To regain his prestige in Tang San's heart and prove that his judgment had been right.
Yu Xiaogang decided that once the next Arena Tournament began, he would put on a good performance.
He admitted that he'd made a few minor mistakes before.
But as the saying went, no one was a sage; who could avoid making mistakes?
Even sages made mistakes sometimes.
And he was merely a theoretical master, not a sage.
Yu Xiaogang didn't have to wait long for his chance to prove himself.
A week flew by like a white pony flashing past a crack.
In the blink of an eye, it was here!
The fifth Arena Tournament began as well.
[The fifth individual match has been randomly assigned.]
[Two contestants have been successfully selected.]
[Tang San vs. Huo Yuhao.]
As soon as the names were announced,
Yu Xiaogang's face lit up with delight.
"It's in the bag!"
"This match is in the bag!"
"No one among the younger generation can compare to my disciple."
"Xiao San, I have absolute confidence in you."
Yu Xiaogang didn't care in the slightest who this little nobody called Huo Yuhao was.
In his view, among Soul Masters of the same rank, Tang San was far ahead of everyone else.
Yu Xiaogang knew exactly how strong Tang San was.
Never mind how outrageously powerful Tang San's Blue Silver Entanglement was.
Tang San's unpredictable Tang Sect Hidden Weapons alone were enough to leave anyone else scrambling.
And Tang San also had the Clear Sky Hammer.
It was his trump card, reputed to be the strongest tool-type Martial Soul on the continent.
Lately, Tang Hao had taught him plenty of Clear Sky Ultimate Arts.
Tang San might not have mastered the Clear Sky Hammer to perfection, but he could certainly use it well enough.
"Sigh..."
"Too bad I don't have anything valuable left to wager."
"Otherwise, I'd go all in this time for sure."
Yu Xiaogang sighed, his face filled with regret.
Nearby...
Tang San's expression was hard to describe.
At first, he'd been confident in his own strength.
But after hearing Yu Xiaogang go on like that,
Tang San felt as if a whole stack of poisonous debuffs had been piled onto him.
"Damn you, Gangzi."
"Are you trying to curse me?"
Tang San was starting to crack.
He hadn't even entered the arena yet, but he already felt like he was going to lose.
The reason, naturally, was Yu Xiaogang's judgment—which had never once been right.
Yu Xiaogang was backing him and even wanted to go all in on him.
How was that any different from declaring him the loser outright?
"Xiao San, don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Your master believes in your abilities."
"No matter how outstanding Soul Masters from ten thousand years in the future are, they won't be your match."
"Don't forget: you're destined to become a god."
Seeing Tang San's face turn ashen, Yu Xiaogang assumed he was nervous and immediately tried to reassure him.
Yu Xiaogang cared deeply about this battle.
Tang San was his disciple.
In a sense, he represented Yu Xiaogang's reputation too.
If Tang San won in spectacular fashion and stunned everyone,
then Yu Xiaogang's name would surely be revered by countless people.
After all, he had personally trained such an extraordinary disciple.
Tang San: "*******"
At that moment, Tang San really wanted to kill his teacher and shut Yu Xiaogang up.
But his image as a pure and noble man wouldn't let him act on impulse.
Tang Hao came up from behind and patted Tang San on the shoulder.
"Xiao San, don't feel any pressure."
"You're more outstanding than I was at your age."
Tang Hao's eyes were full of affection.
He was proud to have a son like Tang San.
Once Tang San became a god,
he'd be able to proudly announce to the sect that he had given the Clear Sky Sect a god.
That achievement alone
would make his past transgressions seem insignificant.
The sect would have to welcome him back with open arms.
"I understand, Father."
Tang San nodded, forcing down the ominous premonition in his heart.
He couldn't even be bothered to respond to Yu Xiaogang anymore.
He was afraid Yu Xiaogang would pile on another poisonous debuff.
To shut Yu Xiaogang up,
Tang San wasted no time and headed straight into the teleportation passage.
Shrek Outer Court!
When Huo Yuhao learned that he was about to face the famous Tang San in a match, he was completely stunned.
To him, this battle was sacred.
Throughout Shrek Academy, Lord Sea God's influence was extraordinary.
Most people had heard of Tang San's deeds.
Huo Yuhao was also a member of the Tang Sect.
Naturally, he knew better than anyone how much weight Tang San carried.
To have the chance to fight him was an absolute honor.
"Yuhao, after you fight Lord Sea God, could you ask him for an autograph for me?"
Tang Ya was the most excited of all.
As the current sect master of the Tang Sect,
Tang Ya's greatest wish was undoubtedly to revive the Tang Sect.
If she could get Tang San's autograph,
it would be the greatest motivation she could ask for.
"Elder Sister Xiao Ya, if the opportunity comes up, I'll definitely put in a word for you."
Huo Yuhao didn't know whether Tang San would agree.
After all, they had no real connection with each other.
Huo Yuhao couldn't guarantee he'd be able to make it happen.
Besides, they were about to fight.
If things got heated between them, Tang Ya's request would probably go nowhere.
"Yuhao, I'm counting on you."
Tang Ya's eyes sparkled.
Tang San was practically her idol.
Just thinking that she might soon get her idol's autograph
made Tang Ya incredibly excited.
Wang Dong came over, sounding haughty.
"Huo Yuhao, don't you dare lose."
"If you lose, not only will our dorm be disgraced, but all of Shrek Academy will be humiliated too."
"Don't worry!"
"I'll give it everything I've got!"
Huo Yuhao took this battle seriously.
Fighting the Sea God was an opportunity not just anyone got.
Although Tang San hadn't become a god yet,
that didn't change how he was regarded.
Sea God Pavilion!
A serious look flashed through Mu En's eyes.
"Little fellow, I hope you can bring the academy a surprise."
Mu En knew Huo Yuhao quite well.
Of all the students in the Outer Court, Huo Yuhao was the most polite.
Mu En often sunbathed outside the dormitory and had spoken with Huo Yuhao many times.
He could say that Huo Yuhao was one of the few students he'd paid close attention to.
And Mu En was also considering taking Huo Yuhao as his disciple.
Ever since Huo Yuhao revealed his Second Martial Soul, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion,
Mu En had liked him more and more.
He was still watching and waiting, though.
If Huo Yuhao defeated Tang San,
Mu En would take him on as his disciple and give him special training as soon as he returned.
Soon...
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Huo Yuhao entered the arena.
When Huo Yuhao and Tang San met for the first time,
a strange feeling suddenly stirred in his heart.
"Strange. This is clearly the first time we've met."
"Why do I feel like rushing over to fight him right now?"
"Could it be that I'm just too nervous?"
Huo Yuhao muttered to himself.
But outwardly, he greeted Tang San with impeccable courtesy.
"I admire you, Third Brother."
"It's my honor to fight you today."
"Win or lose, fighting a powerful expert like you is an experience I'll never forget."