Chapter 4:
Yu Xiaogang's position was unquestionable. As a teacher, he had every right to know the students' martial spirits.
Besides, the dean was a friend of his. Lin Bai had no grounds for refusal. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, activated his soul seal, and summoned his martial spirit—the Ghost Gate Golden Needle.
A golden light flared, and thirteen golden needles floated in the air. Their sharp tips gleamed like slivers of light that could slice through the air, while the slightly rough tail ends made them easier to handle. The contrast between Lin Bai's gentle, healer-like aura and the sharp, lethal nature of his martial spirit was striking.
The study of medicinal herbs in the Douluo Continent was still in its infancy, let alone the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Yu Xiaogang couldn't recognize Lin Bai's martial spirit outright. Instead, he relied on inference, standing still for a while, lost in thought.
Tang San, however, recognized the golden needles used in acupuncture. But the Tang Sect was an assassination sect—his knowledge of acupuncture was limited to its use in taking lives. He had never considered its potential for healing. No assassin would trust a method that involved being pricked by needles. A slight deviation in acupuncture points could mean the difference between life and death.
"It seems the teacher doesn't recognize acupuncture needles. So, acupuncture must not exist in this world," Tang San mused. "What a pity. Even though he was born with full soul power, he awakened such a martial spirit."
Tang San felt a pang of sympathy for Lin Bai. He couldn't help but think, "If he can't learn acupuncture for healing, then the wounds caused by his golden needles—thin as cow hair—will be minuscule. Combined with hidden weapon techniques, they might have some lethality, but ultimately, they'll be weaker than conventional hidden weapons."
"Perhaps a soul master's soul ring could make a difference. I wonder what the teacher thinks."
With that thought, Tang San glanced at Yu Xiaogang.
"You possess a rare mutated martial spirit!" Yu Xiaogang finally spoke, his voice brimming with certainty.
He had spent the past few moments choosing his words carefully, eager to make an impact. If he could recruit more students with innate soul power, he would have more subjects to verify his ten core theories of martial spirits.
"My child, your name is Lin Bai, correct? I'll call you Xiao Bai."
Yu Xiaogang adopted a familiar tone in an attempt to build rapport.
Lin Bai raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
"Martial spirits are inherited through bloodlines, though they have a small probability of mutating. I've studied 439 individuals who awakened a needle martial spirit. Only three of them became soul masters, and the strongest among them only reached the Great Soul Master rank. Their needle martial spirits exhibited varying degrees of mutation."
"Your Golden Needle martial spirit has undergone a more significant mutation—enough to grant you full innate soul power. However, as a weapon-type martial spirit, the needle is too short and small. No matter what soul rings you add, it will struggle to develop sufficient attack power."
Yu Xiaogang's voice grew firm and authoritative. "If you're willing, you can study under me alongside Tang San. I will help you determine the most suitable soul ring configuration for your martial spirit."
He exuded confidence, hoping to instill the same in Lin Bai.
Lin Bai, however, knew Yu Xiaogang's assessment was not entirely wrong. Without external guidance, even he wasn't sure how to enhance his martial spirit through soul rings.
His Golden Needle spirit possessed metallic properties, yet it also had healing capabilities.
Should he pursue the path of agility and attack? Or embrace healing?
He didn't know. But what he did know was that he had no interest in Yu Xiaogang.
"There's no need," Lin Bai replied curtly. "I don't intend to take a personal teacher. The academy's instructors are sufficient for my needs."
Then, without waiting for a response, he continued, "Teacher, please grant me permission. I need to complete my registration."
With that, he walked past Tang San, his pride clearly unshaken.
Tang San's expression cooled slightly. He had grown up under the principle that one should either accept guidance or be prepared to prove oneself stronger. For Lin Bai to dismiss Yu Xiaogang so casually felt like an insult.
Yu Xiaogang seemed to share his student's sentiment. A brief flicker of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
Lin Bai noticed it but kept walking, smirking inwardly.
"Showing killing intent toward me? You'd better not blame me for retaliating."
As he reached the intersection and turned a corner, he glanced back at Tang San. With a subtle movement, a golden light flickered from his fingertips—an arrow invisible to all but himself.
The arrow shot through the air and struck Tang San.
"Even gods wouldn't notice this arrow."
Lin Bai had only activated a fraction of the divine aura stored in his spiritual sea. It lacked the full might of the original weapon, which could make gods fall in love, but it was more than enough for Tang San.
"Since Yu Xiaogang cares about Tang San so much, let's deepen their bond."
A second golden light flickered. This time, it struck Yu Xiaogang.
"Target designation: Tang San."
The deed was done.
Lin Bai smiled. He always enjoyed seeing lovers finally come together. Cupid's Arrow never failed. There would be no misunderstandings or tragic separations—only the most devoted of romances.
With a flick of his sleeve, he strode toward the Academic Affairs Office.
Meanwhile…
Yu Xiaogang was explaining the basics of martial spirits to Tang San when, suddenly, he found himself distracted. His gaze lingered on Tang San's youthful face and calm eyes.
"Why does he look so… cute?"
Yu Xiaogang quickly shook his head, trying to dispel the strange thoughts creeping into his mind.
"Teacher, is something wrong?" Tang San looked up at him.
The moment their eyes met, Tang San's heart skipped a beat.
"The teacher's beard… looks so rugged. What would it feel like to touch it?"
His normally rational mind faltered. The professor's serious expression reminded him of his father. A warmth he had never acknowledged before spread through his chest.
"I hope I never have to leave him."
Both averted their gazes at the same time. An awkward silence hung in the air.
Lin Bai's handiwork was subtle—the artifact's aura didn't change their fundamental personalities, but it certainly caused some… complications.
At the Academic Affairs Office, Lin Bai arrived with a light step.
"Teacher, I'd like to register."
As he handed over his martial spirit certificate, the instructor's eyes lingered on the document. His expression shifted upon seeing Lin Bai's full innate soul power.
"Innate full soul power… but I've never seen this martial spirit before. I have no idea what its potential might be," he muttered.
Unlike Yu Xiaogang, he knew better than to make bold claims. Instead, he quickly filled out the registration form and handed it back.
Lin Bai took it, then asked, "Teacher, can I apply for a Soul Hunting Token here at the academy?"
The instructor shook his head. "Only Spirit Hall has the authority to issue Soul Hunting Tokens. To obtain one, students need three noble recommendations."
He paused, then added, "However, it's said that the academy's master has a Soul Hunting Token. Though, he's never lent it out before. Forget it—go to Spirit Hall instead."
The instructor had no desire to see Lin Bai become Yu Xiaogang's student, so he quickly dismissed the idea.
"Understood. Thank you, teacher."
With that, Lin Bai turned and left.
As he walked, he smirked to himself. He could enter the Soul Hunting Forest without a token, but getting caught by Spirit Hall would be a hassle.
"I might as well visit Spirit Hall. Besides, Su Yuntao did tell me to find him."
[Cupid's Arrow: To answer the prayers of many believers, the great God of Love expanded the artifact's range to cover 75+ genders and 79.68 million races. The world may change, but love will endure forever.]