Master's days in Nuoding City were probably going to be rough from now on.
Hearing Su Yuntao's official confirmation put Ye Feng's mind at ease. Tang San had been called a trash Martial Soul user, only to become a god, and now Brother Tao was saying Ye Feng had the potential to earn a Titled Douluo rank. Wouldn't he end up surpassing even the God Kings?
As for the invitation that followed, he'd been prepared for it.
Joining Spirit Hall? What a joke!
With Innate Soul Power at level seven, if he went to Spirit City, he'd be sent straight to the Death Training Camp. Only those who survived were worth cultivating.
That was how the Golden Generation had all made it through. And there was something even more terrifying: if word of his Martial Soul's attributes reached Bibi Dong, he'd probably be killed on the spot.
Bibi Dong hated Soul Masters with light attributes most of all. Angels were first on the list, and light attributes were second.
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Master Su."
Ye Feng bowed slightly, his face showing just the right amount of gratitude and a hint of hesitation.
"But joining Spirit Hall is such a big decision. Could you... could you give me some time to think it over?"
"Good, good! Of course!"
Su Yuntao wasn't the least bit displeased. If anything, he admired Ye Feng's composure even more.
"Child, once you've made up your mind, you must come find me at Spirit Hall! I'll be there anytime!"
Afraid Ye Feng might slip away, he hurriedly added more.
"Mm-hmm, Master Su."
Ye Feng nodded obediently, then scratched his smooth silver hair, a little embarrassed. In a voice tinged with anticipation and shyness, he asked quietly:
"Um... Master Su, could I... could I ask you for a copy of the meditation method used throughout the continent?"
As he spoke, he lifted his head. His clear eyes brimmed with longing, making him look every bit like an orphan who yearned for power but had nothing at all.
Su Yuntao's heart softened. This child was so sensible, and so pitiful.
He'd awakened such a fine Martial Soul, yet didn't even have the most basic meditation method.
"Of course! You deserve it!"
Without the slightest hesitation, he turned and took a brand-new parchment scroll from the worktable, handing it to Ye Feng.
"This has the most basic meditation method written on it. It's simple, but it's the foundation for every Soul Master.
Once you get back, practice hard. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me anytime!"
"Thank you, Master Su!"
Ye Feng accepted the scroll with both hands and bowed deeply again. He'd have to repay Brother Tao someday, after all. He'd awakened Ye Feng's Martial Soul himself and given it the official seal of approval.
With his goal accomplished, he didn't linger.
He turned and walked out of the Spirit Hall Branch.
From beginning to end, he never looked at Yu Xiaogang again.
Inside the hall, Yu Xiaogang stood rigidly in place, his fists clenched tight beneath his sleeves, his nails digging deep into his flesh.
He stared at Ye Feng's retreating, scrawny figure. It grew smaller and smaller in his sight, yet seemed like a needle, stabbing straight into his heart.
The poisonous fire of jealousy blazed wildly in his chest.
Why?
Why had his Martial Soul, the result of a mutation in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan's direct line, turned into a spineless piece of trash like Luo Sanpao?
And this commoner's Martial Soul had mutated into something so powerful, so perfect—a beneficial mutation!
Innate Soul Power at level seven!
A shadow with a light attribute!
It wasn't fair! This world was so unfair!
Why did every stroke of good fortune fall on this wretched commoner?
Yu Xiaogang's face twisted with jealousy, his expression more hideous than a demon's.
A hand gently came down on his shoulder.
"Xiaogang, there's no need to take it out on a child."
Hall Master Ma Xiunuo came over, speaking earnestly as he comforted him, though his conscience must have been screaming.
"Maybe the child wasn't completely right, and maybe you weren't completely wrong. Try to look on the bright side!"
Yu Xiaogang shook his arm, breaking free of Ma Xiunuo's hand.
"Hmph!"
He forced his back straight, trying to preserve the last shred of dignity he had as a "Grandmaster."
"Of course I, the Grandmaster, wouldn't stoop to arguing with an ignorant commoner. I'd like to see how far that little brat gets without my guidance!"
After saying that, he couldn't bear to stay another moment. He flung his sleeve and strode off, his retreating figure so flustered it was almost laughable.
Watching him leave, one of the attendants leaned toward Ma Xiunuo and couldn't help laughing.
"Come on, old Ma. You've gotten so good at lying, you don't even blush or bat an eye anymore."
Ma Xiunuo's expression sobered, and he sighed.
"What would you know?"
He shook his head, worried.
"I'm just concerned that useless Grandmaster might take revenge on that child.
It wasn't easy for Nuoding City to produce a genius. I don't want to watch this promising seed get ruined by that fool."
At that, the surrounding staff stopped laughing and nodded.
That clown, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, was famous throughout Nuoding City and even the entire Soul Master World.
Over the years, quite a few children around Nuoding City had been held back or even ruined by his so-called "trash theory."
As he walked along the streets of Nuoding City, Ye Feng rubbed his stomach.
It rumbled.
He looked down at his ragged clothes, which reeked of sour sweat, and couldn't help smiling bitterly.
Now that his mind was clear again, he obviously couldn't go back to begging like before.
He needed to find a job.
Ideally, one that included food and lodging.
That way, he could work while learning to read in this world, then start cultivating.
He'd earn money for three months, save a little, and then go to a junior Soul Master academy.
Yeah, that was the plan.
Once he'd made up his mind, Ye Feng didn't hesitate. He headed straight for the biggest, fanciest restaurant in the city.
The Red Romance Hotel.
What a distinctive name.
As soon as he reached the entrance, a waiter in a suit vest noticed him.
"Shoo, shoo! Where'd you come from, you little beggar? This isn't a place for you. Get lost!"
The waiter looked disgusted and reached out to shove him.
Ye Feng dodged to the side, avoiding the man's hand.
"I'm not here to beg. I'm looking for a job."
"A job? You?"
The waiter looked him up and down and sneered.
"We don't hire beggars here. Get lost, get lost! Don't interfere with our business!"
Their argument soon drew the attention of passersby and caught the notice of people inside the restaurant.
A middle-aged man in a red suit, who looked like a manager, came out.
"What's going on? Making a racket at the entrance like this—what kind of behavior is that?"
The waiter immediately put on a fawning expression and pointed at Ye Feng as he complained.
"Manager Wang, this little beggar insists on barging in. I was just about to send him away!"
Here was his chance.
Ye Feng ignored the man and looked straight at Manager Wang. Calmly, he took from his breast pocket the Martial Soul certificate, still warm from his body.
"Hello, Manager. My name is Ye Feng. I awakened my Martial Soul today, and I'd like to find a job here."
Manager Wang had been about to wave him away, but when his gaze landed on those few conspicuous words, he froze.
"Martial Soul: Light and Shadow (Mutation)."
"Innate Soul Power: Level Seven!"
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