Tang God King and the Leeks [Please Recommend, Invest, and Collect!]

The two Soul Tools, infused with Soul Power, clashed again and again, ringing out with the crisp clang of metal on metal.

A moment later, Su Luoheng stopped, a look of dawning realization in his eyes.

"Just as I thought!"

Everything was exactly as he'd predicted. Even if he didn't deliberately activate his First Soul Skill during a fight, as long as Soul Power coated his weapon and it made contact, he could analyze the Soul Tool. Since the Soul Power attached to his weapon was consumed more slowly, the analysis was also much slower than usual.

Put simply, his First Soul Skill had gained a passive ability.

He'd never sparred with a Soul Master using a Soul Tool before, so he'd only discovered this now.

Still, better late than never.

Come to think of it, he had the academy to thank for arranging this ring match. Otherwise, who knew how long it would've taken him to discover his First Soul Skill's hidden use?

"Lucky me~"

At the thought, a smile spread across Su Luoheng's little face. The ability to analyze an opponent's Soul Tool in the middle of a fight... If he used it well, it would be a real killer!

He was very pleased with this unexpected surprise.

After she submitted the new-student examination results, the rest was no longer her concern.

She exchanged a few words with the others, then returned to the laboratory.

With her rank, she was allowed to conduct experiments in Mingde Hall, but she still preferred her own lab.

As she opened the door, the metallic rasp of cutting rang out from inside.

"Grandpa?"

Seeing Elder Ran making a Soul Tool at the workbench, Ran Ruobing quietly stepped aside without a word. Interrupting a Soul Engineer while he was crafting a Soul Tool was a major taboo.

Ran Ruobing's grandfather was none other than Elder Ran.

That was also why she'd grown curious about Su Luoheng, whom her grandfather mentioned so often.

Half an hour later, the metal door opened.

"Grandpa~" Ran Ruobing obediently stepped forward and offered him a cup of water.

"Ruobing, how did today's examination go?" Elder Ran asked with a beaming smile as he accepted the cup. "You met Su Luoheng, the boy I told you about, didn't you?"

"Mm."

Ran Ruobing nodded slightly. Recalling the morning's test results, she said softly, "Grandpa, that little fellow you think so highly of really is extraordinary. His control over the engraving of a first-level core array was practically perfect."

"Of course. Your grandpa knows talent when he sees it~"

At his granddaughter's agreement, Elder Ran looked thoroughly pleased with himself.

"Grandpa, Director Lin said you were thinking of taking him on as a disciple?" Ran Ruobing asked curiously.

"That's right. What do you think, Ruobing?" Elder Ran said with a smile and a nod.

"His talent is undeniable, but he's still so young. No one can say how he'll turn out in the future... Why not watch him for a while before deciding?"

Although she had seen Su Luoheng's abilities for herself, Ran Ruobing still had her reservations.

"It's not too early anymore~"

Elder Ran shook his head and spoke unhurriedly.

"Grandpa?"

"Do you know what his First Soul Skill is?" Elder Ran stroked his snowy beard, a knowing smile appearing on his aged face.

"What?" Curiosity flickered in Ran Ruobing's lovely eyes.

"Come closer."

"..."

Elder Ran beckoned her over and quietly told her about Su Luoheng's Soul Skill.

The next moment, Ran Ruobing's eyes lit up.

"Analysis of Soul Tools?!"

"Mm."

Elder Ran nodded with a smile. "Do you still think it's too early?"

A flicker of excitement crossed Ran Ruobing's eyes. Her previously calm voice grew animated. "Not at all, not at all! Grandpa, you have to take this disciple in. Or you can let me take him in instead!"

"Now, now. Don't even think about it, you little rascal."

Elder Ran laughed as he scolded her, then tapped her on the forehead.

"Aw, Grandpa, you know what I'm researching. This could determine whether I manage to advance~" Ran Ruobing winked playfully, a far cry from the icy beauty others thought her to be.

Elder Ran stroked his snowy beard. "Once he becomes your junior apprentice, how could he refuse to help you?"

"Oh, that's true~"

She wouldn't even have to teach him. She could just reap the benefits.

Thinking about it that way, it was wonderful~

It'd save time and effort. A real bargain~

Ran Ruobing's eyes shifted, a sly glint flashing within them. Smiling sweetly, she said, "Then you absolutely have to take him in, Grandpa. I'm going to run some tests now!"

"You little rascal. Remember to get some rest early!"

"I know!"

"..."

Watching Ran Ruobing already disappear into the lab, Elder Ran shook his head with a helpless smile. There was nothing wrong with his granddaughter, except that once she started an experiment, she seemed to forget all about time.

His reminder would probably go in one ear and out the other.

Oh, well~

She was grown up now; he couldn't keep tabs on her. He'd better go prepare his lesson plans.

It had been years since he'd taught a student, so he'd need to brush up.

Two days flew by.

In the blink of an eye, it was time to announce the results of the new-student advancement examination. Su Luoheng and the other new students who had taken part headed for the notice boards, each hoping they'd met the standard.

Today was the official first day of classes.

All the students wore the academy uniform and the badge of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

Su Luoheng was no exception, dressed in his uniform.

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy uniforms didn't have much variation in color. From first year to sixth, everyone wore moon-white robes. As students advanced, the patterns grew more intricate.

The uniform was made of excellent material, and Su Luoheng's robe looked elegant and well-fitted.

Su Luoheng was heading toward the teaching area when a tentative voice suddenly called from behind him.

"Junior Luoheng?"

"Hm?"

Hearing someone call his name, Su Luoheng paused, turned around, and saw his senior, Zhen Reqing, whom he'd met when he first enrolled.

"Senior Zhen?"

"It really is you, Junior Luoheng!" Zhen Reqing hurried over.

"Senior Zhen, what a coincidence..."

They both stared at each other in surprise. Neither had expected to run into the other again so soon, especially since the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy was so vast.

Chapter 36: Tang God King and the Leeks [Please Recommend, Invest, and Collect!]

"Junior Luoheng, are you here to check the class assignments?" Zhen Reqing asked with a smile.

"Mm."

Su Luoheng greeted him with a smile, then asked curiously, "Senior, what are you doing here too?"

"I'm here to check the class list, just like you. At our academy, all the grades except sixth year take their examinations at the same time."

Zhen Reqing pointed toward a spot not far ahead, where a crowd had already gathered.

Su Luoheng frowned slightly.

It looked like every student in the academy was here. The examiners had told them to check the class assignments on the notice boards, but hadn't specified which board.

With so many people gathered, finding his class wouldn't be easy.

"Come on, Junior Luoheng."

Seeing Su Luoheng's predicament, Zhen Reqing walked up and patted him on the shoulder. "The first-year assignments are just ahead. I'll take you there."

"Thanks, Senior."

Su Luoheng was at a loss, so he gladly accepted the offer.

As expected of a senior who'd been at the academy for four years, Zhen Reqing knew his way around. He soon led Su Luoheng to the first-year notice board, which displayed the new students' class assignments.

If he'd had to find it on his own, who knew how long it would've taken?

"This is the place."

Zhen Reqing glanced over the list and asked, "Junior Luoheng, how did you do in the examination?"

"Pretty well."

"Then let's start looking from Class One."

Su Luoheng suddenly stopped Zhen Reqing, who was about to search the list, and asked, "Senior Zhen, where's the list for the new-student advancement examination?"

"The advancement examination?"

Zhen Reqing froze, then immediately understood, his expression turning to one of utter astonishment.

"You took the advancement examination?"

"Mm."

"I couldn't tell, Junior Luoheng. You really were hiding your abilities..."

Zhen Reqing's expression shifted. He pointed to the notice board on the right and said, "The new-student advancement examination results are posted over there."

"Oh, I see. Over there."

As he spoke, the two of them walked over to the notice board.

The first name on the board was Su Luoheng's. His assigned class was Year Two, Class One.

"Hey, congratulations, Junior Luoheng! You're first on the list!" Zhen Reqing exclaimed in surprise after glancing at it.

"Senior Zhen, why are our classes different?" Su Luoheng asked curiously, seeing that the new students listed after him had been assigned to a variety of different classes.

"The classes are assigned according to the new students' examination results. The higher the score, the higher the class."

After a pause, Zhen Reqing looked Su Luoheng up and down and said with a sigh, "Getting into Year Two, Class One is no small feat, Junior..."

"I did pretty well in the examination."

Su Luoheng smiled and modestly replied.

"..."

After chatting for a bit, Zhen Reqing went to find his own class assignment.

Su Luoheng headed for the second-year teaching building.

Detailed maps of the class locations were posted in the lobby on the first floor. Year Two, Class One was the first classroom on the right side of the first floor.

So he didn't have to waste much time finding his class.

Su Luoheng had arrived early, and there weren't many students in the classroom yet.