Chapter 97: Xuanzǐ: Is It My Turn to Take the Stage?

Noon.

After lunch, Tang San received a message and went straight to the dean's office.

Seeing Yan Shaozhe dressed in white ceremonial attire, standing by the window with his eyes fixed motionlessly on the elderly outside, Tang San gave a slight bow.

"Teacher, you wanted to see me."

"Mm."

Yan Shaozhe gave a soft hum, turned around, and looked Tang San up and down once more. A look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Good talent, strong abilities, no arrogance typical of ordinary geniuses, cautious and low-profile in actions, and most importantly, respectful to teachers and traditions.

Even he, Yan Shaozhe, couldn't find any faults with this disciple.

"This time I called you here mainly to tell you two things. In this afternoon's evaluation, your team will face the team of those two geniuses who chose to join the Soul Conductor Department three months ago. Use this noon period to prepare well."

"Ah?"

Tang San was stunned for a moment. Wasn't the plan to draw lots?

Such obvious under-the-table manipulation, and making me prepare in advance, is that really okay?

"How come? Don't you have confidence?"

"Don't worry, teacher. I've been following that team during the round-robin matches before. Although their strength is indeed formidable, but…"

Recalling what Huo Yuhao did to Wang Dong'er two days ago, and this morning's scene where the opponent threatened to help his daughter beat him up, Tang San clenched his fist tightly.

After a brief pause, a calm and confident smile appeared on his face, as if the three words of victory were slowly spoken from his mouth.

"We will win."

Although he harbored some resentment towards Yan Shaozhe's actions, he couldn't deny that this matter also aligned with Tang San's intentions.

After what happened this morning, his hatred towards Huo Yuhao deepened once again. Now having the chance to beat up Huo Yuhao in advance to vent his anger made his blood boil.

Huo Yuhao, oh Huo Yuhao.

Originally, he wanted to let you frolic for two more days and completely crush you in the finals. Now it seems your new student evaluation ends here.

"Mm, not bad. Having confidence is a good thing, but don't be complacent. The next thing I want to tell you is the second matter."

Upon hearing Tang San's confident words, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but show a faint smile on his face. As he spoke, he pushed a delicate box from his desk towards Tang San.

"Open it and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Tang San quickly took a step forward. When he saw what was inside the box, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

It was a soul bone, emitting a faint silver glow throughout. Just from its aura, its quality was definitely not low.

At this moment, Yan Shaozhe's voice slowly sounded by Tang San's ear.

"This is an extremely rare ten-thousand-year soul bone, approximately fifteen thousand years old. It is a reward specially secured by the teacher for your new student evaluation."

Looking at Tang San's expression, which showed little change in the face of such a precious item, Yan Shaozhe nodded with satisfaction and continued to explain.

"However, it doesn't belong to you yet. As I said, this is a reward for the new student evaluation. Only when your team wins the championship of the elimination matches can this reward be yours."

Hearing Yan Shaozhe's words, Tang San felt somewhat hesitant in his heart.

Fifteen thousand years… still a bit low…

If it were his past life, he might have been delighted to have such a soul bone, but now, reborn as a divine king, equipping a soul bone over ten thousand years old seemed a bit clumsy.

Especially when thinking about the four hundred thousand-year soul bone that should have already appeared in Huo Yuhao's body, he felt that the one in his hand was just as good as garbage.

People are more frustrating than others.

Moreover, soul bones, like soul rings, are hard to replace once equipped. In his past life, being able to replace via the Sea God evaluation was already lucky. In this life, he didn't know if he would have that chance again, so during the absorption process, he preferred quality over quantity.

Soul rings were essential for upgrades, necessary when forced, but for soul bones, unless there was a special need, Tang San didn't want to rush into absorbing them.

Seeing Tang San deep in thought, Yan Shaozhe smiled.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Your hard training these days has been noticed by the teacher. Being a champion in the new student evaluation is not difficult for you."

"The reason I arranged such a reward for you is also because you will face Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na this afternoon, who have equally outstanding talents and strengths that don't seem much less than yours. This soul bone is both an affirmation of your abilities and a warning."

"The teacher hopes that you can give your all in this afternoon's competition, and not become complacent and lose the match because of your strong abilities."

Only Yan Shaozhe himself knew that this soul bone seemed to be prepared for Tang San, but it was actually completely to successfully attract Gu Yue Na.

Having brought out even a ten-thousand-year soul bone shows how much he valued the afternoon match. As long as Tang San won, he could use the high-status victor posture to lure Gu Yue Na to the Martial Soul Department, and even Huo Yuhao might follow.

If skills are inferior, students can leave voluntarily. At that time, even Xian Lin'er wouldn't say anything, maybe because of her temper, perhaps even the three-month investment would not be recovered.

The thought that all the efforts of the Soul Conductor Department on Gu Yue Na over these three months would be in vain made Yan Shaozhe clench his teeth and swallow it, an inexplicable feeling of pleasure surged in his heart.

"But I guarantee, I will absolutely not let you regret joining the Soul Conductor Department someday in the future."

The sharp words from the other party before leaving had sunk deep into his heart like a sharp thorn. Now recalling them again, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but show a cold smile on his face.

"Xian Lin'er, you thought that deceiving two students into the Soul Conductor Department with tricks three months ago meant victory?

I will use facts to tell you, in the face of absolute foundation, all conspiracies and tricks are nothing but fleeting clouds."

"Teacher, I understand, but disciple doesn't want this soul bone."

The abrupt words pulled Yan Shaozhe's thoughts back. He saw Tang San close the box and then push it back to him, bowing respectfully to request.

"If the disciple wins the championship of the new student evaluation, can I exchange this soul bone for another reward?"

"Oh?"

Yan Shaozhe raised his eyebrows, seeming somewhat interested. "Tell me, what reward do you want to exchange it for?"

"Bazhūqiáo (Eight-Spider Spear)."

Tang San looked up, his voice unusually tinged with excitement, and spoke softly.

"I want to have, like Tang San's ancestor, the Eight-Spider Spear, an externally attached soul bone provided by the Human-Faced Demon Spider."

Before enrollment, he had thought about going to the Starry Sky Forest to continue hunting Human-Faced Demon Spiders whenever he had time, to see if he could once again obtain the Eight-Spider Spear soul bone, which was crucial to his growth in his past life.

But with only himself searching in the Starry Sky Forest, the efficiency was really too low.

Not only did he have to carefully avoid attacks from other soul beasts, but even if he encountered a Human-Faced Demon Spider, he couldn't be sure he could hunt it down.

Two or three thousand years would be okay, but if he encountered a ten-thousand-year-old, hunting who hunting could not be certain.

Ordinary ten-thousand-year soul beasts needed soul emperors to hunt them down safely. If he really encountered a ten-thousand-year-old Human-Faced Demon Spider, he would probably be directly handed over.

However, if Yan Shaozhe helped, things would be different. With this super Douluo, he could fully replicate what he did in his past life, obtaining the Eight-Spider Spear through massive killings of Human-Faced Demon Spiders.

Hearing Tang San's request, Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. The Eight-Spider Spear is an iconic soul bone of Tang San's ancestors, he naturally knew.

However, soul bones are already rare enough, and wanting to create the same kind of externally attached soul bone in the Human-Faced Demon Spider species was undoubtedly difficult.

Tang San's words were a reminder that to replicate the glory of Tang San's ancestors, the Eight-Spider Spear was absolutely indispensable, indeed worth trying.

But at this moment, another problem arose. As the dean, he couldn't spare time during the holiday!

How could he find time to go to the Starry Sky Forest to help Tang San hunt Human-Faced Demon Spiders?

He had to find someone strong enough, able to protect Tang San, and still available.

After a simple screening, a name leapt into his mind.

——Old Xuanzhi!

Yan Shaozhe's eyes lit up suddenly.

Exactly!

As the saying goes, having an elder at home is like having a treasure. It was just right to find something for Old Xuanzhi to do during the holiday. Otherwise, this guy would just drink all day, not doing anything.

Later, he would go and tell Old Xuanzhi, letting the other party take Tang San to the Starry Sky Forest for training, and see if he could reproduce Tang San's ancestor's Eight-Spider Spear.

A level 98 Douluo personally following, this was secure!

Thinking of this, Yan Shaozhe looked up at Tang San, smiled lightly, and said.

"I didn't expect you, little guy, to admire Tang San's ancestor so much. No wonder your talent is so good, and you can even share a name with your ancestor. The teacher promises you that if you win the championship in the new student evaluation, not only will this soul bone be yours, but during the holiday, I will specially arrange someone to take you to hunt Human-Faced Demon Spiders."

Upon hearing this, Tang San's eyes instantly burst with indescribable joy. He immediately bent both knees, plopping down to kneel before Yan Shaozhe.

"Thank you, teacher!"

"What are you doing? You are my disciple, and as your teacher, I naturally have to do my best. Get up quickly, go back and prepare well for this afternoon's match, and make our Martial Soul Department proud."

"Yes, teacher!"

Afternoon.

Looking at the two teams of Huo Yuhao and Tang San appearing in the same area, Zhang Luexuan on the spectator stands couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Huh?"

Beside her, Yan Shaozhe also feigned surprise, raising his eyebrows: "Two of the championship favorite teams are actually facing each other so soon, what a coincidence!"

After speaking, he first glanced at Zhang Luexuan, then looked at Zhou Yi, smiling lightly and asking.

"Do the two teachers have any thoughts on which team will win this match?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi couldn't help but look at Zhang Luexuan. Seeing her always maintained a calm expression, a hint of gloom flashed in her eyes.

However, before she could speak, Zhang Luexuan's voice sounded.

"He promised me, so I choose to believe him."

It seemed she noticed Huo Yuhao was looking at her. Zhang Luexuan smiled and raised her hand to wave. Seeing the young man also smiling and giving her a thumbs-up, the curve of her mouth involuntarily rose a bit more.

However, as she turned her head to look at Yan Shaozhe, the smile on her face suddenly faded, becoming extremely calm.

"Dean Yan, I didn't know this match would turn out this way. I don't know if you interfered in any way, but it doesn't matter."

At this point, Zhang Luexuan paused, and when she opened her mouth again, her tone carried an indescribable pride.

"Because no matter what you did, that child will not lose."

(End of Chapter)