Yu Xiaogang and Tang San's Shock

As Old Jack and the Gatekeeper Youth argued, a middle-aged man had already appeared not far from Ao Tian. He frowned and watched in silence.

This middle-aged man was Yu Xiaogang. He had short hair and an ordinary appearance, little changed from before, though he had grown far more weathered.

He also carried an air of laziness and despondency.

When he saw the Gatekeeper Youth get up and charge at Tang San, Yu Xiaogang finally spoke. "Enough. Stop."

Hearing the voice, the youth halted mid-charge and glared angrily at the person who had intervened.

He was about to curse, but when he saw that it was Grandmaster, the fury vanished from his face and was immediately replaced by a fawning smile.

"Grandmaster, it's you."

Before Grandmaster, the Gatekeeper Youth no longer dared to make a move.

Tang San shot the youth a cold glance and lowered his arm.

If someone had not suddenly appeared, this youth would already have become a corpse.

Tang San turned to look at the newcomer without speaking.

If this middle-aged man was also someone who bullied others by throwing his weight around, like that youth, Tang San would not mind sending them both to the afterlife.

Grandmaster glanced at the youth and snorted coldly before turning to Old Jack. "Old Man, may I see the Spirit Hall proof?"

Old Jack hurriedly handed Tang San's Spirit Awakening Proof over.

Grandmaster studied the proof, occasionally glancing at Tang San. His expression was uncertain at first, then transformed into a trace of delight.

Tang San frowned. This middle-aged man's gaze made him extremely uncomfortable.

Grandmaster bowed slightly. "The proof is genuine, Old Man. The gatekeeper offended you just now. On behalf of the academy, I apologize. Leave the child to me. I'll take him inside to register."

Old Jack hurriedly said, "There's no need to apologize. We were at fault as well."

After giving Tang San a few reminders, he finally departed.

Grandmaster glanced at the Gatekeeper Youth and said indifferently, "If there is a next time, get lost."

The youth looked terrified, repeatedly promising that he would not dare, before quickly moving aside.

Grandmaster lowered his head to look at Tang San. He forced a smile onto his stiff face, as though he had not smiled in a very long time.

"Wait here for a moment," he said.

Then he looked toward Ao Tian in the distance and beckoned. "Child, come here."

Grandmaster had noticed this beautiful child the moment he approached.

Ao Tian's appearance and bearing were simply too eye-catching. Even Grandmaster, who had seen much of the world and endured countless hardships, had been struck by his beauty.

He guessed that this child had also come to enroll. With such extraordinary looks and temperament, he was immensely curious about what this child's Martial Soul could be.

Hearing Grandmaster call him, Ao Tian was somewhat puzzled, but he still walked over.

Grandmaster still wore that stiff smile. Looking at Ao Tian standing before him, he asked, "You're here to enroll as well, aren't you?"

Ao Tian nodded without speaking.

"May I see your Spirit Awakening Proof?" Grandmaster asked.

Ao Tian took out his proof and handed it over. He wanted to see what Yu Xiaogang intended to do—whether he wanted to "guide" him.

As Ao Tian approached, Tang San's gaze had remained fixed on him.

He had noticed this child earlier and had been struck by his appearance as well.

Now that he was observing Ao Tian up close, Tang San inexplicably felt a trace of inferiority.

The other boy was splendidly dressed, with looks one in ten thousand. Standing together, Tang San felt that he was merely there to set him off, so dim and lacking in brilliance.

Since when did I care about a bag of skin? Powerful strength is the foundation of everything. No matter how good-looking someone is, it's useless. Tang San was startled and hurriedly reminded himself.

The instant Grandmaster saw Ao Tian's proof, he was stunned.

"Another Innate Full Soul Power," he exclaimed involuntarily.

He had already been astonished when he saw Tang San's proof, yet another Innate Full Soul Power had now appeared. He could no longer remain calm.

According to his research, only nineteen people with Innate Full Soul Power had appeared in the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire over the past century.

Yet today, he had encountered two at once.

The population of the entire continent was unimaginably vast. For him to meet two children with Innate Full Soul Power at the same time was practically a one-in-a-billion chance.

Could this be fate? Is this Heaven's pity for my unfair destiny, compensation for me? Grandmaster could not help raising his head to look at the sky.

He had already made up his mind. No matter what, he had to take these two children as disciples. With such outstanding talent, they absolutely could not be wasted.

When Grandmaster cried out in shock, Tang San also looked at Ao Tian in astonishment.

This child before him was not only outstandingly handsome, but his talent was no weaker than Tang San's. At that moment, Tang San actually felt defeated.

Compared to this handsome child, he truly seemed somewhat dim and unremarkable.

Since when did I start comparing myself to a Little Brat? I still have other advantages—my second Martial Soul and the Tang Sect's Secret Skills. I, Tang San, am no weaker than anyone. Tang San snapped out of it.

As soon as Grandmaster finished exclaiming, his brows furrowed. He stared at Ao Tian's Martial Soul in confusion.

Golden Dragon Martial Soul—he had never even heard of such a Martial Soul.

He had worked at Spirit Hall for many years. With his meager strength and Trash cultivation talent, he had originally been destined to become nothing more than a lowly Deacon. However, by chance, he came into contact with Bibi Dong and won her favor through some of his unique insights into Martial Souls.

Later, with Bibi Dong's authority, he was able to access Spirit Hall's various research materials and data. Only then was he able to summarize his Ten Core Competitiveness Theory of Martial Souls from the massive amount of data collected by Spirit Hall.

He knew hundreds, even thousands, of Martial Souls, but he had never heard of a Golden Dragon Martial Soul.

Among dragon-type Martial Souls, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul was the greatest, as well as the strongest Beast Soul. Yu Xiaogang guessed that this Golden Dragon Martial Soul was probably inferior to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul.

"Your name is Ao Tian, Child. May I see your Martial Soul?" Grandmaster looked at Ao Tian expectantly.

He had devoted his life to research. Now that a new Martial Soul had appeared, how could he not be excited?

"Sorry, I don't show my Martial Soul to just anyone," Ao Tian refused.

He had not come to study under Yu Xiaogang, so why should he obey Yu Xiaogang's every word?

He guessed that Yu Xiaogang was most likely trying to take him as a disciple.

Grandmaster froze, and the atmosphere instantly became a little awkward.

"You don't need to worry. I live inside Nuoding Academy, and everyone calls me Grandmaster," Grandmaster hurriedly explained. He felt that this child was overly wary.

"I don't care what kind of Grandmaster you are. I don't want to show you, and even if the Pope came, it would be useless," Ao Tian said bluntly.

"You child, why do you have no manners at all? This is a Teacher from the academy. You'll be studying here in the future," Tang San could not help rebuking him.

"Alright, alright, I won't look," Grandmaster hurriedly said.

There would be plenty of chances to see Ao Tian's Martial Soul later, so there was no need to rush. It would not be good if everyone ended up unhappy.

"I'll take you inside," he said, reaching out to take Tang San's hand.

His other hand reached toward Ao Tian, but Ao Tian did not offer his hand.

Grandmaster did not mind. He withdrew his hand and led Tang San ahead.

Ao Tian followed behind with a faint smile on his lips. If nothing unexpected happened, he would soon see Tang San kneel and take a master.