"What happened here? How did you end up like this?"
The newcomer frowned slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny as he looked over the group.
"Master, you have to uphold justice for me! This little bastard is vicious beyond measure. He chopped off my leg over a mere disagreement! And that old man even dared to forge Spirit Hall's testing certificates!"
"You must teach them a harsh lesson!"
Enduring the intense pain, the gatekeeper hurriedly climbed up from the ground and pointed at Jiang Lin and the others, accusing them first.
"Master? So this was Yu Xiaogang?"
"But his strength really wasn't much."
After silently sensing Yu Xiaogang's aura, a trace of disdain appeared in Jiang Lin's eyes.
He was merely a level 29 Soul Grandmaster. Coupled with that useless Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, even the Shadow Ninjas lurking around him could easily deal with him.
As for his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul theory, Jiang Lin thought even less of it. The only reason it became popular in later generations was that Yu Xiaogang had been lucky enough to pick up Tang San, a cheating disciple with Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power.
"Sir, please investigate carefully. Things are not as he says. This old man is the village chief of Holy Soul Village, and these two Martial Soul certificates were personally issued by Lord Su Yuntao of Spirit Hall."
"As for his leg, it was because he attacked others first..."
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's unfriendly expression, Old Jack hurriedly stepped forward to explain.
"Hmph, old man, and you still dare to twist black into white at a time like this? Just watch me—"
The gatekeeper's expression changed. Knowing he absolutely could not let Old Jack continue, he grabbed the iron rod in his hand and swung it at Old Jack.
"Enough!"
"Stop right there. Give me those two certificates."
Although Yu Xiaogang was dissatisfied with Jiang Lin's ruthless actions, he still possessed basic judgment and did not take the gatekeeper's one-sided account at face value.
"Sir, this man stepped on the certificates several times, but all the information on them is still there—"
Before the gatekeeper could react, Tang San, who had remained silent the whole time, swiftly picked up the certificates from the ground, dusted them off, and handed them to Yu Xiaogang.
"Mm, this child is quite good."
Noticing Tang San's actions, Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly to himself.
"Jiang Lin, Soul Power 9, High-grade Martial Soul King's Power Sword?"
"Judging from the smooth wound on that gatekeeper's leg, it does seem to have been caused by a high-grade sword-type Martial Soul. This boy truly is a genius."
"But he acts far too ruthlessly. Although the gatekeeper was at fault first, a slight punishment would have sufficed. Why turn him into a cripple outright?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head inwardly before looking at the other certificate.
"Tang San, Innate Full Soul Power, Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass? How is that possible?!"
"No, a simple Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul could never appear in a child with Innate Full Soul Power!"
Yu Xiaogang's brows drew deeply together. He began recalling the materials he had researched before, and only after several minutes did his brow gradually relax.
"It seemed the only possibility was Twin Martial Souls—"
"If that was the case, perhaps my theory could truly be realized!"
Yu Xiaogang looked at the young Tang San, the light in his eyes growing brighter as his heart filled with excitement.
"Master?"
Seeing that Yu Xiaogang had not spoken for so long, the gatekeeper's expression gradually darkened, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.
"Hmph!"
"I have examined these two certificates. They indeed came from Spirit Hall. You are merely a gatekeeper—who gave you the nerve to make things difficult for them?"
"Apologize to them immediately. Otherwise, do not blame me for teaching you a proper lesson on the headmaster's behalf!"
"What? Master, you want me to apologize to them?"
The gatekeeper's eyes were full of disbelief.
"I'll count to three. If you still don't move, don't blame me for being rude."
Yu Xiaogang's face turned cold as his Soul Grandmaster cultivation erupted. A terrifying pressure immediately crushed the gatekeeper flat onto the ground.
"Damn it, I forgot Yu Xiaogang is a Soul Grandmaster. This is ridiculous. Not only does he loaf around in the academy, he even dares to attack me!"
The gatekeeper's heart was filled with resentment, but preserving his life came first. Later on, hmph!
A vicious glint hid in the gatekeeper's eyes, but his face assumed a respectful, pleading expression.
"I'm sorry. I was blind. I hope you, honorable sirs, will not lower yourselves to my level and will spare me this time."
Jiang Lin's expression remained calm. Though his face betrayed nothing, the thought of eliminating the root of the problem flashed through his mind.
"This Master is definitely an expert. His mere presence can make people unable to raise their heads. If I can build a good relationship with him—"
Tang San's eyes shifted slightly, and a trace of goodwill and curiosity toward Yu Xiaogang immediately arose in his heart.
"Hmph!"
"Go to the infirmary and have that treated. If I see you again next time, you need not stay here any longer."
"Come. I'll take you into the academy."
"Thank you, sir." Old Jack's face was full of gratitude.
After everyone had disappeared from sight, the gatekeeper, still clutching his severed leg, immediately took out a small crystal ball. After activating it, he released a faint white glow.
The next moment, a young man's voice came from within the crystal ball. It was actually an extremely precious communication-type Soul Tool!
"Suke, why are you looking for me instead of properly guarding the gate?"
"Brother-in-law, someone broke my leg! You have to stand up for me!"
"What? What happened exactly? Which factions did you provoke outside the academy?"
"No one. It was a boy who enrolled today. His name is Jiang Lin."
"Oh? Tell me the details—"
"This is what happened..."
"Fine, I understand."
After a long while, the white glow surrounding the crystal ball dissipated, and the young man's voice vanished as well.
"Heh, Jiang Lin, is it? So what if you're a genius!"
A savage smile appeared on Suke's face. He then endured the intense pain and hopped toward the infirmary on one leg.
In the blink of an eye, it was four or five in the afternoon.
Jiang Lin and Tang San had completed their enrollment procedures. After seeing Old Jack out of the academy, Jiang Lin and Tang San headed toward the cafeteria one after the other.
"Jiang Lin, Master wanted to take you as his disciple. Why didn't you agree?"
Halfway there, Tang San, who had been silent for a long time, spoke to Jiang Lin for the first time.
"Heh—"
Hearing the question, Jiang Lin could not help but chuckle.
After Yu Xiaogang had finished handling the enrollment procedures for him and Tang San, he had unsurprisingly expressed his desire to take Tang San as a disciple.
Naturally, Tang San had been more than willing.
After successfully accepting Tang San as his disciple, Yu Xiaogang's mood immediately improved. Even Jiang Lin became more pleasing to his eye, and he took the opportunity to suggest taking Jiang Lin as a disciple as well.
Jiang Lin only felt that Yu Xiaogang must have had too much to drink. He possessed the two God-Tier Martial Souls, Pure Yang Flame and King's Power Sword. Moreover, his Innate Soul Power might have reached 20 points. He was a true peerless prodigy!
(When testing his Soul Power, Jiang Lin had deliberately concealed it, revealing only 9 Soul Power and the King's Power Sword.)
This useless Yu Xiaogang wanted to become Jiang Lin's teacher? How was he worthy?
Still, to protect Yu Xiaogang's pride, Jiang Lin tactfully said that he wished to cultivate alone and had no intention of taking another teacher for the time being.
Though Yu Xiaogang found it somewhat regrettable, he did not force the matter. After all, receiving Tang San as his disciple had already left him completely satisfied.
Now that Tang San had brought it up again and Yu Xiaogang was not around, Jiang Lin had no reason to hide it any longer. He turned around, stared at Tang San, and said each word clearly.
"Because I think he's too weak. He isn't qualified to be my teacher."
Tang San's brows instantly furrowed, and a trace of anger appeared on his face.
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