Displaying Connections

"In that case, let's put off obtaining your spirit ring for two days. I'll call an old friend of mine to assist you."

As he spoke, Grandmaster began writing a letter on the spot, intending to send it to his close friend and urge him to arrive as soon as possible.

"Alright, Tang San, take this little brother and head back for now. I'll call for you once he arrives."

"Understood, Teacher." Tang San nodded in agreement.

After leaving the library, Du Hao felt the gazes that were cast his way from time to time.

Having walked for a distance, Du Hao finally couldn't help it. He turned back and said to Tang San, "Tang San, if you have something to say, just say it, alright? Looking at me like that is really unsettling."

"We're both human, so why is the gap between us so large?" Tang San said suddenly.

As he spoke, he tilted his head up forty-five degrees to gaze at the sky.

Du Hao watched Tang San, who had inexplicably started acting emo.

"What are you mumbling about?" Du Hao didn't indulge him; he quickly reached out and made a grab downward.

Tang San, who was still in his emo state, immediately recoiled by instinct.

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?" Tang San looked at the hand Du Hao had retracted with a wary expression.

"Who told you to act like a lunatic?" Du Hao said dismissively, and as he spoke, he prepared to reach for his crotch again!

After a brief scuffle, they settled down.

"To be honest, Brother Hao, I'm a bit envious of you."

"How so?" Du Hao retorted. He didn't think there was anything about him worth envying.

Wasn't he just a bit handsome, a bit more popular with women, and possessed a slightly better golden finger?

What was there to envy about that?

"I'm envious that you're rich." As he spoke, Tang San suddenly extended a hand. "So, can I borrow some money?"

This sudden request for money truly caught Du Hao off guard.

Du Hao stared blankly at the hand extended before him.

He then looked up at this good brother of his, who wore a look of righteous confidence on his face.

"Are you serious? Have you no shame?" He reached out and slapped the 'pig's trotter' that had been thrust toward him.

"Didn't I lend you 1,000 Gold Soul Coins last time? You spent it all already?" Du Hao said, annoyed.

"Ah, didn't I spend it all forging weapons? Besides, wasn't it you who said you'd provide financial support?"

Hearing Tang San's righteous tone, Du Hao glared at him in irritation.

"But you're spending it way too fast, aren't you?"

"Alright, alright~ Brother Hao, please~" Tang San began to act coy.

"Don't be disgusting! Watch out or I'll beat you!" Du Hao, looking like a husky pointing at someone, immediately interrupted his spellcasting.

Over these years, he didn't know if he had taught Tang San the wrong way, but these disgusting tactics...

However, despite his words, he still honestly reached into his pocket and pulled out a pouch of gold coins.

He tossed it into Tang San's arms.

"Spend it sparingly. If it's not enough, ask me again."

"Brother Hao, you're the best!" Having received the Gold Soul Coins, Tang San didn't hesitate at all, immediately adopting the posture of a loyal underling.

"Finally arrived, Soto City..." Flender, dusty and travel-worn, stood at the city gate with a sigh of emotion.

After receiving the letter sent by Xiaogang, he had flown here without a moment's rest.

He had flown for two full days and nights!

If not for the time spent resting and recovering his spirit power along the way, he probably would have arrived in a single day.

"Junior Spirit Master Academy... it should be that way." He locked onto his target and flew directly toward the designated location.

Inside his bedroom, Grandmaster was organizing the data he had recently deduced.

"Xiaogang! I'm here, damn it!"

The door to the room wasn't locked. After confirming that his friend was indeed inside, Flender didn't hesitate; he kicked the door open and charged in!

He immediately gave the caught-off-guard Yu Xiaogang a bear hug.

"Xiaogang, it's been a long time!"

"Mm, it certainly has been a long time." Looking at this long-lost friend before him, Grandmaster felt a wave of emotion in his heart.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries.

"Eh? Xiaogang, where is that genius youth you mentioned?" As he spoke, Flender became somewhat impatient.

After all, when it came to geniuses, he, the Owl, was serious! Seriously wanting to poach them~

"Don't be in such a hurry, listen to me slowly..."

After stating the soul beast he intended to hunt and explaining its rarity, Yu Xiaogang fell silent.

Flender gave a wry smile and reached out to lightly punch Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder.

"Fine, I knew you wouldn't come looking for me without a reason. So, you've come to make me do the grunt work." Although he said this, there wasn't a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

After all, given the bond between him and Yu Xiaogang, these were trivial matters not worth mentioning.

"There was no other way. If I had to search for it alone, I probably wouldn't find it until the end of time." When it came down to it, Grandmaster was only a Great Spirit Master; it was indeed difficult for him to search on his own.

Hearing this, Flender didn't say anything else.

He simply smiled, patted Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder, and gave a thumbs-up to his own chest. "Don't worry. Since you've called for me, leave everything to me."

"Just like in the past, leave the scouting to me..." Flender looked proud as he said this; after all, this was his specialty.

He might not be particularly skilled at fighting, but when it came to scouting, Flender dared to guarantee that no one at the Spirit Saint level could surpass him.

Not even a Spirit Douluo!

"Good, I trust you." Hearing this, Grandmaster felt a wave of emotion, unable to help but recall the days of their Golden Triangle.

Back in those days...

Just as the two were still conversing, a knock suddenly came from the door.

A moment later, Tang San pushed the door open and entered.

"Teacher, who is this?"

"San, you've come at the right time. This is my good friend, Principal Flender." Grandmaster emphasized the word "Principal."

His intention was very clear: he was preparing early for Tang San's future development.

"Hello, Principal Flender." Although he didn't know the situation, Tang San greeted him very politely.

As for Flender, he nodded with a smile.

"So you are Xiaogang's disciple. You look... quite auspicious." Flender had originally wanted to say "quite handsome," but seeing Tang San's dark complexion, he changed his words at the last second.

However, this couldn't be blamed on Tang San; having practiced blacksmithing since childhood, it was perfectly normal for his skin to be a bit dark.

Grandmaster watched this scene from the side with a smile. Seeing that the timing was right, he stepped forward to introduce the two to each other.

After they had spent some time getting to know one another, Tang San's eyes shone brightly as he looked at Flender! To think his teacher had such an impressive connection—it was a pleasant surprise!

"Alright, San, go notify Du Hao that we are preparing to hunt for a soul ring tomorrow. Tell him to get ready tonight and not to be late tomorrow morning."

Hearing his teacher's instructions, Tang San nodded immediately and hurried out the door.

Seeing this, Flender suddenly asked, "Xiaogang, you must have this disciple of yours come to my academy in the future!"

With his cultivation as a Spirit Saint, he could see Tang San's potential at a glance. It would be inexcusable not to lure him into his academy.

Yu Xiaogang nodded and said, "I do indeed have that intention, but it will have to wait until he graduates..."