The afternoon sunlight filtered through scattered clouds, casting mottled shadows across the slightly worn flagstone paths of Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy.
Lin Xia wandered aimlessly across the campus. Larvitar followed closely at his side, its short tail swaying back and forth, red eyes alert as they scanned the surroundings—almost as if it, too, could sense its master's inner unrest.
"Sigh…"
A long, helpless sigh escaped Lin Xia's lips, breaking the brief silence.
It wasn't that he didn't want to stay.
Even as a junior academy, Nuoding at least provided shelter and a relatively stable environment—something invaluable for an orphan who had just awakened his Spirit and only possessed Innate Eighth-Rank Spirit Power.
Studying the most basic Soul Master knowledge, steadily cultivating spirit power, eventually hunting his first spirit ring—this had all been part of Lin Xia's original plan.
"But Yu Xiaogang…"
Just thinking of that perpetually stiff, severe face filled with inexplicable self-importance made Lin Xia's temples throb.
That clingy persistence was even more irritating than chewing gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe.
He had rejected him for more than ten days straight, yet the man showed no sign of giving up. That level of dedication would have been far better spent researching Spirits!
Instead, it was wasted on this suffocating, forced attempt to take on a disciple.
More importantly—
Lin Xia didn't dare gamble.
"That guy with 'kowtowing to acknowledge a father figure' etched into his genes…"
Scenes from the original story flashed through Lin Xia's mind, especially Tang San's almost twisted reverence and emotional dependence on his master, Yu Xiaogang.
If Tang San ever thought Lin Xia was stealing his hard-earned "fatherly affection," then with Tang San's personality, who knew when a hidden weapon might suddenly be lodged in Lin Xia's forehead?
Lin Xia had absolutely zero interest in betting his life on that.
Even more crucially, after these days of exploration and constant companionship with Larvitar, Lin Xia had gained a much deeper understanding of the true nature of Spirits.
A Spirit is an extension of a Soul Master's soul and bloodline—an existence fundamentally bound to one's very origin.
Only by truly sensing, understanding, and communicating with one's own Spirit—heart to heart—could one forge the most suitable path of growth.
Blindly trusting others, especially someone like Yu Xiaogang—a man whose own situation was a complete mess yet insisted on rigidly applying theory—could instantly ruin a Spirit with top-tier potential.
"Larvitar…"
Lin Xia lowered his gaze to the little fellow at his feet.
Larvitar was huffing and puffing as it tried to lift a gray stone by the roadside, slightly larger than its fist. Its clumsy, earnest effort looked almost comical.
But Lin Xia knew all too well—
That small body contained terrifying potential.
"Pupitar… Tyranitar… the true sandstorm monarch that shakes the earth!"
As a devoted Pokémon fan, Lin Xia understood better than anyone what Larvitar's evolutionary line represented.
This wasn't just a change in form—it was a qualitative leap in power.
Growing stronger by eating ore?
In the Douluo World, this was practically a tailor-made Divine-Rank talent!
As long as things progressed smoothly, once Larvitar learned moves like Dig, wouldn't all the ore veins in the world become an all-you-can-eat buffet for both of them?
Imagining a future of unrestricted feasting on rare mineral deposits, the last shred of attachment Lin Xia felt toward Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy instantly vanished.
He took a deep breath, his gaze turning resolute.
Leave.
He had to leave.
Since he couldn't stay at Nuoding, then he would simply begin his plan ahead of schedule.
Gengjin City—the metal capital.
It was said that the region and its surrounding areas were unimaginably rich in metallic ore deposits.
Iron and copper would be nothing more than appetizers. Rumors even spoke of mithril, adamantine, and other legendary rare metals appearing there from time to time.
That place was practically paradise, custom-made for him and Larvitar.
With that thought, Lin Xia hesitated no longer.
He turned and headed straight for the academy gates, Larvitar trotting along beside him.
Passing the dormitory, Lin Xia quickly packed his few worn clothes, all the money he had painstakingly saved from his work-study stipend, and several higher-quality chunks of ore he had been reluctant to eat—stuffing them into a battered old backpack.
"Let's go, Larvitar."
Lin Xia gently patted Larvitar on the head. The little fellow seemed to sense his master's relief and anticipation, letting out a cheerful cry.
"Yoji!"
(Brothers, if these two were to fight—who do you think would win?)
---
Meanwhile, Tang San—who had just been driven out by Yu Xiaogang's furious roar—was also in a foul mood, his shame and anger barely suppressed.
He genuinely didn't understand it. He had only asked a few questions about Spirit Abilities—so why had his teacher reacted so violently?
As the unresolved frustration churned in his chest and he passed by the teaching building, Tang San's gaze suddenly froze.
At the far end of his vision—
Wasn't that Lin Xia, who had just left his teacher's room not long ago?
Judging by the direction he was heading…
The academy gate?
Was he leaving?!
The thought struck Tang San like lightning.
Immediately, another idea surged uncontrollably into his mind.
This man possessed a special talent, yet he had openly humiliated his benefactor and teacher, even sneering at his guidance.
If he were allowed to leave just like that, what would happen to his teacher's dignity?
A trace of icy anger flashed in Tang San's eyes—mixed with resentment at being looked down upon and a determination to uphold his teacher's authority.
Without realizing it, his steps shifted direction. His internal energy subtly gathered, ready to accelerate and catch up to Lin Xia.
At the very least, he had to stop him and demand an explanation—or even give him a "memorable" lesson.
But just as Tang San's body leaned forward, on the verge of giving chase—
"Little San!"
A clear, lively voice rang out like a silver bell, brimming with irrepressible cheerfulness.
A petite pink figure spun lightly into his path like a gust of wind, blocking him completely.
Xiao Wu's large, bright eyes sparkled with anticipation as her fair little hand firmly grabbed Tang San's arm.
"What are you spacing out for?"
She pouted unhappily.
"You promised to go shopping with me this afternoon! Look—the sun's already starting to go down! Hurry up! I heard the new general store in town got lots of cute little trinkets!"
Feeling the pull on his arm and the warmth of the girl beside him, the chill Tang San had been gathering melted away like ice under the sun.
The cold expression on his face stiffened briefly. His brows knit together as intense inner conflict surged.
On one side—
His teacher's dignity.
On the other—
The girl standing right in front of him.
By now, Lin Xia's figure was just about to disappear beyond the corner of the academy gate.
"Xiao Wu, I—" Tang San tried to explain, but his eyes drifted once more toward the direction Lin Xia had vanished.
"Hey! What are you staring at so seriously?"
Xiao Wu stood on tiptoe, deliberately blocking his line of sight with her head, huffing:
"If we don't go now, all the good stuff will be bought by someone else! Are you coming with me or not? You promised, you know!"
Looking at Xiao Wu's adorable face—half-threatening, half-expectant—the final balance in Tang San's heart tipped decisively.
His teacher's dignity was important. Lin Xia's lack of respect was infuriating.
But… how could he disappoint Xiao Wu?
Besides, breaking his promise to Xiao Wu over someone like Lin Xia—who was determined to leave and probably wouldn't cause much trouble anyway—
It just wasn't worth it.
In an instant, Tang San made his choice.
"Let's go," he said calmly.
"I'll accompany our Sister Xiao Wu on her shopping trip."