Yu Xiaogang Was Dreaming Again

That evening, Ji Hongchen was on his way back to the dormitory.

"Ji Hongchen! Stop right there!"

An urgent voice rang out behind him.

Ji Hongchen turned around and frowned.

Why was it that old bastard Yu Xiaogang, the root of all evil, again? He really haunted me like a lingering ghost. Didn't he know how much I hated him?

Yu Xiaogang stood before Ji Hongchen, panting. First, he looked him up and down, then straightened, tilted his head forty-five degrees toward the sky, and placed one hand behind his back, posing like a sage above worldly concerns.

The corners of his mouth curved upward as he slowly spoke.

"Ji Hongchen, to think you really managed to achieve a martial soul second awakening. You have certainly proven that you possess a talent for studying martial soul theory."

He paused, then changed his tone.

His attitude also became lofty and overbearing as he continued.

"However, your theory must still be incomplete, mustn't it? It may have many flaws. Besides, your success only shows that perhaps some luck was involved. It does not prove the theory's viability."

"As the foremost theorist on the Douluo Continent, the originator of the ten core competencies of martial soul theory, and the Horn of Wisdom of the Golden Iron Triangle, I, the Grandmaster, can give you an opportunity."

Yu Xiaogang spent a moment working himself into the proper mood.

"Become my disciple, and tell me your theory and ideas while you're at it. Perhaps I can offer you a pointer or two and help you perfect them."

Having said that,

Yu Xiaogang proudly puffed out his chest, a glimmer of "wisdom" flashing through his eyes. Brimming with confidence, he lifted his head to gaze at the sky.

His heart burned with excitement.

If he perfected this theory, he, Yu Xiaogang, would leave his name in the annals of history and become a theoretical grandmaster standing at the very pinnacle.

Yet after waiting a while, he received no response.

Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly and lowered his head impatiently, only to discover that Ji Hongchen had already walked quite far away.

What an idiot.

He rattled off so many titles. Was even one of them useful?

Golden Triangle? More like a golden love triangle.

Wait, was this buzz-cut Gangzi planning to steal my theoretical achievements and claim them as his own, while taking me as a disciple to use as a test subject?

At that thought,

Ji Hongchen quickened his pace. Keeping his distance was the best option.

But when buzz-cut Gangzi saw Ji Hongchen leaving, he immediately panicked. He jogged after him and blocked his path.

"Ji Hongchen, perhaps you think achieving a martial soul second awakening makes you impressive, but let me tell you, the Douluo Continent has countless geniuses. Inevitably, some stray down the wrong path for all sorts of reasons."

"Only I, the foremost theorist on the Douluo Continent, can guide you onto the proper path and make you a true genius."

Yu Xiaogang spoke with an air of confidence.

After all, he had stolen his theories from Spirit Hall and then modified them, but he believed those modifications had made the theories even more perfect.

Ji Hongchen looked thoroughly disgusted.

Why was this piece of trash still clinging to me like a leech?

Honestly, based on the original story, taking Yu Xiaogang as a teacher was worse than taking Su Yuntao. At least Su Yuntao would not have been defeated single-handedly by a four-hundred-year-old Mandala Snake.

"Yu Xiaogang, I'm not interested in your theories. Besides, I have plans for my future. I don't need your guidance."

Ji Hongchen's expression was calm, but he could not conceal the disgust in his voice.

Yu Xiaogang, however, grew frantic.

How could he refuse to become my disciple?

If he didn't, how could I steal his achievements?

How could I use him to perfect my theories?

How could I make a name for myself through my theories and ultimately prove to the entire continent that I was a true theoretical grandmaster?

No!

Absolutely not!

Yu Xiaogang's tone grew more coercive, his attitude forceful. "No! You must become my disciple. You're just a child. What plans could you possibly have for the future?"

Ji Hongchen drove Yu Xiaogang back with a sweep of his sword.

A flicker of anger rose in his heart.

Fuck. If Yu Xiaogang didn't have such powerful backing, and killing him didn't risk retaliation from Bibi Dong, Liu Erlong, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I would have cut this piece of trash down long ago.

Ji Hongchen snorted coldly.

"What right does a piece of trash who's only level twenty-nine at fifty have to guide me? What could you possibly teach me? Are you even worthy?"

Had the man been even a Soul Elder, Ji Hongchen would not have said that.

After all, such a person could at least help him hunt for his second soul ring without constantly lecturing him. But Yu Xiaogang truly was useless trash. His sole contribution had been giving away a Storage Soul Tool.

"You insolent brat!"

Yu Xiaogang was utterly enraged. His face turned ashen, his eyes bloodshot, and he panted like an ox, his entire body trembling violently with fury.

"Fine, fine, fine! You brat who doesn't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth! Without my theories and guidance, you can forget about ever becoming a powerful Soul Master!"

Yu Xiaogang completely tore away the pretense of civility, no longer concealing his true face as the Grandmaster. Finally, when he saw Ji Hongchen raise his sword again, he immediately turned and slunk away.

Once Yu Xiaogang left, Ji Hongchen put away his longsword and returned to his room, where he picked up the Soul Master theory book he had prepared on the table and began reading.

To be a qualified Soul Master,

A solid foundation of theoretical knowledge was indispensable.

Even Tang Hao, brain-dead as he was, had at least learned the Clear Sky Inheritance. It was only later, because his martial soul was too powerful, that he gradually lost the ability to think.

The next day,

Ji Hongchen was summoned to the school's academic affairs office.

Director Wang of academic affairs looked at Ji Hongchen with a solemn expression, though a trace of a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. "Hongchen, congratulations."

"It was all just luck."

Ji Hongchen smiled modestly.

Director Wang shook his head and said earnestly, "By the way, Hongchen, have you been having any difficulties lately?"

Difficulties? Did being short of money count?

Ji Hongchen hesitated.

He now needed not only nourishing food, but also rare metals to nurture his sword. The resources he would need later would undoubtedly cost an astronomical sum.

"If you're having any difficulties, tell the school. We'll do our best to help you." Director Wang smiled, then took out a pouch filled with Gold Soul Coins.

"You became a Soul Master before you even turned eight. The school intends to sponsor you, though we do have one small condition."

"What condition?"

Ji Hongchen glanced at the pouch and estimated how many Gold Soul Coins it contained. There were at least five hundred, enough to last him a while.

"You mustn't graduate early!"

Director Wang spoke seriously, then added, "You have excellent talent and are currently the youngest Soul Master student in the school. It would be such a shame for you to graduate early."

"The school intends to have you represent us during the empire's inspection, so we'd like you to graduate at the usual time and help make us look good. After all, once the school's reputation improves, you'll receive better treatment too."

Every six years, the empire inspected the academies and evaluated the quality of their students. The better the evaluation, the more resources they received afterward.

Naturally, Ji Hongchen had no reason to refuse.

He was an ordinary orphan. Who knew how many resources he would need to cultivate to the rank of Titled Douluo? With another source of income right before him, why wouldn't he take it?

He did not care about saving face.

Although he was a transmigrator, he felt that his moral bottom line was not particularly high. After all, he was no saint. He only wanted to become a god safely and peacefully.

Seeing Ji Hongchen agree so readily,

Director Wang naturally beamed with delight and patted Ji Hongchen's shoulder approvingly. "These are six hundred Gold Soul Coins. Take them for now. From now on, your tuition and accommodation fees at the academy will also be waived. Consider it a little preferential treatment from the school."

"Thank you, Director Wang."

Ji Hongchen accepted the Gold Soul Coins with a broad smile. To him, this was a considerable fortune.