Soul Land: I am not convinced

"Brother, please take another look. Is there something wrong with our certificate?" Ye Feng stepped forward, taking out a small bag and handing it to the gatekeeper.

The proof of the Spirit Hall branch hall could not possibly be fake. The gatekeeper had been working in this position for four years—he was experienced enough to discern a fake from the real thing.

Each year, new students entered the Junior Soul Master Academy in Notting City. It was well known that while passing through Hades might be easy, dealing with the imp (the gatekeeper) was the real challenge. As long as the gatekeeper was given some "incentive," he would let anyone through, disregarding the formalities.

Old Jack, being from the countryside, was unaware of these undercurrents.

The gatekeeper took the money bag from Ye Feng's hand, opened it slightly, peered inside, and then weighed it in his palm. His expression brightened, and with a smile, he bent down to pick up the certificate Ye Feng had dropped on the ground. He examined it with care, then grinned: "Grandpa, I apologize for the mistake. After a thorough check, I can confirm these certificates are authentic. You may enter now."

"What?"

"What?"

Old Jack and Tang San stood in stunned silence, staring in disbelief at the gatekeeper who had suddenly done a complete about-face. It was the perfect illustration of the saying: money can make ghosts turn the millstone—and if there wasn't enough money, nothing would happen.

Ding dong!

"Congratulations, you have altered a storyline in the original plot. Bonus attribute points: 1."

"Congratulations! Since this is the first time the host has subverted a storyline, the system will reward you with an extra attribute point: 10 points."

"Attribute points? System, what are attribute points?" Ye Feng asked curiously.

"Attribute points are similar to soul rings; they can increase various aspects of a soul master's abilities, such as strength, agility, spirit, and defense. Unlike external soul rings, the attribute points rewarded by the system directly enhance the host's internal abilities." The system responded while displaying a holographic interface.

Name: Ye Feng

Soul Power: Level 30

Spirit: Regulus Star Sword, Nine Heaven Flowering Begonia, Eye of Hell

Soul Ring: None

Soul Skills: None (human-sword unity comprehension stage)

Bonus Strength: 0

Bonus Agility: 0

Bonus Spirit: 0

Bonus Defense: 0

Assignable Attribute Points: 11

"The system's attributes—strength, agility, spirit, and defense—are these the enhancements that apply directly to my body?" Ye Feng asked, pondering.

"You are correct," the system responded. "Just a reminder, each addition point is permanent and cannot be redistributed."

"Offense is the best defense, so let's focus on strength!" Ye Feng quickly decided.

As soon as he spoke, eleven warm currents coursed through his body. Ye Feng could immediately feel his strength increase. The true test, however, would be in combat.

Tang San, walking beside him, sensed a subtle change in Ye Feng's aura. He couldn't quite place it, but he felt that Ye Feng had grown stronger somehow.

"Alright, you can go in now," the gatekeeper said with a smile.

"Grandpa Jack, Tang San, let's go," Ye Feng said, smiling.

"Wait a moment!" A somewhat hoarse voice suddenly interrupted.

The gatekeeper froze, quickly hiding the money bag Ye Feng had given him behind his back. He hurriedly bowed to the newcomer, "Master, you've returned!"

Ye Feng, Old Jack, and Tang San turned to face the newcomer. The middle-aged man appeared to be in his fifties, with short black hair parted in a neat three-to-seven split. His face was rather ordinary, but his posture suggested he had received a proper education. There was a certain air of laziness and decadence in his demeanor.

Ye Feng immediately recognized him: this was Yu Xiaogang.

"Excuse me, may I see the Spirit Hall certificate?" Yu Xiaogang asked, his voice polite but commanding.

Since Old Jack was the village head, his credentials were respectable enough to be trusted. Yu Xiaogang's authoritative presence seemed to have an undeniable weight. Old Jack handed over the certificates without hesitation.

Yu Xiaogang examined the documents, and then looked at Ye Feng and Tang San. His heart skipped a beat, but his face remained composed. Having spent decades as an outcast, Yu Xiaogang had learned how to control his emotions.

"Gentlemen, I am a guest of the academy. Allow me to take these children to register." Yu Xiaogang's tone was calm, almost detached.

"Very well. Little San, Ye Feng, be good and follow the teacher. Remember, Ye Feng, especially you," Old Jack advised sternly.

Following Yu Xiaogang, Ye Feng entered the Junior Soul Master Academy in Notting City. This was where Tang San would become Yu Xiaogang's disciple.

Ye Feng didn't forget that he had just subverted a storyline and earned a reward of an attribute point. He wondered how many attribute points he would receive if he managed to disrupt Tang San's apprenticeship with Yu Xiaogang.

As he walked behind the group, Ye Feng observed Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. He briefly entertained the thought of further disrupting the plot but dismissed it.

A teacher for a day, a father for life... You have already received the gift from me.

Soon, a familiar scene unfolded before Ye Feng's eyes.

Under Yu Xiaogang's guidance, Tang San was so impressed by his wisdom and skills that he decided to take Yu Xiaogang as his teacher.

"What about you, Ye Feng?" Yu Xiaogang asked, turning his gaze to the boy beside him.

For Yu Xiaogang, while Tang San was excellent, Ye Feng was even more exceptional. Tang San's innate soul power was full at level ten, but Ye Feng's was full at level twenty—at least according to the Spirit Hall certificate.

Of course, that was just what was written on the certificate.

In Yu Xiaogang's mind, his ideal student was not Tang San, but Ye Feng.

"Me? Why?" Ye Feng paused, then asked thoughtfully, "Don't you want to take me as an apprentice?"

"Would you like me to guide your martial soul?" Yu Xiaogang asked, his interest piqued.

Yu Xiaogang hesitated before continuing, "After all, you're only the fourth person in the past hundred years to awaken twin martial souls."

"What? Twin martial souls?" Tang San was shocked and turned to look at Ye Feng in surprise. "Teacher, you mean Ye Feng has awakened twin martial souls?"

"Ah," Yu Xiaogang affirmed, looking at Ye Feng with an intensity that bordered on obsession. "Twin martial souls... Truly remarkable."

Yu Xiaogang was a man on a mission. After years of struggles, he had finally arrived at the academy. Now, two potential prodigies had appeared before him. To him, Ye Feng was the golden opportunity he had been searching for.

However, Ye Feng did not immediately confirm or deny the claim. He didn't outright reject Yu Xiaogang's words, which was tantamount to agreeing. Yet, he wasn't a twin spirit user—he was a triple spirit user.

"Are you willing?" Yu Xiaogang pressed, hopeful.

"I'm not interested," Ye Feng replied flatly.

(End of this chapter)