A Shortsighted Man

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Had he set his sights on me already?

Gu Yi was somewhat surprised. He had thought Yu Xiaogang wanted to discuss something with him, but it turned out he was trying to recruit him.

"No." Gu Yi answered decisively.

He had no good impression of Yu Xiaogang. In the original story, Yu Xiaogang had been nothing more than a clown, a hypocrite.

He had accomplished nothing in his entire life, yet he had shouted that line: "There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters."

Yet he himself was the very example of a useless Soul Master. Even so, he still acted arrogant, conceited, and lofty.

It had made Gu Yi sick to his stomach in his previous life.

"No?" Yu Xiaogang frowned, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant.

"Do you not know my title?"

"I was once the wisdom of the Golden Triangle, and I have devoted more than a decade to researching Martial Souls!"

"If you become my disciple, I will share with you the wealth of knowledge I have accumulated throughout my life."

"Do you know how many people dream of obtaining such a thing?"

Yu Xiaogang still refused to give up and continued trying to persuade him unwillingly.

"I don't need it." Gu Yi replied calmly and without hesitation.

Gu Yi already knew everything about Yu Xiaogang's so-called wealth of knowledge. Why would he need to become his disciple and submit to his restraints?

"You don't need it?" Yu Xiaogang uttered in astonishment, then let out a cold laugh.

"Heh! You have no idea what the knowledge in my mind truly represents!"

"Forget it. There is no need for me to waste any more words on a shortsighted person like you."

With that, he turned and returned to the platform, no longer sparing Gu Yi another glance.

Gu Yi's answer and reaction had made him extremely displeased.

"You two, go gather at the academy gates as well. Receive punishment with the others."

Yu Xiaogang glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu as he spoke.

"Why? We didn't do anything wrong. Why should we be punished?" Xiao Wu retorted in confusion.

"They are your classmates, and in the future, they will be companions fighting alongside you. Can you bear to watch them be punished while you rest yourselves?" Yu Xiaogang asked coldly.

"Then why doesn't Gu Yi have to go?" Xiao Wu frowned and pointed at Gu Yi beside her.

"Him? He doesn't need to." Yu Xiaogang replied disdainfully.

Hearing the strange tone in Yu Xiaogang's voice, Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned cold. "Then I don't need to either."

"Oh? Is that so?" Yu Xiaogang glanced at her, then looked away again. "Then you needn't go either."

"Xiao Wu, are you still not going?"

Hearing that, Xiao Wu hesitated. She felt that the atmosphere was rather strange, and suddenly, all the pressure had landed on her shoulders.

"I... I won't go either. I just won't watch them, then."

Xiao Wu lowered her head, speaking as she secretly watched Yu Xiaogang's expression.

"Hmph! Then none of you go!" Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly, strode down from the platform, and quickly headed toward the gates.

"What did he say to you just now?"

Zhu Zhuqing watched Yu Xiaogang's retreating figure and quietly asked Gu Yi.

"Nothing much. He asked whether I wanted to become his disciple, and I refused." Gu Yi replied.

Now, he felt even more certain that he had made the right choice. This man's tolerance was pitifully small.

"You refused? Grandmaster is very capable. He knows an incredible amount about Martial Souls and such. Why would you refuse?"

Xiao Wu suddenly leaned over from the side and asked in surprise.

"Because I don't need it." Gu Yi smiled and explained again.

"You don't need it?" Xiao Wu repeated Gu Yi's words, her gaze toward him growing somewhat strange.

She had always felt that something was off about Gu Yi. He was clearly just a human, yet his cultivation speed was so much faster than hers. Moreover, she had previously smelled a familiar aura on him.

Could it be...

A bold thought arose in Xiao Wu's heart, but she did not know how she should ask about it.

Although there were many suspicious things about Gu Yi, Xiao Wu would not act rashly before she was completely certain.

If she guessed wrong in the end, she did not dare imagine what would happen to her.

"What should we do now? It seems like we've already been targeted." Zhu Zhuqing asked softly.

She understood her current situation, but she did not care. As long as she could be with Gu Yi, she had no complaints.

"It doesn't matter. It won't be so easy for him to target us, and his actions will only provoke the others' dissatisfaction."

"We just need to do what we should. Go find Teacher Zhao, and we'll continue Gravity Training. That's much more meaningful than his running."

Gu Yi answered softly.

He did not care about Yu Xiaogang's current attitude either. Once he accomplished his goal, he would leave on his own even without being driven away.

He would put up with him a little longer. In any case, the time was almost right.

"Me? Then what about you?" Zhu Zhuqing frowned, glanced at Xiao Wu beside them, and asked somewhat unhappily.

It was as if she was complaining that Gu Yi was not going with her.

Ever since Ning Rongrong had said those harsh words in the dormitory, Zhu Zhuqing had become increasingly concerned about Gu Yi, with a faint unease growing in her heart.

She was afraid that things would truly be as Ning Rongrong had said—that she had not held on to him tightly enough.

Could it be... I really have to do that?

"Be good. Go first. I'll wait for you here. It's not like I'll run away." Gu Yi chuckled, coaxing Zhu Zhuqing as though she were a kitten.

"Alright, then. Wait for me here. I'll be back soon." Zhu Zhuqing nodded and obediently ran toward the teachers' building.

As if she truly feared that Gu Yi would run away, she directly used Soul Power to enhance her speed.

After watching Zhu Zhuqing gradually disappear into the distance, Gu Yi withdrew his gaze and turned to Xiao Wu beside him.

"W-what is it?"

Xiao Wu, who had already been secretly observing Gu Yi, was startled by his sudden gaze.

"Nothing. I just wanted to tell you something. Er Ming said he misses you." Gu Yi smiled and spoke softly.

He had long wanted to talk to Xiao Wu about her mother, but he had never found the time or opportunity. Now was the perfect chance to tell her.

"Er Ming? You... did you just say Er Ming?" Xiao Wu's pupils visibly contracted. Beyond her shock, she could hardly believe it.

Gu Yi nodded. "Yes, Er Ming. Come to the small woods outside the academy at eleven tonight. I have something to tell you."

This was still the academy. No matter what they did, it felt as if someone was watching them, so it was absolutely not a suitable place to discuss such matters.

"Alright, I promise. As it happens, I have something to ask you too." Xiao Wu nodded and replied seriously.

Gu Yi was becoming more and more mysterious in her eyes. He was truly like a riddle—impossible to see through, leaving her no choice but to look directly at the answer.

After that, neither of them spoke again, as if by mutual understanding. All the answers would be revealed tonight.

Before long, Zhao Wuji returned with Zhu Zhuqing. After hearing Zhu Zhuqing's proposal, he had happily come over.

This was the first time a student had voluntarily sought him out for training, and it made him very happy.

The trainees were the three people present. Everything was normal, and the pressure still felt as familiar as ever.

However, during the training, Zhu Zhuqing noticed a problem.

Gu Yi's gaze had been fixed on her the whole time, but why did Xiao Wu's gaze occasionally join hers in settling on Gu Yi?

Something's wrong! Very wrong! Something must have happened between them while I was gone!

Xiao Wu... what exactly is she trying to do?