Duolou: Reborn with reality Pen

Nuoding Academy

A week had passed since I cured Dugu Bo.

Tang San had already acquired his first soul ring, 400 years old. Not bad, though expected for someone with innate talent and hidden weapon help.

The more important update was that Xiran had tricked Xiao Wu into joining the Black Lotus. I didn't ask how. She got it done.

To cover Xiao Wu's identity, I gave her a pill that suppresses the soul beast aura. But I knew Tang Hao had already sensed something.

So, I played a little game.

Using the pen, I created a comb infused with soul beast essence. Xiao Wu kept it in the dorm, just close enough for Tang Hao to pick up the trail. The aura was strong enough to confirm his doubts, but it came from the item, not the girl. Anyone holding it would reek of a soul beast.

It worked. The comb vanished later, mission complete.

Now, Xiao Wu was officially part of Black Lotus. Her price? Unlimited carrots and a few soul gold coins. Cheap investment for someone with her potential.

Even so, tricking a Title Douluo is no easy task. This one may have the brains of a fool, but I can't shake the feeling that someone is watching us from the shadows.

He might be keeping an eye on us to ease his doubts.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang had started glancing at Xiran.

A mistake.

She didn't even spare him a glance. Only I and Xiao Wu got her attention. The rest didn't exist to her.

Eren (muttering): Tch. Is he a pedophile too? Good luck trying anything, she could kill him a hundred times without effort.

After lunch, just as we were heading back to class, he blocked our way.

Yu Xiaogang stood with his arms behind his back, wearing a scholarly smile.

"Nice to meet you, children. Surely you've heard of me. Across the continent, they call me Master. I'm the most knowledgeable man alive when it comes to soul beast theory and spirit cultivation."

Behind me, Wang Sheng and the others murmured under their breath.

"Why the hell is this waste blocking our way again?"

He heard it, but didn't react. He was used to the ridicule.

But what he really wanted wasn't our respect, it was Tang San. The boy he pinned his theory and future reputation on.

His gaze lingered on her for a moment, briefly flickering toward the boy beside her, then back to her again.

"So, little one… I came here for you. I heard you're the one in charge of Dorm 7."

She narrowed her eyes. "Me?"

"Yes. I'm the creator of the Ten Core Competencies theory. Based on my analysis, your Martial Soul might be a mutation."

The students exchanged glances. Disdain flashed across their faces. If not for his association with a certain someone, fists might've already flown.

He stepped forward slightly. "So, would you mind showing me your Martial Soul?"

She didn't even spare him a glance. Without acknowledging his presence, she turned to the others. "No. Let's go. I've got training to do."

Just as she moved to walk past, he raised a hand and blocked her path.

"As I said, I'm a master in soul theory. If your Martial Soul has mutated in the wrong direction, it could be dangerous to your cultivation. You might not even realize the risk."

He scratched at his beard, trying to maintain a composed expression. "If it's harmful, it could damage your foundation permanently."

'She might be admiring me now that I warn her about her martial soul mutation ...' he thought. After all, I identified the mutation in her Martial Soul with a single glance. Com'on little girl, you may act indifferent now, but I can already see it, respect in your eyes. Maybe… just maybe, I can accept you as a half-disciple.

His expression shifted, lips curving into the faintest smirk as he folded his hands behind his back like a self-proclaimed sage.

He spoke again, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "I'm not just here to help. If your Martial Soul proves unique, and if you're willing to learn, I might even consider guiding you personally."

He looked at her, waiting, expecting even a flicker of awe, or hesitation. But all he received in return was silence. Icy silence.

Xiran cast a cold, disdainful glance at him, as if she were looking at trash littered on the street. Her master, Eren, had already told her everything, the way Yu Xiaogang had repackaged basic martial soul knowledge that every academy student knew, how he used information taken from the Spirit Hall's public archives, and shamelessly passed it off as his own so-called "Ten Core Competencies."

Even more disgraceful was his personal life. Eren had told her how he seduced two women, only to abandon them in the end, before fleeing here to hide from the world in shame.

Xiran: "No need. I already have a master, and he's clearly explained my martial soul's nature, its strengths, and confirmed that it carries no hidden harm."

With that, she walked past Yu Xiaogang without a second glance, pulling Eren along with her and leaving him standing there, ignored and discarded.

Yu Xiaogang clenched his teeth in silence. To be humiliated by a young girl who knew nothing of the martial world, it was intolerable. Rage boiling inside him, he turned away and stormed back to his room.

Yu Xiaogang (muttering): "Just wait… once my granddaughter becomes powerful, you'll regret ever casting me aside. We'll see how far your so-called master takes you, when you're left behind with that worthless martial soul of yours."