Douluo: Infinite Lottery System

When Xiao Tianyang finished his shopping and returned to the academy entrance, he spotted Tang San with Xiao Wu by his side.

"Little San, heading out so early?" Xiao Tianyang greeted warmly.

"Brother Tianyang?" Tang San turned around and quickly ran up to him. "What's going on with you? Why didn't you come back last night? I was worried sick!"

Xiao Tianyang chuckled lightly, brushing it off. "Oh, something came up and delayed me. I ended up staying out overnight."

"Out all night?" Xiao Wu huffed. "Brother Tianyang, that's so unrighteous of you! Going off to play alone and leaving us behind. Tang San worried all night!"

Realizing her own words, Xiao Wu quickly added, "Not that I wasn't worried too!"

Xiao Tianyang laughed and patted both of them on the shoulders. "Alright, that's my fault. How about I make it up to you with a big dinner tonight?"

"Really? Where?" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, excitement flashing across her face. She hadn't expected her complaint to land her a reward.

"That won't be necessary, Brother Tianyang," Tang San said, shaking his head. "It's not easy for you to—"

Before he could finish, Xiao Wu slapped a hand over his mouth, dragging him back toward the academy. "You better keep your word, Brother Tianyang! I'll come find you after class this afternoon!"

Watching the two vanish into the distance, Xiao Tianyang raised an amused eyebrow. While he found their antics entertaining, he decided not to linger.

"So youthful," a voice remarked suddenly from behind him.

Xiao Tianyang was startled, turning to see Teacher Miao. "Teacher Miao, could you stop sneaking around and scaring people like that?"

"Brat," Teacher Miao huffed, raising a hand to knock Xiao Tianyang on the head. "Is that how you address your teacher? No respect at all!"

Rubbing his sore head, Xiao Tianyang grinned sheepishly. "This is my first time in the academy, so I'm still learning the rules."

Teacher Miao snorted. "Don't think I don't know what you've been up to."

He leaned in slightly, voice lowering. "You might fool those two kids, but not me. The stench of blood clings to you. You killed someone, didn't you?"

Xiao Tianyang's pupils contracted. He stared at Teacher Miao, his expression unreadable.

"Judging by your reaction, it wasn't just one person," Teacher Miao continued, his tone sharp and analytical.

Silence hung in the air as Xiao Tianyang weighed his options. He hadn't expected this. In this world, death and disappearance were common enough that he believed last night's events wouldn't attract attention. Yet, here was Teacher Miao, reading him like a book.

As panic started to creep in, Teacher Miao waved a hand dismissively. "Relax. I don't care what you've done, and I don't plan to. I need to know—did they attack first?"

"They did," Xiao Tianyang replied firmly. It was the truth.

"Good," Teacher Miao nodded. "Come with me. No one will trouble you about this matter."

"Where are we going?" Xiao Tianyang asked, his face a mix of confusion and wariness.

"You were born with full soul power," Teacher Miao explained. "It's time you obtained your first soul ring. The academy has tasked me with assisting you."

"I didn't even apply for that!" Xiao Tianyang protested, taking a cautious step back.

"Why didn't you, I wonder?" Teacher Miao mused, feigning curiosity before brushing the matter aside. "Doesn't matter. Just follow me."

"Wait, I… Ah, help!" Xiao Tianyang's protests were cut short as a firm hand grabbed the back of his neck, dragging him away.

Soul Hunter Forest

Teacher Miao stared at Xiao Tianyang in disbelief. After hearing his bold declaration, the older man felt like his understanding of the world had been turned upside down.

"You want to hunt soul beasts on your own? And you're aiming for a soul ring over 2,000 years old? Boy, is something wrong with you?" As he spoke, Teacher Miao reached out and touched Xiao Tianyang's forehead.

Finding nothing unusual, he muttered, "Your head isn't hot, so why are you spouting such nonsense?"

"Everything I said is true," Xiao Tianyang replied, his tone calm but firm. "If you don't believe me, just watch from the sidelines. But first, I need you to explain the characteristics of the soul beasts we encounter."

Teacher Miao's expression grew serious as he nodded. "I've seen your martial soul before. I'll point out a suitable beast if I see one. But I have to ask again—are you certain about what you're saying?"

"I am certain," Xiao Tianyang declared with unwavering confidence.

The reason for his certainty was simple—despite Teacher Miao's incredulity, Xiao Tianyang hadn't sensed even a shred of malice from the man. Teacher Miao's shock seemed genuine, and he showed no intent to probe further into Xiao Tianyang's peculiar situation.

Even so, Xiao Tianyang couldn't completely let down his guard. The old man's inexplicable kindness and mysterious background left him both curious and cautious. Why was Teacher Miao being so generous? Was this some kind of miraculous stroke of luck?

Well, he'd fallen for a trap like that once before, but he was determined it wouldn't happen again.

"Alright," Teacher Miao finally said. "I respect your choice. But let me make one thing clear—if anything goes wrong, I can only save your life. Your success, or survival beyond that, is up to you."

Teacher Miao's expression was solemn as he awaited Xiao Tianyang's final decision.

Xiao Tianyang responded with quiet confidence. "I never do anything I'm not sure about."

Teacher Miao gave a small nod and gestured forward. "Let's move, then. I frequent this area, and there aren't many soul beasts over 2,000 years old that would suit your martial soul. But they do exist."

Without hesitation, Teacher Miao took the lead, his steps firm and deliberate. Xiao Tianyang hesitated for only a moment before following.

What choice did he have? Resistance was futile, and preparation was impossible given the suddenness of the situation.

Still, something about Teacher Miao didn't sit right with Xiao Tianyang. There was an unsettling air of mystery surrounding the man—a presence that felt simultaneously benign and dangerous. Xiao Tianyang's instincts told him to remain wary.

The most troubling part was that this man seemed entirely foreign to him. Neither the name "Teacher Miao" nor his face triggered any memory. For someone with Xiao Tianyang's advantages—both a system and the plot development he relied on—this unknown variable was deeply unsettling.

If Teacher Miao had appeared because of Xiao Tianyang's arrival in this world, it could mean the plot was already diverging.

And if the plot changed too much… Where would that leave him?

...

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