First Meeting with Grandmaster

The gatekeeper lay on the ground, blood streaming from his mouth, the horror in his eyes deepening. He felt a deathly aura spreading through his entire body, and he did not even dare to breathe.

He knew he had provoked someone he should never have provoked.

The youth before him had merely used a single glance to leave him in such a state. It was utterly terrifying.

Could the youth before him already be a Soul Master?

Buzz!

The gatekeeper's face instantly turned deathly pale, his heart feeling as though it had fallen into an ice cellar. At the thought that he had offended a youth who might be a Soul Master, he wanted nothing more than to slap himself hard across the face!

He had been far too rash!

"Young master, it was this lowly one's fault. This lowly one was blind and never should have offended you." The gatekeeper crawled and rolled his way over to Cao Yan, his voice trembling.

Kneeling on the ground, he no longer had even a trace of his previous arrogance and tyranny.

A six-year-old child had nearly taken his life with just one look. How could he possibly afford to provoke such a genius?

"Heh, what is your name? Do you know that even your academy's dean would have to show me some respect?" Cao Yan snapped coldly. His voice was like rolling thunder, making the gatekeeper tremble uncontrollably.

"Young master, this lowly one is called Han Gou. I am the... gatekeeper here."

"Heh, I told you already. You are the first person who has dared to speak to me like this. Do you know the consequences of offending me?"

Cao Yan grinned, his entire body exuding a chilling aura that made others afraid to approach.

"Young master, please spare me. This lowly one is willing to accept punishment." The gatekeeper knelt on the ground and repeatedly kowtowed, his body soaked in cold sweat.

He was still worried. What if the young master before him refused to spare him? What would he do then?

"Heh, punishment?"

"I'm afraid you cannot bear this young master's wrath."

Cao Yan sneered, with no intention of showing mercy.

How could a mere gatekeeper challenge my dignity?

I am a Peerless Douluo!

"This young master is also a reasonable man. I will give you two choices now."

"Either get out of Nuoding Academy within three seconds and disappear from before my eyes."

"Or die here!"

Cao Yan's tone was indifferent, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Thank you, young master, for sparing my life. This lowly one will get lost at once." The gatekeeper looked at Cao Yan gratefully, without the slightest hint of resentment.

He knew Cao Yan was absolutely not joking.

If the young master wanted to kill him, it would be as easy as turning over his hand!

The gatekeeper nodded and bowed, curling up his limbs as he prepared to roll away.

"Enough. Stop."

But just then, a hoarse voice rang out, stopping the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper froze for a moment, then quickly reacted. Once he clearly saw the newcomer's appearance, joy immediately appeared on his face. He said respectfully, "Grandmaster, you have come."

"Mhm." Grandmaster gave a soft response, but his gaze went directly to Cao Yan.

Grandmaster?

Cao Yan furrowed his brows and looked toward the newcomer.

He was a middle-aged man, around forty or fifty years old. He had a medium build and looked somewhat thin. His eyes gave off a lazy, dejected impression, and his clothes were filthy.

Heh, Grandmaster, you finally showed up?

Let's see how I deal with you!

"Grandmaster, this young master..." The gatekeeper stopped halfway through his words. The scene from before still left him shaken, and he could not help but feel afraid.

"Child, on behalf of the academy, I apologize for what just happened." Grandmaster waved his hand, ignoring the gatekeeper. He walked straight up to Cao Yan, smiling as he gave a slight bow and spoke sincerely.

He had witnessed everything that had just happened.

A child of only six had completely robbed the gatekeeper of his ability to resist with nothing more than a glance. What kind of existence was that?

Without question, he must possess Innate Full Soul Power!

Grandmaster felt somewhat excited. He firmly believed in the martial soul research he had conducted over the years and could even be certain that this conclusion was absolutely correct.

At this moment, Grandmaster had only one thought in mind.

No matter the cost, he had to make Cao Yan take him as his master.

Just imagine it: a genius youth with Innate Full Soul Power, combined with his invincible theoretical research. How dazzling would that youth's future achievements be?

When that time came, who would still dare call him trash? Who would still dare mock him?

At that thought, Grandmaster was already overjoyed.

"Oh? What position do you hold at the academy? Are you qualified to represent it?" Cao Yan asked coldly, one brow raised.

Even when he had been reading the novel, Cao Yan had seen through this self-righteous Grandmaster.

He was a complete scumbag. Not only did he toy with girls' feelings, but he was also trash at cultivation. Aside from relying on women, he was nothing!

"Heh, I am merely a freeloader who eats and drinks here. You may call me Grandmaster, just as they do." Grandmaster smiled, revealing an unpleasant grin as he looked at Cao Yan expectantly.

He knew that his title held some renown in the Soul Master world. While he was not known by everyone, it was still quite famous.

Grandmaster was somewhat confident that if the child before him had heard of his title, taking him as a disciple would become much easier.

How could Cao Yan fail to see through Grandmaster's thoughts? He put on a surprised expression, even raising his voice and acting worshipful. "Grandmaster? Are you the legendary Grandmaster?"

"Grandmaster, I have finally met you."

"Grandmaster, please accept me as your disciple." Cao Yan pretended to speak anxiously, his face filled with admiration, as though he feared being rejected.

"Heh, good child, of course. Are you truly willing to let me be your teacher?" Grandmaster said excitedly, delight instantly appearing on his old, dejected face.

He believed that with his research into martial soul theory, given enough time, the youth before him would surely become a Titled Douluo!

By then, he would naturally benefit as well!

"Mhm, I am very willing."

"By the way, Grandmaster, before I take you as my master, may I make a small request of you?" Cao Yan asked, though he could not help sneering inwardly.

Heh, you stupid piece of trash think you deserve to be my teacher?

"Of course. What request? Feel free to say it." Grandmaster said with a smile.

"Grandmaster, it is like this. I come from a Hidden Family, and there is an unwritten rule in our family: one may only take one master in a lifetime." At this point, Cao Yan paused, a hint of schadenfreude appearing in his eyes.

"Heh, indeed. That is a rule of the Soul Master world; it has always been so." Grandmaster smiled and stroked his beard.

"Don't rush, Grandmaster. I have not finished yet," Cao Yan continued.

"Our family requires us to confirm that someone is qualified to be our teacher before taking them as our master. Therefore, Grandmaster, please release your martial soul and duel me."

"As long as Grandmaster can defeat me in a martial soul duel and prove that you are qualified to be my teacher, I will take you as my master."

"This..." After hearing Cao Yan's words, the smile vanished from Grandmaster's face, and he looked somewhat troubled.

But after thinking it over, Cao Yan was, after all, someone who had come from a Hidden Family. Such a rule was not unreasonable.

It was just...

With his martial soul, how was he supposed to fight?

Was he supposed to have Luo San Pao fart and stink the boy unconscious?

"By the way, child, I still do not know your name." Grandmaster gave a bitter smile, trying to avoid the topic.

He believed that with his intelligence, he could use theoretical knowledge to persuade the youth before him and make him willingly take him as his master.

"Grandmaster, my name is Cao Yan."

"Cough, cough. Cao Yan, I have devoted my entire life to the study of martial soul knowledge. If you are willing to become my disciple, I believe that your future achievements will certainly not fall below mine. Are you willing?" Grandmaster said with a smile, looking like an old fox with everything under control.

"No, Grandmaster, could it be that you are afraid?"

"Could it be that Grandmaster does not even dare accept the challenge of a six-year-old child like me?" Cao Yan said with a half-smile, looking at Grandmaster teasingly.

"This..." Grandmaster fell silent, looking somewhat embarrassed.

He could see that this little fellow did not believe in his strength.

This concerned his dignity. If he continued making excuses, the other party would likely look down on him.

That would not do. If he acted too cowardly, how could he take a disciple?

"Fine, I accept." With that thought, Grandmaster decisively agreed.

After all, he believed that even if his martial soul was a worthless piece of trash, defeating a six-year-old child should not be difficult.

After reassuring himself, Grandmaster straightened his back, confidence appearing in his eyes.

"Grandmaster, you really agreed?" Cao Yan asked with a face full of doubt, finding it hard to believe.

With that martial soul of his, he actually had the nerve to bring it out and fight?

Did he not know his own limits?

Still, this suited Cao Yan's wishes perfectly.

Only then would it be fun!

"Of course. If I cannot even defeat a six-year-old child like you, then I am unworthy of being called Grandmaster." Grandmaster patted his chest, looking utterly confident.