A Father Who Set His Son Up

Tang Wulin was deeply moved by his words.

He had never expected to matter so much to Xie Xie.

Good brothers for life.

So I already have a friendship like this too.

As a genius, Tang Wulin had many friends, and Xie Xie was only one of them. But now, he suddenly felt that Xie Xie was the most important friend he would ever have.

Xie Xie might seem arrogant on the surface, and his words could be irritatingly cheeky, but after spending time with him, one would discover that he was actually a good person.

"Xie Xie, thank you."

Xie Xie turned around in confusion. "Why did you say my name twice...?"

"..." Tang Wulin's expression immediately turned speechless, while Xie Xie promptly realized what had happened and looked rather awkward.

It was not his fault. His name was simply too easy to misunderstand.

"Xie Xie, you need to work harder." Zhang Yangzi stepped forward, patted Xie Xie on the shoulder, and said, "Jinxi broke through to Soul Grandmaster yesterday. You're the only one left in our group who isn't a Soul Grandmaster."

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi had both been at the peak of Rank 19 before enrolling, so they had broken through quickly after entering East Sea Academy. Zhang Yangzi had become a Soul Grandmaster two days ago, while Wang Jinxi had done so yesterday.

Now, they were waiting for Xie Xie to break through soon so that they could join Tang Wulin in a four-person two-versus-two match and reclaim their pride after losing their practical combat training.

"What's the rush? Geniuses are always the last to break through," Xie Xie said stubbornly.

After enrolling, he had worked hard to change his former carefree cultivation attitude. He had cultivated diligently for the past week, but how could an entire rank of soul power be raised so easily?

As for why he had to change? He had no choice.

Through his own channels, Xie Xie had learned that, in order to correct his bad habit of fooling around, his father had arranged things with East Sea Academy in advance and intended to place him in Class Five of the first grade to temper his character.

Yet the moment he entered the dormitory, he got a nosebleed and was carried to the school infirmary by Tang Wulin. He never even got a chance to cause trouble, and narrowly avoided being assigned to Class One of the first grade.

He had escaped this time, but Xie Xie knew his father's temper. If he did not change his bad habits, there would definitely be a next time, and another after that, until his father succeeded.

So, if he wanted to study in the same class as his good brothers, he could only work hard to correct his habit of not cultivating seriously.

In truth, that was not the entire reason.

He was surrounded by geniuses his own age, whose soul power ranks were not much different from his. Naturally, Xie Xie did not want to be surpassed by the others, so he began cultivating diligently with great motivation.

"You can't rush a breakthrough. It's best to let nature take its course." Wang Jinxi, who usually seemed rather quiet and reserved, suddenly spoke up. "But Xie Xie, it would be best if you broke through to Soul Grandmaster before the promotion matches end."

There was something behind those words... Xie Xie frowned.

Seeing this, Wang Jinxi explained, "Yangzi, Xiaofeng, and I aren't from East Sea City. We came from other places to study at East Sea Academy. Before enrolling, we had many options, but in the end, we chose East Sea Academy."

"Jinxi is right," Zhang Yangzi, who stood beside Wang Jinxi, said. "The elders of our families told us that East Sea Academy intended to establish a genius class and would devote substantial resources to nurturing its members. With our talents, entering the genius class after enrolling at East Sea Academy was practically guaranteed, so our families arranged for us to study here."

"That's right." Wei Xiaofeng took over. "I originally thought I would be the greatest genius in East Sea Academy's genius class. Who would have thought there would always be someone better? I suddenly met three top-tier geniuses whose soul power ranks were far higher than mine."

"Xie Xie, with your talent, getting into the genius class shouldn't be a problem. But all of us are Soul Grandmasters, while you alone are still a Soul Master. That is the uncertainty in your entry into the genius class."

Upon hearing that, Xie Xie's face fell.

He was certain that if he could not break through to Soul Grandmaster before the promotion matches ended, he really would not be able to enter the genius class.

His father had truly dug him an enormous pit.

"Don't panic. Class One's promotion match will be held last. I still have plenty of time to cultivate. Everything can still be done in time."

"Nana, how has your assessment of Xie Xie been going?"

Gu Yuena wanted to take in a follower, and Xie Xie was someone Meng Xinghe had recommended, so he naturally cared about the progress of the matter.

"Passable, I suppose. Of course, perhaps my standards are simply too high." Gu Yuena answered without hesitation. "Xiao Yan is so outstanding that I can't help comparing Xie Xie to her. As the saying goes, there's no harm without comparison. Once you compare them, the harm comes."

"You can't compare them like that." Meng Xinghe smiled. "Xiao Yan became my follower when she was six, and I've nurtured her for three years. How could you possibly be satisfied if you compare Xie Xie to Xiao Yan?"

"Actually, if you didn't want a follower you could personally groom, I have another candidate to recommend. He's just rather far away, in the Star Luo Empire across the ocean."

"Who is it?" Gu Yuena asked casually.

The only reason she wanted a follower was because Xinghe had one, so she wanted one too.

Still, no one had ever said that a person could have only one follower. If there were other suitable candidates, she would gladly accept them as well.

Seeing Gu Yuena's curious expression, Meng Xinghe smiled and said, "His name is Long Yue. Mountain Dragon King blood flows through his veins, and his martial soul is a pure Mountain Dragon King. He's just a little older—fifteen this year."

"Mountain Dragon King!" Gu Yuena was shocked.

How could a human possibly possess the Mountain Dragon King's bloodline? And even awaken a pure Mountain Dragon King martial soul?

Unless... the Star Luo Empire possessed an inheritance left behind by the Mountain Dragon King, and humans had been fortunate enough to obtain it.

The Dragon God had personally created the Nine Dragon Kings, each one different. The Mountain Dragon King was the foremost of the Nine Dragon Kings. The Mountain Dragon King and the Mountain Dragon Clan transformed into the mountains and continents, aiding the dragon race in multiplying and thriving.

If the Star Luo Empire possessed an inheritance of the Mountain Dragon King's bloodline, could the continent where the Star Luo Empire was located have been transformed from the Mountain Dragon King?

Gu Yuena took a deep breath and said firmly, "I want this Long Yue."

She did not care what kind of character Long Yue had or what his temperament was like. Neither would affect her decision to take him in as her follower.

Poor character could be corrected, and poor temperament could be tempered. But a human who had inherited the Mountain Dragon King's bloodline had to be kept under her control.

"What about Xie Xie? Do you still plan to invite him to become your follower?" Meng Xinghe asked with a smile.

Gu Yuena thought for a moment. "I'll observe him a little longer. If there aren't any major issues, I'll invite him to become my follower and do my best to cultivate him into someone as outstanding as Xiao Yan."