By now, Xiao Wu had combined Shave with her Soft Skill.
Once Soft Skill got into close quarters, it was exceedingly troublesome.
"Xiao San, take this!"
Xiao Wu swayed, drifting to Tang San's side like a falling leaf, and lashed out with her right leg like a whip.
Tang San turned sideways to dodge, but the instant Xiao Wu's toes touched the ground, she activated Shave.
Bang!
She slid along the ground behind Tang San and rolled with the momentum, her legs coiling like snakes around his calves.
Startled, Tang San stamped hard against the ground, activating Shave to put distance between them.
But Xiao Wu had clearly anticipated his retreat. With a twist of her waist, she actually flipped over in midair, crossing her legs in a scissoring motion toward Tang San's waist and abdomen. This was a hold she often used in her Soft Skill; once caught in it, breaking free was difficult.
"That move of yours is getting more and more ridiculous!"
Forced to change direction and shift sideways, Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to barely evade her scissoring legs, her ankle brushing past the hem of his clothes.
"Hehe, you're pretty quick at dodging!"
After landing, Xiao Wu sprang upright with a beautiful backflip, lightly tapped her toes against the ground, and closed in again.
Her way of attacking was completely different from anyone else's.
Most people clashed head-on with fists and feet, but Xiao Wu hardly used her fists at all. Her legs and waist were her most terrifying weapons.
Shave's explosive bursts, combined with the coiling holds of Soft Skill, made her like a slippery fish, sometimes pressing close to entangle him, sometimes springing away to deliver a heavy blow. Several times, Tang San nearly had his joints locked.
Fortunately, they knew each other extremely well, and Tang San prepared ahead of time on every occasion.
Bang!
Xiao Wu swept a whipping kick toward him. Tang San crossed his arms to block, and after a muffled impact, both retreated.
As Xiao Wu withdrew, she flowed into a one-handed handstand, bending her waist into an exaggerated arc as her right foot cleaved down toward the top of Tang San's head. Waist Bow!
The strike was fast and vicious, whipping up a piercing whistle.
Tang San's expression tightened. He instantly raised his hand, and countless strands of Blue Silver Grass burst from the surrounding earth, wrapping around Xiao Wu's body in an instant.
Her entire body was left suspended in midair like that.
Xiao Wu's face immediately flushed red.
"Xiao San!"
"Oh, oh, oh, I'll let you down right now."
Tang San also realized that hanging Xiao Wu up in that position was not very appropriate, and hurriedly withdrew his Blue Silver Grass.
"Hmph, your Blue Silver Grass counters me too well. There's no way to fight you."
Xiao Wu grumbled.
"Hehe, all right. You've both made good progress."
Yu Xiaogang walked over from the side.
The two turned around.
"Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Mm, not bad."
"Let's stop here for today. Your school break starts tomorrow, so get some proper rest."
"Hehe, sure thing, Teacher!"
"Yes, Teacher."
Xiao Wu giggled and looked at Tang San.
"Oh, right, Xiao San, is anyone going home with you tomorrow?"
"Huh? No."
"Then how about having Sister Xiao Wu go home with you?"
Tang San immediately scratched his head. "Huh? Would that really be all right? My family is pretty poor."
Xiao Wu grabbed Tang San's hand. "Oh, come on, Sister Xiao Wu doesn't mind, so what are you afraid of? It's settled, then."
Yu Xiaogang smiled at the sight. "Xiao San, since Xiao Wu has said that, take her back with you. You'll have company, too."
Tang San could only nod in agreement. "All right. I'm just worried I won't be able to host you properly."
"It's fine, it's fine."
Yu Xiaogang smiled and handed over a bag. "Xiao San, take this. Bring some things back for the villagers as a token of appreciation. It wasn't easy for the village to produce a Soul Master like you."
Tang San hurriedly shook his head. "How could I accept that, Teacher? I have money of my own now. I can just spend my own money."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head with a smile. "What can that little bit of money of yours do? I've told you that Soul Masters needn't be overly frugal. Keep your money to spend on yourself."
"As your teacher, I receive an annual subsidy of 1,200 Gold Soul Coins from Spirit Hall. It's more than enough. Go ahead and take it."
"But..."
"Oh, Xiao San, stop hemming and hawing."
Xiao Wu took the money pouch from Yu Xiaogang's hand, then turned back to give him a sweet smile.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang smiled. "Here, this one's for Xiao Wu."
"Wow, Teacher, you prepared one for me too! I love you to death, Teacher!"
Xiao Wu happily threw herself toward him, only for Yu Xiaogang to stop her with a hand against her head.
"Hehe, just take it."
Yu Xiaogang smiled. "Don't forget to cultivate during the break. Cultivation requires perseverance. You mustn't slack off."
"Yes, Teacher."
The two smiled and nodded.
Yu Xiaogang smiled.
School break...
Just as well. I have some personal matters to attend to, too...
Yu Xiaogang thought of Liu Erlong in Heaven Dou City, then of Bibi Dong in Spirit City.
Ah...
Yu Xiaogang sighed. After all these years, it was time to give Erlong an answer.
And Bibi Dong...
The original Yu Xiaogang naturally hadn't known, but the current Yu Xiaogang had merged the memories of two lifetimes and naturally knew exactly what painful circumstances Bibi Dong had faced back then.
Debts of love...
The next day, Tang San and Xiao Wu left early. After seeing them off, Yu Xiaogang packed up and set out himself.
His destination was... Heaven Dou City!
Several days later, Heaven Dou City.
Yu Xiaogang arrived, travel-worn.
One of the most prosperous cities on the continent, it bustled with carriages and horses, with buildings rising in dense rows. It was countless times grander than a little city like Nuoding.
He walked along the street for a while before finally stopping in front of a magnificent academy gate.
Blue Tyrant Academy.
Built from blue stone, the gate stood over thirty feet high. Four bold, powerful characters were carved into its lintel, and two imposing stone lions stood at the entrance.
Even during the school break, a few maintenance workers could still be seen inside, trimming flowers and trees and sweeping the paths.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly, reflecting, Erlong has been doing quite well these past years. She's made a proper success of this academy. It's much grander than Nuoding Academy.
He couldn't help thinking of Flender as well.
His old friend was also a Soul Saint and had also opened an academy, so why was the difference so great?
Still, it was actually easy enough to understand.
Liu Erlong had the support of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan behind her, while Flender came from an ordinary background. Add his proud nature and unwillingness to depend on others, and the end result could be summed up in one word.
Poor...
No wonder that fellow was so greedy for money. No, no, that guy was greedy for money even when he was young.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head with a smile and climbed the steps to the academy entrance.
As the academy was on break, only two gatekeepers were on duty at the entrance.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang approach, both hurriedly stood up.
"Sir, the academy is on break now. Is there something you need?"
Yu Xiaogang spoke gently. "Hello, I'm here to see your dean."
"Our dean?"
The two gatekeepers exchanged a glance, sizing up the man before them with some puzzlement.
He appeared to be in his thirties, with a lean, upright figure and the refined air unique to a scholar.
Could he be here to apply for a teaching position?
"Sorry to trouble you both, but could you pass on a message for me?"
Already prepared, Yu Xiaogang took a letter from inside his clothes and handed it over.
"Just give this letter to your dean. Sorry for the trouble."
The gatekeeper took the letter and nodded. "All right, please wait a moment."
Yu Xiaogang gave a slight nod and stood quietly at the entrance with his hands behind his back.
After entering the campus, the gatekeeper soon found Yin Shu, the director of studies, reviewing files in his office.
"Teacher Yin Shu, a gentleman at the gate would like to see the dean. He gave me this letter."
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