After all, not everyone had Grandmaster giving them private lessons.
Huo Yuhao and Xiao Wu exchanged smiles, then revealed their Soul Rings. The sight of one white and one yellow ring left the entire dormitory in stunned silence.
All three first-year students had become Soul Masters. How could anyone not be shocked? Plenty of sixth-year students still didn't have Soul Rings of their own.
Tang San was just as astonished, but he quickly recovered and scratched his head.
"I thought I was ahead of you." His tone was a little awkward.
Then he remembered that Grandmaster had personally chosen his Soul Ring, a four-hundred-year ring close to the limit. Compared to Huo Yuhao's Ten-Year Soul Ring, his sense of superiority came rushing back.
Just as Grandmaster had said, with his guidance, the gap between the two of them would only grow wider.
To celebrate, everyone dragged Huo Yuhao to the riverside they had visited last time, where he once again showed off his superb Grilled Fish skills.
After they finished eating, Huo Yuhao handed Tang San his gift.
It was a Level Two Milk Bottle. When Tang San first heard the name, he looked bewildered. What kind of person named something that?
Once he learned what it did, Tang San exclaimed in amazement. Grandmaster's teachings had helped him understand just how useful this thing was. Looking at the item in his hand, something capable of changing the whole landscape of Soul Masters, Tang San felt moved.
"Thank you, Yuhao. This will be a great help to me."
Tang San thanked him sincerely. He couldn't refuse such a gift. Blue Silver Grass didn't consume much Soul Power, but his Hidden Weapons and Tang Sect techniques did! Otherwise, there would have been no need for a cultivation technique like the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
"By the way, now that you've become Soul Masters, you can go to Spirit Hall to register. From now on, you'll be able to collect one Gold Soul Coin each month."
Tang San had returned before the two of them and had already registered. Now that he saw they had both obtained Soul Rings, he reminded them.
Xiao Wu seemed a little resistant when she heard about Spirit Hall. "I don't want Spirit Hall's money!"
Tang San froze. "Why?"
She didn't even want money that was being given away? He scratched his head and looked at Huo Yuhao, confusion in his eyes.
"..."
Why are you looking at me? Even if I know, I can't tell you, Huo Yuhao grumbled inwardly. Still, he smoothed things over.
"If she doesn't want to collect it, then she doesn't have to. It's no big deal. I'll go register by myself tomorrow."
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao patted Xiao Wu on the head. Before long, he had soothed her.
Tang San nodded and didn't think much of it.
When everyone returned to the dormitory amid laughter and play, the teacher on dorm duty was waiting at the door and gave them a severe scolding.
"Do you even remember that you're students? Look how late it is!"
The teacher glared at them. Heaven knew how worried he'd been when he checked the dormitory and found it completely empty.
"We're sorry, Teacher..." Wang Sheng stepped forward reluctantly.
"Every one of you will write a self-criticism! I'll collect them tomorrow night. Now get to bed!"
With that, the teacher grumbled off.
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. The teacher was a little stern, but he really did care about his students.
After all the commotion, everyone's excitement cooled. They washed up quickly and went to sleep.
Xiao Wu was the only one who wouldn't stay still. The moment she lay down, she rolled over and wrapped herself around Huo Yuhao like an octopus.
Huo Yuhao could only pretend to be asleep, but his rigid body and faintly trembling eyelids gave him away.
"Hehe, good night."
Xiao Wu knew perfectly well that Huo Yuhao was pretending. She whispered her good night, then drifted off to sleep.
In the middle of the night, steady breathing rose and fell around the room. Huo Yuhao suddenly opened his eyes.
His spiritual power had reached the Divine King realm, giving him a sense that someone was watching him.
That gaze moved back and forth between him and Xiao Wu, then settled on their bracelets. A moment later, the prickling sensation at the back of his neck vanished.
"Teacher, who was that just now?" Huo Yuhao asked inwardly. He didn't dare activate Spirit Detection; the other person might notice.
After a moment, Elder Yi's voice sounded. "The Titled Douluo from your village."
"Tang Hao? What did he come here for? To check on Tang San? Then why was he looking at me too?"
Huo Yuhao turned his head, puzzled, and looked at the sleeping Xiao Wu beside him. His expression gradually turned cold. He thought he knew the answer.
Early the next morning, Huo Yuhao acted as though nothing had happened. He went to the Martial Soul Branch Hall, completed his Soul Master registration, and collected one Gold Soul Coin.
He was a little disappointed not to see Brother Tao.
Dusk fell.
Grandmaster, who lived at the other end of the academy, was poring over his notes and planning the direction of Tang San's future Soul Rings.
Grandmaster could say he had spared no effort in training his talented disciple.
"Yu Xiaogang."
A hoarse voice suddenly sounded beside Grandmaster's ear. Startled, he quickly glanced around, then asked warily, "Who's speaking?"
A gale swept through the room the next moment, scattering the papers across Grandmaster's desk.
When Grandmaster looked again, a tall figure had appeared in the room. The man wore a black cloak, its shadows covering most of his face. Only his stubbled chin was visible.
Grandmaster was shocked. He guessed who the newcomer was, and his body trembled involuntarily. This was his idol, the youngest person on Douluo Continent ever to reach the Titled Douluo rank.
He had suspected as much when he first learned that Tang San had a Second Martial Soul. He had never expected to see the man himself standing before him.
"Greetings, Your Excellency Haotian."
Grandmaster bowed excitedly.
"That was all in the past. Now I'm merely a criminal living under an assumed name."
A sharp gaze fell on Grandmaster from beneath the cloak. "I came this time to formally meet my son's teacher. Seeing you in person, I find the rumors were true."
"You flatter me. Teaching him is my duty, and I'll naturally do my utmost." Grandmaster was still somewhat nervous as he answered with his head lowered.
"I'm relieved to have you teaching Xiao San. I also came to ask you to do something else... Have Xiao San spend more time with the girl in his dormitory."
"Hm?"
Grandmaster couldn't help feeling confused. "Is there something special about that girl?"
"Just do as I say. That girl will be a great opportunity for Xiao San."
Grandmaster nodded. He could simply tell Xiao San later.
After discussing Tang San's situation with Grandmaster for a while longer, Tang Hao took his leave.
Looking at the hazy moonlight beyond the window, Grandmaster was worked up. He clenched his fists, even more determined to devote himself to Tang San.
I mustn't let the Clear Sky Douluo down.
Huo Yuhao sat at his desk and continued making Soul Tools. He glanced behind him. Everyone was already asleep. Rubbing his brow, he got back to work.
It wasn't that he didn't plan to sleep. He had a feeling Tang Hao would come again tonight.
A little while later.
He's here...
Huo Yuhao's heart stirred with vigilance. Tang Hao was a Titled Douluo; he must have realized that Xiao Wu was a Soul Beast who had taken human form. With such a treasure beside his son, how could he not be tempted?
A figure in a black robe stood beneath the tree outside the window.
Huo Yuhao's eyes flickered. He's deliberately making sure I can see him.
"Boy, come out."
A hoarse voice sounded in Huo Yuhao's ear.
Without hesitation, Huo Yuhao climbed out the window and went to stand before the black-robed man.
"Uncle Tang Hao, what is it?"
"You recognized me?" Tang Hao sounded surprised. He narrowed his eyes. It seemed this boy wasn't as simple as he had thought.
Huo Yuhao casually explained, "My Martial Soul is eyes. A little darkness doesn't affect me."
Tang Hao looked Huo Yuhao over. "I didn't expect Old Jack's grandson to be a genius too."
"I can't compare with Tang San. I only have a Ten-Year Soul Ring."
As he spoke, a Soul Ring as white as jade rose from beneath Huo Yuhao's feet.
Though it looked a little different from an ordinary Ten-Year Soul Ring, nobody would think it was a Million-Year Soul Ring. Tang Hao assumed Huo Yuhao's Martial Soul was unusual and had changed the ring's appearance.
"I came to tell you not to get so close to that little girl. You're young; this is the time to focus on cultivation."
Tang Hao advised him like a seasoned elder. He didn't think Huo Yuhao knew Xiao Wu's identity. To him, this was just children playing house.
Besides, women tended to favor the strong. How could Huo Yuhao, with only a white Soul Ring, compare to his son, whose teacher had designed a Soul Ring plan specifically for him—and who also had Twin Martial Souls?
The gap between them would only grow wider. If he had Yu Xiaogang give Tang San's wooden head a few hints now, Xiao Wu would surely come to favor his son even more.
Even if the girl didn't change her mind, Tang Hao could simply take action... He only worried that Tang San might not yet be able to withstand a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. It would be a waste if he could only get a Soul Bone out of it.