Making an Example at the Academy

Yao Liang's expression changed slightly at Xiao Yu's firm refusal. Suppressing his displeasure, he forced a friendly smile. "Student Xiao, think it over carefully. Of course, I won't take it from you for nothing. I have quite a few rare treasures myself. As long as you fancy something, I can trade it to you."

"No."

Xiao Yu would have to be insane to believe that a minor nobody from the original story could produce a treasure comparable to the system's premium items. He refused without the slightest politeness. "You said it yourself, Teacher—my cultivation technique is very unique. It is a secret art passed down through my family and absolutely cannot be shared."

"You truly refuse!"

Yao Liang dropped his smile, a vicious glint appearing in his eyes as he stared at Xiao Yu. Entering Martial Soul Possession, he revealed three yellow and one purple soul rings. "Kid, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty!"

Gao Huan and Gao Jue, watching from the stands, instantly turned pale and cursed Yao Liang inwardly. Just as Xiao Yu had said, such a unique technique had to be a secret manual handed down through his family. Who would be willing to share it? Yet a dignified vice dean was actually relying on his cultivation to threaten a student. If word got out, would anyone still be willing to enroll at their academy? Before they could step in to stop him, however, someone else had already lost patience.

"You're courting death!"

With a cold snort, Miao, who had been sitting silently in the stands, was suddenly standing before Xiao Yu. A pair of resplendent wings unfolded behind him, while seven soul rings in the optimal configuration—two yellow, two purple, and three black—slowly rose before him.

"A... a Soul Saint!"

Yao Liang staggered several steps backward. Miao's overwhelming pressure forced him out of Martial Soul Possession, and his face turned deathly pale in an instant.

A sect faction had invested in Mingjing Academy as well, but it could only be considered below average on this continent. Yao Liang had dared to disregard Gao Huan because a sect elder at the Soul Emperor level stood behind him. That was also where he drew the confidence to seize Xiao Yu's cultivation technique.

In his view, although Xiao Yu possessed a unique Meditation Method, he could not have come from any major power. Otherwise, he would have long since attended an academy run by his own sect. Those sect disciples would never be sent out to gain experience at the age of six or seven. This brat had most likely come from a once-glorious family that had now fallen into decline. That was why he had dared to use his power to seize the secret manual. He had never imagined that he would kick an iron plate.

"You have some nerve!"

Miao shouted coldly, and killing intent instantly spread through the air. Yao Liang felt as though he had fallen into an ice cellar and could not even form a complete sentence.

"Esteemed Soul Saint."

Gao Huan and Gao Jue hurried onto the arena one after the other. They had never expected that the quiet man beside Xiao Yu would actually be a Soul Saint-level powerhouse. After all, even the sect behind them had only its sect master at the Soul Saint level.

"You want to join him?"

Miao swept a cold glance over the two of them.

That damned fool! His greed had brought disaster upon them!

The two cursed Yao Liang inwardly in unison and quickly made their stance clear. "Please see the truth, sir. We have absolutely no intention of coveting Student Xiao's cultivation technique. This was entirely Teacher Yao's personal conduct. We will certainly give you and Student Xiao a satisfactory explanation. Please calm your anger!"

After exhausting themselves with pleas and fine words, they saw that Miao remained unmoved and could only turn their eyes toward Xiao Yu behind him. "Student Xiao, I know you were wronged just now, but I still ask you to persuade this esteemed sir."

Xiao Yu remained expressionless, but inwardly he was delighted. He had been wondering how to establish himself at the academy quickly, only for someone so recklessly foolish to come to his door and give them the chance to make an example.

He still needed to do these two academy officials a favor. After all, Xiao Yu intended to enroll in order to complete the system mission.

"Miao, stand down."

Xiao Yu spoke slowly.

"Yes, Young Master!"

At once, Miao withdrew his overflowing killing intent and stepped back behind Xiao Yu.

Gao Huan and Gao Jue exchanged a glance, becoming even more wary and respectful toward Xiao Yu. This youth was likely a direct descendant of some great sect who had come out to gain experience. They absolutely could not offend him. But if they handled things properly and befriended him, perhaps they might one day cling to a truly powerful patron.

The two had worked together for many years. Though neither spoke, a single exchange of glances was enough for them to understand each other's thoughts.

At once, Gao Huan, as the academy dean, said without hesitation, "Yao Liang, as vice dean, you coveted a student's secret manual and even attempted to seize it through force. Your conduct is utterly unbecoming of a teacher. The academy can no longer keep you."

Dismissing the vice dean was Gao Huan acting first and reporting later, but he believed that once the sect financing the academy learned that Yao Liang had offended a student protected by a Soul Saint—especially one whom that Soul Saint called Young Master—they would support his decision. They might even send Yao Liang on his way in order to build goodwill.

Thus, the small disturbance at enrollment passed. After witnessing Xiao Yu's mysterious background, Gao Huan specifically arranged the best single dormitory for him.

Naturally, Xiao Yu was very satisfied. Not only did a single dormitory provide the best environment for meditation cultivation, it also kept many of his secrets from being discovered by a roommate. If he needed to contact Miao or Hui Huo in an emergency, it would also spare him much unnecessary trouble.

After night fell, Xiao Yu sat cross-legged on his bed, circulating the Soul Power throughout his body through meditation.

The Meditation Method produced by the system was indeed far superior to most methods in the Douluo World. Vast Soul Power coursed through his limbs and bones at tremendous speed, while the meridians throughout his body gradually widened beneath its impact. In just over ten minutes, he had completed one full cycle.

"Burst!"

He did not know how long he had meditated. When dawn began to break in the east, Xiao Yu abruptly opened his eyes and gave a low shout. The Soul Power he had circulated for so long instantly dispersed like explosive powder being ignited.

This was the essence of the Meditation Method the system had adapted based on the Cosmo of the Saint Seiya World. The so-called Cosmo referred to the latent cosmic energy within the human body, the source of human strength. By igniting the Cosmo within their bodies, true Saint Seiya could unleash superhuman power capable of shattering stars and tearing apart the earth.

However, Xiao Yu's level was still too low. He was clearly nowhere near the point where his fists could split the sky and his kicks could crack the earth—let alone the legendary level at which even stars could be smashed. More accurately, he was still an entire galaxy away. He probably could not even shatter a slightly larger stone.

Crack!

Just then, the sound of wood splintering came from beneath Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu immediately realized what had happened. His expression changed, and a bitter smile appeared on his face. Well, it did have some power after all. At the very least, it had cracked the bedframe. For the next few days, he could only sleep on the floor.