Tang San: Yu Xiaogang Had Already Earned His Death!

If spiritual power could be woven into Soul Skills, wouldn't that give every Soul Skill the effect of the Purple Demon Eye?!

That was what he lacked compared to the prodigies of the Blue Silver Empire.

He was certain that if he received an education like theirs, his strength would soar twofold!

He believed his talent surpassed everyone of his generation on the Douluo Continent. He worked harder than countless peers, training day and night without ever slacking. With the accumulated experience of two lives, he would yield to no one in temperament, perseverance, or insight.

But why?

Why did any prodigy who stepped out of the Blue Silver Empire possess such complete, profound strength, so far beyond the ordinary?

Ye Qingqiu's Blue Silver Grass Life Origin Method, Huo Yunhao's Spirit Soul Skill Method, the Advanced Martial Soul Awakening Method everyone there had mastered...

The Douluo Continent's ten thousand years of tradition seemed crude, incomplete, and laughably narrow beside the Blue Silver Empire's complete system.

That confusion turned in an instant to absolute resolve.

He refused to remain trapped in this narrow world. He would find the Blue Silver Empire, enter that true holy land of Soul Masters, and discover the true nature of Martial Souls!

The Blue Silver Grass's path of life, the method of weaving spiritual power into Soul Skills, the method of a Martial Soul's Second Awakening...

Every one of them would be immensely useful to him!

His mind made up, he cursed Yu Xiaogang once more.

For years, he had revered Yu Xiaogang like his own father and studied his Ten Core Competencies like scripture, believing they were the finest Martial Soul Theory on the Douluo Continent.

But the heavenly screen's repeated revelations, and the barrage of theories from its commenters, had long since shown him what Yu Xiaogang really was.

The Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls? The ultimate way to pair Soul Rings? Laws of Martial Soul counters? Worthless Soul Masters and worthless Martial Souls?

Yu Xiaogang was the worthless one!

A worthless man who stubbornly refused to admit it!

And Tang San had been a fool to believe his nonsense, letting the so-called Theory Grandmaster lead him completely astray.

How ridiculous. How tragic!

He carried memories from two lives and possessed supreme secret arts, yet he had let those half-baked, incomplete, one-sided theories, riddled with holes, fool him for years. They had dragged his Martial Soul's development off course and damaged his prospects for cultivation!

The more Tang San thought about it, the angrier he grew. A trace of killing intent even stirred within him.

He had led his disciple astray. He had already earned his death!

But after that brief surge of hot-blooded anger, Tang San quickly suppressed his contempt and disappointment. Reason took hold again.

He understood one reality all too well—the Blue Silver Continent was an elusive place amid vast heavens. He had not the slightest clue how to reach it.

The heavenly screen had shown the Blue Silver Empire's power and splendor, but never revealed its exact location or coordinates.

With his current knowledge, connections, and resources, finding that true holy land of Soul Masters was no different from a fool's dream.

He was still a player on the Douluo Continent's board, and still only a child. His greatest achievement so far was a place on an empire's champion youth Soul Master team. He had yet to establish himself.

In the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, he still needed a championship title that carried more weight!

And for that, he needed the framework he already had at Shrek Academy.

Yu Xiaogang's theories might be absurd, his outlook shallow, and the man himself worthless, but he was close to Flender and Liu Erlong. He might even have some connection to the current pope of Spirit Hall!

Yu Xiaogang's connections were tangled and far-reaching. He knew the rules and secrets of the Douluo Continent's major sects, royal families, and Spirit Hall. For now, he was the best stepping-stone Tang San had for opening doors and building credentials and connections.

Breaking with him would feel good for a moment, but it would do nothing except harm.

If they fell out completely, Tang San would lose all his current support, make enemies for nothing, and be branded someone who had betrayed his teacher.

He needed to keep his Pure and Spotless image. He could never allow that!

With his thoughts clear, Tang San made his decision.

For now, I'll play along and use what he can offer.

He would listen to the expected platitudes, show the expected respect, and maintain the appearance of a proper teacher-disciple bond. What he truly thought was his own secret.

Nothing remained but cold calculation and patience.

Tang San raised his eyes and discreetly glanced at Yu Xiaogang, who had retreated into the crowd earlier after his composure collapsed.

He hurried after him and took him by the arm, every inch the good disciple.

Yu Xiaogang's whole bearing had wilted. His eyes were vacant, and the confident, lecturing manner he once wore was gone.

The Blue Silver Empire's Soul Master theories had crushed his own again and again, while countless viewers on the heavenly screen had mocked him. Together, they had shattered the pride he had carried all his life.

Looking at his dejected state, Tang San felt no sympathy. Only indifference remained.

Those who seemed pitiable had their hateful side. A lifetime of clinging to his own views and chasing a false reputation—he deserved this.

Deep down, Tang San even savored it!

Yet he pretended to comfort Yu Xiaogang, speaking softly to steady him. His tone was as respectful as ever, without the slightest fault anyone could find.

"Teacher, this world is vast beyond measure. Different continents take different paths of cultivation, so differences are only natural.

"The Blue Silver Empire's inheritance is unusual. Perhaps their Soul Master theories are simply more complete. That doesn't necessarily mean your theories are wrong."

His words were gentle and tactful. They gave Yu Xiaogang a way to save what remained of his dignity while perfectly preserving the appearance of harmony between teacher and disciple.

Yu Xiaogang's empty eyes stirred slightly, as though he had caught hold of a final lifeline. A faint glimmer returned to them. He nodded bitterly and murmured:

"Yes... Theories about Martial Souls are so numerous and wide-ranging. How could I possibly collect them all by myself? It's only natural that I missed some!

"That's right, Little San. You're right!

"It isn't that my theories are wrong. I simply had limited time and energy..."

He dared not admit that everything he had studied throughout his life was mistaken. All he could do was numb himself with excuses.

Tang San lowered his gaze, cursing the worthless Yu Xiaogang in his heart. Even now, the man still thought he was a Grandmaster. What a damned idiot!

But when Tang San looked up, the mockery in his eyes vanished in a flash, replaced by gentle reassurance.

"Teacher, don't be upset. Do you know where this Blue Silver Empire is? If we could visit it, I'm sure it would help you refine your Martial Soul Theory!"

Standing beside Yu Xiaogang, he remained the obedient, considerate, teacher-respecting genius disciple everyone else saw.

"Hm. Your teacher has read plenty of ancient texts, but I really... can't recall anything about it."

"I'll go find an old friend. Now that your team has won the Heaven Dou Empire championship, you have some time to rest. I'll ask her about it. Perhaps she'll know something."

Tang San nodded.

Until he found the Blue Silver Continent, he would have to endure, keep up the act, and use Yu Xiaogang's connections and resources. But from now on, I decide how to pair my Soul Rings!!

Meanwhile, on the heavenly screen, under the eyes of countless viewers, the third Titled Douluo Showdown had begun.