Am I a mutant in soul land?

Tang Yin had just finished his classes when Flender approached him with a friendly grin.

"Tang Yin, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi wants to meet you. He's waiting in the reception hall," Flender said, patting his shoulder. "Good luck. If you manage to win his goodwill, you might just strike gold."

Tang Yin raised an eyebrow. Flender's smile was just a little too wide to be entirely sincere, but he still nodded politely and headed toward the guest hall.

When he arrived, he was greeted by an elegant sight: Ning Fengzhi, his delicate features almost feminine, stood gazing out the window, his robes fluttering lightly in the breeze. Meanwhile, Bone Douluo Gu Rong was crouched beside Ning Rongrong, trying to coax her out of a pout.

"Sorry Rongrong. Grandpa will bring you more gifts next time," Gu Rong promised, almost pleading.

. "Hmph," she huffed, turning her face away.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head, half amused, half helpless. "Uncle Gu, don't spoil her so much."

At that moment, a polite knock at the door drew their attention. Ning Rongrong's face lit up, and in the blink of an eye, she pounced.

"Grandpa! He's here! This is Tang Yin—the one I told you about!" she said excitedly, dragging Tang Yin forward by the hand—without so much as introducing her father, whose eyebrow was already twitching with a restrained smile full of helplessness.

Tang Yin gave an awkward chuckle and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Sect Master Ning, Senior Bone Douluo. Rongrong has told me much about you."

Ning Fenzhi, a glint of foxy amusement in his eyes, simply nodded. Gu Rong, however, narrowed his gaze with scrutiny at the rather chummy display between Ning Rongrong and Tang Yin.

"Good kid, let me test you," he grunted, slapping Tang Yin on the shoulder with a force that could even make a soul king falter. But Tang Yin? He just stands there, unphased, a relaxed smile on his face.

Both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong raised their brows in surprise.

"Want to test me more, Senior?" Tang Yin asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Before Gu Rong could reply, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward. "Uncle Gu, please—let's not scare our guest. Tang Yin is a benefactor of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Gu Rong grumbled something unintelligible and withdrew his hand.

Ning Fengzhi then asked curiously, "Tang Yin, would you be willing to share your soul level?"

Without hesitation, Tang Yin released his martial spirit. Four dazzling soul rings appeared, hovering around him.

"Blue Silver King," he declared, a powerful soul pressure radiating from him "Level 46."

Ning Fengzhi's with a composed expression began pondering something when Tang Yin mentioned his Wuhun, but now his thoughts screeched to a halt as he realized something terrifying his composed act cracked when he realized.

"Wait… aren't you only twelve?" Ning Fengzhi asked, astonished. "That's… monstrous talent."

Tang Yin nodded modestly. "I have some talent, yes. But Lanba Academy has many prodigies. Rongrong herself is already level 37—and she's a support-type soul master."

Rongrong grinned and bumped her shoulder against his. "Come on, don't be modest! None of us can be compared to you."

Ning Fengzhi was pleased with Tang Yin's humility and strength, but a lingering curiosity remained. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Would you mind telling me your father's name?"

Tang Yin's smile faded slightly. He clenched his jaw. "His name is Tang Hao—a lazy-bum and a scumbag. He abandoned me right after I awakened my martial soul. My brother might know where he is."

Ning Fengzhi blinked, taken aback by the honesty, but chose not to pry further. Gu Rong, however, had no such restraint.

"Why abandon you and not your brother?"

"Grandpa!" Ning Rongrong snapped. "That's so rude!"

Even Ning Fengzhi raised his voice. "Uncle Gu, please."

Gu Rong flinched. It was the first time his beloved granddaughter had scolded him. His face crumpled with heartbreak. He sighed resignedly "Forget I asked…"

Ning Rongrong quickly grabbed Tang yin's hand and squeezed it gently, comforting him. "Don't mind him, Grandpa's just blunt. He might look scary and heartless but he is a kind-hearted person."

Tang Yin's lips twitched. "Kind-hearted? Who?! This Gu Rong? In the original story, he wanted to kill Tang San just for being talented... Kind, my ass! Rongrong's too innocent."

Ning Fengzhi coughed awkwardly, nearly choking. Gu Rong glared at him, silently mouthing, Don't act holy—you're worse than me.

Tang Yin chuckled. 'The truth is, my father left me because my innate soul power was only level seven, whereas my brother, Tang San, had full innate soul power.'

"Wait, Tang San had full innate soul power?" Rongrong gasped.

Tang Yin nodded. "Yeah. But Blue Silver Grass doesn't have that kind of potential—unless he has twin martial souls. That's just my theory, though. Unfortunately for him, his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, already ruined one of them. So in the end, his so-called potential might just be wasted."

Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong exchanged a look—equal parts shocked and intrigued. Their family drama was entertaining, and the boy in front of them was more than just a genius. He was an anomaly.

Level 46 at twelve… Ning Fengzhi mused. 'That's thirty-nine levels in six years.... Unbelievable. And if he's going to be my future son-in-law? Even better.'

Gu Rong sighed internally. He finally admitted it—this brat was the real deal. The man let out a reluctant sigh and muttered, "Forget it. Kid's a freak—but a good one. Rongrong looks happy. I'll allow it."

Ning Fengzhi leaned in, trying not to sound desperate, but failing entirely. "Tang Yin, about that herb you gave Rongrong… do you have any more? I'll pay any price."

Tang Yin shook his head with a lazy smile. "Sorry, Uncle—er, Sect Master. What I gave her was an immortal herb. A rare heavenly treasure. There won't be a second one."

Ning Fengzhi let out a sigh of disappointment—then corrected him smiling. "Then from now on, call me Uncle Ning."

Gu Rong reluctantly followed suit. "And you can call me Grandpa."

Tang Yin blinked. He hadn't expected to win them over so easily. But then again… with his talent, who could resist?

He gave a slow, arrogant shrug. Well, not surprising. 'Heh, who can say no to me?'

After wrapping up their meeting, Tang Yin received an advance payment of one million gold coins from Ning Fengzhi.

Without wasting time, Tang yin gestured to Rongrong, who obediently handed over the blueprint for the hidden weapon to Ning fenzhi.

Tang Yin listed his requirements and with professional ease, and the deal was sealed with a handshake and a shared smile.

Both Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo left in high spirits, thoroughly impressed. Rongrong, standing beside Tang Yin, couldn't help but beam with happiness.

Overall, the meeting was warm and successful.

As soon as the esteemed guests disappeared into the distance, Tang Yin's smile morphed into something far more wicked.

"Tang San," he muttered inwardly, "time to make you earn your keep. Heh."

He sauntered out of Shrek Academy, heading straight toward Tian Duo Imperial Academy. With his 10-kilometer telepathic radius active, he scanned the area. No sign of Tang Hao. Perfect. Tang Yin's lips curled into a cruel smile.

Reaching the academy gates, he casually used telepathy and ordered the gatekeeper "Call Tang San, Tell him he has a visitor."

Tang San, fresh from a grueling training session with the Emperor Team, was barely catching his breath when the gatekeeper informed him of a visitor.

Dragging his tired body over, he frowned—until he spotted the familiar, infuriatingly smug figure leaning against the wall with crossed arms and a grin "Hello~brother."

Tang San had always nursed a quiet jealousy toward Tang Yin—his Noble Blue Silver King spirit, his overwhelming talent, and especially the way girls seemed to flock around him.

"Why is he so admired, while people barely tolerate me?" he often wondered, bitterness festering just beneath the surface.

He'd harbored that resentment for a long time. But old assassin habits died hard—no matter what boiled inside, Tang sect rules demanded he keep his expression calm, his actions measured, his jealousy hidden behind a mask of indifference.

"…Tang Yin," he muttered, suspiciously.

But before he could say another word, Tang Yin subtly activated his Telepathy. Like flipping a switch, Tang San's demeanor changed to that of a respectful little brother. They chatted casually in front of the guards, playing their roles as affectionate siblings.

Then came the real show.

Tang Yin pulled out a contract from his storage tool, placing it in front of Tang San.

"Here," Tang Yin said cheerfully, handing over the scroll. "A golden opportunity for you. You'll be assembling the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect's Zhuge Godly Crossbows and sleeve arrows—ten sets for a hundred gold coins. Fair pay, no?"

The guards practically drooled with envy. That kind of money? For assembling toys?

Tang San's eyes gleamed, greed overtaking reason. Tang Yin's mental nudges certainly helped.

He snatched the pen and signed without hesitation—then began giggling. Yes, giggling like a child who'd just found out candy grew on trees.

"Heh… So many coins… I'll be rich!" Tang San mumbled, drool at the corner of his mouth as he mentally calculated his future fortune.

Tang Yin stared at his younger brother and couldn't help but feel a little pity. Just a little.

"Oh, Tang San… if only you knew. This is only the beginning. I'm gonna do so much... more."

With his mission complete, Tang Yin turned and strolled back to Lanba Academy, hands in pockets, humming a familiar tune.

"Never gonna give you up..

Never gonna let you down.."