Passively Becoming Arch-Nemesis

After completing the enrollment procedures, Bishop Sanders led Zhang Yang to the logistics department to collect his dormitory key and a bulging backpack.

Inside were all the items issued by the academy, including school uniforms, functional gear, undergarments, boots, and much more.

"From now on, this is your dormitory. The school staff has already cleaned the room for you in advance."

Accompanied by Bishop Sanders, Zhang Yang walked into the dormitory and cast his gaze around his new living space.

Zhang Yang's dormitory was actually an exquisitely decorated three-story villa shared by four people.

The first floor opened into a large common living room, which also functioned as a dining area.

On either side of the living room were two symmetrical suites, each featuring a bedroom, a living room, a bathroom, and a study—fully equipped with all the necessities.

The second floor contained two similar suites and a large terrace shared by two people.

The third floor consisted of a full kitchen and another terrace, where the four roommates could cook and enjoy their meals while taking in the view.

Zhang Yang's suite was on the second floor. Standing on the terrace and looking out into the distance, the well-arranged buildings surrounded by meticulously landscaped greenery gave him a sense of relief and pastoral charm, as if he had escaped a cage and returned to nature.

After changing into his uniform and getting settled, Sanders was just about to lead Zhang Yang out when they bumped straight into a middle-aged man.

"Teacher Dewey? What a coincidence, I was just planning to take Zhang Yang to find you."

Sanders stepped aside to reveal Zhang Yang behind him. "Zhang Yang, this is Teacher Dewey, a Purple-Clad Bishop of our Martial Soul Hall and a senior instructor of general studies."

"From today on, Teacher Dewey will be your mentor. He is not only responsible for your general education but is also your primary guardian teacher at the academy."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang immediately bowed in greeting. "Hello, Teacher Dewey."

Teacher Dewey had short, golden hair parted down the middle. His sharp, hawk-like eyes were barely concealed by his gold-rimmed glasses. His face was impeccably groomed, and the mustache on his upper lip was thick yet neatly trimmed.

A faint scent of ambergris drifted through the air—the incense Teacher Dewey often used to refresh his mind.

"Hmm." Teacher Dewey nodded. "From today on, I am your mentor. If you have any issues within the school, you can come to me. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Teacher Dewey." Zhang Yang nodded.

"Good." Teacher Dewey nodded, then looked at Bishop Sanders. "Teacher Sanders, I will take over from here."

"Then many thanks, Teacher Dewey." Sanders nodded, then smiled and bid the two farewell.

Teacher Dewey continued to familiarize Zhang Yang with the campus, while Sanders, after leaving, did not rest but headed straight to the Education Committee.

At the Education Committee, a committee member in luxurious red robes listened to Sanders' report and waved his hand to signal him to leave.

Shortly after, the committee member left the Martial Soul Hall Academy and headed straight for the nearby Martial Soul City.

Martial Soul City, Pope Palace.

After hearing the report from the Education Committee member of the Martial Soul Hall Academy, Pope Bibi Dong, dressed in a black robe with gold embroidery and wearing the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, nodded with satisfaction.

"Very good. Focus on his general education first, observe his cultivation progress during this time, and keep detailed records."

The committee member acknowledged the order and bowed out, leaving Bibi Dong alone in the room.

Clutching the Pope Scepter, Bibi Dong placed the briefing on the armrest, her heart filled with smugness.

Xiao Gang, oh Xiao Gang, let me see whether your disciple is clever, or if the youths of my Martial Soul Hall are superior.

In September, a secret letter was sent from the Nuoding City Martial Soul Branch through confidential channels to Martial Soul City.

"A Blue Silver Grass soul master with Innate Full Soul Power has absorbed a century-old Datura Snake soul ring, breaking through to level 13 in one go to become a soul master, and has been registered at our Nuoding City Martial Soul Branch."

Furthermore.

"This Blue Silver Grass soul master, named Tang San, is a student of that very Master who proposed the 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul' and was later expelled from our Martial Soul Hall, Yu Xiaogang."

"Yu Xiaogang?" Bibi Dong's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Her gaze lingered on the name for a long time before she looked back at the beginning of the letter.

"Innate Full Soul Power? Blue Silver Grass?"

As a soul master with Innate Full Soul Power herself, Bibi Dong felt a vague sense that something was not quite right.

However, Bibi Dong was ultimately no match for a master of soul theory like Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang could confirm Tang San had a second martial soul just by reading the text, while Bibi Dong could only feel that something was off.

Seeing that the Master had taken in such a genius disciple, Bibi Dong's feelings were complex.

Although the two of them had been torn apart by Qian Xunji, they had walked similar paths in life.

After their breakup, Yu Xiaogang had another failed romance; the woman he loved turned out to be his own cousin. Who could bear such a result?

In contrast, Bibi Dong had suffered a crushing defeat in her family life.

Six years ago, after Qian Xunji led a team to hunt down Tang Hao and Ah Yin and failed, he returned to Martial Soul City severely wounded only to be ambushed and killed by Bibi Dong. This incident caused Qian Renxue to harbor deep hatred for Bibi Dong.

The failure of her family ties made Bibi Dong subconsciously seek a replacement for Qian Renxue.

At that moment, Hu Liena appeared in Bibi Dong's line of sight.

An orphan with the Demon Fox beast martial soul and an Innate Soul Power of level 9, she possessed outstanding talent.

It seemed almost as if she were a mirror image of Bibi Dong.

Thus, Bibi Dong took Hu Liena as her disciple and poured all her efforts into training her.

Currently, Hu Liena was only 12 years old, yet her soul power had already reached level 28—truly a gifted prodigy.

However, upon learning that Yu Xiaogang had taken a child with Innate Full Soul Power as his disciple, a sudden urge to compare the younger generation welled up in Bibi Dong's mind.

Such a thought could only be described as human nature.

This was not merely because Bibi Dong had reached a certain age, but more so because powerful soul masters inherently possess a strong competitive spirit; otherwise, it would be impossible to cultivate to such a level.

As her personal disciple, Hu Liena enjoyed the most top-tier resources the continent had to offer, but Tang San was no slouch either.

Tang San's teacher's achievements in the field of martial soul research were second to none across the entire continent.

Furthermore, Tang San also possessed Innate Full Soul Power.

Comparing them in this way, Bibi Dong felt it was quite fair.

Having made up her mind, Bibi Dong gave orders for the Nuoding City Martial Soul Branch to keep a close watch on information regarding Tang San, reporting back once every three months.

Of course, Bibi Dong still wrapped this directive in a high-sounding pretext.

"As the disciple of the Grandmaster, Tang San shoulders the mission of putting the 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul' theory into practice, and thus holds significant research value."

Upon receiving the Pope's decree, the Nuoding City Martial Soul Branch naturally dared not be negligent, and in December, the first routine observation report was delivered.

Arriving right on the heels of this report was a briefing from the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Temple regarding the talent of Zhang Yang.

Bibi Dong was overjoyed at the sight.

At the same age, one possessed Innate Full Soul Power, while the other had a heaven-defying rate of cultivation.

Now, a candidate even more suitable than Hu Liena for comparison with Tang San had appeared.

Consequently, Bibi Dong went with the flow, pretending to agree with the suggestion from the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Temple, and ordered the Martial Soul Hall Academy to enroll Zhang Yang and conduct continuous observation.

Now that Zhang Yang had enrolled and was right under Bibi Dong's nose, this remote contest could officially begin.