So, it's you, huh?

That evening, Zhu Shen sat in his room, organizing the information he had gathered today.

Su Nuo was in contact with the Evil God Temple. Evil Soul Masters were lurking within Notting Academy. The Evil Soul Master organization in the Soul Hunting Forest was called the "Evil God Temple," and it had a leader known as "Blood Shadow."

Connecting these events, it was clear that the Evil God Temple's activities near Nuoding City were more frequent than he had imagined. What were they doing here? What was their goal?

Zhu Shen pondered for a long time, but he had no leads.

Forget it, no use overthinking. When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, earth covers it. He would focus on improving his strength first.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate his soul power.

The next morning, as soon as Zhu Shen walked to the open field, he saw Wang Sheng and the work-study students already lined up. Although they were still yawning, their spirits were much better than yesterday.

"Not bad." Zhu Shen nodded. "Continue running today, fifteen laps each."

"Fifteen laps?" The faces of several children turned green.

"Think that's too little? Then twenty laps."

The children took off running.

Tang San ran at the front, his speed neither fast nor slow, his stride even. Wang Sheng followed behind him, gritting his teeth in pursuit, but he couldn't catch up no matter what. The other children were slower, and the distance between them widened after only a few laps.

Xiao Lian ran at the very back, but she never stopped. Her small face was flushed red, and sweat had soaked her hair.

Zhu Shen stood on the sidelines watching, calculating his next plan in his mind.

Once these children had built a solid foundation, he would need to find them suitable soul rings. Especially for Tang San; his second soul ring needed to be a decent Lone Bamboo.

Just as he was thinking, a figure walked over from the direction of the teaching building.

It was Dean Su Nuo.

"Grandmaster, good morning." Su Nuo smiled, leaning on his wooden staff. "You're training the children so early; you've worked hard."

"It's nothing." Zhu Shen replied indifferently.

Su Nuo looked at the children running and let his gaze linger on Tang San for a moment. "Is that your disciple, Tang San? Blue Silver Grass with innate full soul power—that is quite rare."

"It's alright."

"Grandmaster's teaching methods are truly unique." Su Nuo stroked his beard. "However, there is something I must tell you. Councilor Xiao came to see me yesterday, saying that you bullied his son and demanding that you give him an explanation."

Zhu Shen raised an eyebrow. "What kind of explanation does he want?"

"An apology, and compensation of one thousand gold soul coins." Su Nuo sighed. "I know this request is excessive, but Councilor Xiao has significant influence in Nuoding City. If you don't agree, Grandmaster, I'm afraid..."

"Then tell him to come find me." Zhu Shen interrupted him. "I'll be waiting right here."

Su Nuo froze for a moment, then smiled. "Grandmaster certainly has spirit. Very well, I will go back and talk to him to see if we can mediate."

With that, he turned and left.

Zhu Shen watched his retreating back, narrowing his eyes.

This old thing was stirring up trouble with every word. He was clearly here to deliver a threat, yet he insisted on acting as if he were helping.

"System, scan the concentration of evil energy on Su Nuo."

<strong>[Scan complete. Target: Su Nuo. The concentration of evil energy in his body has increased by 7% compared to yesterday. It is recommended that the host remain vigilant.]</strong>

Zhu Shen's heart sank. The evil energy was growing, which meant Su Nuo's connection to the Evil God Temple was deepening. What on earth was this guy up to?

After the morning training ended, Zhu Shen let Wang Sheng take the children to eat. He took Tang San back to the dormitory, intending to give him another soul bone.

Just as they reached the bottom of the dormitory building, they saw someone standing there.

The man was in his forties, stout, dressed in luxurious brocade robes, and followed by seven or eight attendants. Xiao Chenyu was behind him, and when he saw Zhu Shen, his eyes immediately turned red.

"Dad, that's him!"

The fat man took a step forward and looked Zhu Shen up and down. "You are Yu Xiaogang?"

"I am."

"My name is Xiao Wanshan, a councilor of Nuoding City." The fat man sneered. "How do you intend to resolve the matter of you bullying my son?"

Zhu Shen glanced at him. "How do you want to resolve it?"

"Simple." Xiao Wanshan held up three fingers. "First, apologize to my son in public. Second, pay three thousand gold soul coins. Third, get out of Nuoding City."

Zhu Shen laughed. "And if I don't agree?"

"You don't agree?" Xiao Wanshan's face darkened. "Then don't blame me for being impolite. This is Nuoding City, and I, Xiao Wanshan, have the final say. You, an outsider soul master, think you can turn things upside down?"

As he spoke, he released his martial soul. A large saber appeared in his hand, surrounded by five soul rings: two yellow and three purple. The aura of a five-ringed Soul King was released, making the surrounding air feel heavy.

"See that?" Xiao Wanshan shook his soul rings triumphantly. "If you're smart, do as I say, otherwise..."

Zhu Shen didn't wait for him to finish; he directly released his Dragon God martial soul.

Golden light exploded, a phantom of a Golden Dragon circled behind him, surrounded by four soul rings: two purple and two black. The dragon's might pressed down like a physical force, colliding with Xiao Wanshan's aura.

With a muffled bang, Xiao Wanshan retreated two steps, his expression changing.

"A four-ringed Soul Ancestor?" He stared at the soul rings on Zhu Shen, his gaze lingering on the ten-thousand-year soul rings. "Two purple and two black? Who exactly are you?"

"Yu Xiaogang." Zhu Shen said indifferently. "Didn't you already know?"

Xiao Wanshan's expression shifted between shades of gray and black. It was true that he was a five-ring Spirit King, but those two black spirit rings on his opponent made him feel uneasy. Ten-thousand-year spirit rings were nothing to trifle with.

"Fine, very fine." Xiao Wanshan retracted his martial soul and let out a cold snort. "Yu Xiaogang, you just wait. Offend me, Xiao Wanshan, in Nuoding City, and you will live to regret it."

With that, he turned and walked away with his entourage.

Xiao Chenyu followed behind, turning back to glare at Zhu Shen. "You just wait for me!"

Zhu Shen looked at him and suddenly laughed. "Sure, I'll wait. Remember to bring more people next time; this bunch isn't enough to look at."

Xiao Chenyu's face flushed bright red, but he was dragged away by his father.

Tang San watched from the side in silence, then whispered, "Teacher, aren't you afraid he'll cause trouble after offending him like this?"

"What's there to fear?" Zhu Shen patted his shoulder. "Your teacher has a cheat now; a mere Nuoding City councilor can't stir up any waves."

The corners of Tang San's mouth twitched.

His teacher had been getting more and more arrogant lately.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for slapping Xiao Wanshan in the face. Hidden reward triggered: Evolution Points +50.]

[Current Evolution Points: 50/100, can be used to increase the purity of the Dragon God bloodline.]

Zhu Shen's eyes lit up. There were rewards for face-slapping? This system was becoming more and more sensible.

"Xiao San, let's go, time to eat." Zhu Shen was in a great mood. "Teacher is feeling good today, I'll treat you to some meat."

"Teacher, there are only pickled vegetables in the cafeteria."

"...Then we'll add an egg."

Tang San followed silently, sighing in his heart.

When would his teacher ever be reliable?

The two walked into the cafeteria, and Zhu Shen paid to add an egg for Tang San, then added one for himself.

Wang Sheng leaned over, looking on eagerly. "Teacher, I want an egg too."

"If you want to eat, buy it yourself."

"I don't have money..."

Zhu Shen sighed and paid to add an egg for every work-study student. A group of children held their bowls, eating until their mouths were oily, looking at Zhu Shen as if he were their own father.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for winning over hearts. Hidden reward triggered: Deception success rate +5%.]

Zhu Shen was amused. Even treating them to an egg could trigger a reward; this system was too easy to please.

"Teacher." Tang San put down his bowl, his expression serious. "You offended Xiao Wanshan today; he definitely won't let this go. Should I make some preparations?"

"What kind of preparations?"

Tang San pulled a few thin needles from his robes, which glinted coldly in the sunlight. "I've forged a few sets of needles recently. Although they can't compare to the techniques of the Tang Sect, they are more than enough to deal with ordinary people."

Zhu Shen looked at the needles, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

This child's habit of carrying hidden weapons everywhere was never going to change. Still, it was fine; it was the perfect opportunity to mess with him.

"Let me see the needles."

Tang San handed them over. Zhu Shen took the needles, pretended to fumble, dropped them on the floor, and stepped on them.

"Oops, my apologies."

Tang San looked at the bent needles, his face turning green.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for slightly pranking Tang San. Reward obtained: Evolution Points +10.]