[Intelligence-Reducing Halo activated. Tang San determined that "Fu Qin's Martial Soul indeed has no special effects."] [Tang San's thoughts: What a pity he has Innate Full Soul Power, but it doesn't matter. As long as he's loyal, I can look after him for the next six years.]
"It's all right. Even with a Trash Martial Soul, you can still become a powerful Soul Master."
Tang San patted Fu Qin on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of the gentle warmth of someone in a position of authority.
"When we get to the academy, I'll teach you some basic ways to use Soul Skills. As long as you work hard, you can become an excellent Soul Master too."
"Really? Thanks, San!"
Fu Qin immediately looked delighted, his eyes sparkling as if he'd found someone to lean on.
[Tang San's favorability +3 (84)] [Thoughts: He really is an innocent child. Very easy to control.]
Fu Qin laughed inwardly. This Intelligence-Reducing Halo was simply heaven-defying. Tang San was such a shrewd person, yet he'd been fooled so easily.
Toward evening.
The setting sun over Nuoding City lit up Tang San and Fu Qin's faces.
And yet.
The gate guard's expression was ugly.
"Where'd you country bumpkins come from? You think you can barge into Nuoding Academy with two little brats in tow?"
The guard leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over Old Jack's patch upon patch of clothing. A sneer curled his lips.
"Work-study students? More like beggars! Do you think you commoners are fit to enter Nuoding Academy? Get lost, before you dirty the place!"
Old Jack's face flushed red, and the hand clutching the work-study certificate trembled.
"You... How can you talk like that? This is the certificate the academy gave us. We're here to register!"
"Certificate?"
The guard snatched it away and dismissed it without even looking.
"What kind of garbage is this? You think any scrap of paper can pass for a certificate? I'm telling you, even if the Heavenly King himself showed up today, you still wouldn't get in! Leave now, or I'll have someone throw you out!"
Fu Qin stood to the side, looking at the guard's information on the panel.
[Name: Li San Level: Ordinary person Personality: Arrogant and overbearing, picking on the weak and fearing the strong Favorability: -30 (dislikes country bumpkins)]
He could feel Tang San's aura change instantly beside him. Though constrained by the body of a child, it still sent a chill down his spine.
"What did you just say?"
Tang San's voice was soft, but it carried a bone-chilling coldness. His once-calm eyes now resembled an ice-covered lake, deep and unfathomable.
The guard felt a chill under Tang San's gaze, but relying on his status as a gate guard, he still held his ground.
In his eyes, he was an adult. Why would he be afraid of two little brats and an old man?
"I said you're commoners. Get lost! What, little brat, you think you can turn the world upside down?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Tang San moved.
No one saw how he struck. They only caught a blur, and then Tang San was already in front of the guard.
He didn't summon his Martial Soul. Relying on nothing but his physical strength, he used a Tang Sect technique from the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record and punched the guard in the chest.
"Crack!"
The crisp sound of breaking bones rang out.
The guard screamed as he flew backward and slammed hard into the academy's stone wall, spitting out a large mouthful of blood.
Tang San didn't stop. His figure flashed, and he chased after the guard as he hit the ground, then brought his foot down on the man's leg.
"Ah—! My leg!"
Another shrill scream rang out. The guard's lower leg bent at a bizarre angle. It was clearly broken.
Tang San crouched down, his eyes as cold as the Grim Reaper's.
"If your mouth is filthy, you have to pay the price."
His fingers closed around the guard's other leg. With just a little pressure, he could cripple that one too.
"San! Stop!"
Old Jack hurriedly grabbed Tang San, frightened out of his wits. "You'll kill him if you keep going!"
Fu Qin spoke up at just the right moment, too.
"San, don't dirty your hands over someone like him. We still have to register."
[Intelligence-Reducing Halo activated. Tang San's murderous intent eased somewhat, and he decided that "Fu Qin has a point."] [Tang San's thoughts: So be it. Killing him would only cause trouble. Crippling him is enough to let off steam.]
Tang San released the guard and stood up, brushing the dust from his hands as if he'd merely crushed an ant.
The onlookers were all stunned. No one had expected such an ordinary-looking little boy to be so ruthless.
Yu Xiaogang, who had been wandering around the academy, ran out after hearing the commotion. When he saw the crippled guard on the ground and Tang San's icy gaze, his expression changed.
"Who are you? How dare you hurt someone at the academy gates?"
Old Jack hurriedly took out the spare work-study certificate.
"Lord Soul Master, he was the one who insulted us first. That's why my two grandsons fought back!"
Yu Xiaogang looked over the certificate, a glint flashing in his eyes. Then he glanced at the guard groaning on the ground and roughly guessed what had happened.
He knew very well what the gate guards at Nuoding Academy were like.
Still, Tang San had gone too far. He'd beaten the man into a cripple.
"Forget it. I'll report this to the academy to handle. Come with me."
Yu Xiaogang sighed and asked no more.
Old Jack breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to admonish Tang San and Fu Qin.
"Behave yourselves at the academy. Don't cause any more trouble. I'll head back now, but I'll come visit when I can."
Fu Qin and Tang San saw Old Jack to the academy gates. They watched his figure disappear into the crowd, then followed the teacher into the academy.
"Innate Full Soul Power? Blue Silver Grass and a glove?"
Yu Xiaogang pushed up his glasses, his gaze moving back and forth between Tang San and Fu Qin.
"Interesting. Two people with Innate Full Soul Power, both with so-called Trash Martial Souls."
He took their files and read them carefully. When he saw Tang San's name and background, his eyes flickered.
Then he looked at Fu Qin again, furrowing his brows as though pondering something.
"Fu Qin, why don't you wait outside for a moment? I have something to discuss with Tang San."
Yu Xiaogang said.
Fu Qin understood. He knew Yu Xiaogang was about to take Tang San on as his disciple.
He nodded obediently.
"All right. Sorry for the trouble, sir."
[Intelligence-Reducing Halo activated. Yu Xiaogang's trust that "Fu Qin is a pure auxiliary-type Soul Master" rose to 70%.] [Fate Arises and Fades buff activated. Yu Xiaogang's favorability +5 (regards him as a likable child).]
Fu Qin left the registration office but didn't go far. Instead, he leaned against a pillar by the entrance and eavesdropped on the conversation inside.
"Tang San, is your Martial Soul really Blue Silver Grass?"
Yu Xiaogang's voice came from inside.
"Yes, Grandmaster."
Tang San replied.
"Do you have another Martial Soul in your right hand?"
Yu Xiaogang coaxed him along.
There was a moment of silence inside. Then Tang San's deliberately surprised voice came through.
"Grandmaster, how did you know?"
"Not only do I know that you have Twin Martial Souls, I also know that Fu Qin does."
Yu Xiaogang's voice carried a hint of smugness.
"Twin Martial Souls are one in ten thousand. For two of you to appear at the same time is a miracle. Tang San, I want to take you on as my disciple. Are you willing?"
Hearing this, Fu Qin's lips curled into a smile.
Yu Xiaogang had indeed guessed that he had Twin Martial Souls, but that was fine. He'd already prepared to keep them hidden.
At that moment, however, Tang San's thoughts were racing.
Having returned here with all his memories intact, Tang San actually didn't want to take him on as a master.