A Bet

Grandmaster's smile froze. Several seconds passed before he asked, "Why?"

He was deeply puzzled. Had those impressive theories he had just laid out failed to inspire even the slightest admiration in this child?

Ao Tian suddenly grew serious. "In this world, no one is worthy of being my teacher."

Arrogant! The word rose unbidden in Tang San's mind.

Grandmaster frowned deeply. "Child, cultivating as a Soul Master is not easy. With the guidance of a renowned teacher, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort. Moreover, a Soul Master can only take one master in their lifetime, or they will be scorned by the world. When it comes to teaching, no one is better than me."

Ao Tian looked at Grandmaster with a smile. "How can you prove that your theories are necessarily correct?"

Grandmaster said, "You saw it just now. From a single certificate, I was able to deduce that Tang San has Twin Martial Souls. Is that not enough to prove my theories are correct?"

Ao Tian shook his head. "The path of cultivation is filled with endless possibilities. Your theories are only suitable for those with mediocre talent. They are useless to me."

"What a boastful tone. You only have Innate Full Soul Power, yet you talk as though you're utterly unparalleled under heaven and earth," Tang San could not help saying.

Ao Tian glanced at Tang San and said blandly, "With my Innate Full Soul Power, dealing with you would be effortless."

"Is that so? Want to spar?" Tang San refused to back down. He had long been fed up with Ao Tian's arrogance.

Especially now that he had taken Grandmaster as his teacher. Since Ao Tian had shown disrespect toward Grandmaster, it was his responsibility as a disciple to seek justice for him.

Ao Tian shook his head. "Give you a hundred years, and you still won't be a match for me."

"Enough, stop arguing. You'll be classmates from now on," Grandmaster said, trying to smooth things over.

He looked at Ao Tian. "How about I make a bet with you? If you lose, you will willingly take me as your teacher. What do you say?"

Ao Tian became interested. "Then if you lose, admit that your theories have flaws."

"Fine, it's a deal," Grandmaster said with a happy smile.

"How will we bet?" Ao Tian asked.

Grandmaster said, "You and Tang San both have Innate Level Ten Soul Power. We will use one year as the limit. Tang San will receive my instruction. After one year, if either your Soul Power or actual combat ability surpasses Tang San's, you win. Otherwise, I win."

Grandmaster was completely confident. He had even already planned out the development path for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. In a one-on-one fight, Control System Soul Masters were the strongest.

Thus, he believed his theories had already placed him in an invincible position.

He even wondered whether this was a little too unfair.

But on second thought, it was for the good of this proud child, so he felt at ease.

"This bet is interesting. I, Ao Tian, accept it. You'd better prepare to Admit Defeat," Ao Tian said.

"Hmph." Tang San could not help snorting coldly.

This child repeatedly acted as though no one else existed, and his words were unbelievably arrogant. Tang San could not understand what kind of upbringing could produce such an ill-mannered child.

Grandmaster was in high spirits. Today was the happiest day he had had in many years. Not only had he taken in the genius disciple Tang San, but the other little genius was also destined to become his.

"Come on, I'll take you to the Academic Affairs Office to register," Grandmaster said with a smile, taking Tang San's hand.

Ao Tian followed leisurely behind them, his gaze sweeping across the academy. The scenes of students chasing and playing stirred something in his heart.

How many years had it been? He had never expected to return to campus one day.

Nuoding Academy was not very large. Its main areas were the teaching building, training field, and Dormitory Building, while the other areas occupied relatively little space.

Academy rules required all students to live on campus. Even those whose homes were nearby had to stay in the academy and submit to unified management.

Before long, Grandmaster led Tang San and Ao Tian to the front of the teaching building.

The Academic Affairs Office was located on the first floor of the teaching building. Teachers were already inside, responsible for receiving this year's New Students.

Grandmaster knew the reception teachers inside. He handed Tang San's certificate to a teacher who looked to be over sixty and said, "Director Su, please register this child."

"Tang San, I still have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first. I'll come find you later."

"Alright, Teacher." Tang San nodded.

After Grandmaster left, Director Su reminded him, "Child, that man is not a teacher at our academy. Don't address him so casually in the future."

Tang San said, "I have already taken him as my teacher."

Director Su and the other two teachers in their twenties all wore strange expressions, as though they were holding back laughter.

"You actually took Grandmaster as your teacher?" Director Su could not help asking.

"Is there a problem?" Tang San asked in return.

"No, no. As long as you're happy. I'll handle the procedures for you now," Director Su said.

One young teacher still could not resist saying, "Tang San, I'm giving you this advice out of kindness. If you take a teacher, each student can only have one. Grandmaster is not a teacher at our academy, and he has never taught any students. I think you should consider this carefully."

"I've already considered it," Tang San said blandly. He had already witnessed Grandmaster's vast knowledge, so naturally he would not give up because of a few words from these people.

Director Su glared at the youth who had spoken earlier. "Your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, so taking Grandmaster as your teacher is quite suitable. Here are your things. You can go to the dormitory now. A teacher there will make arrangements for you."

"Thank you." Tang San accepted the New Student supplies and turned to walk out.

Ao Tian had not gone inside and had been standing at the door watching the entire time.

Tang San gave Ao Tian a bland glance and prepared to leave, but the faint voices drifting from inside the Academic Affairs Office made him stop.

"I never expected Grandmaster could take in a disciple too. Hahaha... this is hilarious."

"That child wasn't tricked by him, was he?"

"Who cares? That child has a Waste Martial Soul to begin with, so he's a perfect match for Grandmaster, whose theories are invincible. Hahaha... Just thinking about Grandmaster's so-called Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul makes me want to laugh. Who does he think he is? He's nothing but a clown."

Director Su rebuked them, "Enough. Grandmaster is the Principal's friend, not someone you can judge as you please."

The room immediately fell silent.

The corners of Tang San's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a trace of mockery and disdain. In his view, those people inside were the real clowns.

Could someone who had uncovered the secret of his Twin Martial Souls from a single certificate possibly be ordinary?

Tang San gave Ao Tian a bland glance and prepared to leave.

His expression clearly showed that he did not take Ao Tian seriously.

Ao Tian immediately found it amusing and said, "Tang San, Grandmaster's theories are not necessarily all correct. And I heard that Grandmaster once worked at Spirit Hall, but he was driven out because he tried to defile the Saintess, who is now the Pope."

Tang San stopped in his tracks and spun around sharply. Two streaks of purple light flashed through his eyes as an indistinct pressure bore down on Ao Tian.

"Apologize!" Tang San stepped forward, his aura surging as his words carried the force of a command.

"I'm telling the truth. Why should I apologize?" Ao Tian looked at Tang San with interest.

"To insult someone's teacher is the same as insulting their parents. If you don't apologize, I'll beat you until you do. I'll also discipline you, you ill-bred child, on behalf of your parents!"

Tang San's aura swelled, his eyes like two sharp swords, immensely intimidating.

If it had been an ordinary child, they would probably have been trembling in fear by now.

Ao Tian remained unmoved and smiled. "Then go ahead and try."