Startled, Xu Sanshi stumbled back a few steps before regaining his balance. The news had utterly stunned him, making his vision darken and his mind buzz with only one thought:
This was a topic that absolutely could not be touched!
No, when the old man sent me to comfort my third brother, he didn't mention he'd done anything this outrageous!
Who was Dean Yan Shaozhe? He was a legendary figure, rarely seen, who was rumored to have been a Super Douluo-level powerhouse decades ago!
He was now nearly a hundred years old, and his cultivation had surely reached unfathomable depths.
And yet, his third brother, who hadn't even awakened his Martial Soul yet, had slapped such a top-tier expert—someone Xu Sanshi had only heard of but never seen?
Could it be that I didn't sleep well on the tree last night and I'm still sleepwalking?
He pinched his thigh hard, and the sharp pain refocused his scattered eyes. He couldn't help but let out a pained cry of "Aiya!"
Confirming this was reality and not a dream, Xu Sanshi felt even more despair. He felt as if even the warm sunlight couldn't pierce the gloom that enveloped his heart; his future seemed bleak.
It's over. Can I even go back to the Academy? The Dean won't make my life miserable, will he?
Xu Tianxi, secretly pleased, stepped forward and patted Xu Sanshi's shoulder repeatedly. He said smoothly:
"Don't worry, second brother. You are you, and I am me. I believe Shrek Academy wouldn't abandon a great talent like you just because of me. After all, you're destined to become the Outer Courtyard's top defensive Soul Master. Have some confidence."
When Xu Tianxi touched him, Xu Sanshi trembled like a sieve, his lips quivering, looking on the verge of tears from fear.
"Even a genius can't escape this! I heard from Bei Bei that Dean Yan, despite his impressive demeanor, is actually quite petty. You absolutely cannot offend him.
He was beaten by our ancestor, and then you slapped him. When he remembers that I'm also from the Xuanming Sect, he'll surely try to kill me!"
Xu Tianxi "hmm'd" in agreement. In the original story, Yan Shaozhe was indeed a scoundrel, lacking true magnanimity. Seeing it firsthand confirmed it; it wouldn't be surprising for him to vent his anger on Xu Sanshi.
However, since he had been upgraded from "third brother" to "third elder brother," Xu Tianxi naturally wouldn't abandon his innocent second brother. After a moment's thought, he quickly came up with a plan.
"You just said that Bei Bei fellow is from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family?"
"Ye~s," Xu Sanshi replied weakly, his voice drawn out. He was already contemplating whether to gracefully withdraw from the Academy himself or wait for Yan Shaozhe to force him out of Shrek.
Given his background, he didn't care much for Shrek's resources and teachings. If he wanted, he could go to any top academy in the Douluo Three Kingdoms. But he couldn't bear to throw away his year of hard work!
As he had said before, ancient families like the Xuanming Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, and the White Tiger Duke's Mansion all had complete Soul Skill systems and cultivation methods. They didn't need much guidance in cultivation; in fact, their family legacies might even be superior.
The main purpose of studying at Shrek was to make friends and gain prestige. He had already formed a good friendship with that scoundrel Bei Bei, and he had become a Core Disciple of the Outer Courtyard. Graduating from the Outer Courtyard was foreseeable, and there was a good chance of entering the Inner Courtyard.
Shrek possessed the golden reputation of being the continent's number one Soul Master Holy Land. The Outer Courtyard gathered second-generation geniuses from all corners of the Douluo Three Kingdoms, making it the best platform for social networking. A graduation certificate was a brilliant resume, and representing Shrek in the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament would be even better.
But now, it seemed this path was hopeless.
He could only... go home and try to compete with his elder brother for the position of Young Sect Master. He hoped his Martial Soul's Second Awakening would be a complete success.
Just as Xu Sanshi was sinking into despair, Xu Tianxi's voice leisurely rang out.
"According to the records I've seen in the Library Pavilion these past few days, the current Sea God Pavilion Master of Shrek Academy also hails from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family. Since that Bei Bei is only a little older than you, he must also be a top genius from the Blue Lightning Family who entered the Academy early."
Xu Tianxi pointed out a clear path for Xu Sanshi with a very legitimate reason, then extended it further:
"Moreover, you said that Bei Bei knows a lot about Yan Shaozhe's character. Perhaps he has some connection with that Sea God Pavilion Master. Maybe you could go talk to him?"
"Of course, if you want to come back and compete for your position, that's fine too. I'll support you morally."
As his words fell, the dullness in Xu Sanshi's eyes gradually gave way to a lively spark. Soon, he chuckled, giving Xu Tianxi a thumbs-up and praising him:
"You truly are my brother, Xu Sanshi! Your mind works fast!
Why didn't I think of that? That kid Bei Bei conned a Mystic Water Pill out of me last time; this time, I'll make him help me!"
Xu Tianxi reminded him expressionlessly, "Second brother, please note, I am your elder brother now."
"Uh... I got carried away just now, doesn't count, doesn't count." Xu Sanshi scratched his head, looking at the sun, then turned away, refusing to acknowledge it.
"I hit Yan Shaozhe, do you dare?"
Xu Sanshi's movements stiffened, his head drooped, and he sighed, "I don't dare... Fine, you're my elder brother."
"Aye~ That's right. Second brother, call me 'third elder brother' a few more times, and I, your third elder brother, will impart to you the supreme treasure manual I found in the Library Pavilion, so you won't go astray and will benefit endlessly in the future."
"What treasure manual? What's it for?"
"This manual will benefit your Martial Soul's Second Awakening. Are you going to call me that?"
"Third elder brother! You are my third elder brother! Why are we brothers being so polite? Come, come, here are ten thousand Gold Soul Coins. Consider it a treat from your second brother."
Xu Sanshi made a swift decision, flashing a fawning smile and bowing to hand over a continent-wide Gold Soul Coin card.
He had figured it out: although Xu Tianxi's personality had drastically changed after his major transformation, he didn't need Xu Sanshi to comfort him with jokes.
This guy had been holed up in the Library Pavilion for half a month, reading who knew how many books. He might have actually found something good left behind by an ancestor.
If he could gain tangible benefits, calling him "third elder brother" a few times was no problem at all. He and Bei Bei often tried to make each other call them "dad."
Xu Tianxi's lips curved into a smile amidst Xu Sanshi's enthusiastic "third elder brother" calls. He wiped his hand across the Soul Guided Device necklace on his chest, took out an untitled book, and handed it to Xu Sanshi.
"This treasure manual has profound implications. It can only be studied late at night when no one else is around. On no account must it be seen by others during the day."
"Also, I've transcribed a few words from the Xu Family's ancestors on it. Remember to read them."
Xu Tianxi put his hands behind his back, suppressing a laugh as he instructed.
It felt pretty good to tease a kid.
"Alright, alright, I've got it. If this thing really works, I'll call you my third dad for a whole year."
Xu Sanshi carefully put away the precious book as if it were a treasure, then caught up with Xu Tianxi, continuing his chatter.
"Oh, right, Third Brother, the old man specifically told me that your Martial Soul awakening today needs to be done separately. I'll take you there."
"Okay."
Xu Tianxi's steps were exceptionally light. He walked towards the rising sun, a relaxed and cheerful curve playing on his lips.
In the original story, his cheap second brother had gone down the wrong path, not only causing his Black Tortoise Martial Soul to only awaken halfway, but also leading to years of stalemate with Jiang Nannan. He only managed to win her over after years of being a simp, which was a truly messy and melodramatic affair.
In his opinion, this transaction was neither right nor wrong; it was a matter of mutual need. However, the elders of the Xu Family failing to properly instruct Xu Sanshi beforehand, leading to that tragedy, was simply indescribable.
His impression of Xu Sanshi was neither good nor bad. Since the latter had actively called him "brother," giving him an instructional book was a simple gesture, and there was no need to be stingy.
As for what he wrote in the book, it was some of his views on relationships, such as "simps never come to a good end."
And Xu Sanshi's relentless pursuit of Jiang Nannan... he found it hard to comment on. The cause and effect were too convoluted.
"Speaking of which, if I really awaken the Profound Tortoise Martial Soul, I'll definitely need a Second Awakening in the future. The power of the Black Tortoise Martial Soul is very tempting, but the Second Awakening method developed by the Xuanming Sect is just too outrageous...
I can't end up like Xu Sanshi with a tragedy. What should I do then...?"
Watching Xu Sanshi's back, Xu Tianxi, who was about to awaken his Martial Soul, remembered this perplexing problem.
He wanted the Divine Beast Martial Soul, but he didn't want the melodramatic mess. What was the solution?