As soon as Arthev stepped into Notting College, he couldn't help but feel a little underwhelmed. He had imagined a grand institution with towering buildings, but in reality, it was just… decent. A main teaching building, a playground, and a dormitory. That was it.
"Well, at least there are flowers," Arthev muttered to himself. Compared to the schools from his past life, it wasn't much different—except for the strong smell of nature everywhere.
Shaking off his mild disappointment, he made his way to the teaching office on the first floor, where the admission procedures were being handled. Inside, he could hear voices.
"Director Su, this is a new work-study student this year and also my disciple. Please help him register," a deep, self-important voice echoed from within.
Arthev instantly recognized the owner of the voice—Yu Xiaogang.
"What? Master, you have accepted a disciple? That is really a good thing. I will help him register immediately," came the reply, dripping with flattery.
Arthev peeked inside just in time to see Tang San nod respectfully as Yu Xiaogang said, "Xiao San, wait here for a while. I have something else to do. I will come back to you when I have time."
"Okay, goodbye, teacher," Tang San responded, like the perfect disciple he was.
Just as Yu Xiaogang stepped out, he spotted Arthev standing at the door. His expression soured as if someone had stolen his last steamed bun.
"Your name is Arthev, right?" Yu Xiaogang's voice carried the weight of unnecessary authority.
Arthev gave a short nod. It was obvious this guy had already seen his martial soul certificate.
The so-called master narrowed his eyes and said, "Why did you leave without permission just now? Shouldn't you have worshipped me as your master along with Xiao San?"
Arthev blinked. Was this guy serious?
"So… you want to accept me as your disciple?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yu Xiaogang scoffed, crossing his arms like he was some enlightened sage. "Accept you as a disciple? Based on your performance just now, it is impossible for me to accept you as a disciple." He let that statement sit for a moment before adding, "However, because of Xiao San's status and your talent, I will make an exception. After all, you two are from the same village."
Arthev could almost hear the calculations running in the man's head. If Tang San is talented, then maybe this brat is too. If both of them succeed, my ten core theories will be proven right!
A cold glint flashed in Arthev's eyes. This guy really thinks he's some hidden expert, huh? Taking random knowledge from different sects and Wuhun Palace and calling it his own? What a joke.
Yu Xiaogang looked at him expectantly, awaiting his gratitude.
Arthev crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as he looked at the so-called master before him. The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment as Yu Xiaogang, expecting some sort of gratitude, met only an indifferent gaze.
"Oh? So, you're considering allowing me the honor of being your disciple?" Arthev's voice carried a hint of amusement, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous proposition of the century.
Yu Xiaogang straightened his posture, clearing his throat with a self-important expression. "Of course, given Xiaosan's exceptional talent and your decent potential, I would be willing to—"
"Ah, I see now," Arthev interrupted with a knowing nod, his face lighting up as if he had just solved a puzzle. "You're saying that despite not having spirit power yourself, you still want to guide me? That's... quite something."
Yu Xiaogang's face twitched. "I may not have spirit power, but my research—"
"Right, right, research." Arthev waved his hand dismissively, cutting him off again.
Arthev sighed dramatically, rubbing his chin. "Well, I suppose I could take you as my teacher… once you become a Titled Douluo."
The room fell silent. One of the younger teachers coughed awkwardly, while Director Su looked away, pretending to check some documents.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned several shades of red, then pale, then red again. "That's absurd! Do you know how long it takes to become a Titled Douluo?"
"Oh, I do," Arthev said with a smirk. "Which is why I'll be waiting... forever."
Even Tang San, who was still inside, peeked through the doorway with wide eyes.
Director Su coughed, trying to suppress a chuckle.,while one of the assisting teachers nearly choked on his tea.
Arthev shook his head and muttered under his breath, "And here I thought Notting College was supposed to have good teachers."
Then, without sparing him another glance, Arthev walked into the office to register.
Ignoring Yu Xiaogang's stiff, embarrassed face, Arthev stepped into the teaching office and handed over his martial spirit certificate for registration.
Behind him, the so-called master stood frozen, his expression shifting between anger and disbelief. That last line— "Wait until you become a Titled Douluo." —had cut deeper than any soul master's blade.
Yu Xiaogang's hands clenched behind his back as he forced himself to walk away, his robe swishing dramatically. "Alright, alright! I want to see how you train that tree without my theory!" He spat out, his frustration barely contained.
In his mind, he was the number one theoretical expert on the Douluo Continent! He had just graciously offered Arthev the chance to become his disciple, and yet this kid had rejected him? Twice?! Unbelievable!
Hmph, you'll regret this one day, Arthev. Just wait until you realize you need my knowledge! Then we'll see who has the last laugh!
Unfortunately for him, his dramatic exit wasn't as impressive as he thought—because as soon as the door shut behind him, one of the young teachers in the office couldn't help but let out a snort.
"Director Su," the young teacher said with a smirk, "Didn't the master always say 'There are no useless martial spirits, only useless soul masters'? And now he's accepting a full innate soul power Blue Silver Grass as his disciple?"
Pfft!
Director Su coughed, but he couldn't fully hide his laughter.
That was Yu Xiaogang's most famous line. He repeated it like a mantra—There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters!
Yet he himself had never been able to break through level 29. His entire life.
A real-life punchline to his own theory.
Tang San, who had been standing quietly at the side, heard everything. His expression remained neutral, but inside, his thoughts were complicated.
Arthev, that was too much…
He clenched his fists slightly. Arthev had just mocked the master in front of others.
His master. The one who saw through his secret—that he had twin martial souls—at a glance. How could such a man be useless?
And earlier, when he had been formally taking Yu Xiaogang as his teacher, Arthev had just walked past them, ignoring the whole ceremony. That… was disrespectful.
Even now, he acted as if the master was nothing special.
Shameless!
But Arthev wasn't paying attention to any of this. He casually placed his martial spirit certificate on the table and spoke in a calm, unbothered tone.
"Director Su, please help me register. I'm also a work-study student this year."
Director Su's eyes widened as he glanced at Arthev's martial spirit certificate. He took a closer look, his face gradually turning awkward. He leaned in and whispered to Tang Yin, "Wait, your martial spirit is a tree? And you've got innate soul power at Level 5?"
Arthev nodded casually, his tone as calm as ever. "Yes, Director Su. Tang San and I are from the same village."
Director Su paused, his mind processing that tidbit of information. "You two are from the same village? Well, that's a bit of a twist." His eyes flicked over to Tang San, who had been quietly standing by. "Did you really become a master, then?"
Tang San nodded, a bit confused. "Yes, is there a problem?"
"No, no problem at all," Director Su smiled, though the smile had the faintest trace of sarcasm. "The master might have a unique personality, but his theory does have some... merit. I mean, your martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass, right? So you're fine being his disciple."
Arthev just raised an eyebrow but kept quiet, as Director Su handed Tang San a set of clothes with a flourish. "Here's your stuff. Your dormitory is in Qishe."
Tang San took the clothes, nodded, and headed out of the office, clearly eager to escape the awkward tension in the air.
As the door clicked shut, Director Su turned his attention back to Arthev, now even more intrigued. "Since you and Tang San are villagemates, why didn't you stop him from becoming the master's disciple?"
Arthev blinked in surprise, not quite understanding the question. "Why would I stop him? It's his choice. Besides, I'm not his babysitter." He paused, then added, "I think that master is just a guy looking for fame and recognition, not much more."
Director Su stared at him, slightly taken aback by Arthev's bluntness. But before he could respond, one of the younger teachers chimed in, clearly unable to hold back.
"Director Su, look at this! Even a child can see something's wrong with that master's so-called theory. Are we all supposed to be fools, following that broken nonsense? I'm telling you, it's just a bunch of bullshit."
The room fell silent for a moment, as the young teacher's words hung in the air like a thunderclap.
Director Su shook his head and sighed, trying to hide his amusement. "Ah, the truth hurts, doesn't it?"