Yu Xiaogang's first lesson after arriving at Shrek Academy was very simple!
"Huh?! You want me to fight Brother Shangguan?!"
Tang San was utterly distraught. He stared blankly at Yu Xiaogang, pointed at Shangguan Hong beside him, then pointed at himself, his eyes full of disbelief.
Dai Mubai and the others watching wore troubled expressions. Never mind Tang San-not a single person present was a match for Shangguan Hong! Perhaps two against one would give them some chance of winning...
Those terrifying summons were far too heaven-defying. Whether it was the Sand Emperor Azir, who could summon four soldiers, or Mordekaiser, whose strength and defense were both top-notch, none of them could handle either one. In fact, they had to be thankful that Shangguan Hong could only use one Soul Skill at a time (he could actually use all his Soul Skills simultaneously). Otherwise, even all six of them together might not be a match for him.
However, having only just arrived, Yu Xiaogang still had no idea how terrifying Shangguan Hong was. His face brimmed with confidence. After all, in his eyes, the disciple he had trained, Tang San, would never be inferior to anyone! Moreover, Tang San had now reached the Soul Elder level. Among those of the same cultivation level, Control System Soul Masters were invincible!
As for why Yu Xiaogang was doing this? The reason was simple: he wanted to make his disciple Tang San the absolute core of the team!
"That's right! And Little San, you aren't allowed to use your Third Soul Skill!"
Yu Xiaogang held one hand behind his back, looking every inch the lofty expert. Those words left his obedient disciple Tang San utterly silent.
Face Shangguan Hong without using his Third Soul Skill? Well, that was like bedding down beside a toilet-not far from death.
"Grandmaster Yu, isn't that inappropriate? I'm a level 38 Soul Elder, while Little San is only level 31. Besides, I'm a Summoning System Soul Master. I'm afraid Little San would have a hard time winning alone."
Shangguan Hong laughed inwardly. He had originally worried that Yu Xiaogang might possess some exceptional ability, but now that he had seen him, this so-called Grandmaster amounted to nothing special. He really was someone who fished for fame and reputation! Annoying as he was, someone like this had to stay alive. He absolutely could not die early.
The role Yu Xiaogang could play was like that of the three fools during the Jianwen Emperor's reign in the history of Shangguan Hong's original world. It absolutely could not be overlooked, and it would absolutely push events in a direction favorable to him.
"Heh, very well! Little San, I permit you to use your Third Soul Skill!"
Yu Xiaogang paid no heed whatsoever to Shangguan Hong's words. Summoning System-so what if it was the Summoning System? It was nothing more than summoning a bunch of cannon fodder to assist in battle! From certain perspectives, his External Beast Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, also had traces of the Summoning System, achieving similar results through different means. So even if others did not know how capable the Summoning System was, how could he, Yu Xiaogang, not know?
Yu Xiaogang saw the strange expressions on the Shrek group's faces, but how could an outstanding scholar like him care? It was nothing more than the mouse-like shortsightedness of a bunch of children still wet behind the ears! As long as Tang San could defeat Shangguan Hong today, his authority would be established, and so would Tang San's de facto position as team captain.
At Yu Xiaogang's urging, Tang San and Shangguan Hong took their places apart from one another. The pair, whom outsiders regarded as good friends, faced each other awkwardly. Xiao Wu watched from the side with some concern, while Oscar had already prepared his sausages.
"Don't worry, Little San. I'll go easy on you!"
Shangguan Hong wore a harmless smile. Hearing this, Tang San sighed in relief. He cupped his hands in thanks, then summoned his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. Three Soul Rings in the standard configuration-two yellow and one purple-pulsed beneath his feet.
"Brother Shangguan, please!"
Although he knew he was no match for Shangguan Hong, Tang San still decided to show some of his abilities!
"Of course, of course!"
Shangguan Hong rested his shovel on his shoulder. Along with the three Soul Rings beneath his feet, he released the presence of a level 38 Soul Elder! It was as deep as an abyss, making those who sensed it pale.
Only then did the Shrek group realize that Shangguan Hong had possessed merely level 36 Soul Power when he enrolled. Yet in just a few days, his Soul Power had soared straight to level 38! This cultivation speed was simply astonishing. After all, Shrek Academy's graduation requirement was only to become a level 40 Soul Ancestor.
"First Soul Skill, Entanglement!"
Tang San struck first. Knowing Shangguan Hong's strength, he decided to seize the initiative. Vine-like Blue Silver Grass burst from the earth, attacking the distant Shangguan Hong like living flood dragons! In an instant, Blue Silver Grass blotted out the sky and covered the earth, sealing off every route of escape!
"Well met!"
The smile remained on Shangguan Hong's face. He lowered his stance slightly and gripped his shovel with both hands, hacking at the all-encompassing Blue Silver Grass with his golden shovel like a battle-axe. Strengthened by three Soul Rings, the Blue Silver Grass should have been exceptionally tough, but Shangguan Hong's Golden Spatula was simply too sharp. In the blink of an eye, he severed all the Blue Silver Grass lunging toward him!
Yu Xiaogang stood to one side, somewhat stupefied.
What the hell? Wasn't it a Summoning System Martial Soul? Why did he look like a Power Attack System Soul Master?
Yet Tang San seemed to have anticipated this scene. His expression remained unchanged as the second Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up and Parasite activated. The parasitic seeds carried by the Blue Silver Grass had already landed on Shangguan Hong. They sprouted instantly, binding him tightly!
"This Soul Skill really doesn't play fair!"
Shangguan Hong smacked his lips. Something like Parasite was impossible to guard against; aside from blazing fire and defensive Soul Skills, there was no way to counter it. But setting aside whether Blue Silver Grass could completely restrain Shangguan Hong, even if it did, so what? Shangguan Hong was a Summoning System Soul Master!
"Windblown sands buried palace gates and bound the fading sunset; after a thousand years of slumber, the emperor rose again!"
"Second Soul Skill, Glory of Shurima!"
The second Thousand-Year Soul Ring beneath Shangguan Hong's feet flashed. Endless yellow sand surged, enveloping a radius of three hundred meters in the blink of an eye! The sacred Sun Disc rose behind him, and the slumbering emperor awakened once more. Brimming with majesty, he swung the scepter in his hand and instantly severed the Blue Silver Grass binding Shangguan Hong, then glared furiously at Tang San in the distance.
All of Shangguan Hong's summons were loyal to him-one hundred percent loyal. In the eyes of the proud emperor, allowing his summoner to be threatened was the greatest disgrace!
"Witness the wrath of Shurima!"
The Sand Emperor chanted furiously. Yellow sand surged as four armored soldiers revealed themselves. This time, however, the Sand Emperor was clearly serious. The Sun Disc behind Shangguan Hong fired five dazzling beams of light, empowering the four soldiers and Azir alike!
Four Desert Soldiers, each equivalent to a level 38 Power Attack System Soul Elder, held spears in their hands. Raging fury burned in their eyes, their weapons pointed straight at Tang San!
"Soldiers, advance!"
At Azir's command, the Desert Soldiers charged with astonishing momentum!
Tang San was completely dumbfounded. Didn't you say you would go easy on me? Why open with your ultimate right away? And what was with the killing aura coming from these summons?
But Yu Xiaogang, standing to the side, was far more dumbfounded than Tang San! His eyes bulged so much they almost rolled out of their sockets, and his jaw dropped so far it nearly hit the floor!
Only one question filled Yu Xiaogang's mind:
This was the fucking Summoning System?!