Joining Nuoding Academy

Watching Tang San kneeling on the ground, Old Jack revealed a gratified smile.

This was the Xiao San he knew.

Sensible, well-behaved, obedient.

If a son was not taught, it was the father's fault. In Old Jack's heart, he had long regarded Tang San as his own son.

Now that Tang San had made a mistake, it was only right that he teach Tang San how to bear responsibility for it.

"Tang San, I won't hold today's matter against you. Get up." Cao Yan rubbed Tang San's head, secretly feeling delighted.

Today's targeting was only the beginning. As for later, Cao Yan would let Tang San learn what true cruelty was.

"Xiao San, look at how broad-minded this young friend is. Hurry up and thank him," Old Jack said joyfully upon seeing that Cao Yan would not pursue the matter further, hurriedly pointing at Tang San's head.

Left with no choice, Tang San stood up and said mildly, "Thank you for forgiving me. What happened today was all my fault."

Though he had yielded verbally, Tang San despised the person before him even more.

Cao Yan, I don't care whether you're some great family's disciple. I, Tang San, will never let today's matter rest. Don't let me find an opportunity in the academy, or you'll die a miserable death. Tang San unconsciously clenched his fists.

As a Tang Sect disciple, he had always repaid every grievance in full. Having suffered such humiliation today, how could Tang San possibly swallow this insult?

"Alright, Xiao San. Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, Grandpa should be heading back. Take this certificate and report to the academy when the time comes." Old Jack wore a kindly smile as he handed the certificate to Tang San and turned to leave.

Tang San's eyes filled with reluctance. He hurriedly asked, "Grandpa Jack, are you leaving already?"

Back in Holy Soul Village, aside from his father, only Grandpa Jack before him had treated him so well.

Tang San had never been able to forget this affection. That was precisely why he had so decisively knelt before Cao Yan—just so he would not make Old Jack angry.

In Tang San's heart, Old Jack came second only to Tang Hao. After all, without his help, Tang San would not even have been able to fill his stomach in Holy Soul Village.

"Hehe, Xiao San, you're a good child. Once you become a soul master, Grandpa will erect a monument for you in Holy Soul Village and let everyone pay their respects. Our village will be proud of you." Old Jack patted Tang San's shoulder and spoke solemnly.

"Once you're at school, listen to your teachers. Don't stir up trouble, and don't bully your classmates, understand? The children of our Holy Soul Village are all kind, good children. Grandpa believes you can do it too." Only after giving these instructions did Old Jack leave.

"Grandpa Jack, I don't want you to go." Watching Old Jack's receding back, Tang San murmured. His nose stung, and tears flowed down his face, dampening his clothes.

"Don't worry, Grandpa Jack. I definitely won't let you down. I'll become Holy Soul Village's new pride." Tang San stopped crying, and his conviction grew even firmer.

Holy Soul Village was declining year after year, and Grandpa Jack was already advanced in age. Perhaps once he became a soul master, he could earn the villagers' approval and become the new village chief.

With that thought, Tang San felt a measure of anticipation.

Meanwhile, Cao Yan, who remained where he stood, was also in high spirits.

After all, the satisfying feeling of giving Tang San a beating was beyond words.

However, when he turned around and prepared to enter Nuoding Academy once more to register, new trouble arrived.

"Who is it that dares cause trouble at my Nuoding Academy?" Not long after Old Jack left, an angry voice rang out from within the academy, booming like thunder.

Very quickly, two figures appeared before Cao Yan.

Both wore academy uniforms, one older and one younger. They appeared to be a teacher and a student from the academy.

"Director Su, it was this person. He deliberately came to our Nuoding Academy to cause trouble and even injured the gatekeeper and Grandmaster." The smaller boy spoke to the teacher beside him, pointing at Grandmaster and the gatekeeper lying on the ground. They were still sprawled there, their breaths weak.

"Did you do all this?" Director Su glanced at Cao Yan, his brows furrowing.

He had long heard from the student that Grandmaster had fought the other party just to take on a disciple, only to be beaten like a dog instead.

When he first heard the news, he had not believed it. Even if Grandmaster was useless, surely he could not be bullied by a child?

But now, it seemed... hehe.

He had overestimated Grandmaster after all.

Why is it so hard just to register? Cao Yan sighed helplessly as he looked at the two before him.

He had only beaten Grandmaster up. It was not that big a deal, was it? Was all this really necessary?

Yet before Cao Yan could speak, Tang San beat him to it. "He did it. I can testify—I saw everything."

Tang San felt a bit of malicious delight. He believed that stepping forward now would surely deepen their hatred for Cao Yan.

If he could see Cao Yan get beaten, that would be quite satisfying as well.

"I did it. So what?" Cao Yan curled his lip as he looked at Director Su without the slightest fear.

Hearing Cao Yan's tone, Director Su's face twitched.

This person actually called himself "this young master"?

He had beaten Grandmaster yet remained so calm. Could he be a disciple from some great family?

"Insolent!"

"You dare speak to Director Su like that?" the smaller boy beside Director Su barked, his gaze turning cold.

"Shut up." Director Su shot the boy beside him a fierce glare, fury in his eyes.

"I can see that this young master is handsome and graceful, dignified and imposing. At a glance, you are clearly of extraordinary birth. Grandmaster must have offended you first, young master?" Director Su said with a smile, bowing and scraping as he hurriedly tried to ingratiate himself.

After all, someone dressed as brilliantly as Cao Yan surely had some sort of backing. Director Su would find it harder to believe otherwise.

Tang San, on the other hand, was dressed in rags. At a glance, he did not look like a good child.

"That's right. I am Cao Yan, a descendant of the Cao Family. I come from a Hidden Family, and I came to Nuoding Academy to register." Cao Yan spoke loudly, deliberately raising his voice.

Buzz!

Director Su's dark eyes widened, a flash of delight appearing in them.

A Hidden Family?

Heavens, this was truly a stroke of fortune for Nuoding Academy. The heavens were blessing them!

Nuoding Academy would welcome a true genius!

How could someone from a Hidden Family be ordinary?

But the Cao Family? He did not seem to have heard of it.

Director Su did not dwell on it. Perhaps he was simply ignorant and had never heard of such a family.

After all, Hidden Families had always kept a low profile.

Never mind that. The most urgent matter now was to get Cao Yan into the academy first.

"Hehe, I am the dean of studies at Nuoding Academy. I did not know that you would be visiting, young friend. Forgive me for failing to welcome you properly—that was my oversight." Having thought this through, Director Su hurriedly bowed to Cao Yan with a smile.

"Young friend, that teaching building is my office. You may go inside and wait first. Once I settle matters here, I will certainly come over." Director Su pointed toward a teaching building within the academy, his face full of smiles and without the slightest arrogance.

Because standing before him was a genius from a Hidden Family.

Such a genius was something one could only hope to encounter!

Had he not arrived in time, Grandmaster might have delayed him.

At this thought, Director Su grew even more dissatisfied with Grandmaster.

"Director, you're too courteous. This junior has always admired Nuoding Academy. Being able to study here is this junior's honor." Cao Yan smiled faintly. He had always been a low-key person and did not enjoy showing off.

With that, Cao Yan headed directly in the direction Director Su had indicated.

"This child is humble and modest. He will surely accomplish great things in the future." Watching Cao Yan's departing figure, Director Su could not help praising him inwardly.

However, Tang San was dumbfounded by this scene.

What was going on?

They were just letting him in like that? Impossible!

This person seemed to be one of the academy's teachers. Forget it, he should register first.

"Hello, Teacher. I'm from Holy Soul Village. This is my certificate. Please take a look." Walking up to Director Su, Tang San handed over the certificate and spoke politely.

Director Su took the certificate. He had not yet recovered from his earlier excitement, but upon seeing its contents, his pupils contracted.

Director Su frowned and said suspiciously, "Blue Silver Grass martial soul, and Innate Full Soul Power? Is this real?"

He could not help sizing Tang San up, contempt in his gaze.

Tang San wore tattered clothes, his blue shirt covered in patches, making him look like a beggar. How could someone like this possess Innate Full Soul Power? And with a trash martial soul like Blue Silver Grass, no less?

Having reached this conclusion, Director Su grabbed Tang San, anger surfacing in his eyes. "How laughable. How could a trash martial soul like Blue Silver Grass possibly have Innate Full Soul Power? You brat, you're quite dishonest. You forged this certificate, didn't you?"

"No, Director, listen to my explanation." Tang San wanted to resist, but he could not muster any strength. Cao Yan's earlier kick had already badly injured him, and he could not circulate the Mysterious Heaven Skill for the moment.

"Shut up. You brat, you dared falsify documents right under my nose. You've got quite some nerve."

"Holy Soul Village, my ass. Look at your shabby appearance—I think Beggar Village would suit you better."

"The smell of a country bumpkin on you is revolting. Get lost. Nuoding Academy is not a charity." As he spoke, Director Su applied a little force and tossed Tang San away.

"Ah!"

Tang San roared inwardly. He felt utterly humiliated, veins bulging on his forehead. Yet he could only lie on the ground, completely unable to get up.

"Hehe, the people with Innate Full Soul Power I've seen weren't trash like you. You can't even get up after that?" Director Su mocked. He had not used much force, yet Tang San had ended up in such a pathetic state. Director Su believed his judgment even more firmly now.

"Director, you can't let that kid Cao Yan enter Nuoding Academy. You can't do this—he injured me." At this moment, Grandmaster, who lay off to the side, had recovered some strength. Clutching his chest, he spoke.

"Grandmaster, you're getting more and more outrageous. Our academy finally gets a rare genius, and yet you can't tolerate him. You got beaten because you're incompetent. What, do you want the academy to vent your anger for you?" Director Su said, casting Grandmaster a cold glance.

"No, that guy has no regard for Nuoding Academy at all. How can someone like him enter Nuoding Academy?" Grandmaster's eyes were bloodshot as he shouted.

"Enough, Grandmaster. Do you think Nuoding Academy is your home? If you weren't relying on your connection with the academy head, I would have kicked you out long ago. Would I let you stay here eating and drinking for free?"

"Nonsense! Without my invincible theoretical knowledge, the academy would never have gained such renown." Grandmaster retorted, trying to save some face.

"Hehe."

"Give it a rest, Grandmaster. Your theories are nothing but nonsense used to fool idiots. You can't even break through to the Soul Grandmaster level, yet I have no idea where you get the nerve to say such things. It's a complete joke." Director Su could not hold back any longer. He kicked Grandmaster flying, then flicked his sleeve and strode away.

He could not waste time dealing with this self-righteous Grandmaster.

The academy had finally received a true genius. He could not neglect him.

With that thought, Director Su quickened his pace and headed straight toward the teaching building.