Whipping Yu Xiaogang!

Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed.

Without stopping to think, he rushed out from the shadows and spread his arms to block the boy's path.

"Xiao San!!"

That cry was filled with anguish, grievance, and a trace of deliberately feigned fatherly affection.

Tang San halted.

Looking at the disheveled, unshaven middle-aged man before him, he frowned slightly.

The foul stench of sweat and sourness assaulted his nose, making him instinctively take half a step back.

By the light of the lantern at the entrance, he recognized that face.

"It's you?"

Tang San's voice was as cold as if he were looking at a stranger.

Yu Xiaogang did not notice the change in Tang San's tone—or rather, he chose to ignore it.

Putting on an expression of heartfelt grief, his eyes reddened as he said:

"Xiao San! Teacher finally found you!"

"Do you know how worried Teacher has been for you along the way?"

"That Blue Silver King is only using you! He's from the Imperial Family, and his schemes run deep. How could he possibly be sincere toward you?"

"Look at yourself now, draped in gold and silver, reeking of money. Do you still look even remotely like a soul master?"

The more Yu Xiaogang spoke, the more worked up he became. He reached out, trying to grab Tang San by the shoulder.

"Quick, come with Teacher!"

"Leave this cesspool!"

"Only Teacher truly has your best interests at heart. Only Teacher's theories can raise you into a true powerhouse!"

"I'll devote every resource I have! Even if I have to risk this old life of mine, I'll support you all the way to the peak!"

Tang San shifted aside, avoiding Yu Xiaogang's filthy hand.

Looking at Yu Xiaogang's self-righteous, self-moved face, he felt nothing but disgust.

Back in the Soul Hunting Forest, when this man had chosen a Ten-Year Lone Bamboo for him, why had he not mentioned supporting him?

Now that he saw Tang San had followed the Blue Silver King, he came here to put on this pathetic act?

"Yu Xiaogang."

Tang San spat out the three words coldly.

He did not call him Teacher, nor did he call him Master.

He addressed him directly by name.

Yu Xiaogang froze, and the fatherly expression on his face stiffened.

"Y-You... what did you call me?"

"I said, Yu Xiaogang."

Tang San's gaze was like a blade, his tone devoid of the slightest warmth.

"You still have the nerve to show your face before me?"

"Didn't you get enough of that slap in the forest last time?"

"Do you want another taste of being beaten?"

Yu Xiaogang's face instantly flushed the color of liver.

Humiliation, fury, and disbelief tangled together.

He had always thought Tang San was an honest child who respected his teacher and valued propriety. He never expected him to become so disrespectful of his elders.

"Bastard!"

Yu Xiaogang pointed furiously at Tang San's nose.

"A teacher for a day, a father for life! I am your Teacher, yet you dare address me by name?"

"It seems that Blue Silver King only taught you to indulge in pleasure, but never taught you how to behave!"

"Today, I'll teach you, this rebellious disciple, a proper lesson in your father's place!"

With that, Yu Xiaogang took a step back and rapidly formed hand seals.

Though his strength was lacking, he was still a level 29 Soul Grandmaster.

And Tang San, in his memory, was merely a level 10 Soul Warrior who had awakened his martial soul only a few days ago and did not even have his first soul ring.

Teaching a child a lesson would be effortless, wouldn't it?

"Come out, Luo Sanpao!"

Pfft—

Accompanied by a sound like a fart, a round, chubby creature that looked both like a pig and a dog appeared on the ground.

"Luo luo!"

Luo Sanpao called out twice. Though it looked comical, it still had a somewhat intimidating build in the eyes of low-level Soul Masters.

"Farts like thunder, shattering heaven and earth—Luo Sanpao!"

Yu Xiaogang shouted, and two yellow rings lit up around him.

He wanted to teach Tang San a lesson and make him understand the rules of respecting one's teacher.

However.

The next second.

Tang San merely sneered and slowly raised his right hand.

Dark blue light surged in his palm.

Immediately after.

Buzz—

A dazzling, eerie purple ring rose from beneath Tang San's feet without warning.

The purple light instantly illuminated Yu Xiaogang's stunned face.

"Pur... purple?!"

"A thousand-year soul ring?!"

"That's impossible!!!"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. His shrill cry cracked from excessive shock.

But Tang San gave him no time to think.

"..."

Tang San uttered in a low voice.

This time, he did not use ordinary control.

Dozens of dark green vines shot forth like venomous snakes leaving their dens, instantly crossing several meters.

They no longer merely bound their targets. Instead, they pierced directly into the surface of Luo Sanpao and Yu Xiaogang's skin.

"Ah—!!"

Yu Xiaogang let out a scream.

To his horror, he discovered that these vines were not only incomparably tough; they were also like countless greedy little mouths, frantically devouring the Soul Power within his body!

The sensation was like having all the blood drained from his veins.

"Luo luo..."

Luo Sanpao did not even manage to fart before deflating like a leaking balloon, dissolving into specks of light.

With his martial soul broken, Yu Xiaogang suffered a backlash and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Thud!

The vines pinned his entire body firmly to the ground, leaving him unable to move. His face turned deathly pale at a visible rate.

A level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster could not even withstand a single move from a child who had just obtained his first soul ring!

This was the power of a thousand-year soul ring.

This was the gap created by top-tier resources.

Tang San walked up to Yu Xiaogang and looked down at him like he was a dead dog.

"Is this the rule you wanted to teach me?"

"Is this your so-called theory of the strong?"

"You can't even block one of my attacks. What makes you worthy of teaching me?"

Bang!

Tang San raised his foot and kicked Yu Xiaogang in the stomach without mercy.

Yu Xiaogang slid several meters along the ground before crashing into the stone steps and coming to a stop, curling up in pain like a giant shrimp.

He raised his head and looked at Tang San, who was steadily approaching him. At last, fear appeared in his eyes.

This child... really would kill him!

The killing intent in those eyes was absolutely not an act.

Just as a cold glint flashed in Tang San's eyes and he prepared to follow up with another kick, Yu Xiaogang suddenly pulled a dark object from his robes and smashed it viciously onto the ground.

Boom!

A thick cloud of yellow smoke instantly exploded outward, accompanied by a nauseating stench.

This was his means of saving his life—a specially made smoke bomb, condensed from Luo Sanpao's "essence."

Tang San frowned and instinctively held his breath as he retreated.

By the time the smoke cleared, Yu Xiaogang, who had been lying on the ground, had long since vanished, leaving behind only a pool of blood and that lingering stench.

"He ran pretty fast."

Tang San waved a hand in disgust, staring toward the end of the dark street as he snorted coldly.

"If you dare show your face in front of me again, it won't end with just one kick."

He straightened his slightly rumpled clothes, turned and walked back into the King's Mansion, then slammed the gates shut behind him.

For a stray dog like that, even sparing him another glance was a waste of time.

He still had to go back and make tea for his master.