Afternoon sunlight filtered through the thin veil of clouds, casting mottled shadows across the slightly worn stone paths of Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy.
Lin Xia wandered aimlessly through the campus. Larvitar trailed close behind, its short tail swaying, its red eyes alertly scanning the surroundings—as if sensing the unease in its master's heart.
"...Sigh."
A long, helpless breath slipped out of Lin Xia's mouth, breaking the soft silence.
It wasn't that he didn't want to stay here.
Nuoding Academy might only be a primary academy, but for an orphan who had just awakened his Martial Soul and only possessed innate Level-eight soul power, it provided shelter, food, and a relatively stable place to study.
Learning the basic knowledge of soul masters, gradually cultivating soul power, eventually going to hunt his first soul ring—
All of this had originally been part of his plan.
"But Yu Xiaogang…"
Just the thought of that stiff, stern, inexplicably self-important face made Lin Xia's head throb.
The way he clung to him—relentless, suffocating was even more unbearable than sticky candy plastered to the bottom of a shoe.
Ten days of repeated rejection, yet the man remained completely undeterred.
If only he applied that kind of dedication to researching Martial Souls instead…
But no—he had to use it on forcing someone to acknowledge him as a teacher.
Of course, the most important thing was—
Lin Xia didn't dare to gamble.
"That guy who has kneeling-and-calling-people-dad carved into his genes…"
Scenes from the original work flashed through Lin Xia's mind—Tang San's extreme devotion, his almost twisted reliance on Yu Xiaogang, and the uncontrollable worship he had for the man.
If Tang San believed Lin Xia was stealing the fatherly affection he had finally found, then with Tang San's personality…
Who knew when an embedded hidden weapon would suddenly appear between Lin Xia's eyebrows?
He had absolutely zero interest in gambling with his own life!
More importantly, after days of experimenting and living side by side with Larvitar, Lin Xia had developed a deeper understanding of the nature of Martial Souls.
A Martial Soul was the extension of a soul master's spirit and bloodline—an existence intimately connected to one's life origin.
Only by truly sensing, understanding, and communicating with one's Martial Soul could one find the most suitable path of growth.
Otherwise, blindly trusting others—especially someone like Yu Xiaogang, whose own Martial Soul was a complete failure yet insisted on imposing rigid theories
That was the fastest way to ruin a top-tier Martial Soul with limitless potential.
"Larvitar…"
Lin Xia looked down at the little fellow beside him.
It was grunting as it attempted to lift a gray stone slightly larger than its fist—its clumsy determination was almost too adorable.
But Lin Xia understood far better than anyone the terrifying potential hidden inside that tiny body.
"Pupitar… Tyranitar… the true Sandstorm Tyrant King that shakes the earth…"
As a die-hard Pokémon fan, Lin Xia knew exactly what Larvitar's evolution line represented.
It wasn't merely a change in appearance—
It was a complete transformation in power.
Getting stronger by eating ore?
In the world of Douluo, that was basically a god-tier talent custom-made for him.
As long as he himself grew steadily, once Larvitar learned moves like Dig…
Wouldn't all the mineral-rich mountains and veins across the continent become their personal buffet?
Just imagining a future where he could freely devour precious ores made every last trace of nostalgia for Nuoding Academy evaporate.
Lin Xia took a deep breath, his eyes firming.
Leaving—he had to leave.
Since he couldn't remain at Nuoding, he would simply start his plans early.
He would head for Gengxin City, the City of Metal!
Rumor had it that the region and its surroundings held unimaginably rich metal deposits.
Iron ore and copper ore were merely appetizers.
Mithril, refined gold, and even legendary rare metals were said to appear from time to time.
A paradise perfectly tailored for him and Larvitar.
With that thought, Lin Xia hesitated no longer.
He turned around and hurried toward the academy gates with Larvitar.
Passing the dormitory, Lin Xia quickly packed his few worn-out clothes, every coin he had managed to save from his work-study wages, and several higher-quality ores he had been reluctant to eat. All of it went into a half-old backpack.
"Let's go, Larvitar!"
Lin Xia lightly patted Larvitar's head. Sensing his resolve and excitement, the little Pokémon let out a cheerful cry.
"Larvi!"
Meanwhile, Tang San—who had been scolded out of the office moments earlier by Yu Xiaogang's shame-filled roar was also simmering with gloom.
He just couldn't understand
He had only asked a few questions about soul skills.
Why had his teacher broken down so badly?
Just as Tang San's suppressed irritation surged in his chest and he approached the teaching building, his gaze suddenly froze.
At the end of his line of sight stood Lin Xia—the very person who had left his teacher's room only moments before.
And the direction he was walking toward…
The main gate?
He's leaving the academy?!
The thought pierced Tang San's mind like a bolt of lightning.
Immediately, another thought surged uncontrollably within him.
This person had unusual talent, yet he dared humiliate Teacher… belittling the teacher's guidance, dismissing his theories with disdain…
If someone like him walked away just like that. What would happen to Teacher's dignity?
A trace of icy sharpness flickered in Tang San's eyes. A blend of anger at being slighted and a fierce desire to defend his teacher's authority.
His feet shifted instinctively, inner strength gathering. He prepared to accelerate, to catch up to Lin Xia. At the very least to question him, perhaps even… give him a "proper" lesson.
But just as Tang San moved—on the very instant he was about to rush forward—
"San!"
A crisp, lively voice chimed like a silver bell, full of unquestionable enthusiasm.
A petite pink silhouette spun into his path like a gust of wind, blocking his way.
Xiao Wu's large, watery eyes sparkled with expectancy. Her fair little hands grabbed Tang San's arm without the slightest hesitation.
"What are you spacing out for?"
She pouted, clearly displeased.
"You already promised me! You said you'd go shopping with me this afternoon! Look, the sun's already leaning west! Come on, come on! I heard the new general store in town brought in a bunch of really cute little trinkets!"
The warmth of her breath, the light pressure on his arm.
The icy anger Tang San had been harboring melted away like snow under the spring sun.
His cold expression flickered, brows tightening almost imperceptibly as intense conflict stirred in his heart.
On one side was protecting his teacher's honor.
On the other side… was the girl standing before him.
Lin Xia's figure was about to disappear around the corner of the academy gate.
"Xiao Wu, I…"
Tang San tried to explain, but his eyes involuntarily drifted again toward Lin Xia's fading silhouette.
"Hey! What are you staring at so hard?"
Xiao Wu rose onto her toes, deliberately blocking his view with her head.
She puffed up her cheeks, protesting, "If we don't go now, all the good things will get snatched up! Are you coming with me or not? You said you would—you have to keep your word!"
Seeing Xiao Wu's adorable mix of expectation and mock-threat, Tang San's final hesitation shattered instantly.
His teacher's reputation was important.
Lin Xia's attitude was irritating.
But… how could he allow Xiao Wu to be disappointed?
Besides, to break his promise to Xiao Wu because of someone like Lin Xia—a boy who was clearly determined to leave and wouldn't stir up much trouble anyway—
That would be utterly meaningless.
In that instant, Tang San made his decision.
"Alright. Let's go. I'll accompany our Xiao Wu on her shopping trip."