At those words, Yu Xiaogang realized he had said the wrong thing.
Flender, standing nearby, was somewhat annoyed. Xia Ran had been brought to Shrek when he was six. Though he didn't interact much with these old guys, Yu Xiaogang had no right to slander him.
"Xiaogang! We've known each other for years. I don't want to hear you say that again!"
"No, you've misunderstood. I'm worried he'll go astray..."
"Enough! You don't need to worry about my student. If you have time for that, you'd be better off asking what your precious disciple has been up to!"
Yu Xiaogang was puzzled. He looked at Tang San.
What did this have to do with Tang San? Was there something he didn't know?
Yu Xiaogang Wants to Take Xia Ran as a Disciple?
At first, Flender hadn't wanted to bring up Tang San's sneak attack on Xia Ran. They were all adults and had been friends for years; who wouldn't want to keep things civil?
But the old geezer's mouth was foul. Just because he couldn't do something didn't mean nobody else could!
People were different. Xia Ran had trained so quickly because he'd been able to cultivate in the Black Night Mimicry environment.
Everyone had seen that for themselves. How could they tolerate Yu Xiaogang slandering him like this?
Meanwhile, Tang San had tried to kill someone just because they'd disagreed. If they were talking about evil, who could possibly surpass him?
Tang San, suddenly dragged into the conversation, felt a little guilty. At that moment, he hated Flender. He'd already managed to talk his way out of it, so why bring it up again?
"Xiaosan! What exactly happened?"
Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of sternness.
Tang San looked like a child caught after causing trouble. He clutched the hem of his clothes tightly and didn't dare meet Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
Feudal, conservative ideas were deeply rooted in his mind. He respected Yu Xiaogang immensely, practically regarding him as a second father.
If Yu Xiaogang found out that he was the kind of petty person who'd launch a sneak attack over a disagreement and even strike to kill, then the upright image he'd built over the years would be ruined.
When Tang San still wouldn't speak, Yu Xiaogang grabbed Flender by the sleeve.
Flender didn't indulge the pair of master and disciple. He told them everything that had happened at the Trial Grounds that day, leaving nothing out.
When Yu Xiaogang heard that Tang San had attacked Xia Ran because he was defending his theories, he didn't get angry. Instead, he looked at Tang San with approval.
"I thought it was something serious!"
"Flender, I don't mean to criticize you, but you know my theories. Even Titled Douluo have to show me some respect. What right does a kid who hasn't even finished growing have to question them?"
At those words, Flender and Tang San were both stunned!
Tang San was stunned that his teacher hadn't criticized him for what he'd done.
Flender was stunned that a friend he'd known for most of his life could actually say something like that!
Was the point of this whole incident that Xia Ran had questioned his theories? His disciple was only twelve, yet he'd tried to kill someone over a disagreement. Didn't Yu Xiaogang care about his character?
Once he became stronger, would he start killing low-level Soul Masters whenever he pleased?
"Yu Xiaogang! We've been apart for so many years. What on earth have you been through? You're a member of one of the Upper Three Sects!"
It was impossible to say there were no conflicts between Soul Masters and ordinary people on the Douluo Continent. The stronger someone was, the prouder they tended to be, and it was easy for them to bully the weak.
But in the end, there were very few Soul Masters. Ordinary people made up most of the continent's population.
That was why sects, especially the Upper Three Sects, were most wary of using strength to bully the weak. The Spirit Hall had even established the Law Enforcement Group specifically to deal with Soul Masters like that.
Now Tang San, Yu Xiaogang's disciple, treated human life like grass. Just because Xia Ran had said something he didn't like, he'd tried to take his life. Every one of these old guys could see that the boy had a problem.
Even Tang San himself knew he'd done wrong. But what Yu Xiaogang cared about was—his theories!!!
Yu Xiaogang paid no attention to their shock. From Flender's account, he'd learned that Xia Ran had defeated his beloved disciple, whom he'd trained for years, with a single move.
A bold idea began to take shape in his mind: take Xia Ran as his disciple!
"All right, all right! It's all in the past. I've already spoken with Xia Ran, and I can see he's a fine prospect for cultivation!"
As he spoke, a glint flashed in his small eyes. He met Flender's gaze.
"Since you say he's your student, I assume you're only teacher and student."
"With talent like his, if he also had my guidance, he'd surely soar to greatness one day!"
"I've decided. I can make an exception and take him as my second disciple. Boss Fu, you can speak with Xia Ran for me later."
"As for the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, consider it my gift to him."
He spoke with absolute confidence and smugness, as though the matter were already settled.
Completely ignoring the stunned Flender and Tang San, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked out of the office with a smile.
As soon as he stepped into the sunlight outside, he felt that the weather was especially fine today. He headed straight back to the teachers' dormitory.
In the room, Flender looked at Tang San, and Tang San looked at Flender. Neither of them said a word for a long while.
Tang San hadn't expected his usually affectionate teacher to take a second disciple—and that the person would be Xia Ran. A sense of crisis welled up in him.
He feared Xia Ran's arrival would take up Yu Xiaogang's attention, even that hazy fatherly affection!
Flender, meanwhile, wondered what Yu Xiaogang had been through all these years to become so shameless!
"Tang San! When you first met Gangzi... uh, I mean your teacher, was he always like this?"
"Dean! You're not allowed to speak ill of my teacher, even if you're the dean!"
"Wow."
Back Mountain.
Xia Ran was sparring with Zhu Zhuqing to practice her combat skills. For some reason, his right eyelid suddenly twitched.
In that brief moment of distraction, Zhu Zhuqing seized the opportunity and tore a hole in his sleeve.
"Hmm? Not bad. You've improved a lot!"
Zhu Zhuqing was drenched in sweat. Eight purple spider legs supported her from behind, and the intense exercise made her chest rise and fall heavily.
Still, she looked rather pleased with herself after successfully tearing Xia Ran's sleeve.
"That's enough for today. When you have time, practice controlling your External Soul Bone."
"Okay!"
When the fight ended, the Eight Spider Lances retracted into her body, revealing Zhu Zhuqing's smooth back.
To avoid ripping her clothes every time she used the Eight Spider Lances, she'd had several backless outfits specially made. On ordinary days, when she didn't need her External Soul Bone, she simply wore a jacket over them.
Zhu Zhuqing might not have had outstanding cultivation talent, but there was no faulting her attitude.
In just a few days, she'd already learned to use the Eight Spider Lances in battle to support her attacks.
With the boost from her External Soul Bone, Zhu Zhuqing was faster now. If she fought the version of herself from a few days ago, she was confident she could win in ten moves or less.
"Xia Ran, I want to challenge Dai Mubai tomorrow. When I do, could you..."
"Come with me~"
Xia Ran had already gone back inside when he heard her voice. He turned and saw Zhu Zhuqing standing somewhat awkwardly by the door, fully dressed.
The girl kept her head lowered, her small hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.
"You want me to come with you?"
"The two of us against him?"
"Ah... no, no. I mean, could you watch me fight him from the side..."
"..."
"Sure! Just come get me when the time comes."
"Okay~ Thank you!"
A smile appeared on the girl's face when she heard his answer.
Xia Ran didn't say anything more. He hadn't taken Dai Mubai seriously at all.
In fact, apart from the few people involved in his remaining missions, he didn't pay much attention to anyone else.
He'd see if he could raise Xiao Wu's dislike of Tang San soon. Once he completed the system mission, he'd leave Shrek immediately.
The matter of the Immortal Herbs couldn't wait. If Little Scumbag got to them first, the loss would be huge.
Tang San's Fury
On the other side, Tang San found Xiao Wu and insisted that she come with him to greet Yu Xiaogang.
In his heart, Xiao Wu was his younger sister, so it was only right for her to join him in "honoring" his teacher!
But ever since he'd been castrated, he'd become very short-tempered and sometimes even snapped at Xiao Wu. Out of guilt, Xiao Wu had kept putting up with it.
Today was no different. She hadn't wanted to visit Yu Xiaogang, but Tang San insisted on dragging her along.
In his room, Yu Xiaogang was imagining how taking on a genius like Xia Ran as his disciple would boost his reputation.
A sudden knock interrupted his thoughts. When he opened the door, he found his eldest disciple, Tang San, standing there with Xiao Wu.
"Hmm? Xiaosan, what brings you here?"
Now that he had a genius like Xia Ran, Yu Xiaogang wasn't particularly interested in Tang San's affairs anymore. Besides, Tang San was now a cripple.
Fortunately, Tang San treated him with great respect, which pleased Yu Xiaogang.
He loved being respected, and Tang San was especially good at giving him that feeling, since Tang San loved to show respect to his teacher...
"Teacher, I brought Xiao Wu to see you. I also wanted to talk about my third Soul Ring."
Tang San stood outside the door. Seeing that Yu Xiaogang had no intention of inviting him in, he had no choice but to bring up his Soul Ring.
"I see. Come in!"
"What's wrong with your third Soul Ring? Is the Soul Skill not what you'd hoped for?"
Tang San looked embarrassed and scratched his head.
"Uh... I haven't obtained my third Soul Ring yet."
Before you continue