Xiao Wu: I'm Going to Find Myself a Powerful Backer!

The Academic Affairs Office.

Yu Xiaogang led Tang San to the entrance and heard voices discussing something inside.

"What's with this year's Working Students? Two of them have Innate Full Soul Power. I thought that was something you'd be lucky to see once in a century."

"I don't know. I thought it was strange too. If they didn't have proof from Spirit Hall, I'd think the documents were forged."

More than one student with Innate Full Soul Power!?

Yu Xiaogang's heart raced. He hurriedly pushed open the door.

The discussion in the Academic Affairs Office stopped dead.

Several teachers saw the gray-robed figure in the doorway. Their expressions stiffened, and they lowered their heads to their work.

Yu Xiaogang walked straight toward the desk, his face blank.

Tang San followed, puzzled.

Why do these teachers look like they've seen a ghost?

Director Su saw Yu Xiaogang but showed little reaction. He merely set down the booklet in his hand. "Grandmaster, you're here."

"Mm."

Yu Xiaogang nodded and handed over Tang San's proof from Spirit Hall. "Registration. Working Student."

Director Su took the document and glanced at it. His hand froze.

Another one with Innate Full Soul Power?

And his martial soul is Blue Silver Grass!?

He looked up at Yu Xiaogang, then at Tang San. In the end, he said nothing and quietly completed the registration.

"Oh, right."

Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke. "I heard there's another student with Innate Full Soul Power this year?"

Director Su nodded and pointed to the registration forms nearby. "The details are there. You can look for yourself."

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, picked up the forms, and went through them one by one.

"Martial soul: Kirin. Innate Full Soul Power... Martial soul: Soft Bone Rabbit. Also Innate Full Soul Power!?"

What the hell...

Three people with Innate Full Soul Power, something supposedly seen once in a century, had appeared at the same time? And all at Notting Academy!?

Even Spirit Academy couldn't possibly have three students with Innate Full Soul Power at once, could it?

Perhaps this was his chance!

Tang San, who might have Twin Martial Souls, and two gifted students with Beast Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power.

If I can take all three as disciples, I'll finally achieve my dream!

Then I'll settle the score with everyone who ever mocked my theories!

As for whether they might refuse...

Please. I'm the Grandmaster of theory.

A few children who've never seen the world? One little speech, and they'll come running to beg me to take them as disciples.

Once Tang San finished registering, Yu Xiaogang pulled him straight into his office. There, he turned cryptic, stringing together a few hints that left Tang San completely taken in.

Twin Martial Souls, the world's foremost theorist...

Tang San had only just stepped out into the world. He had never encountered anything like this. He dropped to his knees and kowtowed at once, his forehead thudding against the floor.

"Grandmaster, please take me as your disciple!"

Yu Xiaogang stared at Tang San, who had suddenly become a head shorter. He was confused at first but soon accepted it.

Perhaps it's a custom where Tang San comes from.

I don't understand it, but I'll respect it.

Then a smile uglier than a grimace appeared on Yu Xiaogang's habitually stiff face. "Little San, from today on, you are my disciple."

"But first, I have a task for you."

"Please tell me, Teacher."

"I believe you heard it in the office just now. Two other Working Students this year have Innate Full Soul Power, just like you."

Tang San paused, then realized what he meant. "Teacher, you want to..."

"Heh."

Yu Xiaogang gave a knowing smile. "Exactly. Children with that kind of talent mustn't go unnoticed."

"I want you to find them and bring them to see me."

Tang San frowned slightly.

I only just became Yu Xiaogang's disciple, and he already wants to take on new ones.

What does he take me for!?

Dissatisfied as he was, Tang San kept it to himself. He nodded woodenly and asked, "What are their names?"

"The boy is Jiang Hao. The girl is Xiao Wu."

Jiang Hao!?

Tang San's pupils contracted at the name.

Wasn't that the person Father mentioned earlier?

I didn't expect him to be here too!

Meanwhile.

After Jiang Hao finished absorbing the vast amount of knowledge in his mind, he was about to head back for a short nap.

Just as he turned around, a sweet, clear voice sounded behind him.

"Hey, do you know how to get to the Working Student Dormitory?"

"The Working Student Dormitory?"

Jiang Hao looked back. A girl with a scorpion braid stood a few steps away, watching him with her head tilted.

She looked about his age and wore a faded pink outfit. What stood out most were her long legs in white stockings.

They were straight and long, with proportions so striking she looked as though she had stepped out of a comic.

Add her delicate, doll-like face and her wide, bright eyes, and she looked lively and mischievous.

"Are you a Working Student too?"

Jiang Hao looked her over and had a good idea who she was.

"Mm-hmm!"

The girl nodded and crossed the distance between them in a few steps. She looked up at him. "I'm Xiao Wu. Wu as in dancing. What about you?"

"Jiang Hao."

"Jiang Hao, do you know where the Working Student Dormitory is?"

Jiang Hao turned and pointed. "That way. Go straight, then turn the corner."

Xiao Wu didn't even look where he pointed. She kept her eyes fixed on him. "Jiang Hao, can you take me there?"

"I'm a little scared to go alone."

"Scared?"

Jiang Hao gave her a strange look.

You're a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who dared enter the world of soul masters not long after taking human form. And you get scared?

"Of course."

Xiao Wu slipped her arm around Jiang Hao's right arm as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "I'm a girl. What if someone bullies me?"

Honestly, your big sister Xiao Wu has gone this far. Why haven't you agreed yet?

Of course, Xiao Wu's fear was only an excuse.

Ever since she had seen Jiang Hao, she had felt an inexplicable closeness to him, along with an urge to stay by his side.

The feeling made her think of a noble existence.

An Emperor Auspicious Beast!

Though Xiao Wu had lost her power after taking human form, she had not lost the sharp instincts of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

This boy either possesses extraordinarily powerful luck, or he's an Auspicious Beast in human form.

If he really is an Auspicious Beast in human form, my future is set!

Jiang Hao expressionlessly pulled his arm free of hers. "It's not on my way."

Xiao Wu's little face fell. She blinked her big eyes. "Not on your way? Aren't you a Working Student too? Don't Working Students all live in the same dormitory?"

Jiang Hao said, "I am a Working Student, but I live in a Luxury Single Room."

"A Luxury Single Room?"

Xiao Wu stared. "Working Students can get single rooms?"

"If they pay extra."

"But aren't you a Working Student? Where did you get the money?"

Jiang Hao glanced at her, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Secret."

"..."

Xiao Wu could see it now. This guy wasn't going to budge.

She took a deep breath and put on a pitiful expression, her voice trembling as though she were about to cry:

"Jiang Hao, please take me there... I grew up in a village, and this is my first time away from home. I don't know anything. If you leave me here and I run into a bad person..."

As she spoke, she blinked hard, trying to squeeze out a few tears.