Seeing that Jin Jiuxiao had not answered, Yu Xiaogang assumed his explanation had stunned him.
He cleared his throat. "Jin Jiuxiao, are you willing to take me as your master?"
"With me here, you can receive the best instruction. Under my guidance, you will definitely become a Titled Douluo!"
Jin Jiuxiao regarded Yu Xiaogang with a strange look. "Have you considered the possibility that I'll become a Titled Douluo even without your guidance?"
"If you're really as impressive as you claim, why are you still stuck at level twenty-nine when you're around fifty?"
He had rather forgotten exactly how old Yu Xiaogang was.
In any case, he had to be around fifty.
Having broken through into his fifties while still at level twenty-nine, he certainly lived up to the name of "Grandmaster."
Yu Xiaogang's expression soured, but he did not lose his temper immediately.
After all, this was someone with a beast martial soul and innate full soul power.
What genius like that did not have a little pride?
Since he was proud, Yu Xiaogang would give that pride a good polishing!
"Since you feel I'm unqualified to be your teacher, why don't we make a wager?" Yu Xiaogang looked as though victory was already in his grasp.
Tang San had single-handedly killed a four-hundred-year-old Mandala Snake without even having his first soul ring!
With that kind of combat ability, fighting above his level was no problem at all.
Jin Jiuxiao's assessment report listed him as only level fourteen.
Yes, his soul power level was indeed one level higher than Tang San's current level.
But levels were levels, and combat ability was combat ability.
It was only a difference of one level, not an entire tier.
He had absolute confidence that Tang San would win.
"A wager? What sort of wager?"
Yu Xiaogang did not keep him guessing. "I have another disciple, named Tang San."
"Have a sparring match with him. Stop short of causing injury."
"If you win, I'll unconditionally recommend you to a powerful Soul Master Academy after you graduate."
"If you lose, you'll become my second disciple. How does that sound?"
Yu Xiaogang laid out the terms of the wager.
Whether Jin Jiuxiao won or lost, he would lose nothing.
Pride was perfectly normal.
With a little polishing, the boy might well become an asset to Tang San.
Whether he became Yu Xiaogang's disciple was not actually that important.
After all, Jin Jiuxiao had only one martial soul, while his disciple Tang San had twin martial souls!
"All right." Jin Jiuxiao smiled faintly and agreed.
Wasn't this perfect?
He needed to visit Shrek anyway. With Yu Xiaogang's recommendation, he would have a legitimate reason to go.
He would not stay at Shrek for long in any case.
Of the original story's Shrek Seven Devils, aside from Tang San, the only ones he truly thought worth his attention were Ning Rongrong after she changed and the hardworking Zhu Zhuqing.
Once Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, even without becoming a god, she could roughly double anyone's strength with a boost at the Titled Douluo realm.
As for Zhu Zhuqing... honestly, even after taking an immortal herb, her potential was limited.
Dai Mubai was a lecherous tiger, and Ma Hongjun was a whoring chicken.
Those two were simply rotten people.
Compared with those two, Oscar was marginally better, but only by so much.
Given Oscar's temperament, he most likely would not leave with him.
Nor could he possibly become completely loyal.
But with Oscar's talent, spending a recruitment slot on him would be far too wasteful.
There was simply no need.
As for Xiao Wu... she was a member of the Soul Beast Clan, after all. As long as she did not get entangled with Tang San and returned to stay in the Star Dou Great Forest, her life would not be in danger.
And Tang San...
Honestly, he currently had no grudge or enmity with Tang San.
Yet he knew exactly what Tang San would do to his loved ones if he was allowed to grow.
Zi JI, Bi Ji, Xiong Jun, and Di Tian were actually closer to him than the Myriad Demon King and the Scarlet King.
Yet those four ferocious beasts either died or sacrificed themselves. Not one met a good end.
Di Tian suffered the worst fate of all.
His lord was so lovestruck that she went straight over to the other side.
Whatever position one occupied, one had to shoulder its responsibilities.
As the sovereign of all soul beasts, her performance could not have been worse.
Di Tian worked so hard for so long, only to perish in the end to fulfill Lan Xuanyu's destiny, while even his remains-his physical body-were turned into an ecological warship.
He could not accept that outcome.
Why target Tang San?
Sometimes, there really were not so many reasons.
He and Tang San had stood on opposing sides from the very beginning.
Knowing someone was an enemy yet endlessly delaying action was no different from being brain-dead.
If he really had to name his objective in going to Shrek, it was Ning Rongrong alone.
The opposing side had no support, while his side had a powerful support. That was an absolute advantage.
But his Poké Ball no longer had any free slots to recruit Ning Rongrong.
Winning her heart would have to come first.
That was why he would spend a little time at Shrek Academy.
Yu Xiaogang could not stop the corners of his mouth from lifting. "Then come with me."
He was already imagining Tang San crushing Jin Jiuxiao from start to finish.
I'll show you just how outstanding a disciple taught by me, Yu Xiaogang, can be!
Before the spar, however, they still had to take care of the enrollment paperwork and such.
The old dean did not interrupt their conversation. This was between the two of them.
It was merely a spar, not a fight to the death. Nothing would go wrong.
After entering the academy, the old dean took Jin Jiuxiao to complete his enrollment paperwork.
Yu Xiaogang went to the classroom and called Tang San out alone.
"Teacher, what did you need me for?" Tang San was curious about why he had suddenly been called out.
He had been listening attentively to the lesson.
"Here's the situation..." Yu Xiaogang explained Jin Jiuxiao's circumstances to Tang San. "And that's how things stand."
"Jin Jiuxiao is also a genius with innate full soul power, and he has a beast martial soul that has never been seen before."
"Judging by its name and his soul power level, it's far, far stronger than Xiao Wu's Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul."
Even among those with innate full soul power, there were differences between martial souls.
In truth, he did not know why a martial soul like the Soft Bone Rabbit could produce innate full soul power.
Yet Xiao Wu did not have twin martial souls. It was truly strange.
"So that's it..." Tang San lowered his eyes and considered the matter.
Wouldn't it be a little unfair for me to bully a six-and-a-half-year-old child?
With the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Mirror and the Mysterious Heaven Skill, I already have an enormous innate advantage.
If I add hidden weapons to the mix, I dare say I'm absolutely invincible within my tier.
"Little San, I hope you can win this spar."
Yu Xiaogang put on a sigh. "Jin Jiuxiao has excellent talent, but he carries that natural arrogance."
"Jade must be carved before it can become a fine vessel. With your strength, winning shouldn't be difficult."
"Once you've let him feel the gap in your abilities, you need only stop short of injuring him."
He acted as though Jin Jiuxiao's defeat was already certain, and he truly felt sorry for "his disciple."
Tang San was deeply moved. As expected... my teacher is broad-minded. He truly is a fine teacher!
"Don't worry, Teacher. I'll definitely win."
Since his teacher had said as much, Tang San had no choice but to show a little of his true ability.
When the two reached the training grounds, the old dean and Jin Jiuxiao were already there.
Jin Jiuxiao and Tang San exchanged a look, then walked to the center of the training grounds together.
Tang San summoned his Blue Silver Grass martial soul first. "Tang San. Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass. Level thirteen Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."
A yellow hundred-year soul ring appeared around him.
Jin Jiuxiao also completed his Martial Soul Possession. "Jin Jiuxiao. Martial soul: Rey. Level sixteen Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
"What?! You're level sixteen?!!!"
Before you continue