The reason was simple. From certain descriptions, Yu Xiaogang felt that Bai Shu's Green Lotus martial soul had many similarities with Blue Silver Grass.
If he could take Bai Shu under his wing, then he could rightfully use Bai Shu as the "pathfinder" for his prized disciple, Tang San.
When faced with dangerous dilemmas in the future, such as choosing spirit rings or resolving attribute conflicts, he could first experiment on Bai Shu. Once he confirmed that his theories were viable and safe, he could have Tang San replicate them.
This would undoubtedly ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that Tang San could put his theories into practice.
As for whether Bai Shu lived or died? If he was lucky enough to survive, then he would have become strong under Yu Xiaogang's great theories. Clearly, that would be a mutually beneficial "gift."
With that in mind, Yu Xiaogang smugly straightened his slightly wrinkled collar, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke arrogantly at the entrance to the cafeteria.
"Bai Shu, is it? I think we need to have a proper talk about the future direction of your martial soul's development. This is a decision that concerns your entire life."
Bai Shu stopped and looked Yu Xiaogang up and down as though he were inspecting a purebred idiot. Then, without sparing him a single word, he ignored the stiffness on Yu Xiaogang's face and brushed past his shoulder, heading into the cafeteria.
"Stop! My teacher is graciously speaking to you. How can you be so disrespectful to your elders, so utterly rude?"
Seeing his respected teacher so thoroughly ignored by Bai Shu, Tang San immediately flew into a rage. He stepped forward and blocked Bai Shu's path like Gui mei, even faintly employing the footwork of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
After recovering for an entire night, although his injuries had not yet healed, he believed that with Tang Sect Hidden Weapons and his sect's secret arts, Bai Shu would be no problem even while he was injured.
Seeing his way forward completely blocked, Bai Shu could not help rolling his eyes, utterly speechless.
Tang San, you've lived two lives. Yet in just one day, you've been fooled so thoroughly that you can't even tell north from south, and you're already defending him. You're an embarrassment to transmigrators.
Still, throwing hands at the cafeteria entrance first thing in the morning, with people constantly passing by, was beneath him. So he stood still, crossed his arms over his chest, and decided to hear what insights this so-called Number One Theory Master could offer.
"Oh? What could a 'Number One Theory Master' who reached level 29 at fifty years old possibly have to discuss with an ordinary student like me, someone with Innate Full Soul Power?"
Bai Shu put heavy emphasis on the words "level 29" and "fifty years old." His voice was neither loud nor soft, but wrapped in Soul Power, it instantly spread through half the cafeteria.
The moment those words left his mouth, the older students who had risen early for breakfast all turned to look, their eyes brimming with anticipation for a show.
The title of "Grandmaster" did not circulate only among teachers. These ordinary students, whom Yu Xiaogang looked down on every day, were even more disgusted by this old man who freeloaded everywhere while acting so full of himself.
Bai Shu's precise stab hit Yu Xiaogang right in the sore spot. His perpetually stiff and pallid face immediately flushed from green to red.
However, in order to maintain his dignified image before the students, he forcibly suppressed the urge to explode on the spot. Taking a deep breath, he put on a look of heartfelt regret and lectured him.
"Young man, don't be so hot-blooded. Your talent may be decent, but your martial soul has Innate Deficiency and lacks the necessary means of attack. If you do not correct your development path in time, your future achievements are destined to be limited. You may not even be able to protect yourself!"
Bai Shu raised his eyebrows strangely. In a sense, Yu Xiaogang had indeed gotten something right. He really did lack any proper offensive methods.
But that was only temporary. Whether by creating Self-Created Soul Skills or absorbing the spirit rings of suitable Spirit Beasts, he could make up for that weakness later.
Naturally, Bai Shu would not say any of that. Even if he did, Yu Xiaogang would not believe him.
So Bai Shu's eyes shifted, and he quietly adopted the obedient expression of someone humbly seeking guidance. With a teasing tone, he said, "Since Grandmaster sees things so clearly, may I ask what solution you have?"
Yu Xiaogang did not notice Bai Shu's mockery in the slightest. Thinking he had hit Bai Shu's weak point with a single sentence, the arrogance on his face grew even stronger. Without a second thought, he brought out the theory he had already put into practice on Tang San.
"Based on my years of research, what you should do now is break convention! Absorb a Poison Attribute Animal Type Spirit Ring! Then take the path of support, battlefield control, and poison-based counterattacks. Let your plant carry deadly toxins. That way, you will have a way forward in the Spirit Master world."
Bai Shu's expression became even stranger. He shot a meaningful glance at Tang San, who stood beside him with a face full of agreement, and immediately understood. This was about finding Tang San a support.
Bai Shu widened his eyes in feigned surprise. "But Grandmaster, my martial soul clearly possesses a pure Life Attribute! Is it really appropriate to pursue the Poison Attribute?"
Yu Xiaogang waved his hand without hesitation and declared firmly, "Of course it is appropriate! Precisely because your martial soul possesses abundant Life Attribute energy, it has immense adaptability and potential for shaping! If you agree to my suggestion, I can make an exception today and reluctantly accept you as a Registered Disciple. I will personally find the most suitable spirit ring for you!"
"Pfft—"
"HAHAHAHAHA... Oh, I can't take it anymore, my stomach hurts from laughing!"
Bai Shu truly could not hold it in anymore. He burst into loud, undisguised laughter. Yu Xiaogang was simply a living joke. How did he manage to spout such nonsense with such a righteous expression and a completely serious face?
Following Bai Shu's laughter, the older students who had been secretly listening in could no longer hold back either. The entire cafeteria entrance instantly erupted in overwhelming laughter.
"Fuck, I thought this 'Grandmaster' never taught us because his standards were too high. Turns out he's just a complete idiot!"
"What the hell is a Life Attribute martial soul absorbing a Poison Attribute spirit ring? How is that any different from eating arsenic to nourish your body? Never absorb a spirit ring whose attribute conflicts with the Martial Soul Origin—our teacher stressed that ironclad rule again and again in the very first lesson of first year!"
"Even more ridiculous, he said a Poison Attribute 'Animal Type' spirit ring! A plant martial soul absorbing an animal spirit ring is already brain-dead enough, and then he wants to add a conflicting poison attribute... Anyone who actually believes his nonsense probably won't even know how they died. They'll explode into fireworks right on the spot!"
Listening to the ridicule and contempt flooding the cafeteria, Yu Xiaogang's expression finally cracked. His hands trembled with rage, and his face turned livid. Just as he was preparing to make an excuse and slip away in disgrace, Tang San finally could not endure it any longer and stepped forward.
"Shut up, all of you! A bunch of frogs in a well—who says my teacher's theories are wrong?!"
With a low shout that barely suppressed his fury, Tang San endured the pain in his internal organs and suddenly spread open his right hand, forcefully releasing his martial soul.
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