The Gatekeeper's End

Lin Ciyan leaned against a large tree not far from the academy gates, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. He squinted, looking for all the world like he was lazily soaking up the sun.

Soon, his gaze was drawn to two figures approaching from the distance.

One was a young boy dressed in patched, coarse cloth, his skin a healthy shade of Komugi. Despite his age, his eyes held a composure and reserve that felt out of place.

He followed closely behind an elderly man with a kind face and simple attire.

Oh ho, the main characters have arrived. Lin Ciyan felt a surge of energy. "Little Trash" and Old Jack the village chief—this combination was just too classic.

He didn't step forward immediately, choosing instead to watch them head toward the imposing gates of Notting Academy.

Old Jack's face was filled with pride and anticipation, while Tang San's expression was one of curiosity and scrutiny.

Only when they neared the gate did Lin Ciyan lazily rise from the grass. He walked toward the entrance at a leisurely pace, timing his arrival to "accidentally" bump into them at the gate.

Sure enough, a middle-aged gatekeeper blocked their path, his tone dripping with undisguised contempt: "Halt! What are you doing here? Is this a place for you country bumpkins?"

Old Jack hurriedly offered a fawning explanation, producing the certificate from Martial Soul Hall.

The gatekeeper took the document, glanced at it, and sneered: "Grass martial soul? Blue Silver Grass? Innate Full Soul Power? What a joke!"

"I've been a gatekeeper at this academy for four years, and I've never heard of anyone with Innate Full Soul Power, let alone with Blue Silver Grass!"

"Are you trying to forge documents to scam your way into free food and lodging?"

Old Jack's face flushed red with anger, while Tang San's eyes turned cold in an instant, his small fists already clenched tight.

Lin Ciyan stepped forward at the perfect moment, wearing a harmless, friendly smile: "Uncle, I'm here to study as well."

The gatekeeper sized Lin Ciyan up. Although his clothes weren't luxurious, they were clean and tidy, and his demeanor was composed—much more pleasing to the eye than the two "hicks" beside him. His tone softened slightly: "You look decent enough. Do you have a certificate?"

Lin Ciyan spread his hands, just about to speak.

The gatekeeper's attention snapped back to Tang San and Old Jack, his words becoming even more aggressive as he reached out to shove Old Jack.

A cold glint flashed in Tang San's eyes, and his left hand moved almost imperceptibly.

Here it comes, here it comes! The live-action version of the "Way of Death"!

Lin Ciyan was so excited he nearly whistled.

[Tang Sect Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record General Principles, Article 3: Once an opponent is identified as an enemy, if they have embarked on the Way of Death, do not show mercy, or you will only bring trouble upon yourself.]

The Tang Sect Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record General Principles—late, but present! Sleeve Arrow ready!

Just as the tension reached its breaking point, a slightly hoarse voice rang out: "Stop."

A man of medium height, slightly thin, with short black hair and an ordinary appearance, walked over. His eyes held a touch of laziness and the stubbornness unique to a theorist.

It was none other than the "Grandmaster," Yu Xiaogang.

He stopped the gatekeeper and demanded to inspect the Martial Soul Hall certificate.

After confirming the document was genuine, he said coolly to the gatekeeper: "Their certificate is real. You may let them in."

Old Jack thanked him profusely and gave Tang San a few final words of advice before departing.

Lin Ciyan, however, keenly noticed that the moment Yu Xiaogang stopped the gatekeeper from rushing Tang San, the faint, cold light hidden in the sleeve of Tang San's already-raised left hand quietly vanished.

That was close. Almost witnessed the 'End of the Gatekeeper', Lin Ciyan mused internally.

Yu Xiaogang warned the gatekeeper before turning to Tang San and Lin Ciyan: "Alright, the matter is settled. You may go in."

Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang with a hint of inquiry in his eyes and suddenly spoke: "Teacher, thank you."

Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened: "I am not a teacher at this academy."

"But you must be a powerful soul master, or a scholar with profound knowledge."

"Can you tell me why my Blue Silver Grass martial soul with Innate Full Soul Power is considered a trash martial soul?" Tang San pressed.

A flash of pride crossed Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he began his lecture on the "Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls." He spoke of martial soul mutations and the relationship between innate soul power levels and martial soul quality, ultimately concluding: Tang San's martial soul was by no means just Blue Silver Grass; it was likely a powerful martial soul mutation!

Tang San listened with eyes shining, as if he had found a guiding light for his life.

Beside them, Lin Ciyan's internal monologue was scrolling like a screen: And so it begins, the classic swindle!

Setting aside the plagiarism, this theory actually sounds plausible. No wonder it fooled young Tang San.

Though, his self-assessment as a 'guest sponging off free food' is surprisingly accurate.

Sure enough, Yu Xiaogang "exposed" himself at the right moment: "I am merely a guest here, sponging off free food and lodging."

Upon hearing this, Tang San didn't hesitate. He dropped to his knees and kowtowed three times: "Teacher, please take me as your disciple!"

Yu Xiaogang feigned surprise, then excitedly helped Tang San up, his eyes gleaming with the light of someone who had "found a rare talent."

With one secured, Yu Xiaogang's gaze naturally fell upon Lin Ciyan, who had been watching the show with great interest.

This youth carried himself with composure, remaining unruffled by the earlier conflict; he was clearly no ordinary child.

"Child, are you also here to enroll? What is your martial soul? What is your soul power level?" Yu Xiaogang tried to keep his tone calm and scholarly.

Lin Ciyan yawned and replied lazily: "Mm, here to study. As for my martial soul, it's a Qilin, and my soul power... about level twelve, I suppose." He kept it vague; the system had suppressed him to this level anyway.

"Qilin?!" Yu Xiaogang's pupils contracted sharply. As a (self-proclaimed) master of theory...

He knew all too well the weight the word Qilin carried in the world of Martial Souls!

This was undoubtedly a top-tier beast Martial Soul! And level twelve? Judging by his appearance, he was about the same age as Tang San; such talent...

Tang San also revealed a look of surprise, his gaze toward Lin Ciyan becoming more scrutinizing.

"Child, would you... would you be willing to take me as your master?" Yu Xiaogang's voice carried a hint of imperceptible urgency.

"I have conducted in-depth research on Martial Souls and can certainly fully develop your talent! A genius like you needs a guide!"

Lin Ciyan looked at the almost glowing eyes of Yu Xiaogang and sneered inwardly: So impatient? Having already taken in a Twin Martial Souls user isn't enough, you want to snatch up a Qilin Martial Soul too?

Besides, he wasn't just any Qilin Martial Soul; he was the Holy Radiance Qilin!

You just want to use us as 'achievements' for your theories, don't you? Your greed is showing, Grandmaster.

He waved his hand, his tone remaining relaxed: "Forget about the apprenticeship. I'll just learn at the academy for now."

"As for a guide..." He pointed at the sun in the sky, "I think it guides me quite well. It feels comfortable to bask in."

Yu Xiaogang was choked by this unconventional answer, but unwilling to give up, he quickly said: "No matter, no matter! The matter of apprenticeship can be considered slowly."

"I'll handle the enrollment procedures for you both; follow me." He thought to himself that he would stabilize the situation first; there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

Lin Ciyan shrugged indifferently and followed them into the academy.

He happened to be lacking a "reasonable" identity, and this Yu Xiaogang had delivered himself to his doorstep.

However, I really don't seem to have a certificate from the Martial Soul Hall... Yu Xiaogang is really going all out to take on a disciple, even choosing to selectively ignore this? Lin Ciyan muttered to himself.

Yu Xiaogang brought the two to the academic affairs office and found Director Su. Relying on his (borrowed) reputation, he successfully processed the enrollment for both of them, not even bothering to carefully verify the issue of Lin Ciyan's "certificate."

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