Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, gazing arrogantly at the gatekeeper. He said coolly, "In a few days, it'll be the start of the new term at Nuoding City's Soul Master Academy. I need you to help me with something."
"What is it, sir? Please tell me," asked the gatekeeper.
"There will be a work-study student arriving from Saint Soul Village. His name is Tang San—easy to recognize. All you need to know is that he has full innate soul power with a Blue Silver Grass martial soul. Once you see him, you just need to..." Yu Xiaogang suddenly leaned close to the gatekeeper and whispered, "…do this… and this…"
The gatekeeper looked troubled after hearing him. "Soul Master, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened. "Just do as I told you."
Realizing this was his only chance to redeem his reputation and make a name for himself, Yu Xiaogang couldn't afford any mistakes. He thought for a moment, then dug into his pocket and pulled out two gold soul coins—his saved monthly salary from the Spirit Hall.
He placed the two gold coins in the gatekeeper's hand and said, "This is your reward. As long as you do what I told you, I'll give you another two gold coins afterward."
Though it didn't seem like much, for a commoner like the gatekeeper, that was equivalent to several months' wages.
Having received the money, the gatekeeper's attitude immediately changed. He said cheerfully, "Soul Master, don't worry. I'll take care of it properly for you."
After leaving, Yu Xiaogang immediately found a place and vigorously scrubbed the spot on his hand that had touched the "lowly commoner" with soap.
Compared to his first time leaving home, Tang San was much more composed this time.
He held little sentiment for Saint Soul Village. In his past life, he only returned to visit his father during the first year after leaving.
After his father left, he never returned again. Once he became a god, he had no reason to concern himself with that forgotten corner of the world.
In contrast, he was far more eager about the place he was heading to now.
Nuoding City Soul Master Academy—this was where he would meet Xiao Wu.
Old Jack respectfully led Tang San to the academy. From a distance, they saw a massive archway with two iron gates underneath. A road stretched straight inward, flanked by tall trees. Atop the arch were four large characters: "Nuoding Academy."
As Old Jack brought Tang San to the gate, the gatekeeper blocked them. "What are you doing here? Do you peasants think this is a place you can enter?"
Old Jack smiled politely. "Good sir, we're from Saint Soul Village. This child is our village's work-study student this year. Could you tell us what procedures we need to follow?"
The gatekeeper sneered sarcastically. "A golden phoenix coming out of a straw nest, huh? A village boy with soul power? This academy hasn't had a work-study student in years. You're not imposters, are you?"
Though displeased, Old Jack swallowed his anger and took out the certificate issued by Su Yuntao to show the gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper glanced at it, looked Tang San up and down, and then loudly called out toward a nearby corner, "Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass? And it's innate full soul power? What a joke! I've worked here for four years and never heard of a student with full soul power having a trash martial soul like Blue Silver Grass. This certificate must be fake!"
"You… you're deliberately making things difficult! Fine, just wait—I'm going to fetch the Spirit Hall steward. Let's go, San."
The gatekeeper curled his lip and mocked, "Saint Soul Village? More like Beggar's Village."
"What did you say?" Old Jack snapped, turning around.
"What, you got a problem? I said you're from Beggar's Village! Look at this little beggar, clothes full of patches. You'd better find somewhere else to beg. This isn't a charity! Now get lost!"
With that, he shoved Old Jack's chest to drive them away.
Tang San witnessed all of this.
He remembered his previous life—in that life, he nearly killed this gatekeeper. But after a lifetime of experiences, Tang San had come to understand more about the nature of this world.
On the Douluo Continent, soul masters reigned supreme. A gatekeeper with zero soul power had no place to challenge anyone of rank.
Even with rural-urban discrimination, the gap between classes was far more significant. To be admitted to the academy—even as a lowly work-study student—meant that upon graduation, one would still be a soul master. And no ordinary person could afford to offend a soul master.
In his previous life, he simply didn't bother to stoop to this man's level. But had it been someone else, and had they chosen to retaliate in the future, that gatekeeper would have been long gone.
The fact that this gatekeeper dared to challenge him so boldly likely meant he had backing...
As expected, from the shadows, a flat-headed man who had been observing everything received the gatekeeper's signal. After the gatekeeper had humiliated Tang San and Old Jack enough, he stepped out.
"All right, that's enough." Yu Xiaogang walked out calmly, hands behind his back.
The gatekeeper's anger immediately turned into flattery. He bowed and smiled obsequiously, "Master, you've returned!"
Just look at that change in attitude. And listen to that word—"Master." That one word deeply satisfied Yu Xiaogang's vanity.
Yu Xiaogang was very pleased with the gatekeeper's cooperation. This was exactly why he remained in this small backwater.
In the world of nobles, he had been utterly humiliated—even low-level soul masters had stopped respecting him. But here, in a quiet corner like Nuoding City, where he only dealt with ordinary folk and junior soul masters, he could still feel a sense of superiority, healing the wounds of his broken pride.
He glanced sidelong at Tang San and noticed that the boy hadn't shown any surprise upon hearing him called "Master."
Not bad, not bad. Calm and steady, unflustered even in turmoil. Worthy to be my disciple.
Yu Xiaogang ignored the gatekeeper and instead addressed Old Jack. "Sir, may I see the Spirit Hall certificate?"
Old Jack hurriedly handed it over. As Yu Xiaogang read the document, his breath grew heavier. He barely managed to hide his excitement, but internally, he was roaring:
"Yes! Hahahaha! My opportunity has finally arrived! Blue Silver Grass… full innate soul power! Hahahaha! This is a gift from the heavens to me, Yu Xiaogang! My chance to make a name for myself!"
"I will cultivate him into a true powerhouse, a Titled Douluo! I'll let the world know that I, Yu Xiaogang, trained a Titled Douluo. I am not a waste!"
Yu Xiaogang suppressed the excitement in his heart and calmly said, "It's true, no doubt. Old sir, I apologize for what happened earlier. Please leave the child to me."
Old Jack quickly responded, "No need to apologize, no need. It's also partly our fault. Master, I'll leave the child in your care. Little San, go with the Master now, and you must behave."
Tang San nodded but said nothing.
After giving Tang San a few more reminders, Old Jack left.
Standing beside Tang San, Yu Xiaogang gave the gatekeeper a cold glance and arrogantly warned, "This is the first time, and also the last. If there's a next time, you won't need to stay here any longer." He subtly signaled with his eyes.
The gatekeeper immediately understood, cold sweat breaking out on his back. He quickly responded and stepped aside.
Their little exchange didn't escape Tang San's notice.
But instead of any smug satisfaction from seeing through them, Tang San only grew more disgusted. The more he saw Yu Xiaogang's tricks and complicity with the gatekeeper, the more it reminded him of his past life. His encounter with Yu Xiaogang back then had practically become a black mark on his history.
Ganzi, from the very beginning you were scheming against me.
Thinking about how he'd behaved in his past life, Tang San felt like a fool. Back then, Yu Xiaogang hadn't even started laying it on thick with his manipulations, and he'd already knelt down and declared, "A teacher for a day is a father for life!"
He'd treated Ganzi like a real father for the first half of his life—serving him, flattering him. He'd even gifted him a Nine-grade Purple Zhi mushroom, helping him break free from the reputation of being a good-for-nothing. Now, Tang San could only see his past self as a complete idiot.
Fine then, Ganzi. You've sealed your own fate. In this life, forget about ever breaking through level 30. Just obediently stand at level 29 forever. The world beyond it has nothing to do with you.
Both Tang San and Yu Xiaogang—this future master-disciple pair—were acting. Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, convinced that his carefully crafted play had reeled him in. The zombie-like face even squeezed out a smile. "Let's go in."
He extended a hand to Tang San. Tang San ignored it and silently followed behind him.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. Children born of these rural peasants really have no manners, he thought. Fine, just gives me more reason to "educate" him properly.
Ganzi clasped his hands behind his back and walked silently ahead, acting as a dignified mentor. Tang San followed closely but said nothing. Yu Xiaogang was just waiting for Tang San to speak, but the boy remained silent—like an introverted child who disliked socializing.
"You're not curious about my identity?" Yu Xiaogang couldn't help asking.
"You must be a powerful soul master," Tang San replied flatly, not even bothering with formal address.
Yu Xiaogang: "..."
Powerful? Hardly. With Tang San's talent, he was destined to reach heights Yu Xiaogang could never dream of. He couldn't rely on strength to impress him. But if he told the truth, his actual strength was nothing impressive. Why couldn't the kid just admire my knowledge instead? My intellect?
Didn't that gatekeeper just hint you in the right direction? I'm a "Master" after all!
Ahem. Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat, clasped his hands behind his back, and said, "I'm just a soul master. Not exactly powerful."
His pose was designed to look humble, so others couldn't gauge his strength. And when the truth came out, he'd still be able to say, I never lied to you.
"But I prefer others to call me 'Master'."
Tang San said nothing, letting the awkward drama unfold.
Yu Xiaogang looked at the still-silent Tang San. "I am a theory master certified by the Spirit Hall."
Our future Shiva—no, Sea God and Asura God—Tang San's expression instantly turned into a blank, deadpan stare.
Other than that overly-watery theory about the "Top Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls", what else do you even have, Ganzi?
If not for some lovesick fool in the Spirit Hall maintaining your "Master" reputation, you'd be nothing.
"Oh, 'Master', huh? Impressive," Tang San said, emotionless.
"You don't believe me?" Yu Xiaogang asked. "Then let me show you what I can do. Tang San, I suspect your martial soul isn't just Blue Silver Grass, is it?"
Tang San feigned shock, but felt nothing inside. In his past life, this exact line was what had hooked him.
Yu Xiaogang continued proudly, "You must be wondering how I knew you had twin martial souls?" He raised the certificate and said smugly, "Because of this proof. Maybe others can't see the flaws, but if I couldn't either, I wouldn't deserve the title of 'Master'."
"I've studied 670 cases of Blue Silver Grass martial souls—" (Total nonsense. He just referenced Spirit Hall archives.) "—and only 16 had any soul power at all, a rate of less than 3%. Even among those 16, none had soul power beyond level 1. But you? Your innate soul power is level 10."
"According to one of my top ten core theories, innate soul power is directly proportional to the quality of the martial soul. Blue Silver Grass clearly doesn't fit the bill. So I can say with certainty: you must have another, much stronger martial soul."
Tang San asked, "Why can't my martial soul just be an exceptional form of Blue Silver Grass?"
Yu Xiaogang hadn't expected that. Still, he confidently replied, "Based on my research, Blue Silver Grass is indeed a trash martial soul. There's no such thing as an exceptional variant."
Heh.
Yu Xiaogang had no idea his conclusion directly contradicted his own theories.
One of his core tenets was: "Innate soul power corresponds to martial soul quality." Another was: "Twin martial souls can only occur if both souls are of similar quality."
But his reasoning for Tang San's twin martial souls was: Because Blue Silver Grass couldn't possibly produce full soul power, you must have another, stronger soul that made up for it.
Just from this, the so-called "Master" title already looked shaky.
Yet he continued his self-important lecture. The more foolish and clownish he appeared, the more shame and anger Tang San felt.
Because every time he looked at the "Master," it was like looking into a mirror—at his past self.
That moment from the past resurfaced—before Yu Xiaogang even began spouting this nonsense, Tang San had voluntarily knelt and called him teacher. He'd not only accepted him as a mentor but as a father too.
That was his ultimate black mark.
Yu Xiaogang continued droning on, expecting Tang San to be awed by his "vast knowledge" and beg to be his disciple.
What he didn't know was—Tang San was waiting for him to say it first:
"Would you like to become my student?"