Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and soon, it was time for Xiao Lin and Tang San to start school.
During these two months, Xiao Lin had basically finalized Tang San's third spirit ring choice for transitioning to a food-type Spirit Master, as well as his own plan to absorb the Man-Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring.
Apart from that, with the help of the Indestructible Diamond Art, Xiao Lin had leveled up rapidly, reaching level 15.
Tang San, under the pressure of Xiao Lin's terrifying strength and relentless competition, had also been striving to keep up, reaching level 14.
In just a little over two months, both of them had gained two levels.
Such a speed was nothing short of astonishing.
Especially considering that both Xiao Lin and Tang San had their own cultivation techniques, allowing them to cultivate without bottlenecks and store far more spirit power than other genius Spirit Masters.
According to Xiao Lin's calculations, after just another month or two, they could likely break through to level 20.
That meant reaching level 20 before turning seven years old.
And this was without even using whale glue to speed up the process.
Arriving at Nuoding Primary Spirit Master Academy
Xiao Lin and Tang San, holding their admission notices, walked straight into the academy gates.
This time, no guards stopped them.
However, Xiao Lin had sharp eyes, and Tang San's Purple Demon Eye was equally powerful.
As soon as they entered, they noticed a scruffy, unkempt man with a stubbly beard standing at the gate, looking around.
"Oh no, it's Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang!"
Xiao Lin's heart sank, and he immediately grabbed Tang San's hand, hurrying toward the academic office.
I absolutely cannot let this useless man latch onto us!
Tang San, though not understanding Xiao Lin's sudden reaction, instinctively activated his Mysterious Heaven Skill and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, closely following behind.
"Those two..."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the familiar figures. Excitement flashed through his gaze.
"It's that Xiao Lin and Tang San!?"
Yu Xiaogang was certain he wasn't mistaken. These two innately full spirit power geniuses were the very disciples he had long dreamed of taking under his wing.
They were his key to finally proving himself as a Grandmaster.
"Hey, you two, wait a moment!"
"Xiao Lin, Tang San!"
Yu Xiaogang immediately started running after them.
But he was just a useless middle-aged man with a detached martial soul that provided him no practical benefit. How could he possibly keep up with two prodigies who sparred regularly?
In no time, Yu Xiaogang was left far behind, completely ignored by the two.
Not even a glimpse of their backs remained.
Once they had successfully shaken off Yu Xiaogang, Xiao Lin finally let out a breath of relief.
"Thank goodness we didn't get caught by that useless fool."
"Useless fool? Brother Lin, that guy was Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang?"
Tang San asked curiously.
After learning about martial souls from Xiao Lin over the past few months, Tang San had heard of the so-called Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang—a fraud who mooched off Nuoding Primary Spirit Master Academy.
He had also heard a little about his so-called Ten Core Theories.
"If it was really him, then that explains it. Otherwise, why would he be chasing us?"
Tang San understood Xiao Lin's generally kind nature—he wasn't the type to be so dismissive of a stranger.
After all, Xiao Lin always treated even the most common farmers with the utmost respect.
So, if he had such a strong reaction, it could only mean that this Yu Xiaogang truly was as worthless as the rumors said.
"This so-called Grandmaster wants to take in genius disciples at Nuoding Academy to prove his theories, so we became his targets?"
As they walked, Tang San glanced at Xiao Lin, asking in confusion.
"I'm glad you figured it out so quickly, Little San. That's exactly what's happening."
Xiao Lin nodded as they entered the academic office to complete their enrollment.
"I think Yu Xiaogang has lost his mind."
Leaning closer to Tang San, Xiao Lin whispered,
"You don't know this, but last month, I found a Martial Soul Journal article written by Yu Xiaogang."
"It was about selecting spirit rings and skills for stick-type martial souls."
"Not many people bought it, but this was his first published paper in over a decade. I refuse to believe it was a coincidence."
"He's definitely trying to attract attention, making us think he's some brilliant scholar so that we'll take him as our master."
"I've already seen his so-called research papers. He's bound to use your Twin Martial Souls to try and impress you, so don't fall for it."
Xiao Lin's face was serious.
"Mmm, I won't."
Tang San nodded solemnly.
If Yu Xiaogang were truly wise, he wouldn't be lying in wait at the school gate, trying to ambush students.
A true Grandmaster wouldn't need to personally recruit disciples.
Besides, both Xiao Lin and Tang San's experiences had already proven that Yu Xiaogang's theories were garbage.
After completing their enrollment, Xiao Lin and Tang San were assigned to the same dormitory—Dorm Seven.
They also received their academy uniforms.
On the way to the dormitory building, Xiao Lin suddenly asked, "By the way, Little San, did you buy a blanket?"
"No, I figured I'd just buy one in Nuoding City," Tang San replied honestly.
As a cultivation fanatic, he had no interest in wasting time shopping for bedding. Buying it on arrival was simply more efficient.
"Ah… well, then you'll have to go alone. My blanket was bought in advance by Grandpa," Xiao Lin said apologetically, feeling a little guilty—like he'd gone out to have fun without inviting his best friend.
"It's fine, I can buy it myself."
Tang San didn't see it as a big deal. He handed his academy uniform to Xiao Lin and left to purchase a blanket.
"Little San, watch out for that useless guy!"
Xiao Lin called after him.
Tang San raised a hand, making an "OK" gesture before walking away.
That hand sign was something he had picked up from Xiao Lin.
Carrying both sets of academy uniforms, Xiao Lin made his way to Dorm Seven.
The Infamous Dorm Seven
Nuoding Academy's dormitory building wasn't very large, housing only seven dorms in total, so Xiao Lin quickly found his assigned room.
The dorms were mainly for students who lived far away or for work-study students.
As a result, the dorms weren't particularly well-maintained, and many students shared rooms.
Dorm Seven was the worst of them all—reserved exclusively for work-study students.
It didn't differentiate by age or even by gender.
Xiao Lin had heard jokes about this setup before.
Fortunately, he wasn't too picky about accommodations. He had even slept in the library of the Spirit Hall before.
This was nothing.
Opening the door to Dorm Seven, Xiao Lin was surprised to find that the room was quite spacious and not as bad as he had imagined.
It was a 300-square-meter room with 50 beds, but only 11 of them had blankets.
Inside, a few kids between eight and twelve years old were playing around.
As soon as they saw Xiao Lin enter, the younger ones immediately gave him a predatory look—like hunters eyeing fresh prey.
"Finally, a new little brother has arrived."
(End of Chapter)