I Was Willing

Even though Xiao Gang's Soul Power was weak in his previous life, he was still arrogant and domineering at heart. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? It must have been these four people who used their Soul Power to coerce and force Xiao Gang to study with them.

"A bunch of audacious bastards, how dare they humiliate my Xiao Gang like this!"

Bibi Dong's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and blackish-purple Soul Power kept emerging, as if she wanted to kill the four people in the house and tear them to pieces.

"Wait, are you crazy?"

Liu Erlong was startled and quickly reached out to grab Bibi Dong's wrist tightly, pulling her back.

"Let me go, I'm going to kill them!" Bibi Dong roared telepathically.

"Can't you use your brain?"

Remembering Qian Xunji's words, Liu Erlong quickly retorted, "Listen carefully, he didn't cry for help, nor did he release his Martial Soul. Xiao Gang is usually so close to them, practically inseparable."

"Xiao Gang deliberately kept it from us to avoid suspicion. What if... what if Xiao Gang really was researching Martial Soul Theory voluntarily?"

Bibi Dong's pretty face turned deathly pale with anger. "How could he possibly have done it willingly?"

"Why not?"

Liu Erlong gritted her teeth, her heart filled with bitterness, and said, "You and I are fighting over a man, and Xiao Gang thinks we're in the way, while these four people fawn over him every day. If you rush in and kill him now, he might consider you his enemy for the rest of his life."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Bibi Dong's head, instantly sobering her up considerably.

Recalling how Yu Xiaogang usually valued academics and reputation more than his own life, if he were truly willing to sacrifice himself for the new theory and charge in like this, I'm afraid I would have to break ties with him completely.

Moreover, if Xiao Gang were not voluntary, the fate that Liu Erlong suffered in her previous life, being hidden for twenty years, would likely be the same fate she faces in this life.

"Hateful..."

Bibi Dong clenched her fists tightly, suppressing the murderous intent in her heart. But doing nothing wasn't in her nature. Even if she was being avoided, she would accept it. At least she needed to understand everything.

"Very well! In that case, I will confront him personally tomorrow."

The next day at noon, the sun shone brightly.

For the first time Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong stood side by side, their faces grim, blocking the middle of the corridor.

Before long, the sound of light footsteps came from the end of the corridor.

Yu Xiaogang walked out of the research room with unsteady steps and sunken eyes, still muttering various theories to herself.

"Xiao Gang." Two delicate shouts rang out almost simultaneously.

Yu Xiaogang shuddered as she saw Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong standing menacingly in front of her.

"Dong'er? Erlong? What are you doing here?"

Yu Xiaogang took a half step back guiltily, her expression shifty.

Before the two women could even ask a question, a hearty laugh suddenly came from behind, "Haha! Xiao Gang, you've finished your theoretical research, why are you walking so fast?"

Brother Jie walked up from behind, put his hand on Yu Xiaogang's shoulder, and teased him with a smile:

"Why aren't you saying anything? When we were researching Martial Soul Theory before, didn't you boast that you were an expert in everything? Why are you so reserved now? Are you trying to distance yourself from us in front of these two beauties? Little brother, you've really chosen a path that doesn't suit you."

Yu Xiaogang's body trembled violently, cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he forced a smile in a flustered manner:

"Brother Jie, you jest. I've always been well-versed in Martial Soul Theory; it's just that I spent a bit of my energy studying it just now..."

Brother Jie grinned, "Good that you understand. We'll continue studying the theory later. You can study whatever you want with me..."

Seeing this, Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong's anger suddenly surged to its peak.

Bibi Dong pointed at Brother Jie and shouted angrily, "Get your filthy hands off Xiao Gang! Don't think we don't know what you've done to Xiao Gang in secret. If you know what's good for you, get out of the Spirit Hall right now, or this Holy Maiden will make sure you die a horrible death."

Liu Erlong's face was also frosty. "Xiao Gang, don't be afraid. If these guys dare to threaten or intimidate you, I'll kill them for you today."

The two women were united in their hatred of the enemy, and their momentum rivaled that of Brother Jie.

Just then, another set of footsteps came from behind.

Brother Billy, dressed in the robes of the Spirit Hall scholar, smiled with an air of royalty, "It seems your two confidantes are completely ignorant of the profound mysteries of Martial Soul Theory."

Brother Jiao and Brother Wei also came out and echoed Brother Billy's words.

Now emboldened, Brother Jie showed no fear and transmitted his voice through his Soul Power, saying Youyou:

"Xiao Gang, I'm truly heartbroken. I poured my heart and soul into helping you with your theory, and they insulted me like this, even trying to kill me. And you wouldn't even say a word of justice for me?"

"If I become too heartbroken, countless Image Recording Stone might inexplicably appear in Spirit City."

Hearing these words, a strong sense of panic rose in Yu Xiaogang's heart.

"Enough, all of you shut up."

Yu Xiaogang's face gradually turned red, and she pointed at the two women, roaring angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting here? I don't understand a word you're saying!"

Yu Xiaogang, spittle flying, said, "This Grandmaster did it for the sake of the entire Soul Master World on the continent; this is a sacred Martial Soul Theory."

"I am completely willing. It is the greatest fortune of Grandmaster life to be able to study Martial Soul Theory with them. Moreover, I have absolutely no interest in matters of romance."

"Furthermore, aren't you completely wrong for spying on me in the middle of the night? What else can you do besides bickering and being jealous? People like you are only hindering the progress of my academic theories."

"If you dare to cause trouble and insult my confidant again, don't blame me for severing all Grandmaster with you immediately! Get out! All of you, get out!"

The angry rebuke echoed throughout the long corridor, lingering for Jiujiu.

Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong never expected that their rescue, despite the risk of a complete falling out, would be met with Yu Xiaogang's merciless scolding and biased protection.

He actually reprimanded these academic colleagues in public for their sake, and even threatened to sever ties with them.

Brother Jie pushed up his black-rimmed glasses, patted Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder with satisfaction, and said with a smile:

"Well said! As expected of the foremost Martial Soul Theory in this era, your insights are truly extraordinary. Let's go, let's study Martial Soul Theory..."

Yu Xiaogang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looked at the four scholars beside him, and then at the two women who stood there dumbfounded across the corridor. He felt a wave of helplessness wash over him.

He was filled with nothing but despair; he was tired, he Destruction, quickly...

"Okay, it's all up to Brother Jie..."

Yu Xiaogang forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace, and let Brother Jie and the other three escort her back to the seminar room.

The door slammed shut mercilessly, the sound of it locking being sharp and jarring.

In the empty corridor, only Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong stood there dumbfounded, their minds completely in disarray.