Yu Xiaogang's Lack of Restraint (Bonus Chapter)

Having gained nothing in Suotuo City, Flender dejectedly led a few old friends back to Shrek Academy.

When they reached the city gates, he noticed the commotion and could not help taking a few extra looks.

The person surrounded by soldiers looked somewhat familiar to him.

Suddenly, his brows rose. "Isn't that Xiaogang? How did he get into a conflict with the city guards?"

Without time to think further, he hurried forward to defuse the situation.

Flender knew very well just how much this old friend valued his pride.

If the gate guards refused to back down today, the two sides would likely remain locked in a standoff.

"Gentlemen, could you give me some face and let this matter go?" Flender said with an ingratiating smile.

Upon seeing him, the soldiers' attitudes softened considerably.

Flender was a Soul Saint Expert. Recently, he had also cracked down on criminal gangs within Suotuo City, saving them quite a bit of trouble.

Both sentiment and reason dictated that they should grant him this favor.

"Flender, what are you doing here?" Yu Xiaogang asked blandly.

The guard captain seized the chance to back down. "So he is Senior Flender's friend. A misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Everyone, disperse."

Yet Yu Xiaogang refused to let the matter rest. "Let it go? Heh. Spirit Masters are being charged an entrance fee to enter the city. If Spirit Hall learns of this, just wait to be thrown in prison!"

Spirit Hall represented the interests of all Spirit Masters.

Spirit Master subsidies, along with the many "privileges" exclusive to Spirit Masters, had all been secured by Spirit Hall.

Naturally, that included not having to pay an entrance fee when entering a city.

Previously, if Spirit Hall had learned of such a matter, these soldiers would at most have received a verbal reprimand.

But times had changed. Spirit Hall had become increasingly overbearing, and they were merely soldiers of the Balak Kingdom, not the Heaven Dou Empire.

If the matter were truly pursued, the Balak Kingdom would most likely throw them out as scapegoats to quell the fury of both Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire.

Flender did not want to blow the matter up and hurriedly pulled Yu Xiaogang away. "Come on, come on. Tonight, we drink until we drop."

Shrek Academy was already being targeted by the Balak Kingdom. If this matter were escalated, would they not be offending the Barak Royal Family?

The academy's situation would only become even more difficult in the future.

Faced with Flender's enthusiasm, Yu Xiaogang found it hard to refuse. After throwing out a few harsh words, he strode away.

Inside the hotel.

Qian Gu Changkong relaxed completely, sprawled out on the soft bed with his limbs spread wide.

"The human world really is more comfortable. These past few days have exhausted me."

Having obtained his Soul Ring, his biggest recent goal had been achieved, and he instinctively wanted to relax for a while.

However, Wu Qi had no intention of giving him that chance.

"Starting today, you can only participate in Soul Elder-level spirit battles. With your current Soul Power Level, you are at the very bottom in that bracket."

"Your winning streak may come to an end, but I hope you can keep your composure, figure out how Soul Elders fight, and then turn defeat into victory."

Qian Gu Changkong put on a mournful face. "Seriously? We just got back, and I already have to take part in spirit battles?"

Wu Qi knew that he was most likely reluctant to part with his points.

"If you lose tonight, we'll team up for a two-on-two spirit battle and win back the points you lost."

Hearing this, Qian Gu Changkong sprang upright and sat up with a grin. "Then it's a deal."

"But I can't guarantee we'll win," Wu Qi added.

There was always someone stronger, and a higher sky beyond every sky.

He did not dare guarantee that they would not run into a formidable team in their next match.

"Look at you." Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes.

She had no training goal, so whether her spirit battle badge level rose or not did not matter to her.

"Rongrong, you're already level twenty-six. You still need to spend more time cultivating. Once you break through, we'll help you obtain a Soul Ring," Wu Qi added.

"Really?" Ning Rongrong blinked eagerly.

Whether she obtained a Soul Ring was not important. What mattered was that they could stay together. That was enough.

Qian Gu Changkong hurriedly added, "You helped me hunt for my Soul Ring, so of course we'll help you. From now on, we're a team, and we still have to compete in the Spirit Master Competition."

Ning Rongrong was no stranger to the Spirit Master Competition. However, there were only three of them now—not enough to form a team—and they had not even enrolled yet.

One had to know that Advanced Spirit Master Academies often began preparing their Spirit Master Competition teams two years in advance.

By now, the preliminary candidates for each academy's team had already been decided. After enrolling, they would still have to compete with those on the list.

Besides, their Soul Power Levels were not particularly outstanding. They would have more than enough ability to join the teams of second-rate academies, but it would be difficult for them to achieve good results in the competition.

As for joining the team of a first-rate academy, their strength was still insufficient.

Ning Rongrong nodded slightly and said no more.

With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's influence, they had more options and did not need to rush.

Inside Shrek Academy.

Flender had originally planned to welcome Yu Xiaogang with a feast after nightfall, but Zhao Wuji happened to return with his team.

Yu Xiaogang only cared about Tang San's cultivation and did not care about the welcome banquet.

Thus, Flender no longer insisted.

Zhao Wuji reported what had happened during this soul hunt, placing particular emphasis on Wu Qi and the others.

When he mentioned the "bull's roar" Xiao Wu had spoken of, the wise Yu Xiaogang finally made his appearance.

He had been listening to their conversation in secret all along.

In order to display his accomplishments in theory, he had deliberately chosen this moment to step out.

"Old Zhao, let me introduce you. This is the brother I told you about, the one I roamed the continent with back then—Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang."

"So you're the Grandmaster. I've heard much of you," Zhao Wuji said politely.

Flender had indeed mentioned it to him before, but he had long since forgotten it completely.

Those words were merely polite pleasantries.

Yet in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, they became lavish praise.

With both hands clasped behind his back and his head held high, he said indifferently, "Immovable Bright King, you're too courteous. How is Little San doing?"

Flender hurriedly explained, "Old Zhao, Xiaogang is Tang San's master. Quickly, tell him what happened."

The corner of Zhao Wuji's mouth twitched.

What the hell was Yu Xiaogang acting so arrogant for?

Anyone who did not know better would think he was some Soul Douluo Expert from a major power.

A mere Soul Grandmaster dared to act so arrogantly before a Soul Saint?

Zhao Wuji was no kind man, and "Immovable Bright King" was even an infamous title!

If Flender had not been here, Yu Xiaogang would have long been slapped into a pile of mangled flesh.

Seeing his expression shift unpredictably, Flender barked, "Old Zhao, I'm asking you a question!"

For the sake of the dean, Zhao Wuji truthfully recounted what had happened to Tang San.

After hearing it, Yu Xiaogang flew into a rage. "Who told you to help Little San hunt a plant-type Soul Ring? Before he left, I had already selected several soul beasts for him. Didn't he tell you!?"

Zhao Wuji's eyes widened.

So he was pushing his luck now?

Besides, Tang San's Soul Ring had not been obtained with Zhao Wuji's help. Why was he taking it out on him?

Flender quickly grabbed Yu Xiaogang. "Xiaogang, Old Zhao just told me that Tang San chose and hunted that Soul Ring himself. It had nothing to do with him. You can't—"