"Why couldn't you just line up like everyone else? A mere Soul Grandmaster, and you had to take a beating before you'd behave."
Yu Xiaogang stared at the guard by the entrance with bloodshot eyes, trying to memorize his face. He dared not say a word, but he was already plotting to have the man fired once he met the dean.
"What are you still standing here for? Get inside and stop blocking the way."
At Bandit Ten's urging, Yu Xiaogang hurried into the academy. The sight inside immediately stunned him: row upon row of twelve-story buildings unlike anything he had ever seen.
He stared for a long while before slowly letting out a breath, his chest unconsciously puffing out.
"Only an academy like this," he murmured with conviction in his voice, "is worthy of my status as Grandmaster."
He picked up his suitcase again and strode forward, his gait completely different from his earlier cautious, restrained steps.
He walked at an unhurried pace, his steps composed, his gaze sweeping over every building he passed as though inspecting his future domain.
Anyone who saw his demeanor would have known he already considered himself the master of this place.
Following the directions, he made his way to the academy's soccer field. Five Soul Emperors stood outside, all there to apply for positions.
"Are you here to apply too?" one Soul Emperor asked, approaching Yu Xiaogang.
"That's right."
The Soul Emperor looked Yu Xiaogang up and down. He was only a Soul Grandmaster. If he had come to apply without reaching Soul Emperor, he must have some special ability. The other four Soul Emperors also turned to look.
"This academy's hiring standards are very high. If all you have is a self-created soul skill or something like that, don't waste your time."