Startled by the sudden thunderclap, Xu Sanshi staggered backward a few steps before regaining his balance. His whole body was shaken by the news, his vision darkening, and his buzzing mind held only one thought:
This is a topic I absolutely cannot touch!
No, when the old man asked me to comfort my third brother, he never said anything about him doing something so shocking!
Who exactly is Dean Yan Shaozhe? He's a legendary figure who appears only rarely, rumored to have been a top-level Douluo decades ago!
Now nearly a hundred years old, his cultivation must have reached an unfathomable height.
Such a top-tier expert of the continent—someone Sanshi had only heard of by name, never met—was slapped by his third younger brother who hasn't even awakened his martial soul yet?
Could it be that he didn't sleep well last night while perched in a tree and is still sleepwalking?
He pinched his thigh hard; the sharp pain refocused his blurry eyes, and he couldn't help but cry out, "Ouch!"
Realizing it was reality and not a dream, Xu Sanshi's heart sank deeper. Even the warm sunlight couldn't brighten the shadow looming over his heart; his future looked bleak.
Damn, can I still go back to the academy? Won't the dean make things hard for me?
Feeling quietly pleased, Xu Tianxi stepped forward and kept patting Xu Sanshi's shoulder, going along with it:
"Second brother, don't worry. You are you, I am me. I believe Shrek Academy wouldn't just give up on a genius like you because of me. After all, you're going to be the top defense-type Soul Master in the outer academy. Have some confidence."
Xu Sanshi trembled all over when Xu Tianxi touched him, his lips trembling as if about to cry in fear.
"No matter how talented you are, it won't work. I heard from that jerk Beibei that Dean Yan looks imposing but is actually very petty. You absolutely can't offend him.
He was already beaten by the ancestor and then slapped by you. When he realizes I'm from the Xuanming Sect too, won't he try to ruin me?"
Xu Tianxi nodded thoughtfully. In the original story, Yan Shaozhe was indeed a petty person with no generosity. Having seen him in person, he wasn't surprised that Yan would take his anger out on Xu Sanshi.
However, now that he had been promoted from "third younger brother" to "third brother," Xu Tianxi naturally wouldn't just abandon his innocent second brother. After thinking it through, he quickly came up with a solution.
"From what you said just now, that Beibei is from the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family?"
"Yes…"
Xu Sanshi replied weakly, his voice dragging as he considered whether to quit the academy voluntarily or wait to be forced out by Dean Yan.
Given his background, he didn't care much about the academy's resources or teaching. If he wanted, any top academy in the Douluo Three Kingdoms could take him. But he was reluctant to give up the year of effort he'd put in!
As he mentioned before, the Xuanming Sect, Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family, and White Tiger Duke's estate—all these long-standing families had mature soul skill systems and cultivation methods that required little outside guidance, possibly better than the academy's.
The main reason for studying at Shrek was to make friends and gain prestige. He had already built a decent relationship with that jerk Beibei and had become a core disciple of the outer academy. Graduating from the outer academy and entering the inner academy were within reach.
Shrek Academy bore the reputation of the continent's number one Soul Master sacred ground, gathering the genius second-generation elites from the Douluo Three Kingdoms—an excellent platform for networking. Its diploma was a shining credential, and representing Shrek in the continent-wide advanced Soul Master Academy tournament would be even better.
But now, it seemed that path was hopeless.
He could only… go home and try to compete with his older brother for the sect's deputy leader position, hoping his second awakening of the martial soul would succeed perfectly.
Just as Xu Sanshi felt utterly despondent, Xu Tianxi's calm voice rang out:
"According to what I've read these days in the library, the current Sea God Pavilion master of Shrek Academy is also from the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family. Since Beibei is only slightly older than you, he must be a top prodigy who enrolled early."
Xu Tianxi gave Xu Sanshi a reasonable suggestion and continued:
"Besides, you said Beibei knows Dean Yan's character well. Maybe there's some connection to that Sea God Pavilion master? Perhaps you can try talking to him?"
"Of course, if you want to come back and fight for your position, that's good too. I'll support you mentally."
As he finished speaking, light returned to Xu Sanshi's dim eyes. Soon, he laughed and gave Xu Tianxi a thumbs-up, praising:
"As expected of my brother, you're quick-witted!
Why didn't I think of that? Beibei tricked me out of a Xuan Water Pill last time; this time I have to get his help!"
Xu Tianxi expressionlessly reminded him, "Second brother, remember, now I'm your elder brother."
"Uh… I was just excited earlier, it doesn't count." Xu Sanshi scratched his head and looked away, refusing to acknowledge it.
"I've fought Dean Yan before. Would you dare?"
Xu Sanshi froze, then slumped his head and sighed, "I wouldn't dare… Fine, you're my brother."
"Hey~ that's better! The more you call me 'third brother,' the more I'll teach you the supreme manual I found in the library so you won't go astray and will benefit forever."
"What manual? What's it for?"
"This manual will help with your martial soul's second awakening. Want it?"
"Third Brother! You are my third brother! Why be polite among brothers? Here, here, this is ten thousand Gold Soul Coins—consider it a treat from your second brother."
Xu Sanshi didn't hesitate. He put on a very flattering smile and bent down to hand over a continent-wide Gold Soul Coin card.
He had figured it out: Although Xu Tianxi's personality had changed drastically after his transformation, he didn't need Xu Sanshi's jokes or comforting words anymore.
This guy had spent nearly half a month locked in the library, reading who knows how many books. Maybe he really found some valuable relics left by predecessors.
If there were real benefits to gain, calling him "Third Brother" a few times was no big deal. After all, he and Beibei often joked about calling each other "Dad."
Xu Tianxi smiled slightly as Xu Sanshi enthusiastically called him "Third Brother" over and over. He wiped his palm over the soul-guiding necklace on his chest, took out a book without a title, and handed it to Xu Sanshi.
"This manual is very important. Only read it late at night when it's quiet. Never let anyone see it during the day."
"Also, I copied a few words from our Xu family ancestors here. Remember to read them."
Xu Tianxi clasped his hands behind his back, holding back a smile as he gave the reminder.
It felt pretty good to tease a kid like this.
"All right, all right, I got it. If this thing really works, I'll even call you 'Third Dad' for a whole year."
Xu Sanshi took the manual like it was a treasure and then followed Xu Tianxi, continuing to chatter.
"By the way, Third Brother, the old man specifically told me that your martial soul awakening today must be done alone. I'll take you there."
"Okay."
Xu Tianxi's steps became especially light as he walked toward the morning sun, a relaxed and happy smile on his lips.
In the original story, this cheap second brother took the wrong path—not only awakening only half of the Xuanwu martial soul, but also having a long-standing feud with Jiang Nannan, chasing her for years before finally winning her over—a dog-blood mess that couldn't be more dramatic.
To him, that whole situation wasn't about right or wrong, but a mutual give-and-take. However, it was a pity that the Xu family elders hadn't properly guided Xu Sanshi beforehand, which led to the tragedy.
His impression of Xu Sanshi was neither good nor bad. Since Sanshi voluntarily called him "brother" and handed him a manual, there was no need to hold back.
As for what he wrote in the book—those were his views on relationships, like "bootlickers never get a good end," and so on.
Regarding Xu Sanshi's stubborn pursuit of Jiang Nannan... he couldn't comment; the whole thing was just too messy.
"Speaking of which, if I really awaken the Xuanming Turtle martial soul, I will definitely need a second awakening in the future. The power of the Xuanwu martial soul is very tempting, but the second awakening method developed by the Xuanming Sect is ridiculously extreme...
I definitely can't cause a tragedy like Xu Sanshi did. What should I do then..."
Watching Xu Sanshi's back, about to awaken his martial soul, Xu Tianxi once again pondered this troubling question.
He wants the divine beast martial soul, but not the dog-blood mess—how to resolve that?