Tang San's Charity, Xiao Wu's Ambition

Early morning, Seven Dorm.

The birds chirping outside the window was rather noisy.

Tang San woke early. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, ending his cultivation of the Purple Demon Eye.

His gaze subconsciously drifted toward the bed in the corner.

There, Xiao Wu was sleeping soundly, one bare foot rather inelegantly resting atop the blanket.

Beside her, Ye Liuyun had already risen and was sitting by the window, cultivating cross-legged with an expressionless face.

A sharp glint flashed through Tang San's eyes.

Last night's awkwardness had made him reflect for a long time.

Xiao Wu was extremely dependent on this cousin of hers.

If he wanted to get close to Xiao Wu, Ye Liuyun was an obstacle he could not avoid.

Besides, though this person had poor character and liked concealing his abilities from teachers, he was still someone with Innate Full Soul Power.

If he could win him over, then with a little guidance in the future and some basic entry-level Tang Sect techniques passed on to him, he might become a sharp blade for rebuilding the Tang Sect.

He would even be qualified to serve as an outer sect protector.

If he performed well, he could be promoted to elder.

That would mean becoming a core figure in the Tang Sect Tang San would create.

Having made up his mind, Tang San straightened his clothes, put on his trademark humble and gentle smile, and walked toward Ye Liuyun.

"Ye Liuyun."

Tang San walked to the window and spoke first, his tone carrying a magnanimity that seemed to overlook past grievances.

"What happened yesterday was my rashness. I shouldn't have speculated about you like that. After all, we'd only just met. It's normal for you to be wary."

Ye Liuyun turned his head and gave him an indifferent glance.

"Do you need something?"

Tang San did not mind his coldness. In his eyes, it was nothing more than a young man's laughable pride.

"I want to talk to you about Grandmaster."

Tang San lowered his voice, looking as though he were speaking from the heart.

"You heard Teacher's theories as well. There are no useless Martial Spirits, only useless Spirit Masters. We both possess Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power. No one in this world is more alike than us."

"Even if you refuse to admit that you have Twin Martial Souls, in my heart, I've long regarded you as one of my kind."

At this point, a trace of pride and expectation appeared in Tang San's eyes.

"Become Grandmaster's disciple. With Grandmaster's theoretical guidance, along with my... certain special methods, there will surely be a place for you and me in the Spirit Master world of Douluo Continent."

Admit it.

As long as you nod, I'll take you soaring in this world.

This is a blessing that a commoner like you couldn't cultivate even over several lifetimes.

Tang San thought arrogantly to himself.

He felt that he had already lowered himself considerably. He was giving Ye Liuyun an opportunity.

However.

Ye Liuyun merely looked at him quietly before shifting his gaze away.

His voice was calm, and he could not even be bothered to conceal the indifference in his eyes.

"I only have one Martial Spirit. And I have no interest in taking any Grandmaster as my teacher."

The smile on Tang San's face instantly froze.

He had already said this much, yet the other party was still pretending?

I've already hinted that I have Twin Martial Souls. I've revealed a corner of my greatest trump card to gain his trust.

Yet this man is still stubbornly denying it?

He's far too suspicious! Far too calculating!

The faint appreciation Tang San had felt for talent instantly vanished, replaced by deep disappointment and contempt.

This sort of person was narrow-minded and lacked vision.

Even if his talent was passable, this was as far as he would ever go.

He was unworthy of becoming Tang Sect family, much less Tang San's right-hand man.

"Since that's the case, I won't force you."

Tang San's smile faded, and his tone turned cold and distant.

"I only hope you won't regret today's decision in the future. After all, a good teacher is hard to find."

At that moment, Wang Sheng, who was putting on his shoes nearby, could no longer stand listening.

"Come on, Tang San. Don't make such a big deal out of that 'Grandmaster.'"

Wang Sheng was a blunt man. As he tied his shoelaces, he spoke carelessly.

"Who in our academy doesn't know? That Yu Xiaogang is just a freeloader mooching off others. He's over fifty and only at level twenty-nine, a Soul Grandmaster who'll never break through level thirty in his life. If his theories were really useful, why doesn't he practice them himself?"

"He usually acts all profound, but everyone really treats him as a joke. If the dean hadn't kindly taken him in, he'd have starved to death long ago."

Wang Sheng was telling the truth.

It was an open secret at Nuoding Academy, and a joke everyone silently shared.

However.

"Shut up!"

A furious shout brimming with killing intent suddenly exploded through the dormitory.

Wang Sheng jumped in fright and looked up, only to see that Tang San, who had been refined and courteous just moments ago, now wore a twisted expression, his eyes gleaming with chilling light.

The Hidden Weapon in his right sleeve was already poised to strike.

"A teacher for a day, a father for life!"

Tang San stared at Wang Sheng, speaking word by word in a cold, sinister tone.

"How could you ordinary fools possibly understand Teacher's wisdom? Insult my teacher one more time, and don't blame me for being impolite!"

He already has a death wish!

In Tang San's values, insulting one's master was a capital offense.

If this were not the academy, Wang Sheng would already be dead.

Wang Sheng was frightened pale by Tang San's terrifying gaze. He swallowed and muttered.

"Fine, I won't say anything... Why are you going crazy..."

The atmosphere in the dormitory dropped to freezing point.

Just then, Xiao Wu stretched and sat up groggily from her bed.

"What are you all making such a fuss about... so early in the morning?"

Xiao Wu rubbed her eyes and looked at the tense crowd with a baffled expression.

Tang San took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the killing intent in his heart.

When he turned toward Xiao Wu, his face resumed its gentle big-brother expression.

"Xiao Wu, you're awake."

Tang San stepped forward and spoke softly.

"I was just discussing becoming a disciple with Ye Liuyun. I've already verified it—Grandmaster's theories are unparalleled."

"Xiao Wu, your talent is exceptional. If you can become Grandmaster's disciple and have him tailor a cultivation plan specifically for you, your future will be limitless."

Tang San did not want to give up.

Since Ye Liuyun was rotten wood that could not be carved, he absolutely could not miss Xiao Wu, this uncut jade.

She could become the wife of the future Tang Sect Master.

However.

Xiao Wu blinked. Thinking of what Wang Sheng had said just now, she looked at Tang San strangely.

"You mean... that uncle at level twenty-nine?"

Tang San's expression stiffened as he explained.

"Soul Power Level can't represent everything. Grandmaster's theoretical knowledge is the greatest on the entire continent..."

"Tch."

Xiao Wu curled her lips and cut him off without mercy, pride belonging to a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast appearing on her face.

"Someone at level twenty-nine deserves to be called Grandmaster?"

"If I, Sister Xiao Wu, am going to take a teacher, at the very least it has to be a Titled... cough, cough, at the very least, they have to be a formidable expert. What qualifications does an uncle who can't even break through level thirty have to teach me?"

In the world of Spirit Beasts, the strong devoured the weak. That was the only truth.

Would a powerful Spirit Beast listen to a weakling explain theories? What a joke.

Tang San's face instantly reddened like pig liver.

He wanted to argue, to lose his temper, to say, "What do you know?"

But looking at Xiao Wu's delicate, adorable face—at the girl who made his heart stir—the fury in his chest was forcibly swallowed back down.

She's still young.

She's just a little girl. She doesn't understand, and she hasn't seen the world.

I shouldn't argue with her. Once I become stronger and prove Grandmaster's theories, she'll naturally understand my good intentions.

Tang San frantically made excuses for himself internally, forcefully finding himself a way out.

"All right. Since you aren't willing, we'll talk about it later." Tang San forced out a smile.

Yet Xiao Wu did not even look at Tang San again.

She grabbed Ye Liuyun's arm.

"Cousin Liuyun! Come on, let's eat! I'm starving!"

Xiao Wu pulled Ye Liuyun outside. As she walked, she secretly sized him up with the scrutinizing gaze one used on a "little brother."

Though she could not see through Ye Liuyun's current true strength, her sharp instincts told her that his cultivation before taking human form had definitely been very powerful.

But precisely because he was strong, conquering him would be more interesting.

She laughed wildly in her heart.

Hehe, even if you might have been stronger than me before, we're both six-year-old brats now.

I, Sister Xiao Wu, am a Soft Bone Rabbit. Beating up a Blue Silver Grass like you would be easy.

From now on, you'll obediently be my number one little brother! As long as I have a bite of carrot to eat, you won't go without a sip of soup!

Ye Liuyun allowed her to pull him along, his expression indifferent.

As he passed Tang San, he did not slow down. He did not even spare another glance at this Son of the Plane, who was busy moving himself with his own sentiments.

Tang San stood where he was, watching the pair's retreating backs, his fists clenched until they cracked.

"Ye Liuyun... you corrupted Xiao Wu."

"Just wait. One day, I'll let you know that rejecting Grandmaster and rejecting my Tang Sect was the greatest mistake of your lives!"

Sunlight spilled over Tang San's gloomy face, making it appear especially glaring.