Refusing to Accept Yu Xiaogang

A gentle breeze blew past, teasing Su Ran's immortal silk.

Faint sunlight spilled through the gaps in the surrounding shade and onto his exquisite Peach Blossom Mask.

Su Ran was somewhat disoriented.

The speed at which he had knelt was simply too fast, enough to shock even Su Ran.

He had never imagined that one day, the master Yu Xiaogang would kneel on the ground and beg him to take him as a disciple.

"Master..."

"Just call me Gangzi. That's what my father used to call me."

"..."

"All right, Gangzi. Back in the Great Soul Arena just now, you clearly didn't have any strong desire to join my Peach Blossom Spring Academy. Why did you suddenly change your mind now?"

Su Ran asked, somewhat puzzled.

This contrast between before and after—was this something a person could do?

Oh, the master seemed to be a dog.

If a person could not do it, a dog could.

Su Ran remembered now. The master's Mutated Martial Soul, Luo San Pao, was a fat dog that only knew how to fart.

Yu Xiaogang, around fifty years old, Mutated Martial Soul Luo San Pao, Soul Power rank 29, aptitude rating: E-.

"Sigh—" Yu Xiaogang let out a sigh.

"Your disciple only figured it out after coming out just now and standing in the cold wind for a while. I originally thought the academy's disciples were so powerful because they were all like Xiao San, naturally gifted and clever, with backgrounds that reached the heavens.

But in fact, the families behind the academy's four disciples don't possess such ability. Otherwise, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not only have its current status. And every one of them has unique skills, even causing their own Martial Souls to undergo beneficial evolution. It couldn't have been done by the families behind them. Then only you, Teacher, could accomplish all of this."

"Teacher, to be honest with you, I was born in the Upper Three Sects' Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. I should have awakened the continent's top-tier Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, but because of a Martial Soul mutation, my Martial Soul became the useless Martial Soul Luo San Pao. I worked hard to read through all kinds of materials and study Martial Soul knowledge, hoping to find a way to free myself from this useless Martial Soul,"

"However, things went against my wishes. No matter how hard I tried, my Soul Power always advanced slowly, and in the end, I remained stuck at rank 29 Soul Power for many years without moving forward."

"You were able to transform the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda into the indestructible Seven Treasures Golden Bell Glazed Glazed Pagoda, allowing that child to evolve unparalleled power. You can definitely help me too."

"Please accept me. I truly want to evolve so badly."

"If my Martial Soul evolves, I'll listen to everything you say."

"I'll respect you the same way I would respect my father."

"I want so badly to become a powerful Soul Master. I even dream about it!"

At this moment, Yu Xiaogang had none of a master's bearing at all. He was only one step away from hugging Su Ran's thigh and bawling loudly.

Even Su Ran was almost moved by him.

Until Yu Xiaogang said he would respect him like his father. Su Ran abruptly snapped awake.

No, did you have any respect for your father?

You did not go home for decades and never listened to a single word from your old father. That was respect?

Unfilial son!!!

"Unfortunately, you're already a Spirit Ability Theory Master. I have nothing I can teach you."

"Whatever you do, don't call me Teacher."

Su Ran patted Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder, leaving behind only one sentence before turning and walking away:

"There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters. As long as you work hard and strive to improve, you'll definitely succeed. Good luck!"

This was the master's own theory.

Using his own spear to attack his own shield—pray tell, how would he break this move?

Yu Xiaogang was rendered speechless. Why did that sentence sound so familiar? Wasn't that his own theory?

"Dean Su, I've already laid myself bare to this extent, and you still won't help me?"

"We have fate but no destiny. I can't teach you."

Su Ran did not even look back. Take Yu Xiaogang as his disciple?

Was there something wrong with my brain?

His aptitude was E-, even lower than that idiot student of his, Wang Sheng.

With so many talented students I could quickly train, why would I ignore them and accept him? Was he pure and innocent?

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Su Ran, sooner or later, you'll regret this!"

Yu Xiaogang's voice rang out from behind him, completely losing control.

"Xiaogang, were you talking with that guy Su Ran just now?"

"Yeah. We had just walked out when we faintly heard you shouting."

Yu Xiaogang had only just dusted off the dirt on his knees when, in the arena, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Qin Ming happened to bring the students out. They looked somewhat confused, having seemed to faintly hear the master's cry just now.

"Oh, nothing. Su Ran wanted to hire me as a teacher at Peach Blossom Spring Academy, but I rejected him with cutting words."

"Xiao San, Mubai, don't completely lose confidence because of this defeat. This defeat was mainly because you and Fatty made far too many mistakes, Mubai. Because of what happened before, you let your emotions get the better of you during the match. After this, I'll bring out my true, best-kept skills to teach you, draw out your greatest potential as Soul Masters, and let you fight with composure and calm."

"If you run into Peach Blossom Spring Academy again next time, I hope you can analyze the battle with a rational mind. You can't be careless in the slightest."

Yu Xiaogang straightened his clothes and spoke to the Shrek students with a solemn expression.

"Do we really still have a chance to beat them?"

"My eyes..."

"My left leg..."

"Teacher, can you really do it?"

After Yu Xiaogang finished speaking, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the other students all showed expressions of Lack of Confidence. Even in their Peak State, they had been crushed by the girls of Peach Blossom Spring Academy, let alone now that two of their main fighters had become disabled.

Among them, because Ma Hongjun's front teeth had been knocked out, air leaked when he spoke.

"Xiao San, even you don't believe me?"

"Teacher, I want to be alone."

Tang San glanced at Grandmaster and said nothing more, only walking ahead by himself in despair.

Xiao Wu followed after him and whispered, "Third Brother, why don't we go to Peach Blossom Spring Academy together and become disciples there? We can beg Teacher Su Ran and ask him to keep us. I don't want to stay at Shrek anymore. I don't want to lose this chance."

"..."

"Teacher, what did that sleazy middle-aged man call you over to say just now?"

"Oh, nothing. He wanted to study with you too."

On this side, Su Ran took his four students down a small path, avoiding the main road as they left Suotuo City in a low-key manner.

Ning Rongrong had swept up a million Gold Soul Coins. Who knew how many gamblers she had bled dry? Among those people, there were probably quite a few planning to find someone to block their way and snatch back the money Ning Rongrong had won.

On the road, the moment Ning Rongrong thought of a middle-aged-to-elderly uncle around fifty years old cultivating together with them, goosebumps rose all over her body, and she shuddered.

"Teacher, you didn't agree, did you?"

Su Ran nodded. "That's right."

"Huh? Teacher, how could you agree! I don't like that Grandmaster at all. He clearly doesn't have much Soul Power himself, yet he walks around with a sour face like someone stole his wife. Teacher~ how could you recruit him into our Peach Blossom Spring Academy~"

Ning Rongrong tugged Su Ran's hand and acted spoiled.

"Obviously, Teacher was teasing a fool. If Teacher were even willing to accept him, he wouldn't have refused the other teachers and students from Shrek when they wanted to join our Peach Blossom Spring Academy."

Meng Yiran was smarter than Ning Rongrong and saw the clue at a glance.

"Oh, right?"

"No, you're the fool!"

"Is that any way to talk to your Senior Disciple Sister!"

Only belatedly did Ning Rongrong realize Meng Yiran was insulting her. Her little face changed, and the airs of a Senior Disciple Sister immediately came out.

"Forget it. Today's a good day, so I won't argue with you. I earned a million Gold Soul Coins, and when we get back to the academy, I can even kiss Teacher~ How wonderful~"

When she said this, Meng Yiran and Zhu Zhuqing also became filled with anticipation. They only wanted to return to the academy as soon as possible and have Teacher fulfill the victory reward.

But just as they left the city district and were about to reach the gates of Peach Blossom Spring Academy, under the shade of a Peach Blossom Tree, a black figure completely shrouded in a black robe leaned against the tree, as if waiting for something to arrive. Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly reminded him, "Teacher, there seems to be someone up ahead. They don't look friendly."

The middle-aged man under the black robe saw Su Ran return with his four cheerful disciples. He glanced at Su Ran indifferently, an unfriendly aura radiating from him as he said coolly, "You're finally back."

"I heard that in this tiny place, there's an extraordinary teacher. I'd like to spar with you."