Becoming Xiaogang's Disciple

The crowd suddenly parted, and a middle-aged man in a gray robe strode out.

He looked to be in his forties or fifties, with a lean face and the scholarly air unique to men of learning between his brows. His hair was meticulously combed, and though his features bore traces of hardship, his eyes shone with spirit, carrying the profound light found only in someone well-read.

This man was Yu Xiaogang—the master of Notting Academy, the foremost researcher of martial soul theory on Soul Land—who had just hurried back from the Hunting Soul Forest.

[ Ding—A key figure has been detected. Mission target: Yu Xiaogang. Please complete the apprenticeship mission as soon as possible. ]

The system notification rang in Tang San's mind, making his heartbeat quicken.

Become Yu Xiaogang's disciple. This was the main quest issued by the system.

The reward was this: when hunting soul beasts and absorbing his first soul ring, if the soul beast's cultivation was insufficient, the system would directly raise the soul ring to the maximum limit he could absorb.

He had to complete this mission.

Yu Xiaogang strode to the academy gate, his gaze sweeping over the groaning gatekeeper on the ground. His brow furrowed tightly. Then he raised his head and looked at Xiao Wu.

"Did you do this?"

Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips and nodded righteously. "I did. He looked down on us, called us trash, and even threw away Grandpa Jack's recommendation letter."

Yu Xiaogang's gaze fell on the recommendation letter that had been carelessly tossed onto the table, and his frown deepened. He walked over, picked it up, and carefully read through it. Then he turned around and looked at the gatekeeper, who had just climbed back to his feet.

"A recommendation letter from Holy Soul Village. The procedures are complete, and it meets every requirement for a work-study student's admission." His voice was not loud, but it carried an imposing authority. "Who gave you the right to reject them?"

Clutching his still-aching stomach, the gatekeeper stammered, "Master, these two children are dressed like beggars, and besides—"

"Enough."

Yu Xiaogang's voice turned cold.

"The academy rules state it clearly. There are only two criteria for admitting work-study students: first, their awakened martial souls must meet the requirements; second, they must hold a recommendation letter from their village. Since when did what they wore become an admission criterion?"

After hearing that, the gatekeeper no longer dared say another word.

Yu Xiaogang put away the recommendation letter, turned around, and let his gaze fall on Tang San and Xiao Wu.

He looked at Xiao Wu first, and a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

The speed and strength this little girl had displayed just now were far beyond those of an ordinary child.

Then his gaze shifted to Tang San.

"What is your name?" Yu Xiaogang asked.

"Tang San," Tang San answered calmly.

Yu Xiaogang fell silent for a moment, looking Tang San over from head to toe.

Twin martial souls and innate full soul power had piqued his intense interest.

"Um..." Old Jack poked his head out from behind Tang San and spoke cautiously. "Master, these two children are both work-study students. Could you perhaps—"

"I'll handle the work-study student arrangements." Yu Xiaogang nodded, his gaze returning to Tang San as an almost imperceptible thoughtfulness flashed through his eyes.

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly said, "Tang San, come in with me first. The work-study student procedures need to be registered, and dormitories need to be assigned."

Tang San nodded. Just as he was about to follow Yu Xiaogang into the academy, he heard Old Jack let out a long sigh of relief behind him.

"Thank heavens, we finally met an adult who listens to reason." Old Jack wiped the sweat from his forehead and waved at Tang San and Xiao Wu. "You two study hard. I'm heading back to the village. Xiao San, remember to write to your father!"

Tang San answered, watching Old Jack disappear around the street corner before turning around and following Yu Xiaogang through the gates of Notting Junior Soul Master Academy.

Inside the academy, several students dressed in ornate academy uniforms were gathered together. When they saw Tang San and Xiao Wu enter behind Yu Xiaogang, they all cast curious, probing looks their way.

A few sharp-eyed students recognized Tang San.

The boy from the Martial Soul Hall three months ago—the one who had been called a genius one moment and trash the next—had long become well-known throughout Notting City.

"Look, it's him—the one with twin martial souls and innate full soul power at level twenty, who later dropped back to zero."

"I heard he's trash now. Why has he come to the academy again?"

"A work-study student, obviously. Just look at those tattered clothes. If he weren't a work-study student, could he afford the tuition?"

Tang San heard every one of their whispers, but his expression did not change.

His Mysterious Heaven Skill cultivation granted him hearing far superior to that of his peers. He heard every word they said clearly.

His fists silently clenched within his sleeves, then slowly relaxed.

Endure. This was not the time to bother with them. Once he completed the apprenticeship mission, received the system reward, and obtained his first soul ring, these people would not even be worthy to carry his shoes.

Xiao Wu, on the other hand, did not hear the discussions. She was looking around at the academy buildings, her eyes filled with curiosity.

When Yu Xiaogang had read the recommendation letter and learned that Tang San possessed twin martial souls and innate full soul power, an indescribable stirring had risen in his heart.

He had spent most of his life researching martial soul theory and proposed the Ten Core Competencies, yet he had suffered endless doubt because of his own weak strength. He had always longed to teach a true genius and prove through facts that his theories were correct.

And the child before him—twin martial souls, innate full soul power, a steady temperament, and unwavering will.

He was simply the perfect student Yu Xiaogang had dreamed of.

"Teacher, thank you," Tang San said to the master.

"Teacher? I'm not a teacher at this academy." Yu Xiaogang looked down at Tang San and replied blandly.

"Ah, I understand. You must be the academy headmaster, or some sort of leader, right?" Although Xiao San knew Yu Xiaogang was not, he pretended otherwise in order to become his disciple.

"You're very clever, but you still guessed wrong. Also, Tang San, you need to understand that 'master' and 'teacher' are worlds apart. Don't call me the wrong one in the future, unless..."

At that point, Yu Xiaogang paused. A fervent light shone in his eyes. "Unless you truly wish to have me as your teacher."

"Tang San." Yu Xiaogang's voice became more solemn than ever. "Are you willing?"

Xiao Wu blinked beside them, looking from Yu Xiaogang to Tang San. The corners of her lips slowly curled up, revealing an expression of eager amusement.

Tang San took a deep breath, rose from his chair, stepped back, and then dropped to one knee.

"Teacher." He lowered his head, his voice respectful and solemn. "This disciple, Tang San, asks you to accept me as your student."

Yu Xiaogang's eyes reddened slightly.

He smiled—a deeply satisfied smile—and bent down to pull Tang San to his feet. "Silly boy, why kneel when taking a master? Don't you know that gesture is reserved only for sovereigns and parents? A bow would have been enough."

"A teacher for a day, a father for life. You deserve my kneeling." At last, he was about to complete the task. Tang San spoke to Yu Xiaogang with excitement.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, deeply moved.

"Good! Good! Good! From today onward, you, Tang San, are the disciple of me, Yu Xiaogang."