Soon, he arrived at the gates of Nuoding Academy.
The academy was grandly built. On Douluo Continent, Soul Masters held a fairly prestigious status, so even a beginner Soul Master Academy was quite impressive.
In the blink of an eye, a gatekeeper came out to greet him. Chu Qing handed over his recommendation letter. The gatekeeper glanced at it, then looked at the young boy before him. Though still quite young, he had handsome features and an air of heroism about him. His clothes were plain, but it was clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person. Seeing the recommendation letter from Su Yuntao, the gatekeeper understood and said, "Young man, come with me."
Soon, they arrived at the Academic Affairs Office. The gatekeeper said, "Director Su, this is Chu Qing, the boy who was tested a few days ago and found to possess Innate Full Soul Power, with a Power Attack System flame Martial Soul."
At those words, the few teachers inside the room were startled. Each looked at Chu Qing differently. Director Su said to the gatekeeper, "All right, you can go back now." Then he turned to Chu Qing. "Young man, talent like yours is rare. You must work hard. The teachers will all help you. Come, I'll take you to the dormitory."
Director Su soon helped Chu Qing get everything arranged, and even waived his tuition and miscellaneous fees. After all, someone with Innate Full Soul Power might not appear even once in a hundred years.
After helping Chu Qing settle in, Director Su took him to eat. Then the two of them strolled around campus as they chatted.
"By the way, young man, you'll need to choose a teacher to study under here. With a teacher to guide you, your studies will be more structured. I think..."
Director Su hadn't finished speaking when a sudden voice interrupted him:
"Young man, I'll give you a chance. Become my disciple! I've spent decades researching Martial Soul Theory, and I'm renowned throughout the Soul Master World. When it comes to researching Soul Power and Soul Rings, I claim second place, and no one would dare claim first!"
Director Su turned around in displeasure. A plain-looking, somewhat scrawny middle-aged man was walking over, speaking as he went, eagerness showing in his eyes.
Chu Qing gave him a curious look as well.
But the middle-aged man seemed not to notice the change in atmosphere. He simply went on, "Young man, I've researched Soul Power for decades and compiled a set of Ten Great Martial Soul Fusion Theories. My research into Soul Power is truly one of a kind. Come, release your Martial Soul!"
Yu Xiaogang had just gone to the office that day when he heard two other teachers say that another genius with Innate Full Soul Power had arrived. His eyes immediately lit up. I can't believe I'll meet two geniuses this year! I have to take a genius like this under my wing! I'll show those people in the Soul Master World that my theories are no idle talk! At the thought, he smiled excitedly, asked the two teachers where Chu Qing was, and hurried over.
Chu Qing looked at the man coldly. This had to be Yu Xiaogang, the legendary theoretical master.
Director Su furrowed his brow. But considering the man's age, he didn't want to embarrass him in front of everyone, so he said, "Xiao Qing, go ahead and release your Martial Soul. This is 'Grandmaster.' He has some renown in the Soul Master World, so you can let him offer you some advice."
Chu Qing glanced at Grandmaster and said nothing. With a thought, he released his Martial Soul.
A mass of black flame surged into the air. The surrounding temperature rose by several degrees, and a powerful aura emanated from it.
Grandmaster hurried forward, licked his lips excitedly, and studied the Martial Soul. "I've researched Martial Souls for decades, but I've never seen such a strange flame Martial Soul. It's black all over, yet it carries an unusual aura. Still, I can tell for certain that it's a Power Attack System Martial Soul!"
What nonsense. Who doesn't know it's a Power Attack System Martial Soul? Did you really need to say that? Chu Qing thought, speechless.
Grandmaster didn't notice the change in Chu Qing's expression and continued, "It's just that most flame-type Martial Souls focus solely on attack. Their offense is strong, but their defense is too weak, so they can't be considered top-tier Martial Souls. Still, there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters. If you listen to me and become my disciple, you'll surely achieve a great deal. For your first Soul Ring, you should choose a Martial Soul with strong defensive abilities to make up for your weakness in defense. I recommend a Rock Armor Rhino, a Thick-Backed Turtle, or another defensive Martial Soul..."
At that, Chu Qing couldn't hold back any longer. For a Power Attack System Martial Soul, Grandmaster was actually recommending a defensive Soul Ring for the first one? What a joke!
"Grandmaster, I don't plan to take your advice. I have my own plans for my Martial Soul, and I don't intend to become your disciple!"
Grandmaster, who had been prattling on, suddenly froze. He hadn't expected a six-year-old child to reject the invitation of a dignified "Grandmaster" of the Soul Master World! He trembled with anger, the wrinkles on his face bunching together like the character for "chuan." "You little brat, don't you know about my Ten Great Martial Soul Fusion Theories? If you don't listen to me, your Martial Soul will amount to nothing!"
"Oh? Then I'd like to ask you something, Grandmaster. If your theories are so impressive, surely you must be very powerful yourself, right? Could you show me your Soul Rings and broaden my horizons?"
Chu Qing had hit a sore spot. Grandmaster's face turned purplish with rage. "Y-you, you little brat! You won't listen to me, and you dare speak so rudely to your elders! You, you..." He was so angry he couldn't get the words out.
"Why are you so angry, Grandmaster? I just wanted to see how strong you are," Chu Qing said, pretending not to understand as he asked in confusion.
Director Su had long been displeased with Grandmaster, who spent his days eating and drinking without doing any work. He had held his tongue out of courtesy, but now he spoke up. "Xiao Qing, there's something you don't know. Grandmaster's theories are peerless, but because of a Martial Soul Mutation, he can't continue cultivating. His Soul Power is only at level 29, so he's merely a Soul Grandmaster."
"Oh! So that's how it is!" Chu Qing turned to Grandmaster and said, "But didn't you say there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters? How come you're only level 29?" His small, youthful face was full of confusion.
Grandmaster's old face turned from red to purple, then from purple to black. He said viciously, "You little brat, if you won't listen to me, you'll regret it sooner or later! It's only a flame-type Martial Soul. Even with Innate Full Soul Power, you won't amount to much without my guidance! Hmph!" He didn't even bother to consider that Director Su was still there. He turned and swept away.
"Goodbye, Grandmaster! I won't trouble a level-29 Soul Grandmaster with worrying about me!" Chu Qing added at just the right moment.
At that, Grandmaster stumbled and nearly fell. Then he quickened his pace and headed off into the distance.
Hmph. He'd taken a Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass, with its powerful life attribute, and made its first Soul Skill Mother's Entanglement. No wonder he was called a theoretical "Grandmaster."
If I'd listened to him, I'd probably never have become a god in this lifetime.