The Star Luo Imperial Family had its own way of cultivating the White Tiger Martial Soul, passed down through generation after generation. As long as one followed the steps and trained steadily, the results would never be too shabby.
But that was precisely the problem. Even though Dai Mubai's Innate Soul Power was higher than Dai Weisi's, his chances of winning the throne were still slim.
They were so far apart in age. The gap in Soul Power their differing training times had created couldn't be made up by a mere one or two levels of Innate Soul Power.
What was more, as the eldest prince, Dai Weisi controlled far more resources than he did. He also had Zhu Zhuyun, a handy partner for practicing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, to increase his cultivation speed...
"This Master Yu managed to make Bibi Dong completely smitten with him when he was young. He must have some real ability."
"Perhaps the way for me to defeat Dai Weisi really does lie with him!"
"Even if it doesn't work out in the end, thanks to his connection with Pope Bibi Dong, I'll still have a chance to compete for the throne!"
Dai Mubai felt he had finally seen the light. At first glance, Master Yu had struck him as someone who radiated an aura called wisdom.
Bibi Dong had likely provided him with plenty of material to study for his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, as well as his other theories on Soul Master research.
If that was the case, what was there to hesitate about?
"Teacher, from now on, I'll do whatever you say!"
After hearing that, Yu Xiaogang's face blossomed like a chrysanthemum. He said "Good" several times in a row.
Then he put on his kindly expression, helped Dai Mubai up from the ground, and patted him firmly on the shoulder. "Mubai, with my help, you'll be the one to emerge victorious in your rivalry with your brother. And once your fiancée arrives, I'll take her on as a disciple for your sake. That way, you'll be unbeatable from the start."
Having swallowed the grand promises Gangzi had fed him, Dai Mubai was bursting with excitement. He felt as if the sky over his life had finally cleared!
My foolish brother, just you wait. I'm the one who'll have the last laugh!
The two of them exchanged a few more pleasantries, and the atmosphere grew quite cordial. "Mubai, you never had a suitable teacher to guide you before, so I won't hold it against you for spending all your time among the flowers. But from now on, I hope you'll show some restraint and devote more time to cultivation."
"Once you become the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, or even its emperor, what won't be within your reach?"
Yu Xiaogang delivered his advice with heartfelt earnestness.
Of course, he did want Dai Mubai to train seriously. But more importantly, Gangzi already fancied himself the future Imperial Tutor of the Star Luo Empire.
With a status as exalted as his, he naturally had to cherish his reputation. Otherwise, if his inept descendants left a mark on the history books one day, wouldn't that tarnish his flawless image as a man of wisdom?
When Gangzi told him to rein himself in, Dai Mubai instinctively wanted to object.
If he really did that, what would become of his Xiao Hong, Xiao Lu, Xiao Zi, and Xiao Bai...?
But then he remembered that he had only just promised Gangzi he would do whatever he said. Going against him so soon wouldn't sit right.
Alas, Teacher's Soul Power is only at level 29. If I'm careful when I visit them from now on, it should be fine, right?
Thinking that, Dai Mubai's resistance faded from his face. "Teacher, I understand. I'll do everything you say."
Just as the scene brimmed with affection between teacher and disciple, Flender—who had finally seen his good friend get what he wanted—came running out from who knew where, laughing. "Hahahahahaha! Congratulations, Xiao Gang, on taking Mubai as your disciple. At last, you have someone to inherit your legacy!"
Yu Xiaogang lifted his head proudly, his whole being practically oozing with smugness. "Flender, you know me. I've never been wrong about people."
"Mubai gives me the feeling of a hidden dragon!"
!!!!
Dai Mubai was overjoyed. A hidden dragon?
Only an emperor who hadn't yet ascended the throne could be called a hidden dragon. He truly had chosen the right teacher. He was so lucky!
In high spirits, Yu Xiaogang immediately began making arrangements. "Flender, when I train Mubai, have the other two youngsters in the academy join him. Since they're all in the same academy, they're one group, after all."
"Once the academy has recruited more students, with a theoretical master like me guiding them, we'll surely achieve something at the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament."
"From now on, I'll need the academy's full cooperation in teaching the students."
Flender nodded at once, ready to go all out. He told Gangzi to come to him, the dean, whenever he needed anything.
He'd file the request and approve it himself!
They had to make sure all these Little Monsters were properly trained.
Yu Xiaogang looked Dai Mubai up and down. "Mubai, how old are you, and what level are you?"
"Teacher, I'm ten years old and level 26."
Gangzi's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. As expected of an imperial prince—so young, yet already a regular among the flowers.
But the boy's talent really was impressive. At only ten, he had already traveled the cultivation road that Yu Xiaogang himself had taken half his life to complete.
Gangzi cleared his throat and said earnestly,
"Your talent is among the best for your age. I've already planned your third Soul Ring. Once you reach Soul Elder, you'll undergo a transformation."
"Formal training will begin tomorrow. For today, my good disciple, go and relax."
After Dai Mubai left, Flender looked at Gangzi with a troubled expression. "Xiao Gang, you know about my disciple. He has decent talent, but his cultivation has been stuck because of his Martial Soul."
"You're a theoretical master. Surely it won't be difficult for you to solve the problem of Evil Fire backfiring on him, will it?"
Yu Xiaogang had indeed thought of ways to solve that problem. There were only three options: either let the Martial Soul evolve, let the Martial Soul regress, or, as a final resort, cut off the root of his troubles. That should put an end to the Evil Fire problem.
But Martial Soul Evolution was incredibly difficult. He had spent more than half his life searching for a way and still hadn't found one, let alone for Flender's disciple.
Besides, if such a treasure really existed, it would have to be used on him, the continent's greatest genius, to truly bring out its value!
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