Xiao Chen knew he couldn't count on the system. Forget it, he thought. If I have to take a beating, so be it. Even if this damn system could help me beat Tang San, I still can't do that!
He knew Tang Hao was with Tang San right now. Given how fiercely protective Tang Hao was, Xiao Chen didn't want that man setting his sights on him.
Xiao Chen turned to Tang San. "So what do you want?"
Seeing Xiao Chen suddenly stand his ground again, Tang San's lips curled into a smile.
He snorted. "Either kneel down and apologize to Xiao Wu, or reveal your Martial Soul and fight me. Win or lose, I'll let this matter go!"
Xiao Chen's expression tightened. Then he answered seriously, "I choose the latter!"
"Good!" Tang San smiled. "Now that's more like a man!"
As he spoke, Tang San prepared to summon his Martial Soul.
"Interesting," the old man in charge of the admissions test murmured. His aged eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Tang San and Xiao Chen with interest.
Everyone around them was ready for a show, but Xiao Chen's next words nearly knocked them all flat.
"No need to fight. I admit defeat!" Xiao Chen suddenly said.
"???"
Everyone stared at him in confusion. They'd just seen him choose the latter without hesitation and had even praised him in their minds, but now he was conceding without summoning his Martial Soul.
"What do you mean?" Tang San asked with a frown.
Xiao Chen spread his hands. "What else could I mean? Didn't you say you'd let this matter go, win or lose? Are you going back on your word?"
"I..." Tang San was at a loss for words.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that the person before him wasn't as simple as he seemed. But he'd already given his word, and he couldn't very well take it back.
Forget it. He's joining Shrek Academy anyway. We'll be around each other every day, so I'll have plenty of chances to figure him out, Tang San thought.
Although he was annoyed, he didn't want to go back on what he'd just said. He snorted and continued lining up with Xiao Wu.
Seeing that, Xiao Chen let out a breath of relief. Then he turned and walked away. As far as he was concerned, Shrek Academy could go to whoever wanted it.
But he'd barely taken two steps when the old man testing applicants called out, "Young man, where are you going?"
His shout drew Tang San's attention back to Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen had no choice but to turn around and answer. "I'm fourteen, and my Soul Power is only at level nineteen. I don't meet Shrek Academy's admission requirements, so there's no point wasting a Gold Soul Coin!"
At that, the students in line finally understood why Xiao Chen hadn't dared to fight Tang San.
"Useless! As a Soul Master, even if your Soul Power is weak, you shouldn't lack the courage to make a move. A coward like you doesn't deserve to set foot in Shrek Academy, even if your Soul Power meets the requirements!" Dai Mubai, standing at the entrance, said coldly.
"Yeah, yeah, you're absolutely right. So can I leave now?" Xiao Chen replied calmly. He couldn't be bothered arguing with Dai Mubai.
His tone made Dai Mubai even more annoyed.
But Dai Mubai was a level-thirty-seven Soul Elder, and he disdained fighting Xiao Chen. Instead, he turned his gaze to Tang San and gave him a subtle look.
Tang San immediately understood what Dai Mubai meant.
Besides, he hadn't wanted to let Xiao Chen leave so easily in the first place. He stepped forward and said, "Kid, release your Martial Soul. I'll give you three moves."
Xiao Chen had no way out. He'd figured it out by now: because of the system, Tang San had developed some inexplicable hostility toward him. If there weren't so many people around, Tang San might actually have eliminated him as some mysterious threat.
Xiao Chen knew that unless he revealed his Martial Soul and let Tang San see what he was capable of, he probably wouldn't be able to leave in peace.
Damn it. If you want to see it, then look. Even I think my trash Martial Soul is worthless! Xiao Chen thought.
Then he raised a hand. A faint, pale glow gathered in his palm, and a battered wooden bow slowly appeared.
The bow was cracked and warped, its wood grain mottled and blackened. The slack bowstring drooped loosely, completely lacking tension. It looked as though it would fall apart at the slightest force.
This was Xiao Chen's Martial Soul: the Tool Martial Soul, Wooden Bow. It also came with a White Spirit Ring.
After seeing Xiao Chen's Martial Soul and Spirit Ring, Dai Mubai immediately sneered.
"You really are useless. A Tool Martial Soul that's nothing but a broken wooden bow, and your First Soul Ring is only ten years old. Shrek won't take someone like you. You could go to any academy, and none of them would want you."
The students watching nearby laughed at Xiao Chen's Martial Soul and Spirit Ring. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were no exception. Only Tang San furrowed his brow slightly, deep in thought.
"Third Brother, what's wrong?" Xiao Wu noticed Tang San's odd expression.
At Xiao Wu's question, Tang San's brow relaxed, and a smile spread across his face. "Nothing. I thought he might be strong, but it turns out he really is useless!"
Looks like I was mistaken earlier. How could a Soul Master like this possibly make me feel threatened? he thought.
Once Xiao Chen had revealed his Martial Soul and Spirit Ring, Tang San's wariness toward him quickly faded.
He was no longer interested in fighting Xiao Chen.
"You really are only level nineteen. Go on, then. A word of advice: don't go staring at girls whenever you please," Tang San said, his tone carrying a hint of warning.
The laughter around him didn't bother Xiao Chen at all. He just wanted to leave as soon as possible and find somewhere to study his system properly.
Xiao Chen turned and walked away. After he'd gone dozens of steps, he heard Tang San call out again.
"Kid, what's your name?" Tang San suddenly asked.
"Xiao Chen." Xiao Chen didn't hide it. He'd have to face Tang San sooner or later, and he didn't care if Tang San knew his name.
After Xiao Chen left, Dai Mubai went over to Tang San. "Why'd you ask that useless guy his name?"
Tang San smiled. "Just curious."
Dai Mubai didn't ask anything more. Then they continued the admission test.
Meanwhile, after leaving, Xiao Chen went to Suotuo City and found a cheap hotel to stay in.
The identity Xiao Chen had acquired after transmigrating was that of an orphan. He didn't have any friends, either, so he was completely on his own.
Once back in his room, he locked the door and immediately entered the System Space.
"System, can the Spirit Ring Limit really only be set to ten years?" Xiao Chen asked.
System: Yes. Even one second more, and you'll explode!
"Since that's the case, can I give up the beginner's reward? Would that mean there are no side effects?"
System: That would indeed work! But are you sure you don't want the Second Soul Ring granted by this system? You should know that every Spirit Ring granted by this system is one of a kind!
Xiao Chen brightened. So that's what you were waiting for! I knew the system couldn't keep screwing me over forever!
He was already imagining whether his Second Martial Soul would be as extraordinary as that Ten-Year Lone Bamboo. Sure, all his future Spirit Rings would be ten years old, but his Soul Skills might all be divine abilities.
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