First Meeting with Yu Xiaogang, Enrollment

"What happened here? What did you do to yourself?"

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 utterly vicious. He chopped off my leg just because of a disagreement! And that old man even dared to forge Martial Soul 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 quietly sensing Yu Xiaogang's aura, Jiang Lin's eyes revealed a trace of disdain.

He was merely a level twenty-nine Great Soul Master. Combined with that useless Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, even the Shadow Ninjas lurking around him could easily deal with him.

As for his so-called Theory of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, Jiang Lin thought even less of it. The only reason that theory became popular in later generations was because Yu Xiaogang had been lucky enough to pick up Tang San, a cheat of a disciple with Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power.

"My lord, please investigate this carefully. Things truly were not as he claimed. 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 Martial Soul Hall."

"As for his leg, it was because he attacked us first..."

Seeing Yu Xiaogang's unfriendly expression, Old Jack hurried forward to explain.

"Hmph, old man, and you still dared to distort the truth at a time like this. Watch me—"

The gatekeeper's expression changed. Knowing that he absolutely could not let Old Jack continue, he gripped the iron rod in his hand and swung it toward Old Jack.

"Enough!"

"Stop at once. Bring those two certificates to me."

Although Yu Xiaogang was dissatisfied with Jiang Lin's ruthless actions, he still possessed basic judgment and did not simply believe the gatekeeper's one-sided account.

"My lord, he stepped on these certificates a few times, but the information on them is still there—"

Before the gatekeeper could react, Tang San, who had remained silent all this time, swiftly picked up the certificates from the ground, brushed off the dust, and handed them to Yu Xiaogang.

"Mm, this child is not bad."

Noticing Tang San's actions, Yu Xiaogang nodded to himself slightly.

"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 really is a genius."

"But he is far too ruthless in his actions. Although the gatekeeper was at fault first, a slight punishment would have been enough. Why cripple him 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 mere Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul could never appear in a child with Innate Full Soul Power!"

Yu Xiaogang furrowed his brow deeply, then began recalling the materials he had previously researched. Only after several minutes did his brow gradually relax.

"It seems the only possibility is Twin Martial Souls..."

"If that is the case, then perhaps my theory truly can be realized!"

Looking at the young Tang San, Yu Xiaogang's eyes grew brighter and brighter, his heart filled with excitement.

"Master?"

When Yu Xiaogang remained silent for so long, the gatekeeper's expression gradually darkened, and a bad feeling rose in his heart.

"Hmph!"

"I have examined these two certificates. They were indeed issued by Martial Soul 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 actually want me to apologize to them?"

The gatekeeper's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"I will count to three. If you still do not move, then do not blame me for being rude."

Yu Xiaogang's face turned cold as his Great Soul Master cultivation burst forth. A terrifying pressure instantly crushed the gatekeeper to the ground.

Damn it, I forgot Yu Xiaogang is a Great Soul Master. This is infuriating. Not only does he freeload at the academy, he even dared to attack me!

The gatekeeper was full of resentment, but preserving his life was more important for now. Later on, hmph!

A vicious glint hid in the gatekeeper's eyes, yet he put on a respectful expression and begged for mercy.

"I'm sorry. I was blind. I hope you adults will overlook the faults of a petty man and spare me this time."

Jiang Lin's expression remained calm. Though his face showed nothing, the thought of eliminating the root had flashed through his mind.

This Master is definitely powerful. 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 as he immediately developed a trace of goodwill and curiosity toward Yu Xiaogang.

"Hmph!"

"Go to the infirmary and get yourself bandaged. If I see this again next time, you will not need to remain here."

"Come. I will take you into the academy."

"Thank you, my lord." Old Jack's face was filled with gratitude.

Once the group had completely disappeared from sight, the gatekeeper, still clutching his severed leg, immediately took out a small crystal sphere. After activating it, a faint white glow emerged from it.

The next moment, a young man's voice came from within the crystal sphere. It was actually an extremely precious communication-type soul tool!

"Suke, why are you contacting me instead of properly guarding the gate?"

"Brother-in-law, someone broke my leg! You have to stand up for me!"

"What? What exactly happened? Which factions did you provoke outside the academy?"

"No, it was a kid who enrolled today. His name is Jiang Lin."

"Oh? Tell me the details—"

"This is what happened..."

"Alright, I understand."

After a long while, the white glow surrounding the crystal sphere faded, and the young man's voice vanished as well.

"Heh, Jiang Lin, is it? So what if you are a genius!"

A sinister smile appeared on Suke's face. Then, enduring the intense pain, he hopped toward the infirmary on one leg.

In the blink of an eye, it was already around 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, why didn't you agree when Master wanted to accept you as his disciple?"

Halfway there, Tang San, who had been silent for a long time, spoke to Jiang Lin for the first time.

"Heh—"

Hearing that question, Jiang Lin could not help but chuckle.

After Yu Xiaogang had helped Tang San and him complete their enrollment procedures, he had, as expected, proposed taking Tang San as his disciple.

Tang San had naturally wanted nothing more.

After successfully accepting Tang San, Yu Xiaogang's mood immediately improved. He even began viewing Jiang Lin more favorably, and then naturally proposed taking Jiang Lin as a disciple as well.

Jiang Lin only felt that Yu Xiaogang must have drunk too much. He possessed two God-Tier Martial Souls, Pure Yang Flame and the King's Power Sword. Not only that, his Innate Soul Power might have reached twenty points. He was a true peerless prodigy!

(When testing his Soul Power, Jiang Lin had deliberately concealed it, revealing only Soul Power 9 and the King's Power Sword.)

And this useless Yu Xiaogang wanted to be Jiang Lin's teacher? How was he worthy?

Still, in order to spare Yu Xiaogang's pride, Jiang Lin tactfully said that he wished to cultivate alone and had no intention of taking another person as his teacher for the time being.

Although Yu Xiaogang found it somewhat regrettable, he did not force the matter. After all, obtaining 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 no longer had any desire to hide it. He turned around, stared straight at Tang San, and spoke each word clearly.

"Because I think he is too weak. He is not qualified to be my teacher."

Tang San's brows instantly knitted together, and a trace of anger appeared on his face.