Chapter 42: You don't want it, and I don't want it either
After the list of core disciples was announced, Du Weilun immediately announced the results of the class division.
The strong attack department and the control department were both assigned to Class 1.
Ling Shuang usually liked to call himself an all-round soul master, but to avoid unnecessary trouble, he reported himself under the strong attack department. Naturally, he was assigned to Class 1.
Wang Dong'er was also assigned to Class 1, and even Nanmen Yuner, who normally would have been placed in the sensitive attack department, was assigned to Class 1 because of her self-report.
With a slight smile on her lips, Wang Dong'er threw a proud glance at Ning Tian who was standing not far away.
Ning Tian, possessing the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial spirit, was naturally assigned to the auxiliary department, ending up in Class 3.
Wang Dong'er was feeling quite pleased with herself.
This way, Ning Tian wouldn't have so many chances to pester the annoying guy, right?
Feeling the provocative gaze, Ning Tian frowned slightly.
She really didn't know how she had offended Wang Dong, who always seemed to harbor some strange hostility towards her.
Sometimes, the way Wang Dong interfered with her communication with Ling Shuang in class almost felt like the classic rivalry between girls.
As for the class division result, Ning Tian didn't care too much.
After all, it wasn't like they were worlds apart; they were still in the same academy.
Moreover, her good sister Wu Feng was in the same class. She could visit anytime she wanted.
After the class division list was announced, the conference ended.
The students returned to their new classes according to the assignment. Ling Shuang, Wang Dong'er, and Nanmen Yuner, as members of the champion team, were called separately by Yan Shaozhe to the dean's office.
Yan Shaozhe's office was spacious but simple, exuding a kind of low-key luxury.
The tall bookshelf was filled with thick, leather-bound books, and the sunlight pouring through the blinds fell in strips across the dark wood desk.
"Sit down," Yan Shaozhe said with a smile, gesturing toward the sofa.
Ling Shuang sat down casually, not the least bit nervous despite Yan Shaozhe's lofty status.
In contrast, Wang Dong'er and Nanmen Yuner appeared much more reserved.
Wang Dong'er was relatively better — after all, as the eldest daughter of the Clear Sky Sect, she had been around plenty of strong individuals.
But Nanmen Yuner was much more anxious.
Though her family was considered a minor noble lineage, it was still far from being able to casually interact with a Titled Douluo like Yan Shaozhe.
This was a rare and intimidating experience for her.
Yan Shaozhe didn't immediately bring up the serious matter but instead smiled and said,
"Student Ling, student Wang, we meet again."
Wang Dong'er responded awkwardly, clearly still digesting the fact that the old man in white she had met by Sea God Lake was actually the dean of the Martial Soul Department.
"Indeed, Dean Yan," Ling Shuang replied calmly with a polite smile, neither servile nor overbearing.
Yan Shaozhe's small talk was easy to read — an attempt to narrow the psychological distance between them through a seemingly approachable attitude.
But Ling Shuang was no stranger to such tactics from his previous life.
Nevertheless, considering his long-term plans involving the Golden Ancient Tree, he played along politely.
Yan Shaozhe soon shifted the conversation,
"I must thank you for taking care of Ma Xiaotao," he said sincerely.
"Her physical condition has always worried us. I can see she's been much more stable recently, thanks to you."
"The dean is too kind," Ling Shuang replied faintly.
He didn't think himself particularly saint— everything he had done had been for his own goals.
Seeing that Ling Shuang wasn't taking the bait for further flattery, Yan Shaozhe didn't push.
Instead, he pulled out a small bag from his soul guide and handed it to Ling Shuang.
"This is a special reward prepared by the academy for you."
Ling Shuang didn't even have to guess — it was definitely a soul bone.
Without hesitation, he passed the bag directly to Wang Dong'er,
"You two decide."
This casual motion made Yan Shaozhe slightly stunned.
He thought Ling Shuang might not know the contents, so he added,
"You can open it now if you like."
Wang Dong'er tugged at the yellow rope, and a faint golden light spilled out.
"Soul bone?!"
Both Wang Dong'er and Nanmen Yun'er exclaimed at the same time.
Even though soul bones were more common now than ten thousand years ago, each one was still incredibly precious.
"Wu... what do we do, squad leader?"
Wang Dong'er and Nanmen Yuner turned their eyes toward Ling Shuang almost at the same time.
Ordinary rewards they could maybe accept, but a soul bone? That felt too heavy.
But Ling Shuang only said flatly,
"Why are you looking at me? I said, you two split it."
He didn't even look at the soul bone carefully.
It wasn't that he didn't recognize its value — rather, it wasn't worth it to owe favors or attention to Shrek Academy for something like this.
Yan Shaozhe watched Ling Shuang's casual attitude and felt even more unable to fathom him.
He had quietly investigated Ling Shuang's background before.
No results.
Even the mayor who recommended him said the letter came from a powerful figure — a white-haired female Titled Douluo.
But no matter how he racked his brain, Yan Shaozhe couldn't match this description to anyone he knew.
Still, he was certain of one thing:
Ling Shuang was absolutely not a spy from the Sun and Moon Empire.
If the Sun and Moon Empire had such a monstrous genius, they would never have sent him away as an undercover agent — they would have kept him hidden and nurtured him carefully.
Ling Shuang's straightforward rejection of the soul bone convinced Yan Shaozhe even more that this child's origins were complicated.
If he had no background, it would be much easier to win him over.
Now, it would take more time.
With Ling Shuang refusing to accept, the soul bone now fell to Wang Dong'er and Nanmen Yuner.
"You take it," Wang Dong'er said, lifting her chin slightly with her usual pride.
"This young... young master doesn't need it either."
Nanmen Yuner, clutching the small bag, felt deeply moved.
Among the three, she was clearly the weakest one....
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(End of this chapter)