Self-Important Yu Xiaogang, Exposed by Xiao Wu

Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back and looked at Tang San. "Little San, have you kept up your cultivation while you've been in Suotuo City?"

Tang San answered respectfully,

"Teacher, I've meditated and cultivated on schedule every day. I haven't slacked off."

Yu Xiaogang gave an approving hum, then turned to the matter at hand.

"Flender mentioned your results at the Great Soul Arena earlier. How did Lin Xuan perform tonight?"

Tang San held nothing back and recounted everything that had happened in the arena.

"Lin Xuan fought three matches tonight and won them all."

"In the final singles match especially, he entered as a level-thirty-five support-type Soul Master and defeated a level-thirty-seven Assault-type Battle Soul Elder head-on."

"His opponent's Soul Rings were poor quality—one white and two yellow—but the strength, speed, and fighting skill Lin Xuan showed in close combat were no worse than a Battle Soul Master of the same level."

Yu Xiaogang stood still, his brow twitching slightly.

A level-thirty-five support-type Soul Master had beaten a level-thirty-seven assault-type opponent head-on.

By conventional Martial Soul Theory, that was almost impossible.

Support-type Soul Masters were naturally weaker in physical development. Even with an amplifying soul skill, Lin Xuan should not have had that kind of power.

Tang San watched Yu Xiaogang's reaction. After a moment's hesitation, he said what was on his mind.

"Teacher, Lin Xuan's path of cultivation is completely different from that of ordinary Soul Masters.

During our six years at Notting Academy, he developed many unique methods of his own, and his understanding of Martial Souls is profound. Besides, he truly has no intention of taking a master. Please don't make things difficult for him again."

Yu Xiaogang's hands tightened slightly behind his back. He was clearly displeased.

"Little San, you needn't worry."

"True geniuses are often proud and think highly of themselves. That's normal."

"He's still young. All he sees are the small advantages his self-created methods give him now. He doesn't realize that without a systematic foundation in Martial Soul Theory, the barriers will only grow harder as he advances."

"Once he reaches Soul Ancestor or Soul King, his shortcomings will become impossible to hide."

"I'll use proper theoretical guidance and practical training to show him the importance of the orthodox path. When the time comes, he'll be convinced."

Tang San watched Yu Xiaogang's confident expression. His throat moved, but in the end, he swallowed his words.

He knew his teacher's temperament too well. Yu Xiaogang was proud and conceited himself. Once he had made up his mind, no one could change it.

On one side stood the teacher who had taught him the foundations of Martial Soul Theory and placed such high hopes in him.

On the other stood Lin Xuan, the good friend from his village who had helped him overcome cultivation bottlenecks more than once.

Caught between them, Tang San had no idea what to do.

In his previous life at the Tang Sect, he had been an outer disciple with no family or friends. He had spent his days making hidden weapons and secretly learning internal arts. When had he ever known true friendship?

In this life, he had known Lin Xuan since they were six years old in Holy Soul Village.

They had sparred and discussed techniques in Notting City, and Lin Xuan had generously shared his Clear Mind Talismans with him.

That was why Tang San had willingly given Lin Xuan a Godly Zhuge Crossbow he had made with his own hands.

More than once, Tang San had even considered teaching Lin Xuan the Mysterious Heaven Skill, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mysterious Jade Hand, Purple Demon Eye, and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon.

But whenever he thought of the Tang Sect's ancestral rules, he forced himself to suppress the impulse.

"Teacher, it's getting late. You should rest too. I'll see you on the training ground tomorrow."

Tang San bowed and offered no further argument.

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Go. Don't let trivial matters distract you. Your goal is to reach the pinnacle of the continent."

In the girls' dormitory on the second floor,

Ning Rongrong kicked off her shoes and sat cross-legged on her bed. She leaned toward Xiao Wu, curious.

"Xiao Wu, who was that flat-topped man who stopped us at the village entrance?"

"Dean Flender was so polite to him, and Tang San called him Teacher."

Zhu Zhuqing was sitting by the window, polishing her boots. At those words, she stopped and listened.

Xiao Wu lay sprawled across her soft pillow, her legs swinging in the air.

"You mean Yu Xiaogang?"

"He's the teacher Little San took at Notting Academy."

"He goes around with a stern face, talking like a scholar and insisting he's the world's foremost expert on Martial Soul Theory."

Ning Rongrong blinked her wide eyes. "If he's so impressive, why didn't he take you and Lin Xuan as disciples too?"

Xiao Wu rolled over and sat up, bursting into laughter.

"Take us? As if he could!"

"Back at Notting Academy, he cornered Lin Xuan several times, insisting on making Lin Xuan his final disciple."

"Then Lin Xuan casually asked him a few questions. He stood there stammering and couldn't answer a single one! His face went purple!"

Xiao Wu raised a finger, disdain written all over her face.

"And guess what level he is?"

"He's in his forties or fifties, and his Soul Power is only level twenty-nine! A Soul Grandmaster who'll never break through to level thirty!"

"Lin Xuan reached level thirty-five at twelve, and I'm level thirty-three myself."

"If we took a level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster as our teacher, Soul Masters across the continent would laugh their heads off!"

Ning Rongrong's mouth fell open, her expression peculiar.

"Level twenty-nine?"

"Shrek Academy's specially appointed instructor isn't even a Soul Elder?"

"Then why did Tang San become his disciple? With Innate Full Soul Power, Tang San would be treasured by any sect he joined."

Xiao Wu spread her hands and sighed.

"Who knows what Little San was thinking? That Ten Core Competencies theory must have fooled him completely."

By the window, Zhu Zhuqing set her boots on the floor and suddenly added,

"Perhaps he really was fooled."

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth and laughed. "So Tang San isn't quite as clever as he looks."

Xiao Wu patted the bed, cutting off their gossip.

"All right, enough about that spoilsport. Let's get down to business."

With that, Xiao Wu brushed a hand across the Soul Tool on her wrist.

Three white Clear Mind Talismans appeared in her palm, glowing softly.

Xiao Wu separated two and handed one each to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Here. Lin Xuan asked me to bring you these Clear Mind Talismans before he went upstairs."

"We all fought matches tonight, so there's bound to be some stagnant Soul Power in our meridians. Meditate with one for an hour, and I promise you'll be full of energy tomorrow morning."

Ning Rongrong snatched up the Talisman Paper and carefully pressed it to her palm, smiling from ear to ear.

"Lin Xuan is so thoughtful! Xiao Wu, thank him properly for me!"

Zhu Zhuqing accepted the Talisman Paper. The instant her fingertips touched its calm, cooling aura, her weary body eased.

She put it away and thanked Xiao Wu solemnly.

"Tell Lin Xuan I won't forget this favor."

Xiao Wu waved a hand. "Oh, we're teammates now. No need to be so formal. Hurry up and meditate!"

The dormitory soon fell quiet, leaving only the steady breathing of the three girls.

Downstairs in the boys' dormitory,

The wooden door eased open.

Tang San stepped inside and saw Lin Xuan sitting cross-legged on the bed by the window.

Soul Power pulsed around Lin Xuan in an exceptionally steady rhythm. He had clearly entered deep meditation.

On the empty bed near the door lay a white Clear Mind Talisman.

Tang San walked over and picked it up.

A trace of warm Soul Power lingered on the Talisman Paper. Lin Xuan had clearly drawn it and left it there for him.

Holding it, Tang San stood beside the bed, warmth welling in his chest.

Whatever Yu Xiaogang was planning, and however shabby Shrek Academy might be, Lin Xuan's friendship with him had never changed.

Tang San sat on the edge of the bed and pressed the Clear Mind Talisman to his brow. The inner energy of the Mysterious Heaven Skill flowed smoothly through his body.

He silently told himself:

With a brother like him at my side, I'll never let him down.

I only hope Teacher doesn't do anything out of line in front of everyone on the training ground tomorrow morning.