Master?

At that moment, Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San on the shoulder, interrupting his chaotic thoughts.

"I know. You'll understand."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, his tone calm.

"You'll be responsible for the tactical arrangements in the arena, as well as deciding the lineup of participants.

What I can remind you of is that during the qualifiers, the fewer members of the Shrek Seven Devils who appear, the better.

In the finals, the opponents you face will be even stronger than you imagine.

And you have only one goal. Work hard for it."

There was nothing wrong with what Yu Xiaogang said in the simulation itself, and the arrangements were reasonable enough.

But as an observer, Tang San keenly noticed that when Yu Xiaogang looked at the simulated "him," his eyes seemed to hold less of the genuine concern and eager expectation he had shown at Nuoding Academy during the first simulation. Instead, there was an almost imperceptible distance, and... an indescribable complexity.

This subtle change stirred a trace of doubt in the ever-observant Tang San.

As the meeting ended, everyone rose and prepared to leave.

Just then, Yu Xiaogang's voice rang out again. "Tang San, stay behind."

The simulated Tang San stopped at those words, then followed Yu Xiaogang to his private room.

After entering, Yu Xiaogang first asked him about his understanding of the tournament rules they had just discussed, as well as some conventional tactical ideas.

The simulated Tang San answered every question clearly and methodically.

Then, Yu Xiaogang changed the subject. With obvious hesitation and a faint, barely detectable tension in his voice, he probed, "This Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament... will your master come to watch?"

Master? What master?

The observing Tang San was immediately filled with confusion.

In his memories and understanding, whether in reality or during the first simulation, he had never formally acknowledged anyone as his master, apart from... Fu Shiyan, whom he had intended to wait for!

Could it be...

Before he could think further, the simulated Tang San had already hesitated before answering honestly.

"Teacher, I don't know. Master went to Sunset Forest some time ago and said he had urgent matters to attend to. He might not make it back in time."

Hearing this answer, Yu Xiaogang's expression seemed to improve by an imperceptible degree. Yet he apparently thought of something else right afterward, and his face darkened slightly.

He snorted coldly, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Hmph! I thought that after gaining such a capable master, you no longer recognized me, your useless teacher!"

The observing Tang San's heart jolted violently at those words! He immediately began analyzing at high speed.

From Yu Xiaogang's sour and dissatisfied words, it can be inferred that in this "future," the simulated me truly did take a master!

And Yu Xiaogang clearly does not get along with this master of mine!

Combined with Senior Fu Shiyan's previously displayed strength, his unique understanding of Blue Silver Grass, and his disdain for my teacher...

The identity of this "master" is practically obvious!

At that moment, upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's barbed words, the simulated Tang San immediately answered with a solemn expression. His tone was sincere, even somewhat anxious.

"Teacher! Please don't say that! A teacher for one day is a father for life!

I will forever remember your painstaking guidance, Teacher, and I would never dare forget your kindness!

You and Master are both elders I respect and care about most!"

He paused, then continued explaining, trying to ease the atmosphere.

"The reason I asked Master about certain issues concerning Martial Soul cultivation was simply because... because Blue Silver Grass is his main Martial Soul.

In this regard, Master certainly understands it best.

After all, across all of Douluo Continent, when it comes to understanding and cultivating Blue Silver Grass, aside from Master, I'm afraid no one would dare claim to be first!"

Hearing the simulated "himself" speak with such sincere emotion while making his stance so clear, the observing Tang San became completely certain.

That's right! This "master" is ninety-nine percent likely to be Senior Fu Shiyan!

Only he possesses that terrifying, common-sense-defying control over the power of Blue Silver Grass. Only he could be called the foremost authority on Blue Silver Grass in the world!

It seems that in this simulated future, I ultimately did take him as my master!

I just wonder whether I received any news about Mother from Master Fu Shiyan!

However, judging from Yu Xiaogang's attitude, over these past two years, whenever I encountered cultivation problems—especially doubts concerning the essence of Martial Souls—I probably no longer relied entirely on him or sought his advice as I had before. Instead, I turned more often to the more specialized and more powerful Master Fu Shiyan!

And that undoubtedly struck deeply at his pride as a "theoretical Grandmaster," making him feel that I, his disciple, had grown distant from him.

Yet the simulated Tang San's reasonable explanation, which even carried a touch of flattery, did not soothe Yu Xiaogang's dissatisfaction. Instead, it seemed to jab at a sore spot, darkening his expression even further!

The mockery in Yu Xiaogang's tone grew stronger, nearly undisguised.

"Yes! A peerless genius who specializes in Blue Silver Grass and reached such cultivation at only twenty-odd years of age...

Naturally, he cannot be compared to a teacher like me, who could only use some empty theories on paper to 'painstakingly guide' you while you were still young!"

Every word, both open and implied, sharply accused the simulated Tang San of being "ungrateful," of "forgetting his old teacher after gaining a new master"!

The observing Tang San could clearly feel that after hearing those words, the simulated him was filled with anxiety, grievance, and the urge to defend himself. Yet he also seemed somewhat helpless, as though this was not the first time such a scene had occurred.

He could understand those emotions.

After all, the beliefs he had received in his previous life within the Tang Sect—"Heaven, Earth, ruler, parents, teacher" and "a teacher for one day is a father for life"—were principles carved into his bones.

To be accused in such a manner by a teacher he had once respected, and who had indeed given him his early instruction, it was only natural to feel wronged and anxiously eager to prove his innocence.

It seems that in this future, because of Senior Fu Shiyan's appearance and his guidance, which suited my Martial Soul better, an irreparable rift has formed between Teacher Yu Xiaogang and me due to our differing beliefs and paths...

The observing Tang San fell silent, gaining a more direct and more complicated understanding of how relationships could change because of "choices."

Hearing the simulated him respond with such earnestness and respect, the gloom on Yu Xiaogang's face eased somewhat, though the coldness and distance did not entirely fade.

He waved a hand, his tone still lacking warmth.

"Enough. Go back and prepare yourself.

Starting tomorrow, we'll begin targeted tactical drills."

He deliberately emphasized this, fixing Tang San with a stern gaze.

"Especially Tai Long and the other four. You must pay particular attention to them."