Chapter 36: Dai Mubai's Ecstatic Joy
Tang San placed the ten gold soul coins he had prepared into the wooden box, then extended his hand.
The old man squeezed his palm a few times before suddenly making a curious sound. He seemed doubtful, so he pressed a few more times, his expression turning odd. Looking up at Tang San, he asked, "Have you practiced some kind of soul skill on your hands?"
The purpose of squeezing applicants' hands was to assess their bone structure and verify their real age something impossible to fake. But Tang San's hand felt oddly flexible, making it impossible to judge his bones.
Tang San nodded. "Yes."
The old man frowned slightly. "Lift your leg up."
Tang San followed his instruction, placing his leg on the table. The old man pressed on his calf through the fabric, causing a tingling sensation.
He nodded in approval. "Your muscle development is excellent. Bone age is appropriate. Now, release your martial soul."
Tang San activated his soul power, and a golden patterned vine grew from his palm. Around him, two yellow soul rings and one purple materialized.
The old man was first shocked at how young he was for a Soul Elder, but then his focus shifted to the vine. He frowned. "This… looks like Blue Silver Grass? But that's impossible. How could Blue Silver Grass cultivate so quickly?"
Tang San knew it was Blue Silver Grass but the emperor among them. However, following Tang Hao's instructions, he calmly explained, "Teacher, my martial soul only looks like Blue Silver Grass. In reality, it's a variant martial soul called Golden Patterned Grass."
"I see."
The old man nodded in realization and smiled. "That makes sense. There's no way a useless martial soul like Blue Silver Grass could grow this strong. Alright, you've passed. Mubai, take him inside."
Dai Mubai nodded and motioned for Tang San to follow before leading him inside.
It was now Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's turn.
Zhu Zhuqing first dropped in ten gold soul coins, then extended her hand.
The old man squeezed it briefly before nodding. "Twelve years old, age is acceptable. Now, reveal your martial soul and soul rings."
Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing activated Martial Soul Possession her cat ears emerged, her eyes turned heterochromatic, and two soul rings floated around her.
At that moment, Dai Mubai, who had just returned from escorting Tang San inside, froze in place.
The instant connection between their martial souls confirmed it
This girl was his fiancée, Zhu Zhuqing.
But wasn't she supposed to be the disciple of an Ultimate Douluo? Why was she still so weak?
Unless…
She hadn't become his disciple yet?!
Dai Mubai's heart surged with excitement.
When he first saw the future video, he had been bitterly jealous.
His fiancée had been lucky enough to become a disciple of an Ultimate Douluo, escaping the fate imposed by their clan's cruel traditions.
But he had no such escape.
He was still trapped in the family's power struggle, unable to break free.
The outcome of his so called battle for the throne was predetermined.
His older brother was vastly superior in age, power, and influence.
From the start, everyone knew this "duel" was nothing but a formality.
Dai Mubai was destined to be a stepping stone, his only purpose being to make his older brother shine even brighter.
Even in the best case scenario, his defeat would lead to crippling his soul power abolished, reduced to a prisoner in his own body, locked away like livestock.
Winning?
He never even considered it.
So, he ran away.
Like a coward, he abandoned his fiancée and escaped.
He fled to this remote town in the Heaven Dou Empire, where he spent his days drinking, womanizing, and indulging in pleasure just so he could experience freedom before his inevitable demise.
But now
Zhu Zhuqing's arrival was a beacon of hope!
Because in that future video, she had become the disciple of an Ultimate Douluo!
If he could leverage that connection
He might also be able to become that Ultimate Douluo's disciple!
If that happened
Then his fate could change!
Maybe… just maybe…
He could win the throne.
And even if he lost, as long as he had an Ultimate Douluo backing him, the Star Luo Imperial Family wouldn't dare cripple him.
That alone was enough.
Dai Mubai's eyes burned with excitement as he stared at Zhu Zhuqing, his gaze practically glowing.
But
She had noticed his intense stare.
Her brows furrowed slightly, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.
Without a word, she retracted her martial soul and soul rings.
The old man nodded. "Alright, you've passed. Follow him inside."
Zhu Zhuqing stepped aside, waiting for Ning Rongrong to finish her test.
Ning Rongrong handed over ten gold soul coins and extended her hand.
The old man pressed it a few times, nodding. "Age is acceptable. Now, release your martial soul."
In a flash of radiant colors, a seven story pagoda appeared in her palm.
The old man's eyes widened.
A Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda?!
His brows furrowed. "Does your family know you're here?"
People from powerful families didn't casually enroll in random academies.
He had to double check to avoid any potential trouble.
Ning Rongrong, however, simply smiled sweetly.
She didn't answer directly but instead said, "Teacher, have I passed the entrance test?"
Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a delicate charm that could make people melt.
The old man hesitated briefly before waving at Dai Mubai. "Take her inside as well."
And so
The two girls followed Dai Mubai toward the inner academy.
The entire way
Dai Mubai kept looking back at Zhu Zhuqing, clearly wanting to talk to her.
But
Her cold glare stopped him every time.
Seeing he wouldn't get a chance to speak, he reluctantly gave up
For now.
But once she joined the academy, he'd have plenty of opportunities to rebuild their relationship!
As they stepped into the village, the buildings they saw were all wooden.
They weren't just simple they were shabby.
To put it nicely, the academy was "humble and unadorned."
To put it bluntly it looked like a dump.
Having never suffered hardship in her life, Ning Rongrong wrinkled her delicate nose at the sight of it.
She didn't complain, but her impatience was clear.
Still
She held back her criticism and followed along.
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