The show was essentially over. Lin Yan had seen what he needed to see and learned most of what he wanted to know.
While everyone else was still celebrating, Lin Yan quietly left.
Lin Yan neither cared nor wanted to get involved in how Xiao Wu, that rabbit, handled the aftermath, as long as it did not disturb him.
With that matter settled, Lin Yan returned to the library to continue reading.
That evening, only when the librarian called out a reminder did Lin Yan realize it was closing time.
Lin Yan returned the book to its place and stretched his somewhat stiff body. After tidying up the library's books, he left and strolled toward Dorm Seven in the slightly cool evening breeze.
The nights at Nuoding Academy were not pitch-black. Soul Guidance Lamps of an antique design stood along the paths, casting a gentle glow.
As he neared Dorm Seven, a voice rang out.
"Lin Yan."
Lin Yan stopped and looked toward the voice. A figure stepped out from the shadows beneath a roadside tree. It was Tang San.
"Tang San, it's you." Lin Yan was a little surprised. "Did you need something?"
Tang San's tone was calm. "Just something small. I wanted to ask you about those... techniques you used when you fought Liu Long this afternoon."
Lin Yan's heart gave a jolt. Sure enough, Tang San had noticed. Lin Yan sighed inwardly. Tang San possessed the Mysterious Heaven Skill, one of the Tang Sect Secret Arts, which was likewise a supreme Daoist art. Different paths led to the same destination, so Tang San was extremely sensitive to techniques like these.
Lin Yan naturally let a hint of "recollection" show on his face as he settled on what to say.
Then he answered without betraying anything, "I was just throwing out moves."
"No, you weren't." Tang San sounded utterly certain. "Your footwork, the way you exerted force, and those precise strikes at joints and weak points... They looked simple and direct, but some of the principles behind them were like my... uh... In any case, they were very unusual. They weren't something you could just throw out."
He paused, seemingly weighing his words, then continued, "Could I ask where you learned those techniques?"
"Why should I tell you?" Lin Yan folded his arms and stared at Tang San.
"Sorry. I overstepped."
With that, Tang San turned to leave.
Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief. What annoyed him most was Tang San getting to the bottom of things. He would have to make up excuses.
Suddenly, Tang San paused, then turned back and asked, "Then what did you think of the Soul Skill I used today?"
"Your Soul Skill? Entanglement?" Lin Yan had not expected that question. After a moment's thought, he answered, "It's very powerful. It activates suddenly and has extremely strong control. Even a strength-type Battle Soul Master like Xiao Chenyu couldn't break free right away. And with the Mandala Snake's venom added to it, it can not only restrict an opponent's movements but also damage the restrained enemy through its poison. As a control-type Soul Skill, I think it's perfect."
Lin Yan gave a fairly balanced assessment based on the combat results he had witnessed that afternoon.
Hearing Lin Yan's assessment, a trace of agreement and barely perceptible pride flashed through Tang San's eyes.
"Lin Yan, I know your Martial Soul is also Blue Silver Grass. It's universally acknowledged as a trash Martial Soul, and there's currently no experience in cultivating Blue Silver Grass anywhere on the continent. But my teacher, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, has studied Martial Souls in great depth. He proposed the theory of 'Martial Soul core competitiveness' and believes there are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters. I obtained my First Soul Ring based on my teacher's theory."
Tang San paused and glanced sideways at Lin Yan. Finding his expression calm, he could only continue:
"I mentioned you to my teacher. He also remembered you, the work-study student with half a rank of Innate Soul Power. He said he had something of a fated connection with you, too. It's just a pity your Innate Soul Power is too low. Otherwise, he wouldn't mind taking another disciple. Although he can't take you as a disciple, I believe that as long as I ask, my teacher would certainly be willing to give you some guidance."
Tang San stopped without saying more, as though waiting for Lin Yan's response.
"So?" Lin Yan remained calm.
"Don't you want my teacher's guidance?" Tang San seemed a little surprised that Lin Yan remained so calm throughout.
"I do, but I know my own limits. My Innate Soul Power is low, and my aptitude is poor. I might never break through rank thirty in my entire life. How could I dare ask Grandmaster to guide me and tarnish his great reputation?"
Lin Yan knew Tang San was protective of his own, so he could not speak ill of Grandmaster. It was better to go along with him a little, lest he add another way of courting death.
"You don't need to worry about that. With me putting in a good word for you, my teacher will certainly be willing to help," Tang San said again.
"I'd rather not trouble Grandmaster. I know my own situation. Who knows when I'll even reach rank ten? Did you need anything else? If not, I'm heading back."
Without waiting for Tang San's answer, Lin Yan walked past him toward Dorm Seven.
Tang San watched Lin Yan leave, a trace of helplessness flashing through his eyes. Then he sighed and followed Lin Yan toward Dorm Seven.
The moment Lin Yan entered Dorm Seven, he found it bustling with excitement. Xiao Wu was animatedly recounting how Tang San had displayed his might that afternoon, easily defeated Xiao Chenyu, and ultimately made all the upper-year students wholeheartedly accept her position as their boss, "Sister Xiao Wu."
Every work-study student was excited, as though they themselves had held their heads high and breathed out their pent-up frustrations.
Seeing Lin Yan return, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. She hopped over and patted his shoulder. "Lin Yan, you did well today." She carried herself like a boss.
"Not at all. Tang San deserves most of the credit today."
"Although Tang San deserves the most credit, you did pretty well, too. You didn't disgrace the work-study students."
"Little San."
Little San had entered as well. Xiao Wu turned her gaze to Tang San and bounded over to him, leaving Lin Yan aside.
Lin Yan did not mind. He went to wash up on his own, then sat cross-legged on his bed, shut out his roommates' excited chatter, and began cultivating.