Yu Xiaogang Was Back in Form

Flander interrupted Ning Rongrong's casting, saving her from poaching anyone else.

Tang San looked up and hurriedly set down his lunchbox. "Teacher!"

Yu Xiaogang was very pleased with Tang San's attitude and patted his shoulder. "Xiao San, I went to Papal City these past few days. You didn't neglect your training, did you?"

Tang San nodded vigorously. When he turned to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, his voice carried a hint of pride. "Boss Dai, Fatty, this is my teacher, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang!"

"I've told you about him before. The theoretical work Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls was my teacher's life's work!"

Dai Mubai was instantly impressed.

He had long heard that although the Grandmaster's strength was nothing special, he truly had considerable insight into training Soul Masters.

Besides, Headmaster Flander had said that this Grandmaster's theoretical achievements ranked among the best on the entire continent. He was highly respected in the Soul Master world and even knew quite a few Title Douluo.

Ma Hongjun also came over, squeezing a smile onto his pig-headed swollen face. "Hello, Grandmaster! Tang San talks about you every day!"

Yu Xiaogang nodded with a smile. At that moment, his gaze casually swept past Tang San's shoulder.

Dressed neatly and sharply, with a pair of chopsticks still in hand, Ye Hua was looking at him with a faintly amused smile.

Yu Xiaogang froze completely, as though lightning had struck the crown of his head!

Ye! Hua!

Why was it him?!

Flander failed to notice anything strange about his old friend's expression and strode over to Ye Hua.

"Xiao Gang, come, let me introduce you. This is the genius teacher I just told you about."

"A fierce man who defeated Zhao Wuji all by himself. His first Soul Ring was a thousand years old, his third Soul Ring ten thousand years old. A monster like this, in all of Shrek's history..."

"Xiao Gang, what's wrong?"

As Flander spoke, he suddenly noticed his old friend's deathly pale face and sensed that something was off.

He looked at Ye Hua, then at Yu Xiaogang, and asked tentatively, "You know each other?"

"We do." Ye Hua set down his chopsticks, his smile gentle as water. "We're old acquaintances, aren't we?"

Yu Xiaogang felt as if a stone were lodged in his throat.

He recalled that corridor in Notting City six years ago.

It had been that very smile, that same gentle and harmless tone.

Then his ribs had been broken. He had spent three months bedridden recovering, and he had even been summoned for questioning as a suspect every so often!

But the Grandmaster was still the Grandmaster. Taking a deep breath, he forcibly swallowed his turbulent emotions and restored his confident, composed expression.

"Flander," he said coolly, "since you asked me to come teach, let me handle Shrek's instruction."

Flander frowned. "Xiao Gang, I was just about to discuss this with you. Teacher Ye has already begun teaching."

"His method of teaching students is feeding them?" Yu Xiaogang's brows knitted tightly. "You must understand that the path of a true genius requires not lavish food, but scientific and reasonable training methods."

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gray robe snapping in the wind. "I have studied Martial Soul theory for decades, traveled across the continent, pored over the secret manuals of ancient sects, and summarized three core principles of training."

Dai Mubai played along. "Which three?"

"First, high-intensity weighted long-distance running every day. It tempers the muscles and bones, improves physical fitness, and lays the foundation for absorbing higher-year Soul Rings later."

Huh?

Everyone exchanged looks.

Wasn't that what they had done that morning?

"Second, actual combat. Go to the Great Spirit Arena and hone one's skills in battle."

"Third, dietary replenishment outside cultivation. Students should endure what ordinary people cannot and simply eat plain, simple meals."

"Ordinary food fills the stomach and is enough to meet a Soul Master's needs. Excessive delicacies only erode one's will and are detrimental to cultivating the ability to endure hardship."

The entire place fell silent.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong looked at each other, while Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly.

Oscar stared at the lunchbox in his hands and could not help muttering softly, "Tang San, is your teacher really the legendary Grandmaster?"

"Why does it sound... like what Teacher Ye said, except that last point is even worse than Teacher Ye's?"

Tang San's face turned livid, yet he could not find any words to refute him.

His teacher's theories did indeed overlap with Ye Hua's teaching.

Flander's expression also shifted slightly. Just now, hearing Yu Xiaogang speak so eloquently, he had thought his old friend really had something to offer. But compared to Ye Hua, why did the difference suddenly seem so obvious?

Yu Xiaogang did not hear the applause he had expected, and cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

But he could not retreat, much less show weakness!

Back in Notting City, Ye Hua had ruined his reputation!

Six years later, he had finally found a chance to turn things around. He absolutely could not be trampled underfoot again!

"Flander, whether it's a mule or a horse, you'll only know once you put it to the test."

"Why not let Ye Hua and me each train some students and see who is the true master teacher?"

Seeing Yu Xiaogang take the initiative to propose a contest, Flander was instead relieved.

When it came to teaching results, Ye Hua's ability had even convinced Zhao Wuji last night!

But when it came to friendship, the bond they had shared as the Golden Iron Triangle was no lie either!

Flander looked at Ye Hua. "Teacher Ye, what do you think?"

[Ding--]

[Detected that the host has been challenged by Yu Xiaogang. Temporary mission triggered.]

[Mission Name: Shatter a Certain Grandmaster's Dao Heart]

[Mission Objective: Completely crush Yu Xiaogang in terms of teaching results.]

[Mission Reward: Five customized Immortal Herbs (recipients may be selected for customization).]

[Mission Description: Don't tell me you can't beat him with cheats enabled!]

"Headmaster, I have no problem with that." Having received the system mission, Ye Hua agreed decisively. "Why not let the students choose their own teachers?"

"Those willing to follow me can remain where they are. Those willing to follow the Grandmaster can stand over there."

No one had expected the newly arrived Grandmaster to immediately stand toe-to-toe with Ye Hua.

Whether old students or new, none of them knew whom to choose for the moment.

"I choose my teacher!"

Tang San did not hesitate. He strode toward Yu Xiaogang with his head held high, his voice ringing with conviction. "My teacher has guided me for six years. His kindness is as heavy as a mountain. Naturally, I'll follow him!"

Dai Mubai hesitated briefly, glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then gritted his teeth and stepped forward as well. "Tang San is right. The Grandmaster is a recognized authority in theoretical studies. I trust Dai Mubai trusts him."

In truth, he simply did not want to become Ye Hua's student and be beneath Ye Hua!

Since the training results were about the same and the only difference was food, he could endure it to preserve the dignity of the White Tiger!

Could a little difference in diet really widen the gap that much? He did not believe it!

There was no need to mention Ma Hongjun. As Dai Mubai's little follower, he immediately followed.

Yu Xiaogang gave the three of them a satisfied glance, then turned his gaze toward the remaining students.

Dai Mubai hurriedly signaled Oscar with his eyes, but Oscar turned his head away. Then he gave Zhu Zhuqing a meaningful look, only to be ignored outright, leaving him rather embarrassed.

Ye Hua was not surprised in the slightest. He looked at Yu Xiaogang. "Since the groups have been decided, let's establish the terms of the wager as well."

"One month from now, we'll bring our respective students to compete at the Soto Great Spirit Arena and see whose results are better."

"Agreed!" Yu Xiaogang stood with his back straight, as though he could already see Ye Hua admitting defeat before everyone in three months.

Perhaps Ye Hua truly was a freak, and perhaps he really could not defeat him.

But! When it came to training Soul Masters! No one was more professional than me!

To establish his authority, he directly turned his gaze toward Ma Hongjun...