Over the course of two years, Ye Yu had continued taking century-old ginseng, lingzhi, and similar medicinal herbs.
By the second year, Ye Yu successfully broke through to Rank 10 soul power.
However, he did not immediately apply to obtain his first soul ring.
The reason was simple.
Ye Yu clearly understood that becoming a Soul Master was not his ultimate goal.
His goal was to continuously evolve his Blue Silver Grass martial soul, eventually becoming a powerful figure—Even to seize the chance to become a God!
Therefore, the type of soul ring he absorbed was critically important!
But with Ye Yu's current knowledge of soul beasts,He hadn't yet identified a suitable plant-type soul beast with strong life attributes.
Even if such a beast existed, it would certainly be in the Star Dou Forest.
With the strength of the teachers at Nuoding Academy, they'd at best be willing to take Ye Yu to the Hunting Forest to obtain a ring.
As for the Star Dou Forest—that was clearly impossible.
It was simply too dangerous!
So Ye Yu chose to continue cultivating in silence, waiting for Tang San to enroll. Once Yu Xiaogang led him to hunt for a soul ring,Tang Hao would surely follow behind in secret.
That would be Ye Yu's best opportunity to steal the Blue Silver Emperor's Right Leg Bone and Ah Yin, the Blue Silver Emperor herself!
January 1, Year 2637 of the Douluo Calendar.
It was once again the registration day for Nuoding Academy.
Everything seemed the same as always.
But Ye Yu knew today was no ordinary day.
Today was the day the protagonist of Douluo Dalu, Tang San, would enroll at Nuoding Academy.
It was also the day Ye Yu planned to apply for early graduation.
Leaving home, Ye Yu made his way to Nuoding Academy.
Before he even reached the academy gate,He heard a shrill and mocking voice.
"Oh~ A golden phoenix rising from a nest of weeds? You expect me to believe that a Blue Silver Grass martial soul has innate full soul power? Who are you trying to fool?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Yu's heart stirred.
Could it be...?
He walked quickly toward the sound.
At the academy gate,The gatekeeper stood with his hands on his hips, mocking disdainfully an old man before him. The old man was dressed in plain brown clothing, holding a cane. His hair and beard were snow white, and his face bore the marks of age and hardship.
Beside the old man stood a thin, black-haired boy dressed in patchy clothes. Though his appearance was ordinary, his eyes were exceptionally bright and spirited.
Ye Yu, though unfamiliar with them, was almost certain—
These two were most likely the Village Chief Old Jack of Holy Spirit Village and Tang San himself.
Faced with the gatekeeper's mockery—particularly the insult toward Holy Spirit Village—Old Jack began to grow angry.
Their argument escalated.
The gatekeeper, enraged, reached out to push them away.
"Get lost! This is Nuoding Academy, not a charity! Get out of here!"
Seeing the gatekeeper raise his hand to shove Old Jack, Ye Yu frowned and prepared to step in.
Not because he wanted to curry favor with Tang San—
But simply because, as a transmigrator with decent morals,He couldn't just stand by while a kind old man was bullied.
However, it turned out there was no need for Ye Yu to intervene.
Just as the gatekeeper tried to push Old Jack,Tang San stepped forward and used a strange move to knock the man to the ground in a flash.
The gatekeeper, furious, jumped up and charged at Tang San,Intending to beat the little brat senseless.
"Stop!"
A hoarse voice rang out sternly.
From behind a flowerbed not far away,A figure in a black academic robe appeared, hands clasped behind his back, exuding a calm but distant aura.
Ye Yu squinted at the figure and smirked inwardly.
Ever since seeing Yu Xiaogang's true colors at the academy—his arrogance toward the weak, inferiority complex toward the strong, and self-righteousness—Ye Yu had always wondered:
Why was Yu Xiaogang so kind in the novel, helping Old Jack and Tang San?
Now he understood.Yu Xiaogang had been eavesdropping from the start and overheard that Tang San had innate full soul power with a Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
He only stepped in after the gatekeeper acted violently—once the situation escalated.
What followed was exactly as described in the novel.
Yu Xiaogang, in his typical condescending manner, scolded the gatekeeper and brought Tang San into Nuoding Academy.
Ye Yu followed behind them.
Shortly after entering the academy,Ye Yu witnessed a puzzling scene—
Tang San, clearly duped by Yu Xiaogang's words, actually knelt down and respectfully kowtowed three times to him!
Even though Ye Yu knew this would happen,He couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth, speechless.
Because everything Yu Xiaogang said to Tang San was full of holes.
Other people might not know the truth.But didn't Tang San himself know where his innate full soul power came from?
How could he believe Yu Xiaogang's nonsense?
After accepting Tang San as his disciple, Yu Xiaogang noticed Ye Yu. His stiff expression twitched slightly into a sneer.
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
Tang San asked with concern.
"Nothing. Just saw a greedy and selfish student," Yu Xiaogang replied.
"He has the same Blue Silver Grass martial soul as you, but only had Rank 1 soul power at awakening."
"I've spent years researching Blue Silver Grass, which should have benefited soul masters like him."
"But when I asked him for some data, he refused to cooperate."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head and, in a few casual words, painted Ye Yu as an ungrateful, selfish person.
Tang San frowned deeply.
This guy actually dared upset Teacher?Hmph! He's already walking the path to death!
Ye Yu didn't hear Yu Xiaogang's words,But he saw the way Yu Xiaogang glanced at him and whispered something to Tang San—After which Tang San frowned and looked at him coldly.
Ye Yu knew exactly what was going on.
That shameless, hypocritical "Grandmaster" had surely slandered him.
But since Ye Yu also knew Tang San was someone who stood by those he cared about, not reason,He didn't bother explaining.
Making an enemy of Yu Xiaogang was effectively the same as making an enemy of Tang San.Ye Yu had been mentally prepared.
Besides, even if he didn't antagonize Yu Xiaogang,Once he made his move to steal the Blue Silver Emperor's Right Leg Bone and Ah Yin,He and the Tang family would still become mortal enemies.
Being cast as a villain was inevitable.The only difference was whether he'd become a final boss or a minor lackey.
After watching Yu Xiaogang lead Tang San to the academic office,Ye Yu followed as well—he needed to apply for graduation.
Yu Xiaogang left after escorting Tang San in.As they passed one another,Ye Yu clearly saw the disdain, sarcasm, and even a trace of mockery in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
He frowned slightly—But didn't take it to heart.
He'd figured Yu Xiaogang out by now.
This guy was a coward who bullied the weak and fawned over the strong—a despicable hypocrite.
With Ye Yu's current status and influence in Nuoding City,At most, Yu Xiaogang could only scheme in the shadows.
He wouldn't dare target Ye Yu openly—not even with a thousand times the courage!
"Director Su!"
Ye Yu greeted warmly as he pushed open the office door and walked toward Director Su.
"Ah, it's Ye Yu!"
Seeing him, Director Su—who had just handed Tang San his uniform and sent him off to Dormitory Seven—beamed with enthusiasm.
"You're entering the sixth grade this year, right?"
Ye Yu shook his head."Director Su, I'm actually here to apply for early graduation. I've already reached Rank 10."
"Oh?"
Director Su was stunned,And the other teachers present in the office also looked surprised.
But soon, everyone offered congratulations.
"Ye Yu, congratulations!""Do you need the academy's help in obtaining your first soul ring before graduation?"
Director Su asked with a smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Director Su," Ye Yu replied politely, "but I haven't yet decided what kind of soul beast to hunt for my first ring."
He declined graciously.
Director Su chuckled and didn't press the matter.
With Ye Yu's status, resources, and influence,He certainly had no trouble obtaining a soul ring on his own.
"Haha, if you ever need anything, Ye Yu, you're always welcome here at the academy."
"After all, you're the most outstanding student Nuoding Academy has seen in nearly ten years!"
"As for your early graduation, please wait here a moment. I'll inform the dean and prepare your graduation certificate."
"Alright. Thank you, Director Su!"
Ye Yu bowed slightly in gratitude.
Then he found a seat in the office and sat down to wait.