The Self-Important Gangzi

Next, Zhao Wuji explained the details of this spirit hunt to Flender one by one.

He placed particular emphasis on Shen Tianchen.

When he mentioned the "bull's roar" Xiao Wu had spoken of, the clever Gangzi made his appearance.

In truth, he had been secretly listening to Flender and Zhao Wuji's conversation all along. In order to show the other party how knowledgeable and well-versed in theory he was, Gangzi had deliberately chosen this moment to step forward.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang appear, Flender hurriedly introduced him to Zhao Wuji. "Old Zhao, let me introduce you. This is Yu Xiaogang, who once traveled the Spirit Master World with me. He is the wisdom corner of our Golden Iron Triangle, known as the Grandmaster."

"So you are the Grandmaster. I've heard much about you. I had heard quite a few of your theories before," Zhao Wuji said politely.

He recalled that Flender had indeed mentioned that his friend, the Grandmaster, would soon come to Shrek Academy as a teacher. But Zhao Wuji had long since forgotten about it. Only upon seeing the man in person did he remember.

To anyone perceptive, those words were merely the usual pleasantries exchanged upon a first meeting. Yet in Gangzi's eyes, they became praise.

Gangzi slowly clasped his hands behind his back and slightly raised his head, putting on a profound air as he said, "Immovable Ming King, you are too polite. As for the bull's roar you mentioned earlier, I do know a little about it."

"Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to hear a Titled Douluo discuss it. The owner of that roar was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast even stronger than the Titan Giant Ape, known as the Sky Azure Bull Python."

"Stronger than the Titan Giant Ape!" Zhao Wuji and Flender were both somewhat shocked.

Gangzi continued, "If the Titan Giant Ape is the king of the forest, then the Sky Azure Bull Python is the emperor of the forest."

Zhao Wuji stood there in astonishment for a moment before saying, "As expected of the Grandmaster. You even know that."

Gangzi continued to wave his hand with affected restraint, signaling that Zhao Wuji was being too polite. "How is Xiao San doing?"

Zhao Wuji was caught off guard by the sudden question, and Flender quickly added, "Old Zhao, Xiao Gang is Tang San's teacher. Quickly give him a brief explanation of the situation."

At that moment, Zhao Wuji's mouth twitched slightly.

What the hell was this guy?

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

A mere Soul Grandmaster dared to put on airs in front of him?

If not for Flender's sake, he would have demanded an explanation from Gangzi already.

Seeing that his expression had turned rather unpleasant, Flender mildly rebuked him. "Old Zhao, what are you doing? He's asking you a question."

For Flender's sake, Zhao Wuji simply gave a brief account of Tang San's situation this time.

When Gangzi heard that Tang San's third soul ring had not come from the Man Faced Demon Spider he had planned for, he immediately said angrily, "How could you let Xiao San absorb the soul ring of a plant-type soul beast like the Thorn Demon Vine? I clearly planned several excellent animal-type soul beasts for Xiao San. Did he not tell you?"

Zhao Wuji's face darkened.

Give you an inch and you take a mile, huh?

Had Tang San's soul ring been obtained with his help? What was this guy getting worked up with him for?

Seeing Zhao Wuji's expression become extremely ugly, as though he was on the verge of exploding, Flender hurriedly pulled back the chattering Gangzi. "Xiao Gang, Old Zhao already told me earlier that he was not the one who obtained the soul ring. By the time they arrived, Tang San had already absorbed it."

"This matter has nothing to do with Old Zhao. You can't..."

Yu Xiaogang still said with an unfriendly expression, "It would have been one thing if you did not help Xiao San hunt for a soul beast, but you even allowed him to be placed in danger. If Xiao San's talent is ruined because of this, I won't let you off!"

Zhao Wuji clenched his fists. Tang San's third soul ring came from the Thorn Demon Vine, one of the higher-quality plant-type soul beasts.

Besides, did a plant-type martial soul not absorb soul rings from plant-type soul beasts?

Yu Xiaogang truly knew how to twist right and wrong.

Flender, meanwhile, wore an awkward expression.

The one who had helped Tang San hunt for a soul beast was a student Flender himself had personally chosen.

If Yu Xiaogang found out, Flender would not escape a scolding either.

After Flender persuaded Yu Xiaogang for a while, the latter finally left the office while grumbling and cursing, rushing toward the student dormitories.

Once Gangzi had left, Zhao Wuji could no longer sit still. "Dean, what the hell is that guy? His strength is nothing special, but his mouth sure is sharp. Are you really planning to keep a Soul Grandmaster in his fifties like that at the academy?"

Flender was also in a difficult position. No one knew Yu Xiaogang's temperament better than he did, but the academy currently needed someone with a solid theoretical foundation to serve as a teacher.

So he continued persuading him. "Old Zhao, our academy only has six students right now. Once Shen Tianchen and the others join, there will be eight—just enough for the Spirit Master Tournament."

"Think about it. When Shrek Academy enters the Spirit Master Tournament with such a lineup, how wonderful will those people's expressions be? Don't you want to see it?"

"But he..."

"It's nothing. I plan to hand the children's training over to Xiao Gang in the future. We can take this chance to enjoy some peace and quiet. When the time comes, we'll only need to reap the reputation for free. Isn't that great?"

Shrek Academy's boys' dormitory.

Tang San was repairing his hidden weapons at the table.

This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest had made him realize just how helpless Control Type spirit masters could be when facing opponents stronger than themselves.

If he could forge the hidden weapons ranked in the top ten of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, he would not have been so helpless against the Man Faced Demon Spider and the Titan Giant Ape.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

He immediately stopped what he was doing.

With a light tap of his finger on Twenty-Four Bridges Bright Moon Night, he stored the blueprints and hidden weapons on the table inside the Soul Tool.

As the door opened, Tang San saw who had come and immediately greeted him warmly. "Teacher, you're here. Come in."

After entering the room, Gangzi sat down in a chair and said to Tang San, "Xiao San, tell me about your third soul ring."

Tang San's heart tightened.

His third soul ring came from a thousand-year Thorn Demon Vine, not the Man Faced Demon Spider Yu Xiaogang had planned for him.

As he delved deeper into cultivating Soul Power, Tang San came to understand that Yu Xiaogang wanted his Blue Silver Grass to develop in the direction of poison.

The Man Faced Demon Spider, whether in quality or abilities, was extremely suited to his teacher's requirements.

Unfortunately, the situation had been urgent at the time, and that Man Faced Demon Spider had managed to escape by sheer luck.

Afterward, in order to increase his chances of saving Xiao Wu, he had chosen to absorb the Thorn Demon Vine's soul ring.

He was also grateful to Shen Tianchen for stepping forward so righteously. However, Shen Tianchen did not understand his teacher's plans, so naturally he could not know the good intentions behind them.

Thinking back on it now, Tang San could not help but feel worried.

"Teacher, my third soul ring came from a thousand-year Thorn Demon Vine. Its ability is called Thorn Binding. It has made my Blue Silver Grass tougher than before, and the thorns on it can injure even opponents of the same level if they try to break free."

Yu Xiaogang sighed after hearing this. "Xiao San, how could you be so foolish?"

"Your first two soul rings both possess a certain poison attribute. If your third soul ring had come from the Man Faced Demon Spider, the poison attribute of your Blue Silver Grass would have become even stronger. Have you forgotten how you taught Wang Sheng a lesson back then?"

Yu Xiaogang stopped speaking. He believed that with Tang San's intelligence, he would understand.

Yet he could not understand why his disciple, who had always listened to him, had become so reckless.

Tang San gave a bitter smile and then explained the full sequence of events.

However, he greatly downplayed Shen Tianchen's role.

He only said that Shen Tianchen had helped him obtain the soul ring, while presenting the suggestion as his own.

Dai Mubai had mentioned that Shen Tianchen would likely become his classmate. Tang San understood his teacher's temperament, and to avoid creating resentment between future classmates, he had chosen to handle it this way.

Upon hearing Shen Tianchen's name again, Gangzi fell silent.

He had heard Flender and Zhao Wuji mention that name several times today.

Tang San had already absorbed his third soul ring, so there was no point in continuing the matter.

He did not want it to harm the harmony between master and disciple.

Being able to take in a disciple with Innate Full Soul Power already made him luckier than most teachers. If he angered Tang San into leaving, who would he complain to then?

Yu Xiaogang then changed the subject and asked about Shen Tianchen.

"Xiao San, is this Shen Tianchen very strong?"

He had heard from Flender that Shen Tianchen had defeated Dai Mubai in just two moves, so he felt it necessary to learn more.

If possible, he also wanted to see whether he could take Shen Tianchen as a disciple.

That way, both of his disciples would be exceptionally gifted. In the future, his theories would surely become known throughout the entire Spirit Master World.

He believed Tang San possessed Twin Martial Souls, a gift seen only once in a hundred years, and his future was limitless.

Shen Tianchen might also be good, but he was certainly inferior to Tang San.

Tang San was extremely certain of Shen Tianchen's strength.

After all, when he had faced the Man Faced Demon Spider, he had struggled greatly, while Shen Tianchen had driven it away in just two strikes.

When hunting the Thorn Demon Vine, Shen Tianchen had moved so quickly that Tang San had needed to use the Purple Demon Eye just to see clearly.

After describing Shen Tianchen's strength, Tang San also revealed that Flender intended to treat him as a core student and had plans to take him as a disciple.

"Oh? Flender has such intentions?" Yu Xiaogang said with interest.

But he was not comfortable letting someone with such excellent talent be snatched away by Flender. He had to guide him personally.

"Xiao San, do you know where he lives?"

Tang San shook his head.

Dai Mubai had previously told him that Dean Flender had searched in the city, but had found no news of Shen Tianchen.

"However, Shen Tianchen often takes part in spirit fights at the Great Soul Arena. There should be news of him there."