Flender angrily shouted upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, "Xiaogang, do you even realize what you're saying? We're just teachers at a soul master academy. Every student has their own training methods. Coveting another's self-created soul skill is a major taboo in the soul master world, let alone the fact that Yang Xiong is from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Yu Xiaogang gave a bitter smile. "Flender, even you don't support me now? Just like back then when I published my theories, even when my own family didn't support me, and the entire soul master world misunderstood me, you still stood by my side."
Flender shook his head. "This is completely different. Back then, even though your theories weren't accepted and your clan rejected you, they still contributed to civilian soul masters. Time proved many of your theories right."
"But Yang Xiong's case is not the same. He's just a student at Shrek Academy. He has no obligation to let you study his martial soul, let alone hand over his self-created soul skill. Don't forget, behind Yang Xiong stands the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. His teacher is Bone Douluo. You should know what that means. In terms of background, he's not much weaker than Tang San."
Yu Xiaogang said, "But Yang Xiong's cultivation and self-created soul skill could change the entire soul master world, maybe even go down in history. Have you not thought about the significance of that?"
Flender replied, "Xiaogang, I don't know what's going on in your mind. Are you doing this for the soul master world or for Tang San? You should understand better than anyone how cruel the soul master world is. Take your own clan as an example, would they ever hand over their secret cultivation methods or self-created soul skills?"
"On the contrary, anyone who covets their secret techniques would be mercilessly eliminated. No matter how strong their background is, it wouldn't matter. That's the true soul master world."
With a sigh, Yu Xiaogang left in frustration. In his eyes, Tang San was more important than anything else. He had only two lifelong goals: to cultivate Tang San into a top soul master and to prove his theories, gaining recognition from the soul master world and his own clan.
Meanwhile, after arriving at the cafeteria, Yang Xiong found that he was the only one there. Everyone else was likely still recovering from the intense training.
After finishing his meal, the first person to arrive after him was Ning Rongrong. Compared to others, she had expended less energy the previous day, Yang Xiong had carried her for most of the final laps.
Seeing Yang Xiong, Ning Rongrong blushed. "Little Bear, you did well today. I'm the first of the girls to wake up."
Yang Xiong smiled helplessly. "Rongrong, I can help you once or twice, but you need to start adapting and completing the runs on your own. It's good for your training."
Ning Rongrong looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Little Bear? Are we going to go through this kind of training every day?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "It won't be this simple. In the future, we'll probably face even harsher training, beyond just running with weighted baskets. What we did yesterday was just the appetizer."
"You've participated in a few soul duels with me, you should know how brutal they can be. Once the battle begins, everyone will target you first as a support-type soul master. On the battlefield, taking out the support is always the top priority."
"Only if you have enough stamina and speed can you survive. Real battles are far more brutal than soul duels."
Ning Rongrong thought for a moment and then said, "I understand. Thanks for the reminder, Little Bear. Tomorrow, I'll try to finish the entire run myself."
"Oh, and I have good news. I've already reached level twenty-nine. That's still two levels higher than you. Don't worry, your big sister's got your back. Soon you'll see just how powerful my support can be."
The two chatted and laughed, quickly easing the awkwardness from the day before.
The others eventually trickled into the cafeteria as well. After the medicinal baths, everyone seemed refreshed. Although they gave gossipy glances at Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong eating together, they tactfully chose to sit farther away.
After breakfast, Yang Xiong sparred with Zhao Wuji as usual and then returned to his dorm for meditation. According to his plan, he would soon be able to complete the creation of his Yin-Yang Meditation Technique.
Tang San, meanwhile, had a gloomy look in his eyes as he went to find Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang was surprised. "Xiao San, aren't you supposed to be meditating right now? This is the optimal time, it would help you increase your soul power faster."
Tang San lowered his head. "Teacher, I let you down today. I actually lost to Yang Xiong in battle."
Tang San had always been proud. Among soul masters of the same level, he had never lost. With his Tang Sect techniques, he considered himself the strongest of his peers. That's why he revealed his Clear Sky Hammer in the soul master tournament, despite knowing the enmity between the Clear Sky Clan and Spirit Hall, he boldly revealed it, fully aware of the danger.
Yu Xiaogang sighed. "Xiao San, don't dwell on it. Yang Xiong has undergone medicinal baths since childhood, and his martial soul is special. It's normal that his physical strength surpasses yours. Plus, he's Bone Douluo's disciple, I'm sure Bone Douluo has been training him privately."
"In terms of technique, you're not weaker than him. You even have an edge in control. What you lack is Yang Xiong's decisive finishing power. By the way, what do you think of Yang Xiong's self-created soul skill?"
Tang San thought for a while and then said, "I've only seen it twice, once when he fought Zhao Wuji, and today. It's extremely powerful. I'd say it surpasses the third soul skills of most ordinary soul masters. It's definitely stronger than Dai Mubai's."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "You share a dorm with him, try to interact with him more. Maybe you'll gain some insights. As you know, self-created soul skills are private. I can't ask too much. Some things you'll have to discover on your own."
Tang San nodded. "Teacher, I understand. I'm confident in my combat ability. Today's setback was due to my injuries affecting my running. I'll double my efforts to train so that I won't lose physically again."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Xiao San, you've always made me proud. But don't be too hard on yourself. Everyone has different martial souls and constitutions. You have your own strengths. In any team, the control-type soul master is usually the core. No matter how strong Yang Xiong is, he can't match you in that regard."
The next morning, Yu Xiaogang once again taught the class.
His cold gaze swept over the group before he nodded. "Good. You're more punctual than yesterday, at least none of you missed breakfast."
"Based on my original design, not all of you should've been able to complete yesterday's training. But through teamwork, you all passed."
"Let me emphasize this: teammates must trust one another. Only then can you entrust your backs to your companions in critical moments. Today's training will be like yesterday's, but even stricter and more demanding. I hope you'll continue to help each other and complete your tasks."
Yang Xiong felt as though Yu Xiaogang had looked at him deliberately while speaking, which made him a little uneasy.
What he didn't know was that Yu Xiaogang had already taken an interest in his self-created soul skill after just one day. But Yang Xiong had no intention of sharing it, and he had already spoken to Ning Fengzhi about it in advance.
When everyone arrived at the gates of Shrek Academy, they were shocked. The weight of each person's load had increased significantly, especially Yang Xiong's, whose massive basket was filled with over 200 pounds of stones.
Oscar joked, "Yang Xiong, that's what you get for carrying Ning Rongrong yesterday. I think the teacher added her weight to yours. You won't be able to carry her today!"
Yang Xiong smacked Oscar on the head. "Oscar, are you asking for trouble? Don't forget your miserable state yesterday. If I can't carry the load, I won't be able to help you with your stones either."
Oscar turned pale, he was a support-type soul master, and without Yang Xiong's help yesterday, he wouldn't have finished the training.
Everyone laughed at Oscar's reaction. Among the group, Oscar and Ning Rongrong, both support types, had noticeably weaker physical strength. Even Ma Hongjun, who had a hard time yesterday, now seemed amused.
Ning Rongrong proudly declared, "Little Bear, today I'll run the whole way myself. I'm already level twenty-nine, and my body is much stronger now."
Yang Xiong looked helpless. "Rongrong, don't be so confident. I'm honestly a little worried. At this rate, I'll end up carrying not just you but your rocks too."
Ning Rongrong blushed. "I won't let that happen. I'll prove myself today. Even without you, I can pass the assessment."
Yang Xiong had no choice but to smile wryly. The group hoisted their loads and began running. At least today, the mood was more relaxed than yesterday.
After yesterday's trial, everyone had a better idea of the purpose behind the training. Confidence ran high.
But as expected, halfway through the run, Ning Rongrong and Oscar started to struggle. Most of their stones ended up in Yang Xiong's basket.
Even running at full strength, the two support-type soul masters were simply too physically weak. Oscar barely finished without the extra weight, but Ning Rongrong collapsed by the eighth lap.
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate, he picked her up and carried her through the final two laps.
Ning Rongrong wanted to refuse, but Yang Xiong's basket was even fuller than the day before, with stones nearly spilling out. If not for his strong control, they'd have fallen everywhere.
In the end, Ning Rongrong had no choice but to let him carry her, blushing furiously.
The others watched in awe. Even Oscar was impressed. "Yang Xiong, Brother Bear, I'm so jealous. With that much weight and still able to carry someone, your strength is endless."
"And by the looks of it, something good is happening between you two. I'll just congratulate you in advance."
Yang Xiong gave him another smack. "Can't you say less? Instead of running your mouth, you should train more, then I wouldn't have to carry your load too."
Oscar replied helplessly, "I can't help it. I'm a support-type soul master. No matter how much I train, I can't match those beast-type soul masters."
At this point, Yang Xiong was carrying nearly 300 pounds plus Ning Rongrong. He could only manage a slow jog.
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