Inside the Academic Affairs Office, the fragrance of tea curled through the air.
"Director Su, San is ready to obtain his first Soul Ring."
Tang Tian stood before the desk and got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
His tone was quite sincere:
"We brothers are new here, and we don't want to trouble that Grandmaster with his rather unique personality."
He deliberately paused on the word "unique."
Director Su nearly laughed aloud!
This kid had a sense of humor, too.
Tang Tian then looked at Director Su:
"I hear our academy's dean is a powerful Soul Ancestor?"
"Could I ask you to introduce us, Director Su?"
At this point, Tang Tian bowed slightly, showing him every courtesy:
"If the dean would be willing to help and take us to the Soul Hunting Forest."
"We would certainly remember the academy's kindness in nurturing us."
Director Su had been blowing on the floating leaves in his teacup.
At those words, he paused.
He gently set down his cup.
He did not refuse immediately.
Instead, he sized up the two brothers before him.
Especially Tang San, who had stood silently behind Tang Tian all this time.
Though only six years old, his still-water composure was nothing like a child's.
Add to that his astonishing talent of innate full soul power...
Over the past fortnight, he had seen all the commotion these brothers had stirred up on the Back Mountain.
Their perseverance and ability to carry things through.
Even adults might not measure up.
As for the older brother, Tang Tian, although his talent seemed inferior to his younger brother's.
His deft handling of people and situations.
And that confidence in commanding the entire situation.
He was definitely someone worth molding.
"Hmm..."
Director Su tapped his fingertips lightly against the desk.
He quickly began working his mental abacus.
That Yu Xiaogang was merely a guest adviser who lived off the academy through his connection to the dean.
He wore a stiff face all day, acting as though he owned the world.
Which teacher at the academy wasn't sick of him in private?
Tang San, on the other hand, was a genuine budding genius!
He might even become Nuoding Academy's golden signboard for decades to come!
If he could get the dean to lead the team personally.
Not only would he be doing these brothers an enormous favor.
Once this child made something of himself.
His own record, as the director who had built the bridge between them, would gain a bold and colorful stroke.
This was what they called angel investing!
Having worked out the key points.
Director Su instantly put on the warm, kindly smile of an elder:
"Of course, of course!"
"Our Dean Zhang cherishes talent above all else. He loves helping the younger generation, especially hardworking, talented children like you."
He rose and patted Tang Tian warmly on the shoulder.
His tone treated them as his own people:
"I'll speak to him for you!"
"Come on, no day like today. I'll take you to see the dean right now!"
The dean's office was spacious and bright.
Dean Zhang of Nuoding Academy was a rank forty-two Tool Soul Ancestor whose Martial Soul was a long staff.
As for Director Su's request.
He did not look down on Tang San because he was a child.
Nor did he agree immediately.
Instead, he regarded Tang San with interest:
"Blue Silver Grass with innate full soul power? How unusual."
"Child, release your Martial Soul and let me see."
Tang San nodded, stepped forward, and opened his right palm.
Hum!
A deep blue light flashed.
Several thick, vigorous strands of Blue Silver Grass instantly surged out.
Unlike ordinary Blue Silver Grass.
Under Tang San's control.
These blades of grass actually coiled and intertwined nimbly in the air.
They even mimicked a snake's attacking posture.
With a faint whistle as they cut through the air.
Nourished by the "Mimicry Cultivation Environment" over these past days.
Along with Tang Tian's hellish training and the aid of hidden weapon techniques.
Tang San's control over his Blue Silver Grass had long since far surpassed that of his peers.
"Such powerful vitality! Such precise control!"
Dean Zhang's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh:
"If such unpolished jade were wasted for lack of a good Soul Ring, it would be a loss to Nuoding Academy, and an even greater loss to the Soul Master World!"
In his eyes, Tang San's future accomplishments would undoubtedly exceed his own.
This deal was a sure profit with no risk of loss!
At that moment, Director Su interjected at just the right time.
He tactfully explained the small conflict over "differing views" between the Tang brothers and Yu Xiaogang.
After hearing him out.
Dean Zhang could not help chuckling.
He waved a hand:
"Oh, that's hardly a big deal."
"I know Grandmaster. He's just a little stubborn and desperate to save face. He isn't bad at heart."
"Since he took an interest in San before, that means he recognizes the boy's worth, too."
After pondering for a moment, Dean Zhang proposed a compromise.
Trying to play peacemaker:
"How about this? We'll invite Grandmaster along on this Soul Hunting trip."
"We'll all go together and use the opportunity to ease the tension."
"After all, he really has done some research into Martial Soul Theory. One more person means one more pair of helping hands."
Hearing that they would be bringing that arrogant, baffling Grandmaster along.
Tang San frowned slightly, instinctively resisting the idea.
Just as he was about to refuse.
"No problem. We'll leave everything to you, Dean."
Tang Tian agreed before he could speak.
An impeccable smile rested on his face.
As though he truly were an obedient student.
Tang San looked at his older brother in surprise.
He knew his brother actually disliked that Grandmaster even more than he did.
Now, for the sake of his Soul Ring, his brother was willing to swallow his grievances and compromise?
A warm current surged through his heart.
Tang San clenched his fists.
His gaze toward Tang Tian was filled with emotion.
My brother is putting up with that man for my sake...
I mustn't let him down!
"However-"
Tang Tian changed tack.
His smile faded as he looked at the dean and said earnestly:
"Dean, I have one small request."
"Although we brothers are young, we have our own understanding of cultivation."
"When the time comes, I hope we can make the final decision ourselves about which Soul Ring San absorbs."
Tang Tian's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation:
"If Grandmaster offers suggestions, we're willing to consider them."
"But if we feel they're unsuitable, we won't follow him blindly, even if he is Grandmaster."
Dean Zhang froze for a moment, seemingly not expecting this six-year-old child to have such a mind of his own.
But then he laughed heartily:
"Of course!"
"A Soul Ring concerns a Soul Master's entire life. Naturally, you must be careful."
"I'll help you assess it when the time comes, too."
Having secured their greatest backer.
Tang Tian took Tang San back to fetch Xiao Wu.
Then they sauntered boldly up to Yu Xiaogang's dormitory.
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking rang out.
A moment later, the door opened, and Yu Xiaogang's stiff face appeared in the doorway.
Seeing these children.
A barely perceptible flash of delight and smugness crossed his eyes.
As he saw it.
They must have run into a wall trying to enter the Soul Hunting Forest these past few days.
They had finally realized they could not enter without a warrant and had come expressly to yield and become his disciples.
After all, in Nuoding City, no one understood Martial Souls better than he, Yu Xiaogang!
"Hmph, finally thought it through?"
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back and raised his chin slightly.
He assumed the inscrutable air of a grandmaster.
His tone was indifferent:
"It's good for young people to have pride, but you must also recognize reality."
"Martial Soul cultivation is no child's play. Without guidance from a renowned teacher, you can't advance a single inch."
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