"Y-Yao Xuan, w-what are you doing here?!"
Staring at Yao Xuan before him, Yu Xiaogang stammered his question, fear flickering in his eyes.
"Oh, Yu Xiaogang, you little scumbag. It's been a few years. How did you get so bold that you dare question me?"
"But since you've asked so sincerely, I'll be merciful enough to tell you-"
"I'm now the new dean of Shrek Academy. Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you?"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Yao Xuan sneered and replied.
"But you, a worthless swindler who lives by cheating and deception-why have you come to my academy to con people again?"
After a pause, Yao Xuan looked at Yu Xiaogang, his tone growing increasingly stern.
At Yao Xuan's words, Yu Xiaogang's body involuntarily began to tremble violently!
"D-Dean Yao Xuan, th-this is all a misunderstanding!"
"Shrek Academy originally belonged to my good brother Flender. I came to seek refuge with him!"
"Since you're the dean now, I'll take Tang San and leave right away. We won't bother you!"
"Would... would that be all right?"
Yu Xiaogang lowered his head and pleaded meekly.
"Leave?"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Yao Xuan smiled. "Yu Xiaogang, aren't you forgetting something?"
"W-what have I forgotten?"
Yu Xiaogang shuddered again.
"As the saying goes, since you've come, settle in."
"Now that you're on my turf, how can you expect to leave whenever you please?"
"You came to this academy. If you just casually walk away, where does that leave my dignity?"
Yao Xuan looked at him indifferently and spoke each word distinctly.
"B-but..."
Yu Xiaogang's face instantly went white.
"No buts."
Yao Xuan cut him off.
"It's not as though you can't leave."
"Make a wager with me. If you win, take your people and go as far away as you like."
Yao Xuan smiled faintly and continued.
"W-wager on what?"
Yu Xiaogang swallowed.
"One Soul Fighting match, with a deadline of six months."
"Six months from now, you and I will each bring a team for a public Soul Fighting match."
"If you win, I'll let you leave, and we'll wipe today's slate clean."
Yao Xuan paused, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
"But, Yu Xiaogang, if you lose-"
"Then you'll have another offense added to your name, and you'll be punished for both!"
"As for the punishment... let's make you a eunuch for the rest of your life!"
Yao Xuan paused, then continued.
Upon hearing Yao Xuan's words.
"N-no! I can't accept this wager!"
Yu Xiaogang felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.
That nightmare from five years ago surfaced again.
"Heh, you won't wager? That's not up to you!"
Yao Xuan said indifferently, "If you refuse, then I'll let you experience what it means to be a eunuch right now."
At that moment.
Yu Xiaogang's legs went weak.
Taking the wager was a road to death.
But refusing meant dying right now.
Yu Xiaogang knew that this new dean could do exactly what he said.
"I... I'll wager."
In the end, he could only open his mouth and force out those few words.
"Very good."
Yao Xuan nodded and swept his gaze around the square.
"Flender, call out all the students under you."
"Y-yes!"
Hearing Yao Xuan's words, Flender hurriedly responded.
Before long, several people emerged one after another from the academy's few dilapidated buildings.
Leading them was a boy.
Two people followed behind him, carrying a stretcher.
Lying on the stretcher was none other than Ma Hongjun, burned into a piece of charcoal.
Dai Mubai, covered in blood, was also dragged over to the side.
"Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai."
"Starting today, the three of you, along with Tang San, will train properly under Yu Xiaogang!"
"As for you, Flender, you and Zhao Wuji will also join Yu Xiaogang as their teachers."
"Six months from now, he'll lead you in a Soul Fighting match against my people."
"If you win, there won't be a reward. But if you lose..."
"I'm sure you'll have nightmares every single night from then on. Hehehehe!"
Yao Xuan said coldly.
As for Yao Xuan's side.
Gu Yuena and Qian Renxue naturally would not fight.
Xiao Wu, Wang Qiu'er, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong would take part.
Just like that, a new wager was set.
Soon, night deepened.
Only a few dim yellow oil lamps remained lit in Shrek Academy's dilapidated buildings.
Tang San lay on the hard plank bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
The scene from that day played before his eyes over and over.
The sight of that incompetent Yu Xiaogang kneeling on the ground, meekly begging for mercy.
And the earlier scene in Star Dou Great Forest, when Yu Xiaogang had indirectly caused him to absorb a ten-year solitary bamboo Soul Ring.
I really might have been deceived!
Once that thought began, he could no longer stop it.
Tang San stared at the ceiling with his eyes open, his mind racing.
Those three resounding kowtows he had made at the entrance to Nuoding Academy five years ago.
Thinking back now, that had been the worst bargain of his life.
What had he gotten in exchange?
A set of theories that bluffed people.
A master who drew pay without doing any work.
And a white, ten-year solitary bamboo Soul Ring.
At that thought, Tang San's gaze gradually turned cold.
Did a swindler deserve to talk to me, Tang San, about the bonds of master and disciple?
For these past five years, every time I called him "Master," it was only to get something in exchange.
Now that I can't get anything, it's worth nothing!
Yao Xuan, on the other hand.
He was a truly important figure.
He was the master I, Tang San, ought to acknowledge.
If I could become his disciple...
Forget a ten-year Soul Ring-even hundred-year or thousand-year Soul Rings would be nothing!
Following someone like that, never mind becoming a Titled Douluo-even reaching a higher realm wouldn't be impossible.
At that thought, Tang San's heart suddenly burned with fervor.
As for Yu Xiaogang?
Tang San rolled over, curling his lip.
Once I become Yao Xuan's disciple, that old bastard will be a ready-made stepping stone.
When the time comes, I can even give him a stomp along the way to please my new master.
That bargain would be profitable beyond the heavens.
There was just one thing.
No one could ever find out about this.
I, Tang San, still have to wear the label "pure as ice and jade."
If people found out I'd sneaked off in the middle of the night to take someone else as my master, my future reputation would be utterly ruined.
At that thought, Tang San abruptly sat up, climbed out of bed, and tiptoed across the courtyard.
Reaching the door, he took a deep breath, raised his hand, and knocked.
"Come in."
An indifferent voice came from inside.
Tang San pushed the door open and entered, immediately spotting Yao Xuan seated at the table.
Without hesitation, he strode forward and dropped to his knees with a thud.
"Dean Yao, this disciple, Tang San, wishes to take you as his master!"
As he spoke, he slammed his forehead hard against the cold floor.
"As long as I can become your disciple, I, Tang San, am willing to do anything!"
The room instantly fell silent.
A moment passed.
Yao Xuan lifted his teacup and leisurely took a sip.
"Tang San."
"Isn't Yu Xiaogang your master?"
He set down his teacup and looked at the boy kneeling on the floor, an amused smile curling his lips.
"What, you're not following him anymore?"
Before you continue