"Yu Xiaogang, stop boasting about those theories of yours. You're just deceiving the world and stealing a name for yourself!"
"Li Changsheng, what do you know? Your Martial Soul is the same as mine, so how can you not understand me!? Luo Sanpao should eat more radishes!"
In Nuoding Academy's square, two figures, one in black and one in white, stood facing each other, discussing how to raise a Martial Soul called "Luo Sanpao."
As he looked at Li Changsheng across from him, Yu Xiaogang's eyes were bloodshot, and he panted like an ox.
"I can't be bothered talking to you. You don't deserve to hear it. Our Martial Souls may both be Luo Sanpao, but unlike you, I won't be stuck at rank twenty-nine for life."
"You!"
The young man named Li Changsheng was a transmigrator.
When he first arrived in this world, he had neither father nor mother. He was adopted by Rousi, the chief of Soul King Village, which was next to... Holy Soul Village. At six, he successfully awakened the Martial Soul Luo Sanpao. His Innate Soul Power was much higher than Gangzi's-a full six ranks.
Unfortunately, Heaven did not grant his wishes. Old Rousi had passed away several years ago, leaving Li Changsheng to live alone.
Fortunately, he cultivated diligently, constantly taking commissions to save up Gold Soul Coins, which he then used to buy all kinds of Soul Beast meat to feed Luo Sanpao. Only then did he finally break through to rank thirty-five at eighteen.
He had thought this was all his life would amount to, so he decided to follow Yu Xiaogang's example and settle down at Nuoding Academy for retirement. His Soul Power Level fully met the requirements for a teacher, so he smoothly became an official teacher.
"Were all those transmigrator seniors lying to me? I've called for a system nine times nine-eighty-one times! Why haven't I gotten one yet?"
Li Changsheng felt somewhat helpless, but he had always been an optimist. Since he had transmigrated to the Douluo Continent, he might as well enjoy life even without a system. At worst, he could lie low until the later stages and join the Tang Sect, and he would still live comfortably.
"Phew... Li Changsheng, considering you're only eighteen and still young, listen to me. From now on, you must feed Luo Sanpao white radishes and other things that increase its fart output. It's a Martial Soul that can only fart to begin with. No matter how much Soul Beast meat and lesser dragon meat it eats, a barnyard chicken can't turn into a phoenix!"
"You still don't understand. You're the one holding Luo Sanpao back, not Luo Sanpao making you what you are!"
Li Changsheng slowly shook his head. Yu Xiaogang was utterly mule-headed. Nothing anyone said could get through to him; he was completely immersed in his own world.
Ignoring him, Li Changsheng walked slowly toward the academy gates. Today was the day Soul Master subsidies were handed out, and he wanted to buy some meat for Luo Sanpao.
"Li Changsheng, you'll regret this!"
"Yu Xiaogang, I'm the teacher here!"
"Hmph!"
Seeing that his persuasion had failed, Yu Xiaogang angrily flicked his sleeves and headed toward his lodgings.
Li Changsheng strolled along an academy path, feeling both relaxed and a little pressed for time. These next few days were when new students reported to the academy. If he remembered correctly, Tang San seemed to be arriving soon. Should he become a "tiger blocking the road"?
He could beat Yu Xiaogang to the punch and take Tang San as his disciple. In the original story, Yu Xiaogang had failed to become a god even after eating Immortal Herbs and drinking divine blood. His own Innate Soul Power wasn't trash, so he should be able to do it, right?
The more he thought about it, the more tempted he became, and Li Changsheng gradually quickened his pace. Yu Xiaogang seemed to have returned to his lodgings just now, so he could try waiting by the academy gates.
"Out so early, Teacher Li? Are you going to the Spirit Hall Branch for your Soul Master subsidy again today?"
"That's right, but I'd like to sit here for a while first. I won't be in your way, will I?"
Li Changsheng smiled as he asked the gatekeeper before him, his tone devoid of a Soul Master's airs. The gatekeeper felt rather overwhelmed by the favor and hurriedly waved his hands as he answered:
"Not at all, not at all! You're a noble Lord Soul Master. How could you be bothering us?"
Li Changsheng remembered this gatekeeper. He seemed to be the one who had blocked Tang San at the gates, though he was much better behaved now.
It was still fairly early, and there weren't many pedestrians on the road. But Li Changsheng wasn't sure whether Tang San would actually come, so he could only wait a little longer.
To relieve his boredom, Li Changsheng also released his Luo Sanpao.
"Luo, luo!"
Looking at the round, stocky Luo Sanpao at his feet, its body almost like a little oval ball of flesh, Li Changsheng reached out and kept teasing it.
This was Li Changsheng's Luo Sanpao. Judging by appearance alone, it was completely different from Yu Xiaogang's purple-skinned pig. But a closer look revealed that this Luo Sanpao was exactly like Grandmaster's in the comic version.
Its whole body was a bright earthy yellow, while its abdomen and belly were creamy white. It looked like a big-headed doll, and its face had none of a pig's features. Instead, it resembled a sweet, goofy little puppy.
"Luo, luo!"
Luo Sanpao's limbs were short and thick, and its body bobbed up and down as it ran.
"The comic version really is much cuter. Look at Gangzi's. Tsk, tsk. Being ugly is one thing, but the real problem is that it looks just like a pig!"
As for why he hadn't given it another name, the main reason was that his Luo Sanpao also attacked with mist. But instead of farting, it breathed out through its mouth, its breath carrying faint lightning and flickers of flame. It could also only fight three times.
Calling it Luo Sanpao was reasonable enough.
"Stop! What are you here for!"
Just as Li Changsheng was looking down and playing with Luo Sanpao, a shout from the gatekeeper caught his attention.
An old man was holding a certificate, looking as though he wanted to say something, with a black-haired child beside him.
The child looked unremarkable, but as a transmigrator, Li Changsheng could see a thoughtfulness in his eyes that did not belong to someone his age.
These two were presumably Old Jack and Tang San, right?
"Young brother, we're here to enroll. He's a work-study student from Holy Soul Village! Please take a look at this."
Old Jack shakily handed the Spirit Hall certificate to the gatekeeper. The latter was just about to make a couple of mocking remarks when he remembered that there was a teacher here with him. If he offended him, he would lose his rice bowl.
So he hurriedly turned around and passed the certificate to Li Changsheng instead, saying, "Teacher Li, this is that child's Martial Soul certificate. Would you take a look?"
Li Changsheng took the certificate and slowly walked forward.
At this, a trace of wariness first flashed through Tang San's eyes, but when he clearly saw the other man's appearance, he froze.
His medium-length, pale white hair was not tied up, but instead draped casually over his shoulders. He had handsome features, high, prominent brow bones, and long, narrow eyes that often held a touch of melancholy and depth, giving the impression that he must have experienced a great deal.
He wore a dark blue, high-collared robe, with a broad, light-colored scarf draped over it.
Overall, Li Changsheng gave the impression of a bard, yet one could always sense a strong air of learning about him.
"This man doesn't look very old, but he probably isn't simple!"
This was the first impression he gave Tang San, and precisely because of it, much of the wariness in Tang San's eyes faded.