"A genius? Dare not… but there is one," Yu Xiaogang said confidently, rising to his feet. His eyes glowed with pride, his back straight with all the weight of vindication. "My disciple—Tang San!"
This boy was his answer to years of humiliation. His rejected theories, his scorned research, his lonely decades… all rebuilt around Tang San's rare talent. If Tang San blossomed, then so too did Yu Xiaogang's name.
"Greetings, esteemed elders."
Tang San strode forward from behind his teacher, bowing respectfully to Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin.
Zhilin's lips smiled faintly, but in his heart? Genius? Let's test that.
The air around him shimmered, dense with pressure, his spirit power locking onto Tang San.
Tang San stiffened, chest heavy as mountains piled onto his ribs. If he crumbled now, they'd write him off as hype, his Academy as frauds. Sweat dripped along his brow as he braced himself, grinding his teeth.
Hold on, Tang San… hold on…!
The pressure deepened, cracking against his spirit… until—
Boom—!
The door slammed wide.
"Old man Meng! You promised me wine—"
Lucien staggered into the room with his jug, hair tousled, eyes glazed. He stopped, blinking at the crowded chamber. "Eh? Why so many demon faces here?"
The elders all froze. Zhilin jolted, pulling his power back in shock before he could crush Tang San entirely. Even so, the boy sagged, his chest aching from the residue.
Tang San coughed, humiliated. A brush with glory turned into farce. Always—always—when Lucien entered, dignity shattered.
In the corner, her black leather pants hugging her legs, Zhu Zhuqing's breath caught when she saw that familiar jug and blurred smile. He was here. She had told herself, at least we'll be schoolmates again… That one thought made her willing to enter Royal Academy under Shrek's banner.
And when Lucien spotted her too, his lips curved warmly. "Kitten, it's you!"
Her heart stirred.
Dai Mubai's fists clenched so hard his knuckles cracked. His face flushed red. Him again. Always him, stealing Zhuqing's eyes away…
"You bastard!" he spat.
Lucien hiccupped, squinting drunkenly. Recognition dawned—and his crooked smile widened. "…Oh. The bastard again."
Mubai's nostrils flared, breath like bellows. But before he could explode, Zhao Wuji's strong arm locked him back.
"Hold it! This isn't our turf. We came here to beg entry, not pick fights," the Bear King muttered. "You'll only drag us all to ruin."
Mubai bit his tongue, hatred simmering behind his eyes.
The Dragon-Snake elder couple exchanged startled looks. They knew that group.
"Isn't that Zhao Wuji?!" Meng Shu whispered.
"The thieves who fought us over the Phoenix-Crested Serpent…" Chao Tianxiang hissed.
At Gu Rong's side, suspicion stirred. "Meng Shu, you know these people?"
"They're Shrek," Meng Shu admitted. "That boy Tang San—he's… well, they call him a prodigy."
Gu Rong's gaze sharpened.
The room grew even noisier when a new voice came from outside.
"Meng Shenji, are you here?"
Everyone stiffened. Even Meng Shenji himself blinked in shock. Impossible. Today is chaos even for me, but all at once?
He hurried forward. "Your Highness, you honor us with your presence."
Prince Xue Xing stepped inside—eyes widening when he saw none other than Ning Fengzhi present too.
Then he recognized Dragon-Snake, then Meng Shenji, then the rabble of Shrek. He frowned. "What… is this mess?"
At his side, young Prince Xue Beng whispered in his ear, eyes full of malice and gossip about Lucien's earlier behavior.
Xue Xing snorted. "And who are these nobodies?" He flicked a dismissive glance at Shrek's teachers.
Yu Xiaogang rose instantly, blood rising. He couldn't allow Shrek to be dismissed in front of so many powers.
"Don't underestimate our students," Flender growled beside him. "Their talents speak for themselves."
"Talents?" Xue Xing sneered. "Talents above Lucien? Don't make me laugh."
"Eh? Who called me?"
Lucien raised his head mid-conversation with Zhu Zhuqing. He blinked innocently, jug dripping onto the floor.
Everyone in the chamber groaned inside.
Not everything is about you!
Dream Machine (Meng Shenji) covered half his face, despairing. Every time, this devil embarrasses us in front of nobility.
Flender wilted under the sting, but Yu Xiaogang placed a hand on his shoulder, voice sharp with conviction.
"Lucien is strong, yes. But even the most gifted talent needs correct guidance to become a true master. That is why I compiled my life's research: the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls. With it, even ordinary spirits can reach excellence."
He stood straighter, voice rising, his eyes burning as he pitched into what he believed was his life's greatest achievement.
"This is the foundation for every future of cultivation—the principle that any student with proper instruction can one day match the legends!"
From the side, Lucien muttered, blinking. "…Ten what now? Sounds familiar… Probably useless. Otherwise, why would I forget?"
Kitten-like Zhu Zhuqing's lips twitched, trying not to laugh aloud.
"Little San. Show them."
Tang San nodded, though his chest still hurt from earlier. He stepped forward once more, raising his palm.
From it unfurled not a mere weed, but the crawling, thickened Blue Silver Grass. Its patterns glistened dark, tinged with purple venom, snake-like, the faint hiss of mandala toxin curling and the metallic edge gleaned from the Human-Faced Demon Spider.
Gasps shot around the room.
"This… Blue Silver Grass?"
"The most common, useless Martial Soul… and yet—like this?"
Yu Xiaogang's chest swelled with triumph. "Yes. Useless no more! Through correct theory, through careful guidance—seemingly ordinary spirits may rise to glory!"
The room filled with murmurs. Some skeptical. Some impressed. Some—like Lucien—completely uninterested.
Lucien merely tipped his jug back with a lazy grin. "Heh. I get stronger just drinking wine. Theory or not, in the end—it's how you smash the enemy that counts."
--
Check out my pa**on to read 50 advanced chapter for just 7$. Link is in synopsis/description of this fic.