Chapter 180: The Gap of a Single Ring – Part 6
Thank you to our new Patrons: Foolie, Resid Kuliyev, Bodybags87, Jaden Henderson, spiritwolf86, Kyle Bates, Macabre Threener, Jakob Harris, Koner !!, Elan Jones, NaasH NS, Shon Ducusin, Kai Zambrano, mty and BenDover110! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to Chapter 560: Heavenly Cauldron vs. Dragon Emperor on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! It's called Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline. As always, Patrons will have unrestricted access to all of my stories including futures ones!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Yu Xiaogang naturally hoped Ye Wen would agree. If Tang San were accepted into Tianxing Academy, he could finally get rid of this troublesome burden, and Tang Hao, that bastard, wouldn't come after him anymore.
However, Ye Wen simply shook his head faintly.
Tang San, who had believed becoming a soul master would elevate him above others, was shocked to find himself rejected. In his urgency, Tang San blurted out,
"What makes me inferior to those two? I have full innate soul power—I should qualify to become one of your disciples-in-name. Why won't you even let me study at your academy?"
Ye Wen glanced at Tang San with interest, inwardly remarking, 'This Tang San is as greedy as ever.'
"Of course, your talent is undoubtedly among the top tier on the continent. But I cannot take you as my disciple.
Your parents are individuals even I find troublesome. So, sorry, little guy—you and the Tianxing Academy are not fated to be together."
Only a fool would allow Tang San into his academy. With his sneaky nature, if he felt he wasn't receiving proper guidance, he'd surely resort to stealing knowledge—something he'd done plenty of in his past life.
Moreover, their positions would inevitably become hostile in the future. Supporting the enemy was absolutely out of the question.
But Tang San's expression shifted slightly. He hadn't expected this man to also be wary of his parents. Instinctively, he wanted to ask again,
"Principal Ye Wen, do you know my father?"
Ye Wen chuckled lightly and replied,
"I not only know your father but also your mother. Come to think of it, I've known your parents for about ten years now."
A single meeting still counted as knowing them.
Beside them, Yu Xiaogang discreetly noted this information. He hadn't expected Ye Wen to have ties with the Hao Tian Douluo from so many years ago—there might be more to this than met the eye.
At this moment, Tang San urgently asked again, "Then could you please tell me more about my parents?"
Under Tang San's expectant gaze, Ye Wen firmly shook his head and said,
"I can't say anything. Your father deliberately concealed his identity from you because he didn't want it to affect your cultivation. If I reveal it now, he'll surely cause trouble for me later. For now, focus on your training. When you grow strong enough, your father will naturally tell you everything. If I speak out of turn, it'll only disrupt his plans."
As he spoke, Ye Wen's gaze lingered meaningfully on the distant, dark forest.
Hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao hadn't expected Ye Wen to be so perceptive—he had been detected from over a hundred meters away.
However, thinking about Tianxing Academy's neutral stance, Tang Hao sighed in relief. At least the future Hao Tian Sect wouldn't have to face such a monstrous opponent.
A flicker of dejection crossed Tang San's face, followed by a surge of frustration. Why were all the people around him speaking in riddles? It was infuriating.
Still, the fact that even the principal of the continent's number one academy was wary of his father proved that his father was no ordinary person. But why had he spent so many years living in poverty in that remote village?
'Using the hammer in his left hand to protect the vine in his right,' Tang San thought bitterly. 'Father, what are you trying to hint at?'
Lost in his thoughts, Tang San's attention was suddenly drawn to a figure.
Ye Tianshui was still struggling with the food on her plate. Though she was already full, she stubbornly continued eating, unwilling to waste any food. Her soft and adorable face now carried a hint of distress.
"All right, stop forcing yourself if you're full. Give it to me," Ye Wen said gently.
He quickly finished the remaining food on Ye Tianshui's plate and wiped her mouth for her.
However, Ye Wen's sharp spiritual awareness detected Tang San's lingering gaze.
"?"
"!"
'Damn Tang Xiao San! Such a young brat already has impure thoughts, and he dares to set his eyes on my daughter?! Is he trying to force me to kill him now?'
Anger surged within Ye Wen's heart. But then he thought of the cunning Asura God in the Divine Realm and forcibly suppressed the murderous intent rising within him.
'A small misstep could ruin the bigger plan.'
*Tang San, you've already sealed your fate! The day you ascend to the Divine Realm will be the day of your demise!*
Ye Wen clenched his teeth inwardly.
But just because he couldn't kill Tang San now didn't mean he couldn't teach him a lesson.
"Little friend, you've just obtained your first soul ring, right? How about it—would you like to spar with my child?" Ye Wen said with a warm smile.
The five youngsters immediately became interested. However, Ma Hongjun quickly lost confidence. Though his martial soul was powerful, he had no soul rings yet. Challenging someone with a soul ring—even with an advantageous attribute—seemed risky, especially since the opponent didn't look easy to deal with.
On the other hand, Ye Tianshui was particularly excited, raising her hand eagerly.
"Daddy, let me! I want to try out my new soul skill!"
Seeing their younger sister so enthusiastic, Ye Tianxin and Ye Tianchen, as the elder siblings, naturally didn't compete with her.
As for Oscar? A food-based auxiliary soul master like him wouldn't dare fight. He simply stood aside to watch the spectacle, though the excitement in his eyes revealed his keen interest in soul master battles.
'There are no soul masters who cannot fight—only those who don't know how to fight.' Was this idea already forming in Oscar's mind?
Tang San also felt intrigued. Since his rebirth, he had been training in isolation, and he was eager to test his strength.
But when he saw that his opponent was an adorable little loli who made his heart flutter, he hesitated. Should he fight or not?
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang hatched a mischievous plan. Though he didn't know how strong his disciple truly was, as Ye Wen's children, they were definitely no weaklings.
Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be the same age as his own disciple. Even if they weren't at full innate soul power, they were likely close. Combined with Ye Wen's elite training, they were undoubtedly stronger than Tang San, who had looked malnourished and ragged when he first joined Yu Xiaogang.
Thus, Yu Xiaogang feigned seriousness and coughed before saying,
"Xiao San, this is a rare opportunity. Battling against geniuses of your generation will accelerate your growth. It'll also help you realize that you're not the only genius in the world—it'll keep you humble."
Yu Xiaogang's words were the last straw that broke the camel's back. Tang San agreed to the duel.
Soon, both sides took their positions.
Yu Xiaogang said, "Xiao San, it's customary in soul master duels to introduce your level and martial soul as a sign of respect."
Tang San felt awkward. What idiot came up with this rule? Personal information was the lifeline of every strong individual. But since his trusted teacher had spoken, he reluctantly complied, saying,
"Tang San, martial soul Green Vine, ten-level soul master."
At this point, Tang San still didn't know his soul power had already reached level 13, so he simply guessed.
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow