Masters and Disciples in Two Worlds: A Kowtow and a Deal

[Black World]

Yu Xiaogang's words, "Only I can teach you," seemed to carry a certain magic.

For Hei Tang San, who had lacked love since childhood and desperately longed to fit into this world, they were undoubtedly a Lifesaving Straw.

"Teacher!"

Hei Tang San dropped to his knees, his forehead striking the floor heavily.

The sound was crisp and loud.

And incomparably humble.

"A teacher for a day, a father for life."

"Since you have seen through my secret and are willing to teach me, Tang San is willing to honor you as his father."

Yu Xiaogang did not help him up immediately.

Instead, he stood there and savored those brief few seconds.

The corners of his stiff face twitched slightly, desperately suppressing his wild joy and vanity.

The son of Clear Sky Douluo...

A genius with Twin Martial Souls...

Was now kneeling at my feet!

"Get up."

Yu Xiaogang finally extended a hand, his tone carrying a trace of affected profundity.

"Once you enter under my guidance, remember only one thing."

"There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters."

As he spoke, he produced a belt inlaid with twenty-four pieces of jade as if performing a magic trick.

"This was something your teacher acquired during his early travels. It is called Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges Night."

"Today, I will give it to you as a meeting gift."

Hei Tang San accepted it with both hands, his eyes brimming with grateful tears.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

"This disciple will certainly live up to your expectations and carry forward the Tang Sect... no, Teacher's theories!"

This scene.

To Hei Tang San at the time, had been warmth and the grace of being recognized.

But to the powerhouses of the entire continent now.

It was exceptionally grating to the eye.

[Real World]

Clear Sky Sect, main hall.

Bang!

A table forged from Ten-Thousand Year Profound Iron was smashed into an iron pancake by a single palm strike from the Second Elder.

"Bastard!"

"Utterly outrageous!"

The Second Elder was so furious that his beard nearly twisted sideways as he pointed at Hei Tang San on the Sky Curtain and cursed him out.

"That is the inheritor of the Clear Sky Hammer! The future hope of our Clear Sky Sect!"

"He actually kowtowed to a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster? And even took a thief for his father?"

"Shameful! He has utterly disgraced our Clear Sky Sect!"

The Seventh Elder was equally furious. "What the hell is this Yu Xiaogang? A useless fool spouting nonsense—how is he worthy of receiving such a grand gesture?"

"If word gets out, how will our Clear Sky Sect ever hold its head high in the Soul Master World!"

At the same time.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Tang Yuehua looked at her humble nephew on the screen, her beautiful eyes filled with heartache, but also a trace of disappointment.

"Second Brother..."

"How did your child end up being taught like this..."

Too weak.

Too quick to trust others.

With such a temperament, how could he uphold the future of the Clear Sky Sect in the treacherous Soul Master World?

[White World]

Just as Hei Tang San was overcome with gratitude.

The White World's scene headed toward the opposite extreme.

Bai Tang San mercilessly shut the office door.

He did not hesitate in the slightest.

He turned and headed straight for the Dean's Office.

"Hello, Teacher."

Bai Tang San stood before the Dean's Office teacher, his tone as calm as an adult's.

"I am a newly enrolled Work-Study Student."

"I would like to confirm whether a Work-Study Student's duties include the right to freely use their spare time."

Director Su froze for a moment, then nodded instinctively. "As long as you complete the cleaning tasks assigned by the academy, the rest of your time is naturally yours to use freely."

"Very good."

Bai Tang San nodded, a shrewd glint flashing through his eyes.

"Then I would like to apply to work at the Blacksmith Shop in the city every afternoon."

"The food provided by the academy is too poor to meet the nutritional needs of my cultivation."

"I need money."

Director Su's mouth fell open.

Was that something a six-year-old should say?

Complaining that the food was bad? And wanting to work to earn money?

What exactly was in this child's head?

Just then.

A burst of hurried footsteps approached.

Yu Xiaogang chased after him.

He was clearly unwilling to give up.

That child who had left him speechless with his retorts had not angered him; instead, he had aroused an even stronger desire to conquer him.

Or perhaps... a desire to prove himself.

"Wait!"

Yu Xiaogang blocked Bai Tang San's path, panting heavily.

He held up a token.

Three symbols were engraved upon it: a sword, a hammer, and a crown.

"Kid, you are very arrogant."

"But you have to admit that some things cannot be solved by arrogance alone."

"This is a Spirit Hall Elder's Token."

"Without it, you cannot enter the Soul Hunting Forest."

"Without it, even if you cultivate to level one hundred, you will not be able to obtain your first Soul Ring."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Bai Tang San, a trace of smugness flashing through his eyes.

This was his trump card.

It was a monopoly.

It was naked resource coercion.

"Now, will you still refuse me?"

Bai Tang San stopped.

He looked at the token, then at Yu Xiaogang's face, which seemed to think it had regained the upper hand.

Then he suddenly smiled.

That smile held three parts disdain and seven parts calculation.

"This is your trump card?"

"Using resources to choke someone's throat?"

Bai Tang San shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of pity.

"Master, your vision is truly too limited."

"A token? I have plenty of ways to get one."

"Whether through the Black Market, forgery, or even..."

Bai Tang San lowered his voice, a cold glint flashing through his eyes.

"Robbery and Murder."

Yu Xiaogang shuddered all over, feeling a chill shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

This child...

Was a madman!

"However."

Bai Tang San changed his tone, reining in his Killing Intent and returning to that merchant's shrewdness.

"Killing people is too troublesome, and it easily causes trouble."

"Since you already have one, why don't we make a deal?"

"A deal?" Yu Xiaogang froze.

"That's right, a deal."

Bai Tang San held up one finger.

"I will help you verify some data."

"For example, the rejection reactions of Blue Silver Grass after absorbing Soul Beasts of different attributes."

"For example, the effect of the Mysterious Heaven Skill... oh, no, a certain special Meditation Method on Soul Power purity."

"This data should be priceless to your theoretical research, shouldn't it?"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes instantly lit up.

Yes.

What he lacked most was practical data!

Especially data on Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power!

"And you."

Bai Tang San pointed at the token.

"Only need to provide authorization for entering and leaving the Soul Hunting Forest, along with some basic intelligence about Soul Beast distribution."

"I will not become your disciple."

"You will not take me as a disciple."

"We each get what we need, and the deal is settled in full."

"What do you say?"

Bai Tang San extended his right hand, holding it in midair.

Waiting for Yu Xiaogang's answer.

Yu Xiaogang stared fixedly at that small, tender hand.

His pride roared, telling him to reject this proposal reeking of money.

But his reason, his desire to prove his theories, left him unable to say the word "no."

After a long while.

Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and extended his hand.

"Fine."

"Deal."

The two hands clasped together.

There was no warmth.

No emotion.

Only a cold exchange of interests.