Tang San had never expected that Xiao Wu was a Human-Form Soul Beast, either. He looked at her with equal astonishment.
"Xiao Wu, you're actually a Human-Form Soul Beast!"
Zhu Zhuqing blurted out in surprise, even taking an instinctive step away.
Just as Xiao Wu felt abandoned by the whole world, Collei's voice rang out.
"Everyone, please remain quiet!"
Collei's words made Tang San swallow the comforting words he had been about to offer Xiao Wu.
"The Akademiya has long since cast aside discrimination. If anyone dares cause trouble here, Lesser Lord Kusanali will punish you with divine retribution."
At the words "divine retribution," everyone fell silent, not daring to make a sound. The people of Douluo Continent still held the gods in profound reverence.
Their reverence for the gods outweighed the greed in their hearts.
Those words had not actually come from Collei. She had merely repeated what Ouyang Kong told her. At the same time, she had received his order to bring Xiao Wu to meet him.
"Yanzi, keep an eye on things. Xiao Wu, come with me."
"Wait! Where are you taking Xiao Wu? I'm coming too!"
Collei glanced at Tang San and nodded.
"All right."
Collei first brought Tang San and Xiao Wu over to Tighnari. They arrived just in time to hear him criticize Yu Xiaogang point by point.
"First, all three of your answers have serious flaws. Martial Souls aren't divided only into Tool Martial Souls and Beast Martial Souls. There's also a third category: Body Martial Souls. And as a scholar, when you're unsure, don't make definitive claims. Otherwise, you risk misleading others.
"Innate Soul Power is positively correlated with Martial Soul quality, but Martial Soul quality doesn't determine Innate Soul Power. According to current theories, Innate Soul Power is also related to physical and mental strength.
"Likewise, the age of a Soul Ring is related to Martial Soul quality, physical strength, and mental strength.
"Martial Soul quality, physical strength, and mental strength form a trinity. You need to consider them together."
Yu Xiaogang was struck speechless for a moment, but Tighnari continued.
"If that were your only problem, you could still study with Amurta. You do have some foundation in theory.
"But your attitude toward theoretical research is seriously flawed. I've seen plenty of people like you—falsifying papers just to get results. No scholar with any self-respect would stoop to that.
"If you truly want to become a research scholar, you need to correct your attitude first.
"A true master always keeps the heart of an apprentice. But clearly, you don't."
Tighnari shook his head and stopped speaking to Yu Xiaogang. He turned toward Collei and noticed Tang San and Xiao Wu as well.
Tang San looked furious.
"You think it's acceptable to speak about my teacher like that?"
"Hmm? I was simply stating the facts. Given his theoretical knowledge and his attitude, he could very well mislead his students. Could you show me your Martial Soul?"
Tighnari was being kind. To him, Tang San was just a boy of twelve or thirteen. What adult would hold a grudge against a child?
Tang San thought it over, then summoned his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
After examining it carefully, Tighnari couldn't help frowning.
"Did he choose your Soul Rings for you?"
Tang San nodded.
"Ah! So he really has been misleading his students! It's fortunate your Blue Silver Grass isn't ordinary. Otherwise, your life might already be in danger."
Tang San's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face.
"Teacher, the records say his Martial Soul is an unawakened Blue Silver Emperor."
"That explains it. Ordinary Blue Silver Grass doesn't have such a powerful life attribute. If ordinary Blue Silver Grass were given a Soul Ring with a poison attribute, the poison would contaminate the Martial Soul's life essence.
"I just said that Martial Soul quality, physical strength, and mental strength form a trinity.
"If poison contaminates the essence of the Martial Soul, the body will be poisoned too. That's Martial Soul poison. I've encountered two cases like this before."
Tighnari was referring, of course, to Dugu Yan and her grandfather, Dugu Bo.
"Your Martial Soul is an unawakened Blue Silver Emperor. Its life attribute is stronger, and it can suppress poison. But if you keep adding Soul Rings with poison attributes, and the poison ever overpowers the life attribute, your life will be in danger."
Tang San had lived two lifetimes. He could tell whether Tighnari was lying to him.
Now there was a trace of hatred in the way he looked at Yu Xiaogang.
Tighnari suddenly turned to Yu Xiaogang, frowning. "It's not just your academic attitude that's a problem. Your character is questionable, too. Are you treating this child as your experimental subject?"
Yu Xiaogang said nothing, but the change in his expression told them everything.
"Hmph. You should be glad you're not with the Akademiya. Otherwise, Cyno would definitely invite you for tea. The Akademiya doesn't welcome people like you. Please leave."
Yu Xiaogang was escorted out. Flender and Liu Erlong were still willing to stand by him.
Zhao Wuji and the others left with them. Ma Hongjun and Oscar had been at Shrek Academy since childhood, so naturally they had to stand with the academy.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing hesitated. The Shrek Seven Devils had clearly fallen apart, and getting into the Akademiya might be their only chance to escape their fate.
In the end, they stayed to continue the examination and did everything they could to get into the Akademiya.
Only after sending Yu Xiaogang away did Tighnari ask Collei what she wanted.
"Teacher, the Grand Sage asked me to bring her to meet him."
When Tighnari looked at her, Xiao Wu still seemed nervous. He smiled.
"Don't be nervous. Your name is Xiao Wu, and you have two younger brothers named Daming and Erming, don't you?"
"Huh? How do you know? What did you do to them?"
"Don't get worked up. They've already been recruited by the Akademiya and are working under those people.
"When you get the chance to visit the main academy, you'll see them. Collei, take her over."
"Okay. Stay close to me."
Collei took Xiao Wu and Tang San to meet Ouyang Kong, while Tighnari continued overseeing the examinations. Before long, it was Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's turn.
"Tell me about your situation, and then I'll decide what the examination will cover."
"We can perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
"A Martial Soul Fusion Skill? That's certainly a subject worth researching. Are you prepared to study it in depth?"
"Yes! We are!"
Dai Mubai still wanted to hide the truth, but Zhu Zhuqing understood that it would be better to be honest now.
"It's like this: because of our status, we hope to enter the Akademiya and receive its protection. As for the research, we'll do our best."
Tighnari nodded at Zhu Zhuqing. Honesty was a great virtue.
"What are the conditions for a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
"Being of one heart and mind!" ×2
"What's the essence of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai looked at each other. They were typical examples of knowing how without knowing why.