Yu Xiaogang Wants to Turn His Luck Around, but He's Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Incurring Public Outrage and Getting Struck by Lightning (Continued)

Alone, he secretly nursed his sorrow, washing his face with tears.

He could hardly imagine how deeply Yu Xiaogang, that bastard, had hurt their teacher back then.

And that was without even mentioning how the man had gotten together with his own cousin.

It was utterly inhumane and against all reason.

A good-for-nothing and a despicable villain like him—

—and yet he was thriving in the Heaven Dou Empire. It was ridiculous.

Yu Xiaogang noticed the hostile looks from the people of Spirit Hall.

His expression darkened, and he turned his head away.

"A wise man doesn't fight when the odds are against him. Just you wait!"

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river!"

"I, Yu Xiaogang, will make the most of this opportunity!"

"I'll defy fate and turn my life around—a salted fish's comeback... Bah, a heavenly dragon's comeback!"

Yu Xiaogang proudly lifted his chin and strode toward the platform.

He walked with his head held high, both hands clasped behind his back.

Anyone who didn't know better would have thought he was some peerless master.

Hu Liena noticed Liu Erlong staring at her with hostility, but paid her no mind.

She was nothing but a Soul Douluo.

Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan behind her—

—was no threat. That was the confidence and strength of Spirit Hall.

As Yu Xiaogang stepped onto the platform,

all the teachers and students of Shrek Academy burst into enthusiastic cheers.

Flender adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.

He said excitedly, "Xiao Gang, you have to make the most of this opportunity!"

"Lucky Star Feather is extremely precious. Don't let anything go wrong!"

"You only get one chance!"

Liu Erlong came over to Flender.

She folded her arms and smiled happily as she said,

"Boss Flender, stop jinxing things!"

"Don't blow all of Xiao Gang's good luck away!"

"Xiao Gang will definitely earn a high rating and get a reward that fixes his Martial Soul's flaw!"

Flender gave an awkward smile and said,

"He will. He definitely will!"

His gaze couldn't help lingering on Liu Erlong for a moment longer.

When Mother Tyrannosaurus wasn't angry,

she was not only beautiful, but had a fine presence too.

As long as she didn't get angry and go on a rampage, everything was fine...

Yu Xiaogang stepped onto the platform and walked over to the cushion.

First, he adjusted his clothes.

Then he cleared his throat and said,

"Yu Xiaogang greets Senior!"

"I'm here to take the Star Official Challenge!"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow as he looked at Yu Xiaogang.

This guy was pretty arrogant.

He'd said "greets," not the more respectful "pays his respects."

He was acting as if they were equals.

As if you, Yu Xiaogang, were worthy?

Lin Feng's expression visibly cooled.

He said without emotion,

"Channel your Soul Power into Lucky Star Feather!"

"I'll open the Star Official Challenge for you!"

Yu Xiaogang furrowed his brows slightly, unsure how he had offended the other man.

He had come in good faith, only to be treated coldly.

He was extremely displeased.

But for the Star Official Challenge's reward, he would put up with it.

"Yes, Senior!"

Yu Xiaogang forced a smile as he answered.

He channeled his Soul Power into the Lucky Star Feather in his hand.

The feather shone with dazzling golden light and floated into the air.

The word "Defense" appeared.

A trace of amusement flashed in Lin Feng's eyes at the sight.

He said to the stunned Yu Xiaogang,

"Yu Xiaogang, you've activated the 'Defense' challenge."

"Now, immediately summon your strongest defense in your true form."

"One minute from now, the Star Feather will unleash lightning and attack you."

"The more lightning your defense can withstand, the richer your reward will be."

Yu Xiaogang wasn't paying attention to a word of this.

His eyes were wide as he stared fixedly at the golden light in the air.

The words "Defense" gleamed from the Lucky Star Feather.

He had never imagined that he'd activate a challenge other than the "Mental" challenge.

His Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, had no defensive abilities whatsoever.

Although he had eaten the immortal-grade herb Tang San gave him and broken through to level 30 Soul Power,

in the past three years, he had only cultivated to level 36, becoming a Soul Elder.

Now that he was facing the "Defense" challenge, what was he supposed to do?

Below the platform, Flender, Liu Erlong, Zhao Wuji, and the others—

—saw that Yu Xiaogang had activated the "Defense" challenge.

Their expressions all turned extremely grim.

They knew Yu Xiaogang's situation better than anyone and could only shake their heads helplessly.

The Shrek Academy teachers and students who didn't know Yu Xiaogang's circumstances

were by now cheering passionately, shouting their encouragement.

"Grandmaster, go for it! Grandmaster, you're amazing!"

"Grandmaster, hurry up and take the challenge! Earn a C+, B+, or A+ rating and get your reward!"

The cheers grew louder and more overwhelming.

They even swept up the Soul Masters who had come to watch.

Everyone was eagerly anticipating Yu Xiaogang's challenge.

Hu Liena, Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the others all sneered.

They knew exactly how capable Yu Xiaogang was.

A good-for-nothing with a Mutated Martial Soul—

—and he still dreamed of getting a C+, B+, or A+ rating?

He might as well be dreaming with his eyes open.

On the platform, Yu Xiaogang looked at the Shrek teachers and students, brimming with passion.

Their deafening cheers, which made his blood race—

—fell on his heart like heavy blows, one after another.

Endless pressure surged toward him like the tide.

It left Yu Xiaogang's face slightly pale.

If he failed to earn a high rating, there was no way he could leave with his dignity intact.

The image he had built over the past three years would probably collapse.

On one side was the mortal danger of being blasted by lightning.

On the other were his dignity and reputation. Both mattered deeply.

Yu Xiaogang truly couldn't decide. He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

He could only look toward the Silver-Haired Man on the cushion and plead,

"Senior, defense is my weak point."

"I really can't take this challenge. Could you change it for me?"

"I need a 'Mental' challenge!"

His words made the entire venue fall silent in an instant.

No one had expected Yu Xiaogang, the Heaven Dou Empire's national teacher,

to ask for a different challenge. It left everyone stunned.

Earlier, Spirit Hall's Saintess, Hu Liena, had asked to change her challenge,

and had angered the Senior.

Yu Xiaogang was doing the same thing, despite having seen what happened before.

It was practically a challenge to the Senior's authority and boundaries.

For a moment, all the teachers and students of Shrek Academy fell silent.

They stared at the Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang they respected on the platform, confused and bewildered.

Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji all looked extremely grim.

They could understand why Yu Xiaogang didn't want to take the "Defense" challenge.

He could simply give up his chance to take it.

Why make the absurd request to change the challenge?

He was bringing shame on Shrek Academy. How were they supposed to deal with this now?

Hu Liena shook her head with a cold laugh, in a very good mood.

She glanced toward Yue Guan.