"Hmm… It really is powerful," Tang Yin muttered to himself, hands behind his head as he strolled through the forest.
"My soul level's already at 24… almost 25. At this rate, I'll be around level 36 by graduation. But I doubt I'll find a high-age devour attribute soul beast in this forest."
He paused, smirking to himself. "No worries. After graduation, I'll just head to the Star Dou Forest. After all, once I get my third soul ring, my cultivation speed will shoot through the roof."
With his future path laid out, Tang Yin leisurely made his way back to Nuoding Academy.
It had to be said—after three years of living, eating, studying, and dueling side-by-side, Xiao Wu had grown deeply attached to Tang Yin. And once she realized his soul ring didn't contain any resentment, her fondness only deepened. In fact, she started suspecting he might be a soul beast in human form.
At nine years old, Tang Yin now stood a solid 1.5 meters tall, while Xiao Wu was right behind at 1.4 meters. Tang San, meanwhile, was still a head shorter and had the permanent "grimy blacksmith" aesthetic—face smudged brown from furnace smoke.
Ever since Tang Yin erased Tang San's knowledge of the Mysterious Heaven Technique, Tang San had focused more on cultivating soul power and hidden weapons. Surprisingly, his growth was still rapid, even without the so-called "heaven-defying mysterious heaven technique."
(In the original story, Tang San only advanced 18 levels in six years because he spent more time goofing off with Xiao Wu and her minions, practicing movement techniques, and polishing his jade hands. Sure, he made a ton of hidden weapons, but his soul cultivation was slow as a turtle)
Tang yin wasn't in a rush in cultivation but he had been felling restless due to tang hao's active surveillance.
Three Years Later
At the Nuoding Academy training grounds, a crowd of children stood in a sleepy-looking assembly. Some were yawning. Others had big, dopey grins like they'd just been told lunch was free.
Tang Yin, Xiao Wu, and Tang San? Nowhere in sight. They were holed up inside Yu Xiaogang's dormitory, facing something far more dangerous than an assembly line.
Yu Xiaogang rubbed his hands together like a dodgy merchant. He crouched slightly, his smile wide and suspicious, eyes glinting with opportunism.
He had discovered for a while that Tang Yin, despite being less talented than his brother, had already reached the level of Soul Grandmaster at just ten years old—same as Xiao Wu. That put both of them among the top talents on the entire continent.
"Hey Tang Yin, Xiao Wu… have you two ever heard of… Shrek Academy?" he asked voice dripping with honey—and something slightly greasy.
Xiao Wu squinted. "Why do you sound like you're trying to sell us a stolen goat?"
Yu Xiaogang, undeterred, pulled a shiny lollipop from his sleeve and waved it like it was a divine treasure. "Shrek Academy is the best! I know the headmaster personally. I'll make sure you both get abundant resources, and training, everything!"
He placed a hand over his heart. "Tang yin, Xiao wu I'm optimistic about both of you. You shouldn't waste your talent" the grandmaster was giving an impationate speech and coaxing like a sleazy uncle
Tang Yin raised an eyebrow. "Did you just try to bribe us with a lollipop?"
"No no! Of course not!" Yu Xiaogang stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. "This is… a soul-nutrient stick! Very rare! Only offered to gifted prodigies… like you two."
Xiao Wu whispered to Tang Yin, "Yup. He's definitely that uncle your mom warns you about."
Realizing the bait wasn't working, Yu Xiaogang threw in more offers. "Team uniforms! With custom embroidery! Free theoretical lectures by yours truly, the Grandmaster of Soul Mastery!"
Tang Yin blinked. "Can the uniform hide shame?"
Yu Xiaogang's grin twitched. "Let's make it a trial offer. One week at Shrek Academy. If you don't like it, I'll… throw in two candies!"
Xiao Wu looked at Tang Yin. "Should we run or just call the guards?"
Eventually, they gave in and accepted the free trial offer—Tang Yin mainly because he needed time to think. He wasn't sure whether to hide Xiao Wu in the Star Dou Forest or chart a new path, especially since her relationship with Tang San was lukewarm at best.
"Ahhh, graduation," Xiao Wu said with a stretch that was equal parts grace and showmanship.
Tang Yin stared. Relished the view. Didn't even try to hide it.
"It feels like we just enrolled, and now six years are gone in a blink," she added.
Tang Yin gave a vague nod, still ogling her from head to toe.
Realizing his gaze, Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks and bonked him on the head. "Hmph! Pervert."
Later, back at the dormitory, Tang Yin grew serious."Xiao Wu, come to the dorm. I need to tell you something."
Xiao Wu blushed, assuming it was a confession. She eagerly followed, heart fluttering, eyes trailing his long, flowing blue-silver hair, his tall, slender build, his cherry lips, and glowing blue-purple eyes. He looked like he walked out of a girl's fantasy novel.
Once inside, Tang Yin pinned her gently against the wall. "Ahh—mph!" Xiao Wu gasped, only for Tang Yin to cover her mouth and whisper, "Xiao Wu… I know your secret."
Her eyes widened, the sparkle fading. Watching her eyes unfocused Tang Yin tapped her forehead.
"How long have you known?" she asked, not daring to meet his eyes.
"From the very first day."
Her mind spun. He called me bunny back then… so he really did know I was a soul beast from the start. But if he knew… why didn't he kill me?
She stared at him in disbelief. "How did you know? And… why didn't you kill me?"
Tang Yin clutched his chest with mock heartbreak. "Ouch… Xiao Wu, do I look like some psycho who'd murder a cute, fluffy little bunny?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes. And I think you're a pervert just waiting for an excuse to pin me down, rip my clothes off, and stare shamelessly at my—"
Her voice caught halfway, eyes widening as the words registered.
Face turning crimson from ears to collarbone, she slapped a hand over her mouth. "I-I didn't mean to say that out loud!"
Tang Yin gave her a slow, wicked grin. "Wow. And here I thought I was the bad influence."
Her face lit up red like a steamed dumpling.
Tang Yin grinned.
Then he turned serious again and began bullshiting "Actually… I have twin martial souls. One of them is spiritual in nature. I can sense and distinguish soul beasts from humans. Your disguise is flawless to normal soul masters—but to a spiritual one like me? You're basically wearing bunny ears."
Xiao Wu stared at him, jaw slightly slack, completely dumbfounded.