Before long, lunch was over.
Xiao Wu walked behind Lu Xuan, resting both hands contentedly on her slightly rounded belly. A few cake crumbs still clung to the corners of her mouth, and she looked utterly at ease.
Only after they stepped out of the cafeteria did Lu Xuan, who was ahead of them, call softly, "Little San."
Tang San turned back and replied respectfully, "Teacher!"
"Mm, let's talk as we walk." Lu Xuan went down the steps first, then told Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, go back to the dorm first and prepare a pot of hot tea for me."
"Okay~"
The girl obediently agreed without so much as glancing at Tang San.
Tang San, however, stared after Xiao Wu for a long time.
A little later, Tang San tentatively asked Lu Xuan, "Teacher, have I done something wrong and upset you?"
Lu Xuan turned his head. "Why ask that all of a sudden?"
Tang San said, "You seem to treat Xiao Wu very well... but with me..."
Tang San left the rest unsaid, looking somewhat dejected and a little guilty.
Seeing this, Lu Xuan smiled.
"Don't overthink it."
"Xiao Wu is a girl. Staying in the work-study dorm isn't convenient for her, so she spends more time with me."
Lu Xuan offered no further explanation, nor did he need to. Whom he treated well or poorly was his own business; it was not anyone else's place to interfere.
Tang San vaguely realized this too. Though unwilling to accept it, he still pretended to be understanding and asked no more.
Soon, the two gradually made their way to the sports field.
The campus was filled with children's cheerful laughter, which, beneath the midday sunlight, painted a picture brimming with life.
Lu Xuan spoke calmly. "Let's get to the point."
Hearing this, Tang San put aside his earlier thoughts and looked at Lu Xuan with renewed attention.
"Teacher, I saw your battle with that Titled Douluo yesterday. I also have twin martial souls. Does that mean I can cultivate my second martial soul like you in the future and use both martial souls at once in battle?"
"No."
Lu Xuan's decisive answer instantly made Tang San's little face fall. "Huh? Why?"
Lu Xuan began explaining with a perfectly straight face:
"My two martial souls are a tool martial soul and a beast martial soul. A tool martial soul is used as a weapon in combat, while a beast martial soul fights through Martial Soul Possession. That's why I can use both at once."
"Both of yours are tool martial souls, so you can't use them simultaneously."
Across all five Douluo installments, Lu Xuan knew of only one person who possessed twin martial souls and could use them simultaneously: Huo Yuhao.
That fellow had Spirit Eyes and an Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. After forming dual soul cores of the spiritual and ice attributes, he could use both martial souls at once.
As for Bibi Dong, Tang Wutong, Xiao Xiao, Yuanen Yehui, and the others...
They all switched back and forth between their two martial souls.
Thus, Lu Xuan had every reason to believe that his own situation was entirely thanks to the system's mighty power.
Of course, he could not tell Tang San what a system was, so he could only invent a seemingly reasonable explanation.
"Well..." Tang San's young face twisted like a braided fritter. It was clear that he was deeply unwilling to accept this.
But since Lu Xuan had said so, and he had no way to refute it, he could only resign himself to reality.
"All right."
"Then... can I cultivate my second martial soul now?"
Still unwilling to give up, Tang San pressed on, and Lu Xuan answered just as calmly:
"You can do so anytime, but I don't recommend it."
"First, the excess soul ring energy can make your body explode and kill you. Second, the advantages of twin martial souls go far beyond simply having an extra martial soul."
Tang San looked puzzled. "Sorry, I don't understand what you mean."
Lu Xuan said:
"This is all common knowledge. You can find it in the academy library."
"All right, work hard on your cultivation and read more books. It's time for your teacher's afternoon nap."
Lu Xuan truly could not be bothered to explain such elementary knowledge to Tang San. After leaving him with those words, his entire body transformed into a blade of Blue-Gold Grass and drifted slowly downward.
"Teacher..."
Tang San wanted to say more, but the instant his outstretched hand touched the blade of grass, it dissolved into specks of light.
Looking at the now-empty spot where someone had stood moments ago, the resentment on his face deepened.
Again...
I was Teacher's first student! I'm the genius with twin martial souls and innate full soul power! Why does Teacher only pay attention to Xiao Wu?
Images surfaced in Tang San's mind of Xiao Wu acting coy with Lu Xuan and the two of them eating together on the cafeteria's second floor.
Look it up myself! Look it up myself! I have to look everything up myself! Can't he just tell me directly?
We both have twin martial souls. Why won't Teacher teach me everything he knows?
Could it be that he's afraid I'll surpass him?
The moment that thought emerged, Tang San seemed to have found an outlet for his emotions, and he clung to it unwaveringly!
That must be it!
In my previous life, people always said: teach the apprentice, and the master starves.
I never imagined the powerhouses of the Douluo Continent would be just as hidebound.
No, I can't pin all my hopes on him. Isn't it just a second martial soul? I have one too!
Tang San glanced at the Nuoding Academy library, then at the school gate.
Two completely opposite directions represented two utterly different choices.
At that moment, his eyes shone brightly, as though he had already sketched out a wonderful future in his mind.
After hesitating for a long while, Tang San stepped forward and headed toward the academy gate.
Elsewhere.
Inside Lu Xuan's room.
Lu Xuan lay on the sofa with his eyes closed, looking thoroughly relaxed.
Xiao Wu poured hot tea into a cup and, like a little maid, personally held it to Lu Xuan's lips.
"Teacher, why are you so cold toward Tang San?"
"Cold? I don't think it's that bad."
Lu Xuan took a sip of tea. The temperature really was just right!
Although the tea leaves were nothing special, basking in the sunlight after lunch while being so comfortably attended to by a little maid was certainly pleasant.
Xiao Wu set down the cup and continued questioning him.
"You call that not so bad?"
"You treat him almost no differently from an ordinary student. Sometimes I even wonder whether he really is your disciple."
Lu Xuan said, "I'm just treating everyone equally!"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu suddenly seemed to think of something. She tilted her head and looked at Lu Xuan. "Then why are you so good to me, Teacher?"
Lu Xuan opened his eyes and gave Xiao Wu a lazy glance. "Because you're cute."
"Ooh~"
At those words, the girl's little face instantly turned red!
Xiao Wu covered her burning cheeks, her large eyes filled with panic and disbelief. Even her rabbit ears stood straight up like a pair of antennas.
She had never expected Lu Xuan to compliment her so bluntly! It was mortifying~
Silence settled over the room.
Seeing the girl's flushed face and increasingly heavy breathing, Lu Xuan could not help curling his lips, as though a prank had succeeded, or some inner desire had been satisfied.
Just then, a knock suddenly came from outside.
Lu Xuan said casually, "Go open the door."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu seized the opportunity and skipped over to the door.
Yet the instant the door opened, the girl froze.
"A... a Titled Douluo!"
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