Douluo: Infinite Lottery System

Xiao Tianyang walked, his face clouded with melancholy. When he reached the gate, he saw Tang San waving at him, a bright smile on his face. "Tianyang, the Grandmaster has agreed to become my teacher"

"Then... congratulations," Xiao Tianyang responded, his expression still shadowed with sadness.

"Brother Tianyang, what's wrong? You don't seem like yourself," Tang San asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"It's nothing," Xiao Tianyang replied, shaking his head. He couldn't bring himself to explain that he'd just been... 'taken advantage of' by an old man on the road. He couldn't possibly say that aloud.

However, Bubu, who had been following him, wore a mischievous grin. Xiao Tianyang quickly caught sight of it and, without hesitation, gave Bubu a sharp slap on the face as a warning.

Bubu, now sitting on the ground with his hands over his head, looked up, a hint of grievance in his eyes.

Tang San didn't press the matter any further. Instead, he turned to Xiao Tianyang and asked, "Brother Tianyang, how about we join forces?"

"No," Xiao Tianyang smiled gently, "You have your path, and I have mine. I've already made up my mind about this." He politely declined.

To be honest, Xiao Tianyang had indeed been highly knowledgeable at that time, and his research into martial arts was exceptional. But in the end, these skills had limited value for him.

Now, though, Xiao Tianyang was free and didn't want to be constrained by anything. There was no need for him to agree to a path that wasn't his own.

Tang San was taken aback by these words, as was Yu Xiaogang.

However, it was clear that Tang San had a strong ability to adapt, for he slowly began to accept Xiao Tianyang's unexpected response.

Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, was still puzzled, wondering if those words had truly come from a five or six-year-old child.

"In that case, I'll introduce you to a teacher when the time comes," Yu Xiaogangfinally said.

After Yu Xiaogang finished speaking, he turned to Tang San. "You are both innate full soul power. You can ask your mentor to help you acquire your first soul ring."

However, at that moment, Xiao Tianyang interjected, "Thank you, grandmaster, but I've decided to venture into the Soul Hunting Forest and obtain my first soul ring on my own."

Both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San looked at him, astonishment written across their faces.

Tang San began to persuade him. "Brother Tianyang, soul beasts are far more dangerous than wild beasts. I know you're strong, but..."

Xiao Tianyang shook his head, cutting him off. "Don't worry. You've fought against me so many times, don't you still trust in my strength?"

The Master, standing off to the side, seemed lost in thought, as though recalling something distant. He looked a little absent-minded but eventually nodded. "Since you've made your decision, I won't try to change your mind. But if you ever reconsider, the instructors at the academy will still be there to help."

He paused, then added, "If you come across anything you don't understand about soul beasts or soul rings, feel free to ask me. I'll do my best to assist you."

The three of them, along with one dog, continued their journey forward. Soon, with the Master's help, they registered as students at the Academic Affairs Office, received their school uniforms, and were assigned dormitories.

However, a problem arose along the way—first and foremost, dogs were not allowed at the Academy.

At that moment, Bubu nearly exploded in anger.

Fortunately, after being 'persuaded' by a well-placed slap from Xiao Tianyang, Bubu calmed down and stopped acting recklessly. But he couldn't just be left to roam freely.

So, they were left with two options: either find a place to board Bubu or rent a house in the city. Those were their only choices.

To make matters even more awkward, Xiao Tianyang couldn't stay in the dormitory either. The dorm where Tang San was staying was already full, and it was a dorm reserved for work-study students.

After giving Bubu, who was snickering beside him, a swift kick, Xiao Tianyang turned to Director Su from the Administrative Office. "Director, there are no vacant rooms in that dormitory. Are there any other available rooms?"

"Yes, there are," Director Su replied. "But those rooms belong to the noble children. I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate for you, a work-study student, to stay there." 

Director Su hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke up.

"I'm not eligible?" Xiao Tianyang raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

"That's not quite it," Director Su responded with some difficulty. "It's just that if you enter as you are, you'll inevitably face bullying. Not to mention, the academy's rules don't allow it."

Xiao Tianyang suddenly had an idea and spoke with a mysterious smile. "What if I know Teacher Miao?"

Director Su was momentarily stunned by this, then visibly trembled. "Are you serious?"

"More real than real gold," Xiao Tianyang nodded seriously.

He had suffered a loss the last time, but this time, he was going to turn the tables.

Director Su glanced around at the others, then coughed lightly. "Well, the rules can be bent, even if they're set in stone."

"In that case, can I stay in the dormitory?" Xiao Tianyang asked with a smile.

Director Su's smile stiffened slightly. "No problem. I'll ask the teacher to help you make arrangements right away."

After leaving the office building, Xiao Tianyang and Tang San parted ways.

Xiao Tianyang didn't head directly to the dormitory, as there was still the matter of Bubu to take care of. Besides, it wouldn't take long. Renting a house could serve as a place for Bubu to stay, and he could just give it some money for food.

Sometimes, Bubu was even cleverer than a ghost. Trying to trick it would only end up with him being tricked instead.

Once he finished sorting everything out, Xiao Tianyang turned around and headed back to the academy, now with time to look into the system prompt.

Host triggers a side mission, [First Soul Ring]. 

Mission details: Obtain the first soul ring by yourself, and the year cannot be less than 2000.

Task reward: x300 LP

This was exactly the mission that appeared when Yu Xiaogang mentioned the first soul ring.

Of course, even if the mission hadn't appeared, Xiao Tianyang would still have chosen to go to the Soul Hunting Forest alone.

And what did he rely on to grow stronger?

Normal cultivation? It was important, but not essential.

At least, that was how Xiao Tianyang saw it.

That night, after Xiao Tianyang attempted to control the green liquid condensed in the Zhangtian Bottle, his soul power instantly reached its full value—all from just two drops.

Xiao Tianyang's strength had always been unstable. His soul power would increase with his night training, only to decrease again with his morning practice, further purifying his soul power.

Three months passed like this, and on the night before his departure, Xiao Tianyang's soul power was stuck at level eight—a number that hadn't changed in two weeks.

But after just two drops of the green liquid, Xiao Tianyang's strength skyrocketed by two levels.

What did this mean?

It meant a shortcut had been found, and why not take it?

Once a shortcut to increasing soul power was discovered, Xiao Tianyang could spend more time focusing on actual combat. He could also gather more lottery points for future draws. This was the path forward!

With the golden finger, why bother practicing step by step like Tang San when he could advance faster?

From the very beginning, when Xiao Tianyang arrived, he had already decided that the Soul Hunting Forest would be his future hunting ground.

"But we can't rush it," he thought to himself. "Little San is right. Soul beasts are far more dangerous than wild beasts. Not only are they stronger, but they're also naturally hostile to humans."

"So, I need to learn the necessary knowledge before setting off. Otherwise, how can I hunt for the soul ring I want if I don't even know what it is?"

Lost in his thoughts, Xiao Tianyang had already arrived at the door of the dormitory room. Just as he was about to open the door and step inside, he overheard a heated discussion coming from within.

"Have you heard? The teacher in charge of our dormitory said we're getting a new person."

"Let him come. What are we afraid of?"

"But I heard he's a work-study student..."

"A work-study student? Are you sure? How could someone from a poor background be placed in our dorm?"

"It's no mistake, Boss Xiao, what do you think?"

When Xiao Tianyang overheard this, he opened the door and spoke with a smile, "Were you calling me?"

The boy who had just spoken froze for a moment and said, "What? I wasn't calling you. I was calling Boss Xiao!"

Xiao Tianyang grinned and replied, "What a coincidence, my surname is Xiao too. I thought you were calling me."