Mu Chen smiled. "As fellow owners of Twin Martial Souls, I'm probably the only person on the entire Douluo Continent who can teach you how to cultivate."
Tang San asked in surprise, "Could it be... that person you mentioned just now, the one with a Mutated Martial Soul, Twin Martial Souls, and Innate Full Soul Power—that's you?"
Mu Chen nodded and helped Tang San to his feet. "You don't need to kneel when you take me as your teacher. A bow is enough. A man's knees are worth their weight in gold. You kneel only to heaven, earth, your parents, and your sovereign. But if you become a powerful expert, you can ignore the emperor, too."
"In this world, the strong stand above all rules. The emperors of the two great empires don't amount to much in the face of an organization like Spirit Hall."
Tang San said solemnly, "Tang San has learned his lesson. But once a teacher, a father for life! I beg you... please take me in!"
At the end of his plea, Tang San knelt again and pressed his forehead to the ground, as if he wouldn't get up unless Mu Chen agreed.
"Fine. I'll take you in."
"Get up."
Mu Chen helped Tang San to his feet, his heart brimming with joy.
[ Ding—! ]
[ The host has successfully taken Tang San as a disciple! ]
[ Name: Tang San! ]
[ Aptitude: A! ]
[ Rewards issued: Primordial Infinite Art! Kirin Heaven-Treading Steps! Divine Heavenly Eye! Douluo Continent Encyclopedia! ]
[ Innate Domains awakened: Radiant Holy Dragon Domain! Dark Phoenix Domain! ]
[ Soul Power Level increased by three! ]
[ All Soul Ring ages increased by one thousand years! ]
[ First Martial Soul: Radiant Holy Dragon ]
[ First Soul Ring skill: Holy Dragon's Verdict! 400 years → 1,400 years! ]
[ Second Soul Ring skill: Holy Dragon's Roar! 800 years → 1,800 years! ]
[ Third Soul Ring skill: Holy Radiance Illuminates the World! 2,500 years → 3,500 years! ]
Mu Chen was delighted at first.
Then he was confused.
Tang San? Aptitude A? He wasn't even S-rank!
"System, did you make a mistake?"
[ Absolutely not! ]
"My surname is Mu, and my given name is Chen."
Mu Chen patted Tang San on the shoulder and said, "Come with me. I'll take you to register and explain the academy's rules."
Though he was a little disappointed, Tang San had already knelt and accepted him as his teacher. He would still have to train him well.
Soon, he helped Tang San complete the registration and personally showed him to the dormitory.
He also gave Tang San a set of bedding and daily necessities.
"Get some rest today. Tomorrow, I'll personally take you to obtain your First Soul Ring."
"Once you've absorbed your First Soul Ring, you'll officially become a Soul Master."
Mu Chen patted Tang San on the head and smiled.
Tang San nodded repeatedly.
Though Mu Chen looked very young, he gave Tang San the feeling of a father.
Tang San didn't dare ask how old Mu Chen was.
After all...
What kind of disciple asked his teacher's age?
That would be far too impolite.
He was a disciple who deeply respected his teacher.
Mu Chen asked gently, "Do you have any money?"
Tang San was taken aback and shook his head.
Mu Chen nodded, then handed him a Gold Soul Coin. "You have to pay for meals at the school. I noticed... you're not in very good health. From now on, don't skimp on food, no matter what else you have to go without. Your health matters most."
Tang San's hand trembled as he reached out.
No one had ever cared for him like this before.
A Gold Soul Coin!
He had never had this much money in his life!
"I'll head back first."
"Come find me first thing tomorrow morning."
Mu Chen patted Tang San on the shoulder, smiled, and turned to leave.
"Goodbye, Teacher!"
Tang San clutched the Gold Soul Coin tightly and called out.
Mu Chen turned back, smiling as he waved.
Just past the corner, he collided head-on with a petite figure.
"Ow!"
The small figure stumbled backward and landed on her bottom.
"Are you all right, student?"
Seeing the sweet, adorable face and long scorpion braid, Mu Chen bent down and asked with concern.
"How do you watch where you're going?"
Xiao Wu covered her bottom with one hand and glared up at Mu Chen.
But the moment she met his eyes, she froze.
"Let me help you up."
Mu Chen reached out and pulled Xiao Wu to her feet.
"Thanks, I'm fine."
Xiao Wu blushed and rubbed her bottom.
Mu Chen picked up the school uniform she'd dropped and handed it to her. "Are you a new student? I don't think I've seen you before."
Xiao Wu nodded. "I just enrolled."
Mu Chen smiled. "What's your name? What's your Martial Soul? What's your Innate Soul Power?"
Without a moment's thought, Xiao Wu answered, "My name's Xiao Wu. Wu as in 'dance.' My Martial Soul is Little White Rabbit, and I have Innate Full Soul Power!"
She looked rather proud as she said it.
"What about you?"
Mu Chen knew very well that he couldn't use the same method he'd used on Tang San if he wanted to take Xiao Wu in.
So...
After thinking it over, he smiled. "My name is Mu Chen. It means bathing in the morning light. Xiao Wu, I'd like to take you as my disciple. Would you be willing?"
He'd originally planned to expose Xiao Wu's identity, but worried that she might run off.
To be safe, it was better not to reveal it just yet.
"Take me as your disciple?"
"But why should I become your disciple?"
"What can you give me?"
Xiao Wu was certainly direct.
"Hmm..."
Mu Chen thought it over, then smiled. "If you become my disciple, you can eat lots of delicious food. I can also buy you whatever you want."
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. "I'm hungry right now. Can you take me to get something to eat? I heard you have to pay for food, but I don't have any money!"
Mu Chen couldn't help laughing. "Of course."
"That's great!" Xiao Wu was thrilled. "Wait here a moment. I'll go to the dormitory and put my things down, then come find you!"
Mu Chen nodded.
Hugging her uniform, Xiao Wu dashed off in a flurry.
She rushed into the dormitory, drawing everyone's attention. But after setting down her uniform and shoulder bag, she hurried right back out.
"We can go now!"
Xiao Wu came up to Mu Chen, brimming with excitement.
"Let's go."
Mu Chen's lips curved slightly.
Second floor of the academy cafeteria.
Mu Chen found a seat with Xiao Wu, then bought her a whole tableful of the food she wanted.
"Mmm, delicious!"
"This one tastes good, too!"
"This soup is so good!"
"Thank you! You're so nice!"
Even as she focused on eating, Xiao Wu didn't forget to thank Mu Chen.
Mu Chen smiled. "So, shouldn't you keep up your end of our deal?"
Xiao Wu blinked her big, adorable eyes. "What deal?"
Mu Chen smiled. "Didn't you say you'd become my disciple if I took you to get something to eat?"
Xiao Wu paused. "Did I say that?"
Mu Chen froze, too.
Come to think of it...
Xiao Wu hadn't said anything like that!
Oh, no!
Had he been taken for a ride!?
Seeing Mu Chen's stunned expression, paired with his peerlessly handsome face, Xiao Wu giggled. "I'll become your disciple. How's that?"
Mu Chen gave a light cough. "There should be a little ceremony. Bow to me and call me Teacher."
"So many rules!" Xiao Wu pouted. "All right~"
She stood up, came over to Mu Chen, bowed, and said, "Hello, Teacher~"
"Hello, hello~" Mu Chen smiled and patted Xiao Wu on the head.
Xiao Wu's pretty face turned red.
Then she sat back down and lowered her head to eat, occasionally sneaking a glance at Mu Chen.
Meanwhile, Mu Chen was completely immersed in his system rewards.
[ Ding—! ]
[ The host has successfully taken Xiao Wu as a disciple! ]
[ Name: Xiao Wu! ]
[ Aptitude: S! ]
[ Rewards are now being issued! ]
[ Radiant Holy Dragon has evolved into Radiant Dragon King! ]
[ Dark Phoenix has evolved into Nirvana Phoenix! ]
[ Soul Power Level increased by five! ]
[ One Life-Bound Soul Ring! Effect: It can be absorbed the same way as a God-Given Soul Ring, but has the growth potential of an external Soul Bone!! ]
[ All Soul Ring ages increased by three thousand years! ]
[ First Martial Soul: Radiant Dragon King ]
[ First Soul Ring skill: Dragon King's Verdict! 1,400 years → 4,400 years! ]
[ Second Soul Ring skill: Dragon King's Roar! 1,800 years → 4,800 years! ]
[ Third Soul Ring skill: Holy Light Illuminates the World! 3,500 years → 6,500 years! ]
Mu Chen was ecstatic.
Taking Xiao Wu in as his disciple was far better than taking Tang San!
Xiao Wu's aptitude was actually even higher than Tang San's!
San, you're coming up a little short!
Mu Chen sighed inwardly.
He'd misjudged things!
But...
No matter!
A rank was still pretty good!
And the rewards were important, too!
Before this, he hadn't had a top-tier cultivation method. He'd been using the local meditation technique to cultivate.
What's more, after he took Tang San as his disciple, the system had given him cultivation methods for other combat skills, along with the Douluo Continent Encyclopedia.
It was unlikely Tang San would tell him about things like the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"I'm the only one eating!"
Xiao Wu stopped and saw Mu Chen still lost in thought, while she was the only one eating. She couldn't help asking.
"I'm not hungry yet."
Mu Chen shook his head and smiled. "I'll take you to buy some daily necessities and clothes later. You have a uniform, but you can't wear it every single day."
Xiao Wu smiled sheepishly. "Isn't that a bit much? You've already treated me to a meal!"
Mu Chen chuckled. "You're my disciple now. As your teacher, it's only right that I take good care of you."
Xiao Wu blushed and said softly, "Thank you. You're the nicest person I've ever met."
After lunch, Mu Chen kept his promise and took Xiao Wu around Nuoding City. He bought her several changes of clothes and bedding, along with some daily necessities.
When they returned to Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy, Mu Chen showed Xiao Wu around the grounds.
"I happen to be taking my other disciple to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow to get a Soul Ring. Why don't you come with us?"
Mu Chen's words were like dancing on a minefield for Xiao Wu.
But he had to ask.
Xiao Wu frowned. "I'll pass. I already have my First Soul Ring."
She didn't have one yet, but that was the only excuse she could use to fob Mu Chen off.
Mu Chen knew Xiao Wu's situation well, so he didn't say anything more.
"Teacher."
Xiao Wu looked up and asked with a frown, "Why do Soul Masters have to hunt Soul Beasts and absorb their Soul Rings?"
Mu Chen shook his head. "That's just how this world works. But... if someone were strong enough, perhaps they could change things. I'm working toward that goal."
Xiao Wu was astonished.
In that moment,
her affection for Mu Chen grew even more.
Mu Chen took Xiao Wu to Dorm Seven.
The dormitory was empty.
That made things easier for Mu Chen.
Before long,
a satisfied smile spread across Xiao Wu's face.
"Teacher, thank you."
Mu Chen smiled and said, "There's a new student here named Tang San. He's my disciple too. I'm taking him to get a Soul Ring tomorrow, and he should be back soon."
"After that, I'll be away for about three or four days, so you won't see me during that time."
"Here, take this money for your meals."
Mu Chen handed Xiao Wu a Gold Soul Coin as well.
You couldn't give too much money at once.
"Okay!"
Xiao Wu took the money, looking like a little money-grubber. It was quite adorable.
Before you continue