After breakfast in the cafeteria, Wang Xian and the others went to the classroom for lessons.
Having transmigrated to the Douluo Continent so many years ago, this was also Wang Xian's first time systematically learning about Soul Masters. Naturally, he listened very attentively in class.
Meanwhile, as he listened intently, news of his defeat of Xiao Chenyu had already spread throughout the academy.
"Have you heard? The new Work-Study Student beat up Xiao Chenyu!"
"No way, right? Xiao Chenyu is about to break through level ten. How could a Work-Study Student beat him?"
"It's absolutely true—I saw it myself! That Work-Study Student used nothing but a Blue Silver Grass to bind Xiao Chenyu to the ground so tightly he couldn't move, like a trussed-up pig."
"Blue Silver Grass? You're kidding, right?"
"Who's kidding you? If you don't believe me, go ask around. Everyone in the cafeteria saw it."
The news seemed to grow wings, spreading to every corner of Notting Academy within a single morning.
Meanwhile, in the small building behind the academy, Yu Xiaogang sat at his desk.
He held a cup of tea that had long gone cold, staring at an open notebook on the desk with a deep frown.
The door was open, and the conversation of two teachers in the corridor drifted inside.
"What was that Work-Study Student called again? Wang Xian?"
"That's right, that was the name. I heard his Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and he beat Xiao Chenyu so badly that he couldn't fight back at all."
"Blue Silver Grass? That can't be possible. How could Blue Silver Grass possibly defeat Xiao Chenyu's Wolf?"
"Who knows? Anyway, the whole academy is talking about it now."
The footsteps gradually faded, and the voices disappeared with them.
Yu Xiaogang set down his teacup and tapped his fingers against the desk a few times.
"Blue Silver Grass, Wang Xian." He remembered the name. Yesterday, at the entrance to the Academic Affairs Office, he had seen that child's Martial Soul Certificate.
Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. Innate Soul Power: Level Three.
Naturally, he knew Xiao Chenyu as well—the tyrant of the academy, whose cultivation was close to level ten.
"How could a Blue Silver Grass with Innate Soul Power at level three possibly defeat Xiao Chenyu?" Yu Xiaogang curled his lips in disdain, believing the people outside were merely passing around exaggerated rumors.
He had studied Martial Souls for so many years. No one understood better than him what sort of thing Blue Silver Grass was.
Before fusing with a Soul Ring, Blue Silver Grass could not possibly possess any combat ability. Even after cultivation, it could only become stronger with the support of his theories.
But then he reconsidered and felt that it was unlikely.
The entire academy was talking about it now, and there were even eyewitnesses.
The rumors raging through the academy could not all be false.
He stood up and paced around the room twice with his hands behind his back. Then a thought suddenly emerged in his mind: mutation.
If that child's Blue Silver Grass had mutated, then everything made sense.
Ordinary Blue Silver Grass certainly would not do, but mutated Blue Silver Grass was different. It might even possess some extraordinary hidden attribute.
Yu Xiaogang stopped in his tracks, his eyes lighting up.
"If it truly mutated, then its talent would be completely different!" His heart could not help but stir with excitement.
He had stayed at Notting Academy for so long because he wanted to find a disciple who could prove his theories.
A Blue Silver Grass Soul Master with Innate Soul Power at level three—if he took him as a disciple and nurtured him properly, then once he grew stronger in the future, would he not be the perfect proof of his theories?
The more he thought about it, the more certain he became. The confusion on his face turned into conviction, then conviction turned into an expression of determination.
"Heavens, bless me, Yu Xiaogang!"
Yu Xiaogang strode quickly to the desk, pushed the cold tea aside, picked up a mirror to examine himself, smoothed his hair with his fingers, and adjusted his collar.
He cleared his throat, put on a stiff smile that he believed made him seem unfathomable, and with confidence filling his eyes, turned and strode outside.
He had to find that child quickly. He could not let someone else get there first.
In his view, once the great Grandmaster made a move and displayed his profound knowledge of Martial Souls, taking on a disciple would be easy.
"Class dismissed." After saying this, the teacher on the platform turned and left the classroom.
The children in the class immediately got out of their seats and ran outside to play.
After all, they were only around six years old. Very few of them could settle down and cultivate.
Wang Xian remained seated. The teacher had just taught the Basic Meditation Method in class.
As a beginner, Wang Xian had gained a few more insights from it. He closed his eyes, intending to cultivate and correct the mistakes he had made during yesterday's cultivation.
But at that moment, a crew-cut man poked his head in and called out, "Is Wang Xian in this class? Come out for a moment."
Wang Xian frowned and opened his eyes, turning toward the doorway with a flicker of surprise.
"Yu Xiaogang? What does this guy want with me?"
Although he had little fondness for the man, he still rose to his feet and walked unhurriedly toward the door.
Wang Sheng called quietly from behind him, "Boss, is everything okay?"
Without turning back, Wang Xian waved his hand, signaling that Wang Sheng did not need to follow.
At the door, Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, his chin slightly raised and a confident expression on his face, as though he had already figured something out.
Seeing Wang Xian emerge, his gaze swept over Wang Xian's face. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he said, "Your Martial Soul is a mutated Martial Soul, isn't it?"
As he spoke, his eyelids lowered slightly before lifting again. He secretly watched Wang Xian's expression, seemingly waiting for him to reveal shock or surprise.
Yet Wang Xian's face remained completely expressionless. There was even a trace of impatience in his eyes.
He looked Yu Xiaogang up and down and asked, "Are you a teacher at the academy?"
Yu Xiaogang had clearly not expected that response. He froze for a moment, then shook his head, puffed out his chest, and said in a deliberately profound tone, "I am not a teacher at the academy, but you may call me—Grandmaster."
When the word "Grandmaster" left his mouth, he deliberately emphasized it and raised his chin even higher.
Wang Xian looked at him expressionlessly. "Since you're not a teacher, why should I tell you?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened. His lips moved, but for a moment, he did not know how to respond.
He had spent so many years hanging around Notting Academy. Though he was not an official teacher, the students usually addressed him politely as "Grandmaster" when they saw him.
He had truly never encountered anyone who gave him so little face.
But after being useless for so many years, he had long grown accustomed to mockery and sarcasm. His skin was as thick as a city wall.
After stiffening for a moment, he quickly regained his composure. As though nothing had happened, he continued speaking.
"Your Martial Soul must be a mutated Martial Soul. Otherwise, you could not possibly have defeated Xiao Chenyu."
He raised a finger and gestured solemnly. "Martial Soul mutations are divided into beneficial mutations and harmful mutations. It seems your Martial Soul should be a beneficial mutation, and an extremely rare one at that."
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