A Disciple in Name Only? Like Hell!

Just as Yu Xiaogang went to get another serving of food, the system sounded again.

Ding! The host has performed exceptionally well in this battle.

Soul Power surged, rising three levels in a row!

Martial Soul weapon unlocked: Galaxy Spark Spear!

"Sixth-level Soul Power already? That was easy! Hahaha, looks like I should get into more fights."

When Gangzi returned with his food, Xiao Ran ate his fill and followed him to his office.

"My dear disciple, let me see your Martial Soul. You have the potential to become a Titled Douluo!"

"Oh? How do you figure? When I reach Titled Douluo through my own efforts, you're not going to say, 'I, Yu Xiaogang, trained a Titled Douluo. I haven't let my family down,' are you? Hahaha." Xiao Ran struck a pose as he spoke, imitating him.

"A student's achievements are closely tied to his teacher. How can you say such a thing? If you become a Titled Douluo, I, Yu Xiaogang, will certainly deserve some credit!" Gangzi snorted.

Sitting comfortably in Gangzi's office chair, Xiao Ran said, "All right, all right. Come polish my shoes. They look a little dirty. Once you're done, you can inspect my Martial Soul."

"What are you saying, Xiao Ran? I'd sooner die than suffer such humiliation! You want a teacher to polish his student's shoes? Do you still want to be my student?"

Xiao Ran stood. "If you won't polish them, forget about studying my Martial Soul." He headed for the door without looking back.

Yu Xiaogang hurried over and blocked his way.

"Xiao Ran, make yourself clear. Do you want to be my student or not? There are few masters of theory on this continent who can rival me! Do you know what you're throwing away? If you leave today, you'll no longer be my disciple! We'll go our separate ways!"

Tang San, standing outside the door, happened to hear the exchange.

In his previous life, Tang San had deeply respected the teachers who taught him. Now that his teacher was being humiliated, he, as his personal disciple, could not stand by.

"Xiao Ran, you've gone too far. He's our teacher. How dare you defy him!" Tang San said sternly.

Seriously? As if you haven't done plenty of rotten things yourself, Tang San. And you have the nerve to lecture me.

Gangzi roared, "Xiao Ran, don't be ungrateful! I only took you on as a disciple in name because you came from the same village as Tang San. You'd better think this through!"

"Hmph. What a worthless master of theory. You once said there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters. Then why are you nearly fifty and still stuck at Soul Grandmaster? Hahaha..."

Xiao Ran did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"What the hell do you know? My Innate Soul Power was especially weak, yet I still reached Soul Grandmaster. Isn't that proof of my genius?" Gangzi's face twisted with anger.

"Hahahaha! Oh, Gangzi, you're something else. I almost feel bad exposing you. You're weak, but you still talk tough. In fact, your mouth's the only hard thing about you."

"You bastard! You stubborn fool! With a mere fifth-level Soul Power, you dare run your mouth? Today, I'll put you in your place and show you what a Soul Grandmaster can do!"

"Luo Sanpao!"

Luo Sanpao looked like a bloated pig, with yellow smoke streaming from his mouth. No—that was a fart!

"Xiao San, help me take down this wretched disciple!" Gangzi shouted to Tang San as he directed Luo Sanpao.

Without a Soul Ring, Tang San could only grit his teeth and summon a strand of Blue Silver Grass.

"Xiao Ran, there's still time to apologize to our teacher!"

"Heh. Apologize? For what? He attacked me first. He should be apologizing to me. But what I hate most is an apology after the fact!"

"Tang San, if you're so eager to be his dog, go ahead!"

"You... He's my teacher!" Tang San was thoroughly enraged. You've brought death upon yourself.

Xiao Ran stood his ground and released his Martial Soul. He raised the Galaxy Spark Doll in his left hand and pressed it against the tip of the Spark Lance. Star-shaped markings appeared.

A mechanical voice rang out: "Super Fusion! Ultraman Ginga!"

Xiao Ran rose into the air and landed with perfect form.

As the light faded, Blue Silver Grass whipped around Xiao Ran and bound him tight.

Gangzi grinned wickedly. "Hahaha! You're finished, kid. Xiao San is a tenth-level Battle Soul Master."

"Well, Tang San, I didn't know you were into tying people up. So you're an S? Too bad I'm not your M!"

The next instant, Xiao Ran broke free, sending Blue Silver Grass splattering across Gangzi's face.

"Damn you! A fart like thunder—Earth-Shattering Luo Sanpao!"

When Gangzi finished the incantation, Luo Sanpao let loose a foul-smelling fart.

"Hmph. That's what you get for crossing me, Yu Xiaogang!" Gangzi said, putting on a mask.

"Then try this." With a wave of his hand, Xiao Ran summoned a pure-white Galaxy Spark Spear.

"Shua!"

Xiao Ran spun the Spark Lance in a rapid circle. The wind from the spear not only blocked the fart but swept the yellow cloud back toward Yu Xiaogang.

"Ugh! It stinks!"

"Blech!"

The students watching nearby fled from the lingering stench. Gangzi was the closest. The wind tore off his mask, and he breathed in the entire cloud before collapsing unconscious.

"Gangzi, how's your fart smell? Hahaha..." Xiao Ran laughed, pointing at him on the floor.

Tang San quickly pulled out a Silent Sleeve Arrow. "Arrogant bastard! Take this!"

"Damn it, Tang San. Showing your true colors now, are you?"

To Xiao Ran, the Silent Sleeve Arrow seemed to move in slow motion. He raised the Spark Lance, sending out a blast of spear energy that instantly destroyed the arrow. Just as the blast was about to reach Tang San, Xiao Ran flicked the spear and dispersed it.

"Forget it. Let this be a lesson to you both. That Hidden Weapon of yours looks good. Hand it over and I'll let you go. And take the Gold Soul Coins out of Gangzi's pocket for me."

Tang San had no choice but to hand over the Silent Sleeve Arrow and the Gold Soul Coins. Then he ran to Gangzi's side. "Teacher! Are you all right?"

Seeing Gangzi's eyes flutter open, Xiao Ran ended his transformation.

Back at his quarters, Xiao Ran stripped off his clothes and changed into a fresh set.

"Damn it. Yu Xiaogang fights by farting. What kind of cursed Martial Soul is that?" he muttered, collapsing onto the bed.

The next day, Xiao Ran remembered the reward the system had given him: the ability to turn Soul Beasts into dolls. He set off for the Soul Hunting Forest, unaware that Gangzi was taking Tang San there as well to obtain his First Soul Ring.

"Xiao San, stay away from Xiao Ran from now on. He's an arrogant fool. Today we'll head to the Soul Hunting Forest and hunt down your First Soul Ring."

"Yes, Teacher." Tang San answered Gangzi with utmost respect.

"The system said Spark Doll Sealing can turn a defeated Soul Beast that can no longer resist into a Spark Doll."

As he walked, he mulled it over. "So I have to beat a Soul Beast half to death first. Easy enough. One Leo Kick should do it."

It was just past noon when he reached the Soul Hunting Forest.

"Hold on. You're going in alone?"

A hunter resting near the entrance called out to him and looked him up and down. "Kid, this is the Soul Hunting Forest, not a place for a stroll. If something happens in there, no one's coming to collect your body."

Xiao Ran turned and smiled at him. "I'll be fine. I'm hard to kill."

The hunter shook his head and stopped trying to persuade him.

Xiao Ran paid him no more attention and strode into the forest. The air was cool, and the deeper he went, the fewer birds he heard.

"This must be the outer edge of the Soul Hunting Forest."

He slowed down and held his breath, focusing his senses.

"Here it comes," he murmured.

The bushes ahead shook violently. A huge dark-brown wolf burst out of them.

A Netherworld Wolf.