Carrying his belongings, Chen Ming followed closely behind Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, a hint of curiosity stirring in his heart. With his own presence now altering the timeline, he couldn't help but wonder—just how would Yu Xiaogang try to "convince" Tang San this time?
But before they had even taken more than a few steps, Yu Xiaogang suddenly turned around. With a casual wave of his hand, he pointed off in another direction.
"New students report over there. Go on by yourself."
His tone carried an air of complete naturalness, as though he hadn't just been the one to insist that Old Jack entrust the children to him moments ago.
"…Grandmaster?" Chen Ming froze for a brief moment, genuinely caught off guard. He hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to change his attitude faster than flipping a page.
"Just go," Yu Xiaogang said impatiently, dismissing him with another wave. Then he turned back to Tang San, his expression shifting into what he likely believed was a warm smile—though it came off more like something from a suspicious uncle. "As for you, Xiao San, I have something to discuss with you."
As a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, Yu Xiaogang carried a deep-rooted pride, even though he himself did not possess that Martial Soul. In fact, the more he felt misunderstood and undervalued by the outside world, the stronger his inner arrogance seemed to grow.
A Heavy Armored Earth Dragon? Just a mere earth dragon. Not even worth comparing to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. What's there to pay attention to?
If he truly wanted to take in such a disciple, wouldn't there be countless better candidates within his own clan?
Completely ignoring the fact that his own Martial Soul wasn't even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—but rather something far less impressive—Yu Xiaogang carried himself with the self-assured superiority of someone born into a prestigious lineage. In his eyes, Chen Ming simply wasn't worth his attention.
Seeing this, Chen Ming didn't argue. He merely tightened his grip on his belongings and quietly walked away, leaving Yu Xiaogang and Tang San behind.
Watching Yu Xiaogang's odd smile—and the way he had deliberately singled him out—Tang San couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. His arm tensed instinctively, the hidden sleeve arrow beneath it ready to fire at any moment.
Could this man be some kind of beast in human skin? If that's really the case… even if I have to risk everything, I won't let my dignity be defiled!
His thoughts turned grim, killing intent quietly stirring beneath the surface.
Having grown up in the Sichuan region—where the Tang Sect was based—even though he hadn't personally experienced such situations, Tang San was far from ignorant about them.
When Yu Xiaogang bent down slightly, as if about to lean closer, Tang San nearly unleashed the hidden arrow straight into his throat.
At that exact moment, Yu Xiaogang seemed to sense something. His entire body stiffened, a sudden chill creeping up his spine. Instinctively, he straightened and glanced around, searching for the source of danger.
That hesitation was enough to stop Tang San from pulling the trigger.
After looking around and finding nothing unusual, Yu Xiaogang composed himself, his expression tightening as he turned back to Tang San.
"You truly are gifted… no wonder you are the third twin Martial Soul wielder in the past hundred years."
The revelation struck Tang San like a bolt of lightning. His heart lurched—his greatest secret had just been exposed.
And yet… realizing that Yu Xiaogang wasn't targeting him for anything more unsavory, he let out a quiet breath of relief.
Though the situation had taken a slightly different turn, Yu Xiaogang proceeded much the same as before—spinning his theories, citing his so-called research, and presenting himself as an authority with undeniable expertise.
In the end, under the weight of Yu Xiaogang's confident demeanor and seemingly well-reasoned arguments, Tang San was gradually swayed. Before long, he knelt down and kowtowed, formally acknowledging Yu Xiaogang as his master.
Hidden in the shadows, a pair of eyes silently watched the entire scene unfold.
Tang Hao.
As he observed this moment, he felt an itch in his hand—his Clear Sky Hammer almost begging to be swung, as if it wanted nothing more than to smash Yu Xiaogang, this weak and self-important man, into the ground.
But reason prevailed.
Tang Hao knew he couldn't reveal himself. Tang San needed a master, as well as a legitimate identity within the academy. Moreover, cultivating twin Martial Souls required vast knowledge and guidance—something Yu Xiaogang, for all his flaws, could provide.
And so, he endured.
In truth, Tang Hao was not unfamiliar with Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang, Ning Fengzhi, and Tang Hao were all descendants of the leaders of the Upper Three Sects. Their ages were close—Ning Fengzhi and Tang Hao were roughly the same, while Yu Xiaogang was only a few years younger, making them part of the same generation.
Because Yu Xiaogang—despite possessing pure Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon blood as the youngest son of the clan leader—had ultimately awakened a useless "flatulent pig" Martial Soul, Tang Hao's impression of him had always been particularly deep.
Of course, it was hardly a favorable one.
The Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had long been at odds, their friction constant and their mutual disdain barely concealed. Among the Clear Sky Sect's Spirit Masters, someone like Yu Xiaogang had often been used as a laughingstock—a convenient example to mock the other clan.
Back in his younger days, Tang Hao had treated Yu Xiaogang's story as nothing more than a joke. He was aware of the man's so-called reputation as a "theory grandmaster," but also knew that most of those theories were little more than patchwork—stitched together from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's records and the Spirit Hall's archives, with his own additions riddled with flaws.
Even so, Yu Xiaogang's memory was decent, and his accumulation of knowledge—borrowed or otherwise—was not insignificant. That much, Tang Hao had to admit, no matter how much he looked down on him.
"Tch… taking a master is one thing, but kneeling and kowtowing to someone like that? Standing alongside such trash just makes me, the Clear Sky Douluo, look pathetic," Tang Hao muttered under his breath, his eyes filled with undisguised irritation.
He had always known there was something unusual about Tang San. Otherwise, he wouldn't have treated him with such indifference before his Martial Soul awakened.
But now that Tang San had revealed both full innate Spirit Power and twin Martial Souls—the Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer—Tang Hao chose to let everything else slide. Given that kind of talent, and the undeniable proof of bloodline from himself and Ah Yin, nothing else really mattered.
Still, even knowing that Tang San had his own thoughts, the idea of him calling someone like Yu Xiaogang "master" left a bitter taste in Tang Hao's mouth. It felt as though his own stature had been dragged down along with it.
—
Meanwhile, Chen Ming had already arrived at the registration area for new students.
The administrative office was located on the first floor of the main teaching building. The person in charge of admissions was an elderly teacher who looked to be in his sixties, assisted by two younger instructors, both under thirty.
When Chen Ming stepped into the room, the older teacher didn't seem surprised. He simply extended a hand.
"Your certificate. Name."
"Chen Ming, from Holy Soul Village. Innate Spirit Power Level Seven, Martial Soul: Heavy Armored Earth Dragon. This is the awakening certificate issued by the Spirit Hall, teacher—please take a look."
"Innate Level Seven… Heavy Armored Earth Dragon?" One of the younger teachers stepped forward, clearly intrigued, and took the certificate to examine it more closely. A hint of delight flickered in his eyes.
"Very good. That's an excellent talent. Could you summon your Martial Soul for us to see?"
"Martial Soul—possess!"
Chen Ming didn't waste words. He immediately activated his Martial Soul. His body transformed, becoming a half-dragon, half-human figure, clad in fierce, armor-like scales—like a battle-hardened general encased in living armor.
Seeing this imposing transformation, Director Su—the head of admissions—rose to his feet and clapped his hands in approval.
"Excellent, Chen Ming! This is exactly the kind of talent our academy needs."
"Innate Level Seven, and an advanced draconic Martial Soul—you are certain to become an outstanding Spirit Master in the future. A work-study student from Holy Soul Village, you say? Ah, I recall that village once produced a Spirit Saint. Truly remarkable. Who knows—perhaps another will rise from there."
The Heavy Armored Earth Dragon was considered a high-tier Martial Soul. While it couldn't compare to the top-tier bloodlines of great sects and ancient lineages, in the current era, it was already exceptionally strong. Within Nuoding City, there wasn't a single known Martial Soul that surpassed its quality.
Combined with innate level-seven Spirit Power, Chen Ming was, in their eyes, nothing short of a prodigy.
Director Su quickly completed his registration, then personally stood up and led Chen Ming toward the dormitory building, smiling all the way.
Nuoding Academy wasn't large. A single dormitory building was enough to house all the students and teachers.
The lower three floors were divided into seven dormitories. Regular students were assigned based on age, while work-study students—regardless of grade—were all placed in Room Seven.
Personally escorting him to Room Seven, Director Su pushed open the door and revealed a group of students inside who had clearly been preparing to "welcome" the newcomer.
With a gentle smile, he glanced at them.
That one look was enough.
The students' expressions stiffened instantly, each of them forcing out awkward smiles. Only after Director Su had long since left did they finally relax.
By then, Chen Ming had already claimed a bed and begun laying out his bedding.
Wang Sheng and the others exchanged uncertain glances, swallowing nervously, unsure how to proceed.
Normally, a work-study student would never be personally escorted by the head of admissions. And yet, here he was…
Could it be that this guy has some special background? Someone who could attend normally, but chose to be a work-study student instead?
By the time Chen Ming finished arranging his things, he turned and approached them with a friendly smile.
"Hello everyone, I'm Chen Ming from Holy Soul Village. My Martial Soul is the Heavy Armored Earth Dragon, and my innate Spirit Power is level seven. I hope we can all get along."
"A dragon? Your Martial Soul is actually a dragon?!"
At his words, several students' eyes widened in shock.
Every single one of them came from the lowest strata of society—poor farming families. They had only gained the chance to become Spirit Masters through luck or rare mutations. But because of their bloodlines, their Martial Souls were generally weak.
Even Wang Sheng's tiger Martial Soul was considered the strongest among them.
So when they heard that Chen Ming possessed a dragon-type Martial Soul, their eyes filled with undisguised envy. Even Wang Sheng himself couldn't hide the admiration in his gaze.
After hesitating for a moment, Wang Sheng stepped forward, carefully sizing Chen Ming up from head to toe. Gathering his courage, he finally spoke.
"Um… newcomer, there's a rule in Room Seven. Anyone new has to fight the boss first. So… how about we have a spar?"