Chapter 7: Please Forgive My Candor

"Is this really me doing this?" 

Mu Chen stared in astonishment at the scene before him. After calming down, he was shocked to realize that deep within his blood, bones, and soul, there were hidden genes for violence and martial prowess.

But he couldn't entirely blame himself; after all, the gatekeeper had been utterly despicable.

"Don't come over… don't come over… don't… don't come over!"

The gatekeeper, terrified, crawled backward as he saw Mu Chen approaching. When he saw Mu Chen bend down and extend a hand, he instinctively raised his hands to shield his face.

One second passed. 

Two seconds passed. 

Three seconds passed. The expected violence didn't come. The gatekeeper hesitantly opened a gap between his fingers and looked at Mu Chen in fear, realizing that Mu Chen wasn't trying to hit him but was extending a friendly hand.

"Eh, Master!"

Suddenly, the gatekeeper's eyes lit up as he looked in a certain direction.

"Master?"

Mu Chen furrowed his brow. In his impression, the only person who could be referred to as "Master" at the Junior Soul Master Academy in Notting City was Yu Xiaogang!

Following the gatekeeper's gaze, Mu Chen's eyes landed on a middle-aged man.

The man was dressed neatly, had a beard, a square face, and one hand elegantly tucked behind his back. His expression was as cold as ice, devoid of any color, as he slowly walked toward them.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang approach, the gatekeeper looked as if he had grasped a lifeline. He pointed at Mu Chen and quickly complained, "Master, you're here! You have to stand up for me. This little brat tried to force his way into our academy. When I wouldn't let him in, he hit me! Look, all my teeth are gone!"

Yu Xiaogang's expression remained calm as he replied, "I've seen everything that happened just now. You still have the face to speak? A nearly twenty-year-old man couldn't even handle a six-year-old child?"

The gatekeeper: "…"

The gatekeeper fell silent, feeling as though he had just received a hard slap to the face.

Yu Xiaogang continued, "This is the second time you've stopped new students from entering the academy. You're looking down on others; you're not worthy of being a gatekeeper. Go collect your salary; you don't need to report to the dean anymore."

"Master?"

The gatekeeper panicked, "I spent ten silver soul coins and used connections to get this job! I haven't made back my investment yet; I can't lose this job like this! Master… Master…"

Regardless of what the gatekeeper said, Yu Xiaogang remained unmoved. He turned his gaze to the village chief and asked, "Brother, may I see the certificates from the Martial Soul Hall?"

"Of course." The village chief, having a good impression of Yu Xiaogang, handed over the two certificates he held.

"Level three soul power?" Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in surprise, his gaze shifting to Mu Chen.

The certificate from the Martial Soul Hall clearly indicated that Mu Chen had only level three soul power. However, Yu Xiaogang, being a great soul master, could see through Mu Chen's actual soul power level. He knew that Mu Chen's soul power was actually level five!

Had he really increased by two levels in just a month?

Yu Xiaogang's eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked at Mu Chen. Then he glanced at the other certificate, which also caught his attention. The words "Innate Full Soul Power" were prominently displayed.

"The certificates are genuine. On behalf of the academy, I apologize for what happened earlier!"

Yu Xiaogang placed his left hand on his right shoulder and gave a simple bow to the village chief as a sign of apology. He then added, "I will take these two children under my wing!"

"No need to apologize; he has already received his due punishment. I'll leave these two children in your care," the village chief said with a smile. He looked at Mu Chen and Xiao Wu, saying, "Mu Chen, Xiao Wu, you can follow the teacher inside. I won't go in. Uncle will come to pick you up when the semester ends."

"Goodbye, Uncle Village Chief!"

"Goodbye, Uncle Village Chief!"

Following Yu Xiaogang, Mu Chen and Xiao Wu entered the Junior Soul Master Academy in Notting City.

"Sir, are you a teacher at the academy?" Xiao Wu asked timidly.

"I am not a teacher at the academy," Yu Xiaogang replied.

"But that person just called you Master! And you represent the academy!" Xiao Wu questioned, puzzled.

"Xiao Wu, representing the academy doesn't necessarily mean being a teacher. Leaders of the academy, the principal, advisors, and even higher-ranked officials can represent the academy!" 

Before Yu Xiaogang could answer, Mu Chen interjected to explain.

"Child, your name is Mu Chen, right?" Yu Xiaogang gazed at Mu Chen with intense interest. This child was surprisingly clever, much like Tang San.

"Yes," Mu Chen nodded.

"You're exceptionally gifted and so intelligent. It seems I need to be persistent again," Yu Xiaogang muttered to himself.

Having been a 'waste' for over twenty years, Yu Xiaogang thought that if he had someone to practice his theories with, it would significantly increase his chances of success. He wanted to prove to the world that he was right.

"Are you trying to take me as your disciple?" Mu Chen asked with a smile.

"You're quite clever to guess my intention. Child, there's a difference between a master and a teacher. Do you wish to become my student and let me guide your martial soul?" Yu Xiaogang asked.

"I don't want to," Mu Chen replied.

"Why not?" Yu Xiaogang asked, feeling a little disappointed.

"Master, please forgive my candor. Not to mention you, even the current Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, Bibidong, or the three great Limit Douluos do not qualify to be my teacher!" Mu Chen declared solemnly.

"Ding dong!"

"Congratulations! You have harvested 1000 points of shock and regret from Master Yu Xiaogang. The system has converted this into soul power needed for your upgrade. You have gained 1000 points of soul power."

Yu Xiaogang: "…"

Yu Xiaogang was stunned. This little boy was so proud and arrogant that he claimed even the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall and the three great Limit Douluos weren't worthy to be his teacher.

Those were the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall and the three great Limit Douluos!

*Huh…*

Yu Xiaogang shook his head lightly, sighing. Pride leads to downfall, while humility leads to progress. In Yu Xiaogang's view, although Mu Chen was smart and gifted, his arrogant character would ultimately prevent him from achieving lasting success!

**Soul Power +600**

As expected of Master Yu Xiaogang, a crucial supporting character of this century. His sigh alone granted Mu Chen an additional 400 points of soul power.

Now, Mu Chen only needed 410 more points of soul power to level up!

Wait!

Yu Xiaogang's mind raced as he looked at the Martial Soul Hall certificate in his hand. Mu Chen came from Emperor Soul Village, a small rural village, and how could a country boy know about the three great Limit Douluos?

Yu Xiaogang asked in surprise, "You know about the three great Limit Douluos?"

As the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan leader, Yu Xiaogang had once held a prestigious status, knowing of the three great Limit Douluos in the past. However, he was unaware of their current fates.

For many soul masters, knowledge of the three great Limit Douluos was scarce. Even the true strength of the Judgment Elder of the Martial Soul Hall was unknown to many soul masters, let alone a child from a rural village!

Yu Xiaogang speculated that if the three were still alive, they had certainly reached the peak of Title Douluo.

For Mu Chen to share knowledge about them, did this child perhaps have some hidden background?

**Soul Power +500**

As Yu Xiaogang's surprise accumulated, the 500 points of emotional shock transformed into soul power for Mu Chen. The system's voice finally echoe

d in Mu Chen's mind.

"Ding dong!"

"Congratulations! Your soul power is now full, and you have leveled up. Current level: Level 6!"