In less than thirty seconds, all four robbers were lying on the floor, their movements growing fainter by the moment.
Enduring the scorching heat, Tang Wulin reached out and grabbed Jiang Mingyuan's arm. A yellow soul ring slowly emerged, and the Dragon-Scaled Iron Tree settled on Tang Wulin's shoulder.
Blue Silver Grass slowly wound around Jiang Mingyuan. Tiny bumps began growing along the vines, then gradually swelled into fruits the size of ping-pong balls. A sweet fragrance drifted from them.
But that fragrance was no reason to try tasting them. The fruits contained a potent dose of Paralysis Poison, though Tang Wulin had deliberately adjusted it so it would not cause much harm to the human body. His only aim was to calm Jiang Mingyuan down.
As he spoke, Tang Wulin threw his whole weight against Jiang Mingyuan, hauling him deeper into the seat and pinning him firmly in place so he would slowly inhale the Paralysis Poison.
"Stop. They can't fight back anymore."
At last, Jiang Mingyuan's extreme emotions were suppressed, and his reason regained the upper hand.
Jiang Mingyuan shoved Tang Wulin away and rubbed his head. That Paralysis Poison really packed a punch. When Tang Wulin had told him about his first soul skill through the Soul Guidance Communicator, he had been genuinely surprised.
Well, well. He was following the same path as his dad.
Playing with poison.
But on second thought, at least this was better than having Entanglement as his first soul skill.
Before long, the train police finally arrived, but the flames burning on the robbers kept them from approaching.
Jiang Mingyuan waved his hand, directly dispersing the four masses of flame.
The train police could not help shaking their heads at the robbers, who had been charred from head to toe and were breathing out but barely breathing in.
Served you right for being unlucky enough to cross soul masters.
The train police officer who appeared to be in charge stepped straight over the charred body blocking his way and approached Tang Wulin and Jiang Mingyuan's seats.
Jiang Mingyuan was sitting on the inside, holding his head as he continued struggling with his extreme emotions, trying to suppress the anger in his heart.
Tang Wulin stood up, shielding Jiang Mingyuan behind him.
The Train Police officer first bowed in apology.
"I'm sorry for the fright, my lords. Our company's inspections were inadequate, allowing these robbers to slip aboard."
"And thank you both for intervening and resolving this crisis. On behalf of everyone aboard this train, I offer you our thanks!"
Tang Wulin waved a hand.
"It was no trouble. Please hurry and take these four away."
Once Tang Wulin had dealt with the train police and sent them off, he sat down and turned to find that Jiang Mingyuan had already released his Martial Soul Possession and fallen asleep.
Two hours later, at the exit of Eastsea City Station, Tang Wulin carried Jiang Mingyuan on his back as the bustling crowd swept him toward the street outside.
Although Jiang Mingyuan had brought him to Eastsea City for fun before, Brother Yuan was asleep this time. Left to manage on his own, he could not help feeling a little nervous.
Outside the train station, a broad street came into view. Tall buildings rose in rows, and all kinds of Soul Guidance cars sped continuously along the road.
After threading through the dense crowds, Tang Wulin finally spotted a white sign with large blue lettering that read "Eastsea Academy."
Several tables stood beside the sign, with a few young men and women in school uniforms seated behind them. They looked about seventeen or eighteen.
Tang Wulin carried Jiang Mingyuan over. One of the black-haired girls saw Jiang Mingyuan approaching and asked warmly, "Little brother, are you a new student here to register at Eastsea Academy?"
Tang Wulin stepped up and said politely, "Hello, big sister. My name is Tang Wulin, and this is my companion, Jiang Mingyuan. We're here to register."
Liu Yuxin looked curiously at the unconscious Jiang Mingyuan on his back and asked, "What happened to this little sister? Do you need any help?"
Tang Wulin explained, "We ran into some trouble on the way here. Everything's fine now. He just needs a little more sleep. Also, senior, Brother Yuan is a boy."
"Huh? A boy?" The older students from Eastsea Academy responsible for welcoming newcomers looked incredulously at Jiang Mingyuan's delicate face and long, fiery-red hair.
Their faces looked like that confused guy surrounded by question marks meme.
"Uh, little brother, let's do this. First, take out your junior academy recommendation letters." As Liu Yuxin spoke, she asked the people behind her to bring out a reclining chair so Jiang Mingyuan could lie down.
Liu Yuxin took the recommendation letters and read them.
Tang Wulin, nine years old, graduate of Red Mountain Junior Academy in Aolai City. Rank eleven control-type soul master. Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass.
Jiang Mingyuan, nine years old, graduate of Red Mountain Junior Academy in Aolai City. Rank twenty-eight power attack system soul master. Martial soul: Phoenix.
Carefully comparing him with the photograph on the recommendation letter, she found that, apart from his longer hair, more delicate face, and slightly raised chest, he really was Jiang Mingyuan.
Forget it. No point overthinking it.
Liu Yuxin spread her hands. They were only responsible for the preliminary checks and sending the students to Eastsea Academy. The school itself would have to verify the details.
Eastsea Academy's bus was very spacious and could hold several dozen people. Half the seats were already occupied. There were children their age as well as adults, evidently parents accompanying their children to register at the academy.
Tang Wulin found a pair of adjoining seats by the window and settled Jiang Mingyuan into one. He even thoughtfully tied back Jiang Mingyuan's long hair with a cord.
After another ten minutes or so, a dozen more students and parents had boarded. Seeing that nearly all the seats were filled, the driver called out to the people still welcoming newcomers outside, then started the bus.
Through the window, Tang Wulin looked at the towering buildings all around him, and memories of the trip Jiang Mingyuan had taken him on over a year ago gradually surfaced.
About twenty minutes later, the bus began slowing down, finally stopping in front of the school gates.
"Students and parents, we've arrived at Eastsea Academy. Please take all your luggage, get off the bus, and line up. Follow me into the school." Liu Yuxin stood in front of the now-open bus door, holding a large megaphone.
Tang Wulin was just about to help Jiang Mingyuan up when Jiang Mingyuan's body twitched. He finally booted up. He reached up to rub his eyes and let out a long yawn that squeezed a tear from the corner of his eye.
"Wulin, where are we?" Jiang Mingyuan asked, his voice still groggy.
Jiang Mingyuan stood up, stretched his limbs, and rolled his neck, his joints making a series of clicking sounds.
That nap had left him feeling truly awful.
"Brother Yuan, we're at the academy."
"Huh?"
Jiang Mingyuan froze for a full three seconds, until the people seated behind them walked down the aisle with their luggage. He turned and looked outside through the window.
They really had arrived at Eastsea Academy.
Jiang Mingyuan rubbed his still-dizzy head and roughly pieced together what had happened. Turning to Tang Wulin, he said, "Wulin, thank you. I didn't expect to be out for so long."
Tang Wulin waved a hand and said with a smile, "It's fine, Brother Yuan. Come on, let's hurry and get off."
By then, everyone else had left the bus, leaving only Jiang Mingyuan and Tang Wulin inside. Liu Yuxin leaned halfway into the bus and called to them, "You two, hurry down and line up!"
(Check the author's note.)