Three days later, Tang San returned to the academy, supporting a weakened Yu Xiaogang.
Much like in the original plot, the two had encountered a Mandala Snake during their Soul Hunting, and Yu Xiaogang had been poisoned.
Tang San had relied on the Tang Sect Secret Arts to kill the Mandala Snake, then obtained his first Soul Ring.
Everything had fallen back on track.
What Lin Yang had not expected, however, was that Tang San would seek him out the moment he obtained his first Soul Ring, impatient to challenge him again.
"You're saying you want another fight with me?"
Lin Yang casually placed the book in his hand on the shelf and stared at the battle-ready Tang San, looking both surprised and speechless.
The sky has cleared, the rain has stopped, and now you think you're up to it again.
You're the famous God King Tang, not Two Pillars.
Do you really think one extra Soul Ring means you can stand tall now?
Lin Yang could not be bothered to say much to Tang San and simply answered coldly, "Not interested."
Yet in Tang San's eyes, Lin Yang's refusal was a sign of weakness.
A trace of mockery lurked in Tang San's eyes. Just as his teacher had said, Lin Yang only knew how to use his strength to bully the weak.
"Are you scared?"
"Yes, I'm scared," Lin Yang sneered sarcastically.
"I'm scared someone might be a sore loser who likes launching sneak attacks behind people's backs."
"Besides, you lost last time, and you still haven't apologized to Wang Sheng..."
These were only excuses. After all, Tang San's hyperaggressive father was hiding somewhere, watching from the shadows.
What if Lin Yang hit him too hard and his father came out to shield his precious boy?
That old bastard had no sense of fair play.
So, to Lin Yang, Tang San's challenge was like a toad sprawled across his foot-not just disgusting, but deeply irritating.
If you didn't have such a great daddy, I'd beat the shit out of you. If none came out, it'd only mean you'd already emptied your bowels.
Tang San's expression grew as ugly as could be at Lin Yang's barrage of mockery.
Because of the incident at the start of the school year, his reputation at the academy was now terrible. The other students avoided him like snakes and scorpions.
Although he did not care, being isolated by everyone was not a pleasant feeling.
And all of it... stemmed from Lin Yang, who stood before him.
Had Lin Yang known what Tang San was thinking, he would certainly have offered him two words: "Fucking idiot."
There was simply no communicating with someone like this through normal reasoning.
People like him never reflected on their own behavior, instead blaming every problem on others.
Ignoring Tang San, Lin Yang took a few books and left the library, planning to read them back in his own room.
At the same time, he decided that as soon as he learned the pattern of Tang Hao's movements, he would apply for graduation.
Otherwise, facing that pair of insufferable master and disciple, father and son, every day would give him high blood pressure sooner or later.
About half a month later, Lin Yang confirmed through his informants that Tang Hao would not be leaving Nuoding City anytime soon.
He had rented a house near the academy and kept to himself every day, rarely appearing in public.
He did not cultivate while hiding in his room, either.
His days were much the same as they had been in Holy Soul Village: eating, sleeping, drinking, and occasionally watching Tang San from afar.
Although Lin Yang looked down on Tang Hao's self-destructive behavior, it was precisely this that gave him an opening to exploit.
That day, Lin Yang arrived at the Dean's Office, stopped, took a deep breath, then raised his hand and knocked.
"Come in."
Su Hong's voice came from inside the room.
Lin Yang pushed the door open and entered.
At that moment, Su Hong was sitting behind his desk with a book in his hand.
Looking up and seeing Lin Yang, Su Hong immediately smiled. He set the book beside him and asked with a smile,
"Lin Yang, what brings you here?"
Lin Yang did not beat around the bush. "Dean, I'm here to apply for early graduation."
Su Hong fell silent for a few seconds, his gaze complicated as he looked at Lin Yang.
He had long known this day would come. For someone with Lin Yang's talent, a junior academy was ultimately too small.
The resources here could no longer meet the needs of Lin Yang's growth.
A greenhouse could not grow towering trees, nor could shallow waters produce flood dragons.
"Ah..." Su Hong sighed softly, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"I approve your graduation application."
After a pause, he continued,
"The academy has nothing left to teach you. In the end, you'll have to walk your future path yourself."
"With your talent and disposition, you're certain to achieve something in the future."
Seeing the dean agree so readily, Lin Yang relaxed slightly, then bowed respectfully.
"I will always remember how the academy nurtured me."
"Good, good, good." Su Hong nodded with a chuckle.
"The fact that you feel that way means I wasn't wrong about you."
After a moment's thought, Su Hong stood, took a thick hardcover book from the shelf behind him, and handed it to Lin Yang.
"In my younger days, I was fortunate enough to do a small favor for a Spirit Hall Deacon. He gave me this Soul Beast Illustrated Guide as a gift."
"It contains information on some rare Soul Beasts. I'm giving it to you now as a graduation present."
Lin Yang froze for a moment, then hurriedly waved his hands.
"Dean, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."
Information about Soul Beasts was precious knowledge anywhere. The Soul Beast Illustrated Guide Su Hong was offering was undoubtedly a substantial gift.
"Take it." Su Hong motioned for Lin Yang to accept it.
"I've long since memorized this guide backward and forward. It's only gathering dust here. In your hands, it can still serve a purpose."
Lin Yang accepted the thick hardcover book with both hands. "Thank you, Dean."
Seeing Lin Yang accept it, Su Hong chuckled, then asked,
"What are your plans after graduation?"
Lin Yang thought for a moment. "I plan to go home first, then enroll in an intermediate Soul Master academy."
Going home was only an excuse. In truth, he planned to retrieve a Soul Bone.
Su Hong nodded. This did not surprise him.
Then Su Hong briefly introduced the intermediate academies within the Heaven Dou Empire.
The most famous was naturally Heaven Dou Intermediate Academy. Backed by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, it offered graduates a chance to advance directly to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Whether in teaching staff, campus environment, or cultivation resources, the latter could be called the best in the nation.
Everyone wanted to squeeze their way inside, even if they had to batter their heads bloody.
Of course, those admitted to Heaven Dou Royal Academy were naturally geniuses among geniuses, or children with noble backgrounds.
Anyone with ordinary talent and a poor family could not even get through the gates.
That was how cruel the world of Soul Masters was.
Next came the intermediate academies affiliated with the Five Elemental Academies. Their conditions were quite good, and they also offered direct advancement to their respective advanced Soul Master academies.
The third tier was considerably worse, including the nearest one, Soto Intermediate Soul Master Academy, as well as Beast Soul Master Academy and others...
Su Hong explained so much because he feared Lin Yang might choose the wrong academy and waste his talent.
Lin Yang understood this clearly and spoke sincerely.
"Don't worry, Dean. No matter which intermediate academy I attend, I certainly won't tarnish Nuoding Academy's name."
"Haha!" Su Hong laughed heartily.
"Good, good, good! That's ambition. I believe you can do it."
With that, Su Hong processed Lin Yang's graduation certificate on the spot.
"Thank you, Dean." Lin Yang accepted the graduation certificate with both hands, examined it carefully, then put it in his pocket.
After leaving the office, Lin Yang visited Dorm Seven. Once he had said goodbye to Wang Sheng and the others, he returned to his rented room.
He packed all his belongings into his Storage Ring and left Nuoding City that very night under cover of darkness.
Only when Nuoding City had vanished completely into the darkness behind him did Lin Yang stop. He turned for one long look, then left without looking back again.
The road ahead lies wide open!
From now on, the sky is vast for birds to fly, and the sea boundless for fish to leap.
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