The Boastful Master Yu Xiaogang: I Taught These Geniuses

"Teacher," Tang San asked, "how is that Xiao Lin doing now?"

Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment, then shook his head. "Who knows? Maybe he's still wasting his days away in Notting City. He refused my guidance and insisted on taking the crooked path. What prospects could he possibly have?"

Tang San nodded, an inexplicable thrill rising in his heart.

He truly wanted to see the expression on Xiao Lin's face when he saw Tang San's current achievements.

It was bound to be wonderful.

Xiao Lin had originally only intended to watch the excitement from afar. He had not planned to show himself.

Shrek Academy merging into Heaven Dou Royal Academy held no particular significance for him.

Other than his old grudges with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, he had no connection to Shrek Academy. There was no need for him to deliberately step out and make his presence known.

So, he stood behind a large tree with his arms folded, watching Flender negotiate with Dream Divine Machine with great interest. As he listened to Yu Xiaogang's self-aggrandizing speech, he clicked his tongue inwardly in amazement.

Tang San was forty-fourth rank at fourteen years old. That truly surprised him.

Logically speaking, Xiao Lin had intercepted Tang San's Immortal Herb resources—the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot, and Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower had all been taken by him. He had even taken the Blue Silver Emperor and the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone—so Tang San's growth should have been severely affected.

Yet, judging by the current situation, Tang San had not only failed to fall behind, but his rank was even slightly higher than it had been at the same point in the original story.

The Child of Fortune really does have something to him, Xiao Lin mused.

Looks like he encountered some other opportunity, or Tang Hao secretly gave him extra help. But that isn't strange either. He has the fate of a protagonist, after all. He won't be so easily crushed for good.

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard a crisp, familiar voice from nearby.

"Xiao Lin?!"

The voice was filled with surprise and disbelief. Immediately afterward, a pink figure dashed toward him like a cheerful little rabbit.

Xiao Wu.

Before Xiao Lin could react, Xiao Wu had already rushed before him. Without the slightest hesitation, she spread her arms and threw herself into his embrace.

"It really is you! I thought I was seeing things!" Xiao Wu shouted excitedly. Her entire body hung from Xiao Lin as her long legs naturally wrapped around his waist, clinging to him like a koala.

"How are you here? I thought you'd disappeared! Where have you been all these years? Why didn't you write to me?"

Caught off guard by her sudden enthusiastic embrace, Xiao Lin held his hands suspended in midair, unsure where to put them.

Meanwhile, Tang San's face had gone greener than green.

He watched helplessly as the girl he had pursued for years happily clung to another man—a man who was also his greatest enemy.

He felt a rush of blood shoot straight to his head. His hands clenched into fists unconsciously, his nails nearly digging into his flesh.

"Xiao Wu!" Tang San strode forward, his voice carrying suppressed anger. "Get down, now! Hugging and clinging like this—what kind of behavior is that?"

Xiao Wu turned her head and glanced at him, curling her lips dismissively. "What's wrong with it? Xiao Lin and I are good friends. We haven't seen each other in so long, so what's wrong with a hug?"

"You—!" Tang San was so furious that he could not speak. He could only direct his anger at Xiao Lin, glaring at him viciously. "Xiao Lin! Why are you here?!"

Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow and slowly "peeled" Xiao Wu off himself. Then, after smoothing out his wrinkled robe, he finally spoke unhurriedly. "Why can't I be here?"

"You—" Tang San choked on his words, unable to find a retort for a moment.

At this point, Yu Xiaogang also walked over. He frowned as he looked Xiao Lin up and down, his tone carrying a lofty scrutiny.

"Xiao Lin, are you here for Heaven Dou Royal Academy too? What, couldn't get by at Nuoding Academy and came here to try your luck?"

He shook his head, putting on an expression that said, "I knew it."

"I told you back then that the Nine Phoenix Ceremonial Flute should follow a support path. You refused to listen and insisted on taking some assault path. Well, look at you now—you've trained yourself into uselessness, haven't you? But it's not too late to come to your senses. If you're willing to apologize to me and admit your mistake from back then, I might consider giving you some guidance..."

After hearing that, Xiao Lin nearly burst out laughing.

However, just then, Dream Divine Machine and the other two Education Committee members finished their discussion and came over. They happened not to notice Xiao Lin and looked toward Yu Xiaogang instead.

Dream Divine Machine turned to Yu Xiaogang and Flender. "Headmaster Flender, Master, the three of us have discussed the conditions you proposed earlier."

Flender and Yu Xiaogang promptly reined in their expressions and assumed attentive postures.

Dream Divine Machine continued, "If Master truly can teach such outstanding students as you claimed, then Heaven Dou Royal Academy can grant you a certain degree of autonomy. After all, capable educators deserve the respect due to them."

A flicker of delight passed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes, though he maintained a reserved expression on the surface. "Education Committee Member Meng flatters me. I merely fulfilled the duties a teacher should."

Dream Divine Machine nodded, then asked seemingly casually, "By the way, Master, you said those talented students, including Tang San, were all personally taught by you?"

Yu Xiaogang straightened his chest, undisguised pride on his face.

"Indeed. Tang San has studied under me ever since Nuoding Academy. The configuration of every one of his Soul Rings and the development of every Soul Skill were all completed under my guidance. Xiao Wu, Hongjun, and the others have also received more or less guidance from me."

He paused, then added in a tone brimming with unrivaled confidence, "This isn't me boasting, but when it comes to martial soul theory and Soul Ring configurations, across the entire Douluo Continent, if I, Yu Xiaogang, claim second place, no one would dare claim first."

"Pfft—"

Xiao Lin truly could not hold it in anymore and laughed out loud.

Yu Xiaogang's words were simply too ridiculous. "When it comes to martial soul theory and Soul Ring configurations, across the entire Douluo Continent, if I claim second place, no one would dare claim first."

Coming from his mouth, it was as absurd as a beggar bragging that he was richer than a nation.

"What are you laughing at?" Yu Xiaogang's expression instantly darkened as he fixed Xiao Lin with an unfriendly stare.

Xiao Lin waved his hand, barely suppressing his laughter. "Nothing, nothing. I just suddenly thought of something funny. Please continue, Master. Continue."

Yu Xiaogang was enraged by his perfunctory attitude, but with the three Education Committee members present, he could not act out. He could only snort coldly and turn his head away.

At that moment, Dream Divine Machine and the other two Education Committee members also noticed the subtle atmosphere between Xiao Lin and Yu Xiaogang.