Under the shade of a tree, Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, watching his disciple's attentive behavior with great displeasure.
"Hmph, this Xiao Wu really doesn't know what's good for her, daring to order Xiaosan around to this extent."
If His Excellency Haotian hadn't taken a liking to Xiao Wu as his daughter-in-law...
He certainly would never have allowed Xiao Wu to order Tang San around like this.
In his view, Xiao Wu's Martial Soul, the Soft Bone Demon Rabbit, had an extremely low ceiling, and she had no renowned teacher like him to guide her.
Her future achievements certainly wouldn't amount to much. Tang San, on the other hand, had him, the Grandmaster, to teach him, and would at worst become a Titled Douluo below rank ninety-five.
As for Xiao Wu, according to his deductions, her ceiling was merely a Soul Saint.
Such an enormous gap meant Xiao Wu simply wasn't worthy of being his disciple's partner.
"No, I must give Xiaosan a proper lesson. Placing too much importance on feelings is no good."
With that thought, Yu Xiaogang strode toward Tang San and the others nearby.
"Xiaosan."
Once he drew close, Yu Xiaogang called out to Tang San.
"Grandmaster."
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's voice, they all greeted him respectfully.
Yu Xiaogang nodded, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of everyone treating him with such respect.
So what if they were geniuses? When they met him, Yu Xiaogang, didn't they still have to respectfully address him as Grandmaster?
"Xiaosan, come with me."
With that, Yu Xiaogang turned and walked straight toward the shade where he had just been standing.
"Yes, Teacher." Tang San then turned to Xiao Wu and said, "Xiao Wu, wait for me a moment."
Xiao Wu said nothing and merely nodded.
After reaching the shade, Tang San stood respectfully before Yu Xiaogang.
Looking at his teacher's back, Tang San felt inexplicably uneasy.
"Teacher, did you need me for something?"
Yu Xiaogang turned around, first giving his prized disciple a gratified look.
"Mm, not bad. Rank twenty-nine. You've caught up to your teacher."
At the praise, Tang San's unease vanished like smoke and clouds, and he scratched his head bashfully.
"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. That was true.
Without him, the Grandmaster, even with Clear Sky Douluo backing Tang San, it would have been impossible, while cultivating only Blue Silver Grass...
To have Tang San reach rank twenty-nine at twelve years old!
When it came to theory, he, Yu Xiaogang, had never lost to anyone. Even if His Excellency Haotian came, that would remain true.
"Xiaosan, your teacher must tell you that strength reigns supreme in the Soul Master World. Before strength, everything else is beneath mention."
"You're a good child in every way, except that you place too much importance on feelings. With your talent, there's absolutely no need to be so obedient to Xiao Wu. Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Tang San's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
No need to be so obedient to Xiao Wu? What did Teacher mean by that?
I was clearly doing it willingly. What did obedience have to do with it?
"Teacher, I understand."
The principle of absolute respect for his teacher ingrained in his mind would not allow him to say anything that went against his teacher's words.
All he could do was offer this perfunctory answer.
After all, Teacher was already over fifty, yet I still didn't even have a teacher's wife.
Clearly, Teacher didn't understand what love was.
If I tried explaining it to him, who knew how much trouble that would be?
I might as well not explain at all.
"Mm, as long as you understand." Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction.
This was his disciple: filial, obedient, and utterly respectful toward him as his teacher.
"All right, go back. Cultivate diligently over the next few days and strive to break through rank thirty before the next stage of training begins."
At the mention of rank thirty, Yu Xiaogang's eyes dimmed a little.
Rank thirty-that was the realm he had dreamed of reaching for half his life!
"Yes, Teacher. I will."
Hearing that he could leave, Tang San's mood immediately brightened again.
Xiao Wu must be getting impatient!
After Tang San left, Yu Xiaogang also walked out from under the shade and headed straight for the Dean's Office.
"Xiaogang, has His Excellency Haotian really left?"
When Yu Xiaogang arrived in the office, Flender vacated the only genuine leather chair for him.
"Yes, His Excellency has left."
Yu Xiaogang nodded indifferently. His Excellency Haotian had sought him out yesterday, and after discussing a few matters with him...
He had left Shrek Academy directly under Yu Xiaogang's gaze.
Hearing this, Flender couldn't help relaxing.
"Phew, that's good. With His Excellency Haotian watching from the shadows all the time, I kept feeling uneasy."
"Hmph, if Zhao Wuji hadn't decided to test Xiaosan back then, you wouldn't be feeling that way."
Flender nodded at that.
When Tang San had first arrived at Shrek Academy, who knew what wire had gotten crossed in Zhao Wuji's head?
He had insisted on testing Tang San's limits. That test had brought a terrifying presence down upon them that very night.
Recalling Tang Hao's divine might back then, Flender still felt frightened even now.
Three days later, as two powerful auras of Soul Power emerged within Shrek Academy...
Tang San and Oscar both rushed out of their rooms.
"Xiaosan, you broke through rank thirty too?"
Oscar rushed over excitedly, the beard on his face already gone.
With so many girls now at the academy, especially one he had taken a liking to, he naturally had to pay attention to his appearance.
"Yes. Come on, let's go find Teacher and the others first."
The two reached the training grounds, where, as it happened, almost everyone currently at Shrek Academy had gathered.
"Mm, not bad. You two Little Monsters have broken through rank thirty too."
Flender stepped forward to sense their Soul Power, looking quite proud.
His old friend really was something.
He had nurtured two such young Soul Elders here for him!
"Xiaogang, I plan to have Wuji take Xiaosan, Little Ao, Mubai, and the others to hunt Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest. What do you think?"
Flender turned to look at his old friend. With him here, their Shrek Academy was flourishing more and more!
Yu Xiaogang nodded indifferently.
"That's fine, but this time, let the youngsters work together to hunt the Soul Beasts. It will also be a good opportunity to hone their coordination as a team."
Hearing this, Flender nodded. His old friend had spoken straight to his heart!
"Wuji, set off now. The sooner the better. Try to return as soon as possible."
Beside them, Zhao Wuji, who resembled a small mountain, patted his chest.
"Don't worry. I'll keep them safe."
What a joke. How could I not protect them properly?
One was Clear Sky Douluo's son, two belonged to the Star Luo Imperial Family, and one belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
If anything happened to any of them, he would have to bear more consequences than he could stomach!
At Suotuo City's gates, Skywater Academy's carriage slowly entered the city.
Just then, it crossed paths with the Shrek group, who had come into the city to buy some dry rations.
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