Yu Xiaogang's Plan

At first, he had still been wondering how to obtain his origin. After Xu Yuan won, he finally discovered a way to obtain it.

That was to defeat Tang San.

Each time he won, he could obtain the origin and luck within Tang San.

Although Xu Yuan absorbed all of it, God King Tang San didn't mind, because this was his future body.

The stronger his future body became, the more beneficial it was for him.

Other people couldn't see luck, but as a God King, he could see it clearly.

He also knew how difficult it was to obtain luck. Now that he knew one way to get it, he was delighted.

God King Tang San said to Xu Yuan, "Xu Yuan, whenever Tang San challenges you from now on, you have to beat him. Got it?"

Xu Yuan didn't ask why. He simply replied in his heart, Got it.

His current persona was that of an obedient child, meant to mislead God King Tang San.

Meanwhile, in Yu Xiaogang's office.

Yu Xiaogang sat in his chair with a grim expression, thinking about what to do next.

"Xiao San, honestly..." Yu Xiaogang slammed his fist against the desk, his voice filled with frustrated anger. "How could he be so careless? To get caught by a cheap trick of a Soul Skill like that! If he'd reacted sooner, how could he have lost?"

He tried to shift the blame onto Tang San, but couldn't help remembering Xu Yuan's punch.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

"Come in."

Tang San pushed open the door and entered, then cautiously walked over to Yu Xiaogang.

Tang San lowered his head, nervously twisting his fingers together. His voice held a hint of guilt. "Teacher, I'm sorry. I underestimated him."

Looking at Tang San, Yu Xiaogang felt his anger deflate like a punctured balloon, leaving behind only a deep sense of helplessness.

Yu Xiaogang waved a hand, his voice hoarse. "It's not your fault. I... I made things too simple in my mind."

Tang San raised his head, confusion filling his eyes. "Teacher, Xu Yuan's Blue Silver Grass really is unusual. His Soul Skill may not have any offensive power, but it can make people relax from the bottom of their hearts."

Yu Xiaogang slammed his palm onto the desk, his face flushing red. "That's an unorthodox trick! Peaceful? He's just using a disguise to cover up its weaknesses! Just wait. Once his Soul Power increases and he needs stronger Soul Rings to support it, the flaws will be exposed!"

Tang San nodded to show he understood. He would never question his teacher. If his teacher said it, there had to be a good reason.

Seeing Tang San nod, Yu Xiaogang's expression eased somewhat, though his voice remained firm and unquestionable. "Think about it. Blue Silver Grass is a Trash Martial Soul. The only way it can gain a foothold in the Soul Master World is through poison. Xu Yuan's chosen the path of life. It looks gentle, but in truth he's abandoning the root for the branches. His Soul Power is low right now, so he can get by with a few clever tricks. But when he reaches level thirty and needs his third Soul Ring, where will he find a Soul Beast capable of enhancing his vitality? And even if he finds one, can it give him the explosive power of a poisonous Soul Beast?"

The thought of Xu Yuan beating Tang San made Yu Xiaogang deeply unhappy.

How could some country bumpkin possibly be better than Yu Xiaogang?

Yu Xiaogang stood and walked over to Tang San, patting him on the shoulder with earnest concern. "Xiao San, you're the disciple I value most. Your Blue Silver Grass has boundless potential, and you must take the safest path. Control combined with deadly poison—that's the ultimate form of Blue Silver Grass. Xu Yuan's approach is nothing but flowers reflected in a mirror, the moon reflected in water. It might look pretty, but it can't withstand a single blow."

Yu Xiaogang grew more and more animated as he spoke, as if he could already see Tang San crushing Xu Yuan by following the path he had laid out.

Tang San's hand, hanging at his side, slowly clenched into a fist. The confusion in his eyes gave way to resolve.

Teacher must be right. After all, Yu Xiaogang had spent decades studying Martial Soul Theory. How could he be wrong?

Xu Yuan had won only because his Soul Skill was unusual. Once Tang San became familiar with his own Soul Skills and steadily followed the path his teacher had planned, he would surpass Xu Yuan sooner or later.

"Teacher, I understand." Tang San looked up, his gaze clear and determined. "I won't lose next time we spar."

Yu Xiaogang nodded with satisfaction. At last, his tense face showed a trace of a smile. "That's more like it. Remember, control is the foundation, and poison is the blade. Only by combining the two can your Blue Silver Grass truly inspire fear. Starting tomorrow, I'll intensify your training in Soul Skill control. You must be able to use Entanglement at will and apply poison with precision."

"Yes, teacher." Tang San bowed, then turned to leave. His steps were far steadier than when he had arrived.

Outside the office, the evening sun's fading light fell across him, but it brought little warmth.

Tang San unconsciously touched his chest. It seemed he could still feel the force of Xu Yuan's punch, as well as the soothing fragrance of those little white flowers.

But he quickly shook his head and banished those distracting thoughts. If his teacher said it was an unorthodox trick, then it had to be.

The path he had to take was the safest road to becoming strong, laid out by his teacher. He couldn't let one temporary defeat shake his resolve.

Watching all of this in secret, Tang Hao remained silent. In truth, he agreed more with Xu Yuan's life-oriented path.

But when he thought of Yu Xiaogang's being the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch, and of his having seen more than most, Tang Hao felt there must be a deeper reason Yu Xiaogang wanted Tang San to choose poison.

Tang Hao found himself thinking of Xu Yuan. The boy seemed a little like Ah Yin, but he had no proof.

Over the past few days, he had secretly watched Xu Yuan. The feeling Xu Yuan gave him was that the boy ought to be his and Ah Yin's child.

Xu Yuan had the same handsome looks Tang Hao had possessed in his youth, and he treated others much like Ah Yin did. He was the perfect combination of the two of them.

But reason told him it was impossible.

Back then, he had fled the Spirit Hall's pursuit with Tang San, enduring hardship all along the way. How could he have had another child?

Perhaps it was just a coincidence.

Coming back to himself, Tang Hao looked at Tang San's thin body and felt he ought to find some medicinal herbs to help build him up.

Tang San hadn't eaten much good food over the past few years. Tang Hao would find some herbs and give them to Yu Xiaogang, so he could nourish Tang San.

It would be a way to make up for all these years.

"Ah Yin..." Tang Hao gazed at the sun sinking beyond the horizon. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice rasped like sandpaper. "If you were here, which path would you choose?"

No one answered. Only the wind rustled through the leaves, like someone sighing.

The next morning.

After washing up, Yu Xiaogang noticed the medicinal herbs and note on his desk and couldn't help frowning.

He picked up the note. The handwriting was crooked, as if written with a charred piece of wood. It contained only a few simple words.

[For Tang San, to build up his health.]

There was a prescription on the back. Yu Xiaogang examined it and confirmed that it was useful.

Although he was a good-for-nothing, he had read plenty of books in the past. He could at least recognize that much.

Yu Xiaogang sorted the medicinal herbs on the desk into separate piles, then rummaged through his cabinet and took out a clay pot.