Chapter 93.
As morning arrived, students once again gathered in the cafeteria, having breakfast and conversing in hushed tones. Following their meal, they quickly made their way to the square.
At that moment, Dean Flender also entered with a small entourage of teachers and addressed the crowd.
"Dear students, I have few announcements to make today."
Flender cleared his throat and gestured to the individuals beside him.
"First and foremost, let me introduce the academy's teachers to our new students."
He pointed to an elderly man and said, "Meet Teacher Li Yu Song, martial soul Dragon-Patterned Staff user, a 63rd-level Soul Emperor, battle type soul master."
With a warm smile, the elderly man displayed his martial soul and six soul rings to the students.
"And this is teacher Shao Xin," Flender continued, pointing to another elderly man.
"His martial soul is a Jelly Bean and he's a 71st-level Soul Saint—a food-type soul master. Among all the food-type soul masters I know, Master Shao's strength places him in the top five."
The elderly man in question appeared unassuming, with a round stature, gentle small eyes and a prominent nose. He was a figure that easily stood out in any crowd, although he appeared unfazed by the attention.
It turned out that he was a food-type soul master, a Soul Saint at that! If this were known outside, countless factions would be eager to have him as their guest of honor. The students gazed at the elderly man in astonishment, but Teacher Shao Xin paid no attention to the stares, his eyes focusing solely on Oscar.
Flender continued, "The last introduction is reserved for Grandmaster."
Pointing to the Grandmaster, Flender's tone took a more serious note.
"He has conducted several groundbreaking research and even wrote the top ten martial soul competency core principles. He is also widely renowned as the the person most versed in martial soul and soul beast theory, he's also Tang San's teacher, Mr. Yu Xiaogang. You might not fully appreciate it now but you will soon."
Just the mention of Tang San's teacher drew everyone's rapt attention, save for Wang Feng and Xiao Wu, who remained unruffled.
Tang San, however, was over the moon as he greeted his teacher excitedly, "Teacher!"
Witnessing this, Wang Feng was taken aback, thinking, had not the master visited Tang San yesterday? Didn't Xiao San already know?
Zhu Zhuqing observed Wang Feng with curiosity. The day before, he had mentioned the possibility of a new teacher joining the academy and it turned out to be Tang San's teacher.
"Teacher!"
Tang San's exclamation was met with Wang Feng's intrigue. Over the past five years, he had visited the master with Tang San once or twice a month regularly. While their relationship wasn't as deep as Tang San's, it was beyond a mere acquaintance. In comparison to Zhao Wuji's and Flender, Wang Feng felt closer to the master.
Flender continued, "Starting today, the master will take full charge of your training."
The master stepped forward, casting his gaze over the students. Despite his modest strength, his extensive knowledge and aura exuded an air of exceptional wisdom, akin to great scholars from his past life. Knowledge was indeed power and the title "Grandmaster" suited him very well compared to everyone else in Douluo Dalu.
Glancing at the assembled students, the Grandmaster introduced himself, "My name is Yu Xiaogang and you may simply call me 'Grandmaster' from now on. I have reviewed all your profiles and will devise personalized training plans for each of you. I will treat everyone fairly but you must have a belief and determination that surpasses ordinary soul masters. Remember, it should be far superior to every soul master in mainland, because this is the Monster Academy."
He continued, "Next, I will categorize your strengths into three levels and establish general directions and objectives for each level."
Upon hearing this, the students' attention intensified.
The master's words were direct and clear. He began by dividing the students into three categories.
"First, the Elementary level, those who haven't reached the thirty-first level and had become Soul Elders. This includes Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong and Ma Hongjun. Your primary objective is to accelerate your cultivation as much as possiblle, reach level 30, obtain the third soul ring and become a Soul Elder."
"Second, the Advanced level, level 31 or above, including Tang San, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Dai Mubai and others. You've already surpassed level 30 and have your third soul ring and soul skills. While practicing, you'll need to deepen your understanding and connection with your martial souls, as well as develop your own unique soul skills if possible with my help. I will also provide individual guidance in this aspect."
The master's words were clear, but they left the students with some confusion.
"Master, what about Wang Feng?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
"He's also a 31st-level Soul Elder, so why isn't he in either the Elementary or Advanced tier?"
Wang Feng cleared his throat, sensing that he was about to be brought up.
The master glanced at Ning Rongrong and calmly replied, "I haven't finished explaining. The third level is reserved for Wang Feng."
The sudden twist in classification left everyone perplexed.
"..." Wang Feng.
All eyes turned to Wang Feng as they tried to grasp the unusual categorization - Elementary, Advanced and Wang Feng tier?
"These broad classifications only provide a general direction and goal. Our training will be uniform from now on," the master explained. "As for why the division is as it is, I'll address that issue tomorrow."
The master's stern expression didn't waver, and he added, "Today, you have the day off. Starting tomorrow, you'll begin my training. Also, I've ranked all eight of you, of course, excluding Wang Feng."
He announced the rankings, with Dai Mubai taking the top spot, followed by Oscar, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
"As for Wang Feng, he is not included in your rankings for the time being."
The master concluded, "Alright, you can go. Gather here tomorrow and I expect punctuality. Latecomers will receive special punsihment."
With those words, the Grandmaster turned to leave with Flender and a few other teachers.
As everyone was preparing to depart, Tang San suddenly let out a painful cry. A burst of purple light suddenly appeared on his back and something seemed to be writhing on his spinal cord, as if it were trying to break free from his body.
Everyone stopped in their tracks and Flender, along with the master, turned back to witness the unexpected turn of events.
Wang Feng's sharp shout cut through the sudden chaos, "Spread out!"
His commanding voice immediately brought the other seven back to their senses. In the Star Dou Great Forest, Wang Feng's previous battles experience had instilled a strong sense of discipline in them. Acting without hesitation, the others quickly backed off.
It was at that moment that eight sharp spider like legs abruptly sprouted from Tang San's back. These were the spider legs of the Human-Faced Demon Spider, gleaming with an ominous purple light. They writhed violently behind Tang San, looking like lances poised to strike at any given moment.
The sight was shocking but thanks to Wang Feng's prompt, the other seven managed to get out of harm's way just in time. Unfortunately, Ning Rongrong and Oscar, being a bit slower, sustained slight cuts on their arms. They crumpled to the ground, caught by Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai.
Ma Hongjun, who was nearby, recalled the incident a few days ago in the Star Dou Great Forest when Tang San had absorbed the Human Face Demon Spider's soul ring. He had accidentally touched it and had been poisoned but Tang San had managed to control the situation in time, using Mysterious Jade Hands to extract the toxins from his body quickly.
This time, however, it was Ning Rongrong and Oscar who were affected.
The eight spider legs on Tang San's back continued to writhe, exuding a menacing aura. Flender and the master rushed over immediately.
"Xiao San!" The master called out but didn't dare to approach recklessly.
Tang San remained on the ground, his hands trembling slightly.
"Flender, take these two children back to the academy infirmary." Grandmaster instructed.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar, held by Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai, were already showing signs of the poison spreading from their wounded arms to all over the body. It was clear that this particular spider's venom was fast-acting.
Wang Feng's brows furrowed as he watched the situation unfold.
Wang Feng had initially expected the Grandmaster to assist Tang San in refining the use of his external soul bone, the Eight Spider Lance the previous day. However, this wasn't the case right now by the looks of it. Tang San was struggling to gain complete control over the eight spider legs.
The Grandmaster approached Tang San and spoke in a serious tone, "Xiao San, gather your soul power and guide it through your entire body to calm yourself. Slowly direct your soul power towards your back, gently reach out to the eight spider legs behind your back, control them with your will and imagination and envision them retracting slowly back into your body. Relax, take deep breaths and don't be anxious. Treat the spider legs as an extension of your own body... take your time."
Wang Feng observed with keen interest. Controlling an external soul bone was no easy task, given that it still contained the will of the soul beast within it. Wang Feng had succeeded initially because he had an intimate knowledge of this external soul bone beforehand, allowing him to fully dominate it while suppressing the will of his Mysterious Thorns Black Turtle and not to mention the humanoid martial soul and Pangu Axe still resting in his consciousness.
However, it is still becoming more challenging to manage the bone spurs over time, necessitating a considerable investment of attention and soul power manipulation.
As Tang San struggled to retract the spider legs, Wang Feng stepped forward and whispered, "I'll give it a try."
With his hands poised, Wang Feng manipulated his soul power. He didn't infuse it into Tang San's body but condensed it into fine threads of energy that extended to his fingertips. These energy threads gently tapped Tang San's back, guiding and connecting with Tang San's own soul power that lingered there.
The master observed with a surprised gleam in his eyes. He was amazed by the fine control of soul power displayed by Wang Feng and thought to himself that Wang Feng's method of using fine, hair-like soul power to guide Tang San's soul power on his back was exceptionally effective, akin to an artful teaching.
After a short while, under Wang Feng's guidance, Tang San quickly grasped the subtle and intricate control of his own soul power, successfully retracting the spider legs back into his body.
Tang San laid on the ground, panting with quick breaths. The potency of the attached external soul bone exceeded his expectations. He had never encountered anything like this before and didn't fully understand it. With no one to provide an explanation, he was left feeling bewildered and confused on how to proceed.
This lack of understanding had hindered his control over the external soul bone.
Wang Feng had a profound understanding of such matters, which set him apart in this situation.
Tang San took a deep breath and managed to rise to his feet, his gaze filled with a tinge of regret as he looked at his friends.
"Xiao San, take a moment to rest," the master suggested. "I'll go check on Ning Rongrong and Oscar's injuries."
With that, the master made his way toward the room where Ning Rongrong and Oscar were being rested and the group followed in tow.
…....
Please support me and read atleast 20 chapters ahead at my patréon.
patréon.com/PrimorDious.
I'll be very grateful. Thank you.