Chapter 5: The Spirit Eyes Sharingan Martial Soul
The moment Ji Lin left, silence lingered at the dormitory entrance for several seconds.
Mu En stood where he was without moving while his aged eyes followed the direction in which that boy gradually disappeared.
He did not speak.
Nor did he even attempt to move immediately.
He simply remained standing there, as though the scene from moments ago still lingered before his eyes and had yet to truly end.
A gentle breeze slipped through the stone corridor, lightly stirring the edges of his gray robe while his eyelids slowly lowered.
That imposed absolute loyalty deep within his soul left him with no real room for hesitation or rejection.
And yet…
He was not incapable of realizing how strange everything that had just happened truly was.
A disciple who appeared out of nowhere.
A boy he had never seen before.
And then, in a single instant, that boy's existence became an unquestionable truth within his mind.
A terrifyingly firm truth.
As though it had always existed from the very beginning.
As though accepting that boy as his disciple was the most natural thing in the world, requiring no explanation whatsoever.
A fact that did not even permit the possibility of reconsideration.
Mu En remained silent for another moment before slowly turning around.
His gray robe moved lightly with the passing breeze while his footsteps calmly began moving forward.
They were neither hurried nor tense.
Nor were they slow and hesitant.
Only steady.
Measured.
As though everything had already settled deep within him from the very instant he first laid eyes upon Ji Lin.
A short while later, Mu En entered the room where Yan Shaozhe was working.
The latter sat quietly behind his desk while several neatly arranged documents were piled before him. His fingers moved slowly as he flipped through the pages one after another, his eyes traveling across the lines with obvious concentration.
But the instant he sensed someone standing before him, he immediately raised his head.
And in the very next moment, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Mu En appearing personally was never something ordinary.
That old man rarely left his place for trivial matters, and even more rarely did he come to meet someone without a reason important enough to make him move.
For that reason alone, the atmosphere inside the room subtly became heavier.
Mu En stood silently before the desk.
His aged face showed no obvious disturbance, yet something deep and heavy rested within his gaze until even the surrounding air seemed quieter than before.
Then, at last, he spoke in his usual calm voice.
I came to tell you something.
Yan Shaozhe's hand stopped moving immediately.
Very slowly, he placed the papers aside before fully lifting his gaze toward Mu En.
Something?
A brief silence descended within the room.
It was not long, but it was enough to draw all attention toward that single moment.
Then Mu En's lips slowly moved.
From today onward…I have a new disciple.
The expression on Yan Shaozhe's face froze for an entire second.
As though the words had failed to properly reach his mind at first.
Or perhaps because he simply refused to believe them upon hearing them.
Then his brows gradually tightened while his posture unconsciously straightened.
A…new disciple?
The words left his mouth slowly, carrying genuine shock he did not even attempt to hide.
His eyes locked onto Mu En before he continued in a heavier tone.
Mu En…you?
Even his tone had clearly changed.
The usual calmness vanished from his voice, replaced instead by sharp and vigilant attention.
Because he understood very well what those words truly meant.
Mu En was not someone who spoke lightly about disciples.
Nor was he the type to casually grant someone the title of my disciple.
Not that easily.
Not over some passing whim.
Never.
Mu En calmly held Yan Shaozhe's gaze before finally speaking.
His name is Ji Lin.
Yan Shaozhe repeated the name once inside his mind while his brows slowly tightened.
Ji Lin…
The name was unfamiliar to him.
It did not belong to any great family he recognized.
Nor to anyone he had previously placed within his considerations or gathered information about.
A name that had suddenly appeared from nowhere.
Without any introduction.
And without any clear roots that could easily be traced.
Yan Shaozhe lifted his eyes toward Mu En once more before asking in a low voice:
Where did this person come from?
Mu En's expression barely changed as he calmly answered:
He appeared today.
The sharpness in Yan Shaozhe's gaze immediately intensified.
Only today?
Yes.
A brief silence followed before Yan Shaozhe directly added:
And do you know his background?
Mu En answered without hesitation.
I know enough.
Yan Shaozhe's eyes narrowed further while his voice grew slightly heavier.
And did you test him?
Mu En fixed his gaze upon him for a moment before replying in a calm and steady tone:
If I hadn't tested him, I would not be standing before you now.
Silence descended into the room once again.
But this time, it was not the silence of shock.
It was the silence of deep thought.
Yan Shaozhe leaned slightly against the back of his chair while his eyes remained fixed on Mu En without almost blinking.
Then…what made you decide so quickly?
Mu En remained standing calmly.
His hands rested behind his back, and his posture stayed perfectly straight despite the obvious weight of age pressing upon his elderly body.
Then, at last, he spoke in a low and steady voice.
That boy is not simple.
His eyes paused briefly before he continued:
His talent is extraordinary…but that is not the only reason.
His voice grew quieter, as though replaying the details of their meeting within his mind.
There is a steadiness inside him that people his age should not possess.
He slowly lifted his gaze.
In his eyes.
In the way he speaks.
And within his very presence.
Yan Shaozhe remained silent while Mu En continued.
He was not afraid.
He was not flattering me.
And he did not stand before me like a lost child who had no idea what to do.
Then Mu En's eyes narrowed slightly.
Instead…he looked as though he knew exactly where he stood.
The words paused for several short seconds before he added in a heavier voice:
And he was calmer than he should have been.
Yan Shaozhe's own voice lowered as his gaze became sharper.
And that alone is enough for you?
Mu En did not hesitate even for a moment.
It is enough for me to understand that he is not someone who can be ignored.
Then he continued with quiet finality.
And enough for me to place him directly under my watch.
That is why…I made him my disciple.
This time, Yan Shaozhe did not answer immediately.
He simply stared at Mu En for a long while.
Which only made the matter feel even stranger.
He slowly straightened in his seat before continuing:
Because you are not a man who acts on impulse.
And you are not someone who picks up a child from the roadside and casually declares him your disciple.
His eyes remained fixed steadily upon Mu En.
Unless there is something…
His tone became slower and heavier.
Something that made you decide this so quickly.
Silence descended upon the room once again.
But this time, it felt completely different from before.
Deeper.
Heavier.
And far clearer.
Yan Shaozhe slowly rose from his seat before taking two steps forward, his gaze becoming sharper and more focused.
Even his brows lowered slightly while all the muscles of his face subtly tightened toward Mu En, as though trying to read whatever was hidden behind those calm words.
Does he possess extraordinary talent?
Does he carry some special background?
His eyes remained fixed steadily on Mu En before he added in a heavier tone:
And is there something I should know?
Mu En's face remained motionless without the slightest change.
His expression did not shift.
Nor did the calmness in his voice waver.
Yet the steadiness within those aged eyes made his next words feel far heavier than usual.
All you need to know for now…
He paused briefly before continuing:
Is that he is my disciple.
The words settled quietly within the room.
Then silence immediately followed afterward.
Complete silence.
Because that sentence was not merely a simple explanation of the relationship between master and disciple.
Nor was it a brief attempt to end the conversation.
It was a clear boundary.
A direct declaration.
And the establishment of a completely new position within Shrek Academy itself.
For Ji Lin to become Mu En's disciple…
Was not something ordinary that could easily be ignored.
Nor was it a title that would quietly pass unnoticed.
It clearly meant only one thing.
From this moment onward, Shrek's eyes would turn toward him.
The academy's resources would unconsciously begin moving in his direction.
And even the Sea God Pavilion itself would cast its shadow over that new boy.
From this moment forward…
Ji Lin was no longer merely a student who had entered Shrek Academy.
He had become a name that could no longer be ignored.
Someone whose existence would force many calculations to be rewritten.
And in the shadows, countless things had already begun changing without anyone noticing.
As for Ji Lin himself…
He still did not yet fully understand the true meaning behind those words.
Meanwhile, Ji Lin slowly entered the dormitory while his thoughts remained tangled inside his head because of everything that had happened since entering Shrek Academy.
Because of that, he did not immediately pay attention to his surroundings.
But when he finally raised his eyes, his footsteps froze briefly.
Dust was scattered almost everywhere.
Across the floor.
The windows.
And the corners of the narrow room.
Even the air itself felt slightly suffocating from long neglect.
Ji Lin's brows slowly lowered before he released a faint sigh while staring at the mess before him.
Then he calmly raised his hand.
In the very next moment, he used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Poof—!
Three clones instantly appeared inside the room before quickly scattering toward different corners without requiring any additional orders.
Hands immediately began moving rapidly while dust rose into the air alongside the constant sounds of cleaning.
One clone opened the windows.
Another began arranging the beds and cabinets.
As for the third, it carefully cleaned the floor and walls.
As time passed, the appearance of the room gradually began changing.
The dust disappeared.
The air became lighter.
Even the sunlight slipping through the windows appeared clearer than before.
After finishing the cleaning, the three clones quietly vanished while Ji Lin left the dormitory and headed toward the first-year students' cafeteria to grab something quick to eat.
Each student year within Shrek Academy possessed its own cafeteria located directly behind the dormitory area, so it did not take him long to arrive.
But the moment he stepped inside, his brows slightly rose in surprise.
The cafeteria was almost completely empty.
No tables.
No chairs.
No place at all for students to sit while eating.
The place looked nearly bare except for a washing area at one side meant for cleaning hands and dishes.
As for the interior itself, several food-ordering windows stretched across the wall, each carrying a different menu from the others.
There were eight windows in total.
And the farther left one looked, the more noticeably the prices increased.
His eyes lingered on the scene for several moments before his gaze swept across the place once more.
Are they seriously supposed to eat while standing like this…?
There was even a sign near the entrance clearly warning students not to take food outside the cafeteria.
That caused Ji Lin to release a soft laugh filled with disbelief.
It seems Flender's spiritual legacy is still alive and thriving even after hundreds… perhaps thousands of years.
In the end, he walked directly toward the most expensive window in the cafeteria without the slightest hesitation.
He ordered two dishes made from spirit beast meat along with some vegetables before quietly and quickly beginning to eat.
After everything he had gone through since arriving in this world, he was in no mood to complain about good food.
He finished the meal within a short time before washing his hands and quietly leaving the cafeteria.
When Ji Lin returned to the dormitory, he found someone already waiting for him inside.
Wang Dong'er stood quietly beside the bed with her arms folded before her chest while her chin lifted slightly in an unmistakably arrogant manner.
Her back was perfectly straight.
Her gaze was cold.
And her tone sounded even colder than that.
So…you're in this room too.
Her eyes paused on him briefly before she continued indifferently:
And since you at least look relatively clean, I reluctantly allowed you to stay here with me.
Then she immediately added before giving him any chance to speak:
But there are rules you must follow precisely.
She slightly raised a finger as she began counting.
First, you are not allowed to bring anyone into the room whenever you want.
Second, don't wander around naked and disturb others.
Third, snoring while sleeping is forbidden.
Fourth, don't bother me.
Fifth…
Her gaze shifted toward the bed behind her before she added in a firm tone:
Cleaning the room is your responsibility, but don't touch my bed.
Then she raised her eyes toward him once again.
Understood?
Ji Lin remained standing near the entrance without immediately moving.
He calmly lifted his eyes toward her while his gaze remained steady, free from any urgency or obvious emotion.
As for Wang Dong'er, although she maintained her cold appearance,the visible tension in her expression eased slightly when her eyes landed on his carefully arranged clothes.
His clothing was remarkably clean and orderly, matching the calm manner in which he stood before her.
After several short moments, Ji Lin slightly raised his head.
Then he spoke in a calm and direct voice without the slightest hesitation.
I'm sorry…but I can't accept your demands.
His eyes remained steadily fixed upon her before he calmly continued:
And honestly…I don't like your attitude to begin with.
Deep within Ji Lin, there were complicated feelings toward Wang Dong'er.
Feelings he could not completely deny.
But that alone was not enough to make him bow his head to her.
Nor was it enough to turn him into an obedient follower like Huo Yuhao.
His status would never allow submission.
Neither would his pride.
Wang Dong'er fixed her gaze on him for a moment before her eyes widened slightly, as though she could not believe what she had just heard.
And in the very next moment, anger clearly ignited across her beautiful face.
Hah? How dare you refuse me?
Her voice rose as she took a step toward him.
Then your stay in Shrek Academy is only a matter of time.
Her eyes narrowed further while her voice became colder and sharper.
It seems you're dissatisfied with me.
Then she lifted her chin with obvious confidence.
And if you won't submit willingly…then I'll make you submit by force.
She directly rushed toward him before shoving him outside the room and pointing toward the open courtyard before the dormitory.
It was obvious she had already decided to subdue him by force no matter the cost.
As for Ji Lin, he remained standing calmly in place without retreating even a single step.
His feet stayed firmly planted upon the ground while his shoulders relaxed naturally, yet his eyes remained strikingly sharp.
Then a cold smile appeared across his lips.
You should make the first move.
His eyes remained steadily fixed upon her before he added:
Otherwise… you won't get any chance at all.
He was calm in an unnatural way.
Far calmer than someone should be before a direct confrontation.
But that calmness was not emptiness or recklessness.
It was genuine confidence.
Confidence born from the experience, skills, and techniques he inherited from Kenshiro, Rei… and Itachi Uchiha.
Even if he had not fully mastered them yet.
And in his current state, Wang Dong'er was not an opponent capable of matching him.
In truth, no one below the level of a Spirit Elder could even touch him.
His gaze quietly rested upon her.
Wang Dong'er was undeniably beautiful.
But in his opinion, there was something slightly ruining the picture.
She still wore male clothing.
And if she abandoned it, the overwhelming presence granted by her spirit would feel far more complete.
Even so, he could not ignore several obvious details before him.
Her chest appeared slightly fuller than that of ordinary boys.
And her face was far softer and more attractive.
Even while wearing men's clothing, the youthful lines of her body remained clearly visible before his eyes.
As for Wang Dong'er, she lifted her chin confidently while her sharp gaze settled firmly upon him.
What is your martial soul?
Then she continued in a voice overflowing with pride:
You should have surrendered from the beginning.
A clear aura of arrogance filled her tone as she added:
The Radiant Butterfly is the supreme martial soul among all light-type spirits.
She paused briefly before pointing at him with confidence.
Admit your defeat, and I'll spare you.
Then she coldly added:
That's why I won't even use my martial soul against you.
And despite her obvious arrogance, it was not difficult to notice something else.
Wang Dong'er had not yet fully mastered her own strength.
Because of that, she genuinely feared accidentally injuring Ji Lin if she directly used her martial soul.
Meanwhile, Ji Lin remained just as calm as before.
His expression did not change in the slightest.
He lightly raised a brow before asking steadily:
And what if my martial soul is stronger than yours?
Disdain immediately surfaced across Wang Dong'er's face.
Hah…are you still pretending?
Then she lifted her chin even higher.
There is no martial soul in this world stronger than the Radiant Butterfly.
But Ji Lin did not waver.
His voice emerged calm and steady without the slightest urgency.
Then…let's make a bet.
His eyes locked directly onto hers.
If I'm weaker than you, then from now on I'll become your little brother.
Then a faint smile appeared across his lips.
But if you lose…
His gaze deepened slightly.
Then you'll become my little brother… and you'll obey my orders.
The words came out with complete confidence.
His voice was not loud, yet the calmness itself made his confidence far clearer.
Deep inside, he knew exactly what he wanted from this wager.
As long as Wang Dong'er agreed to the condition…
Executing his plans within the academy would become far easier.
As for Wang Dong'er, she did not hesitate even for a single moment.
The challenge blazing within her eyes was obvious, and the excitement at seeing him admit defeat was clearly written across her face.
Of course!
She proudly lifted her head before adding:
If I lose, I'll do whatever you want.
And the instant Ji Lin confirmed her agreement…
He released his martial soul.
At first, his eyes remained completely normal, as though nothing had changed.
But after only a brief moment, the transformation began.
Very slowly, beneath an oppressive inner pressure, his pupils gradually widened while the darkness within his irises slowly receded.
And as that dark color faded away, crimson red emerged from the depths.
A color both glowing and cold at the same time.
It spread slowly until it completely settled within his eyes.
Then a single black tomoe appeared revolving around the pupil.
A sharp and curved black mark.
And with its appearance, the one-tomoe Sharingan was complete.
His eyes transformed into pure crimson, carrying a mysterious pressure and unnatural heaviness.
As though those eyes no longer belonged to an ordinary human.
Anyone who looked directly into them would feel as though every movement they made had become completely exposed.
As though even the smallest change within their body could no longer remain hidden.
They were no longer merely human eyes.
But eyes that mercilessly captured the finest details.
Tracking breathing.
Seeing the trembling of muscles.
Watching the flow of power within the body moment by moment.
But it did not stop with the Sharingan alone.
Deep within that crimson color, the properties of the Spiritual Eye quietly fused into it with terrifying harmony.
Granting that gaze a visual perception so sharp it became frightening.
Precise vision.
Piercing spiritual awareness.
Until it seemed as though his eyes no longer saw merely the outer appearance…
But everything beneath it as well.
And the instant Wang Dong'er's gaze met those eyes—
She froze in place as a chill ran through her body.
Her confident smile disappeared.
The lightness that had filled her features moments ago completely vanished.
In its place remained only tense silence and hidden shock.
Those eyes were not reading her thoughts.
But they saw enough to move ahead of her actions themselves.
They saw the movement of her muscles before she even acted.
They saw the shift in her breathing before the rhythm of her attack changed.
They saw the deviation of soul power within her body before it transformed into actual movement.
The courtyard filled with heavy silence.
Even the air itself seemed frozen between them.
As for Ji Lin's calm smile…
It alone was enough to send cold fear into the heart.
And in that moment, the balance of power between them completely overturned.
That simple challenge instantly transformed into a genuine confrontation before a terrifying hybrid eye.
A crimson one-tomoe Sharingan fused with the properties of the Spiritual Eye in deadly silence.
A glowing crimson mirror.
The eye of demons and geniuses.
The eternal curse of the Uchiha Clan.
The Sharingan.