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Douluo Dalu_ Legend of the Ancestral Dragon_chapter_0012
Chapter 12
Chapter 12: The Bet
The smile on Grandmaster's face froze. Several seconds passed before he asked, "Why?"
He was bewildered. Had all the incredible theories he just spouted failed to inspire even a sliver of admiration in this child?
Aotian's expression suddenly turned serious. "In this world, no one is worthy of being my teacher."
"Arrogant!" The word couldn't help but pop into Tang San's mind.
Grandmaster's brow furrowed deeply. "My dear boy, a Soul Master's cultivation is not easy. With the guidance of a wise teacher, you can achieve twice the results with half the effort. A Soul Master can only ever take one teacher in their lifetime, or they will be scorned by the world. When it comes to teaching, no one is better than I."
Aotian smiled at Grandmaster and said, "And how can you prove that your theory is absolutely correct?"
Grandmaster replied, "You just saw it. Based on a single certificate, I was able to deduce the fact that Tang San possesses Twin Martial Souls. Is that not enough to prove my theory is correct?"
Aotian shook his head. "The path of cultivation is filled with infinite possibilities. Your theories are only suitable for people with mediocre aptitude to cultivate. They are useless to me."
"What big talk! It's just Innate Full Spirit Power. You make it sound as if you're the only one in heaven and earth," Tang San couldn't help but retort.
Aotian glanced at Tang San and said flatly, "With my Innate Full Spirit Power, putting you in your place would be effortless."
"Is that so? How about we test that?" Tang San shot back, unwilling to show weakness. He had long been unable to stand Aotian's arrogance.
Especially now that he had formally accepted Grandmaster as his teacher, Aotian was disrespecting Grandmaster. As his disciple, he had a duty to help seek justice.
Aotian shook his head. "I could give you a hundred years, and you would still be no match for me."
"Alright, stop arguing. You two will be classmates from now on," Grandmaster said, trying to smooth things over.
He looked at Aotian and said, "Why don't I make a bet with you? If you lose, you will willingly take me as your teacher. How about it?"
Aotian's interest was piqued. "And if you lose, you must admit that your theory has its shortcomings."
"Deal! It's settled," Grandmaster said with a happy laugh.
"What are the terms of the bet?" Aotian asked.
Grandmaster said, "You and Tang San both have Innate Level Ten Spirit Power. We'll set a time limit of one year. Tang San will receive my guidance. After one year, if either your spirit power or your combat ability surpasses Tang San's, you win. Otherwise, I win."
Grandmaster was completely confident. He had even already thought of a development path for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. In a one-on-one situation, a Control System Spirit Master was the strongest.
Therefore, he felt that his theory had already placed him in an invincible position.
He even wondered if this was a bit like bullying a child.
But then he thought that this was for the arrogant child's own good, and his mind was set at ease.
"This bet is interesting. I, Aotian, accept. You two should prepare to admit defeat," Aotian said.
"Hmph." Tang San couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
This child was repeatedly insolent, and his boasting was astonishing. He couldn't understand what kind of upbringing would produce such a rude child.
Grandmaster was in high spirits. Today was his happiest day in years. Not only had he accepted a genius disciple, Tang San, but another little genius was also destined to be his.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the Academic Affairs Office to register," Grandmaster said with a smile, taking Tang San's hand.
Aotian followed leisurely behind them, his gaze sweeping across the Academy. The scenes of students chasing each other and playing around stirred something within him.
How many years had it been? He never expected to return to a campus one day.
Nuoding Academy wasn't very large. Its main areas were the Academic Building, the Sports Ground, and the Dormitory Building. The other areas occupied relatively little space.
The Academy rules stipulated that all students must live on campus, even if their homes were not far from the Academy. They had to be subject to unified management.
Before long, Grandmaster brought Tang San and Aotian to the front of the Academic Building.
The Academic Affairs Office was on the first floor of the Academic Building. There were already teachers inside responsible for receiving this year's new students.
Grandmaster knew all the reception teachers inside. He handed Tang San's certificate to a teacher who looked to be in his sixties and said, "Director Su, please help this child get registered."
"Tang San, I have something else to attend to, so I'll be leaving first. I'll look for you later."
"Yes, Teacher," Tang San nodded.
After Grandmaster left, Director Su reminded him, "Child, that man is not a teacher from our Academy. You shouldn't call him that."
Tang San said, "I have already taken him as my teacher."
Director Su and the other two teachers, who were in their twenties, all had strange expressions, as if they were holding back laughter.
"You actually took Grandmaster as your teacher?" Director Su couldn't help but ask.
"Is there a problem?" Tang San asked in return.
"No, no problem. As long as you're happy. I'll handle the paperwork for you now," Director Su said.
A young teacher couldn't resist adding, "Tang San, a friendly reminder: each student can only have one teacher. Grandmaster is not a teacher at our Academy, and he has never taught a student before. I think you should consider this carefully."
"I've already considered it," Tang San said flatly. He had witnessed Grandmaster's vast knowledge and would certainly not give up because of these people's few words.
Director Su glared at the young man who had just spoken. "Your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, so taking Grandmaster as your teacher is quite fitting. These are your things. You can go to the dormitory now; a teacher there will arrange things for you."
"Thank you." Tang San took the new student supplies and turned to walk out.
Aotian hadn't gone inside; he had been standing at the doorway, watching.
Tang San gave Aotian a cool glance and was about to leave, but the voices faintly drifting from the Academic Affairs Office made him stop in his tracks.
"I can't believe even Grandmaster could get a disciple, hahaha... That's hilarious."
"That kid couldn't have been tricked by him, right?"
"Who cares? The kid has a waste Martial Soul anyway. He's a perfect match for the invincible-in-theory Grandmaster, hahaha... Just thinking about Grandmaster's 'Ten Core Competencies of a Martial Soul' makes me want to laugh. Who does he think he is? Just a clown."
Director Su scolded, "Silence! Grandmaster is a friend of the Dean. He's not someone you can casually judge."
The room instantly fell silent.
The corners of Tang San's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a trace of ridicule and disdain. In his eyes, the people inside were the real clowns.
Could a man who discerned the secret of his Twin Martial Souls from a single certificate be simple?
Tang San gave Aotian a fleeting, dismissive glance and prepared to leave.
His expression clearly showed that he didn't take Aotian seriously.
Aotian was suddenly amused and spoke up, "Tang San, Grandmaster's theories are not necessarily all correct. Besides, I heard that Grandmaster once worked in the Spirit Hall, but he was driven out for attempting to defile the Saintess—the current Pope."
Tang San stopped in his tracks and whipped his head around, his eyes glaring at Aotian. Two streaks of purple light flashed in his eyes, and a subtle pressure bore down on Aotian.
"Apologize!" Tang San took a step forward, his aura surging. His words were filled with a commanding tone.
"I'm telling the truth. Why should I apologize?" Aotian watched Tang San with great interest.
"Insulting one's teacher is like insulting one's parents! If you don't apologize, I'll beat you until you do! I might as well discipline an ill-mannered child like you on your parents' behalf!"
Tang San's aura swelled, his eyes like two sharp swords, extremely intimidating.
If it were an ordinary child, they would probably be trembling with fear by now.
Aotian remained unmoved and smiled. "Then why don't you give it a try?"
(end of chapter)
The smile on Grandmaster's face froze. Several seconds passed before he asked, "Why?"
He was bewildered. Had all the incredible theories he just spouted failed to inspire even a sliver of admiration in this child?
Aotian's expression suddenly turned serious. "In this world, no one is worthy of being my teacher."
"Arrogant!" The word couldn't help but pop into Tang San's mind.
Grandmaster's brow furrowed deeply. "My dear boy, a Soul Master's cultivation is not easy. With the guidance of a wise teacher, you can achieve twice the results with half the effort. A Soul Master can only ever take one teacher in their lifetime, or they will be scorned by the world. When it comes to teaching, no one is better than I."
Aotian smiled at Grandmaster and said, "And how can you prove that your theory is absolutely correct?"
Grandmaster replied, "You just saw it. Based on a single certificate, I was able to deduce the fact that Tang San possesses Twin Martial Souls. Is that not enough to prove my theory is correct?"
Aotian shook his head. "The path of cultivation is filled with infinite possibilities. Your theories are only suitable for people with mediocre aptitude to cultivate. They are useless to me."
"What big talk! It's just Innate Full Spirit Power. You make it sound as if you're the only one in heaven and earth," Tang San couldn't help but retort.
Aotian glanced at Tang San and said flatly, "With my Innate Full Spirit Power, putting you in your place would be effortless."
"Is that so? How about we test that?" Tang San shot back, unwilling to show weakness. He had long been unable to stand Aotian's arrogance.
Especially now that he had formally accepted Grandmaster as his teacher, Aotian was disrespecting Grandmaster. As his disciple, he had a duty to help seek justice.
Aotian shook his head. "I could give you a hundred years, and you would still be no match for me."
"Alright, stop arguing. You two will be classmates from now on," Grandmaster said, trying to smooth things over.
He looked at Aotian and said, "Why don't I make a bet with you? If you lose, you will willingly take me as your teacher. How about it?"
Aotian's interest was piqued. "And if you lose, you must admit that your theory has its shortcomings."
"Deal! It's settled," Grandmaster said with a happy laugh.
"What are the terms of the bet?" Aotian asked.
Grandmaster said, "You and Tang San both have Innate Level Ten Spirit Power. We'll set a time limit of one year. Tang San will receive my guidance. After one year, if either your spirit power or your combat ability surpasses Tang San's, you win. Otherwise, I win."
Grandmaster was completely confident. He had even already thought of a development path for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. In a one-on-one situation, a Control System Spirit Master was the strongest.
Therefore, he felt that his theory had already placed him in an invincible position.
He even wondered if this was a bit like bullying a child.
But then he thought that this was for the arrogant child's own good, and his mind was set at ease.
"This bet is interesting. I, Aotian, accept. You two should prepare to admit defeat," Aotian said.
"Hmph." Tang San couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
This child was repeatedly insolent, and his boasting was astonishing. He couldn't understand what kind of upbringing would produce such a rude child.
Grandmaster was in high spirits. Today was his happiest day in years. Not only had he accepted a genius disciple, Tang San, but another little genius was also destined to be his.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the Academic Affairs Office to register," Grandmaster said with a smile, taking Tang San's hand.
Aotian followed leisurely behind them, his gaze sweeping across the Academy. The scenes of students chasing each other and playing around stirred something within him.
How many years had it been? He never expected to return to a campus one day.
Nuoding Academy wasn't very large. Its main areas were the Academic Building, the Sports Ground, and the Dormitory Building. The other areas occupied relatively little space.
The Academy rules stipulated that all students must live on campus, even if their homes were not far from the Academy. They had to be subject to unified management.
Before long, Grandmaster brought Tang San and Aotian to the front of the Academic Building.
The Academic Affairs Office was on the first floor of the Academic Building. There were already teachers inside responsible for receiving this year's new students.
Grandmaster knew all the reception teachers inside. He handed Tang San's certificate to a teacher who looked to be in his sixties and said, "Director Su, please help this child get registered."
"Tang San, I have something else to attend to, so I'll be leaving first. I'll look for you later."
"Yes, Teacher," Tang San nodded.
After Grandmaster left, Director Su reminded him, "Child, that man is not a teacher from our Academy. You shouldn't call him that."
Tang San said, "I have already taken him as my teacher."
Director Su and the other two teachers, who were in their twenties, all had strange expressions, as if they were holding back laughter.
"You actually took Grandmaster as your teacher?" Director Su couldn't help but ask.
"Is there a problem?" Tang San asked in return.
"No, no problem. As long as you're happy. I'll handle the paperwork for you now," Director Su said.
A young teacher couldn't resist adding, "Tang San, a friendly reminder: each student can only have one teacher. Grandmaster is not a teacher at our Academy, and he has never taught a student before. I think you should consider this carefully."
"I've already considered it," Tang San said flatly. He had witnessed Grandmaster's vast knowledge and would certainly not give up because of these people's few words.
Director Su glared at the young man who had just spoken. "Your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, so taking Grandmaster as your teacher is quite fitting. These are your things. You can go to the dormitory now; a teacher there will arrange things for you."
"Thank you." Tang San took the new student supplies and turned to walk out.
Aotian hadn't gone inside; he had been standing at the doorway, watching.
Tang San gave Aotian a cool glance and was about to leave, but the voices faintly drifting from the Academic Affairs Office made him stop in his tracks.
"I can't believe even Grandmaster could get a disciple, hahaha... That's hilarious."
"That kid couldn't have been tricked by him, right?"
"Who cares? The kid has a waste Martial Soul anyway. He's a perfect match for the invincible-in-theory Grandmaster, hahaha... Just thinking about Grandmaster's 'Ten Core Competencies of a Martial Soul' makes me want to laugh. Who does he think he is? Just a clown."
Director Su scolded, "Silence! Grandmaster is a friend of the Dean. He's not someone you can casually judge."
The room instantly fell silent.
The corners of Tang San's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a trace of ridicule and disdain. In his eyes, the people inside were the real clowns.
Could a man who discerned the secret of his Twin Martial Souls from a single certificate be simple?
Tang San gave Aotian a fleeting, dismissive glance and prepared to leave.
His expression clearly showed that he didn't take Aotian seriously.
Aotian was suddenly amused and spoke up, "Tang San, Grandmaster's theories are not necessarily all correct. Besides, I heard that Grandmaster once worked in the Spirit Hall, but he was driven out for attempting to defile the Saintess—the current Pope."
Tang San stopped in his tracks and whipped his head around, his eyes glaring at Aotian. Two streaks of purple light flashed in his eyes, and a subtle pressure bore down on Aotian.
"Apologize!" Tang San took a step forward, his aura surging. His words were filled with a commanding tone.
"I'm telling the truth. Why should I apologize?" Aotian watched Tang San with great interest.
"Insulting one's teacher is like insulting one's parents! If you don't apologize, I'll beat you until you do! I might as well discipline an ill-mannered child like you on your parents' behalf!"
Tang San's aura swelled, his eyes like two sharp swords, extremely intimidating.
If it were an ordinary child, they would probably be trembling with fear by now.
Aotian remained unmoved and smiled. "Then why don't you give it a try?"
(end of chapter)
