Spirit Hall's Tactics for Winning Hearts Were Truly Condemnable

The day after Xiao Wu returned, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang also returned to Nuoding Academy.

Yang Yuan spotted the two of them from afar.

They looked travel-worn, and Yu Xiaogang in particular was covered in injuries, his face deathly pale and several loops of bandages wrapped around his arm.

Clearly, their trip had not been peaceful.

Tang San noticed Yang Yuan's gaze and looked over at him, his face brimming with energy—a stark contrast to Yu Xiaogang's condition.

Yang Yuan stroked his chin at the sight.

Xiao Wu had worn the same expression when she returned yesterday.

No, Xiao Wu's expression had been even more flamboyant.

But after Yang Yuan had won her over with virtue, she had become much more obedient. She called him Boss at every turn and behaved with utmost docility.

At that thought, Yang Yuan grinned and rubbed his hands together.

He had a feeling he would soon have another free punching bag.

Yu Xiaogang noticed Tang San's gaze and followed it, likewise spotting Yang Yuan in the distance.

But after only one glance, he calmly looked away.

"Xiao San, you said before that Yang Yuan defeated you with his Eye Martial Soul?"

"Yes, Teacher."

"I disgraced you."

A guilty expression appeared on Tang San's face.

"Haha, what's so disgraceful about that?"

"You had only just become my disciple then, and I hadn't taught you anything yet. A loss was just a loss."

Yu Xiaogang waved his hand dismissively.

Reassured by his teacher, Tang San put away his guilty expression and asked in confusion, "Teacher, what kind of Martial Soul should Yang Yuan's Eye Martial Soul be considered?"

"You once told me that Martial Souls are divided into Tool Martial Souls and Beast Martial Souls. My Blue Silver Grass is considered a Tool Martial Soul."

"But Yang Yuan's Martial Soul is an eye. Should it be considered a Beast Martial Soul or a Tool Martial Soul?"

Hearing Tang San's question, Yu Xiaogang remained perfectly composed, a wise smile appearing on his face.

"Xiao San, have you forgotten what I told you? The greatest difference between Beast Martial Souls and Tool Martial Souls lies in how they manifest."

"All Tool Martial Souls act outside the body, while Beast Martial Souls add the power of a beast to the user."

"Now tell me, is Yang Yuan's a Beast Martial Soul or a Tool Martial Soul?"

Tang San suddenly understood.

"So that's how it is. Yang Yuan's Eye Martial Soul is also a type of Beast Martial Soul."

Yu Xiaogang smiled in satisfaction, wearing an expression that said his pupil was teachable, and continued, "That's right. And if I'm not mistaken, Yang Yuan's Martial Soul should be the result of some Beast Martial Soul mutating."

"Most Martial Soul mutations are negative mutations, like my Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao."

As he said this, a flash of intense unwillingness passed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes.

If his Martial Soul had not mutated into trash like Luo Sanpao, he too should have been shining brilliantly by now.

Tang San saw the disappointment in Yu Xiaogang's eyes and immediately encouraged him, "Teacher, don't lose heart. Have you forgotten what you once told me?"

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

Those words instantly ignited Yu Xiaogang's fighting spirit.

He looked eagerly at Tang San, his face brimming with energy.

"Xiao San, you're right."

"Teacher will definitely train you into the greatest powerhouse on the continent, then announce it to the world."

"You are the disciple of Yu Xiaogang!"

"I, Yu Xiaogang, taught the continent's strongest!"

After hearing this, Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang with filial admiration.

"Teacher!"

"Xiao San!"

Their eyes met, the chemistry was palpable.

"Ugh~"

Watching from afar, Yang Yuan could not help breaking out in goosebumps.

For the first time, he realized that seeing too far wasn't necessarily a good thing!

It was too much for the eyes!

Those two could only be said to be a perfect match.

Yu Xiaogang's dormitory.

Upon entering, Yu Xiaogang did not notice the slightest trace of an intruder.

With the keen perception of Yang Yuan's Double Pupil, he had not left behind the slightest flaw.

After walking over and sitting behind a desk, Yu Xiaogang continued speaking at length.

"Xiao San, according to what you said, Yang Yuan's eyes possess extremely powerful insight, and his strength and speed far surpass yours at the same level."

"That is hardly surprising."

"After all, Beast Martial Souls can be added to the user's body. Naturally, their physical strength is greater than that of Tool Soul Masters at the same level."

"However, he could only keep you down while you had yet to obtain a Soul Ring."

"Now, even if he somehow absorbed a Hundred-Year Soul Ring, he still could not be your opponent."

Tang San asked in confusion, "Teacher, why is that?"

"Yang Yuan was already stronger than me before absorbing a Soul Ring. If we both absorbed Hundred-Year Soul Rings, I'm afraid I still might not be a match for him."

Yu Xiaogang chuckled and shook his head with certainty.

"Xiao San, you don't understand."

"Unless they encounter a Martial Soul that counters them, Control-type Soul Masters are the strongest in one-on-one combat!"

"That is why I dare conclude that from now on, Yang Yuan will no longer be your opponent."

"And if he is no match for you now, once you begin cultivating your second Martial Soul, the gap between you will widen without limit."

"So that's how it is." Tang San immediately understood, and a trace of delight arose in his heart.

He had previously feared that even after obtaining his First Soul Ring, he still would not be Yang Yuan's opponent.

But with his teacher's words, he immediately felt much more at ease.

It couldn't be that unlucky, could it? Yang Yuan's Martial Soul couldn't happen to counter his, right?

A sharp glint flashed through Tang San's eyes.

He had lost to Yang Yuan before and had even been forced to call him Boss.

The matter had always left Tang San feeling incomparably stifled, and he had long wanted to regain his dignity.

But Yang Yuan's strength was there for all to see, so Tang San had originally not intended to act rashly.

However, with his teacher's assurance, Tang San felt that he could give it a try.

This time, he would definitely win!

Afterward, Tang San stayed in Yu Xiaogang's dormitory for a while longer before preparing to return to Dorm Seven.

Before he left, Yu Xiaogang seemed to suddenly remember something and called Tang San back.

"Teacher, is there something else?" Tang San asked in confusion.

"I nearly forgot to tell you something."

"Tomorrow, go to Spirit Hall in Nuoding City to register. That way, you can receive one Gold Soul Coin every month."

Tang San's eyes immediately lit up.

"There's such a good thing?"

"No wonder Spirit Hall is so respected by commoners. There really is a reason for it!"

As soon as Tang San finished speaking, Yu Xiaogang suddenly gave a cold laugh, his face filled with disdain.

"Xiao San, don't be fooled by these appearances."

"No one understands Spirit Hall's tyranny and hypocrisy better than I do."

"The subsidies Spirit Hall gives Soul Masters are paid for by the two great empires. Spirit Hall merely distributes them on their behalf."

There was such a thing?

Tang San froze, then instinctively said, "But every year, Spirit Hall sends deacons to the countryside to awaken Martial Souls for commoners."

Yu Xiaogang sneered even more coldly.

"These are merely Spirit Hall's tactics for winning hearts."

"The two great empires do not do such things, yet Spirit Hall oversteps its bounds and does it in their place. What exactly is it trying to do?"

"Does Spirit Hall have any regard for the two great empires at all?"

"In my opinion, Spirit Hall's actions..."

"Are truly condemnable!"