The students below began talking among themselves.
"I never expected this. I thought Tang San would take the championship, but he didn't even make the top three. He only came in fourth!"
"Yeah. Isn't he the Grandmaster's disciple? How could a teacher with such extensive theoretical knowledge raise a student like that?"
Hearing all this discussion, Yu Xiaogang couldn't tell anymore whether they were praising him or putting him down.
His face had long since turned green with rage.
He had even wanted to flee, but as a teacher, he had to stay at the competition venue. Those were the rules.
The sixty-year-old teacher added, "Tang San is an Innate Full Soul Power Soul Master, after all. For him to come in fourth really is an unexpected result..."
Li Chun sighed too. "Yeah..."
Even though so many unexpected things had happened, this was still the final result.
They were teachers, after all. They might favor certain students in their own minds, but in the end, the confirmed results were what mattered.
As for Yu Xiaogang, he had long since lowered his head, so ashamed he could barely face anyone. He was utterly humiliated!
If only Tang San were the one standing on the awards podium!
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang's mind drifted into another unrealistic fantasy.
Soon, Teacher Li Chun handed out the prizes to the three students on the podium: Lin Hui, Xiao Wu, and Wang Sheng. Xiao Wu stood in the highest position at the center.
Teacher Li Chun gave each of them a money pouch and a glass bottle filled with green liquid. This green liquid was Green Wood Liquid.
"Congratulations on your fine results in this Academy Grand Competition. I hope that during the rest of your time at the academy, your Soul Power will continue to grow and you'll gain even more."
Li Chun smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Teacher!" The three bowed to Li Chun together in gratitude.
Finally, Teacher Li Chun gave them a few more reminders.
"You have to pour the Green Wood Liquid into your bathwater while soaking in a tub. That's the only way for a Soul Master's body to absorb it. Since you usually use the communal bathhouse, the academy has arranged a special room for you tonight, equipped with bathtubs and other bathing facilities."
"You can take turns soaking in that room tonight. Of course, you can use it later, too, but you'll have to arrange the facilities yourselves."
Lin Hui thanked her as well. "Thank you, Teacher. Since it's best to use it while we're young, I'll go tonight."
Xiao Wu and Wang Sheng chimed in, "We will too."
Although Lin Hui had already decided to pursue the Summoning Type, he couldn't neglect physical training. He still needed some means of protecting himself.
The bottle of Green Wood Liquid had come at just the right time.
Besides, he wanted to find out whether this potion, derived from a plant Soul Beast, could help Ah Yin recover.
After the competition ended, Yu Xiaogang suddenly remembered his disciple, Tang San.
That was right—Little San was still in the infirmary. How could he have forgotten?
He had to hurry over and check on him. Tang San was his only disciple, and he couldn't let a rift form between master and student.
Yu Xiaogang rushed to the infirmary. It was already night; the sun had set several hours ago.
Yu Xiaogang pushed open the infirmary door and saw Tang San lying on a bed. White bandages were wrapped around his forehead and chest, and his eyes were swollen until they looked like a frog's.
"Little San, are you all right?" Yu Xiaogang asked with concern. "There was so much going on at the Academy Grand Competition today. I wanted to come see you sooner, but I couldn't get away."
Tang San opened his swollen eyes, which were narrowed to slits, and spoke weakly.
"I'm fine. The doctor said I'll recover after a few days of rest. It's nothing serious."
Yu Xiaogang could tell that even if Tang San's body wasn't badly hurt, the damage to his heart was far more devastating.
"Teacher, I want to know why I couldn't use my first Soul Skill against Lin Hui. Could his Soul Ring be stronger than mine?" Tang San asked.
"Well..." Yu Xiaogang was at a loss for words.
That was right—he didn't know either!
After all, he was a twenty-ninth-level Soul Master who couldn't even beat a Man-Dala Snake. His practical experience was practically nonexistent. How could he know so much?
"There could be many reasons. This is the first time your teacher has encountered something like this. But don't worry—the First Soul Ring I chose for you is definitely the best fit. I'll find out what caused that phenomenon..." Yu Xiaogang could only bluff for now and try to keep Tang San calm.
If even Tang San left him, then all hope of turning his life around would be gone for good!
He wasn't willing to accept that!
To prove himself right and keep winning, he could resort to anything—even giving up things that weren't all that important to him.
"Little San, you're still young. This match is just a small episode in your life."
"Your teacher promises to find a more suitable Second Soul Ring for you and help you defeat Lin Hui once and for all!"
"That's right. My Blue Silver Grass still has plenty of Soul Rings left to gain. This is only the first..." Hope gradually filled Tang San's eyes. "Thank you, Teacher. With your help, I believe I'll be able to defeat him once I get my Second Soul Ring!"
Wonderful. Little San still believed in him!
Yu Xiaogang was so moved he nearly cried.
At this moment, Tang San was the only person in the whole school still willing to believe in him!
Even if the first Soul Skill had been a failure, he didn't think it mattered. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass still had eight Soul Rings left to obtain!
They could keep trying. Sooner or later, one would prove him right!
And with Little San's Innate Full Soul Power cultivation speed, it wouldn't be long before he could choose a Second Soul Ring for him!
Once again, a touching scene of master and disciple played out in the infirmary...
That night, Xiao Wu was soaking in a bathtub in the special room provided by the academy.
She had tied up her scorpion braid, exposing her fair neck. Steam billowed around her, and her little buns were just visible, seeming to float on the water's surface.
She reached out with an arm as fair as a lotus root and wiped herself down.
Because Green Wood Liquid had been poured in, the bathwater was green.
"Wow, this feels so good. It'd be even better if there were bubbles!" Xiao Wu exclaimed with her eyes closed.
Since Xiao Wu was the champion, she had been given first use of the bathtub.
"Hahaha, Lin Hui, once Sister Xiao Wu is done soaking, you can pour out the bathwater for me!"
At that moment, Lin Hui's name appeared in Xiao Wu's mind again.
She remembered how awkward it had been when her body had touched Lin Hui's during their match that afternoon.
"Do boys all like this part?"
She touched her little buns.
Just then, someone knocked at the door again, but Xiao Wu was distracted and didn't hear.
Outside, Lin Hui knocked. When he found the door wasn't locked, he pushed it open.
In an instant, white light flashed—