At the thought of it, Yu Xiaogang felt awful.
But he quickly adjusted his mood. After all, he'd been a good-for-nothing for so many years; he was used to it.
Yu Xiaogang seemed to suddenly remember something and hurriedly asked, "By the way, Xiao San, did you succeed?"
At that, Tang San fell silent, his expression indescribably grim.
At first, Yu Xiaogang had been full of confidence, convinced there was nothing wrong with his theory.
But seeing Tang San's reaction, his heart gave a sudden lurch.
"Xiao San, what's wrong? Did you fail? Could you not absorb the Soul Ring?" Yu Xiaogang asked anxiously.
Tang San shook his head. "No, teacher. I absorbed the Soul Ring successfully, and my Soul Power has already reached level eleven."
At that, Yu Xiaogang let out a long breath of relief, the tension easing from his face. "That's good, that's good. I knew it—there's nothing wrong with my theory."
After a pause, he added, "Xiao San, let me see your Soul Skill."
Tang San glanced at Yu Xiaogang with a complicated expression. After hesitating for a moment, he summoned his Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul.
Under Yu Xiaogang's expectant gaze, a white 10-Year Soul Ring rose from beneath Tang San's feet.
The Soul Ring was so white it hurt the eyes, so white it made his teeth ache.
"W-what... what's going on?" Yu Xiaogang's eyes suddenly widened. His head throbbed, and the world spun around him.
He stared at the scene before him in disbelief, wondering if he was seeing things.
"X-Xiao San, h-how... how could this happen?" Yu Xiaogang stammered incoherently.
Tang San: "..."
How should I know?
Damn it, weren't you the one who told me a Plant-type Martial Soul could absorb an animal Soul Ring? Weren't you the one who told me to absorb the Mandala Snake's Soul Ring?
And you even bragged about that Martial Soul Mimicry Theory.
By now, Tang San had already forgotten that he himself had asked to help Yu Xiaogang test the theory.
The master and disciple stared at each other, and the air suddenly fell silent.
A moment later, Tang San asked hesitantly, "Teacher, could it be that there's a problem with your theory? Maybe a Plant-type Martial Soul can't absorb an animal Soul Ring?"
"No, absolutely not! How could my theory possibly be wrong?" Yu Xiaogang suddenly cried out, agitated and loud, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Tang San: "..."
They fell silent again.
Tang San forced a strained smile. "Teacher, it's all right. I have Twin Martial Souls, so I still have seventeen empty Soul Ring slots."
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.
"Teacher, lie down for a while. I'll go make you some meat soup." With that, Tang San went off to cook.
Their conversation ended there.
Over the next two days, the master and disciple spoke noticeably less, and the atmosphere between them grew rather strange. Tang San's behavior was still beyond reproach. He remained a respectful, dutiful disciple, taking meticulous care of Yu Xiaogang.
But Yu Xiaogang could clearly feel that they had grown distant.
Tang San seemed not to trust him anymore. Without saying so outright, he kept his distance and seemed to reject him.
Xiao San must have decided that my theory was wrong, and that I'd led him into a trap.
Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly.
But still, why had a perfectly good Hundred-Year Soul Ring turned into a 10-Year Soul Ring?
Could it be that his theory really was wrong? Could a Plant-type Martial Soul not absorb an animal Soul Ring, and would the ring's age regress as it had for Xiao San?
Thinking of Tang San's 10-Year Soul Ring, even the usually self-assured Yu Xiaogang couldn't help doubting himself.
A few days later, Tang San returned to Notting Academy with Yu Xiaogang, who was barely alive.
When the teachers and students at the academy saw them, Yu Xiaogang's reputation as a good-for-nothing spread once again.
In the room, Tang San helped Yu Xiaogang lie flat on the bed.
"Teacher, your injuries haven't healed yet. I'll stay here and take care of you for the next few days."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head, forcing a stiff smile. "No need. I've traveled the mainland in my younger days. What haven't I seen? These injuries are nothing.
"You've been sleeping rough and traveling all this time. You must be tired too. Go back and get some rest."
"All right." Tang San nodded. In truth, he'd only been saying it out of courtesy. Yu Xiaogang could barely move, and if Tang San really stayed, he'd have to handle everything from food and drink to going to the bathroom.
"Get some rest too, teacher. Just call me if you need anything."
With that, Tang San left without looking back.
Yu Xiaogang lay on the bed, his aged face contorted from the pain, like a chrysanthemum.
There wasn't a single part of his body that didn't hurt.
He was uncomfortable lying like that and wanted to change position.
Then he suddenly spotted a tall figure standing in the shadows in the corner of the room.
"Who are you? How did you get in?" Yu Xiaogang was startled and tried to sit up. The moment he moved, he pulled at his wounds and grimaced in pain.
The figure stepped out of the shadows. He was a tall, burly old man, built like a bear.
"I'm Tang Hao, Xiao San's father." Before Yu Xiaogang could ask, the man introduced himself.
Yu Xiaogang shuddered all over, his heart turning cold.
I'm done for. Tang Hao's found me. Does he think I led Xiao San into a trap too?
His thoughts raced, and Yu Xiaogang stammered, "So you're the Clear Sky Douluo. You've always been my idol..."
"Cut the nonsense." Tang Hao coldly barked, rudely cutting him off.
"I've never heard of anyone on the mainland absorbing a Soul Ring that regressed in age. Are you sure your theory is correct?"
"I... I... I..." Yu Xiaogang broke into a cold sweat, unable to get a word out.
Tang Hao stared at him coldly without speaking, his expression growing darker by the moment.
Someone at this level was even more intimidating when he said nothing.
"Gulp!"
Yu Xiaogang's Adam's apple bobbed. His whole body trembled, and beads of sweat covered his forehead. Cold sweat kept running down his cheeks, gathering at his chin before dropping heavily to the floor.
When Yu Xiaogang still couldn't manage a single word, Tang Hao gave a cold snort. "Remember this: this is the first time, and it'll be the last. If anything else happens to Xiao San, then you... Hmph..."
He didn't finish, but the threat was plain.
But to Yu Xiaogang, those words sounded like a heavenly reprieve. He felt as if he'd been granted a new lease on life.
"Of course, of course. I'll make sure to take good care of Xiao San from now on..."
Yu Xiaogang immediately swore by heaven and earth, assuring Tang Hao that he needn't worry and promising there wouldn't be any more accidents.
Tang Hao said nothing, keeping his eyes fixed on Yu Xiaogang.
This time, Yu Xiaogang didn't look away. He met Tang Hao's gaze.
It made him look sincere. Yu Xiaogang brought out the acting skills he'd spent his whole life honing.
If he kept acting evasive now, Tang Hao might just kill him on the spot.
After all, Tang Hao was a Titled Douluo, a mighty man who had beaten the Pope to death.
Why would a ruthless man like that show mercy to a lowly, useless Soul Grandmaster like him?
Before you continue