The next day.
Early in the morning, Yun Tian got up and headed for the headmaster's office.
The headmaster of Notting Academy was named Yuan Hua. His Martial Soul was a fish spear, and he was a level forty-two assault-type Soul Ancestor.
"Headmaster!"
"Oh? Xiao Tian, you're here? Come, sit down!"
When Yuan Hua saw Yun Tian, he became noticeably more enthusiastic. This was a genius with Innate Full Soul Power and a Mutated Martial Soul. If he had not feared being overly enthusiastic would provoke resentment, he would have wanted to take him as a disciple on the spot.
After pouring Yun Tian a cup of water, Yuan Hua returned to his office chair and asked, "Xiao Tian, what brings you here?"
"Headmaster, I want to hunt for my first Soul Ring. I hope you can help me."
"No problem. You're the golden signboard of our academy. I have to handle this personally!"
Yuan Hua patted his chest. He knew Yun Tian was a dragon lurking in the depths, destined not to remain confined to a small place like Notting City. But if he could truly become a Title Douluo-level powerhouse...
Then Notting Academy would likely rise along with him. When that time came, Yuan Hua would be able to proudly declare, "My Notting Academy produced a Title Douluo!"
With that thought, Yuan Hua immediately asked, "Shall we go now? I have a pass for the Soul Hunting Forest, so there's no need to travel all the way to the Star Dou Forest, right?"
As the headmaster of Notting Academy, getting something like a pass was easy enough. Besides, Yun Tian had never planned to go to the Star Dou Forest in the first place.
If he were seeking a thousand-year Soul Ring, then a trip to the Star Dou Forest might have been worthwhile. But for a hundred-year one, there was truly no need.
"System, do Soul Rings and soul beasts have entries?"
[They do, but the host's rewriting ability can only affect soul beasts weaker than the host and Soul Rings the host already possesses!]
At that, Yun Tian stopped hesitating. The Soul Hunting Forest it was. Rewriting a soul beast was one thing, but rewriting his own Soul Ring would be quite good as well.
"Then let's go now."
After making a few brief preparations, Yuan Hua led Yun Tian out of the academy. Along the way, he continuously explained various things about soul beasts to Yun Tian.
Just as the two arrived at the academy entrance, two figures happened to approach them.
"Master? Weren't you injured? Where are you going?"
Yuan Hua's concerned tone did nothing to soften Yu Xiaogang's expression. Instead, he replied with a trace of indifference, "I'm taking my disciple to hunt for his first Soul Ring."
"What a coincidence. I'm taking Yun Tian to the Soul Hunting Forest too. Why don't we go together?"
As soon as those words were spoken, both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San turned to look at Yun Tian beside them, their eyes filled with either complicated emotions or resentment.
Yu Xiaogang's feelings were complicated. He could not understand why Yun Tian had such a strong opinion of him. Tang San had told him that Yun Tian had directly called him a fake master and even looked down on him.
But setting the facts aside, were the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall really without fault?
Damn Spirit Hall, I, Yu Xiaogang, was set up!
Tang San's feelings, on the other hand, were very clear. Yun Tian had charmed his Xiao Wu into this state, so he already deserved death. But before killing him, Tang San had resolved to use his Martial Soul to humiliate him once.
Thus, the four boarded the same carriage.
"Xiao San, as a gift for becoming my disciple, I'm giving this to you."
Inside the carriage, Yu Xiaogang first glanced at Yun Tian before an idea came to him.
Since the two were from the same village, they surely had never seen much of the world. If he gave this storage belt to Tang San, would Yun Tian not be so jealous that he drooled?
Tang San's reaction indeed met Gangzi's expectations. The excitement and delight written all over his face greatly satisfied his vanity.
"Thank you, Teacher! I'll call this belt Twenty-Four Bridges Bright Moon Night!"
"How about it, Yun Tian? I told you that becoming Teacher's disciple with me would be no problem. Look, you've never seen something like this before, have you?"
Tang San waved the belt in his hand, his face full of smug pride.
"I'm dying of envy. Headmaster, when will we get there?"
Yun Tian gave a perfunctory reply, then asked Yuan Hua beside him how much longer the journey would take. Yuan Hua readily played along, smiling as he said, "Soon, soon. The Soul Hunting Forest isn't very far from here."
He found Gangzi rather unpleasant too, but out of courtesy, he could not be bothered to drive him away. The purpose behind that earlier act of giving away the belt could not have been more obvious.
"Uh."
Yu Xiaogang's expression turned somewhat ugly. Just what background did Yun Tian have? He looked down on this and that—did it have to be some heavenly treasure before he cared?
Tang San's expression darkened as well.
The carriage eventually stopped at the entrance to the Soul Hunting Forest.
Since Headmaster Yuan Hua had a pass, he brought Yu Xiaogang and Tang San inside along with them.
"Xiao Tian, have you decided what kind of Soul Ring you want to absorb?"
Yun Tian was pondering it as well. The Soul Rings of the Sky-Piercing Spear would represent the path of his future spear techniques, so he had to be cautious.
Meanwhile, Gangzi was giving Tang San a long-winded lecture nearby—things like "There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless soul masters," and "There are countless types of Martial Souls and countless possible Soul Ring combinations."
This earth-shattering wisdom left Tang Buddha utterly astonished, and he kept calling his teacher the true master in his heart.
He noticed Yun Tian's situation.
Gangzi stepped forward, puffed out his chest, and said, "You don't know what Soul Ring to absorb, do you? Would you like this master to recommend one?"
"Since your Martial Soul is a spear, it must emphasize thrusting. Spear techniques are hard yet supple, so I suggest you absorb a plant-type vine soul beast to enhance the spear's flexibility!"
"Ahem, Master Yu, you'd best not speak such things carelessly. A Soul Ring can affect a child's future prospects."
Yu Xiaogang immediately frowned. What did Headmaster Yuan mean by that? Did he look down on his theories, or did he think they were wrong?
"Headmaster, that is rather inappropriate, isn't it? This master is kindly offering you advice."
"Headmaster, I've decided. I want to absorb an Iron-Spine Dragon Spear Beast." Yun Tian suddenly spoke, completely ignoring Yu Xiaogang at his side.
The Iron-Spine Dragon Spear Beast was the most suitable first Soul Ring for the Sky-Piercing Spear. But Yun Tian had yet to find his own path of spear techniques; whether he could comprehend one on his own would depend entirely on this soul beast.
"Hehe, good. Since you have an idea, Xiao Tian, let's head in first. Master, we'll split up here!"
The two walked toward the depths of the forest, leaving behind Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, both wearing unpleasant expressions. That brat Yun Tian had ignored him again and again, showing not the slightest respect for his elders. Someone like that was unworthy of becoming his student!
"Xiao San, let's go. Your teacher will definitely find you a Soul Ring even stronger than Yun Tian's!"
"An Iron-Spine Dragon Spear Beast? This master has never even heard of it. It must be some worthless soul beast. If his first Soul Ring is like that, his future will not amount to much either!"
Tang San nodded heavily and looked in the direction Yun Tian had gone with utter disdain. I have Twin Martial Souls. What can you possibly use to fight me? Won't you just become the backdrop for me, Tang San?
Before you continue