Chapter 6 – Second Brother Sanshi, Call Me Big Bro and I’ll Teach You the Ultimate Secret Manual So You’ll Never Take the Wrong Path Again

At the shocking news, Xu Sanshi stumbled back a few steps, nearly losing his balance. His vision blurred, his ears buzzed, and his mind blanked out—leaving behind only one clear, primal thought:

This topic is nuclear. Touch it and you're dead.

Wait—when the old man sent him here to comfort his third brother, he didn't say anything about something this insane!

Dean Yan Shaozhe, of all people? That legendary figure who was as elusive as a dragon in the clouds, rumored to have already been a Super Douluo decades ago?

Now nearing a hundred years old, his cultivation had to be deep and terrifying.

And yet… that same continental-level powerhouse had been slapped—slapped!—by his little brother who hadn't even awakened his martial soul?

Was he still dreaming? Had sleeping on a tree branch last night finally fried his brain?

He pinched his thigh hard. The sharp pain brought his scattered gaze into focus. "Aiya!" he cried out in pain.

Confirmed: this was real. Not a dream.

Xu Sanshi's heart sank. Even the warm sunshine couldn't dispel the growing gloom in his soul. His future looked grim.

Crap. Can I even go back to the Academy now? The Dean's definitely going to come after me!

Xu Tianxi, internally quite pleased, stepped forward and patted Xu Sanshi's shoulder with exaggerated sympathy.

"Relax, Second Brother. You're you, and I'm me. I doubt Shrek Academy would toss aside a genius like you just because of me. After all, aren't you destined to become the number one defense-type soul master in the Outer Court? Show some confidence, huh?"

Xu Sanshi trembled at his touch like a leaf in the wind, lips quivering as if he might cry.

"Even a genius can't escape! I heard from that rascal Beibei that Dean Yan looks all noble on the surface, but he's petty as hell. He never forgets a grudge!

He got slapped by you and beaten up by Great-Grandfather. Once he remembers I'm from Xuanming Sect too… he'll have me skinned alive!"

Xu Tianxi nodded in agreement. In the original story, Yan Shaozhe had always been a petty character with no real grace. Seeing him in person only confirmed it. Taking out his anger on Xu Sanshi wouldn't be surprising at all.

But now that his "Second Brother" had become his "Little Brother," how could Xu Tianxi let him suffer alone?

He pondered for a moment, and soon, a plan formed.

"You mentioned earlier… that Beibei guy's from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan?"

"Yeeees…"

Xu Sanshi's answer was a long, lifeless drawl. His brain was already torn between dropping out with dignity or waiting for Yan Shaozhe to kick him out.

Given his background, he didn't need Shrek's resources or instruction. As long as he wanted to, any top-tier academy in the Three Kingdoms would take him in. But he was unwilling to waste the effort he'd put in over the past year!

As he'd said before, noble clans like the Xuanming Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and White Tiger Duke's House had long-established cultivation systems. In terms of soul skill combinations and training methods, they needed little outside help.

For him, going to Shrek was about making connections and burnishing his resume. He'd already developed a decent relationship with Beibei and become a core disciple in the Outer Court. Graduation was within reach, and the Inner Court wasn't out of the question.

Shrek had the most golden brand name on the continent. The Outer Court gathered second-generation geniuses from every major faction. It was the ultimate networking platform. A Shrek diploma gleamed on any resume—and getting selected to represent Shrek in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament? That would be the crown jewel.

But now… all that seemed impossible.

He might have to go back and start competing with his older brother for the next Sect Master position. Hopefully, his second martial soul awakening would succeed flawlessly…

Just as Xu Sanshi wallowed in despair, Xu Tianxi's calm voice rang out.

"According to what I read in the library these past few days, the current Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion is also from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan.

Since Beibei is only a little older than you, he's likely one of their top talents who enrolled early."

Xu Tianxi offered him a perfectly logical path forward, then added helpfully:

"Also, if Beibei really understands Dean Yan's temperament like you said, then maybe he has some kind of relationship with the Pavilion Master. Why not try talking to him?

Of course, if you do want to come back and compete for the Sect Master title, I'll support you in spirit."

As the words sank in, light returned to Xu Sanshi's eyes. Slowly, his smile crept back. He gave Xu Tianxi a big thumbs-up.

"No wonder you're my little brother—your brain's lightning fast!

I can't believe I didn't think of that myself. That rascal Beibei tricked me out of a Xuan Shui Pill last time—this time, he owes me!"

Xu Tianxi remained deadpan.

"Second Brother, a reminder—I'm your big brother now."

"Er… That was just excitement talking. Doesn't count, doesn't count." Xu Sanshi scratched his head and glanced at the sun, pretending not to hear.

"I slapped Yan Shaozhe. Would you dare?"

Xu Sanshi froze. His head drooped.

"…No. I wouldn't dare. Fine, you're my big brother."

"There we go~ If you call me 'Third Brother' a few more times, I'll share the Ultimate Secret Manual I found in the Library Pavilion. It'll make sure you never walk the wrong path again—benefit you for life."

"Secret manual? What's it for?"

"It'll help with your second martial soul awakening. So? Gonna call me?"

"Third Brother! You're my Third Brother! We're brothers—no need to be so formal! Here, here—ten thousand gold soul coins. Just a little snack money from your Second Brother."

Xu Sanshi instantly put on a sycophantic smile and shoved a gold soul coin card into his hand.

He'd figured it out. Xu Tianxi may have changed a lot after what happened, but there was no need for him to play the clown anymore.

The kid had stayed in the Library Pavilion for two weeks straight. Who knew what kind of ancient teachings he'd uncovered? If there was even a sliver of real value in it, calling him "Third Brother" was a bargain. Heck, he and Beibei often joked about making the other call them daddy.

Xu Tianxi, hearing his little brother repeatedly call him "Third Brother" with such gusto, couldn't help but smile. He tapped the soul tool necklace on his chest and took out a nameless book, handing it over solemnly.

"This manual is serious business. Only read it in the dead of night. Never let anyone else see it."

"Also, I copied down a few lines from our Xu ancestors on the first page. Make sure you read them."

He clasped his hands behind his back, holding back laughter as he gave his instructions.

Playing big brother to a kid wasn't half bad.

"Alright, alright. Got it. If this thing turns out to be useful, I'll call you Third Daddy for a whole year!"

Xu Sanshi cradled the book like a treasure and followed alongside Xu Tianxi, babbling away.

"Oh right, Third Brother—Great-Grandfather told me your martial soul awakening has to be done solo. I'll take you over."

"Alright."

Xu Tianxi's steps were light and quick as he walked toward the morning sun. A relaxed smile curved his lips.

In the original story, his Second Brother had gone down the wrong path—half-awakening the Xuanwu martial soul and getting stuck in a mess with Jiang Nannan, playing simp for years before finally getting together. Utterly ridiculous.

To Xu Tianxi, that had always been a matter of mutual need. But no one in the family had taught Xu Sanshi properly about his awakening, which led to disaster.

He had no particular affection or resentment toward Xu Sanshi. Since the guy had cheerfully called him "Big Bro," sharing a little advice wasn't a big deal.

The lines he'd written in the book? Just some personal relationship insights—like "Simps Never End Well."

As for Xu Sanshi's relentless pursuit of Jiang Nannan… Well, he'd rather not judge. Too messy.

"Still… if I awaken the Xuanming Turtle martial soul, I'll have to undergo a second awakening eventually.

The full Xuanwu martial soul is extremely powerful and tempting—but the method Xuanming Sect developed for the second awakening is… insane.

I cannot end up in a mess like Xu Sanshi did. But then… what should I do?"

As he watched his brother's figure ahead, the soon-to-awaken Xu Tianxi frowned, once again facing a problem that had long troubled him.

He wanted the divine beast martial soul.

He didn't want the dog-blood drama.

What to do?