Tang San limped to Yu Xiaogang's quarters.
"San, what happened to you?" Yu Xiaogang hurriedly helped Tang San inside.
Tang San merely looked at Yu Xiaogang calmly.
"Teacher, was absorbing the Mandala Snake the right choice?" Tang San stared into Yu Xiaogang's eyes, hoping to see through everything.
"Your first soul ring is a hundred-year soul ring, and it came from a soul beast like the Mandala Snake. Of course it suits you." Yu Xiaogang looked utterly certain.
Anger stirred in his heart. I worked my ass off and risked my life to find you a soul ring, and you fucking ask me whether there's something wrong with it?
You couldn't beat someone, so you're taking it out on me!
If you weren't Tang Hao's son, I'd have kicked you out long ago.
"San, winning and losing are perfectly normal. Your Blue Silver Grass martial soul specializes in control, so it doesn't have an advantage in combat. Once you reach level ninety and add soul rings to your second martial soul, you'll stand at the summit of this continent."
Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San's shoulder.
Tang San imagined his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul fitted entirely with ten thousand year soul rings.
He would claim the throne at the pinnacle of this continent.
The corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably. By then, Cao De would only be able to gaze at his retreating back.
"San, with your talent, even becoming a god won't be a problem." Seeing Tang San's rising smile, Yu Xiaogang dangled another grand promise before him.
"Yes, Teacher. I'll work hard." Tang San immediately felt wonderfully reassured.
But the beating he had just suffered still had to be settled.
"Teacher, Cao De gave me these injuries. He shamelessly used hidden weapons, so I couldn't beat him." Tang San lowered his head.
"The first time I saw Cao De, I knew he was no good."
"Don't worry, San. I'll deal with him for you." Yu Xiaogang took out some ointment, preparing to apply it to Tang San's injuries.
Tang San immediately recalled the earlier scene, and nausea churned in his stomach. He hurriedly waved his hands.
"No need, Teacher. They're just superficial injuries. I'm going to cultivate." Tang San quickly left.
Holding Xiao Wu's hand, Cao De headed toward the square.
"Brother, do first-year work-study students have classes too?" Xiao Wu asked, tilting her head.
"I'm not sure. Let's see if there's anything worth learning." Cao De smiled.
When they reached the square, it was already packed with first-year work-study students.
"Boss, over here! Over here!" Wang Sheng waved vigorously.
Cao De led Xiao Wu over to Dorm Seven's spot.
The sun blazed overhead. More than ten minutes passed, but there was still no sign of the teacher.
The students standing in the square began grumbling and swearing.
"Is this all the resolve you have?" A furious roar rang out behind the crowd.
Everyone fell silent and turned toward the voice.
Yu Xiaogang strode up in front of the students.
"The fact that you entered Nuoding Academy means you've all awakened your martial souls."
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze sharpening.
"There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters. That is the first thing I have to tell you," Yu Xiaogang declared sternly.
"Isn't that the useless Grandmaster?" someone whispered in the crowd.
Yu Xiaogang marched into the crowd and dragged the speaker out.
"What's your name?" Yu Xiaogang demanded harshly.
The child was clearly frightened out of his wits, and his voice began to stammer. "Liu Cheng."
"What is your martial soul?" Yu Xiaogang asked again.
"A s-sickle."
"What level is your soul power?"
"Level eight."
"San, release your martial soul." Tang San stepped out of the crowd.
Blue silver grass appeared in his palm, and a yellow soul ring circled him.
"This is my disciple. His martial soul is the most useless of all, blue silver grass. Under my guidance, he has already reached level eleven." Yu Xiaogang's voice grew louder as he spoke.
The first-year work-study students all stared wide-eyed, their gazes filled with disbelief.
"How is that possible?"
"Even blue silver grass can reach level eleven?"
Cries of astonishment rose from the crowd.
Seeing their astonished, admiring looks, Yu Xiaogang's smile deepened.
"As I said, there are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters."
"As long as you study my ten core competition theories, you can become as powerful as San."
"If you understand, let's hear some applause!" Yu Xiaogang waved his hand, looking rather like the ringleader of a pyramid scheme.
Before any applause could begin, an unexpected voice rang out.
"Then, Grandmaster, what level are you now?"
Everyone turned toward the voice. The speaker was none other than Cao De.
Yu Xiaogang gave Cao De an indifferent glance.
"I devoted myself to researching martial souls and published the ten core competition theories. As such, I haven't put much effort into advancing as a soul master."
"The ten core competition theories I developed can help more people become better soul masters."
At Yu Xiaogang's words, the work-study students' gazes changed.
Their eyes were full of stars.
Seeing those admiring looks, Yu Xiaogang felt his vanity thoroughly satisfied.
"Yu Xiaogang, of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Your martial soul mutated, and you still haven't broken through level thirty. You compiled Spirit Hall's research materials, put your own name on them, and called them the ten core competition theories," Cao De said, enunciating every word.
His voice wasn't loud, but every word stabbed straight into Yu Xiaogang's heart.
The truth was a sharp blade, plunging straight into the soul.
Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red. He pointed at Cao De. "Nonsense!"
He raised his hand to strike Cao De.
Cao De dodged nimbly.
"Then, Grandmaster, you can release your martial soul to prove yourself. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize in public," Cao De said slowly.
Veins bulged on the backs of Yu Xiaogang's hands. He was riding a tiger now, with no way to climb off.
"Cao De, Teacher is giving us a lesson. Don't disrupt the class," Tang San said coldly, stepping in front of Cao De.
He knew his teacher's martial soul was a pig. If his teacher released it in front of everyone, wouldn't he lose every last shred of dignity?
He absolutely couldn't let Yu Xiaogang release his martial soul.
"How about this, Grandmaster? I challenge you. If you beat me, I'll give you a thousand gold soul coins and kneel to apologize."
"If I win, you kneel and say that you, Yu Xiaogang, are useless."
Cao De raised the stakes.
"That's right, Grandmaster. Let us see your strength."
As his underling, Wang Sheng knew exactly when to act and immediately took the lead in egging him on.
Everyone else wanted to see Yu Xiaogang's strength too, and the clamor grew louder.
Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted again and again.
A thousand gold soul coins. He was tempted. It was simply too much money.
Ever since leaving Bibi Dong, he had had no source of income, relying on Spirit Hall's prestige to cadge food and drink wherever he went.
With that money, he could go out and live it up.
Cao De would even kneel to apologize, letting him avenge San in the process.
As for losing...
Could an old hand in his forties like me really fail to beat this little brat?
"Student Cao De, since everyone wishes to see my strength, I accept your challenge." A smile appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face.
So what if all these people learned what his martial soul was? With a thousand gold soul coins, he could simply move to another city.
There was no reason to stay at this lousy Nuoding Academy.
"Teacher," Tang San spoke up to stop him.
He really didn't want to be humiliated.
"San, I'll avenge you," Yu Xiaogang whispered to Tang San.
That's right. Teacher is a level twenty-nine soul master. Dealing with Cao De should be effortless. If worse comes to worst, I can leave Nuoding Academy with Teacher, and these people won't have a chance to mock me!
"Teacher, have Sanpao bite his dick right off," Tang San whispered into Yu Xiaogang's ear, a vicious gleam flashing through his eyes.
Yu Xiaogang smiled and nodded.
He had considered the outcome too. At worst, Cao De would be crippled. What trouble could that cause? He had even courted Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, and nothing had happened to him.
So what if Cao De ended up crippled?
He, Yu Xiaogang, wasn't afraid!
"Student Cao De, duels between soul masters can be dangerous. But I'll do my best to ensure your saf-"
Before Yu Xiaogang could finish, Cao De cut him off.
"Grandmaster, let's begin."
Before you continue