"This..."
Tang Tianlin's retort left Yu Xiaogang speechless, his aging face flushed crimson.
Damn it, how had I, a distinguished master of theory, failed to realize that Blue Silver Grass's life attribute and toxins counteracted each other?
Those words he had just spoken had practically pushed Tang San into a pit of fire.
Now, never mind taking him as a disciple-it would be fortunate enough if Tang San did not hold a grudge against him.
Sure enough, after hearing his older brother's analysis, a flash of purple light flickered deep in Tang San's eyes.
His right hand had already slipped into his sleeve without betraying a thing, and three Silent Sleeve Arrows were quietly loaded.
This damned flathead has harbored ill intentions toward me time and again. He has already paved his own road to death!
Besides, my brother only said not to kill him, not that I couldn't torment him.
He was proficient in Tang Sect Hidden Weapons. Silently turning someone into a cripple would not be difficult.
Just then, Tang Tianlin patted Tang San's shoulder, signaling him to be patient, before turning to Yu Xiaogang and saying gravely:
"Da Shi, since you're so eager to take my younger brother as your disciple, I can give you a chance."
Yu Xiaogang froze, a light rekindling in his eyes. "What chance?"
Brother...
Tang San frowned slightly, puzzled.
His older brother had clearly already crushed this so-called Da Shi completely when it came to theory.
Besides, did a fellow who knew nothing but swindling and deception deserve to become his, Tang San's, teacher?
But since his older brother had spoken, he must have his reasons.
Out of trust in his older brother, Tang San suppressed his doubts and continued watching in silence.
Tang Tianlin smiled. "Since we're talking about a master and disciple, surely the master ought to be stronger than the disciple. Wouldn't you agree, Da Shi?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded instinctively. "Naturally."
"Then fight my younger brother. If you win, I can persuade him to take you as his master."
At this, Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up.
Although he was only a rank-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster, wouldn't beating a little brat who had just enrolled be as easy as reaching out and grabbing him?
"I accep-"
"Don't rush. I'm not finished yet."
Tang Tianlin interrupted him. "It's all well and good if you win, but if you lose, shouldn't you pay a price?"
A trace of disdain crossed Yu Xiaogang's face at these words.
No matter how talented Tang San was, his Martial Soul was only Blue Silver Grass, which had no offensive power whatsoever.
As a distinguished peak Soul Grandmaster, how could he possibly lose?
"Tell me, what price do you want me to pay?" Yu Xiaogang asked with a smile.
Tang Tianlin smiled slightly, stepped forward, and met his gaze. "That depends on what you can offer."
"After all, San is a genius with innate full Soul Power. Anyone who wants to become his teacher must possess a certain degree of wealth and worth."
At this, Yu Xiaogang fell silent for a moment. Then, as though having made up his mind, he reached into his clothes and pulled out a yellowed notebook.
"This is the culmination of my lifelong research into Martial Soul theory. It contains extensive insights into Martial Soul characteristics, Soul Ring combinations, and evolutionary paths, including my Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul!"
"If... if I lose, this notebook will belong to you."
Had it not been for the sake of taking a disciple, he would never have been willing to offer something so precious.
After all, this was the crystallization of decades of his wisdom, a priceless treasure.
Tang Tianlin glanced at the notebook, scoffed, and shook his head. "Not enough."
"What?!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes turned bloodshot, and he panted like an ox. "This is a priceless treasure, and you're saying it isn't enough?!"
"It may be a treasure to you, but to me, it isn't worth a single coin."
Tang Tianlin said coldly, "I don't have much time. If you don't show some sincerity, the agreement is off."
Hearing the other party disparage his possession as utterly worthless, Yu Xiaogang, in a fit of anger, got angry for a moment.
"Fine. You just want money, don't you?"
Gritting his teeth, Yu Xiaogang reached down and unfastened a silvery-white belt from his waist.
"This belt is a Storage Soul Tool with twenty-four cubic meters of storage space. It also contains the savings I've accumulated over more than a decade."
"Is that enough?!"
He had thought it through. No amount of money could buy back a genius suspected of possessing twin Martial Souls with full Soul Power.
Besides, there was no way he could lose to a Soul Scholar!
Seeing Yu Xiaogang go all in, Tang Tianlin looked surprised as well.
He had initially only wanted to get his hands on Gangzi's Storage Soul Tool belt. He had not expected an extra windfall.
Yu Xiaogang was a Soul Grandmaster, after all, and could collect ten Gold Soul Coins from Spirit Hall each month.
Over the years, that would add up to a considerable sum.
Clearly, Yu Xiaogang was staking everything on taking Tang San as his disciple.
At that thought, Tang Tianlin chuckled. "I've seen your sincerity, Da Shi. As long as you can defeat Tang San, I'll definitely persuade him to become your disciple."
"Wait..."
Just then, Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke up to stop him.
Tang Tianlin thought the fellow had noticed something and wanted to back out.
But Yu Xiaogang merely glanced at the pedestrians coming and going around them, then lowered his voice. "Well, could we move somewhere with fewer people?"
"I happen to know a place..."
He was a well-known figure at the academy, after all. If anyone saw him bullying someone younger, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
The corner of Tang Tianlin's mouth twitched slightly. "Fine. Lead the way."
At this, Yu Xiaogang hurried ahead to lead them.
Tang Tianlin and Tang San followed Yu Xiaogang through twist after turn, arriving at a patch of woodland on the hill behind the academy.
The location was remote, with scarcely a soul in sight on most days. It was indeed a fine place for murder and robbery.
Yu Xiaogang walked to the center of a clearing and looked all around. After confirming that no one else was nearby, he crossed his arms over his chest, quickly spread his feet apart, and shouted:
"Come out, Luo Sanpao!"
With a pfft, a bluish-purple creature that resembled a pig yet was not quite a pig appeared beside Yu Xiaogang's feet.
The instant Luo Sanpao appeared, its nose wrinkled slightly. As though sensing something, it instinctively looked toward Tang Tianlin.
Upon seeing that familiar figure, its large eyes instantly went round, and it scrambled behind Yu Xiaogang like mad.
"Idiot, I didn't tell you to fight him!"
Yu Xiaogang pointed at Tang San and roared, "He's our opponent today!"
Damn it, why does my Luo Sanpao always turn into this whenever it sees Tang Tianlin?
Although Luo Sanpao was a detrimental mutation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, it still possessed sub-dragon blood. How could a person frighten it into such a sorry state?
Only after hearing its master speak did Luo Sanpao breathe a sigh of relief and totter out.
Once it stood steady, Yu Xiaogang finally spoke. "I'm ready. We can begin at any time."
At this, Tang San walked over and stopped before Yu Xiaogang, raising one hand. "Tang San, rank-seventeen Soul Master. Please instruct me!"
"Rank seventeen?!"
Hearing Tang San's rank, Yu Xiaogang's pupils contracted.
How could he possibly have reached rank seventeen after adding only a single Soul Ring?!
"Fighting me, and you still dare let your mind wander?"
Tang San's gaze sharpened, and a deep-yellow Soul Ring rose beneath his feet.
"First Soul Skill: Dragon Silver Enhancement!"
Before you continue