What a clown!

"How about this, Sir Ling Han? Would you consider becoming Nouding Academy's honored patron?"

Li Shan had remembered a position found in the great sects: honored patron.

"You'll receive generous compensation and hold the highest status in the academy, with no regular duties. What do you think?"

Having finished, Li Shan looked at Ling Han expectantly.

If he could keep such a powerful figure happy, what did a little money matter?

Ling Han nodded at his words. "Dean Li Shan, you've thought this through. Then it's settled. Rest assured, I won't take your hospitality for nothing. If the academy runs into trouble, I'll lend a hand."

Li Shan was delighted. That promise was all he needed. From now on, even if a Soul Saint came looking for trouble, he would have nothing to fear!

"Wonderful, wonderful! Take a look around the academy first. I'll have someone arrange your residence and office!"

Ling Han nodded and left the dean's office.

It was break time, and the academy was bustling.

Ling Han strolled through the academy, soaking in its atmosphere and feeling a sense of relaxation he hadn't enjoyed in a long time.

Suddenly, he noticed someone approaching with his head lowered, paying no attention to where he was going.

The man was about to walk straight into Ling Han.

Ling Han didn't move aside. He simply stood there and waited for the man to collide with him.

Thud!

"Ah! Who's so blind that he dares to run into me, the Grandmaster!"

The man who had collided with him was middle-aged, with a short, flat haircut and a long black robe.

Hearing him call himself the Grandmaster, Ling Han almost laughed aloud. This had to be Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang scrambled to his feet, looked up, and saw Ling Han.

"Who are you, brat? How dare you run into the Grandmaster!"

Perhaps he assumed there couldn't be anyone important in little Nouding Academy. Coupled with Ling Han's youth, Yu Xiaogang didn't take him seriously at all.

Ling Han frowned at his words.

How had I never noticed what a punchable bastard Yu Xiaogang was when I read the original story?

Still, Ling Han had no intention of explaining himself.

Not worth explaining. He doesn't deserve to hear it!

Seeing Ling Han remain silent only emboldened Yu Xiaogang.

"The Grandmaster is talking to you! Are you deaf? Apologize to me at once!"

Ling Han sneered, then swung his hand across Yu Xiaogang's face.

Smack! A crisp slap rang out.

Yu Xiaogang went flying and crashed heavily onto the ground.

Ling Han hadn't used any soul power, relying solely on his physical strength.

After all, if he had used soul power, Yu Xiaogang would have been dead.

The left side of Yu Xiaogang's face instantly swelled, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"You... you dare hit me!"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes instantly turned bloodshot. Panting like an ox, he roared in fury.

A Purple-Skinned Pig appeared beside him, followed by two yellow soul rings beneath his feet.

"Fart like thunder, Earth-Shattering Luo Sanpao!"

Yu Xiaogang shouted, and the Purple-Skinned Pig instantly grew larger before beginning to fart.

Ling Han sneered, then casually waved his hand. A stream of icy air shot out, freezing Luo Sanpao into a block of ice.

Yu Xiaogang paled in shock. "Sanpao! How is this possible?!"

Ling Han advanced toward Yu Xiaogang, one step at a time. "Whatever else you've got, go ahead and use it. Otherwise, it's my turn!"

Yu Xiaogang's face went white. Knowing he was no match for Ling Han, he could only try to flee.

With a flash of movement, Ling Han blocked his path.

Yu Xiaogang said, "What are you going to—"

Before he could finish, Ling Han slapped him again.

Smack!

Yu Xiaogang was sent flying once more.

Both sides of his face had swollen into mountains.

"You... you..."

His swollen cheeks obstructed his mouth, leaving him unable to speak. All he could manage were muffled sounds.

Yet he still glared at Ling Han with bloodshot eyes, as though he wanted to devour him.

"What? Still not convinced?"

Ling Han sneered and raised his hand again as if preparing to deliver another slap.

Yu Xiaogang instantly lost his nerve and hurriedly waved his hands and shook his head.

"Heh, what a clown! Remember, I'll be staying at the academy from now on. You'd better behave yourself!"

Just then, Li Shan appeared between them.

"Young Master Ling, please calm down. Xiaogang is just like that. Don't stoop to his level!"

Li Shan was Yu Xiaogang's friend, so he couldn't simply stand by and do nothing.

He placated Ling Han while quietly soothing Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly, then turned and left. No matter how one looked at his retreating figure, he seemed to be fleeing in disgrace.

"Young Master Ling, your residence is ready. Shall I show you the way?"

Ling Han nodded and followed Li Shan.

Along the way, Ling Han heard quite a few students talking.

Many of them had witnessed what had just happened.

Yu Xiaogang was always arrogant around the academy and had a terrible reputation. Plenty of people disliked him.

Now that they had seen him humiliated, many found it deeply satisfying.

As a result, they also developed a favorable impression of Ling Han, the handsome, white-haired newcomer.

Li Shan led Ling Han to a detached dormitory building.

It was called a dormitory building, but it was really a small villa.

"Young Master Ling, what do you think of this place?"

Ling Han went inside and looked around.

The surroundings were quite nice: clean and tidy, fully equipped, and well lit.

It wasn't particularly luxurious, but it was comfortable enough.

"Not bad. I can trust you to get things done, Dean Li Shan."

Li Shan breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm glad you're satisfied, Young Master Ling. Also, I took the liberty of placing your office beside the dean's office. I hope you don't mind."

"That's fine. Being next to your office is convenient for communicating."

Li Shan was delighted. He nodded repeatedly, then took his leave.

After Li Shan left, Ling Han began familiarizing himself with his surroundings.

"Now, all that's left is to wait for Tang San to enroll."

There was still some time before the first-year students arrived, so Ling Han could take his time preparing.

Time passed quickly, and soon the day of the first-year students' arrival came.

Throughout that time, Ling Han had stayed at the academy.

He saw Yu Xiaogang quite often, but whenever Yu Xiaogang spotted him, he kept his distance like a mouse catching sight of a cat.

Ling Han couldn't be bothered with him either. If he wanted to hide, he could hide.

Early that morning, Ling Han arrived at the academy gates to wait.

He noticed that Yu Xiaogang had also sneaked over and was lurking off to one side.

Ling Han ignored him. A mere Gangzi couldn't steal the disciple he wanted.

After a while, Ling Han sensed an old man and a boy approaching the academy.

"Little San, once you're at the academy, make sure you do your best and listen to your teachers. Grandpa Jack believes you'll become an outstanding Soul Master!"

"Yes, Grandpa Jack, don't worry. I'll work hard!"

Ling Han wasn't in a hurry to approach them, because he had noticed Yu Xiaogang stirring eagerly off to the side.

"Stop. Let me see your martial soul certificate!"

The gatekeeper began his routine inspection of their martial soul certificate.

Old Jack handed over Tang San's martial soul certificate.

The gatekeeper took it, glanced at it, then let out a sneer.

"Blue Silver Grass? Innate full soul power? Hahaha, that's hilarious! How could a trash martial soul like Blue Silver Grass possibly have innate full soul power? You old fool, have you gone senile? Even jokes have their limits! Get lost, get lost!"

No matter how Old Jack explained, the gatekeeper refused to listen.