Chapter 58

This battle, I really have to thank you, Yutong. If it weren't for your timely reaction, our team would probably have stopped here.

After stepping down from the competition stage, Tang Wulin sincerely said to Huo Yutong.

Just now he truly was helpless against the Evil Phantom Moon; a Soul Lord Rank expert is definitely not something he, with just an empty blue soul ring, can defeat.

Zhou Sichen only then came back to his senses.

"Ah, that is to say, just now big…… Yutong, did she do something while hugging the boss just now?"

He even thought she wanted to use that hug of Tang Wulin to give him a boost of adrenaline.

Tang Wulin directed his questioning gaze at Huo Yutong; seeing her nod, he then said to Zhou Sichen:

"Well, the reason we were late today and expended most of our soul power is because we were trying a martial soul fusion last night; just now, Yutong hugging me was her transmitting soul power to me through the martial soul fusion."

Zhou Sichen is their teammate; it would be better to tell him this crucial information about their martial soul fusion technique as soon as possible.

Zhou Sichen's mouth opened wide in an instant, his eyes filled with shock.

"Boss, do you know what you're saying?"

You should know that the rarity of martial soul fusion techniques is second only to twin souls; in all his years, he's only seen that one pair, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo.

The total number of existing pairs capable of performing a martial soul fusion technique in the world might not even reach ten; most are relatives or close friends, and yet our boss and his sister-in-law just casually tried and succeeded? That's too fantastical.

Tang Wulin said helplessly:

"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true; we already attempted to use the martial soul fusion technique this morning."

He completely understands Zhou Sichen's feelings; even now, he feels as if he's dreaming.

Zhou Sichen looked bewildered at Tang Wulin, then at Huo Yutong, finally sighed and gave up thinking.

"Forget it, I should have realized long ago that whatever happens between you two is perfectly normal."

"These two can take on three soul rings with just one, they got assassinated at the academy less than a week after school started, and now they casually try and end up with a martial soul fusion technique—Zhou Sichen is really becoming numb."

He possesses innate soul power level 7, having been called a genius since childhood, growing up under the envious gazes and praises of those around him, and he has always considered himself strong, a standout among his peers.

However, only after coming to the academy and meeting Tang Wulin did he realize he was nothing, and that this guy is the true monster.

Indeed, people cannot be generalized.

Zhou Sichen felt that way in his heart, then bade farewell to Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong.

Wang Yan called him, the vice class monitor, saying he had something to do, and he needed to hurry off to work.

Meanwhile, Tang Wulin and Huo Yutong returned to the Sea God Pavilion and then went to Mu En's room.

This time there were no senior elders here; after the Sea God Pavilion meeting ended, they all returned to their own rooms.

Hearing the two enter, Mu En slowly opened his eyes and gently asked, "You two are back; how did today's match go?"

"Barely won." Tang Wulin said, "Mu Lao, I have something relatively important to tell you; can you make sure no one else hears what's said in this room?"

"Oh?"

Looking at Tang Wulin's serious expression, Mu En raised his eyebrows.

He extended his aged hand, a clump of golden light shooting out, enveloping the entire room.

Then he smiled and said:

"Now you can; what do you want to tell me?"

He did this without the slightest hesitation.

Tang Wulin had never made such a request of him before; he keenly sensed that what this child was about to say could change the fate of the entire Shilake Academy.

Tang Wulin took a deep breath and said:

"Actually, after waking up this morning I discovered I had gained a third martial soul." As he spoke, he focused his spirit, mobilizing the vitality within his body, and instantly a green-gold soul ring appeared in the room.

The moment it appeared, the already not-large room instantly filled with a vibrant, lively aura; even the wooden walls of the Sea God Pavilion sprouted new branches, a scene bursting with life.

Mu En widened his eyes in astonishment.

"Third martial soul?"

Seeing Tang Wulin release this martial soul, he immediately understood why the Golden Ancient Tree had suddenly lost so much vitality.

Obviously, the vast majority of that vitality was used to construct this third martial soul; the awakening of the Blue Silver Emperor was merely incidental.

This situation has never occurred in the academy's history before; whether it's the formation process of the martial soul or the green-gold soul ring, both indicate that this martial soul is anything but simple.

Tang Wulin lightly nodded.

"Yes, my martial soul is called the Natural Son; I believe it is the fundamental reason for the Golden Ancient Tree's loss of so much vitality."

He must tell Mu En about this.

No matter what, the fact that he caused the academy's most important Golden Ancient Tree to suffer severe damage is an undeniable truth that must be acknowledged.

If he secretly reaped such a great benefit and stayed silent, he would be no different from a thief.

Tang Wulin may be greedy for wealth, but he has his own moral bottom line; he absolutely cannot do anything akin to stealing—this is his father's teaching to him, which he will never forget in his lifetime.

"……"

Mu En narrowed his eyes, looked at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"I really haven't misjudged you."

"?"

Tang Wulin was somewhat at a loss as to Mu En's sudden words.

Mu En kindly said to the puzzled Tang Wulin, "Wulin, do you know why I didn't take you as my disciple when you first entered the academy?"

Tang Wulin honestly shook his head.

Mu En smiled and said:

"It's because I wasn't clear about your character."

Saying this, he sighed.

"Our academy is not lacking in extraordinarily talented individuals; whether it's Xuanzi or Shaozhe, they possess world-top talent, yet they cannot save the academy."

Shilake Academy is already beyond cure; such an institution needs not a strong leader but an upright and kind successor.

It is obvious that neither the current Sea God Pavilion Vice Master Xuanzi nor the future Sea God Pavilion Master Yan Shaozhe possesses such virtue.

Mu En once placed his hopes on Zhang Lexuan, hoping she could bring a different atmosphere to the Academy.

However, waiting for Zhang Lexuan to fully grow would take at least several decades, while Mu En's remaining lifespan is now less than five years.

Furthermore, there are emotional issues; this is also the karma he created by a momentary impulse, and he cannot deal with the emotional wound.

He once gave up, thinking that reform of the Academy was hopeless, but Tang Wulin's appearance changed everything.

"Since you entered the Academy, I have been observing you, both to protect your safety and to examine your character, and you have never disappointed me; you always bring me special surprises in big and small matters."

By the way, although this old fellow Mu En appears kind to everyone, he is actually very wary.

Even after knowing Huo Yuhao's Ultimate Soul, he did not immediately take him as a disciple, but instead chose to first go to the Extreme North to capture scorpions for research. After determining that Huo Yuhao's martial soul was very likely the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, he still felt uneasy, and specially went to Star Net to watch the competition in which Huo Yuhao participated. Only after layers of evidence were confirmed did he decide to stake Shilake Academy's future on Huo Yuhao.

One can only say never to assume that the leader of a major power is a naive simpleton, except for Xuanzi.

(End of chapter)