"What's going on?"
The middle-aged soul master in charge of admissions and assessment turned his gaze toward the fainted Yu Xiaogang.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang looked as though he had stopped breathing. His mouth was twisted, his face—flushed red from anger—was quickly turning pale.
He looked like he was about to die.
Slap! Slap!
Suddenly, the middle-aged soul master walked over to Flender's group. Looking at Yu Xiaogang's oxygen-starved body, he swiftly delivered two slaps.
Though not as strong as Flender and the others, this man was still a formidable Soul Elder to Yu Xiaogang.
The blows seemed to jolt Yu Xiaogang's breathing back into rhythm, gradually pulling him back to life.
Seeing this, the middle-aged soul master immediately cursed.
"Enough! Someone this weak shouldn't even bother with the teacher assessment."
Shaking his hand, he returned to his seat, then respectfully said to Flender and the others:
"Gentlemen, please continue with the exam."
Hearing this, Zhao Wuji and the rest turned back to their test papers.
He had never liked Yu Xiaogang to begin with. Now that the entertainment was over, it was time to focus on the exam.
If he passed, becoming a teacher at Blue Tyrant Academy meant earning far more than working under Flender.
With a hopeful heart for a raise, Zhao Wuji carefully looked at the first question on the exam…
"Based on Master Xiao Yan's recently published Seven-in-One Fusion Technique, present your analysis."
In that instant, Zhao Wuji understood why Yu Xiaogang had reacted the way he did.
But Zhao Wuji never believed Master Xiao Yan had plagiarized Yu Xiaogang. There had to be a difference.
Flipping through the provided material, Zhao Wuji found the corresponding reference—an issue of the Martial Soul Gazette.
It explained Xiao Yan's Seven-in-One Fusion Technique in detail, even noting that the Spirit Hall had issued a public apology.
They admitted they had delayed publication until after testing the technique's authenticity—otherwise, it would have been released alongside the self-condensing spirit ring.
This proved that Xiao Yan's Seven-in-One Fusion Technique was real and effective.
Xiao Yan had published it long before—how could it possibly be stolen from Yu Xiaogang?
To Zhao Wuji, it was simple: Xiao Yan had coincidentally developed the same idea and happened to publish it.
Besides, Yu Xiaogang's version never even spread. Zhu Zhuqing had only just left days ago—timing didn't even line up.
And Canghui Academy already knew this technique. It wasn't anything earth-shattering.
Thinking of this, Zhao Wuji's opinion of Yu Xiaogang sank even lower.
In truth, the Spirit Hall had originally not intended to publish the technique at all.
(After all, the grand tournament between advanced academies was only two years away. But Bibi Dong, mindful of Master Xiao Yan's influence in the soul master world, had no choice but to make it public to maintain goodwill.)
Soon, as Zhao Wuji struggled with the first question and prepared to move on, Yu Xiaogang began to stir.
But even in his half-conscious state, he continued to curse Xiao Yan loudly, accusing him of shamelessly stealing his ideas.
He paid no attention to the other examinees, disturbing the room with his shouting. Zhao Wuji—already frustrated by his lack of aptitude for written tests—finally lost his temper.
In an instant, Zhao Wuji's massive frame shot up, and he stormed over to Yu Xiaogang.
Smack!
This time he used half his strength, striking Yu Xiaogang so hard he was knocked clear out of his seat and slammed against the wall.
"Yu Xiaogang, if your brain doesn't work, then get a new one! You think Master Xiao Yan's thesis and your so-called Seven-in-One Fusion are the same?"
"Use your head! Even I, old Zhao, can tell the principles are completely different."
"Trash! Pfah."
He spat on Yu Xiaogang's clothes, then turned his back and calmly walked back to his seat.
Zhao Wuji figured he'd be joining Blue Tyrant Academy soon—why bother saving face for Flender?
Even holding back, that slap had left Yu Xiaogang reeling.
His vision blurred with stars, his throat convulsed, and he couldn't even speak. Nausea overtook him, and he vomited all over his own clothes.
At once, the stench of bile filled the exam hall.
Even Flender felt reluctant to step in on Yu Xiaogang's behalf.
Damn, this idiot is hopeless.
Reading Xiao Yan's thesis himself, Flender also realized the theories differed.
He couldn't possibly go against the crowd to defend Yu Xiaogang.
If word spread, how could he face the soul master world?
Forget it—if Yu Xiaogang can't pass the exam, so be it.
Later, Erlong could always pull strings for him.
For all his flaws, Yu Xiaogang's theoretical knowledge was still above most soul masters.
Meanwhile, the middle-aged examiner frowned at the commotion, letting out a cold snort.
Had someone else not slapped Yu Xiaogang already, he might have done it himself.
Master Xiao Yan isn't someone a worthless fool like you can insult.
As the assessment went on, the Shrek teachers scratched their heads, frustrated by the test.
Almost every question drew from Xiao Yan's theories, meant to test whether prospective instructors actually understood them.
But Zhao Wuji and the others had only ever treated Xiao Yan's work like science fiction—giant steel ships, soul-power reactors, and the like.
Ask them about the underlying principles, and they had no idea.
Fortunately, the last question simply asked about each teacher's area of expertise.
Zhao Wuji regained his confidence, proudly writing down his strength and some of his spirit ring abilities.
As a Soul Sage, he was more than qualified to train students in combat.
The other teachers, including Flender, did the same, filling in their own capabilities.
Only Yu Xiaogang's test paper remained blank.
Supported by Ma Hongjun and fed an Oscar sausage, he slowly regained his strength.
Zhao Wuji, damn you! How dare you strike me!
Yu Xiaogang cursed inwardly, his mind still blinded by obsession. He refused to believe Xiao Yan's theory differed from his own.
Just then, Ma Hongjun spoke up.
"Teacher, please don't blame Zhao Wuji. He isn't someone who lashes out for no reason. Maybe it really is different."
Hongjun, after all, held respect for the unknown Master Xiao Yan. His theories had benefitted him directly, so he wasn't about to blindly take Yu Xiaogang's side.
But those words made Yu Xiaogang freeze, staring at Ma Hongjun in disbelief.
"Hongjun… even you…"
I've raised a traitor. If I'd known, I should've cultivated Xiao Lin instead.
He thought bitterly, conveniently forgetting how Xiao Lin and the others had once publicly humiliated him, refusing to believe his wisdom.
Time had dulled that memory. Now, Yu Xiaogang simply dismissed it as youthful immaturity.
If given another chance, he would seize the opportunity to become Xiao Lin's teacher.
And with that thought, he even began to harbor resentment toward Ma Hongjun—once his favored pupil—going so far as to consider abandoning him.
(End of Chapter)