Chapter 43

In the end, Wang Dong couldn't argue with Tang Wulin and bought him a new set of school uniform.

Since clothing often gets damaged in the Dou Hun Qu, there are shops here that specialize in selling school uniforms, so the two didn't have to go through much trouble.

After leaving the Dou Hun Qu, Wang Dong asked Tang Wulin, "Are you going to the place where that elder lives next?"

Tang Wulin nodded.

"Mm."

Mu En had already agreed with him that Ma Xiaotao would apologize to him and Huo Yutong at noon today.

He needed to hurry back to the Sea God Pavilion.

"Tch." Wang Dong pouted sullenly, "Your golden soul ring is indeed impressive—is that the ability of your second martial soul?"

The two abilities Tang Wulin showed him were both from a single soul ring, indicating that this guy's soul power level is definitely below twenty.

Being under twenty yet able to suppress him so completely, Wang Dong could only say he'd seen a ghost.

No wonder the elder Huo Yutong mentioned would take a liking to him.

Tang Wulin shrugged.

"Pretty much."

He also didn't know how to explain it to Wang Dong, so just let him understand it this way for now.

He himself hasn't fully figured out the matter of the Golden Dragon King yet, and before the second seal is completely undone, he didn't expect to see a blood essence soul ring; a random explanation would only backfire.

The two parted ways like that, and Tang Wulin hurried into the academy's interior, soon reaching the edge of Haishen Hu and boarding the boat to the Sea God Pavilion.

Upon arriving at the small island in the center of Haishen Hu, the others had already been waiting here for a while.

Seeing him, Huo Yutong hurried over to his side and stood beside him.

Mu En sat in his wheelchair with narrowed eyes, looking as if asleep, while Ma Xiaotao was brought by Yan Shaozhe to stand at the Sea God Pavilion's entrance, glaring resentfully at Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong.

She had originally planned to find the teacher today to inquire about Tang Wulin's information, but she didn't expect Yan Shaozhe to seek her out early this morning, his expression stern as he asked whether she had done something last night.

At that moment she was completely stunned; it was rare for Yan Shaozhe to put on such a stern expression, and after thinking it over she still couldn't recall doing anything wrong last night.

Only when Yan Shaozhe asked if she had encountered a pair of very good-looking junior schoolmates did she realize he was talking about Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong.

But this only made her even more unable to understand.

What kind of person is Yan Shaozhe? Former head of the Martial Soul Department of Shilake Academy, his standing on the continent is even not lower than that of a typical kingdom's crown prince—yet he would be so shaken over two newly enrolled kids?

After hearing her doubts, Yan Shaozhe merely said one sentence, which plunged her into silence.

"The teacher is very interested in the two of them and intends to take them as closed-door disciples."

Ma Xiaotao naturally knows the exact identity of Teacher Yan Shaozhe; if Yan Shaozhe were merely a Martial Soul Department head, his status in the Sea God Pavilion might not even rank in the top five, then Mu En is unquestionably the Sea God Pavilion's foremost seat.

An Ultimate Douluo, Sea God Pavilion Master, one of the former Black and White Twin Holy Dragons… Mu En, whichever title he bears, is renowned far and wide; one could say Shilake is Mu En's one-man domain.

Normally he doesn't interfere in academy affairs, which is fine, but once he does, no one dares to defy his orders.

To be worthy of his attention shows that these two children's talent has reached an astonishing level.

Only then did Ma Xiaotao gain a hint of awareness that she had caused trouble.

If Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong truly became Mu En's closed-door disciples, they would be of the same generation as Yan Shaozhe, making them Ma Xiaotao's uncles; her behavior last night would then be disrespect toward her own uncle.

Seeing that she finally had some awareness of her actions, Yan Shaozhe sighed and conveyed Tang Wulin's request to Ma Xiaotao.

Upon hearing it, Ma Xiaotao immediately became unhappy.

"It's just that I used a bit of force when grabbing that girl, right? Do we really need all this? Isn't that too greedy!"

"That's half of her fortune—she earned it through who-knows-how-many missions—and that brat Tang Wulin actually opens his mouth demanding half of it? Yet Yan Shaozhe sternly says:"

"This isn't something you can refuse, because it's the teacher's wish; reflect well on why the teacher wants you to do this, and at noon today bring you to apologize!"

Since Yan Shaozhe said that, Ma Xiaotao, even if unwilling, had no choice but to comply, so she took out half of her belongings that she didn't much use and brought them over.

She is now glaring fiercely at Tang Wulin, full of resentment. Last time she almost burned Huo Yutong to death and nothing happened; this time she merely accidentally scratched her, yet she's punished like this—clearly the one being punished isn't Huo Yutong but that brat Tang Wulin.

She had previously thought this kid was rather cute and likable, but now it seems only his appearance is decent; his heart is utterly dirty.

Being glared at fiercely by Ma Xiaotao, Tang Wulin remained unmoved, merely looking at her lightly and waiting for her to speak.

Yan Shaozhe called out softly.

"Xiaotao."

He knows Ma Xiaotao's temperament very well and understands she is surely feeling extremely displeased right now.

But Mu En is right there watching, and he won't tolerate her willfulness now.

Hearing Yan Shaozhe's voice, Ma Xiaotao reluctantly stepped forward and handed a storage soul conductor device to Tang Wulin.

"This is half of my possessions; the teacher has already inspected it."

Tang Wulin didn't accept it, but said:

"You should give this to Yutong; you hurt her, and besides, where's your apology?"

Ma Xiaotao instantly felt a tightness in her chest.

But under Yan Shaozhe's gaze, she couldn't lash out, so she turned to Huo Yutong and said sullenly:

"This time it's my fault; I shouldn't have been so agitated; sorry."

Saying that, she transferred the storage soul conductor device to Huo Yutong.

Huo Yutong took the storage soul conductor device in silence, her expression somewhat complex.

Ma Xiaotao never imagined things would come to this point, nor did she expect to gain anything from it.

Seeing Huo Yutong accept Ma Xiaotao's compensation, Yan Shaozhe hurriedly said to Mu En, "Teacher, does this mean the matter is settled?"

"Mm." Mu En responded, slightly opening his eyes, and said to Yan Shaozhe, "You've seen my attitude, Shaozhe—I don't want such incidents to happen again in the academy; do you understand?"

"I understand, Teacher."

Yan Shaozhe quickly lowered his head and said.

Mu En sighed.

If Yan Shaozhe really understood, that would be good.

This kid always puts on one face in front and another behind—he's hypocritical and petty, lacking integrity.

If it weren't for his truly good talent, Mu En wouldn't have taken him on as a disciple.

Besides, if we're comparing personalities, there's another heavyweight in the Sea God Pavilion.

Thinking of that figure always wandering around with a chicken leg, Mu En couldn't help but twitch the corner of their mouth, suddenly feeling a bit of a stomachache.

The Academy's atmosphere has rotted to the core, and he doesn't have much time left; to change this situation, we need young, capable people to replace him.

This is also why Mu En, after discovering Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong, felt so urgent, and after only briefly observing them for a while, decided to take them as disciples.

These two children are already his last hope.

Mu En said to Yan Shaozhe:

"I'm going to be away for a while, Shaozhe. During this time, you must take good care of Wulin and Yutong. If I return and find that these two children have suffered any unfair treatment again, it won't be as simple as just removing your position as head of the Martial Soul System Department."

"Yes!"

Seeing Yan Shaozhe nod and agree, Mu En's figure vanished from before everyone in an instant.

His time is running short; many matters need to be put on the agenda soon.

(End of chapter)