Yu Xiaogang Wants to Take an Apprentice? Is That Failure Even Worthy?

Tang Ya stood beside Qian Renxue, one hand resting on the Storage Soul Tool at her waist.

"Teacher Zhao, you'd better think this through."

"We only just decided to enter the Soul Master Tournament."

"If you attack us now, I'm afraid it'll affect Shrek Academy's matches."

Zhao Wuji did not answer.

His gaze swept over the three women.

A Soul Emperor who wielded Ultimate Fire.

A Soul Emperor with the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.

And a Soul Master capable of using a special Soul Tool.

That combination was enough to make him take them seriously.

Yu Xiaogang was also watching Qian Renxue and Tang Ya.

He had only wanted to learn how Ma Xiaotao cultivated.

But now it seemed none of these three women was ordinary.

Ma Xiaotao least of all.

Her Soul Ring Configuration and Martial Soul lay entirely beyond his understanding.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Ma Xiaotao again.

"You're planning to enter the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?"

Ma Xiaotao extinguished the flames in her palm.

"What of it?"

"Shrek Academy can enter, but we can't?"

Dai Mubai gave a cold snort.

"On the tournament stage, we'll show you that Soul Power Level isn't everything."

Ma Xiaotao looked at him.

"You said that before."

"And how did that turn out?"

Dai Mubai's face darkened.

Ma Xiaotao raised a finger and pointed at Ma Hongjun.

"He got roasted like a suckling pig."

"And I sent you flying with one palm strike."

"Are you still going to tell me Soul Power Level isn't everything?"

Dai Mubai said nothing.

Ma Hongjun's expression grew uglier still.

Tang Ya glanced at Yu Xiaogang, then turned to Ma Xiaotao and Qian Renxue.

"Let's go."

"We've settled on a team name."

Ma Xiaotao nodded.

Qian Renxue withdrew her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.

The three turned to leave.

Behind them, Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke.

"What's your team called?"

Tang Ya looked back.

She looked at Yu Xiaogang, a smile returning to her face.

"A Little Shock for the World."

Her words fell.

For an instant, the street went quiet.

Ma Hongjun's expression turned grim.

Dai Mubai frowned too.

Zhao Wuji watched the three women walk away, his hand slowly clenching.

Yu Xiaogang stood where he was, his gaze fixed on the Soul Rings behind Ma Xiaotao.

Two purple, four black.

An Ultimate Fire Phoenix.

A nineteen-year-old Soul Emperor.

How many more secrets was this woman hiding?

"A Little Shock for the World?"

Yu Xiaogang watched the three women's retreating figures, his brows drawn tight.

That team name was far too arrogant.

"Stop."

Zhao Wuji stepped forward.

Ma Xiaotao stopped and turned to face him.

"What now?"

Zhao Wuji raised a hand and pointed at her.

"You injured a Shrek Academy student and insulted Grandmaster."

"Unless you give us an explanation today, none of you are leaving."

Ma Xiaotao glanced at Yu Xiaogang.

She, too, had once been a student in Shrek Academy's inner court.

She had once held some respect for the man the academy called a master of theory.

But that respect had been built on records written ten thousand years later.

Now that she had met Yu Xiaogang, she felt nothing but disappointment.

A man whose Soul Power had been stuck at level twenty-nine for years stood before her, questioning how she cultivated.

"An explanation?"

Ma Xiaotao raised her hand, scarlet flames dancing in her palm.

"What kind of explanation do you want?"

Zhao Wuji's face hardened.

"Apologize to Grandmaster first."

"Then come back to Shrek Academy with us."

"What for?"

"To become Grandmaster's apprentice and accept his guidance."

Ma Xiaotao froze for a moment.

She looked at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, some confidence returning to his face.

"Your Soul Ring Configuration may be unusual, but it has many problems."

"The limit for absorbing a First Soul Ring is around four hundred years. A Second Soul Ring can be eight hundred years at most, and a third no more than two thousand."

"As for a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, a Soul Master must reach the Soul King realm before even attempting to absorb one."

"Your Soul Ring Configuration violates that rule completely."

Yu Xiaogang pointed to the six Soul Rings behind Ma Xiaotao.

"Two Thousand-Year Soul Rings and four Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings."

"Theoretically, such a thing is impossible."

Tang Ya turned around.

"Yu Xiaogang, your theory only applies to ordinary Soul Masters."

Yu Xiaogang frowned.

"A Soul Master absorbing a Soul Ring must obey the limits of their body."

"If their body isn't strong enough and they force themselves to absorb a Soul Ring that's too old, there's only one outcome."

"Their body bursts apart, and they die."

Tang Ya shook her head.

"Absorbing a Soul Ring does depend on physical strength."

"But if the body is strong enough, a Soul Master can withstand an older Soul Ring."

"Never mind a Thousand-Year Soul Ring."

"Even a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring isn't entirely impossible."

Yu Xiaogang's expression changed abruptly.

"A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring?"

He stared at Tang Ya.

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"How could anyone absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as their First Soul Ring?"

Qian Renxue looked startled too.

As the wielder of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, she had trained under the strictest conditions since childhood.

Yet according to everything she knew about Soul Masters, a First Soul Ring could be no older than a few hundred years.

A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring had no place as a First Soul Ring.

Ma Xiaotao glanced at Qian Renxue.

"The Cult Leader's First Soul Ring was a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."

Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened.

"Someone really absorbed a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as their first?"

"Of course."

Ma Xiaotao nodded.

"The Cult Leader's body is far stronger than an ordinary Soul Master's, and the Cult Leader's Spiritual Power is strong enough too."

"As long as the body can withstand the power within a Soul Ring, its age isn't an absolute limit."

Yu Xiaogang stood rooted to the spot, unable to speak for a long while.

He had studied Martial Soul Theory for years, yet had never heard of a First Soul Ring reaching ten thousand years.

It was utterly beyond his understanding.

"Keep making things up."

Ma Hongjun gave a derisive laugh.

"The Cult Leader's First Soul Ring was ten thousand years old? Sure."

"Do you really think we don't know anything?"

Ma Xiaotao turned her head toward him.

"Are you asking for another beating?"

Ma Hongjun stiffened at once.

He instinctively stepped back and raised his hands to shield his head.

"I was just talking."

"Don't hit me."

The sight of him cowering only made Ma Xiaotao more irritated.

This man was her ancestor.

The thought that she would have an ancestor like him made her want to teach Ma Hongjun another lesson.

Ma Hongjun caught her look and immediately ducked behind Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai's expression was grim as well.

He had not expected Ma Hongjun to be so afraid of a Soul Emperor.

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and looked at Ma Xiaotao again.

"Your understanding of Soul Rings certainly differs from that of ordinary Soul Masters."

"If you're willing to become my apprentice, I can study your circumstances in detail."

"With my theories, I can certainly make your cultivation go more smoothly."

Ma Xiaotao looked at him.

"You want to take me as your apprentice?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"You're exceptionally gifted, and an Ultimate Fire Phoenix Martial Soul is exceedingly rare."

"With my guidance, there'll be no limit to what you can achieve."

Ma Xiaotao fell silent for a moment.

She had spent time at Shrek Academy and had heard of Yu Xiaogang's reputation.

So she did not mock him outright.

"Yu Xiaogang."

"You do know something about theory."

"Unfortunately, you have nothing to teach me."

Yu Xiaogang's expression grew steadily uglier.

Ma Xiaotao continued,

"If we're really talking about cultivation experience, I'm just about qualified to be your teacher."

"Making you take me as your master would actually be my loss."

The pedestrians on the street all stopped in their tracks.

Yu Xiaogang's palms slowly tightened.

"What did you say?"

"I said, you aren't qualified to be my teacher."

Ma Xiaotao looked at him.

"Your soul power is only at the twenty-ninth rank, and your martial soul is still Luo Sanpao."

"While I am already a soul emperor."

"I don't think you can guide me in cultivation."

Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red.

"Arrogant!"

"You actually dare say I'm not qualified to be your teacher?"

"Just a mere soul emperor, and you really think you're invincible under heaven?"

Ma Xiaotao ignored his questioning.

"I'm just speaking the truth."

"If you feel unconvinced, you can let your theory prove it to me."

Yu Xiaogang's chest heaved.

He had been called Grandmaster for many years, and no matter where he went, he was respected by soul masters.

Yet today, he was first called a sloppy old fogey by someone, and then rejected to his face.

Now Ma Xiaotao even said he wasn't qualified to be a teacher.

This was no longer ordinary contempt.

"You've gone too far!"

Dai Mubai immediately stepped forward.

"You're merely a soul emperor, yet you dare humiliate Grandmaster like this."

Ma Xiaotao looked at Dai Mubai.

"Didn't you already experience my strength just a moment ago?"

"What, you still want to take another palm strike?"

Dai Mubai's expression stagnated.

Ma Hongjun hurriedly said,

"Teacher Zhao, you definitely can't let her off easily."

"It's best to capture her."

"As long as her life isn't taken, leave the rest to me."

Ma Hongjun revealed a lewd smile.

Ma Xiaotao's gaze landed on him.

"What do you want to do?"

Ma Hongjun's body stiffened, and he immediately put away his smile.

"I don't want to do anything."

"I just want her to apologize to Grandmaster."

"You weren't saying that just a moment ago."

Ma Xiaotao took a step forward.

"If you're unconvinced, come up yourself."

Ma Hongjun immediately shook his head.

"I don't hit women."

"What's more, I already lost once just now."

Dai Mubai glanced at him.

When running away just now, Ma Hongjun didn't have the slightest bit of the bearing of someone who didn't hit women.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Zhao Wuji.

"Zhao Wuji."

Zhao Wuji immediately understood his meaning.

"Grandmaster, leave it to me."

Zhao Wuji moved his arms, the bones in his body emitting soft cracks.

"Just a soul emperor, it doesn't warrant us all attacking together."

Oscar hurriedly took out a sausage.

"Teacher Zhao, I have a recovery sausage and an excitement sausage here."

"Do you want to restore your condition first?"

Zhao Wuji waved his hand.

"No need."

"To deal with a mere soul emperor, I don't need auxiliary support."

He raised his arm, heavy soul power diffusing outward from within his body.

The surrounding dust was pressed toward all directions.

Zhao Wuji looked at Ma Xiaotao.

"It's still not too late to regret this."

"Kneel down and apologize to Grandmaster, and I can use only thirty percent of my strength."

Ma Xiaotao raised her eyes to look at him.

"I also want to witness for myself."

"What kind of strength a soul saint of this era actually possesses."

Zhao Wuji's face sank.

"Since you're courting death yourself, you can't blame me."

He heavily stomped his foot onto the ground.

"Martial Soul Possession!"

Brownish-yellow radiance erupted from Zhao Wuji.

His body rapidly expanded, his arms transforming into thick, burly bear arms, and heavy fur emerged on his chest and back.

Two yellow, two purple, and three black, seven soul rings rose in succession.

A powerful soul saint might pressure diffused outward.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun immediately revealed excited expressions.

"Teacher Zhao, teach her a harsh lesson!"

"Capture her first, don't let her run!"

Ma Hongjun hid behind Dai Mubai, his gaze constantly landing on Ma Xiaotao.

He was already starting to imagine the scene of Ma Xiaotao being suppressed by Zhao Wuji.

Ma Xiaotao didn't care about the discussion around them.

Hee took a step forward.

"Phoenix Possession."

Crimson flames soared into the sky.

A huge phantom of a phoenix spread its wings behind her.

Two purple and four black, six soul rings slowly revolved around her.

A scorching aura instantly covered the entire long street.

The contempt on Zhao Wuji's face vanished.

His gaze fell upon those six soul rings, and his expression gradually grew solemn.

Ma Xiaotao raised her right hand.

"First soul skill, Phoenix Fire Line!"

A streak of crimson flame spewed out from her palm.

The flame swept across the long street, the air being scorched until it warped.

Zhao Wuji originally didn't dodge immediately.

In his view, the first soul skill released by a soul emperor was fundamentally incapable of harming him after his martial soul possession.

Yet the moment the flame drew close, his expression abruptly changed.

"Such terrifying flames!"

Zhao Wuji immediately raised both arms.

His bear paws descended, his soul power transforming into a thick barrier.

The crimson fire line crashed against the barrier.

The barrier only persisted for a brief moment before it was directly pierced through by the ultimate fire.

The flames landed on Zhao Wuji's chest.

His clothing instantly burned, and a burning pain also came from his skin.

Zhao Wuji retreated several steps in succession before barely managing to steady his body.

Ma Hongjun widened his eyes.

"Isn't this the same as my first soul skill?"

"Why is the might so much stronger?"

He similarly possessed a phoenix martial soul.

Yet the flames released by Ma Xiaotao had completely exceeded his understanding.

Ma Xiaotao didn't give Zhao Wuji any breathing room.

The second purple soul ring behind her lit up.

"Second soul skill, Phoenix Bathing in Fire!"

Flames abruptly surged on her body.

Her figure transformed into a streak of crimson flowing light, instantly arriving before Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji raised his bear paw, slapping outward to meet her.

Ma Xiaotao sidestepped to evade it, the flames in her palm spreading along his arm.

Zhao Wuji immediately drove his soul power, shattering the flames apart.

Yet the next instant.

Zhao Wuji's body left the ground.

He flipped a circle in midair, heavily smashing down into the center of the street.

The ground split open with several fissures.

The smiles on Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's faces vanished simultaneously.

Zhao Wuji propped himself up from the ground to stand.

The clothing on his chest was already torn, leaving large areas of scorched red traces on his skin.

"Fourth soul skill, Position Tracking!"

Zhao Wuji raised his palm.

An invisible force locked onto Ma Xiaotao's location.

His foot smashed the ground to pieces, his bulky body abruptly rushing forward.

"Third soul skill, Gravity Enhancement!"

The surrounding space abruptly grew heavy.

Ma Xiaotao's figure suffered suppression, her speed slowing by half a fraction.

Zhao Wuji seized the opportunity, his bear paw carrying heavy might as it slapped toward her shoulder.

Ma Xiaotao raised both arms to parry.

Boom!

The immense force descended.

The flagstones beneath her feet shattered on the spot, and her body slid backward for more than ten meters.