While Tang San was basking in attention, Yu Xiaogang felt proud of himself for training such an excellent disciple, while Flender was equally happy that he had bet money on Tang San.
After their match, they went to watch Dai Mubai's fight, which happened to be in the same arena where Wu Lan's group was.
Seeing Mubai step onto the stage, Wu Lan became curious about the results of his training. Xiao Wu and Zhuqing tagged along with him.
Mubai's opponent was a level 37 beast-type Soul Master named An Luo, at the same level as him.
Flender was one hundred percent confident that Mubai would win, especially after Yu Xiaogang's training. He even placed a bet on Mubai.
Soon, Mubai and An Luo stood face-to-face.
Mubai was brimming with confidence, believing that if his opponent's soul power was equal to or lower than his own, his superior martial spirit would secure him victory.
Both summoned their martial spirits.
Mubai summoned his White Tiger, while An Luo revealed his Bear.
Once both spirits were out, they locked eyes and struck simultaneously with their fists.
The clash resounded loudly across the arena.
An Luo's face remained calm, a faint smile lingering on his lips, while Mubai's face twisted in pain.
Mubai felt an intense agony in his hand, as though it were about to break at any moment. Still, his pride did not allow him to back down. He gritted his teeth and pushed through.
Wu Lan burst out laughing at the sight.
Xiao Wu and Zhuqing turned to him, confused.
"Brother, why are you laughing?" Xiao Wu asked.
"Oh, it's because before Yu Xiaogang's training, Mubai could fight and easily defeat opponents with soul power equal to or lower than his. But look now, after that trash's so-called training, just from one clash, his face is full of pain," Wu Lan replied, his gaze fixed on Mubai.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu and Zhuqing carefully observed Mubai's expression. They finally noticed the change on his face during the punch.
Zhuqing remembered Mubai's match in the Soul Arena three months ago. Back then, he had been much stronger than he was now. She couldn't understand how Yu Xiaogang's training had made him weaker.
Though she didn't care much about Mubai, curiosity gnawed at her. So she asked,
"Wu Lan, why did his strength decrease after taking Yu Xiaogang's training?"
"Yu Xiaogang's so-called training consisted only of physical drills and endless sparring with Tang San. Because Mubai offended both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, with their petty minds, they deliberately increased Mubai's training load. Without proper food, rest, or medicine, overexertion leads to serious issues. And now, these are the results," Wu Lan explained patiently.
Xiao Wu and Zhuqing listened, their disgust toward Yu Xiaogang and Tang San deepening.
Meanwhile, in the arena, Mubai was panicking. Every punch from An Luo made his arms feel like they were about to snap. He knew he had to finish the match quickly or risk defeat.
He took a step back and used his second soul ring ability, White Tiger Intense Light Wave, unleashing a beam of intense light from his mouth.
But An Luo, with his Bear Spirit's strong defense, crossed his arms and blocked the attack.
Seeing this, Mubai immediately used his third soul ring ability, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, without giving An Luo the chance to counter. His muscles expanded, the king-character appeared on his forehead, and his physical strength, attack, and defense doubled. Ignoring the agony in his body, he rushed forward, launching a relentless barrage of punches.
An Luo was overwhelmed and finally pushed out of the arena, barely securing Mubai's victory.
Mubai collapsed to his knees, panting heavily, wracked with intense pain. He was too exhausted to move an inch.
Flender rushed into the arena to support him. He noticed the pained look on Mubai's face during the fight and suspected something was wrong with his body. But he didn't intervene, knowing that if he did, they would be banned from the Soul Arena.
"Mubai, are you not feeling well?" Flender asked.
"Dean, I'm fine. I'm just exhausted from the fight," Mubai replied weakly, hiding the truth.
He assumed that his opponent's attack power had been too strong. What he didn't know was that the pain came from the hidden injuries caused by Yu Xiaogang's brutal training and Tang San's repeated beatings during spars. These injuries should have been healed by the daily medicinal baths. But because Yu Xiaogang diverted all the good resources to Tang San, only cheap medicines were provided for the others. Those baths healed little, leaving most of the injuries festering inside him.
If Mubai ever discovered this truth, he would kill Yu Xiaogang, even if it meant chasing him to the ends of the continent.
Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun and Oscar's battle ended in defeat. Their opponents immediately targeted Oscar. Fatty tried to help, but he was intercepted. After Oscar fell, Ma Hongjun was forced to face both enemies alone. He stayed airborne, launching fire attacks, but ever since Wu Lan absorbed the Phoenix Essence, Fatty's firepower had decreased. His opponents relied on speed to evade his flames. Soon, his soul power was exhausted, and he lost.
Yu Xiaogang sneered at Mubai and Ma Hongjun with disdain.
"Pathetic."
Both Mubai and Ma Hongjun's faces darkened at the insult.
After berating them, Yu Xiaogang turned to Tang San and began showering him with praise. He made sure to emphasize his own contributions, carefully weaving the idea into Tang San's head that he owed everything to him.
Watching from the side, Wu Lan laughed. Yu Xiaogang actually believed Tang San would feel indebted to him? What a joke. That bastard never remembered those who helped him. He only cared when he needed something. Once he got it, he would act as if they never existed.
The best example was Village Chief Jack, who had cared for Tang San when that bastard Tang Hao abandoned him. If not for the village chief, Tang San would have died. But what did Tang San do in return? Practically nothing. He used people and discarded them. And if anyone dared to question him, they would be painted as evil, while Tang San played the righteous hero by killing them.
Wu Lan smirked.
I wonder what your reaction will be when your beloved disciple eventually comes for your life.
[Author's Note:
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