Sorry, I Refuse!

"Twin Martial Souls? Grandmaster, what are you talking about? Twin Martial Souls—what are those? I've never even heard of them..."

Although Tang San had developed some goodwill toward Grandmaster because of how fairly he had dealt with the gatekeeper earlier, and had even spoken with him just now,

he still couldn't help tensing up the moment Grandmaster revealed his greatest secret. He forced a smile while unconsciously aiming the Sleeve Arrow on his wrist at Grandmaster, ready to kill him to silence him at any moment.

"You don't need to deny it. Not only do you possess Twin Martial Souls, but he does as well..."

Grandmaster shook his head as he spoke and looked toward Lin Ye.

"You must be wondering how I knew you both possessed Twin Martial Souls, right?"

A stiff smile tugged at Grandmaster's lips.

Lin Ye: "..."

"Actually, Tang San was right earlier. In certain fields, I am somewhat well-known and am respectfully called Grandmaster. That field is Martial Soul research."

A faint trace of confidence appeared on Grandmaster's face.

"I have studied many kinds of Martial Souls, both powerful and weak. Among them were your Blue Silver Grass and Begonia Flower."

"Both of these Martial Souls are typical Trash Martial Souls. Among hundreds or thousands of soul masters with Blue Silver Grass or Begonia Flower Martial Souls, it is difficult to find even one with soul power."

"And even if they do possess soul power, it is usually only Rank One or Two. So far, no Blue Silver Grass soul master or Begonia Flower soul master has ever been found with Innate Soul Power above Rank Three. Yet both of you possess full Innate Soul Power. That clearly makes no sense."

"Over the course of my many Martial Soul studies, I have summarized certain laws regarding Martial Souls. I organized them into ten points and named them the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls."

"According to one of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls I summarized, the Innate Soul Power a Martial Soul can produce is directly proportional to the Martial Soul's strength."

"Both of your Martial Souls are Trash Martial Souls, yet you possess full Innate Soul Power. This proves that you clearly have second Martial Souls, and exceptionally powerful ones at that!"

As he listened to Grandmaster, the tension on Tang San's face gradually eased, eventually turning into admiration. He admired Grandmaster for deducing that he possessed Twin Martial Souls through research! Beside him, however, Lin Ye remained silent.

Because whether it was Grandmaster's reasoning or conclusion, it might have been correct for Tang San, but it was entirely wrong for Lin Ye.

First of all, he did not possess Twin Martial Souls. He possessed Three Lives Martial Soul!

Furthermore, his Begonia Flower Martial Soul was not some Trash Martial Soul. It was also an extremely powerful Martial Soul; it merely looked rather similar to an ordinary Begonia Flower Martial Soul.

Thus, Lin Ye felt nothing at all in the face of Grandmaster's confident deduction.

"Grandmaster, please become my teacher!"

Tang San had been full of vigilance toward Grandmaster, but after hearing his words, he was filled with admiration. He gave Grandmaster a deep bow and respectfully said this.

"Teacher? Tang San, do you know what a teacher represents?"

Hearing Tang San's words, Grandmaster gave him a deep look.

"I know. A teacher for a day is a father for life!"

As he spoke, Tang San solemnly knelt before Grandmaster and kowtowed three times. Then he respectfully said, "Teacher!"

"Silly child, if you want to take a teacher, then take one. Why kowtow? In this world, you only need to kowtow to monarchs and parents. As for teachers, a bow is enough!"

Grandmaster was quite gratified by Tang San taking him as his teacher. After Tang San finished kowtowing, he immediately pulled him to his feet.

"Lin Ye, do you want to take Grandmaster as your teacher too? He knows so much. He can definitely help us become powerful soul masters!"

After becoming Grandmaster's disciple, Tang San suddenly turned to Lin Ye and made the suggestion earnestly.

Hearing Tang San's words, Grandmaster also turned his gaze toward Lin Ye. His expression appeared calm on the surface, but anticipation was hidden deep in his eyes.

Lin Ye: "..."

"Sorry, I refuse!"

Under Grandmaster and Tang San's gazes, Lin Ye finally shook his head after a long while and spoke softly.

Perhaps this Grandmaster truly knew a great deal, but Lin Ye cultivated the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill, and his physical condition already far surpassed that of an adult.

Grandmaster's research was all based on ordinary people. What he knew might not necessarily be useful to Lin Ye.

And to put it bluntly, all the research Grandmaster had just mentioned sounded impressive and seemed correct, but not a single part of it had been right when applied to Lin Ye.

Lin Ye simply could not trust a teacher like that.

His knowledge might be somewhat correct for most ordinary people.

But unfortunately, Lin Ye was not an ordinary person. Martial Soul knowledge suited to ordinary people might not necessarily suit him.

Besides, it was not as though Lin Ye knew nothing about Martial Souls.

Of the two books his father had left behind, one recorded knowledge about soul beasts, while the other contained knowledge about the world of soul masters, including knowledge of Martial Souls. Lin Ye did not need anyone else to teach him.

As for soul power cultivation, his father had left behind four martial arts manuals, so Lin Ye did not need anyone else's guidance there either.

Looking at it this way, there was clearly no reason for Lin Ye to take a teacher.

He had had no parents since childhood, only his grandfather, Old Jack.

And Old Jack had always been rather busy, so Lin Ye had had more time to think from a young age. This had given him the habit of thinking independently, and he had never blindly followed others simply because of their advice.

Especially when it came to major matters, Lin Ye had always believed in being careful and cautious, thinking things through seriously before making a decision.

Taking a teacher was undoubtedly a rather significant matter.

"Lin Ye, think it over again. Grandmaster knows so much—he can definitely help us!"

Hearing Lin Ye refuse, Tang San still tried to persuade him unwillingly.

But Lin Ye was exceptionally resolute. "Tang San, I'm sorry, and thank you for your kindness, but I don't want to take a teacher so early."

"Lin Ye..."

Tang San still wanted to persuade him.

But Grandmaster, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly shook his head. "Little San, don't force him!"

"Your name is Lin Ye, correct? I know we have only met once, so discussing taking a teacher is indeed too soon. However, taking a teacher is very important. Without a teacher to guide you, you will have to wait a long time before you can hunt soul beasts for soul rings. If you are unwilling to take me as your teacher, I can introduce you to one. He holds a high position in the academy and should be able to meet your requirements."

Looking at Lin Ye, Grandmaster placed his right hand behind his back and his left hand before his abdomen as he spoke slowly.

"Grandmaster, thank you for your kindness, but I want to choose my own soul rings for my Martial Soul!"

Lin Ye still shook his head.

"Lin Ye!"

Tang San was growing anxious beside him.

But when Grandmaster saw the determination in Lin Ye's eyes, he fell silent.

He thought of his younger self: the same determined gaze, the same refusal to yield to worldly conventions, the same unwillingness to turn back until he had hit a wall.

So Grandmaster sighed. "Lin Ye, hunting soul beasts is not a simple matter. Soul beasts are extremely powerful creatures, not something ordinary people can kill. And if you choose the wrong soul ring, your future may be ruined in an instant. I hope you will consider it carefully."

"How about this? These are some notes I compiled on soul beasts, soul rings, and their relation to Martial Souls. Take them back and read them. If there is anything you do not understand, you can come ask me. As for how to find me, just ask Tang San when the time comes. When I take Tang San to hunt soul beasts, if you do not mind, you can come with us as well."

As Grandmaster spoke, he took out a notebook and handed it to Lin Ye.

Looking at the notebook before him, the cautious Lin Ye wanted to politely decline.

Because Old Jack had once told him that the hardest debt to repay in this world was a debt of gratitude.

But then he remembered that the books did not record particularly detailed information about soul beasts and soul rings.

Lin Ye thought for a moment, hesitated, and ultimately accepted the notebook.

"Thank you, Grandmaster!"