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At this thought, Ye Wen sighed.
Crowding with a group of people wasn't ideal, but it was still better than becoming a self-paying student only to end up being exploited by those noble and wealthy students to do cleaning duties.
A wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right moment. Unwilling to invite trouble, Ye Wen resolved to stay in Tang San's shadow.
As time passed, the day for Ye Wen and Tang San to enroll approached. The matter of securing work-study slots was easily resolved since every village had such quotas—though not every village had children who awakened soul power.
Throughout the journey, Ye Wen remained calm. Even entering the city didn't faze him, unlike Tang San, who acted like someone with autism. After all, Ye Wen had frequently accompanied his parents to Nuoding City for business since he was young.
The claim that becoming a soul master could elevate one's social class wasn't an exaggeration. Even the lowest-level primary academy, which Ye Wen had seen before, boasted magnificent architecture visible from afar. Its grand archway alone was twenty meters wide and over ten meters tall, not to mention the exquisite materials and craftsmanship used. The cost of constructing just this academy could buy dozens of villages like Saint Soul Village.
However, compared to the opulence of the academy, the gatekeeper appeared rather unimpressive.
As expected, the gatekeeper sneered upon seeing Old Jack in his patched-up, worn-out clothes and stopped the three of them.
"What are you doing here? Is this a place for country bumpkins like you?"
Even after six years of being reborn, Ye Wen still couldn't comprehend the gatekeeper's mindset.
First, the gatekeeper clearly wasn't a soul master. If he were, he would receive a gold spirit coin subsidy as a soul master and live comfortably elsewhere. Why would he degrade himself to being a lowly gatekeeper?
And yet, this weakling dared to extort future soul masters. Was he brain-damaged or just plain stupid?
As a normal person, Ye Wen couldn't understand the twisted logic of fools and lunatics.
Being mistreated was a common experience for those at the bottom. Even Old Jack, as the village chief, often encountered such gatekeepers when entering the city. Thus, he politely said:
"Dear sir, we've come from Saint Soul Village. These two children are work-study students our village is sending this year. Could you tell us what procedures we need to follow?"
At this moment, Ye Wen caught a fleeting glimmer of envy in the gatekeeper's eyes. Sneering, the man replied sarcastically:
"Hmph, can a straw nest really produce a golden phoenix? A small village suddenly producing two children with soul power? Our academy hasn't had work-study students for years. Are you sure they're not impostors?"
Being doubted and mocked was painful, even for Old Jack, who was over fifty. But knowing he was powerless against the situation, he suppressed his anger and handed over the two certificates issued by Su Yuntao.
"You jest, young man. Look, these are the certificates issued by the Spirit Hall official."
The gatekeeper took the certificates and examined them carefully. Then, smirking, he tossed Tang San's certificate onto the ground while waving Ye Wen's in his hand.
"Hah!? Do you think I'm stupid, old man? Blue silver grass with full innate soul power? Are you trying to make me laugh to death? Ridiculous! I've been working as a gatekeeper here for four years and have never heard of a student with full innate soul power, let alone one with blue silver grass as their martial soul!
Do I look like a fool to you? This certificate, on the other hand, seems plausible. It's a variant martial soul, and it's normal for country folk to have half a level of soul power. Hahaha!"
Ye Wen paid no heed to the gatekeeper's mockery. However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Tang San discreetly placing his hands behind his back. Though Ye Wen couldn't see if Tang San held any hidden weapons, the boy's gaze spoke volumes.
Still, Ye Wen knew that his presence might have caused some butterfly effects in this world. He couldn't be certain if Yu Xiao Gang would arrive in time as he did in the original story.
If Tang San, this madman, killed the gatekeeper, he wouldn't face consequences thanks to his father, the God Realm Douluo, but Ye Wen and Old Jack would suffer instead.
Ye Wen inwardly scoffed: "Isn't your Tang Sect supposed to be an assassination sect? Aren't hidden weapons supposed to operate covertly? In broad daylight, with people nearby on the street, do you plan to kill the gatekeeper—and everyone else too? What absurd logic."
Just as Old Jack was about to snatch back the martial soul certificate and threaten to report the matter to the Spirit Hall, Ye Wen quickly picked up Tang San's discarded certificate from the ground. Wiping off the dust, he calmly asked:
"Are you a local, young man?"
The gatekeeper didn't know why Ye Wen asked, but as a city dweller, he was quite proud of his status. Even though he wasn't a soul master, he looked down on rural folks with potential. Arrogantly tilting his head, he replied:
"That's right. What of it?"
Ye Wen handed the certificate back to Old Jack and softly said:
"It's nothing. I just thought that if I become a soul master in the future, I'll be sure to repay you for today's rudeness. Let me think… for instance, a person disappearing in a city this large wouldn't be a big deal, would it?"
Instantly, the gatekeeper turned pale. Staring at Ye Wen's smiling face—though the smile didn't reach his eyes—he felt an overwhelming sense of terror, as if facing a monster.
At this moment, the gatekeeper recalled the fear of being dominated by powerful soul masters.
Ye Wen, of course, knew that a bit of money could easily appease this lowlife. But to grovel before someone who acted like a guard dog? That would make his reincarnation meaningless!
As for seeking justice from the Spirit Hall—though it might work, Ye Wen didn't want to create too much commotion. Who knew what kind of trouble Tang Hao might stir up? This outcome was just fine.
By now, Ye Wen had also reclaimed his own martial soul certificate.
Just as Ye Wen was about to intimidate the gatekeeper further, ensuring he backed off quietly so Ye Wen could later show mercy, a hoarse, aged voice interrupted:
"Who are you? What's blocking the entrance?"
Hearing this voice, Ye Wen knew his rare chance to play the villain was over. Without a word, he stepped back to Old Jack's side and glanced toward the newcomer.
It was Yu Xiaogang. Of medium height and slightly thin, with short hair and a scholarly air, his demeanor betrayed a strong sense of weariness and laziness.
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