Xiao Chen's First Martial Soul

Xiao Chen knew the system was useless. He muttered to himself, "Forget it, I'll just take the beating. Even if this damn system could help me beat Tang San, I can't do that!"

He was well aware that Tang Hao was currently following Tang San. Given Tang Hao's overprotective nature, Xiao Chen had no desire to be targeted by that man.

So Xiao Chen looked at Tang San and said, "Then what do you want?"

Seeing Xiao Chen toughen up again, a smile immediately curled at the corner of Tang San's mouth.

He snorted coldly and said, "Either kneel down and apologize to Xiao Wu, or release your Martial Soul and we'll fight. Win or lose, this matter ends here!"

Xiao Chen's expression tightened, and then he said seriously, "I choose the latter!"

"Good!" Tang San smiled. "Now that's what a man looks like!"

As he spoke, Tang San prepared to summon his Martial Soul.

"Interesting!" The old man in charge of the entrance test murmured softly, his aged eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Tang San and Xiao Chen with keen interest.

Everyone around prepared to watch the show, but Xiao Chen's next words nearly floored them all.

"No need to fight. I concede!" Xiao Chen suddenly announced.

"???"

Everyone wore a look of confusion. They had just silently praised Xiao Chen for choosing the latter without hesitation, never expecting him to surrender before even releasing his Martial Soul.

"What do you mean?" Tang San asked with a frown.

Xiao Chen spread his hands and said, "What else could it mean? Didn't you say win or lose, this matter ends here? Unless you want to go back on your word?"

"I..." Tang San was momentarily at a loss for words.

But he had a nagging feeling that the person before him wasn't as simple as he seemed. Still, the words were already out, and he couldn't easily take them back.

"Forget it. This guy's joining Shrek Academy anyway. We'll be together day in and day out—plenty of chances to figure him out," Tang San thought to himself.

Though displeased, he didn't want to break his own word. So he snorted coldly and went back to queue up with Xiao Wu.

Seeing this, Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave. Shrek Academy—whoever wanted to join could join.

But he had only taken two steps when the old man in charge of the entrance test suddenly called out, "Young man, where are you going?"

His shout pulled Tang San's attention back to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen had no choice but to turn around and answer, "I'm fourteen years old with only Level 19 Spirit Power. I don't meet Shrek Academy's admission requirements, so I won't waste any Gold Soul Coins."

Hearing this, the queuing students finally understood why Xiao Chen didn't dare fight Tang San.

"Trash! Even as a Soul Master with weak Spirit Power, you shouldn't lack the courage to throw a punch. A coward like you doesn't deserve to set foot in Shrek Academy even if your Spirit Power met the standard!" Dai Mubai at the gate shouted coldly.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're absolutely right. So can I go now?" Xiao Chen said flatly. He couldn't be bothered to argue with Dai Mubai.

His tone irritated Dai Mubai.

But Dai Mubai was a Level 37 Soul Elder and disdained to lay a hand on Xiao Chen. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Tang San and gave a slight nod.

Tang San naturally understood what Dai Mubai meant.

Besides, Tang San didn't want Xiao Chen to leave so easily. So he stepped forward and said, "Kid, release your Martial Soul. I'll let you have three moves."

Xiao Chen was trapped. He could see now that because of the system, Tang San held an inexplicable hostility toward him. If there weren't so many people around, Tang San might actually eliminate this vague threat.

Xiao Chen knew that if he didn't reveal his Martial Soul today and let Tang San see his true strength, he probably wouldn't leave this place peacefully.

"Fine, if you want to see, then see. It's not like I'm proud of this garbage Martial Soul anyway," Xiao Chen muttered to himself.

Then he extended his hand. A faint, pale white light gathered in his palm, and slowly, a shabby, dilapidated wooden bow materialized.

The bow's body was cracked and warped, the wood mottled and blackened. The bowstring hung loose and slack, completely lacking tension, looking as if it would fall apart with the slightest force.

This was Xiao Chen's Martial Soul—the Tool Martial Soul 'Wooden Bow,' accompanied by a single White Spirit Ring.

Seeing Xiao Chen's Martial Soul and Spirit Ring, Dai Mubai immediately sneered:

"Now that's real trash. A Tool Martial Soul 'Broken Wooden Bow' with a ten-year first Spirit Ring. Someone like you—not only would Shrek not take you, no academy would want you."

The onlooking students laughed at Xiao Chen's Martial Soul and Spirit Ring. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were no exception. Only Tang San frowned slightly, lost in thought.

"Third Brother, what's wrong?" Xiao Wu noticed Tang San's odd expression.

Hearing Xiao Wu's question, Tang San's brow relaxed, and a smile spread across his face. "Nothing. I thought this guy might be strong, but it turns out he really is trash."

At the same time, he thought to himself, "Looks like it was all my imagination. How could a Soul Master like this ever make me feel threatened?"

With Xiao Chen revealing his Martial Soul and Spirit Ring, Tang San's wariness toward him quickly faded.

He no longer had any interest in fighting Xiao Chen.

"Level 19 indeed. You can go. Here's some advice—don't stare at girls randomly in the future," Tang San said, his tone carrying a hint of warning.

Facing the crowd's ridicule, Xiao Chen couldn't care less. He just wanted to leave as soon as possible and find a place to study his system.

Xiao Chen turned and walked away. After dozens of steps, he heard Tang San's voice again.

"Kid, what's your name?" Tang San suddenly asked.

"Xiao Chen." Xiao Chen didn't hide it. Since he would inevitably face Tang San head-on sooner or later, he didn't mind leaving his name.

After Xiao Chen left, Dai Mubai walked over to Tang San and said, "Why bother asking a piece of trash like him for his name?"

Tang San smiled and said, "Just pure curiosity!"

Dai Mubai didn't press further, and they continued testing their enrollment qualifications.

On the other side, after leaving, Xiao Chen went to Suotuo City and found a cheap inn to stay in.

The identity Xiao Chen had transmigrated into was an orphan with no friends, leaving him completely alone.

Returning to his room and locking the door, Xiao Chen's consciousness immediately entered the System Space.

"System, is the Spirit Ring limit really restricted to ten years?" Xiao Chen asked.

System: "Yes. One second more, and it will explode!"

Xiao Chen: "In that case, can I just give up the beginner reward? Would that remove the side effects?"

System: "That is indeed feasible. However, are you sure you want to refuse the second spirit ring granted by this System? Know that the spirit rings bestowed by this System are all unique existences!"

Xiao Chen's heart leaped with joy, and he silently thought, "So that's what you were waiting for! I knew it—how could the System always screw me over?"

Xiao Chen was already fantasizing whether his second spirit soul would be as heaven-defying as that 'Ten-Year Lone Bamboo.' Even though all his future spirit rings would be ten-year ones, their spirit skills might very well be divine skills.