Yu Xiaogang

Once Meng Yiran and her companions had departed, Tang San began to absorb the spirit ring.

After all, the Human-Faced Demon Spider had been dead for some time, and he could not afford to delay.

As Tang San absorbed the energy, a look of agony appeared on his face.

The age of this Human-Faced Demon Spider was pushing his limits, so the absorption process was naturally excruciating.

Seeing this, Oscar and the others asked Zhao Wuji with concern, "Teacher Zhao, is Little San going to be alright?"

Watching Tang San in such a state, Zhao Wuji was naturally worried.

However, to prevent the others from panicking, he said solemnly, "Trust him."

At this moment, Xiao Wu was also feeling anxious.

However, she looked toward Ye Xuan and asked, "Big Brother Ye, will Third Brother be okay?"

She had witnessed Ye Xuan's strength with her own eyes; he was knowledgeable and experienced, so she knew he would be the one to ask.

"He will be. On the contrary, this is a stroke of fortune for him," Ye Xuan replied.

"A stroke of fortune?"

Hearing this, Xiao Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing looked toward Xiao Wu with a hint of curiosity.

She couldn't help but feel that Xiao Wu had grown closer to Ye Xuan; it was as if they shared some sort of secret between them.

But she didn't feel it was her place to ask, so she kept her suspicions to herself.

After Ye Xuan and the others waited for a long time, Tang San finally absorbed the spirit ring without further incident.

Naturally, he had also absorbed the external spirit bone in the process.

Although Zhao Wuji and the others found the changes brought about by this spirit ring strange, it was best to leave the Star Dou Great Forest first.

On the way back, Zhao Wuji asked Xiao Wu and Tang San for their exact ages, stating that he intended to register their breakthrough records at Shrek Academy upon their return.

After successfully returning to Shrek Academy, everyone went back to their respective rooms.

Zhao Wuji went to report the situation to Flender.

Once Ye Xuan returned to his room, he sensed that someone had arrived at Shrek Academy.

Judging by the strength of the person's spirit, he immediately identified the newcomer.

Yu Xiaogang had arrived.

Ye Xuan stood up and looked out the window, observing that after entering the village, Yu Xiaogang headed straight for where Flender resided.

Inside Flender's room.

"It seems I must go and thank Young Master Ye. If he hadn't intervened, our encounter with the Titan Giant Ape would have truly ended in disaster," Flender said gravely after hearing Zhao Wuji's account.

In Flender's view, they and Ye Xuan could be said to have become acquainted through conflict.

Ye Xuan had done them a great favor this time, and he deserved their gratitude.

Just then, Yu Xiaogang's voice rang out from outside the door: "Titan Giant Ape? Where did you encounter it?"

As Yu Xiaogang pushed the door open and entered, Zhao Wuji turned to look, and just as he was about to ask who it was, Flender stepped forward to greet him: "Xiaogang, you've arrived."

Xiaogang? Is this the Grandmaster?

Zhao Wuji thought to himself, scrutinizing Yu Xiaogang.

"Xiaogang, I just heard you mention the Titan Giant Ape. What happened?" Yu Xiaogang asked.

"This is Zhao Wuji, a teacher at our Shrek Academy. He was the one leading Tang San and the others to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt spirit beasts. Let him explain it to you," Flender said.

With Flender's prompt, Zhao Wuji recounted the events of the trip to the Star Dou Great Forest to Yu Xiaogang.

After listening, Yu Xiaogang's expression turned extremely grave.

"Immovable Wisdom King, are you saying that this Young Master Ye possesses strength comparable to a Title Douluo?" Yu Xiaogang asked.

"Young Master Ye once mentioned that he had crossed blades with the Haotian Douluo and fought to a draw," Zhao Wuji replied.

"What?" Yu Xiaogang was shocked, then asked, "How old is this Young Master Ye?"

"He appears to be only fourteen, and he claims to be fourteen as well. He practices a sword technique I have never seen before, one that allows him to attack without even needing a spirit," Zhao Wuji said.

"Fourteen? That is impossible." Yu Xiaogang shook his head violently, refusing to believe it.

Yu Xiaogang felt that anyone capable of rivaling the Haotian Douluo must have spent many years cultivating, regardless of the method. He assumed the fourteen-year-old appearance was merely a disguise used to deceive others.

Thinking this, Yu Xiaogang felt a sense of displeasure toward this Ye Xuan whom he had yet to meet.

Flender interrupted then, "Xiaogang, let's set aside the matter of his age for now. Young Master Ye came here to consult books related to spirits, and he hopes to learn more about spirit knowledge from you. Do you think you could have a talk with him?"

"Learn about spirits? Very well. I also happen to want to meet this person. I will go find him tomorrow," Yu Xiaogang said.

"Good, I will go with you tomorrow," Flender said, intending to thank Ye Xuan personally.

The next day.

Early in the morning.

Ye Xuan heard a knocking at his door.

"Young Master Ye, is now a convenient time?" Flender's voice followed the knock.

"Come in," Ye Xuan said.

Flender and his companion pushed the door open and entered. Flender thanked Ye Xuan, saying, "Young Master Ye, I am here to thank you for helping Shrek Academy repel the Titan Giant Ape in the Star Dou Great Forest."

"You are too kind, Dean. It was merely a small favor," Ye Xuan replied.

"Young Master Ye is truly righteous. By the way, this is Tang San's teacher, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang," Flender introduced.

"Greetings, Grandmaster," Ye Xuan said, cupping his hands in a salute.

"Young Master Ye," Yu Xiaogang returned the gesture.

However, Ye Xuan could sense a faint, lingering trace of aversion from him.

"I heard from Flender that you came to Shrek Academy to read books related to martial souls. But since the Immovable Wisdom King mentioned that you fought the Haotian Douluo to a draw, I wonder why you still need to learn about martial souls?" Yu Xiaogang asked.

When he mentioned the draw with the Haotian Douluo, Ye Xuan clearly felt his hostility become more pronounced.

"Learning more is always helpful, whether for my own cultivation or for dealing with enemies," Ye Xuan said.

"I see. Young Master Ye is truly extraordinary," Yu Xiaogang praised, though his words lacked sincerity.

"Xiaogang, Young Master Ye, you two talk here; I'm going to check on the others." Leaving space for the two to converse, Flender took his leave.

After Flender left, Ye Xuan asked, "Grandmaster, I have some questions regarding martial souls. I wonder if you could provide some guidance?"

"Of course, though my knowledge is shallow, so I fear I may not be able to answer everything for you," Yu Xiaogang replied.

"That is fine, I trust in you, Grandmaster," Ye Xuan said.

"Then please, Young Master Ye, go ahead," Yu Xiaogang invited.

This person is far too strange, he thought to himself. I will answer a few questions as a way of thanking him for saving Tang San. However, I must not reveal too much. My research must never be learned by someone of such unknown origins.

Ye Xuan then proceeded to bring up the questions he had derived from his reading, one by one.

Yu Xiaogang listened and provided explanations for each.

Yet, Ye Xuan couldn't help but feel that the man was holding back at least thirty percent of the truth.