Flaws in the Classroom, Calmly Repelling the Enemy, Secretly Hunting Souls

Early the next morning, the martial soul theory class at Nuoding Academy began right on time, and standing at the podium was none other than Yu Xiaogang, who bore the title of "Grandmaster of Theory."

He stood with his hands behind his back, projecting an air of unfathomable mystery, while a wilted-looking Luo Sanpao lay at his feet. He began to boast loudly about his load of nonsense: "There is no absolute strength or weakness in martial souls; it all depends on one's cultivation and methods. Even a seemingly trash martial soul can reach the pinnacle of the spirit master world if one follows my theories..."

Many of the new students below listened with expressions of adoration, nodding along in agreement. I sat in the back row, eyes lowered as if listening intently, while in my mind, I was tearing his theories to shreds and silently noting every logical fallacy.

[Memory suddenly interrupts]

In my past life, I was disgusted by this guy's double standards. If not for Tang San having cheat codes, Blue Silver Grass would be a standard trash martial soul. He takes exceptions and presents them as universal truths, purely to swindle ignorant newcomers. Only Tang San would worship him like a father, but in this life, I will definitely expose his fraudulent true colors!

[Suddenly snaps back, forcibly collecting thoughts]

Yu Xiaogang's gaze drifted toward me from time to time, his eyes full of probing, clearly still secretly trying to figure out the details of my martial soul. I remained motionless throughout, my spirit power aura as steady as a rock. I displayed only the state of an ordinary Ink Shadow Cat spirit master, without a single shred of excess fluctuation, giving him absolutely no handle or reason to probe further.

Tang San, sitting in the front row, turned his head to glance at me every few moments. The unwillingness and wariness in his eyes were tangled together; he had been stewing in frustration ever since I snatched the position of Dorm Seven head yesterday, and he simply couldn't swallow this insult.

When class finally ended, Yu Xiaogang left after a few perfunctory remarks. Tang San immediately stood up and chased after him; there was no need to guess—he was definitely going to find his "Grandmaster" mentor to mutter about how to get his revenge.

I couldn't be bothered to deal with this pair of master and disciple. I slowly packed my notes and headed straight for the academy training grounds—partly to avoid trouble and meditate in peace, and partly to take the opportunity to organize my subsequent plans.

I hadn't been standing by the training ground for long before Tang San hurried over. He stood not far away, his face tense and his eyes stubborn: "Lin Chen, I want a fair duel with you, just for sport!"

In the end, he was blinded by the pride in his heart. Having been suppressed by me the entire time, he wouldn't be satisfied until he determined who was superior.

Passing students immediately gathered around to watch the show. Xiao Wu also hopped over, stood directly by my side, and wrinkled her little nose at Tang San: "Tang San, why do you always insist on challenging Brother Lin Chen? It's boring!"

I raised my eyes and swept a faint glance at Tang San, my tone flat and carrying a hint of a Sichuan-Chongqing accent: "There's no need for a fight. Winning against you is meaningless; it's a pure waste of time."

He was only at level 10 now; I could handle him with a flick of my finger. Fighting him would not only be beneath me but would also risk exposing my true strength, making it a complete loss.

But Tang San was determined to test me. Seeing that I wouldn't agree, he directly channeled his spirit power. His Blue Silver Grass martial soul instantly manifested, and blue vines wrapped in spirit power lashed out toward me. He was still somewhat restrained, not going for the kill.

The onlookers let out a gasp, all staring at me to see how I would respond.

My thoughts stirred, and my Ink Shadow Cat martial soul quietly manifested. A faint black spirit power swirled around me. Using only the 10 levels of spirit power on the surface and the innate agility of the Ink Shadow Cat, I flickered slightly, easily dodging all the entanglements of the Blue Silver Grass without using a single technique beyond my current level.

Before Tang San could channel his martial soul again, I flicked my finger, and a strand of highly condensed spirit power struck precisely at the node of his Blue Silver Grass. Tang San felt his wrist go numb, his spirit power instantly dissipated, and the Blue Silver Grass vanished into thin air. He stumbled back two steps, his face turning deathly pale.

"You lost."

I retracted my martial soul, my tone flat and waveless, and turned to walk toward the edge of the training ground. I didn't linger, nor did I offer any mockery or showiness. I remained low-key to the end; the secret of my Twin Martial Souls and my true level 20 spirit power remained tightly hidden.

Tang San stood where he was, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, his frustration having nowhere to vent. He couldn't understand how, with the same level 10 spirit power, he couldn't even touch the corner of my clothes. The wariness in his heart now completely overwhelmed all his unwillingness.

Xiao Wu immediately crowded over, clutching my arm tightly, looking triumphant: "I told you Brother Lin Chen is the best! Tang San, stop thinking about dueling from now on!"

I patted Xiao Wu's head and moved aside nonchalantly, blocking Tang San, who wanted to come forward to talk. I brushed him off with a few words, my mind already beginning to calculate the matter of spirit rings.

After dismissing the onlookers, I specifically sought out a few seniors who had been at the academy for a year. Pretending to be a curious newcomer, I beat around the bush to ask about the Soul Hunting Forest outside Nuoding City, focusing on the poisonous spirit beasts on the outskirts and their specific locations.

The seniors didn't think much of it and spoke up one after another, mentioning that a century-old Datura Snake lurked on the western outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest. It was fierce and highly venomous, and many spirit masters deliberately avoided it.

I understood instantly—this was Tang San's first spirit ring!

I remained calm on the surface, thanked the seniors with a smile, and firmly memorized the location. I planned to sneak into the Soul Hunting Forest alone before the academy organized their hunt, intercept the Datura Snake, claim the poison-type spirit ring that suited the Ink Shadow Cat, and completely sever Tang San's core opportunity.

I acted with extreme caution throughout, alerting no one. Even with Xiao Wu, I just brushed her off with a few excuses, always sticking to my bottom line of caution and never revealing a shred of my plan.

Tang San's opportunity, I am going to snatch it; Yu Xiaogang's fake facade, I will tear it apart piece by piece! Everything in this Douluo Continent will proceed according to my rhythm.