Yu Xiaogang's Mysterious Confidence! Tang San Remained Unimpressed, Useless Master!

Pfft!

No shattered stones flew about.

Nor was there any earth-shaking boom.

That incomparably hard granite boulder was effortlessly pierced by the Blue Silver Spear as though it were tofu.

Moreover.

The area that had been struck was withering and turning to sand at a visible rate.

This was the aura of destruction.

Tang San withdrew his Soul Power and looked at Tang Yuan somewhat apprehensively.

"Please guide me, Teacher."

Tang Yuan looked at the stone that had already turned to dust and nodded slightly.

"Not bad."

"You're starting to look the part."

Just a few words.

Not bad.

Yet to Tang San, they were like a bucket of cold water dumped over his head.

He had originally thought that progress at such a speed would at least earn him a word of praise from his teacher.

After all, a sixteen-year-old Level 40 Soul Ancestor with an All Purple-Black Soul Ring Configuration was unprecedented even in the history of Douluo Continent.

But when he saw Tang Yuan's calm expression.

The tiny bit of pride in Tang San's heart instantly vanished without a trace.

That was right.

What was he showing off in front of his teacher?

With a wave of his hand, his teacher could suppress a Titled Douluo. Even the Star Luo Empire's million-strong army was nothing more than worthless rabble before him.

His own meager abilities were merely the light of a firefly, yet he had dared to compete with the brilliant moon.

Too weak.

He was still far too weak.

Tang San clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his flesh.

"This disciple knows his mistake."

"This disciple should not have become complacent."

Tang San lowered his head, overwhelmed with shame.

Tang Yuan found Tang San's terrified appearance rather amusing, but he maintained the bearing of a strict teacher.

He reached out and patted Tang San's shoulder.

"Xiao San."

"You must remember."

"Your goal has never been this tiny Douluo Continent."

"Those so-called mortal geniuses are unworthy of being your opponents."

Tang Yuan's voice grew somewhat distant.

"Besides, I see that you've seemed rather restless lately."

"Have all those lovely ladies in the residence disturbed your peace of mind?"

Tang San suddenly looked up.

"This disciple would not dare!"

Tang Yuan withdrew his hand, his gaze turning sharp as it pierced straight into Tang San's heart.

"You must remember this saying."

"With no women in your heart, your sword will naturally be divine."

"The first page of the sword manual: forget the one you love."

"A land of tenderness is a hero's grave."

"You must never waste your path of cultivation over such meaningless affairs between men and women."

Every word was like a heavy hammer, fiercely striking Tang San's heart.

With no women in your heart, your sword will naturally be divine...

Tang San repeatedly pondered those words.

He only felt that they contained the supreme principles of the Great Dao.

Yes.

Women would only slow down the speed at which he drew his blade.

They would only become his weakness.

Teacher was teaching him the true secret to becoming strong!

Tang San felt as though he had been enlightened. All those lingering romantic thoughts were completely severed at that moment.

Thud!

Tang San dropped heavily to his knees again.

This time, his forehead struck the hard stone slabs with a crisp crack.

"Thank you for your teachings, Teacher!"

"This disciple was foolish and nearly strayed onto the wrong path."

"From this day onward, this disciple will devote himself to cultivation and renounce love and desire."

"If lustful thoughts ever arise in my heart, then may my martial soul shatter and may I die a miserable death!"

Tang San's voice was resolute.

He raised his head. The clarity in his eyes had vanished, replaced by an almost fanatical determination.

Tang Yuan looked at Tang San kneeling on the ground, the corners of his lips curling slightly upward.

Very good.

This was the good disciple he wanted.

A few days later.

Outside Nuoding City, within a quiet bamboo grove.

Far from the city's bustle, few people ever came here.

A breeze swept through, making the bamboo leaves rustle.

Tang San stood alone in the depths of the grove.

He had not summoned his martial soul. He simply stood there quietly.

His posture was straight as a pine, and his black fitted outfit outlined his lean, capable frame.

After Tang Yuan's "guidance" that night, Tang San's temperament had undergone an even more obvious change.

If he had once been a freshly unsheathed sword, its edge fully exposed, then now, that sword had learned to conceal its sharpness.

His eyes were frighteningly clear, devoid of any stray thoughts, like an ancient well whose depths could not be seen.

His state of mind was so steady that he seemed nothing like a teenage boy.

He was sensing the wind around him, the vitality of the bamboo grove, and the... decay hidden beneath that vitality.

And behind a patch of shrubbery several dozen meters away from Tang San, a somewhat bedraggled figure cautiously poked his head out.

It was Yu Xiaogang.

He had waited outside the King's Mansion for several days before finally getting the chance to see Tang San leave the city alone.

Looking at the exceptional young man in the distance, Yu Xiaogang could barely contain his excitement.

Good!

Excellent!

That vigor and bearing were simply worlds apart from how he had been at the academy.

This child's talent truly was shocking.

Even after taking a wrong turn, he still possessed such presence.

What more could be said if he also received the guidance of Yu Xiaogang's theories?

Yu Xiaogang straightened his somewhat disheveled collar.

Then he touched his cheek, where the swelling had finally gone down.

He did his best to make himself look like a venerable elder.

Taking a deep breath, he was just about to step out from his hiding place.

"Come out."

A cold voice suddenly rang out.

Tang San did not even turn around.

But his eyes seemed to have grown in the back of his head, locking onto Yu Xiaogang's hiding place with uncanny precision.

Such sharp perception?

Yu Xiaogang's heart jolted, but he had no time to worry about that.

Since he had been discovered, this was the perfect chance to talk face-to-face.

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

Yu Xiaogang pushed aside the bushes and slowly stepped out.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he forced what he believed was a kind and approachable smile onto his face.

"Xiao San."

"Long time no see."

Hearing that familiar voice, Tang San slowly turned around.

When he saw Yu Xiaogang, there was little change in his expression.

Neither anger nor joy.

It was as if he were looking at a complete stranger passing by.

"It's you."

Tang San spoke indifferently.

Seeing that Tang San's attitude was cold but that he had not attacked outright as he had last time, hope immediately flared in Yu Xiaogang's heart.

It seemed the boy still remembered their old bond.

After all, a teacher for a day was a father for life.

He had treated him so well back then. How could he truly be so ungrateful?

Yu Xiaogang grew bolder and took a few steps forward.

He immediately assumed the bearing of an elder and asked earnestly:

"Xiao San."

"How have you been at the King's Mansion these days?"

"That... Tang Yuan, he hasn't been giving you a hard time, has he?"

His tone was full of concern, like an old father worried that his own child had been led astray by bad people.

Tang San watched Yu Xiaogang's hypocritical act without the slightest ripple in his heart.

In the past, he might have been moved by this kind of "concern."

But now, under Teacher Tang Yuan's guidance, he had long since seen through this worthless emotional manipulation.