Tang Hao Appears, Holds Yu Xiaogang Accountable

Thinking of this, Yu Xiaogang felt a bitter taste in his heart.

But he quickly adjusted his mood—after all, he had been a waste for so many years, he was long used to it.

Yu Xiaogang seemed to suddenly remember something and hurriedly asked, "By the way, Xiao San, did you succeed?"

At this, Tang San fell silent, his expression unspeakably grim.

Originally, Yu Xiaogang had been full of confidence, believing his theory couldn't be wrong.

But seeing Tang San's reaction, his heart immediately sank.

"Xiao San, what's wrong? Did you fail? Couldn't you absorb the soul ring?" Yu Xiaogang asked urgently.

Tang San shook his head. "No, Teacher, the soul ring absorption succeeded. My soul power has also broken through to the eleventh rank."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang let out a long sigh of relief, his tense expression relaxing. "That's good, that's good. I told you, my theory couldn't be wrong."

He paused, then added, "Xiao San, let me see your soul skill."

Tang San gave Yu Xiaogang a complicated look. After a moment's hesitation, he summoned the Blue Silver Emperor martial soul.

Under Yu Xiaogang's expectant gaze, a white ten-year soul ring rose from beneath Tang San's feet.

A white soul ring—dazzlingly white, jarringly white.

"Wh... what's going on?" Yu Xiaogang's eyes suddenly widened, his mind buzzing, the world spinning.

He stared at the scene before him in disbelief, wondering if he was seeing things.

"Xiao... Xiao San, th... this, how... how could this be?" Yu Xiaogang's words came out incoherent.

Tang San: "..."

You ask me? Who do I ask?

Damn it, wasn't it you who told me a plant martial soul could absorb an animal soul ring? Wasn't it you who made me absorb the Mandala Snake's soul ring?

And you bragged to me about that Martial Soul Mimicry theory.

At this moment, Tang San had long forgotten that he himself had asked to help Yu Xiaogang test the theory.

Master and disciple stared at each other, the air suddenly going still.

After a moment, Tang San hesitantly asked, "Teacher, could it be that your theory is flawed? That plant martial souls can't absorb animal martial souls?"

"No, absolutely impossible. How could my theory be wrong?" Yu Xiaogang suddenly shouted, loud and agitated, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Tang San: "..."

Another stretch of silence.

Tang San forced a strained smile. "Teacher, it's fine. I have Twin Martial Souls. I still have seventeen soul ring slots left."

Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth but couldn't get a word out.

"Teacher, lie down for a while. I'll go cook you some meat soup." With that, Tang San walked to the side and started making the soup.

Their conversation ended there.

Over the next two days, the words between master and disciple noticeably dwindled, and the atmosphere between them grew oddly tense.

Tang San's behavior was still faultless—he remained respectful, filial, a good disciple, caring for Yu Xiaogang meticulously.

But Yu Xiaogang could clearly feel the distance growing between them.

Tang San seemed to have lost some trust in him, an intangible sense of rejection and estrangement.

Xiao San must have already decided in his heart that my theory is wrong, that I screwed him over.

Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly.

But then again, why did a perfectly good hundred-year soul ring turn into a ten-year one?

Could it be that my theory really is wrong? That plant-type martial souls can't absorb animal soul rings, or else, like Xiao San, the soul ring's age degenerates?

Thinking of Tang San's ten-year soul ring, even the confident Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but start doubting himself.

A few days later, Tang San brought the half-dead Yu Xiaogang back to Notting Academy.

When the teachers and students at the academy saw this, Yu Xiaogang's reputation as a waste spread once more.

Inside 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 a few days."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head, forcing a stiff smile onto his face. "No need. I've traveled the continent in my early years and seen it all. This injury is nothing.

You've been roughing it on the road, eating and sleeping poorly. You're tired too. Go back and rest early."

"Alright then," Tang San nodded. In truth, he was only being polite. With Yu Xiaogang unable to move easily, if he really stayed, he'd have to handle everything—eating, drinking, and all the rest.

"Teacher, you rest early too. Call me if you need anything."

With that, Tang San left without looking back.

Yu Xiaogang lay on the bed, pain twisting his old face into a wrinkled mess, like a chrysanthemum.

There wasn't a single spot on his body that didn't ache.

Feeling uncomfortable lying down, he wanted to shift his position.

But out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed a tall figure standing in the shadows of the room's corner.

"Who are you, and how did you get in?" Yu Xiaogang was startled and tried to sit up, but the moment he moved, it pulled at his wounds, making him wince in pain.

The figure stepped out of the shadows—a burly, bear-like old man of imposing stature.

"I am Tang Hao, Xiao San's father," the newcomer announced himself before Yu Xiaogang could even ask.

Yu Xiaogang's entire body trembled violently, his heart turning ice-cold.

It's over, it's over. Tang Hao has come. He won't think I screwed Xiao San over too, will he?

Thoughts racing, Yu Xiaogang stammered, "So it's the Clear Sky Douluo. You've always been my idol..."

"Spare me the nonsense," Tang Hao cut him off coldly with a harsh rebuke.

"Across the entire continent, I've never heard of anyone's absorbed spirit ring suffering from age degradation. Are you sure your theory is correct?"

"I... well... I..." Yu Xiaogang broke out in a cold sweat, stammering without being able to get a single word out.

Tang Hao stared at him coldly, saying nothing, his expression growing darker by the moment.

When a heavyweight of this level stays silent, the pressure is even more suffocating.

"Gulp!"

Yu Xiaogang's Adam's apple bobbed as his whole body trembled. His forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, which trickled down his cheeks, gathered at his chin into droplets, and then fell heavily.

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang couldn't squeeze out a single word for ages, Tang Hao snorted and said coldly, "You remember this—it's the first time and the last. If anything else happens to Xiao San, then you... hmph..."

Though left unfinished, it was a naked threat.

But to Yu Xiaogang's ears, those words sounded like heavenly music, granting him a reprieve.

"Absolutely, absolutely. I'll make sure to take good care of Xiao San from now on..."

Right then, Yu Xiaogang swore oaths to heaven and earth, telling Tang Hao to rest assured and guaranteeing no more accidents would occur.

Tang Hao said nothing, just stared at Yu Xiaogang.

This time, Yu Xiaogang didn't flinch but met Tang Hao's gaze.

It made him look sincere. Yu Xiaogang pulled out his lifetime's worth of acting skill.

If he kept dodging and evading now, Tang Hao might just kill him on the spot.

After all, Tang Hao was a Titled Douluo, the super fierce man who had beaten the Pope to death.

How could such a ruthless person show any mercy to a mere crippled Soul Grand Master like him?