Wang Sheng: Grandmaster? He Isn't That Strong

The next moment, Xiao Wu's expression changed.

"Wow!"

Her mouth fell open. It took her a long moment to get another word out.

"That's so strange. It feels like someone washed my mind clean with water."

Xiao Wu spun around happily, then bounced twice.

"And I think my hearing's gotten a lot sharper too!"

Tang San watched her reaction and activated the talisman in his hand.

The instant the green light entered his forehead, he felt its effect.

His distracting thoughts vanished. His perception of soul power sharpened, and he could even sense the faint flow of spiritual energy in the surrounding air.

The effect was far stronger than Tang San had expected.

A support talisman drawn by a child with level-ten soul power could do all that?

Tang San's estimation of Lin Xuan rose another notch.

Xiao Wu had already bounced around the open space, performing her combat technique several times in a row. When she landed, she clapped excitedly.

"It works! Lin Xuan, you're amazing!"

Xiao Wu ran back, rested her hands on her knees, and looked up at Lin Xuan.

"But does that mean your martial soul is suited for support? You might become a Support Soul Master."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly without arguing.

After all, for now, he really was a support-type Soul Master.

He could think about the rest once he absorbed a soul ring and learned to make Attack Talismans.

Besides, even if he made Attack Talismans, other people could use them. Didn't that count as support too?

Nearby, Wang Sheng watched Xiao Wu and Tang San enviously. He raised a hand with some hesitation.

"Boss Lin Xuan, um... do you have any more? I'd like to try one too."

"No." Lin Xuan's answer was blunt. "Drawing them uses up soul power."

Wang Sheng lowered his hand, disappointment written all over his face.

"Okay..."

Tang San stood to one side, saying nothing.

The Clear Mind Talisman was still working, and his thoughts were exceptionally clear.

Lin Xuan's martial soul was Talisman Paper, which let him draw talismans with different effects.

So far, he had developed only the Clear Mind Talisman. But as his soul power grew and he gained more soul rings, he would surely be able to draw other kinds.

Attack, defense, support, healing... If he could make enough varieties, Lin Xuan alone would be worth half a team.

His teacher would certainly value someone with that kind of talent.

With that thought, Tang San spoke.

"Lin Xuan."

"Hmm? What is it, Little San?"

"Teacher would definitely be interested in this Self-Created Soul Skill of yours."

Tang San's tone was casual.

"Why not find some time to let him analyze it for you? He might be able to improve its effect."

Lin Xuan glanced at Tang San.

Here it comes.

Tang San was starting to recruit for Yu Xiaogang.

"No need." Lin Xuan refused outright. "I can figure it out myself."

Tang San did not press him. He merely smiled.

"All right. If you ever need help, just come to me."

To Tang San, Lin Xuan simply had not witnessed his teacher Yu Xiaogang's extraordinary wisdom. Once he did, that wisdom would surely win him over.

Xiao Wu, who had been watching them, suddenly chimed in.

"By the way, who's this teacher you two keep talking about?"

Tang San answered, "A gentleman at the academy. People call him Grandmaster. He's my teacher."

"Grandmaster?" Xiao Wu pursed her lips. "That's quite a title. Is he strong?"

Tang San nodded earnestly.

At that moment, Wang Sheng frowned. After hesitating for a while, he said:

"Tang San? You became Grandmaster's disciple? He isn't that strong. I heard he only stayed at the academy as a Guest Elder because he's close to the Dean. He doesn't even teach classes."

Tang San's brows drew together. Wang Sheng's words had clearly displeased him. He spoke sternly:

"Wang Sheng! Please don't make careless judgments about my teacher. This is the first time, and I hope it's the last!"

With that, Tang San returned to the dormitory and began making his bed.

Lin Xuan watched him, at a loss for words. Yu Xiaogang really had Tang San completely fooled.

But that had nothing to do with Lin Xuan. He had no intention of becoming Yu Xiaogang's disciple.

After making his bed, Tang San walked straight out of the dormitory without saying a word to anyone.

Wang Sheng rubbed his nose, looking a little awkward.

"I only mentioned it in passing. Did he have to react like that...?"

A Work-Study Student beside him murmured in agreement, "You said his teacher was no good. Of course he got upset."

Wang Sheng rolled his eyes.

"I was trying to warn him! Everyone knows Grandmaster just freeloads at the academy. He's a level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster who's been stuck below level thirty his whole life, and he's supposed to teach someone how to be a Soul Master?"

"Enough." Lin Xuan sat up on his bed. "Everyone makes their own choices. If Tang San wants to become his disciple, that's his business. Don't gossip behind his back."

Wang Sheng pursed his lips but said no more.

The dormitory gradually fell quiet.

It had grown dark. The Work-Study Students settled into their beds, and some had already begun to yawn.

Lin Xuan leaned against the wall, about to close his eyes and meditate to restore his spiritual power.

Footsteps came from the doorway.

At some point, Xiao Wu had slipped back in from outside. Carrying her little bundle, she made a circuit of the dormitory.

She looked at her bare bedframe, then at everyone else's neatly arranged bedding, and her lips drooped.

Then she walked toward Lin Xuan.

"Lin Xuan, Lin Xuan."

Lin Xuan opened one eye.

Xiao Wu crouched beside his bed, propped her chin on her hands, and gave him an innocent look.

"You're the boss of Dorm Seven, right?"

Lin Xuan's heart sank.

When she makes that face, nothing good ever follows.

"Yeah. Why?"

Xiao Wu stood up with her hands behind her back and spoke as if her request were perfectly reasonable.

"Boss, I didn't bring any bedding, so... let's sleep together."

Lin Xuan: "..."

Before he could refuse, Xiao Wu walked over to the empty bed beside his. She planted both hands on its frame and pushed. With a creak, the whole bed slid toward him.

Its wooden legs scraped loudly across the floor.

The bedframe fitted snugly against Lin Xuan's.

Wang Sheng poked his head out from under his covers. "???"

Another Work-Study Student rolled over and mumbled sleepily:

"Who's moving a bed...?"

Xiao Wu dusted off her hands, looking pleased with her work. Then she sat on the bed she had pushed over and held out a hand to Lin Xuan.

"Give me half the blanket."

Lin Xuan stared at her, momentarily lost for words.

Isn't she getting a little too familiar?

She's a girl, yet she's joining beds in the boys' dormitory. Doesn't she see anything wrong with that?

Lin Xuan sighed.

"All right. But don't do anything strange while you're asleep."

Xiao Wu had been reaching for his blanket. At his words, she froze. Her face flushed bright red, and she looked up to glare at him.

"Hmph! I should be saying that to you! You're the one who mustn't do anything strange!"

Lin Xuan was speechless.

"I'm six, and so are you. What do you think I could do?"

Xiao Wu huffed, yanked most of the blanket over to her side, and wrapped herself in it. She curled up at the far edge of the bed with her back to Lin Xuan.

"Just don't touch my braid."

"Why would I touch your braid?"

"Just don't!"

From the bed opposite, Wang Sheng had watched the whole thing with his mouth hanging open.

He turned to look at the Work-Study Student in the next bed. The boy was awake too. Their eyes met, and each saw the same thought on the other's face.

The boss is so lucky. He's only just enrolled, and he's already sharing a bed with such a cute girl.

Lin Xuan lay down. Having drawn three talismans that day, he fell asleep unusually early.

Xiao Wu sneaked a couple of glances at him. When she realized he had gone straight to sleep, she pouted, suddenly feeling a little disappointed.

Elsewhere.

Tang San followed a path through the academy and stopped before a secluded courtyard.

A lamp was lit inside, casting someone's shadow across the paper window.

Tang San knocked on the door.

"Teacher, it's me."