Theory Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang (2)

Yu Xiaogang looked up at him and nodded slightly. "Good, you've guessed it. Tang San has Twin Martial Souls: Blue Silver Grass in his right hand and the Clear Sky Hammer in his left. He's Tang Hao's son."

"He really is that guy's son." Flender leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath. "I thought so. How could a mere Blue Silver Grass cultivate to level twenty-nine, and how could he have such exquisite Hidden Weapon techniques? The Clear Sky Douluo's son-no wonder, no wonder."

He remembered the shadowy figure's imposing presence that night, and his heart still trembled with lingering fear. Tang Hao had entrusted his son to Shrek as both a gesture of trust and a test.

"Don't tell anyone who Tang Hao is," Yu Xiaogang said gravely. "If Spirit Hall finds out, there'll be no end of trouble. I came here specifically to keep an eye on him. Twin Martial Souls are far too risky; one careless move and his Martial Souls could backlash. He's laying his foundations right now. Nothing can go wrong."

Flender nodded. "I understand. Don't worry, I'll keep him safe at Shrek."

"Not just him." Yu Xiaogang changed the subject. "I hear you've recruited several promising talents among this year's new students? A little girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a Hell Spirit Cat, and a boy with a Vajra Serpent Martial Soul?"

"Your information travels fast." Flender laughed. "They're all monster-class. Twelve or thirteen years old, and even the weakest are at level twenty-five or twenty-six. What, are you interested?"

"I'll stay here and teach the new students theory and tactics." Yu Xiaogang looked at him, his tone earnest. "These children have good foundations, but they've all learned through unorthodox methods and lack systematic training. I'll help you hone them, and consider it repayment for the favor you did me back then."

Flender's eyes lit up.

Yu Xiaogang's theories were unrivaled on the continent. With him guiding the new students, these youngsters' rate of growth could definitely double.

He hurriedly slapped the table. "Good! It's a deal! Your salary and benefits will match the highest in the academy, and you can use whatever resources you like!"

As the two were talking, a gentle knock came from outside the door.

"Come in."

Tang San pushed the door open and walked in, carrying a stack of copied cultivation manuals that Flender had asked him to organize yesterday. When he saw Yu Xiaogang sitting in the room, he froze for a moment. Then his eyes burst with delighted surprise, and he hurriedly bowed. "Teacher! What brings you here?"

"I'm here to teach. From now on, I'll guide your cultivation." Yu Xiaogang looked at his most accomplished disciple, his gaze softening a little. "How is your Soul Power circulation? Are you comfortable using your Soul Skills?"

"Everything's going smoothly," Tang San answered respectfully. "Following the method you taught me, Teacher, I've improved the toughness of my Blue Silver Grass even further."

Flender sat to one side, watching the teacher and disciple talk, and nodded inwardly.

Tang San was highly gifted, steady in temperament, and respectful of his teacher and the way of cultivation. With Yu Xiaogang's guidance and Tang Hao's legacy behind him, his future achievements would definitely be boundless. Shrek was fortunate to have accepted such a student.

"Oh, right, Xiao Gang," Flender said, suddenly remembering something. "Zhao Wuji said just yesterday that this year's new students have good foundations, but lack real combat experience. Once Oscar breaks through to level thirty, I'm planning to have Old Zhao take them to the Star Dou Great Forest and find some Soul Rings for the children while they're there. If you're free, would you like to go along?"

Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment, then nodded. "All right. There are many kinds of Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest. It'll be a good chance to give them a practical lesson. Soul Rings can't be chosen at random either; they have to suit their Martial Soul attributes."

And so the matter was settled.

Yu Xiaogang stayed at Shrek Academy and became the new students' dedicated instructor. When word spread, some students were happy, while others were worried.

Tang San was naturally the happiest. With his teacher at his side, he could avoid many detours in his cultivation. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were also looking forward to it, having long heard of Yu Xiaogang's renowned theories. Ning Rongrong alone curled her lip, thinking that someone who dealt in theory might not have any real ability.

As the sun sank in the west, Yu Xiaogang stood at the edge of the training ground, watching Tang San practice his punches, his gaze deep.

He knew Tang San's journey had only just begun. Twin Martial Souls, the inheritance of the Clear Sky Hammer... The road ahead was long, and he would accompany this disciple every step of the way. And then there was that insufferably arrogant Lin Chen, who had belittled his theories in public. He would personally destroy Lin Chen's confidence and make him regret not taking him as his teacher...

Yu Xiaogang's training plan officially went into effect early the next morning.

On the small training ground, seven students stood in a row, looking at the list in the hands of the man in gray robes before them, each expression more colorful than the last.

"Rise every day at the hour of the rabbit and run twenty kilometers carrying twenty kilograms. No using Soul Power along the way."

"Martial Soul control training in the morning. Food System students will make thirty basic sausages every day, Control System students will train their precision, and Power Attack System students will train their strength."

"Combat sparring in the afternoon, in pairs. No moves at or above the Third Soul Skill. Stop before causing injury."

"Theory lessons in the evening, covering Soul Beast habits and Soul Ring combinations."

Yu Xiaogang's voice was even, but it carried an unquestionable authority. "Shrek only accepts monsters, not trash. Those who can persevere may stay; those who can't may leave now."

Ning Rongrong's face went white, and she muttered under her breath, "A twenty-kilometer run with weights? And we can't use Soul Power? How is that possible..."

She had grown up clothed in silk and fed on delicacies. Forget running with weights; she even had a carriage to ride in for ordinary trips.

Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together and said nothing, merely clenching her fists. Dai Mubai frowned but did not object either. Tang San stood in the line with a calm expression, as though he had long been accustomed to this level of intensity.

Tuo Mushuo stood at the end of the line, his skin dark, his hand rubbing the poison pouch at his waist. He merely nodded. He had roamed the mountains and forests since childhood, so this level of training was nothing to him.

"If no one has any objections, let's begin." Yu Xiaogang waved a hand. "The weighted sandbags are over there. Get them yourselves."

The morning's training was filled with howls of misery. Ning Rongrong was panting after less than five kilometers and wanted to shirk and give up several times, but when she saw Tang San running ahead without a word of complaint, she gritted her teeth and followed him.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had good stamina and ran with ease, but Yu Xiaogang still stopped them from time to time to correct their movements.

Tang San ran most steadily, his breathing even as the Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated slowly, nourishing his limbs. He had long been accustomed to high-intensity cultivation. Though Yu Xiaogang's plan was strict, it was incomparably scientific: every exercise fell precisely at the edge of the body's limits without harming its foundations.

Halfway through training, Oscar suddenly let out a cry of surprise.

"Huh? H-hey! My Soul Power..."

Everyone looked toward the sound. Oscar stood where he was, two yellow Soul Rings lighting up around him. His Soul Power fluctuations rose higher and higher, and the barrier that had held him at the peak of level twenty-nine was broken through like a sheet of thin paper.

Level thirty!

It was harder for Food System Soul Masters to break through than Battle Soul Masters to begin with. For Oscar to reach level thirty at fourteen was already a sign of extraordinary talent.