Hearing Flender's praise, Dugu Bo's gaze shifted. He glanced at Ao Yin beside him, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and spoke casually.
"No need to thank me."
"He broke through to Soul King not because of me, but because Teacher Erlong devoted herself to protecting him throughout the process. It cost her a great deal of strength."
At those simple words, Yu Xiaogang shuddered and froze where he stood.
He hurried forward, his worried gaze fixed on Liu Erlong's pale face and unsteady breathing.
"Erlong! Are you all right?"
"You're so weak. Were you badly injured last night?"
Liu Erlong was already seething with embarrassment and anger. His question sent her temper flaring. She turned a cold glare on Yu Xiaogang, her voice thick with scorn.
"Hmph! Even like this, I'm still stronger than you!"
"I stayed and risked my life protecting him last night. I never backed down a single step. But you? At the first sign of trouble, you greased your soles and ran faster than anyone!"
The retort stripped Yu Xiaogang of all dignity and left him speechless.
The atmosphere turned painfully awkward.
Seeing the standoff, Ao Yin cleared his throat twice and stepped forward to smooth things over, deftly concealing everything that had happened the night before.
"Don't read too much into it."
"Teacher Erlong gave everything she had to protect me while I broke through last night. She exhausted much of her Soul Power and vital essence, which is why she's so weak now."
"Once we're back, I'll prepare a few of my own restorative prescriptions for Teacher Erlong. Combined with my special massage techniques, they'll gradually nourish her body, replenish what she lost, and bring her back to her peak."
His explanation was perfectly aboveboard and left no gaps.
Flender and Yu