Faced with Yan Shaozhe's barrage of questions.
Ma Xiaotao could only lower her head.
She looked every bit like someone who knew she'd done wrong.
"Teacher, I was wrong."
"It really was Dai Yueheng and the others."
"The only ones who should have seen him were Elder Wang, Dai Yueheng, Gongyang Mo, Ling Luochеn, and Yao Haoxuan."
Yan Shaozhe looked at his rash disciple and sighed softly.
"From now on, you're not allowed to take Heqiu anywhere crowded!"
"What's going on with him right now."
"Is a secret to the academy as well!"
Hearing that Yan Shaozhe had no intention of pursuing the matter.
Ma Xiaotao immediately relaxed and nodded obediently at Yan Shaozhe in a coaxing tone.
"I understand, Teacher~"
"I won't go dragging my little junior brother around anymore~"
"Please forgive me, Teacher."
Yan Shaozhe stopped looking at her and turned his gaze to the three teachers behind him, introducing each one to Lu Heqiu.
"Heqiu."
"Come meet your teachers."
"This is Elder Gong. Of all the academy's teachers, he has the most extensive and comprehensive knowledge of Soul Beasts."
Lu Heqiu followed Yan Shaozhe's gaze.
The man, who looked like someone best not provoked, nodded at Lu Heqiu.
Yan Shaozhe had already explained Lu Heqiu's situation to him.
He hadn't wanted to take on a student.
But this was the Sea God Pavilion Master Mu En's decision.
Even he couldn't very well refuse.
So he could only agree.
When it came to Soul Beasts, the most important thing was to see and learn as much as possible. Though he was hailed as Shrek's Living Encyclopedia of Soul Beasts, only he knew the truth: when it came to places like the ocean and the Far North.
Even in the Star Dou Great Forest, which humans had explored countless times.
He only dared claim he knew 99 percent of the Soul Beasts there.
He wouldn't claim to know them all.
"This is Fan Yu. You can call him Teacher Fan Yu. His research into Soul Tools is the most advanced in the academy, and he's also one of the candidates to become the next dean of the Soul Tool Department."
Lu Heqiu looked over again.
Fan Yu, a refined and scholarly man, addressed him first.
"Student Heqiu."
"For quite some time, I'll be the one teaching you about Soul Tools."
"If you have a talent for Soul Tools, I expect they'll greatly improve your combat strength."
Fan Yu hadn't wanted to come, either.
He'd heard that Lu Heqiu was just a child, and probably only half a year old, despite looking like a three- or four-year-old. That had made him even less eager to come.
But after Qian Duoduo heard that Lu Heqiu had a Red Soul Ring.
He'd insisted that Fan Yu come.
And not He Caitou as a substitute—Fan Yu himself!
If Lu Heqiu really did have a talent for Soul Tools, they had to do whatever it took to steer him toward them and get the boy interested in the Soul Tool Department of his own accord.
The candidate for the Ultimate Single Soldier was a little lacking?
Wasn't this child already the perfect candidate for the Ultimate Single Soldier?
Red Soul Rings all over his body meant he could carry more Soul Tools. Wasn't he a walking, human-shaped Soul Tool artillery platform!?
"Understood, Teacher Fan Yu."
"I'll work hard."
Lu Heqiu looked at Fan Yu's kind face and replied with equal courtesy.
When a teacher went out of his way to show him kindness.
Lu Heqiu was never stingy with his own.
"All right, Heqiu."
"This is Su Qingzhu, a teacher from the Outer Academy."
"She'll teach you some basic Soul Master knowledge, including—but not limited to—the different types of Soul Masters, their fighting styles, and the characteristics of some common Martial Souls."
Yan Shaozhe introduced the last teacher to Lu Heqiu.
She was a teacher from the Outer Academy, exceptionally beautiful and highly regarded. Gentle by nature, she had her own unique way of teaching students.
Compared with the first two, her position was clearly much lower.
But when she heard she'd be teaching Lu Heqiu, she didn't complain in the slightest.
To her.
Teaching was teaching, no matter who the student was.
Besides, Yan Shaozhe had only scheduled two hours of lessons for her each day.
To her.
Lessons like these felt more like a break.
"Hello, Lu Heqiu."
"I look forward to working with you."
Su Qingzhu held out her jade-white hand and shook Lu Heqiu's hand first. Just as the rumors in the Outer Academy claimed, she really was gentle and warm, like a smooth piece of fine jade. She treated every student that way.
After introducing the three teachers.
Yan Shaozhe crouched down in front of Lu Heqiu and spoke.
"Heqiu."
"Study hard from now on!"
"It won't be long before you can make yourself useful!"
As he spoke.
Yan Shaozhe glanced toward Ma Xiaotao.
"As for your Red Soul Ring..."
"Don't worry about it being exposed."
"I've already discussed it with Mu En. Not only should we let it be known, but we should also reveal it ourselves at the right time!"
"But...that has to wait until you reach three rings!"
"If you can reach three rings before the next Soul Master Tournament, then I'll go with Xuan Zi and escort you there myself!"
Yan Shaozhe made Lu Heqiu a promise.
Someone like him should have lain low and cultivated until he reached nine rings.
But Mu En saw things quite differently.
He believed that the seal inside Lu Heqiu was gradually coming undone, and that his goal was the Divine Realm of this world. Naturally, he couldn't just bury his head in cultivation and ignore everything else.
He should get out and see more of the world.
He wouldn't find a godhood waiting for him by sitting around in Shrek Academy.
He needed to go out more.
Like their ancestor Tang San, who had searched for Sea God Island, he should seek out more places where divine inheritances might exist.
As for the danger...
He could already fight Xuan Zi at one ring.
Once he reached three rings, would they still need to worry about anyone coming after him?
Besides.
By then, Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe would serve as his protectors.
No one could kill Lu Heqiu with the three of them working together.
"All right."
Lu Heqiu nodded lightly.
He hadn't planned to hide his strength in the first place.
If he'd wanted to conceal his abilities and grow in peace from the start, he wouldn't have used power beyond his years in front of Yan Shaozhe, nor would he have gotten Mu En to test the seal for him.
All he wanted was to become a god as soon as possible.
Lessons began soon after.
Ma Xiaotao stayed by Lu Heqiu's side every day.
Whether Elder Gong took him to the Beast Fighting Arena to meet Soul Beasts and teach him about them.
Or Fan Yu took him to the Soul Tool Department to systematically study Soul Tools.
Ma Xiaotao stayed by Lu Heqiu's side.
The three teachers gave a total of six hours of lessons each day.
For the other eighteen hours, Lu Heqiu studied on his own or cultivated his Soul Power.
In less than a month.
Lu Heqiu's progress was striking.
His Soul Power Level rose like a flying arrow, and he was clearly already close to the level-twenty threshold.
Even Ma Xiaotao reaped a rich harvest, raising her Soul Power Level by a full level!
Fan Yu was the one who gained the most.
Fan Yu rushed straight into Qian Duoduo's office.
He spoke in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Dean!"
"We absolutely have to bring this little guy into the Soul Tool Department!"
Before you continue