Tang Hao Comes Knocking to Demand Answers?

"Ah-choo! Ah-choo!"

"Hm? Was I catching a cold?"

"Probably. That guy Tang San must be cursing someone."

On the way back, Xiao Xuan blew his nose.

Though he had no way of monitoring what Tang San was thinking at that moment, based on the personality he displayed in the original story, Xiao Xuan could more or less guess.

Nothing more than secretly regretting it, then resolving to work even harder.

In any case, the grudge had already been formed.

The two of them were bound to clash even more in the future.

Curse all you wanted. I'll give you the chance to curse me while lying down—that's the only right of the weak.

"Sure enough, the system mission has already been completed."

"The reward has arrived: Xiao Wu's Mark?"

"So what exactly is this thing for?"

Too lazy to care about Tang San's problems, Xiao Xuan turned his gaze to the panel.

There, he saw that the additional mission for the second ring

had been completed successfully, and the reward had appeared automatically.

A "mark," as the name suggested, was a special imprint.

As long as Xiao Xuan wished to know Xiao Wu's current location, this system reward could provide him with an accurate answer.

Moreover, he made a rather unexpected discovery.

This thing had not appeared out of nowhere.

Rather, during the battle just now, the Three Illusion Gods had used their own power

to silently lock onto that girl's soul.

"I didn't expect it to use divine power for detection."

"It can even relay images of Xiao Wu's surroundings. Pretty advanced!"

"Unfortunately, it consumes spirit power, and it seems to be related to distance. It's like an extra spirit skill."

"When there's nothing going on, I'd better not keep staring at it every day."

Xiao Xuan quickly figured out how it worked and casually checked on the girl's situation.

He happened to notice Xiao Wu walking through Nuoding Academy, with several roommates beside her as she asked around for Yu Xiaogang's whereabouts.

It seemed she was planning to find that guy and have him help treat Tang San's injuries.

Naturally, none of that was Xiao Xuan's concern.

Before long, he returned directly to the City Lord's Manor.

He called Hu Liena along, and after lunch, the two went out for a stroll.

It was something he had agreed on with that mature beauty before leaving.

Although cultivation was extremely important, proper relaxation and balancing work with rest were also necessary.

"Sister Nana, let's go back to Spirit Hall."

"We've been out for so many days. It's time to get back to studying properly."

To avoid making it too obvious, they stayed for another full three days.

Every day, he and Hu Liena cultivated together to improve their coordination.

Until, when he felt the timing was about right, Xiao Xuan took the initiative to suggest returning to Spirit City to cultivate.

There was no doubt about it.

Once Tang San recovered from his injuries, he would definitely speed up his training to catch up.

If Xiao Xuan fell behind, he would definitely get beaten up next time.

He couldn't let that guy have a chance to show off.

Once they returned to Spirit City, he would immediately go hunt a spirit ring.

He would complete the second-stage mission and obtain a brand-new spirit skill.

And while he was at it, he would see how many more levels the "balance" of Innate Full Spirit Power could raise him by.

"So... soon?"

"What I meant was, have you finished with your business?"

Caught off guard by the question, Hu Liena looked somewhat surprised.

To be honest, although she had been staying at the City Lord's Manor for several days, she had absolutely no idea what Xiao Xuan had actually been doing.

At a glance, he had merely chatted with his family from time to time and visited his brother, who had been beaten into a cripple.

Then he shut himself in a room with her, the two of them sitting face-to-face and urging each other onward.

She always felt that... he was hiding something from her?

Hu Liena really wanted to ask him directly, yet she did not know how to bring it up.

Thinking back to what her teacher had mentioned, that Chrysanthemum Douluo would protect Xiao Xuan while observing him, she simply kept quiet, deciding to ask her teacher about it later.

At this moment, the girl still had no idea about Xiao Xuan's various plans.

Even Ju Hua Guan, who had been observing from the sidelines, was completely baffled and had no clue what was going on.

He was still worrying about how he would explain things to His Holiness the Pope after returning.

"Mm, I'm already done."

"Thank you, Senior Sister. Without you, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

"Then I'll bid my father farewell, and we should head back as soon as possible..."

Seeing Xiao Xuan's gentle smile, Hu Liena's pretty face flushed red.

Then, a deep confusion surfaced in her eyes again.

Had I even done anything these past few days?

Without giving it much thought, the two simply packed their belongings.

While it was still early, they left Nuoding City and returned to the Pope's Palace.

Yet no one noticed

that just as Xiao Xuan, Hu Liena, and Ju Hua Guan were departing, inside Yu Xiaogang's room at Nuoding Academy, the Master who claimed to be unrivaled in theory but was actually utter trash

was facing the greatest trial of his life!

"Hello, Master."

"Come to think of it, it has been twenty years since we last met."

"With how I look now, it is no wonder you did not recognize me."

Tang Hao slowly entered the room, removed his hood, and gazed at him.

His expression was indifferent, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Yu Xiaogang, who had been reading, was instantly startled.

According to the original plot, this meeting should have taken place about a year later.

That was when Tang San and Xiao Wu returned home for their holiday.

But because Xiao Xuan had appeared and brutally beaten someone up, Tang Hao could no longer sit still. He had shown himself early and come to meet Yu Xiaogang.

"You are... Hao Tian..."

"So my guess was right. You really are Little San's father."

"I wonder, what brings you here...?"

Although he had already suspected as much, seeing his idol in person

still made Yu Xiaogang's first reaction one of surprise mixed with confusion.

Only then did he recall what had happened a few days ago.

Could this man have come to demand an explanation for his son?

But Xiao Xuan was at the City Lord's Manor. By all rights, he could have simply gone there.

Could he have come to cause trouble for me instead?!

Thinking of his identity as Tang San's teacher, with his disciple having been beaten so badly, it seemed as though he had failed in his duty as a teacher.

Perhaps the parent had really come to "reason" with him!

At that thought, cold sweat poured down Yu Xiaogang's forehead.

This was a man who even dared to kill the Pope of Spirit Hall.

Although he had met him before, they could hardly be called familiar.

If Tang Hao was here to pick a fight, he would be in serious trouble!

"Back when I heard that you had taken Little San as your disciple, I was quite reassured."

"But the battle a few days ago left me somewhat disappointed."

"I do not blame you, nor do I blame that child named Xiao Xuan."

"How could one's path of growth possibly be smooth all the way? It is not a bad thing to experience failure early."

"However, I do have some doubts as to whether your abilities are truly as remarkable as the rumors claim."

"I did not come here today to hold you accountable."

"I merely wish for Master to prove, if only a little, that you are indeed qualified to teach my son."

Sure enough, just as Yu Xiaogang was panicking, Tang Hao spoke first, his tone weathered and his expression grave.

And what he brought up truly was related to the quality of his teaching!

"H-How am I supposed to prove that?"

"Tang San's talent is absolutely beyond question."

"Before this, the special training I arranged for him had all been appropriate."

"I never expected that someone of the same age could defeat him so completely. That was my oversight."

"But I do not believe there is any problem with my teaching methods!"