"I was there when Fu Qin awakened his Martial Soul, so I know his talent. You don't need to worry about him. You're teaching me how to cultivate, and Fu Qin will be following me from now on. I'll naturally raise him according to your methods. I won't do any worse than you."
Tang San meant what he said, but he was also doing it on purpose.
He really did look down on Yu Xiaogang's teaching methods. He thought Yu Xiaogang was all theory and no practice, and couldn't teach anyone to become a true powerhouse.
He also didn't want Fu Qin to become Yu Xiaogang's disciple. That would make Fu Qin his junior fellow disciple, which would be embarrassing.
He had been a God King in his previous life. How could he become a fellow disciple of a little kid like Fu Qin?
Hearing Tang San speak up for him, Fu Qin was overjoyed.
This was exactly the outcome he wanted: he wouldn't have to become Yu Xiaogang's disciple, and he could still win Tang San's favor. Perfect.
"Exactly, Grandmaster." Fu Qin chimed in. "Little San's amazing. I'll just cultivate with him from now on. Thank you for your kindness."
Seeing how determined the two were, Yu Xiaogang felt a little disappointed.
He had thought he'd found another genius with Twin Martial Souls, but it turned out the boy wasn't willing to become his disciple.
And Tang San's words had put him in an awkward position. After all, Tang San was his disciple, yet he had questioned Yu Xiaogang's judgment in front of everyone.
"All right..."
Yu Xiaogang sighed, a trace of regret in his eyes.
"If you're unwilling, I won't force you."
"But Fu Qin, remember this: if you run into any problems with your cultivation, or if you change your mind, you can come to me at any time. If I know the answer, I'll tell you everything without holding anything back."
"Thank you, Grandmaster!"
Fu Qin replied obediently.
[Yu Xiaogang's favorability: +2, thoughts: What a shame. Such a talented boy. I hope he changes his mind someday]
Yu Xiaogang gave Tang San a few more reminders to cultivate diligently, then turned and left.
Watching Yu Xiaogang's retreating figure, Tang San gave a cold snort.
"A man who's all theory and no practice, and he thinks he can teach Fu Qin."
Fu Qin sidled up to Tang San, wearing an adoring expression.
"Little San, you're so awesome! Even Grandmaster listens to you!"
[Tang San's favorability: +3, thoughts: At least you know your place. Follow me from now on, and I won't let you down]
Xiao Wu cracked open the door and watched the two interacting. A hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.
She thought this life was really interesting. Tang San was much more domineering in the way he acted than he had been in his previous life.
And now there was a cute little boy like Fu Qin, too. It seemed life at Nuoding Academy wouldn't be boring.
"All right, it's getting late. Everyone should get some rest."
Xiao Wu's voice rang out from Dorm Seven, breaking the silence outside.
"Okay, Boss!"
Fu Qin answered at once.
Tang San nodded too, then returned to his room.
Night fell. Everyone else in Dorm Seven was already asleep, but Fu Qin was still awake.
He closed his eyes and began circulating the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
Nothing major had happened today, but he had gained quite a lot.
Not only had he raised Xiao Wu's favorability and successfully infiltrated the enemy's ranks, he had also earned more of Tang San's regard and turned down Yu Xiaogang's offer to take him as a disciple.
[Current status: Fu Qin, Soul Power level 10 (stable), Mysterious Heaven Skill at the peak of the first layer, Purple Demon Eye at the peak of the first layer, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track at the peak of the first layer] [Core buffs: God-Level Luck (continuously active, no danger), Intelligence-Reducing Halo (range expanded to 10 meters), Fate Arises and Fades (Xiao Wu's favorability continues to rise)]
Fu Qin could feel that as his strength increased, the effects of all three buffs were slowly growing stronger too.
He believed that with these buffs helping him, his path through Douluo would be smooth sailing.
By then, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun—the four reborn big brothers—would lead the charge, while he stayed in the rear and took good care of their sister-in-law.
(#^.^#)
Good heavens, life was treating him way too well.
Meanwhile, Tang San wasn't asleep either.
He lay with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling as he planned out his future.
He needed to raise his strength as soon as possible, obtain his First Soul Ring, and then take Xiao Wu and Fu Qin to Shrek Academy.
He would show Xiao Wu how strong he was and make her fall in love with him again.
He would also make Fu Qin his most capable assistant, laying the groundwork for his future revenge and return to the Divine Realm.
But...
Whenever he thought of Xiao Wu having Fu Qin sleep between them, he still felt uneasy.
He silently resolved to break through the awkward situation as soon as he could and bring Xiao Wu back to his side.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, the reborn Xiao Wu and Tang San relied on their memories from their previous lives to quickly become the top dog and top girl at Nuoding Academy.
He, too, had chosen a hundred-year Soul Beast that wasn't rare but was especially suited to his First Soul Ring: an Iron-Veined Stone Scorpion.
Dawn had barely broken.
Tang San, Fu Qin, and Yu Xiaogang had already shouldered their packs and set off for the Soul Hunting Forest.
Xiao Wu stood at the academy gates, waving goodbye as her pink skirt fluttered in the breeze.
"Third Brother, Fu Qin, be careful! Remember to come back soon!"
Her gaze shifted between the two of them before finally settling on Tang San, a faint, barely noticeable hope in her eyes.
"Don't worry, Boss! We'll be back soon!"
Fu Qin waved with a smile. The Fate Arises and Fades buff kept raising his favorability with Xiao Wu, and right now his smile was sincere and charming.
Tang San nodded, his tone resolute.
Then he leaned close to Xiao Wu's ear and whispered so softly that only the two of them could hear.
"We'll be careful. Be careful when you condense your Soul Ring, too."
Hearing Tang San's words, a blush appeared on Xiao Wu's cheeks.
"Mm. You be careful too, Third Brother."
Not far away, Yu Xiaogang saw that Tang San was still standing there and called out at once.
"Little San, hurry up! We need to reach the Soul Hunting Forest before noon!"
At Yu Xiaogang's words, Tang San felt a little impatient.
If Yu Xiaogang hadn't insisted on coming along, he would have set out with Fu Qin by himself long ago.
[Tang San's thoughts: Yu Xiaogang is nothing but dead weight. If it weren't for him in my previous life, I wouldn't have nearly fallen to the Mandala Snake. With Fu Qin along this time, I can show him what I'm capable of and make him respect me completely]
The three hurried along the road, finally reaching the Soul Hunting Forest at noon.
The trees in the Soul Hunting Forest didn't quite blot out the sky, but they were certainly comparable to poplars that had grown on Blue Star for seventy or eighty years.
The air was thick with the scent of vegetation and a faint trace of blood. This was a paradise for Soul Beasts, and the place Soul Masters had to visit to obtain Soul Rings.
"Once we enter the forest, you'll both follow my instructions."
Yu Xiaogang looked pleased with himself, striking a pose as if he had everything under control.
Perhaps he wanted to show off his meager wisdom in front of Fu Qin and Tang San. A flash of excitement entered Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he looked at Tang San.
"Tang San, your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul is suited to a control-type Soul Ring. I've already chosen your target: a Solitary Bamboo Soul Ring. It'll strengthen the toughness of your Blue Silver Grass. It's the perfect Soul Ring for you!"