Yu Xiaogang, the Tool

Cinderella hid behind Tang San, her azure eyes flickering slightly as she took in Yu Xiaogang's every reaction.

The corners of her lips curved into an unnoticed smile.

"A tool... hadn't he just delivered himself to my doorstep?"

Cinderella chuckled inwardly. "A master? Perfect. The spirit ring and spirit beast knowledge and theoretical guidance Xiao San and I lack can now be provided by you, selflessly."

In Cinderella's eyes, she was unsure whether Yu Xiaogang truly had any talent, but he definitely possessed plenty of books. After all, someone bearing the title of master surely needed a large number of books to maintain his image.

Cinderella gently tugged on Tang San's sleeve, signaling him to stay calm.

Then, she leaned half her body out from behind Tang San and gave Yu Xiaogang a flawless smile—pure, innocent, and carrying a touch of shyness and reliance.

"Really? Master, you're amazing! Then please guide my little brother and me from now on."

That smile was like sunlight piercing through dark clouds, instantly striking Yu Xiaogang's heart, which longed to be admired.

He immediately felt refreshed all over, and even Tang San, who had been glaring at him the whole time, seemed much more pleasing to the eye.

"Of course, of course! Follow me!"

Yu Xiaogang waved his hand spiritedly, as though he had already become the mentor of two future powerhouses, then took the lead into the academy.

Old Jack watched the scene with relief, feeling that they had encountered a benefactor.

Tang San still wore a tense expression as he followed behind Yu Xiaogang warily, constantly guarding against that seemingly sanctimonious master ahead.

Cinderella walked at the very back. Looking at Yu Xiaogang's back, then at the nervous Tang San beside her, a trace of calm control flashed deep within her azure eyes.

Yu Xiaogang walked ahead of Tang San and Cinderella with great satisfaction, leading the way.

He had even deliberately slowed his pace so that the two newly discovered geniuses behind him could keep up.

More importantly, he wanted to enjoy Cinderella's admiring gaze a little longer.

Ever since leaving Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong, he had not enjoyed the admiring gazes of others for a very long time.

Cinderella's azure eyes were clear and innocent, and her voice was soft and sweet. "Master Uncle, you know so much! It's my first time hearing about the Spirit Ring Limit Theory you mentioned earlier! You must have read so, so many books, right? Do you have a huge study filled with all kinds of soul master classics?"

As she spoke, Cinderella used her hands to gesture something very large, her expression innocent and full of longing.

This precisely aimed flattery made Yu Xiaogang feel utterly at ease, greatly satisfying his vanity.

He gave a restrained cough and slightly raised his chin, trying to make his tone sound indifferent, though he still could not hide the boastfulness within it.

"Heh heh, not that many. I merely devoted myself to research over the years and did collect some rather precious rare editions and handwritten notes from across the continent. I have dabbled somewhat in matters such as martial soul mutations, spirit beast illustrations, and the principles behind spirit ring combinations. My study may not be large, but the books inside are likely no less extensive than those in an ordinary library at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."

Yu Xiaogang deliberately made it sound casual, yet every word emphasized the value of his collection.

Cinderella instantly understood, and an almost imperceptible gleam flashed deep in her azure eyes.

Just as expected—he had the goods! And they sounded high-quality!

This was exactly what she needed most right now: systematic and comprehensive theoretical knowledge about soul masters, especially regarding spirit ring selection and spirit beast identification.

Tang Hao was unreliable, and the academy's basic education was far too slow. Although Yu Xiaogang's reputation as a theoretical master was heavily inflated, the books he had spent half his life collecting were the true treasure.

"Wow! Master Uncle, you're incredible!"

Cinderella exclaimed again, clasping her hands to her chest as if little stars were about to shine from her eyes. "If only I could have a chance someday to admire those precious books of yours! Even just one look would surely benefit me immensely!"

Yu Xiaogang was so overwhelmed by Cinderella's sugar-coated praise that he replied almost without thinking, "There will be a chance, naturally! Once you've settled in, you can come to my residence anytime..."

The moment the words left his mouth, he abruptly realized that he had sounded a little too eager. He quickly stopped himself, changed the subject, and began flaunting his knowledge again in an attempt to further cement his learned image.

Focusing on Tang San's Blue Silver Grass Innate Full Soul Power, he launched into an endless analysis of every possibility, from hidden martial soul mutations to special bloodline inheritances, speaking with extravagant flair.

At last, he suddenly paused and fixed Tang San with a burning gaze. He spoke with absolute certainty. "Therefore, there is only one truth! Tang San, you do not have only one martial soul. Your other martial soul is certainly no ordinary thing—it must be extraordinarily powerful! Otherwise, it could never support the Innate Full Soul Power of the useless martial soul, Blue Silver Grass! You are a one-in-ten-thousand twin martial soul!"

Then he looked at Cinderella and stroked his chin thoughtfully. "As for your Crystal Dance Shoes martial soul, Xian Di, I have searched through countless records and have never seen an identical one. However, its crystalline appearance and unusual soul power fluctuations suggest that it is very likely a beneficial mutation of some spiritual-type or support-type martial soul. Its potential is immense!"

Cinderella practically wanted to roll her eyes so hard they reached the back of her head.

A useless martial soul, Blue Silver Grass? This was clearly the immensely powerful Blue Silver Emperor!

And a beneficial mutation? Mine was a legitimate fairy-tale artifact martial soul!

Yet outwardly, Cinderella cooperatively displayed an expression of extreme shock and admiration. She covered her mouth with her little hand, her eyes widening round.

"Oh my! Master! You could actually tell even that!"

Beside her, the instant Yu Xiaogang exposed his twin martial souls, every muscle in Tang San's body tensed.

How did he know?

The first rule of the Xuantian Treasure Record rang alarm bells in Tang San's mind!

This seemingly ordinary, dejected man had actually seen through his secret at a glance!

Dangerous! Extremely dangerous! He had to be eliminated!

Killing intent surged into Tang San's heart in an instant. His right hand lowered slightly, and inside his sleeve, his fingers silently hooked the mechanism of a Silent Sleeve Arrow.

If there was even the slightest further disturbance, he was seventy percent certain that he could instantly pierce this man's throat!

As for the consequences?

Anyone who dared pry into my sister's and my secrets deserved death!

Just as Tang San was about to act, Cinderella lightly tugged on his sleeve. The force was gentle, yet like a bucket of cold water, it instantly extinguished the killing intent about to erupt from him.

Tang San abruptly came back to his senses and met Cinderella's calm eyes. He took a deep breath and suppressed his urge to kill, though his gaze toward Yu Xiaogang remained icy.