Seeing Yu Xiaogang Again

A blue-haired youth, sturdier than others his age, stood with a gloomy air between his brows. It was Tang San.

Standing among the crowd, he swept his gaze across the grounds of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. A barely noticeable pride rested on his face, as though he were sizing up his future opponents.

A slender, beautiful girl with a scorpion braid was looking around idly. It was Xiao Wu.

She was still the same as ever. Her large eyes darted about, filled with curiosity toward everything around her.

There was also a chubby youth with an amiable smile, who was presumably Ma Hongjun; a handsome young man with frivolous eyes, who was presumably Oscar; and a cold-faced girl dressed entirely in black... The lineup of the Shrek Seven Monsters had already begun to take shape.

At the very back of the group stood a haggard middle-aged man in a gray robe. He had his head lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

Yu Xiaogang.

At that moment, Flender was negotiating with Dream Divine Machine. He removed his sunglasses, revealing his shrewd eyes. With the slick smile of a merchant, he went on at length about Shrek Academy's "glorious achievements."

"Committee Member Dream, it isn't that I, Flender, am bragging, but although Shrek Academy isn't large, every student we've trained has been an elite among elites." Flender raised a hand and pointed at the students behind him.

"Look at these children. Which one of them isn't extraordinarily gifted? Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, Oscar... They're all top-tier talents!"

After a pause, he pointed at several teachers beside him. "And Shrek Academy's faculty is no less impressive. Zhao Wuji is a level seventy-six Soul Sage. I'm sure you've heard of the Immovable Bright King. Li Yusong, Lu Qibin, and Shao Xin are all Soul Emperor-level powerhouses as well. And then there's our theory master, Yu Xiaogang—surely Committee Member Dream has heard his great name too?"

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward at the right moment and gave a slight nod. He wore a reserved yet appropriate expression, as though awaiting the praise he deserved.

Dream Divine Machine did not answer immediately. Instead, he stroked his beard as his gaze slowly passed over the members of Shrek Academy.

Two Soul Sages, several Soul Emperors, and theory master Yu Xiaogang—their faculty was indeed not weak.

He had also examined those students with his spiritual power earlier. They truly were all promising talents, especially Tang San. At fourteen, he had already reached level forty-four. Even within Heaven Dou Royal Academy, that was among the very best.

However, Flender's proposed conditions gave him some pause.

"Headmaster Flender," Dream Divine Machine said slowly, "in principle, this old man does not oppose Shrek Academy joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy. But the conditions you mentioned... retaining Shrek Academy's independent structure, having the right to recruit and teach independently, and Heaven Dou Royal Academy being forbidden from interfering in your internal affairs... Isn't that a little excessive?"

He looked directly at Flender, his tone turning stern.

"If you join Heaven Dou Royal Academy yet remain outside Heaven Dou Royal Academy's authority, then what kind of merger is that? We would spend vast resources training your students, only for you to leave at the drop of a hat because of 'differences in philosophy.' Wouldn't we just be making wedding clothes for someone else?"

The smile on Flender's face stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered.

"Committee Member Dream, you worry too much. Since Shrek Academy has chosen to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, we naturally come in good faith. But we are, after all, a mature academy with our own educational philosophy and teaching methods. If we completely give up our autonomy, how would we be any different from ordinary teachers?"

"Then there is nothing to discuss." Dream Divine Machine shook his head, his tone resolute.

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy has its own rules. If you wish to join us, you must abide by our regulations. If Headmaster Flender insists on retaining complete autonomy, then this old man cannot agree."

The atmosphere became tense for a moment.

Just then, Yu Xiaogang spoke.

"Committee Member Dream, may I say a few words?"

Dream Divine Machine glanced at him and nodded. "Master, please speak."

Yu Xiaogang took two steps forward, cleared his throat, and assumed an unfathomable air.

"Committee Member Dream, your concerns are ultimately about the return on your investment of resources. On that point, I can give you a guarantee—Shrek Academy's students are absolutely worth every resource you invest in them."

He pointed at Tang San, undisguised pride in his tone.

"This is my disciple, Tang San. Fourteen years old, level forty-four Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. Even back at Nuoding Academy, he had already displayed astonishing talent. Under my guidance, he took only a few short years to grow from an ordinary youth into an outstanding Soul Ancestor."

Tang San cooperatively straightened his chest and released his Soul Power. Two yellow and two purple Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight and drawing cries of surprise from the surrounding Heaven Dou Royal Academy students.

"A fourteen-year-old level forty-four Soul Ancestor is a top genius in any academy."

Yu Xiaogang continued, with a trace of pride in his voice. "And Shrek Academy has more than one such genius. Dai Mubai is a level forty-four Soul Ancestor... Xiao Wu is a level forty-one Soul Ancestor, Ma Hongjun is a level thirty-eight Soul Elder, and Oscar is a level thirty-eight Soul Elder... They were all cultivated by Shrek Academy."

He paused and looked straight at Dream Divine Machine, his tone turning earnest.

"Committee Member Dream, Shrek Academy is joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy not to take advantage of you, but to give these children a better platform for growth. If you are willing to accept us, I guarantee that the achievements these children attain in the future will make Heaven Dou Royal Academy proud."

Dream Divine Machine fell silent.

He had to admit that Yu Xiaogang's words had moved him. A fourteen-year-old level forty-four Soul Ancestor truly was rare.

Moreover, from Yu Xiaogang's words, Shrek Academy seemed to have several other students with equally outstanding talent. Bringing these geniuses into Heaven Dou Royal Academy would undoubtedly greatly enhance the academy's reputation and strength.

He pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "This old man will seriously consider the master's words. However, this matter is of great importance. I must discuss it with the other two committee members before giving you an answer."

"Of course," Flender hurriedly said. "Then we will await good news from the committee members in Heaven Dou City."

Dream Divine Machine nodded and turned to leave.

Watching Dream Divine Machine's retreating back, Flender let out a long breath of relief. He turned to Yu Xiaogang with a smug smile.

"Master, you really have a way with words. Just a few sentences, and you moved that old fellow."

Yu Xiaogang smiled reservedly, though a flash of barely concealed self-satisfaction passed through his eyes. "Theory must ultimately be put into practice. Tang San and the others' talents are our greatest bargaining chips."

Tang San stood to the side. Hearing his teacher's praise, a smile unconsciously rose to his lips.

Over the past few years, he had been cultivating desperately. Ever since the day Xiao Lin defeated him at Nuoding Academy, he had been holding back a fierce determination, swearing that he would surpass that guy.

Every day, he rose before dawn to cultivate and did not rest until late at night. He worked so hard partly to become stronger, but also to earn Xiao Wu's recognition.

He liked Xiao Wu. He had liked her from the very first moment he saw her.

But Xiao Wu was always circling around Xiao Lin, which made him deeply uncomfortable. He believed that as long as he became strong enough, Xiao Wu would see his worth and turn her gaze away from Xiao Lin.

As for Xiao Lin—Tang San's lips curled into a cold smile.

That guy who ignored his teacher's advice and stubbornly insisted on taking some strong-attack route had probably become useless by now, hadn't he?

Without a teacher's guidance or proper cultivation methods, no matter how gifted he was, he would only waste his talent. Perhaps he was regretting somewhere now that he hadn't listened to his teacher back then.