Su Xuan Makes His Move

Yu Xiaogang looked at his beloved disciple's resolute expression, feeling puzzled. There was something inexplicably strange about this.

Yu Xiaogang frowned. "What exactly is going on? Why are you suddenly leaving? Your cultivation has only just begun. This is precisely the time to lay a solid foundation."

Tang San's expression suddenly became complicated. "Teacher, it's complicated. I can't explain it clearly right now, but I truly have to leave. I'm grateful for your guidance over these past two months. A teacher for a day, a father for life. But I'm afraid I won't be able to help with your ideals for the time being. You can find another student to inherit your knowledge and ideals."

As Tang San spoke, he became somewhat sorrowful. He truly regarded Yu Xiaogang as family.

Tang San knelt and kowtowed to Yu Xiaogang three times.

Yu Xiaogang hurriedly helped Tang San up, tears filling his eyes as well. This child was sensible and talented. To receive such a disciple, Heaven had truly treated Yu Xiaogang well.

Su Xuan watched the harmonious scene between master and disciple from the side, his gaze cold. Then he suddenly asked,

"I'm genuinely curious. Tang San, what is there to respect about a hypocrite like him?"

With Yu Xiaogang's support, Tang San rose to his feet, dusted off his knees, and said calmly,

"He is still my teacher. I've already said it—I hope you can show him a little more respect."

Su Xuan sneered. "Give me a reason."

Tang San said evenly, "If you truly refuse to spare my teacher with your words, then as his disciple, I have the duty to fight you and reclaim my teacher's honor."

Yu Xiaogang grabbed Tang San, somewhat comforted. This disciple had truly not been accepted in vain.

"There's no need to take it so seriously, Little San."

Tang San was stubborn. He stared solemnly at Su Xuan. "I hope you can apologize to my teacher."

Su Xuan truly laughed, laughing quite happily. Looking at Yu Xiaogang, Su Xuan softly asked, "Do you know who my first teacher was?"

Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were both confused. Why ask that all of a sudden?

Ignoring Tang San, Su Xuan's pale golden eyes met Yu Xiaogang's like a judgment. "My first teacher was Elder Wang—Elder Wang Mo."

It was as if Yu Xiaogang had been struck by lightning.

Looking at Yu Xiaogang, Su Xuan continued, "The living fossil of Spirit Hall, the guardian of the library—Elder Wang Mo."

Tang San supported Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang seemed to have suffered an enormous shock, his body trembling without end.

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Tang San's eyes were full of concern. He did not understand why merely mentioning a name had provoked such a strong reaction from Yu Xiaogang.

"Is... is he well?"

Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled slightly.

"He's still in fine health."

"Did he ever mention me?"

"Elder Wang told me that the greatest waste and most worthless student he ever taught in his life was you."

Yu Xiaogang looked utterly despondent.

Tang San could no longer hold back and asked, "Teacher, what exactly happened?"

Su Xuan looked coldly at Yu Xiaogang before him and mocked, "What else could it be? Elder Wang Mo was your teacher's mentor, while your teacher here was Elder Wang's most hated student. Elder Wang said that Yu Xiaogang, academically speaking, was incompetent and could only blindly copy others and spout empty theories. As for his character, it was utterly beyond saving."

Tang San grew furious. "Don't slander him without proof!"

Su Xuan looked at Tang San coldly. "Do you think someone as proud as me needs to slander others?"

Tang San fell silent. Indeed, this Saint Son's pride was difficult for ordinary people to understand, but as a genius himself, Tang San could grasp a little of it. This person truly disdained lying.

Yu Xiaogang pushed away Tang San's supporting hand. He had already calmed down. "Why did Elder Wang judge me that way?"

"Do you remember Elder Wang's first lesson?"

Yu Xiaogang was silent for a while before suddenly saying bitterly, "Any theory that has not been verified through practice only harms people. It must never be published."

Su Xuan looked at Yu Xiaogang mockingly. "And you? A so-called 'master' who has not even reached Soul Elder, presumptuously using old tales and records to infer sights you have never personally witnessed. What if some idiot actually believed you and got himself killed? Of course, there are certainly no fools among the powerful cultivators at higher levels. They merely see you as a joke."

Yu Xiaogang smiled bitterly and did not refute him.

Tang San did not know what to do. It seemed... it seemed his teacher was not on the side of reason after all.

"Then... is she well..."

Su Xuan's eyes instantly turned cold, and even the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"Shut up, Yu Xiaogang. You are not worthy of mentioning her."

Yu Xiaogang smiled bitterly. Was that so? He was not even worthy of bringing her up?

Tang San truly could not bear to see his teacher insulted. He stepped forward and said softly, "Enough. Constantly exposing someone's shortcomings is not the conduct of a gentleman."

Su Xuan said coldly, "I do not speak of virtue to people I despise. Besides, given my abilities, the fact that I haven't had someone kill him outright already counts as generosity."

"As his disciple, I cannot stand by and watch my teacher be humiliated."

Su Xuan smiled. "Fine, Tang San. Lest you truly think yourself such a great genius, I'll teach you a lesson first and make sure you don't become too arrogant."

Su Xuan wagged a finger. "I'll allow you to use any means you have. As long as you can make me take even one step back, I lose. Deal?"

"You will pay for your arrogance."

Tang Sect secret technique—Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon.

It had no effect whatsoever.

Tang San was not discouraged. He had never thought Su Xuan would be an easy opponent.

Su Xuan said with a smile, "Oh, right, Tang San. I'm about the same age as you, though I did grow a bit faster."

After saying that, Su Xuan released his Martial Soul. Divine radiance rose in his pale golden eyes, his black hair gradually turned golden, and he seemed to grow taller as well.

Yet the most eye-catching things were those two Soul Rings—golden Soul Rings.

A Soul Grandmaster?!

Yu Xiaogang simply could not believe his eyes.

Tang San's expression turned grave. Tang Sect secret technique—Mysterious Jade Hand.

Su Xuan remained as unmoving as a mountain.

It was as though Tang San's attacks were nothing more than a scratch.

Tang San's expression did not change. Martial Soul—Blue Silver Grass. First Soul Skill—Entanglement.

Poison and resilience.

Su Xuan casually traced a few strokes in the air, and a simple Hexagram Array appeared beneath his feet.

Su Xuan shook his head. "It's useless. Your grass is too weak."

"Then I'm using my trump card. Be careful."

Su Xuan nodded. "It's fine. Go ahead."

First Soul Skill—Dragon Might Domain.

Tang San felt himself being suppressed, as though he had been afflicted with a debuff.

Yet with his physical strength, he could still fight.

Tang Sect secret technique—Hundred Explanations of Hidden Weapons.

Iron darts filled the sky.

Yu Xiaogang had no choice but to find a safe spot to avoid being caught in the attack.

Even so, they still could not break through Su Xuan's golden barrier.

"Anything else?" Su Xuan smiled.

Tang San fell silent. If so, there was only this.

He looked at his left hand. There was the Clear Sky Hammer.

The number one power-type Martial Soul in the world.

The inherited Martial Soul of the world's greatest sect.

Tang San summoned the Clear Sky Hammer. Starting forward, accelerating, enduring the weakening effects of Dragon Might Domain, Tang San raised the Clear Sky Hammer high—Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer.

Once, twice, three times... twenty-seven times.

At this point, even Su Xuan was beginning to struggle.

This hammer technique grew stronger with every strike. In an ordinary battle, it would definitely smash him to pieces.

But now, Su Xuan had been overconfident and insisted on standing still to take the blows. Su Xuan was beginning to regret it. I won't be such an idiot again just to show off for a moment.

The twenty-eighth strike, Tang San's final attack, came crashing down as Tang San brought the Clear Sky Hammer down with unstoppable momentum.

Su Xuan used his second Soul Skill—Power of Heaven and Earth.

An unknown amount of dust flew into the air.

Su Xuan emerged coughing. He had still not taken a single step back.

As for Tang San, he had already collapsed from exhaustion, his eyes full of guilt. Even under such harsh conditions, he had still lost.

He had used every Tang Sect secret technique and both Martial Souls, exhausting every means at his disposal, yet he had still failed to make Su Xuan take even one step back.

Yu Xiaogang hurriedly ran over to help his beloved disciple up.

"Teacher..."

Tang San felt deeply ashamed. He had lost and disgraced himself.

Yu Xiaogang comforted him. "It's all right, Little San. With your talent, the future will still be yours."

"Teacher..."

"It's all right, Little San. Your teacher knows that my Innate Soul Power was only half a rank. I searched through every ancient text and could not find a way to break through, but you can. You can surpass the limits and prove my theories for me."

"Yes, Teacher. I'll definitely work hard..."

"Work hard. How touching."

Tang San glared at Su Xuan. This guy was making sarcastic remarks again.

Su Xuan smiled at Tang San. "What? Want to fight me?"

Su Xuan looked at Yu Xiaogang mockingly.

"Put away those theories of yours, Yu Xiaogang. Let me offer you a piece of advice."

Su Xuan clapped his hands, walked to the door, then turned back to look at Yu Xiaogang and said calmly,

"Those who stand in the desert of their own understanding can never behold the scenery seen by geniuses."