Taking Disciples? You Think You Can, You Trash? (Part 2)

Over on Tang San's side, Yu Xiaogang seemed to say something before clasping his hands behind his back, putting on an unfathomable air. He looked so confident, as though he really were some damn impressive Martial Soul theory master.

As for Tang San, upon hearing those words, he seemed to react instinctively. He immediately turned slightly sideways, concealing his right hand within his sleeve. His gaze sharpened, as though he were about to strike and kill this man who had uncovered his secret.

However, they were currently in the snowy wilderness. He worried that killing Yu Xiaogang might draw the academy's experts over, which would make things dangerous. Thus, Tang San hesitated briefly, earning Yu Xiaogang a sliver of survival.

"Already courting death? Interesting." Seeing Tang San's movements, Lin Qing's lips curled into an amused smile.

"What is going on over there? Why did that Tang San suddenly burst out with killing intent?!" Xiao Wu was naturally shocked. She was, after all, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and she had certainly encountered killing intent before. But Tang San was clearly only a human child, so how could he release such intense murderous intent? Xiao Wu could not make sense of it.

"What else could it be? Some of his secrets were discovered. Since someone knows his secrets, he has to silence them. If he weren't worried that killing that Master might bring the academy's other teachers here, that Master would probably already be dead," Lin Qing said.

"What kind of person is that? He wants to kill someone just because they said one sentence? How disgusting!"

Xiao Wu's words caught Lin Qing somewhat off guard. He had not expected to get such an unexpected bonus from staying here—Xiao Wu's favorability toward Tang San had dropped directly.

"Alright, Xiao Wu. Now that we know what kind of person he is, just don't get too close to him. But you must stay vigilant at all times. So, if Tang San and the others ask about what we just saw, say that you saw nothing, understand?"

"Got it."

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue as she spoke.

Just as they were talking, Yu Xiaogang began saying something again in a confident, matter-of-fact manner, his face brimming with a self-assured smile.

Tang San's pupils trembled. His expression shifted from viciousness to shock, then to wild delight, and finally to respect. The series of changes in his expression left Lin Qing clicking his tongue in wonder.

With a thud, Tang San dropped to his knees and knocked his head against the ground three times in succession. Yu Xiaogang, looking flattered and overwhelmed, quickly helped Tang San up. They exchanged a few more words, and both immediately became excited. There was also a trace of gratification in Yu Xiaogang's gaze as he looked at Tang San.

Once they were done, the two of them walked toward Lin Qing and Xiao Wu.

"Lin Qing, Xiao Wu, would you be willing to take me as your master?" The moment he approached, Yu Xiaogang asked them in a tone that sounded as though he were granting them charity.

"Take you as our master?" Though Lin Qing had expected this, there was not even any buildup? In the original story, Tang San had at least been talked into it through a whole string of sweet words. Why was it just a direct demand to become his disciple when it came to him?

"That is right. You and Xiao Wu are both geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power. Nuoding Academy cannot teach you anything at all. Only by taking me as your master can you receive the best training under my guidance, become powerful, and even become Titled Douluo!" Yu Xiaogang declared passionately.

Lin Qing was speechless. Leaving aside the fact that Xiao Wu was a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and had no need for cultivation guidance at all, she merely needed to progress step by step to become, at the very least, a level 95-plus Super Douluo in the future.

As for Lin Qing himself, he had no need for anyone to plan his path either. After obtaining the first Spirit Ring for his Nichirin Blade, he had already roughly mapped out his future Spirit Rings. After all, each time his Martial Soul acquired a Spirit Ring, it would unlock corresponding Breathing-Style Sword Techniques according to certain attributes of that Spirit Ring.

Even an ordinary native with Innate Full Soul Power could at least become a Titled Douluo, provided their Martial Soul was not some bizarre type like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda that could only cultivate to seven rings, and provided they did not die young. Even if they did not have the optimal Spirit Ring configuration, even if they chose one or two Spirit Rings poorly suited to their Martial Soul, they could still reach that level. That was the true value of Innate Full Soul Power.

"So, were you and this classmate Tang San just discussing taking you as his master?" Lin Qing asked despite knowing the answer.

"Of course!" Yu Xiaogang said proudly. "Third Brother is just like you two—he also has Innate Full Soul Power. Under my guidance, he will surely become a top-tier powerhouse! As long as you take me as your master, I can guarantee that you will become top experts of the continent as well!"

"So hurry up and become my disciples."

"Sorry, I refuse."

"Good. You have made a wise choi... What?! What did you say?!" Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened as though he had heard something utterly unbelievable.

"I said I refuse." Lin Qing remained perfectly calm, with a faint trace of disdain in his expression.

"Um, I refuse too." At that moment, Xiao Wu raised her right hand and said the same.

"Hmph! Do you even know what tremendous opportunity you are passing up?!" Yu Xiaogang's astonishment swiftly turned into fury. These two children were actually so incapable of appreciating kindness.

"Opportunity? Heh, I don't think taking you as my master is any kind of opportunity," Lin Qing mocked.

"You are not allowed to insult my teacher!" Before Yu Xiaogang could speak, Tang San stepped forward to defend him.

"Insult? Come on, kid, which ear heard me insult him? Which sentence I said, which word, was an insult?" Lin Qing asked.

"It is your honor to take my teacher as your master, yet you said becoming his disciple is not an opportunity. Is that not an insult?!" Tang San pointed at Lin Qing, his expression ugly.

"How is that an insult? I merely stated a fact. That does not count as an insult."

Lin Qing's tone was calm, yet that very calmness infuriated both Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, as though what he had said were an established fact. In truth, it was.

"Hmph! You will never know what you have missed. My teacher is known as unrivaled in theory. His theoretical knowledge is the most precious treasure on the entire Douluo Continent, as well as the greatest opportunity!" Tang San had complete faith in Yu Xiaogang's words, and there was even a faint trace of worship in his tone.

"Third Brother is right. I am a Martial Soul theory master recognized by the entire Soul Master world. I even published the earth-shaking work Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, guiding all Soul Masters in the Soul Master world toward the proper path of development. To this day, my famous saying still circulates throughout the Soul Master world: There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters."

Whenever Yu Xiaogang boasted about his theories, he radiated incomparable confidence, as though he were the sole authority on theory in this world.

"Heh, no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters."

"That is right. In my view, as long as one is willing to work hard, no matter what Martial Soul one possesses, one can ultimately become powerful." Yu Xiaogang remained confident.

"Is that so? Then, Master, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course. So long as it is something I know, I will tell you everything without reservation."

"Then, Master, what level are you now? Your theories are so impressive—you should already be a Titled Douluo, right?" Lin Qing asked.