Standing Before You, How Much Do I Resemble My Former Self?

Just like that, under Xiao Wu's arrangements—like a little housekeeper—she pointed Xiao Yin toward an empty bed by the window.

"You'll sleep there for now! Put your things away first!"

Hearing Xiao Wu's matter-of-fact tone, Tang San's fingers unconsciously tightened around his bedding.

Xiao Yin silently placed his paulownia zither at the head of the empty bed.

"Xiao Yin, you... can play the zither?" Tang San finally could not hold back. He turned his head, trying to make his tone sound like nothing more than casual small talk.

He truly was curious. This boy possessed a calmness that did not suit his age, and that zither... on Douluo Continent, musical instruments were far from mainstream.

"Of course he can!" Xiao Wu jumped to Xiao Yin's side before he could speak, her tone brimming with pride.

"Xiao Yin is a wandering musician! He can support himself just by playing the zither! Amazing, right?"

She patted Xiao Yin on the shoulder, her smile radiant.

"A wandering musician?" Tang San mulled over the term, his gaze settling on Xiao Yin's overly calm face.

The boy was slender, yet well-proportioned. There was some dust on his face, but it could not conceal his refined air.

What caught Tang San's attention most was that the other boy seemed to be slightly taller than him.

Xiao Wu had gone out once and returned with someone like this? And she was even so protective of him?

A barely perceptible vigilance and... an indescribable sourness spread through Tang San's heart.

Xiao Wu and he were supposed to be closest to each other. What right did this suddenly appearing Xiao Yin have to make Xiao Wu so enthusiastic?

"Mm, I only know a little. Just enough to scrape together a living." Xiao Yin finally spoke, his voice clear and steady.

The discomfort in Tang San's heart deepened.

Who exactly was this kid? When Xiao Wu had brought him in just now, his Purple Demon Eye seemed to have caught a trace of savage hostility. Had that been an illusion?

"Hey, Xiao San, don't just stand there!"

Xiao Wu failed to notice the subtle atmosphere between them. She was eagerly helping Xiao Yin make plans.

"Xiao Yin doesn't have much stuff, but he treasures this zither! Oh, right, what rank are you now? Master said he'd take us to Soul Hunting Forest in a few days to get our second Soul Rings!"

Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled, full of concern and curiosity for one of her kind.

"Mm..."

Xiao Yin pondered briefly, revealing just the right hint of an expression that was "not easily shown."

A Rank 20 Soul Master without a Soul Ring would probably attract certain people's attention!

With a thought, he connected to the system panel in his mind. He still had 15 Wish Value.

He quickly browsed the shop.

[Yellow Century Soul Ring Trial Voucher (Single Use)]: 10 Wish Value. Effect: Simulates the aura of a century-old yellow Soul Ring and the visual effects of basic Soul Skills. No actual offensive power. Lasts for one week.

That was it! It was a little pricey, but he had to get it!

To deal with the situation before him and their later trip into Soul Hunting Forest, the investment was worth it.

"My Martial Soul is a mutated Beast Martial Soul. As it happens, my Soul Power has just reached Rank 20 as well."

With a slight thought from Xiao Yin, the system item activated instantly.

Bzzzt—!

The phantom of Taotie flashed behind Xiao Yin, while a slowly rotating yellow Soul Ring lit up beneath his feet!

Tang San's pupils abruptly shrank at the sight of Taotie!

Yes! This was exactly that savage presence. He had not sensed it wrong!

This pressure... it was probably some kind of top-tier mutated Beast Martial Soul!

In an instant, Tang San looked at Xiao Yin with genuine scrutiny and a trace of solemnity for the first time.

Xiao Wu, on the other hand, said in delighted surprise, "Perfect! Master said he'd take Xiao San and me to Soul Hunting Forest in a few days to get our second Soul Rings. You should come with us too!

Master has a Spirit Hall token, so we can all get in!"

This was exactly what Xiao Yin needed!

His heart settled, and he revealed a suitably "surprised" expression. "Really? That would be wonderful! Thank you, Xiao Wu."

"Oh, don't be so polite with me!"

Xiao Wu waved a hand boldly. She quite enjoyed that form of address, then turned toward Tang San. "Xiao San, you agree, right? The more people, the better! Xiao Yin definitely isn't weak!"

Tang San watched Xiao Wu beam brilliantly at Xiao Yin, then looked at Xiao Yin's calm face, which somehow always seemed able to draw Xiao Wu's attention. That inexplicable sour feeling surged through his heart again.

He pressed his lips together and forced out a smile. Nodding to Xiao Yin, he said, "Mm, welcome aboard. Soul Hunting Forest is indeed dangerous, and it's better to have another person looking out for us."

Yet no matter how one looked at it, that smile was a little stiff.

He silently turned away and continued arranging his bedding, hiding a trace of gloom in his eyes.

This Xiao Yin, who had appeared out of nowhere, instinctively made him feel threatened.

The atmosphere in the dormitory was subtle.

Xiao Wu remained utterly unaware, still enthusiastically telling Xiao Yin about the academy and Yu Xiaogang.

Xiao Yin listened quietly, responding now and then. Occasionally, his gaze swept over Tang San's straight yet somewhat tense back, and the corners of his lips curved into an almost imperceptible arc.

First step: he had gotten in.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Over those three days, the atmosphere in Dorm Seven was somewhat subtle.

Xiao Wu had practically treated Xiao Yin as a long-lost fellow soul beast. She fussed over him, shared snacks with him—carrots—and even became noticeably colder toward Tang San.

Tang San, meanwhile, grew even quieter. Aside from necessary cultivation and interactions with Xiao Wu, he spent most of his time silently meditating and cultivating.

Whenever he occasionally looked at Xiao Yin, his gaze was as complicated as an unsolvable tangle of knots, mixed with vigilance and a faint disappointment that was hard to detect.

Early on the third day, Xiao Wu excitedly dragged Xiao Yin off to see Yu Xiaogang.

"Come on, come on, Xiao Yin! Let Master take a look at you! He's a theoretical master—he's amazing!"

Xiao Wu's enthusiasm left Xiao Yin somewhat helpless, but for the sake of his later plans, he could only follow.

My build has changed quite a bit now. He probably won't recognize me!

Outside the teachers' office, Xiao Wu knocked on the door. From inside came Yu Xiaogang's voice, carrying a touch of deliberate composure.

"Come in."

When they pushed the door open and entered, Yu Xiaogang was bent over his desk, writing furiously. He had replaced his glasses with a new pair of black-rimmed ones, concealing part of his face.

But when Xiao Wu led Xiao Yin inside, he still raised his head instinctively.

At that instant, Xiao Yin's gaze precisely caught sight of Yu Xiaogang's left cheek!

Though he had tried hard to conceal it with some kind of ointment, a faint bluish-purple bruise still remained near his cheekbone!

At its edge, the outline of a few fingerprints could even vaguely be seen!

At last, I get to see my handiwork! Xiao Yin chuckled inwardly.

Yu Xiaogang's gaze swept over Xiao Wu and Tang San before finally landing on Xiao Yin beside her.

When his eyes touched Xiao Yin's refined face, Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

An inexplicable sense of familiarity struck him in an instant!

Could it be him?

Yu Xiaogang's heartbeat skipped violently, and even his breathing halted for a moment.

No, this one seems much taller than that bastard from that day, and his build is far sturdier too...

But this temperament...