One Big Blanket

"Take your things and get lost. My patience has limits!"

The gatekeeper flung the Martial Soul certificate into Old Jack's face.

Tang San's eyes reddened, and his breathing grew ragged.

He was on the verge of exploding, ready to strike the gatekeeper at any moment.

"Stop!"

A sharp command rang out. It had not come from Ling Han, but from Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang walked up to the two gatekeepers. Ignoring their disdainful looks, he went straight to Tang San.

"Child, may I see your Martial Soul certificate?"

Tang San nodded, took the certificate from Old Jack, and handed it to Yu Xiaogang.

Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul with Innate Full Soul Power! Excellent. At last, I have someone to test my theory on!

Yu Xiaogang was ecstatic inside, but he kept his expression calm.

"Not bad. Innate Full Soul Power. Your aptitude is fairly decent."

Ling Han, still out of sight, nearly laughed aloud and gave himself away.

Innate Full Soul Power was only "fairly decent" to Yu Xiaogang?

Then was someone like him, born with only half a rank of soul power and unable to advance beyond Soul Elder his entire life, the pinnacle of talent?

"Child, remember this: there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters!"

In the original story, those words would have left Tang San speechless with awe and made him trust Yu Xiaogang completely.

But now, Tang San did not start worshipping him blindly just because he had said them.

After his conversation with Ling Han that day, a single remark was no longer enough to win Tang San's unquestioning admiration.

Besides, if it came to stirring his fighting spirit, Ling Han's words that day had done far more: "Fortunes change. Never look down on a young man because he is poor."

"Heh. Grandmaster truly lived up to his name. Insulting himself twice in a single sentence—that took real skill!"

Seeing that the moment was right, Ling Han stepped forward.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes went bloodshot, and he began breathing like an angry bull.

"What do you mean, brat? How did I insult myself twice?"

Ling Han smiled. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll be generous and explain. The useless Martial Soul is your Purple-Skinned Pig, Luo Sanpao. The useless Soul Master is you, Yu Xiaogang!"

Leaving Yu Xiaogang to fume, Ling Han walked straight up to Tang San.

"Xiao San, we meet again."

"Senior Ling Han!"

Tang San's face lit up at the sight of Ling Han.

He had not seen Ling Han since they parted, but he had missed him deeply.

He could still remember the taste of that chicken drumstick.

"Sir, leave Xiao San to me. I'm a consecrated elder of this academy, so you needn't worry about his enrollment."

Old Jack hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, sir! Thank you! Please take care of Xiao San!"

After giving Tang San a few more instructions, Old Jack shuffled away, his stooped figure disappearing into the distance.

Once Old Jack had gone, Ling Han led Tang San into Nouding Academy.

If the two gatekeepers had looked at Yu Xiaogang with disdain, they looked at Ling Han with nothing but respect.

Stories about the consecrated elder who had appeared out of nowhere had already spread through the academy.

At the very least, everyone had heard how he had sent Yu Xiaogang flying with a single slap.

Tang San held Ling Han's hand and felt utterly at ease, like a son holding his father's hand.

"You're enrolling as a work-study student, aren't you? I won't change that. Living in the work-study dormitory will do you good."

Of course, that was only a secondary reason. The main reason was that Xiao Wu would be staying in Dorm Seven too.

Tang San nodded. "All right, Senior Ling!"

Seeing Ling Han again had delighted Tang San so much that he no longer felt the slightest wariness toward him.

Ling Han took Tang San to the academic affairs office and personally saw to his enrollment.

After all, Li Shan had declared in front of the entire academy that Consecrated Ling outranked him.

Given everything else Ling Han had done, the teachers in the office did not dare neglect him.

"Consecrated Ling, is this your son? He looks just like you!"

The teacher had assumed Ling Han was an expert with profound cultivation who was far older than he looked.

His attempt at flattery could not have missed the mark more badly.

Before awakening his Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline, Tang San was quite plain-looking. Thin as he was now, he was even a little homely.

He looked nothing like the handsome Ling Han.

"He isn't. I'm only eighteen. I don't have a son that old," Ling Han said evenly.

Cold sweat poured down the teacher's face.

The dean never said this big shot was so young!

My teaching career is over!

"I'm sorry, Consecrated Ling! I should have known better!"

The teacher hastened to apologize.

Tang San, however, had other thoughts after hearing that exchange.

For one thing, Ling Han's age had stunned him.

The senior he admired so much was only eighteen.

Counting the years of his previous life, Tang San was even older than Ling Han.

But that only deepened Tang San's admiration for him.

For another, a new longing had taken root in Tang San's heart.

If only I really were Senior Ling Han's son...

Once the enrollment formalities were complete, Ling Han took Tang San to Dorm Seven.

Along the way, many students saw Ling Han and cast admiring glances his way.

Seeing their looks, Tang San felt a strange flicker of pride.

When they reached Dorm Seven, Ling Han led Tang San to his bed.

An enormous quilt appeared in Ling Han's hands.

He handed it to Tang San.

"Xiao San, you can use this quilt."

Tang San took it and found that it seemed far too big for one bed.

"Senior, isn't this a little too big?"

Ling Han smiled knowingly. "No. It's just right. You'll see soon enough."

It was too big for one person, of course, but just right for two.

Just then, a boy came over.

Wang Sheng bowed to Ling Han first, then said, "Consecrated Ling, according to... the rules of Dorm Seven, this new kid has to fight me. The winner becomes the boss."

Wang Sheng could barely get the words out.

Even a fool could see that Ling Han and Tang San were close.

What if asking to fight Tang San made the consecrated elder angry?

But Wang Sheng had no choice. To keep his position as boss, he had to steel himself and speak up.

Ling Han nodded casually. "No problem. A sparring match will do you good. Go ahead."

Then he gave Tang San an encouraging look.

The moment Tang San saw it, he perked up as if a fire had been lit inside him.

I can't let Senior Ling down!