Studying? My Ass

The hall fell silent.

"Twin Martial Souls..." Xue Qinghe's voice rang out, her usual composure gone from her face.

Pufferfish's smile froze completely, his narrow eyes widening into circles.

As for Snake Lance Douluo She Long, he stood rooted to the spot. His lips moved twice, yet he could not utter a single word.

He suddenly stepped forward, his voice cracking. "Twin Martial Souls? Xiao Fei, you... you actually have Twin Martial Souls!"

Zhang Fei had no time to respond.

The Eight-Foot Serpent Spear in his palm grew heavier and heavier. The weight made his entire right arm tremble slightly, and a thin sheen of sweat formed on his forehead.

"Xiao Fei, use your thoughts to retract your Martial Soul!" She Long immediately said when he saw Zhang Fei struggling.

Zhang Fei hurriedly focused his mind. With a thought, the Eight-Foot Serpent Spear slowly shrank and disappeared into his palm, while the Golden Python phantom behind him turned into a streak of golden light and entered his back.

The oppressive sensation vanished abruptly. Zhang Fei staggered a step and gasped for air.

Before he could recover, a crystal ball was held out before him.

She Long crouched in front of him and said impatiently, "Quick, Xiao Fei. Test your Innate Soul Power."

Zhang Fei reached out and pressed his hand against the crystal ball.

The instant the icy touch reached him, a suction force emerged from the ball's core, as though something inside his body were being slowly drawn out.

Then, a faint glow appeared within the crystal ball. The light swiftly expanded and grew brighter, until the entire crystal ball was filled with dazzling blue radiance.

"Innate Full Soul Power."

She Long pulled Zhang Fei into a tight embrace, tears streaming down his aged face.

Zhang Fei was squeezed so tightly that he could barely breathe. He looked toward Xue Qinghe at the side.

Xue Qinghe regained her composure and slowly said, "All right, Uncle She."

After pondering for a moment, she continued, "Xiao Fei's Martial Soul likely underwent a beneficial mutation. Your Azure-Purple Serpent Spear mutated into that black serpent spear, and it possesses lightning power. Because your weapon Martial Soul's true form could take on a beast Martial Soul form, the mutation also triggered that beast Martial Soul form, turning it into a Golden Python. Two souls in one body, along with Innate Full Soul Power."

She Long finally released Zhang Fei, though the delight on his face had yet to fade. "Xiao Fei, what are your two Martial Souls called?"

Zhang Fei said, "Since my Martial Soul is the same kind of serpent spear as Grandpa's, it'll be called the Eight-Foot Serpent Spear. The other one is the Golden Python."

He was puzzled too. Why did I have Twin Martial Souls? Could that lightning bolt have split the original owner in half?

Xue Qinghe nodded and stepped forward, speaking softly. "Xiao Fei's talent is exceedingly rare even across the entire continent. One day, he will surely become one of Spirit Hall's great powerhouses."

She glanced at She Long before her gaze settled on Zhang Fei's face. "Such talent cannot be handled carelessly. We must make proper plans for Xiao Fei's growth."

She Long and Pufferfish exchanged a glance, neither rushing to speak.

After a long while, She Long carefully said, "Young Master, after much thought, since this child has awakened Twin Martial Souls, leaving him to grow up freely in the residence is not a long-term solution. In my opinion, we should send him back to Spirit City, to Spirit Hall Junior Academy for systematic study."

He paused, then added, "The academy has a complete Soul Power cultivation system and simulated cultivation environments. They would also benefit Xiao Fei's foundation."

This had originally been She Long's plan. Once Zhang Fei awakened his Martial Soul at six and could basically take care of himself, he could be sent back to Spirit City for school.

But Xue Qinghe did not immediately respond.

She lowered her eyes, turned around, and returned to sit behind her desk. Her hands rested on its surface, her fingertips lightly tapping against it.

Xue Qinghe was weighing her options. If Zhang Fei had awakened only a single Martial Soul, even with decent talent, she would have sent him back to Spirit City according to the original plan.

But Zhang Fei's talent was simply too high. Not only had he awakened Twin Martial Souls, but he also possessed Innate Full Soul Power.

But now, things were different. Zhang Fei had not only awakened Twin Martial Souls, but also Innate Full Soul Power. In an instant, he had gained the continent's most outstanding talent.

If she sent him back to Spirit City just like that, would she not be handing him over to the Papal Hall for nothing?

Though both belonged to Spirit Hall, the conflict and competition between the Papal Hall and the Worship Hall had grown increasingly intense in recent years. Her relationship with Bibi Dong had also never improved.

If such talent fell into Bibi Dong's hands, she would surely do everything possible to win him over.

Besides, over these past three years, she had grown close to this child. It had somehow become a habit, and she truly would be reluctant to send him away.

While Xue Qinghe silently weighed her options, tapping her fingers against the desk, a fierce, wordless protest was unfolding within Zhang Fei's heart.

While Xue Qinghe deliberated, Zhang Fei was screaming inwardly.

Studying? Study my ass!

I got transported here right after finishing the college entrance exam. I'd only just survived ten years of grueling school, and now you're telling me I have to go to school again?

Spirit Hall Academy was strict as hell too, like one of those elite high schools from my previous life—six in the morning to nine at night every day.

How great was staying at the Crown Prince's Residence!

People waited on me every day. I never had to worry about food or clothes, and I could build a relationship with the little angel up close.

You wanted me to give up this heavenly life for school? No way in hell!

But before Zhang Fei could speak, Xue Qinghe spoke first.

"No need to send him back. He will remain at the Crown Prince's Residence."

Xue Qinghe continued, "At the Crown Prince's Residence, you and Pufferfish can personally teach and protect him. With guidance from two Titled Douluo, his education will be better than at Spirit Hall Academy, and obtaining Soul Rings will be safer as well."

She paused, tilted her head toward Zhang Fei, and curled her lips into a smile. "Besides, Xiao Fei is not an ordinary child. He is very sensible and knows what he should do."

Zhang Fei smiled back and gave her a thumbs-up in his heart. Sis, you're absolutely right. What was this called? Mutual devotion.

But then another thought struck him. Is this little angel playing some kind of raising game? I'm not going to become a child groom, am I?

As he thought this, She Long beside him was already beaming with joy.

The young master had taken the initiative to keep the child. Why would he possibly object?

He slapped his chest heartily. "All right, everything will be arranged as the Young Master wishes! Then I won't send him back!"

"But, Young Master, Xiao Fei has Twin Martial Souls. Which should he cultivate first?"

She Long glanced at Zhang Fei and muttered as he analyzed the matter, "According to His Holiness the Pope's experience, those with Twin Martial Souls should cultivate one of them first. If we returned to Spirit City, I would have him cultivate the serpent spear first. After all, that is my direct lineage Martial Soul."

He rubbed his chin, looking troubled. "But we are currently in Heaven Dou City, and our identities cannot be exposed. If Xiao Fei practiced that serpent spear in the residence every day and someone observant discovered it, they would connect it to me, She Long."

Xue Qinghe took over, saying, "Then let him cultivate the Golden Python first. A beast Martial Soul's early cultivation and Soul Ring absorption more comprehensively temper the body. At the same time, he can also practice the serpent spear's techniques."

Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly as he listened. This suited him perfectly.

That Eight-Foot Serpent Spear was over two meters long, a full head taller than he was. Just imagining himself painfully swinging that heavy spear every day to practice the basics made his arms ache.

If he waited until his physical constitution had been strengthened by the beast Martial Soul before practicing spear techniques, he would get twice the result with half the effort, and be less likely to leave behind hidden injuries.

What was more, his serpent spear's attack power was absolutely no weaker than the Clear Sky Hammer, the number one weapon Martial Soul in the world. Once he equipped the serpent spear with all ten-thousand-year Soul Rings, or even hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings in the future, the visual impact would be off the charts.

After hearing Xue Qinghe's analysis, She Long nodded in agreement as well. "All right, then we'll follow the Young Master's decision."

He patted the back of Zhang Fei's head. "Xiao Fei, starting today, I will personally teach you."