Chapter 47: Rejecting the Invitation — I Already Have a Teacher
'So back when we first met in the dorms, during that sparring match, you basically touched me all over.'
'And now that you're facing a proper young lady like Ning Rongrong, you suddenly turn into a righteous gentleman?'
'Hmph! Big pig-hoof! Double-standard jerk!'
Xiao Wu felt sour inside.
Sure, it was a good thing that Lin Yuan didn't flirt with other girls—but this blatant difference in treatment still made her a little upset.
Just then, Chen Xin, who had been carefully observing Lin Yuan the entire time, finally couldn't hold back and spoke up.
"Young man."
Chen Xin fixed his gaze on Lin Yuan, his voice carrying a rare hint of admiration for talent.
"What is the name of your martial soul?"
"At such a young age, you've already comprehended spear intent and stepped into the realm of artistic conception."
"Who is your teacher?"
Chen Xin was genuinely tempted.
All his life, he had devoted himself to the Dao of the sword—aloof, peerless—and had never taken a single disciple.
On one hand, the Seven Kill Sword lineage was passed down alone.
On the other hand, there were simply too few geniuses in this world worthy of catching his eye—true weapon cultivators.
Although Lin Yuan wielded a spear rather than a sword, the Great Dao had three thousand paths, all leading to the same destination.
At the pinnacle, the path of weapons was fundamentally interconnected.
Such an uncut jade—if buried in a small place like Nuoding Academy—would be nothing short of criminal waste!
If he could be brought back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then even if he couldn't inherit the Seven Kill Sword, training him into a protector of the sect would still mean a future peak Douluo!
However, before Lin Yuan could answer, a rush of hurried footsteps suddenly came from the distance.
The Dean of Nuoding Academy came running over, wiping cold sweat from his forehead, panting heavily.
Earlier, the gate guard had reported that two Title Douluo had arrived—he had nearly pissed himself on the spot.
"This humble one failed to welcome Your Excellencies properly! My apologies!"
Before he even got close, his voice was already trembling.
This was Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the infamous Poison Douluo!
Was this tiny Nuoding Academy about to explode today?
Why did these two great figures come here?
"Dean? Why are you here?" Lin Yuan asked, pretending to be surprised. "Are these two the renowned Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo?"
The Dean nodded hurriedly. "Yes! Lin Yuan, quickly pay your respects to the two Excellencies!"
Lin Yuan slightly bowed, then straightened up and answered Chen Xin's earlier question calmly and without arrogance.
"Reporting to Sword Douluo, my martial soul is called the Soul-Devouring Spear."
"As for my teacher…"
Lin Yuan paused, an apologetic look appearing on his face.
"I'm sorry. My master once specifically instructed me that he dislikes public attention and forbade me from revealing his name."
"He's merely a reclusive hermit who lives freely like drifting clouds."
Lin Yuan directly fabricated a teacher.
On the Douluo Continent, where lineage and master–disciple bonds were highly valued, a soul master would usually only acknowledge one teacher in their lifetime.
This move completely cut off Chen Xin's thoughts of taking him as a disciple, while also giving Lin Yuan's unreasonable abilities a perfect backing.
Hearing this, the Dean panicked.
He knew very well that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
"Lin Yuan! What nonsense are you talking about?!"
The Dean hurriedly lowered his voice to persuade him. "Since Sword Douluo asked, it means he's taken a liking to your talent!"
"If you can enter the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, that's a blessing people wouldn't earn in several lifetimes!"
After that, he turned toward Chen Xin with a flattering smile.
"Your Excellency, please don't mind it. This child has always been very independent."
"But I can guarantee that Lin Yuan is absolutely the greatest genius since our academy's founding—no, the greatest genius in all of Nuoding City's history!"
"Top-tier weapon-type martial soul, innate full soul power, and monstrous comprehension!"
Hearing this, the admiration in Chen Xin's eyes deepened.
Soul-Devouring Spear?
Just the name alone was domineering beyond measure!
And he had even cultivated spear intent!
If properly nurtured, his future achievements would at least be that of a Super Douluo!
Unfortunately, upon hearing that Lin Yuan already had a teacher, a deep regret appeared in Chen Xin's eyes.
A gentleman does not take what others cherish.
Since he already had a master guiding him, it wouldn't be right to forcibly poach talent.
"Since you already have a teacher, I won't press the matter."
Chen Xin sighed, but still didn't want to give up on recruiting him.
"However, with your talent, staying in a place like Nuoding Academy truly is a waste."
"Would you be willing to join my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? You needn't worry about resources at all."
Yet Lin Yuan still shook his head and refused.
Though his voice was young, it carried an unquestionable firmness.
"Thank you for Sword Douluo's kindness."
"But my teacher once taught me this: one who cultivates the spear must be like the spear itself—upright, unyielding, and domineering."
"If bound too early by sectarian forces, the sharpness of the heart will instead be dulled."
"That would be detrimental to the growth of my spear intent."
"So I'm very unlikely to join any sectarian power."
"I would rather study in academies, absorb the strengths of many paths, and grow freely."
These words were delivered with righteous conviction, prestige maxed out.
Even Chen Xin couldn't help but pause, then nod thoughtfully.
"One who cultivates the spear… domineering…"
"Unbound, thus attaining true freedom."
"Your teacher… truly is a remarkable figure."
Chen Xin smiled faintly, the regret in his eyes fading somewhat, replaced by even greater appreciation.
"He's right."
"I myself only joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect after becoming a Titled Douluo."
"When I was young, without traveling the world and tempering myself, my sword intent could never have reached perfection."
"Since that's the case, if one day you do consider joining a power, I hope you'll give priority to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Seeing Chen Xin stop pressing the matter, the Dean stomped his feet in anxiety, yet didn't dare say another word.
Was this kid stupid?!
That was one of the Upper Three Sects!
He rejected it just like that—and didn't even want the resources?!
Afterward, Chen Xin asked, "Since you plan to pursue further studies elsewhere after graduating…"
"Do you currently have a preferred academy in mind?"
Lin Yuan shook his head, a troubled look appearing on his face.
"Not for the time being."
"I've studied the high-level soul master academies on the continent, and none of them seem quite suitable for me."
"The Five Element Academies only accept students of specific attributes, and some are rather exclusionary. Attribute-wise, they don't suit me."
"As for the two empires' royal academies…"
Lin Yuan spread his hands helplessly. "I've heard they only accept noble students."
"I'm an orphan of commoner origin. No matter how good my talent is, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to enter through the front gate."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan exchanged a glance, secretly amused.
This guy was really putting on a convincing act, when in his diary, his first choice had always been Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Chen Xin, however, chuckled.
"I didn't expect you to understand the continent's situation so clearly."
"But there's one thing you might not know…"
—
End of Chapter