At the grand gates of Lanba Academy, the crowd bustled, voices rising and falling like waves striking stone. Young geniuses lined in hopeful queues, parents whispered with nervous excitement, and disciples craned their necks for any glimpse of the famed Tianjiao Class test.
Among them stood a dusty youth in plain travel robes, clutching a half-creased map. His hair was unkempt, his clothes spattered with dirt from long travel, but his dark eyes burned with resolve.
"Lanba Academy…" The boy exhaled, his voice low and firm. "Finally, I've made it."
This boy was Tang San.
He approached one of the older porters at the gate, bowing slightly. "Uncle, may I ask? Is there truly a prodigy within Lanba Academy known as Subei?"
The porter gave him a withering glance. "Hmph. Who doesn't know His Highness Subei? He's Lanba's jewel, our little god. But boy… where did you crawl from, covered in mud? Thinking of studying here? Best save yourself the embarrassment and turn back."
Tang San only clenched his fists tighter. Compared to the man he had come to see, what did his own ragged state matter?
—
Dust clouded memories in his chest.
Since parting ways at Notting, since his last conversation with the Master, he had thought again and again. Every word Subei had spoken echoed in his heart. And especially the day he had given him that bottle of strangely warm liquid.
He remembered how it spilled upon his Blue Silver Grass, once mocked as trash. How within it delicate silver lines had appeared, spreading strength into his martial soul. For days after, he cultivated restlessly until those veins deepened into gold. His vines were no longer weak weeds but firm, sharp, full of vitality.
The "trash" had been reborn.
Through that kindness, his admiration for Subei soared beyond restraint. That face, that poise, that unmatched air… eternal, godlike! Tang San felt his path clear: Subei's wisdom far surpassed Yu Xiaogang's empty theories.
"This time," Tang San whispered, jaw tight, "I will reach him no matter what it takes."
The porter snorted. "Hah. So you're another fool used by the rumor mill. Ever since His Highness appeared, lovestruck youths and crazy girls all flock here just to glimpse him. Look over there."
He pointed to dozens of young girls with downcast eyes, many being escorted away in disappointment.
"They all tried. All failed. The Tianjiao Class accepts only the rarest talents, and only girls. Do you not understand? His Highness is untouchable even for them—what makes you think a boy like you could get near?"
The words stabbed, but Tang San pressed forward, cold light in his eyes. "You say I cannot, but heaven favors those who strive. I swore, and he himself once invited me. I will not let this end here. Nothing is difficult if one has the heart."
The porter chuckled like an old cynic. "Dream what you like, son. Go home before you shame yourself."
But Tang San's gaze shifted. Across the street was a little clothing shop, racks of garments swaying in breeze. Robes, academy uniforms, and… dresses.
He froze. His teeth clenched.
If only women can enter… then I will become one.
The sacrifice burned his pride, but what did pride matter next to reaching Subei?
He glanced once more at Lanba's gates, whispering to himself, "Teacher Subei… wait for me."
Then, with fierce resolve, he stepped toward the shop.
—
That evening, within the hut where examinations were held, Subei slumped in his chair, staring at yet another list of candidates. The sunlight from the forest filtered in dappled patches onto the white table before him, where forms piled high.
He sighed. "Another day without harvest? Are my standards too high… or perhaps the system is too cruel? Where are my goddess-level teammates?"
Dozens of girls had passed through, all talented, many beautiful, yet none drew forth the system's ringing "check-in" prompt. Without that, they remained only students—not fated allies. Still, among them he had selected a few as reserves, unwilling to waste decent talent.
But he longed for that divine spark that marked a true goddess.
Then one of the Soul King guards leaned into the hut. "Your Highness, a girl has arrived—her innate power is full."
Subei's back straightened, eyes sharp. "What did you say? Full soul power?"
The guard nodded gravely.
Excitement rushed into his veins. In all of Douluo, how rare were girls born full of power? Xiao Wu was one. Hulena, perhaps another. Could it be… Qian Renxue herself in disguise? The thought made his lips twitch. "Let her in!"
The curtain drew aside. A girl was ushered in, trembling slightly. She wore a short dress of crimson and blue, with a brown ribbon tied awkwardly across her head. Her short hair fell messily, her stance stiff as though unused to the clothes.
Subei blinked once—twice—and his lips twitched. Her appearance was… average. Her movements awkward. Her posture strange.
Not Hulena. Not Qian Renxue either.
But in the depths of those eyes, brown and awkward, there was something uncannily familiar.
He frowned, narrowing his gaze. Memories swirled.
The girl raised her head timidly, and her eyes shimmered with desperate tears. Her voice broke like fragile glass.
"My… my name is Tang… Tang San…"
"…"
Subei's heart froze, then cracked.
"I missed Notting Academy so much," she whispered, voice shivering with emotion. "Teacher Subei… I finally found you."
The hut was silent.
Through the beams of sunlight, Subei stared, trying not to let his jaw drop.
Before him stood Tang San—dressed in a girl's skirt, ribbon tied to crooked hair, eyes shimmering like a damsel in distress.
And his legendary Blue Silver Grass prodigy? His "eternal god?"
Now cross-dressed in drag.
In Subei's mind, the System did not ping. Not even a chime. Only dead silence, as though even the heavens refused to acknowledge it.
Subei's lips twitched violently as he held back a laugh.
Tang San… you devil. You actually cosplayed a girl just to get near me.
"…"
"Although… points for dedication."
He rubbed his temples, exhaling deeply. "Xuemei, save me. This world is getting stranger every day."
And yet, in Tang San's gaze, shining with trembling admiration, Subei saw only sincerity.
The boy had masked himself in skirts and ribbons to seek his teacher's guidance.
Well then… brother, Subei thought wryly, let's see how far you'll go.