You Dare Refuse My Teacher? You Have Chosen the Path to Death

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Yu Xiaogang. I'm a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster and a master of theory in the Soul Master World. Rather than the former, I prefer people to call me Grandmaster..."

After introducing himself, Yu Xiaogang puffed out his chest and raised his chin.

"Grandmaster, are you a teacher at Noding Academy?"

At Yu Xiaogang's words, Old Jack and Old Jero looked at him with admiration.

"No, but I'm friends with the headmaster."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head, basking in the admiration of the three before him.

When he picked up the two work-study certificates, an unusual light flashed in his eyes. They grew brighter and brighter.

Two children with Innate Full Soul Power!?

But what was this about one having Blue Silver Grass as his Martial Soul and the other a Guard Dog?

Everyone knew Blue Silver Grass was a Trash Martial Soul, while a Guard Dog was merely an ordinary Martial Soul. With those two Martial Souls, reaching Innate Full Soul Power should have been utterly impossible.

Unless...

At the thought, his eyes gleamed even more brightly.

Twin Martial Souls. That had to be it!

And there were two of them!

He had struck gold! In the entire history of Douluo Continent, there had only been two people with Twin Martial Souls, yet he had encountered two at once!

With fortune like this falling from the sky, the day he made his name couldn't be far off.

What excellent test subjects they would make.

This truly was a match made in heaven. I, Yu Xiaogang, was blessed with deep fortune after all.

At last, my theories would have a place to prove their worth.

The more Yu Xiaogang thought about it, the more excited he became. His expression even twisted, and he began to laugh without realizing it.

Why was the Grandmaster laughing?

Old Jack and Old Jero stared at each other in confusion, but neither dared interrupt him.

Huo Linfei thought this Grandmaster did not look especially bright. In fact, he looked as though something was seriously wrong with him.

Watching from the side, Tang San could not help thinking, Teacher was still the same, always so enthusiastic about his students.

"Ahem..."

Seeing everyone's strange expressions, Yu Xiaogang seemed to realize he had lost his composure. He quickly coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.

Then he cleared his throat and launched into an account of his illustrious achievements.

As Huo Linfei listened, disdain crept over his face. Wasn't this outright plagiarism?

He had gathered knowledge passed down by others over the generations and called it his own? What a load of nonsense.

Then Huo Linfei noticed Tang San beside him. Tang San was listening with rapt attention, reverence occasionally showing on his face.

Huo Linfei frowned.

That guy had fallen for it so easily?

He really was just a child.

Huo Linfei shook his head. Recalling what had happened earlier, he began to think he might have sensed things wrong.

Yu Xiaogang decided the time was right. He stopped speaking and looked solemnly at Huo Linfei and Tang San before saying in a grave tone:

"By now, you must have realized how extraordinary I am. I intend to take you both as my disciples. What do you say?"

Old Jack and Old Jero both grew excited. They did not know what this so-called "Grandmaster" was truly capable of, but the fact that he was a Soul Master and a friend of the headmaster was enough to impress them.

They wished they could decide for the children, but held themselves back. It was better to let the children make such a decision themselves. Still, they looked at the boys they had brought with hopeful eyes.

Two utterly different answers rang out at once.

"I refuse."

"I accept."

"Good. Since you're both so sincere, I'll take you in..."

Yu Xiaogang looked smug, having completely failed to hear that one of them had refused him.

He was still lost in the brilliance of his own charisma.

Huo Linfei was left speechless.

I clearly said no...

This so-called "Grandmaster" was shameless. Huo Linfei could not put up with him any longer; if he held it in, he would give himself internal injuries.

His experiences in Super Beast World had made him much more restrained, but that did not mean he had lost his temper altogether.

"Hold on, Grandmaster. Are you deaf, or do you just not understand what people say?"

"I clearly said I refuse. I never said I wanted to be your disciple. Who do you think you are, showing up and deciding on your own that you'll take me as one?"

Huo Linfei's sharp barrage of questions snapped Yu Xiaogang back to his senses. His face darkened as he glared at the boy.

"What did you say?"

"I said I refuse."

Huo Linfei did not back down in the slightest. He repeated himself.

What Yu Xiaogang did not know was that Huo Linfei was already holding himself back.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang was about to lose his temper, Old Jero hurriedly stepped in front of Huo Linfei and gave him an apologetic smile.

"Grandmaster, please calm down. My boy is young and doesn't know any better. Children speak without thinking. I hope you'll forgive him. I apologize on his behalf."

With that, Old Jero bowed deeply to Yu Xiaogang.

At the sight, Huo Linfei felt a bitter twist in his chest. Whatever he had been about to say lodged in his throat.

"Hmph. I wouldn't stoop to quarrelling with a child. If he won't become my disciple, that's his loss."

Yu Xiaogang snorted and flicked his sleeve, his expression haughty. But after Old Jero's words and earnest apology, he let the matter drop.

He was Yu Xiaogang, a distinguished level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster and a renowned master of theory in the Soul Master World. If word got out that he had argued with a little brat, where would he put his face?

"Yes, yes, Grandmaster, you're right. My boy simply isn't fortunate enough."

Old Jero then carefully led Huo Linfei into Noding Academy.

Tang San watched Huo Linfei go, his gaze turning cold.

So what if he came from the neighboring village? He dared refuse Teacher. He had already chosen the path to death.

And daring to talk back to Teacher made his crime one degree worse.

"Ah, little Linfei, you were too impulsive. It was such a good opportunity."

Old Jero spoke with regret.

"Grandpa Jero, I'm sorry, but I don't think it was a loss. He didn't look all that impressive. I don't think he's even as capable as Master Su. And everything he said sounded like he was trying to fool us. He looked like a fraud, too. He wasn't reliable at all."

Huo Linfei had always spoken his mind.

"Even so, you shouldn't have acted like that. You'll be on your own from now on, so be more careful. Taking care of yourself matters more than anything," Old Jero urged.

"Mm, I know, Grandpa Jero."

Huo Linfei answered readily. He understood what Old Jack had left unsaid, and warmth rose in his heart.

But honestly, Huo Linfei had never been afraid of anyone. If that so-called "Grandmaster" dared make a move, Huo Linfei would fight him, no matter what.

At worst, I die. If I don't, I've got years ahead of me.

He had wanted to keep a low profile after arriving in this unfamiliar world, but meeting such an oddball right away had made that impossible.

Just then, he sensed a faintly hostile gaze fixed on him from behind.

He looked back and found that the person watching him was Tang San from neighboring Holy Soul Village.

Huo Linfei's brows drew together. They had only just met, with barely enough time for any conflict to arise. Why was Tang San already so hostile toward him?

The feeling sat badly with Huo Linfei, like thorns pricking his back...