Taking a Disciple?

Yu Xiaogang's fingers seemed to have been struck by a binding spell, frozen above the paper. The tip of his pen trembled slightly, and ink spread across the page like a dark stain, a true reflection of the turbulent waves in his heart.

"Innate... Level Five?" His voice was as low as a mosquito's buzz, nearly inaudible, yet those three words exploded through his mind like thunder. As if drawn by a magnet, his gaze fell once more upon those simple lines of data, as though he could see into the soul of the child named Gu Hengzhi through them.

"A Stone Statue Martial Soul can actually possess this level of Innate Soul Power?" An indescribable fervor surged within him, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Fragments of ancient texts he had once read instantly surfaced in his mind, the records from that worn-out miscellany of martial souls flashing before his eyes like a film.

"Those with stone statue spirits who possess soul power are all ominous anomalies. There was once the 'Jade-faced Douluo,' who was born with merely Level One Innate Soul Power, yet ultimately became a Titled Douluo." The tale of the Jade-faced Douluo shone like a brilliant star, illuminating the darkness in his heart. He seemed to see that once-mocked martial soul rise upon the continent like a phoenix reborn, supported by unwavering will, creating the legend of Jade Spirit Protection and becoming an everlasting tale.

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, his eagle-like gaze fixed tightly on the words "can be carved." Those three words were like three golden keys, opening the door in his heart to an unknown world.

"An uncarved Stone Statue Martial Soul already possesses Level Five Soul Power? This talent may even surpass the Jade-faced Douluo's!" A blazing fire seemed to burn within him, nearly consuming him whole. He seemed to see his future, his theories proven true, his name recorded in history and becoming a legend in the world of martial souls.

A greedy smile appeared on his face, like that of a starving wolf spotting prey. He rose to his feet and straightened his collar, his eyes sharp as swords and brimming with boundless ambition.

"Gu Hengzhi, you are nothing more than my test subject, my spokesman. Your future will pave the way for mine," he thought, as if he had already seen the child walking step by step toward glory under his guidance while he stood behind the scenes, enjoying all the honor.

Having made up his mind, Yu Xiaogang lightly flicked his sleeve, adjusted his robes, and wore a reserved smile. In an unhurried tone, gentle as a spring breeze, he said, "Gu Hengzhi, I have examined your martial soul. It is a Stone Statue Martial Soul that has not yet been fully carved. Ordinarily, it would be considered a useless martial soul. Yet you possess Level Five Innate Soul Power, which is truly rare. There must be some secret hidden within it. If my judgment is correct, your martial soul has undergone a mutation. It is simply impossible to determine at present whether that mutation is beneficial or harmful."

He slowly sat down, resting his chin elegantly on one hand as though lost in deep thought, or perhaps like a composed elder carefully explaining the way forward to a junior.

"Special martial souls of this kind certainly possess enormous potential, but because they are often incomplete, they are difficult to control. In later stages, they can easily lead to cultivation deviation or obstructed progress. Though your natural foundation is good, without systematic guidance, even the slightest mistake may leave you unable to advance for the rest of your life."

He raised his head, his gaze blazing as he looked directly at Gu Hengzhi. His eyes were deep and earnest. "As for me—I have spent more than thirty years studying the principles of martial soul mutations. I created the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, and I possess unique insights into damaged, mutated, and special martial souls. If you are willing to take me as your master, I will personally instruct you, help you gain control over this Stone Statue Martial Soul that has yet to be properly carved, and guide you in steady, proper cultivation."

His words flowed like a gentle stream, detailed and thoughtful, his concern seemingly overflowing like that of a true master who cared for his disciple.

Yet Gu Hengzhi merely gazed at him silently. His eyes were calm as dead water, but the corners of his lips curled slightly into a mocking arc, as though ridiculing Yu Xiaogang. Never mind whether the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls you summarized were stolen from Spirit Hall. How many of those ten competencies are even reliable? Heh.

"So... you mean my martial soul has an innate defect, and that if I do not take you as my master, something will go wrong?" Gu Hengzhi's voice was ice-cold, as though it could freeze the air itself.

Yu Xiaogang paused slightly, a trace of shock flashing across his face before he forced himself to regain composure. "That is not what I mean. I... I merely..."

"Do you think my martial soul is worth studying?" Gu Hengzhi interrupted him calmly, his tone tinged with ridicule. "You say my talent is astonishing, but hidden dangers lurk within it, and cultivation may lead to deviation... But what you truly mean is that my rare Stone Statue martial soul is the most valuable thing for your research."

At last, a crack appeared in Yu Xiaogang's expression. His eyes flickered uncertainly, as though Gu Hengzhi had seen through his thoughts.

Gu Hengzhi continued, "If my cultivation fails, you can simply say the problem lies with the martial soul itself. If I succeed, you will use me as the spokesman for your theoretical achievements. You are not paving the way for me. You want to step on me to prove your so-called 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls.'" His voice remained steady, but every word was like a blade stabbing straight into Yu Xiaogang's heart.

"Am I right, Master?" Gu Hengzhi's blazing gaze remained fixed upon Yu Xiaogang, as though he intended to see through him completely.

Yu Xiaogang's expression finally darkened. His lips trembled slightly as if he wanted to say something, yet no words came out. After several breaths of silence, he gave a cold snort, anger flashing in his eyes. "As expected of a young fool—arrogant and blind to everyone else."

Rather than becoming angry, Gu Hengzhi laughed, his laughter filled with disdain. His gaze was cold and stern, like an icy wind that sent chills down one's spine. "As for that saying of yours—'There are no useless martial souls, only useless Soul Masters'... do you believe it?" Staring into Yu Xiaogang's eyes, he enunciated every word. "Your Innate Soul Power is only half a level, and after decades, you have not even broken through to Soul Elder. So tell me, are you a useless Soul Master, or do you have a useless martial soul?"

Yu Xiaogang sprang to his feet, his eyes wide with fury. His chest heaved violently, as though he might erupt at any moment. Yet Gu Hengzhi gave him no chance to respond. He turned and left, tossing out one sentence without looking back. "Stop pretending to be some kind of good teacher. I can see every last one of your petty calculations."

Yu Xiaogang's chest rose and fell violently like a storm-tossed sea. His face alternated between ashen and deathly pale, as though controlled by some invisible force. His fingers clenched tightly around the student records with such force that he nearly crushed the corners, wrinkling the paper beyond recognition as if it reflected the anger and resentment in his heart.

He was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, a man who regarded himself as the foremost authority on Soul Master theory across the continent. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? A mere new student had dared expose his past so mercilessly and strip him of all dignity. Even the lofty Bibi Dong had never mocked him with such cold sarcasm!

"You arrogant brat!" Yu Xiaogang finally could no longer restrain himself. He roared, his voice exploding through the air like thunder. It contained rage and humiliation that could no longer be suppressed, as if it would set the entire room ablaze.

"As a new student, you enter the academy and immediately act so arrogantly, speaking with such vicious sharpness. This is utter disrespect! A madman like you does not deserve the academy's preferential treatment!" He abruptly flung his sleeve and strode like the wind to the academic records at the corner wall. The pen in his hand danced like a sword, and with several swift strokes, he wrote a few bold characters onto the dormitory reassignment list: "Gu Hengzhi, assigned to Seven House."

The academic staff member beside him looked hesitant and cautiously ventured, "But, Master Yu, Seven House... has always been the oldest building with the worst conditions. It has been in disrepair for years, and even the bathwater is barely warm. Other teachers generally..."

"Are you the director of academic affairs, or am I?" Yu Xiaogang shot him a cold glance. That frosty gaze made the man shudder, and he immediately fell silent, nodding repeatedly. "Understood, understood."

Yu Xiaogang forcefully threw aside the door curtain. His long robe swept across the ground like dark clouds, leaving behind a heavy scent of ink and a room full of anger.