Jin Shan's Shock, Huo Lei Becomes a Disciple

Jin Shan directly rejected the father and son's proposals.

"Is there something inappropriate about them, Senior?"

Jin Shan's rejection made Huo Feng feel as though he had fallen into an ice cellar. His previously fiery mood instantly turned cold.

Huo Lei, standing to the side, was comparatively calm. His goal had already been achieved; even if the first two ideas were rejected, it would not affect his plan.

"I said I would not affiliate myself with any faction, so forget about an honorary position. As for taking a disciple, I have never planned to do so, nor do I have the patience to train one."

"You should think of two more ideas!"

Huo Feng was so embarrassed that he did not know what to do. His face flushed red, and unable to think of any good ideas, he could only look to his son with pleading eyes.

Huo Lei sensed the helplessness in his father's gaze and spoke up. "Senior, may this junior presumptuously ask: do you refuse to accept any genius, or are your standards simply too high?"

"Boy, that is an interesting question."

"Everyone has a different definition of genius."

"In the eyes of ordinary people, Soul Masters are geniuses. In the eyes of Soul Masters, only those with Innate Full Soul Power are true geniuses. But in my eyes, only Soul Masters who reach Rank 99 can be called geniuses."

"I was born with Innate Full Soul Power and was considered a genius by everyone. So what? In the blink of an eye, ninety years passed, yet I remained stuck at Rank 94 for more than a decade, unable to break through."

"A genius can only be called a genius if he grows into one. Many years ago, I once took in a disciple. I carefully trained him for more than ten years from the age of six, yet when he absorbed his fourth Soul Ring, he was burst apart and died from a five-thousand-year Soul Ring. He was simply trash."

"Later, I finally understood that not every genius can become strong. From then on, I stopped taking disciples. Unless I encountered an unparalleled genius with Twin Martial Souls like Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong, I would never take another disciple."

Jin Shan's tone was filled with desolation and helplessness.

When Huo Feng and Huo Lei heard Jin Shan's final words, their eyes instantly lit up, and their hearts churned like boiling water.

"Twin Martial Souls? Isn't my son exactly the right fit?"

Huo Feng turned excitedly to look at Huo Lei.

Huo Lei felt his father's eager gaze and understood that he wanted him to strike while the iron was hot and reveal that he possessed Twin Martial Souls. Yet Huo Lei forcibly suppressed the agitation in his heart, doing his best to control his expression and remain calm.

"Senior, as you said, if one day you encountered a Soul Master with Twin Martial Souls, what would you do?"

Huo Lei asked tentatively.

"If I were fortunate enough to encounter one, and he was willing to take me as his master, then I would certainly spare no effort in training him and let him reach the pinnacle of Soul Masters."

Jin Shan declared boldly and spiritedly.

"Senior, do your words count?"

Huo Lei sought confirmation from Jin Shan.

Huo Feng, standing to one side, watched his son and was nearly frantic with anxiety. This brat really knows how to keep his composure!

"Nonsense! I am a dignified Titled Douluo. How could my words not count?"

Jin Shan glared furiously at Huo Lei.

"Then please keep your eyes wide open, Senior."

As Huo Lei spoke, he activated his Martial Soul. A ball of blazing red flame instantly appeared in his right palm, while four Soul Rings—two yellow and two purple—slowly rose from beneath his feet. At the same time, Huo Lei spread out his left hand, and a blue sphere of lightning appeared in his palm, crackling continuously.

"This is... Twin Martial Souls?"

The moment Jin Shan saw the blue lightning sphere, he abruptly shot up from his seat.

Jin Shan walked up to Huo Lei and carefully examined the crackling blue lightning sphere in his left palm, trembling slightly with excitement.

"Hahaha!"

"Twin Martial Souls! They really are Twin Martial Souls! I never expected that in my lifetime, I would see another genius with Twin Martial Souls appear."

Jin Shan, whose expression was always stern, actually burst into hearty laughter on a rare occasion, as excited as a child.

"Dean Huo Feng, did your son's Twin Martial Souls come from inheritance or mutation?"

Jin Shan asked curiously.

"Senior Jin Shan, you may not know this, but Huo Lei is an orphan. I adopted him when he was an infant. As for whether his Martial Souls came from inheritance or mutation, I do not know."

Huo Feng briefly explained Huo Lei's background.

"I see!"

"Boy, didn't you want to become my disciple? I agree."

Jin Shan said with a smile.

"Huo Lei, hurry up and pay respects to your teacher."

Having held it in for so long, Huo Feng finally could not help urging his son.

"This disciple pays respects to Teacher!"

Huo Lei hurriedly withdrew his Martial Souls and performed three proper rites of apprenticeship to Jin Shan.

On the Douluo Continent, becoming a disciple only required a bow. Kneeling was reserved for meeting monarchs and one's parents. Back when Tang San was six, he did not know this custom and performed a kneeling rite instead, leaving Yu Xiaogang somewhat bewildered.

"Good, good, good!"

Jin Shan nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.

"Dean Huo Feng, your son is quite something! He is bold, meticulous, and so talented. His future is limitless."

Jin Shan was in high spirits, and even his form of address for Huo Feng became more courteous.

"You flatter him, Senior!"

"My son will still need much guidance from you in the future."

Seeing how satisfied Jin Shan was with his son, Huo Feng was already overjoyed inside. In response to Jin Shan's praise, he could only nod modestly again and again.

"You brat, how many people know about your Twin Martial Souls?"

"Teacher, there are currently only three people who know about my Twin Martial Souls: myself, you, and my father."

"Good! You have done well keeping it secret. The fewer people who know about this, the better, lest it bring unnecessary trouble."

"You brat, I still do not know how old you are or what rank your Soul Power is. Quickly tell your teacher about yourself."

As Jin Shan spoke, he returned to his seat.

"Teacher, this disciple is sixteen this year. Not long ago, I obtained my fourth Soul Ring, and my Soul Power is now Rank 41."

Huo Lei gave all of his information truthfully.

"Sixteen, Rank 41. Not bad."

"If Blazing Fire Academy encounters any difficulties in the future, or if you need to obtain Soul Rings, just let me know. I will handle it for you."

"Then many thanks, Senior."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Hearing Jin Shan's forthright promise, Huo Feng and Huo Lei exchanged a glance, unable to conceal their delight as they both thanked him.

"I have mostly recovered as well. I am preparing to leave for a while to seek a method of breakthrough. Huo Lei, cultivate properly at the academy. I will return once every two months, and we can discuss anything then."

Jin Shan instructed the father and son before him.

The next day, Jin Shan bid farewell to Huo Feng and Huo Lei and left Blazing Fire Academy.

In the days that followed, Huo Lei studied diligently at the academy alongside his older brother Huo Wushuang and older sister Huo Wu.

Two months later, Jin Shan returned once. Seeing that his disciple Huo Lei and the academy were both safe and sound, he stayed for two days before leaving again.

Another two months passed, and Jin Shan returned once more.

"Hey, brat!"

With a benevolent smile on his face, Jin Shan patted Huo Lei on the shoulder from behind.

"Teacher, it is you! You gave me a fright. When did you return?"

Huo Lei turned around in surprise and asked.

"Just now. I brought something good this time. Let us go find your father."

Jin Shan raised his eyebrows and said mysteriously.