Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Ye Qiu simply gave a careless smile.
They were prodigies born with full innate soul power, while Yu Xiaogang was just a freeloading bum—what right did he have to order them around?
Ye Qiu didn't care, but Xiao Wu wasn't so easygoing. She was fuming with anger and pointed at Yu Xiaogang's nose, scolding, "Are you blind or something? It was clearly them who started the fight!"
But Yu Xiaogang didn't take her seriously at all. He just glanced indifferently at her and Ye Qiu, then turned his attention back to his beloved disciple, Tang San.
Unhurriedly, Yu Xiaogang walked over to Tang San and patted him on the shoulder. "Xiao San, come have lunch with me upstairs. Afterward, we'll go to my room and have a good chat."
"No, thank you, teacher. I'd rather eat with my roommates," Tang San shook his head. He didn't want to stand out. That might've worked back in the village, but not out here.
"Alright then. Just wait for me at the cafeteria entrance after you're done eating," Yu Xiaogang said as he let go of Tang San's shoulder. He turned to Ling Feng and the others and instructed, "Everyone, disperse."
Without saying anything more, he turned and headed directly up to the second floor of the cafeteria.
After throwing out some tough words, Ling Feng and his group also quickly scattered with their tails between their legs.
"What kind of so-called 'Grandmaster' is that stone-faced guy? He's practically blind!" Xiao Wu was still upset and cursed at Yu Xiaogang's retreating back.
Tang San stood to the side, frowning deeply. His heart felt heavy—this was the teacher he had once knelt to and kowtowed before!
"Xiao Wu-jie, keep your voice down. He is a friend of the dean after all…" Wang Sheng quickly tried to quiet Xiao Wu. Then he turned to Tang San, confused, and asked, "By the way, San-ge, why do you call him teacher? I don't think he even teaches any classes."
Ye Qiu chimed in at just the right moment, "That's because Xiao San officially took him as his master."
"For real?!"
Wang Sheng and the little bros around him were stunned.
"Of course it's real."
Tang San looked strangely at Wang Sheng, not understanding why he was so shocked. His forehead still hurt from kowtowing—it was as real as it gets.
But Wang Sheng was clearly in disbelief. He leaned closer to Tang San's ear and whispered, "No way, San-ge… Let me tell you, this 'Grandmaster' has a terrible reputation. He's been at the academy forever but hasn't done anything. He just freeloads off everyone. I even heard that he's almost fifty and still just a Soul Master. That 'Grandmaster' title? He probably gave it to himself."
"That's enough!"
Tang San finally couldn't take it anymore. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes, and he let out not only his own anger but also Xiao Wu's. His sudden intensity startled Wang Sheng enough to take a few steps back.
In a chilling voice, Tang San said, "I hope this is the first and last time. My teacher is not for you to judge! Thanks for your concern, but I don't need your treat anymore."
With that, Tang San turned and walked straight out of the cafeteria without looking back.
"What the hell… what's his problem?!"
Wang Sheng was a little shaken. He'd only been trying to look out for Tang San. Everything he said was true—not like he was spreading rumors.
"Ye Qiu, what's wrong with that guy?"
Xiao Wu also looked puzzled as she watched Tang San leave. Just for that dead-faced guy, he even skipped lunch?
"It's nothing. He's just a little mad because you guys insulted his dad," Ye Qiu said with a slight smile, pinching Xiao Wu's soft cheek.
Xiao Wu was confused at first, then her face suddenly turned red. She pouted and glared at Ye Qiu. Her puffed cheeks only made Ye Qiu squeeze them a few more times.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Wu gave a cold snort, slapped away Ye Qiu's "demonic claw," and turned her blushing face to the side. "Forget him, Wang Sheng. Don't bother anymore—Xiao Wu-jie is starving."
---
While Ye Qiu and the others were still eating in the cafeteria, Tang San had already returned to the dorm.
He used dry rations and water to deal with his meal.
Then he went back to the cafeteria entrance to wait for Yu Xiaogang.
People came and went, and many gave Tang San curious looks, but he stood there straight, head slightly lowered, pretending not to notice them.
After about fifteen minutes, Yu Xiaogang finally came out of the cafeteria. Seeing Tang San standing there, calm and composed, Yu Xiaogang was increasingly pleased with this twin martial soul disciple of his.
He believed that under his guidance, Tang San would become his golden nameplate in the Soul Master world!
Then Yu Xiaogang could use this great achievement to shut the mouths of the world!
"Teacher!"
Tang San stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully.
"Here, you're growing—eat more." Yu Xiaogang gave a slightly stiff smile and placed the wrapped chicken leg in Tang San's hand.
"Thank you, teacher." Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang's awkward smile, but inside, he felt warm.
"Let's go, Xiao San." Yu Xiaogang took Tang San's small hand and led him to his quarters.
At this time, Ye Qiu and the others had just come out of the cafeteria too.
Seeing their backs, Ye Qiu knew they were going to discuss soul hunting.
Beside him, Xiao Wu pouted and grumbled, "Ahh~ When will we have money? Xiao Wu-jie is sick of eating gross veggie leaves all the time!"
"Just become a Soul Master already, and you'll have money."
Ye Qiu gave her a sidelong glance while also reminding himself to hurry up. He turned to Wang Sheng and said, "You guys go back first. I'm heading to talk with some academy teachers about the soul hunt."
"Got it, boss!"
Wang Sheng smiled. As long as Ye Qiu became a Soul Master, they working students would finally be able to relax and stop worrying.
Ye Qiu then headed toward the faculty office.
From his memory during registration yesterday, that Director Su seemed like a good candidate.
Sure enough, when Ye Qiu found him, things went smoothly. Director Su readily agreed to help with the soul hunt, stating that children with full innate soul power were treasures the academy dreamed of having.
Ye Qiu believed that, of course.
That afternoon, Ye Qiu was calmly cultivating while sitting on his bed. Xiao Wu was lying on her own bed, occasionally peeking at him and his bundle with nothing better to do.
Tang San came back very late.
When he did, he now had a belt around his waist.
Ye Qiu recognized the item—it was a storage soul tool: Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night. Most likely, it was now filled with Luo Sanpao's infamous fart-powered white radishes.
But between Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night, Ye Qiu actually liked the next line more: Where is the beauty who teaches flute-playing?
Thinking of this, Ye Qiu couldn't help but glance at the little bunny girl, who was upset because Tang San wanted to make her eat radishes.
She could eat them?
"Ye Qiu, why are you looking at me like that…"
Xiao Wu lifted her head and glared at Ye Qiu angrily, her expression mixed with a hint of curiosity.
"Because you're pretty."
Ye Qiu smiled faintly, then closed his eyes again and continued cultivating.
"Ah?!"
Xiao Wu froze for a second. Looking at Ye Qiu meditating, her face flushed a deep red.
"Dumb bunny!"