Lies Don't Hurt-The Truth Cuts Deep!

Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened.

The fact that he had come to them in person should have been a blessing for them both.

Yet Jiang Hao not only refused to become his disciple, he questioned his theories and even challenged his strength?

This was outrageous!

It was bad enough that Jiang Hao was less talented than Tang San. Yu Xiaogang hadn't expected his character to be so poor, too. Even if he took Jiang Hao as a disciple later, he would never devote himself fully to teaching him.

At that thought, Yu Xiaogang said coldly, "My strength is indeed nothing special. I'm only level twenty-nine. But when it comes to theory, if I call myself second, no one would dare call themselves first!"

"Pfft..."

Jiang Hao couldn't hold it in anymore. Clutching his stomach, he burst out laughing.

"So you're only level twenty-nine, Grandmaster? The way you talk, I thought you were a Titled Douluo."

"If your theories are the best, why haven't you reached level thirty? Don't feel like it?"

Xiao Wu was doubled over with laughter beside him. "Exactly! Grandmaster, are those theories of yours just something you use to fool people?"

Yu Xiaogang's face turned livid, and his whole body shook with rage. "How dare you! Even the Pontiff of Spirit Hall praised my theories, and you dare question them?"

"Do you think you're smarter than the Pontiff?"

At the mention of Spirit Hall, Jiang Hao laughed even harder.

"Have some shame, Grandmaster. Do you think I'm stupid? You're a Soul Grandmaster who's only ever absorbed two Soul Rings. Where did you get enough evidence for all those conclusions?"

"Don't tell me you copied someone else's theories, tidied them up, and published them as your own?"

"Shut up! Shut your mouth!"

Lies didn't hurt. The truth was the blade that cut deep.

The word "copied" struck a nerve with Yu Xiaogang.

What did he mean, copied?

He was the Grandmaster of theory. Without him, who would even know about those theories?

He had drawn on them. Yes, that was it!

"You... You have no respect for your elders! I am the Grandmaster of theory. I won't stand here and let a brat slander me!"

"Slander?"

Jiang Hao gave him a teasing smile. "Grandmaster, don't throw accusations around. I'm only telling the truth. If you think I'm wrong, show me something that'll convince me."

Xiao Wu piled on. "Exactly! What good does shouting 'shut up' do? Tell us where those theories of yours came from."

Yu Xiaogang trembled with fury, the muscles in his face twitching. It took him a long moment to force out a reply:

"Fine! Very well! Since you show such disrespect for your elders, I'll go to the Dean right now and have him expel you both!"

"Expel us?"

Jiang Hao raised an eyebrow, as though he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "Grandmaster, are you sure you can do that?"

"Hmph! The Dean personally invited me here as a guest advisor. He'll grant me that much!"

Yu Xiaogang puffed out his chest, trying to look imposing.

But Jiang Hao shook his head and sighed. "Grandmaster, have you forgotten what your position is? The academy invited you as a guest advisor, not a proper teacher."

"In other words, you've got a title and a free ride. Do you really think the Dean would expel two geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power for someone who's only here in name?"

Yu Xiaogang's face shifted between pale and livid, his chest heaving.

He drew a deep breath, forced down his anger, and fixed Jiang Hao with a cold stare. "Fine. Very well. I've lived more than half my life, and this is the first time a wet-behind-the-ears brat has insulted me to my face."

"But remember this: no matter how talented you are, without proper guidance, you'll fade into obscurity!"

"I may lack strength, but the disciple I train will one day be renowned across the continent! Believe me, my disciple Tang San will have you under his heel someday!"

Jiang Hao nearly laughed out loud.

"Right, right. Whatever you say."

Yu Xiaogang heard the mockery in his voice, and his expression darkened further.

"Enough with the sarcasm! Tang San is the most gifted child I've ever met. His future achievements will be no less than yours!"

"Of course, Grandmaster. You're right."

Jiang Hao nodded repeatedly, his tone perfunctory. "Then you'd better take good care of him. Wouldn't want him to die young."

"Are you cursing my disciple!?"

"Of course not. I'm concerned."

Jiang Hao chuckled. "A genius may be impressive, but if he doesn't live long enough to fulfill his potential, he's just another failure. Don't you agree?"

Yu Xiaogang shook with anger but couldn't find a word to refute him.

He glared at Jiang Hao. After a long while, he ground out through clenched teeth:

"Just wait. One day, you'll regret what you said today!"

With that, he flicked his sleeves and turned away, afraid another moment there would make him die of rage.

Watching Yu Xiaogang walk off, Xiao Wu couldn't help laughing. "What's with him? He had nothing left to say, but he still had to save face."

"You'll get used to it."

Jiang Hao shrugged. "The more attention you give people like him, the worse they get."

Xiao Wu tilted her head at him. "Aren't you worried he'll actually complain to the Dean about what you said?"

"What's there to worry about?"

Jiang Hao smiled. "If he really can get me expelled, this lousy academy isn't worth staying at anyway."

"That's true."

Early the next morning.

Jiang Hao slowly woke.

His sense of smell and touch returned before his sight did.

Something was weighing on him, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees mixed with the distinctive fragrance of a young woman.

He looked down and nearly jumped out of his skin.

Xiao Wu was clinging to him like an octopus, her pale legs wrapped around his waist and her head buried against his chest. She was fast asleep, a glistening thread of drool at the corner of her mouth.

"What the hell!"

Jiang Hao jolted and instinctively tried to peel her off him.

The movement woke Xiao Wu. She lifted her head groggily, her large eyes still misty, and mumbled:

"What are you doing? Let me sleep a little longer..."

Jiang Hao shot her a look. "Sleep in all you want, but why are you sleeping on top of me?"

No wonder his chest had felt tight in the middle of the night. Of course it had, with someone lying on him.

Xiao Wu blinked, as if only then realizing what she had done.

"Hehe. It was an accident."

That was what she said, but she knew perfectly well what had happened.

There had been no accident. She had done it on purpose.

The night before, while Jiang Hao was asleep, she had tried cultivating beside him.

The instant she began, Soul Power surged through her limbs like a flood through an opened gate. It flowed so fast that even she was startled.

She'd been right!

He really did possess the same ability as an Emperor Auspicious Beast!

Xiao Wu rejoiced inwardly, but kept an innocent, sleepy look on her face as she stole a glance at Jiang Hao's expression.

"An accident?"

Jiang Hao narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "It's one thing for you to toss and turn in your sleep, but how did you end up climbing on top of me?"

"So what if I did!"