple is capable of."
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's words rang out with conviction. In less than a day, the little newspaper reporters of Notting City had printed them in the papers and were hawking them everywhere.
When they learned that the match between Grandmaster's disciple and another student would be open to the public, countless residents of Notting City—and even those from beyond the city—rushed to Notting Academy to get tickets.
In just one hour, the academy's few hundred tickets had all been snapped up.
The academy staff present were truly stunned.
They hadn't expected the match between Tang San and Su Yun to attract so much interest.
"I can't afford to lose this match." Su Yun smiled faintly, then picked up the spear beside him and began practicing his moves again.
Notting Academy.
Grandmaster's room.
"Xiao San, how has your cultivation been going?" Yu Xiaogang picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and asked.
"Teacher, my Soul Power just broke through to level sixteen."
Tang San replied with a smile, "I estimate that by this time next year, I'll have become a two-ring Soul Grandmaster."
"Mm... Not bad."
"Your progress hasn't disappointed me."
"You have Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power, and you have my guidance. This rate of cultivation is normal for you."
Yu Xiaogang's voice was calm as he said, "So don't let it make you arrogant. This is what you should be achieving. Understand?"
"Yes, disciple understands." Tang San lowered his head as he replied.
Although Yu Xiaogang's words carried a hint of criticism, Tang San felt no resentment.
He knew his teacher was deliberately putting him down so he wouldn't become restless or conceited.
In his previous life at the Tang Sect, the elders had often taught their disciples in the same way.
That was what they meant by "strict teachers produce outstanding students."
"By the way, how is Su Yun's cultivation going?" Yu Xiaogang set down his teacup and looked up at Tang San.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. I'm not sure about that."
Tang San shook his head and said, "He hasn't cultivated in the same place as me at all this past year."
"I haven't even seen him use his Martial Soul in person."
"He's kept a close watch on me so I wouldn't learn anything about his cultivation."
Yu Xiaogang chuckled at that. "That means the boy has some brains. He knows that the more he keeps hidden, the more it will benefit him in the upcoming match."
"Unfortunately, simply knowing how to keep things hidden isn't enough."
"If my guess is right, both you and he have Twin Martial Souls. In that case, your cultivation speeds should be about the same."
"With my help, you've cultivated your Soul Power to level sixteen. Su Yun's Soul Power Level should be at least the limit of level fourteen, and he must be close to level fifteen."
Yu Xiaogang laid out his reasoning. "He does have a chance of beating you in this year's final match."
Seeing Tang San's expression change, Yu Xiaogang added, "The end-of-term match is essentially a test of how well the two of you understand and use your Martial Souls."
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