Chapter 8: Nuoding Academy
Time flew like an arrow; months passed like flowing water.
In the blink of an eye, three months had passed since Zu Zong had awakened his martial soul.
In Fasno Province, Nuoding City, Nuoding Academy was welcoming a new semester.
Old Tom from Di Hun Village and Old Jack from Sheng Hun Village each brought along their village's once-in-a-century prodigy, both brimming with excitement as they headed to Nuoding Academy to register.
Along the way, although Tang San was still gnashing his teeth with hatred the moment he saw Zu Zong—wishing he could pummel him right then and there—he managed to hold it in to avoid a repeat of last time.
Tang San could endure, but Zu Zong wouldn't.
Ever since gaining strength, Zu Zong had grown noticeably bolder and more confident, and now he teased Tang San relentlessly.
"Xiao San! I heard you cried after I sent Master Su Yuntao off last time!"
"Xiao San! What's up with your face? Looks like there's still a palm print on it. Good thing it's faint—your face was already average, but now it's even less than that."
"Xiao San! I heard from Second Ya next door that your dad slapped you when you got home. Is that true?"
"Wait, is that mark really from your dad? Uncle Tang is too ruthless! It's been three months and it still hasn't faded. Don't worry, when he's old, I'll help you pull out his oxygen tube."
"Xiao San, why is your face turning red? And your teeth are clenched... Don't tell me your rabies is acting up again?"
"Xiao San... Xiao San..."
Tang San: I'll endure. I'll endure. Once we get to Nuoding Academy, I'll definitely make you suffer! Ahhh—I can't hold it in anymore!
Tang San collapses! (Just kidding.)
By noon, the four of them finally arrived in Nuoding City.
Old Jack took Tang San to Nuoding City's Spirit Hall to personally apologize to Su Yuntao.
Gift: Five ten-jin white radishes—Old Jack's martial soul.
Old Tom and Zu Zong had no reason to go along, so they arrived at Nuoding Academy ahead of time.
As expected, just like in the original story, the gatekeeper was asking for a bribe.
Without a moment's hesitation, Zu Zong activated his Sharingan for a split second and met the gatekeeper's gaze.
The gatekeeper was just an ordinary person—how could he possibly resist Zu Zong's illusion?
Sure enough, he immediately bowed and respectfully welcomed Zu Zong and Old Tom into the academy.
With both hands cupped in salute, the gatekeeper said, "Oh my! No wonder you looked familiar—it's the famous, renowned village chief of Di Hun Village, bringing with him the once-in-a-century—no, once-in-a-millennium genius to our Nuoding Academy! Forgive me for not recognizing you sooner!"
Earlier, the gatekeeper's aggressive demeanor had already made Old Tom brace himself to be looked down upon—or even forced to pay a bribe just to avoid trouble.
Who would've thought that Di Hun Village's reputation had spread this far?
Hmph! Looks like it's true that a Soul Emperor once came from Di Hun Village!
Old Tom imitated the gesture, returning the salute. "You flatter us, truly. This is the martial soul certificate for my... um, not-stinky-at-all Zu Zong. Please take a look." As he spoke, he handed over a formal document.
Old Tom: Damn, bit my tongue again. I'm too used to calling him "brat" back home—gotta stop doing that in public.
(Zu Zong: Didn't you just say it again?)
The gatekeeper took the certificate but didn't even look at it. Instead, he respectfully handed it back to Zu Zong, then said to Old Tom, "Sir, do you think I'd ever doubt you? Just let this little prodigy carry it with him. Someone inside will help with the registration."
Considering that non-staff weren't allowed inside Nuoding Academy and there were plenty of teachers within, Zu Zong bid farewell to Old Tom at the gate.
Before leaving, he reminded him to check under his pillow—Zu Zong had secretly left several dozen gold soul coins there.
By the way, Zu Zong also added a little extra to the gatekeeper's illusion.
—
That afternoon, after Old Jack spent several hours practically worshiping the ground Su Yuntao walked on—begging for forgiveness like he was praying to gods and ancestors—he finally got Su Yuntao to forgive Tang San.
Even the proud Tang San was forced by Old Jack to kowtow three times and offer five ten-jin white radishes as compensation.
At last, Master Su Yuntao forgave him and returned his martial soul certificate.
Holding Tang San's hand, Old Jack led the boy toward Nuoding Academy.
Unlike the humiliation in the original story, the gatekeeper here was very enthusiastic—not only did he politely see Old Jack off, he even offered to personally escort Tang San to the registration area.
This unexpectedly warm treatment greatly improved both of their moods.
Tang San couldn't help but think, Looks like there are still many kind people in this world!
At the same time, Tang San harbored resentment toward Su Yuntao for being unfair and biased in handling the previous situation. He secretly planned to beat him up after graduation to vent his anger.
The gatekeeper held Tang San's hand and led him through twists and turns (realistically, just four or five rounds around Nuoding Academy). Because of his earlier good impression of the gatekeeper, Tang San didn't suspect anything.
An hour later, the gatekeeper brought him to a dark, empty classroom, lit a small candle for him, told him a teacher would be there shortly, and then left.
Tang San didn't question it and sat there waiting.
By 3 a.m., with no one in sight, tears of regret once again welled up in Tang San's eyes.
He knew he'd been tricked.
But that's a story for later.
After registering, Zu Zong was assigned to Dorm Seven as a working student—he had no choice. He'd left the remaining gold soul coins for Old Tom and barely had enough for food.
Zu Zong planned to lay low in Nuoding City for a few years and study the foundational theory well.
Although he very much lusted after the beauties of Spirit Hall (tsk, shame on him), he realized that unless he revealed his twin martial souls, joining Spirit Hall now wouldn't earn him much attention—let alone access to the beauties.
After all, very few people recognized the Blue Silver Emperor. Most assumed it was just a mutated version of Blue Silver Grass. Even with full innate soul power, who would believe it could amount to anything?
Zu Zong didn't want to reveal his twin martial souls too early and become a target. Lurking in the shadows and developing in secret was the true king's path.
Walking into Dorm Seven, Zu Zong glanced around.
Alright... that 100,000-year-old rabbit hadn't arrived yet. Not a bad thing. If they started getting close or sparked something, he wouldn't be able to make a move on her anymore.
Hitting on your future wife? That's not a man—it's a beast.
Even in his previous life, Zu Zong never had much affection for that old rabbit. So best to stay out of sight, out of mind.
(As for the reasons, dear readers, please reflect on them yourselves.)
"Hey, newbie! Eat my fist first! Martial soul possession—Battle Tiger!"
No surprise, Wang Sheng came at Zu Zong right away.
Zu Zong couldn't be bothered to counter move for move. He shook his head and calmly said, "Next time, don't announce your attack."
Then he delivered a spinning 360-degree aerial throw combo straight into a free-fall slam.
In just a few blinks, Wang Sheng was face-down on the ground, his rear end blooming with pain.
Thankfully, Zu Zong stopped his foot against Wang Sheng's occiput—otherwise it wouldn't have just been his butt in trouble.
Seeing how easily Zu Zong had taken him down, even while possessed by his martial soul, Wang Sheng rubbed his sore backside and got up with a humble plea.
"Boss, from now on, you're the boss of Dorm Seven!"
And just like that, Zu Zong became the new top dog of Dorm Seven.
That night, while everyone was out, Zu Zong took the chance to pull out the bedding he had previously stolen from the system space and made his bed.
After dinner, he sat cross-legged and began cultivating. Tomorrow, he planned to ask Su Yuntao for a permission slip to enter the Soul Beast Forest and obtain his first soul ring.
Meanwhile, things weren't looking so good for Tang San.
The sky had turned dark. Because of what happened at noon, he'd been so angry he skipped lunch.
As for the dry rations he brought with him—the gatekeeper said he was hungry and took them!
Now, Tang San was both cold and starving. Even with Xuan Tian Gong protecting his body, his stomach growled non-stop.
It wasn't until 3 a.m. that the door to the small classroom finally creaked open.
Tears welled up in Tang San's eyes once more.
"A teacher finally came... wuwu…"
(End of Chapter)