"Dean Su Ran, didn't we have an agreement? Whichever academy lost would have to merge into the other. The students and teachers would naturally join the other academy to study and work."
"Besides, hehe, I see that our Taoyuan Academy only has you as a teacher, Dean Su. With only four disciples, you might be able to manage. But after Little San, Mubai, and the others join, the number of students will increase to nine. How will you handle it all by yourself? If we come to teach, we can help take the students to hunt for Spirit Rings. What do you say?"
"Don't worry, Dean Su. I, Old Zhao, and Xiaogang are all elite teachers. But since we're all acquaintances, you can just pay us each a salary of 100 Gold Spirit Coins a month."
Su Ran mercilessly gave Flender a single word:
"Scram."
Congratulations, you have been hired by Taoyuan Academy.
Congratulations, you are immediately fired.
"Taoyuan Academy does not need you as teachers, nor will I be accepting these five students into the academy. Since the ten thousand Gold Spirit Coins have been paid and the deed issue is resolved, we can consider the matter settled. Do not cause trouble at our Taoyuan Academy in the future. Otherwise, the consequences will be worse than just a missing eye or a lame leg."
Su Ran glanced over the Shrek students:
[Dai Mubai, Age 15, Martial Soul: White Tiger, Spirit Power Rank 38. Innate Aptitude Rating: S. Detected Physical Disability—One-Eyed White Tiger. Detected Mental Disability—Inner Demon. Aptitude downgraded to A.]
[Ma Hongjun, Age 12, Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix, Spirit Power Rank 29. Innate Aptitude Rating: S-. Detected Physical Disability—Lame Phoenix. Detected Mental Disability—Inner Demon. Aptitude downgraded to: A-.]
[Oscar, Age 14, Martial Soul: Sausage, Spirit Power Rank 32, Innate Full Spirit Power. Aptitude Rating: S. (Difficulty in Martial Soul cultivation)]
[Tang San, Age 12, Twin Martial Souls: Blue Silver Grass, Clear Sky Hammer, Spirit Power Rank 32, Innate Full Spirit Power, dual-life spiritual power, has reached entry-level mastery of hidden weapons. Innate Aptitude Rating: SS-! Detected Physical Disability—Multiple bone injuries. Detected Mental Disability—Dao heart is collapsing. Aptitude downgraded to: S.]
[Xiao Wu, True Age 100,000+, Transformed Age 12, Spirit Power Rank 32. Aptitude Rating: S+]
The current aptitudes of the Shrek disciples appeared before his eyes, surprising him somewhat. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had already suffered incurable acquired disabilities, causing their aptitude to decline. And apart from Tang San, the one with the best aptitude was actually Xiao Wu, not the innate full spirit power user, Oscar.
But unfortunately, Su Ran had little interest in accepting any of them, whether it was Tang San with his S-rank-plus aptitude, or Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, or Oscar.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were troublemakers, lecherous and fickle. If he recruited them into Taoyuan Academy, there was no telling how many romantic scandals would arise. Su Ran didn't have the energy to clean up their messes, especially now that their aptitudes had declined.
Although Oscar had innate full spirit power, his Sausage Martial Soul was simply too low-grade. Cultivating him into a talent would be even more difficult than with Ning Rongrong.
Tang San's aptitude was excellent, but he had already taken Yu Xiaogang as his master. Furthermore, Su Ran was a bit worried about Tang San's character; after all, having lived two lives, his mind was deep and calculating.
At the beginning of his studies, his form of address for Su Ran would be: Respected Teacher.
When he achieved great mastery: Teacher.
When he surpassed his teacher and became a legend himself: Little Ran.
Hiss—
As for Xiao Wu, her aptitude was good—after all, no 100,000-year spirit beast that successfully transformed was weak. But this rabbit was devoted to Tang San, and Tang San had a history of stealing techniques...
Su Ran shook his head. Among the remaining Shrek students, not a single one was suitable to be his disciple.
"A fellow who can't recognize quality. I, Yu Xiaogang, will never live under someone else's roof," Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly and turned to leave. Flender couldn't even stop him.
"Huh? We can't study at Taoyuan Academy?"
"How can this be?"
Su Ran's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Xiao Wu's head. She had thought of nothing else, tossing and turning, her rabbit den flooding at the mere thought of the transcendent young man she had met in the Star Dou Great Forest.
For a whole month, she had patiently fought in spirit fights with her Shrek teammates, performing actively, all for the sake of throwing this final PK match so she could join Taoyuan Academy with everyone else. Then she would have had the chance to confirm Su Ran's identity or ask him if he knew the man in her heart. After all, those two spirit beasts couldn't have appeared at Taoyuan Academy for no reason; they had to be inextricably linked to Su Ran.
And now you're telling me you won't accept me?
"Teacher Su, I'm willing to join Taoyuan Academy, and Third Brother is definitely willing too. Why don't you want us?"
"Right, Third Brother?" Xiao Wu tugged on Tang San's sleeve. He was still in a daze, looking at Su Ran with a complex expression, his heart wavering.
Could it be that this Teacher Su can really teach peerless ultimate techniques? I originally thought Grandmaster was the best teacher, that he could help me integrate into this world of Spirit Masters as quickly as possible. But now, I have my doubts. Grandmaster said the limit for a third Spirit Ring is around 1,700 years, yet they can absorb rings of two or three thousand years? If it were just one student, it could be an exception, but it's clear that after joining Taoyuan Academy, it's the same for all of them. Even I broke the convention, absorbing a 2,000-year ring for my third. Are Grandmaster's theories really correct? Why can their ultimate techniques be fused with their Martial Souls, while my Mysterious Heaven Skill can only temper my meridians and bones, serving only as an aid to cultivation?
A myriad of questions swirled in Tang San's mind, but he didn't know how to ask.
"I'm sorry, child. I don't accept just anyone. Aptitude, timing, attitude... they all have to be at the right point," Su Ran said calmly.
He then shifted his gaze to the members of the Royal Battle Team, looking at Ye Lingling. "I am, however, very interested in this student's Martial Soul. Your Martial Soul is very special. If you are willing to become my disciple, you can come with me."
"Huh? Me?" Ye Lingling, from the Royal Battle Team, was surprised and pointed at herself questioningly.
"Yes, you."
"I'm honored to be chosen, but... I am already studying at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I'm afraid I cannot join your esteemed academy." Ye Lingling hesitated. For a moment, she was tempted. After all, to be able to cultivate such world-shocking talents like Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, and Wang Sheng, this masked young man must have some extraordinary qualities. But this was their first meeting, and she couldn't dare to make such a decision on the spot, especially with her teammates watching. Joining Taoyuan Academy would be equivalent to betraying the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"You're not allowed to accept her!"
"Not allowed!"
Behind Su Ran, Ning Rongrong tugged on the corner of his robe nervously. I am Teacher's one and only support tank. Teacher, please don't take a healer as a student! If you're lacking milk, I can try to squeeze some out too. (﹏)
Su Ran smiled. "Alright. Since you have your doubts, we'll let it be. However, if you change your mind, you can always come find me at Taoyuan Academy in the south of Soto City. Perhaps I can solve the innate defect of your Martial Soul."
"Alright, let's go."
"Solve the innate defect of my Martial Soul?"
"Wait!"
Ye Lingling was stunned, unable to react for a moment. By the time she understood what he meant and wanted to ask more, Su Ran had already flicked his sleeves and was leaving gracefully with his four students.
"How could this happen?" Xiao Wu was extremely aggrieved. She had been rejected! What about her transcendent immortal brother?
Dugu Yan crossed her arms, biting her lower lip. She glanced at Ye Lingling, a little indignant, and muttered, "Isn't my Martial Soul special? He only wants to accept Lingling as a disciple. I thought a teacher who could raise four such disciples would have a discerning eye, but he's nothing special after all. He can't even recognize my Jade Phosphor Serpent."
"Wait, the innate defect of Lingling's Martial Soul is..."
"If he can even solve Lingling's innate defect, then my and my grandfather's poison!" Dugu Yan's expression changed drastically.
What Su Ran didn't expect was that just as he was leading his four disciples out of the Soto City Great Spirit Arena, he saw a towering back in front of him. It was Yu Xiaogang, who had been the first to leave in a huff.
Unexpectedly, he had been waiting for Su Ran outside. When he saw him come out, he walked past him and said coolly, "Dean Su Ran, please come with me for a moment. I have something to say to you."
In a secluded corner of Soto City, Yu Xiaogang, with a thud, slid to his knees directly in front of Su Ran.
"Dean Su Ran, there were too many people outside just now. It was Gangzi who was being ignorant. Gangzi was impulsive. Now, Gangzi kneels before you."
"I have studied Martial Souls for forty years, and this is the first time I have ever seen someone like you, who can even transform a support Martial Soul like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into an indestructible defense-type, and even give it offensive power. I implore you to help me evolve my Martial Soul as well, so that I can break through the thirtieth rank of spirit power."
"I don't have to be a teacher. It's fine if Gangzi becomes your disciple."
Su Ran hadn't even had time to react. "???"
(End of Chapter)