Yu Xiaogang's Deception!

Night had fallen over Nuoding City Junior Spirit Master Academy.

Tang San stood where he was, staring fixedly at the backs of Ling Xuqing and Gu Yuena.

Only after the two small figures had disappeared around the corner of the dormitory building did he slowly tear his gaze away.

His right hand was still poised to slide toward his sleeve, his fingertips faintly white.

"How... how did he know?"

Tang San murmured to himself, shock and confusion churning deep in his eyes.

The Sleeve Arrow was one of the Tang Sect's most basic, yet most concealed Hidden Weapons.

He had trained in the Tang Sect's outer sect from a young age and knew how to conceal his presence, how to kill without making a sound.

At that instant, he had been certain he'd done it flawlessly. He hadn't even changed the rhythm of his breathing.

But that boy called Ling Xuqing hadn't just seen through his move—he'd even named the "Sleeve Arrow" and "Hidden Weapon" outright!

How was that possible?

How could a child who looked only six years old, and didn't even have his First Soul Ring, know so much about Hidden Weapons?

Could there be another hidden sect like the Tang Sect behind him?

"Damn it... you've earned yourself a death wish!"

Tang San silently repeated the words.

Ling Xuqing had not only humiliated his teacher to his face, but had also seen through his trump card.

This unpredictable variable, beyond his control, filled Tang San, who was used to controlling everything, with a powerful unease—and murderous intent.

"Cough, cough... cough, cough, cough..."

A fit of violent coughing pulled Tang San from his thoughts.

He turned and looked at Yu Xiaogang, sprawled on the grass more than ten meters away.

At that moment, Yu Xiaogang was nothing like the "Grandmaster" he claimed to be.

He was curled up on the cold grass as if all the bones had been pulled from his body, a startling streak of blood still at the corner of his mouth.

Gu Yuena's kick had looked effortless, but the force behind it had been terrifying. It had nearly shattered his internal organs.

Tang San hurried over, crouched down, and took Yu Xiaogang by the shoulder. "Teacher, are you all right?"

At the sound of Tang San's concern, Yu Xiaogang's unfocused eyes finally cleared a little.

He struggled to raise his head and looked at his disciple's worried face, his heart welling with bitterness and gratitude.

"I... I'm fine..." Yu Xiaogang panted, his voice hoarse.

With Tang San's help, he struggled into a sitting position and wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

Although his body was in terrible pain, Yu Xiaogang's eyes gradually brightened.

He looked at Tang San, his mind racing.

Ling Xuqing's words had been like a sharp knife, stabbing straight into the weakest part of his pride.

But Yu Xiaogang was Yu Xiaogang. He had made his way through the theoretical world of the Douluo Continent for years, and it wasn't just by relying on strength. He had a tongue that could talk the dead back to life, and a logic that always managed to explain itself.

"Xiao San..." Yu Xiaogang drew a deep breath, forcing down the pain in his chest. He put on a grave, inscrutable expression. "You saw it too. That Ling Xuqing is nothing but an arrogant, ignorant fool who doesn't know how high the sky is!"

Tang San nodded, a cold glint in his eyes. "Teacher, he not only insulted you, he saw through me too. He's extremely dangerous, and he's hostile toward me."

"Of course he's hostile toward you!" Yu Xiaogang slapped his thigh, his eyes shining with wisdom.

"He's jealous of you! He's afraid of you!"

Tang San paused.

"Jealous of me? Afraid of me?"

"Exactly!" Yu Xiaogang's voice rose sharply, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Xiao San, think about it. Your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, right?"

Tang San nodded. "Yes."

"By the common understanding of the Douluo Continent, Blue Silver Grass is universally recognized as a Trash Martial Soul, right?" Yu Xiaogang continued, leading him along.

Tang San nodded again. "Yes."

"But!" Yu Xiaogang changed tack, fixing Tang San with a burning gaze. "How could a Trash Martial Soul possibly come with Innate Full Soul Power? It defies the ironclad rule that has held for ten thousand years on the Douluo Continent!"

A thoughtful look flashed through Tang San's eyes. "Teacher, you mean..."

"I mean that you, Tang San, are unquestionably a once-in-a-century wielder of Twin Martial Souls!" Yu Xiaogang declared, his voice full of fervor and conviction. "Your First Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and your Second Martial Soul must be an exceptionally powerful, overbearing top-tier Martial Soul! It's the existence of your Second Martial Soul that gives you Innate Full Soul Power!"

Tang San's heart leaped.

Twin Martial Souls?

He knew perfectly well that he had Twin Martial Souls.

His Second Martial Soul was the Clear Sky Hammer!

But he had never revealed that secret to anyone. Even his father, Tang Hao, had only told him to keep it hidden.

Yet this self-proclaimed "Grandmaster," Yu Xiaogang, had deduced that he had Twin Martial Souls from a single clue—his Innate Full Soul Power?!

"Teacher... h-how did you know?" Tang San's voice trembled.

Seeing Tang San's stunned expression, Yu Xiaogang felt secretly pleased.

On the surface, though, he acted as if it were nothing and said coolly, "That's the power of theory and common sense. That fool Ling Xuqing can't even see this. What right does he have to mock my theories? He's nothing but a reckless brute who thinks his talent gives him the right to look down on everyone!"

As Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang, all his doubts vanished.

In their place came boundless admiration and reverence.

"Teacher... you're truly amazing!"

Tang San said excitedly, "This alone proves that your theories are absolutely correct! Ling Xuqing is nothing but a useless fool who can't recognize what's right in front of him!"

"Xiao San, I'm glad you understand." Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San on the shoulder with satisfaction. "Remember, a true genius doesn't rely on his fists, but on his mind. Ling Xuqing dared to treat you this way today. Someday, he'll pay for it."

"Yes, Teacher!" Tang San nodded firmly.

In that moment, every last doubt Tang San had about Yu Xiaogang was swept away.

At the same time, Ling Xuqing's face was branded in his heart as that of an enemy.

"He dared to insult my teacher, and he saw through my trump card... Ling Xuqing, you've earned yourself a death wish!"

Tang San swore coldly to himself.

Meanwhile, inside the dormitory at Nuoding City Junior Spirit Master Academy.

Warm lamplight spilled over the wooden floor as Ling Xuqing led Gu Yuena inside and opened the dormitory door.

The wooden door clicked softly shut.

Xiao Wu's spirit immediately drifted out of his sea of consciousness. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at Ling Xuqing, her face full of indignation and confusion.

"Why didn't you kill that two-faced Tang San today?! He actually wanted to kill you just now, and even thought about shooting you with a Sleeve Arrow! Someone like him deserves to be crushed to death!"

Ah Yin slowly appeared as well. Her gentle, beautiful face was now covered in frost.

She looked at Ling Xuqing, her voice carrying both heartache and grim resolve.

"Exactly, Xuqing. You don't need to spare my feelings. He's not my son anymore. He's just a monster who stole my son's body! If you want to kill him, then kill him. Why leave him around to offend the eyes?"

Gu Yuena tilted her head up too, her violet eyes gleaming with curiosity as she looked at Ling Xuqing.

Seeing the three girls brimming with righteous indignation, Ling Xuqing couldn't help smiling.

He went to the table, took the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges from his arms, and set it down.

"Xiao Wu, Ah Yin, do you think killing Tang San would be difficult?"

Ling Xuqing pulled over a chair and sat down, speaking calmly.

"Not at all!" Xiao Wu said as if it were obvious. "With your strength, killing him would take no time!"

"It wouldn't be difficult," Ling Xuqing agreed. "But it's not the right time to deal with him."

"Why not?" Xiao Wu asked, blinking in confusion.

Ling Xuqing smiled faintly, a deep look in his eyes. "Because we won't be staying in Nuoding City much longer. Soon, we'll leave."

"Leave?" Ah Yin paused. "Where are we going?"

"To a much wider world." Ling Xuqing looked out at the vast night sky beyond the window.

"Nuoding City is too small to contain our future. As for Tang San... let him keep dreaming his grand dreams in this little Nuoding City. When we meet again, he'll understand what true despair means."

Xiao Wu and Ah Yin looked at each other. They were still a little reluctant, but they understood what Ling Xuqing meant.

"Fine, I'll listen to you," Xiao Wu said with a pout.

Ah Yin nodded gently too. "Xuqing is right. He's not worth wasting our time on."

Ling Xuqing smiled, stood up, and opened the wooden box on the table.

A faint, fishy, salty smell instantly filled the dormitory.

"Enough about that ill-omened Tang San."

Ling Xuqing looked at the dark yellow, gelatinous substance in the box, a smile curving his lips.

"Let's refine the Whale Rubber first!"