"Of course." Yu Xiaomen replied.
A checkmark-like smile curved at the corner of Lin Chen's lips. He turned toward Yu Xiaogang, who looked back at him with puzzled eyes.
Suddenly, Lin Chen spread his arms. Golden soul power erupted from his body, and behind him a golden formation condensed. From within that array, a golden dragon emerged.
Behold—the ultimate dragon, unmatched in dominance, the Golden Holy Dragon! Two of them appeared: one belonging to Yu Xiaomen, the other to Lin Chen. Together, they hemmed Yu Xiaogang in, forcing the frail man to endure the crushing pressure of two super martial souls. He felt like a lone boat tossed in a raging sea, helpless against the storm.
What pained him even more was that both of these Golden Holy Dragons were deeply connected to him—Yu Xiaomen's had evolved using the Golden Dragonfruit meant for him, while Lin Chen had directly stolen his own Golden Holy Dragon.
"Gangzi, you say that my Golden Holy Dragon was stolen from you? Fine, I'll give you a chance. Call out to it—see if it responds!" Lin Chen said, pointing to the Golden Holy Dragon.
Trembling, Yu Xiaogang lifted his head and gazed at the majestic dragon behind Lin Chen. This wasn't some lifeless martial soul without thought—it had awareness, spirit. Within its aura, he vaguely saw traces of San Pao.
San Pao… it's San Pao!
"Luo San Pao! Do you still remember me? I'm Yu Xiaogang! I'm your real master! Have you forgotten the sweet years we shared together?" Yu Xiaogang pleaded with hopeful eyes, trying desperately to awaken Luo San Pao's memories, to remind it of the decades they had spent together.
He wanted to see if the dragon, now transformed into the Golden Holy Dragon, might return to him as his martial soul. And of course, if it could also bring over Lin Chen's soul power and spirit ring configuration, that would be even better.
But the Golden Holy Dragon's eyes flashed with a very human disdain. With a sweep of its massive tail, it smashed Yu Xiaogang away—shattering his foolish dream along with his body.
He hit the ground, twitching like a maggot. Inside, his heart raged with fury:
Luo San Pao! I awakened you as my martial soul, it was I who gave you life! You were useless, you were clumsy, yet I tolerated you for years, cared for you. I even secured a Golden Dragonfruit to help you evolve into the Golden Holy Dragon. And this is how you repay me—by turning your back on me? Luo San Pao, you ungrateful beast!
"Respected Snow Empress." Yu Xiaomen ignored his brother squirming like a worm on the ground. He bowed toward Snow Empress and said, "Do you think this is sufficient?"
Snow Empress simply nodded and said nothing more.
"Then, Your Holiness the Pope, regarding my brother's slander against the Angel Douluo of Spirit Hall—how do you wish to handle it?" Yu Xiaomen asked.
Bibi Dong said calmly, "Let him kneel before the Angel God statue until nightfall."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Yu Xiaomen dragged Yu Xiaogang like a dead dog to the base of the Angel God statue and forced him to kneel with his body pressed flat against the ground.
Because of the uproar caused by Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, Spirit Hall lost interest in continuing the competition that day.
The match was postponed by a day. Bibi Dong announced adjournment, leaving Tang San pressed to his knees in front of the Pope's Hall, while Yu Xiaogang remained forced down like a dog at the Angel God statue—kneeling there from day until night.
Of course, the incidents with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were just small interludes. What truly captured the attention of every faction present was the technology that Spark Academy had revealed.
Martial souls were considered innate, the foundation of bloodline—determined solely by one's parents. There had never been a concept of acquiring a martial soul after birth.
But Spark Academy had shattered that belief. Golden Holy Dragon, Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Golden Clear Sky Hammer—such super martial souls might not appear in even the noblest clans for thousands of years, yet Spark Academy could now artificially create martial souls.
Such a development would inevitably spark a bloody storm in the world of spirit masters. However, Spark Academy was no pushover.
Their public protector, Snow Empress, was an Ultimate Douluo, one of only a handful on the continent who could stand against the strongest. Few could even fight her to a draw, let alone defeat her outright.
For that reason, all the factions were thrown into disarray, retreating in haste to reconsider their strategies.
This was the real reason the tournament had been delayed for a day.
—
That night, Yu Xiaogang—who had been forced to kneel before the Angel God statue—suddenly felt the crushing suppression on his body fade away. With difficulty, he staggered to his feet and hobbled toward the plaza.
From a distance, in the shadows of the night, he spotted a familiar dark silhouette struggling upright. Limping forward eagerly, Yu Xiaogang cried out:
"Xiao San! Your teacher has suffered so much in his heart!"
After the humiliation he had endured, Yu Xiaogang longed for comfort from his prized disciple.
But Tang San simply kicked him aside.
Yu Xiaogang crumpled to the ground, twisting himself upright with a face full of grievance. "Xiao San, why would you treat your teacher like this?"
"Gangzi, don't you know what you did?" Tang San said coldly, his gaze full of contempt. "When Chrysanthemum Douluo was pressuring me, you kept silent—leaving me to kneel, humiliated."
"Your teacher was threatened… I had no choice!" Yu Xiaogang explained.
"Threatened?" Tang San sneered. "Then why is it that when it's your own problem, you suddenly ignore all threats and rush to speak up?"
"This…" Yu Xiaogang faltered. "But in the end, didn't I also get forced to kneel?"
"Exactly. And if you'd at least gotten Bibi Dong to solve your martial soul problem, I might have thought you had some use. But Gangzi, all I've realized is—you're nothing but a waste." Tang San's eyes studied him as if seeing him anew.
Even though Tang San had been forced down and couldn't see much earlier in the day, his ears still caught some of what had happened. He knew. And in the end, Yu Xiaogang hadn't even managed to accomplish anything for himself.
Tang San's fury erupted:
"Gangzi, you're stuck at level 29! Your so-called theories are either wrong or plagiarized! You've achieved nothing, you can't do anything! Tell me—what qualifications do you have to be my teacher?!"
His last words were nearly a roar.
(There was one thing Tang San didn't shout aloud: Weren't you supposed to be Bibi Dong's old lover?)
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, but no words came.
"Gangzi, I hope you don't disappoint me again. Otherwise, once this Spirit Master Tournament ends, I may have to reconsider the relationship between master and disciple."
What had happened in the morning was enough to show that in Bibi Dong's eyes, Yu Xiaogang's worth was practically zero. Even Yu Xiaogang himself had begun to realize this.
Normally, once Tang San saw this clearly, he should have cut ties with this "waste" immediately. But why didn't he? Why did Tang San still hold onto a sliver of hope for Yu Xiaogang?
The reason was simple—the sunk cost was too high.
His memories from his past life told him that Yu Xiaogang was nothing but a flashy fraud. Yet Tang San still chose to bow and call him teacher. His plan had been meticulous: Bibi Dong was destined to become his ultimate enemy one day, and Yu Xiaogang just happened to be her former lover.
Putting this piece on the board to restrain, test, and even humiliate Bibi Dong—what a cost-effective investment!
But after taking him as a teacher, the script veered off completely.
Because of Yu Xiaogang, he missed his one and only chance to sleep beside Xiao Wu. Because of Yu Xiaogang, the first two spirit rings of his life practically repeated his past life, offering no breakthroughs.
And worst of all, because of Yu Xiaogang, he got shackled by the "master-disciple bond," chained to a man who had no sense of his own limits yet clung to him like sticky cowhide candy.
Tang San had already paid such a price for this "chamber pot that might come in handy." And now, when it was finally time to use it, he was being told it was useless?
What do you mean Yu Xiaogang wasn't actually Bibi Dong's old lover? What do you mean this chamber pot is worthless? Then what was the point of Tang San's apprenticeship?
Admitting this now would be equivalent to admitting that he had taken as master a useless fraud—ranked only twenty-ninth, theories plagiarized, training methods wasteful, reputation built entirely on sucking the lifeblood of disciples.
A teacher with no worth whatsoever. It would mean admitting that Tang San's very first "investment" after rebirth had failed.
Wouldn't that make him a clown?
Of course, no one wants to admit they're a clown. So instead of accepting that his investment failed, Tang San forced himself to believe that Yu Xiaogang, this chamber pot, was still useful—must be useful.
After giving Yu Xiaogang a scolding, Tang San turned and left.
His intent in speaking that way was to push Yu Xiaogang into self-reflection, to prove his worth as a master. But Yu Xiaogang, a man of extreme egotism, would never seek fault in himself.
That day, Yu Xiaogang had suffered one blow after another: he watched a peasant he despised awaken the Golden Holy Dragon; he was forced by his most hated younger brother to kneel before Lin Chen, another man he loathed; he was betrayed by the woman he trusted most, Bibi Dong, and forced to kneel for an entire day before the Angel God statue.
Yu Xiaogang's heart had already twisted under this series of humiliations.
He wanted revenge—on Lin Chen, on Yu Xiaomen, on Bibi Dong, on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, on Spirit Hall, on Spark Academy… on everyone who had ever hurt him.
But with only a level 29 spirit power and a Great Pig spirit—what could he do?
Tang San had become Yu Xiaogang's last hope. To him, Tang San was the weapon of vengeance, his final chance at glory.
One day, when Tang San became a peerless powerhouse, Yu Xiaogang dreamed of using him to wipe out Spark Academy, steal its technology, awaken the Golden Holy Dragon for himself, fulfill his own dream of becoming strong, and even force Tang San to pass his cultivation to him.
But now, sensing that his precious disciple was drifting away, Yu Xiaogang panicked.
Xiao San… I've lost everything. You are my last hope. I cannot lose you. Without you, I'll never rise again.
He had to lock Tang San down, by any means necessary. He is my disciple. Once a teacher, always a father. He must respect me, must support me. Yu Xiaogang's mind twisted with obsession as he stared at Tang San's departing back, a hint of madness flashing in his eyes.
When master and disciple returned to Shrek's quarters, even though Flender's relationship with Yu Xiaogang had cooled, he still invited a healing soul master to treat their wounds.
After the treatment, Flender exchanged a few words with Yu Xiaogang, but the latter was absent-minded, his head filled only with ways to bind Tang San and prevent his disciple from leaving.
"Xiaogang! Are you even listening to me?" Flender shouted.
"What do you want to say?" Yu Xiaogang snapped impatiently, snapping out of his thoughts.
"Tomorrow, before the official start of the competition, Spirit Hall wants each of the three teams to send a teacher up to the stage to give a pre-match speech. I'm a rough man, Erlong is the same, and Zhao Wuji is hopeless. So I was hoping you—" Flender said, clearly troubled.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. He immediately cut Flender off: "No problem, leave it to me, Boss Flender."
The next day, the three teams gathered again in the Pope's Palace square. Before the match began, each academy's representative was invited onstage to give remarks.
In the audience, Tang San, with the eyes of a reborn man, felt confused. This didn't happen in my past life, did it? Though puzzled, he still watched on.
First, the representative of Spirit Hall Academy, the Titled Douluo-level professor Tianchen, stepped up and gave a brief address—skipped.
Next, from Spark Academy, one of the leaders, Teacher Mu Yun'en, a Soul Douluo, delivered his remarks—skipped.
"Next, please welcome Shrek Academy's representative, Teacher Yu Xiaogang, to the stage to deliver his remarks."
Amidst the attention of the crowd, a man with a flat crew cut slowly walked up the stage. He first bowed to the Pope's Palace, then to the audience. Discarding his notes, he clasped his hands behind his back and spoke lightly:
"First, I thank Spirit Hall for granting me, Yu Xiaogang, the chance to speak here. Shrek Academy has reached this stage, and I am proud of all of you. Especially you—my beloved disciple, Tang San. You are the pride of your teacher."
Tang San froze. The next moment, he cursed inwardly: Gangzi, what the hell are you saying? Stop! For god's sake, stop!
A terrible premonition gripped his heart. He knew this useless fraud was about to pull something.
Yu Xiaogang's voice softened, nostalgic:
"Xiao San, do you still remember our first meeting? With just a single Spirit Hall report, I deduced that you possessed twin spirits. And you, in turn, chose to take me as your teacher."
"It was destiny that brought us together. I still recall—you were so young, so innocent. You suddenly knelt before me, catching me off guard, and begged me to accept you. In your pure eyes, I saw a thirst for knowledge. It was your words, 'Once a teacher, always a father,' that deeply moved me and awakened my long-dead heart. It was in that moment that the bond between us was forged."
From the moment of his first meeting with Tang San, Yu Xiaogang began narrating their so-called teacher–disciple bond. Most of what he said, however, was fabricated and heavily embellished.
Whenever it came to Tang San's achievements, Yu Xiaogang claimed all the credit as his own; but for Tang San's missteps—such as cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer—Yu Xiaogang asserted that it had never been his intention and was entirely Tang San's impulsive decision, a decision he deeply regretted but would never abandon his disciple over.
Although Yu Xiaogang rambled off-topic at times, he was skilled at dressing up his words. Inevitably, the entire audience was drawn into the "touching, heartfelt" story of master and disciple that he spun.
Below the stage, Tang San's face grew darker and darker. Now he understood—this useless parasite intended to use this public occasion to announce to the entire world that he was Tang San's teacher, binding him with the moral chains of the teacher–student bond.
Originally, Tang San had planned for as few people as possible to know about their relationship. After the tournament ended, he would openly sever ties with Yu Xiaogang and throw this baggage aside. But now, thanks to this spectacle, everyone knew, making things far more difficult.
Damn it, Yu Xiaogang! Tang San seethed. I am the future God-King of the Divine Realm, the Sea and Shura God, ruler of Douluo for twenty thousand years. And you—you are merely a twenty-ninth-ranked Grand Spirit Master, useless trash. How dare you?!
And Spirit Hall, what are you doing? Yu Xiaogang's already rambling, why aren't you stopping this fool from talking?
Up on the balcony of the Pope's Palace, Huo Qiqiang, Yu Xiaomen, the Snow Empress, and Bibi Dong watched the farce unfold from above.
"Master," Yu Xiaomen asked in puzzlement, "why are we supporting Yu Xiaogang at this time? Why give this useless man a stage?"
"Yu Xiaogang is restless, unwilling to remain ordinary. He craves fame and fortune far beyond his strength or worth. That is what his life has always pursued. But now, we've stripped away nearly all the paths that could lead him there. What do you think he will do?"
Yu Xiaomen fell into thought. Then realization struck him. "Like a drowning man—he'll desperately cling to any straw within reach."
Huo Qiqiang nodded, his gaze shifting to Yu Xiaogang and Tang San below. "Now, Tang San is Yu Xiaogang's last straw. All of Yu Xiaogang's dreams and ambitions rest on him. There's no way he'll ever let Tang San go. But the only leverage he has left is the fragile title of 'master and disciple.'"
A faint smile curved Huo Qiqiang's lips. "So, our 'mentor' Yu Xiaogang will cling tightly to that shackle of the master–disciple bond, binding Tang San firmly.
Tang San values his reputation immensely; he cares deeply about how the world sees him. Once the relationship is made public, he can't easily discard Yu Xiaogang. He will have to respect his teacher, uphold tradition."
"That's why you're letting Yu Xiaogang perform this play and have Spirit Hall provide the stage?" Bibi Dong asked. She despised Yu Xiaogang, though she had little opinion of Tang San. In truth, she simply didn't understand how that coal-black fellow had earned the enmity of such a master as Huo Qiqiang.
Huo Qiqiang nodded. "Exactly. What comes next will be entertaining."
Reaching the climax of his speech, Yu Xiaogang spread his arms wide and addressed Tang San with feigned emotion:
"Little San, my dear disciple! Just as you said when you begged me to take you as my student: 'A teacher for a day is a father for life.' In my eyes, you are not only my disciple—you are my child. I have no children of my own. To me, you are that child. I taught you the principles of being human, I guided you with theory, I helped you hunt spirit rings (insert dozens more claims of contributions here). I have watched joyfully as you grew day by day. My child, I ask for no reward. Watching your growth is the greatest reward of all. Your success will forever be my greatest pride!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!
No sooner had Yu Xiaogang finished the Spirit Hall's atmosphere team began applauding enthusiastically. With their lead, the rest of the audience joined in reflexively.
The hall erupted in raucous applause.
As the clapping echoed, people turned their gazes toward the short-haired man on stage and the dark-skinned youth seated below.
Among Shrek's group, Tang San felt like he was constipated—miserable and suffocated.
Bibi Dong rose to her feet. "Thank you, Yu Xiaogang, for that marvelous speech. You have allowed us to witness the moving story of you and Tang San. Therefore, I have decided to compile this story into a book, one that will spread across the continent for all to read!"
At those words, Tang San's face darkened even further—black as a bottomless pit.
At this moment, Tang San wanted nothing more than to kill Yu Xiaogang. In the shadows, Tang Hao shared the exact same thought.
From the moment Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, Tang Hao had felt the urge to rush up and cut him down. This parasite! Being Tang San's teacher is bad enough when you've taught him nothing. Yet you dare, in front of all the world, to cement that identity? You even dare to play the father, riding on my son's back as though you were his master and lord?!
But though both father and son longed to hack Yu Xiaogang to pieces, they both understood they could not act rashly.
Why was Tang San so obsessed with protecting his reputation, making himself appear spotless and pure? Partly because of his hypocrisy, yes—but more importantly, because of faith.
After ascending to godhood, Tang San glimpsed the fates of the Douluo Continent. Over the following tens of thousands of years, many Children of Destiny would be born, some whose fates and achievements could even surpass his own—some tied to the Dragon God itself. Compared to them, Tang San merely had the advantage of an early start. If he didn't subjugate them or replace them, their rise would threaten his supremacy.
To suppress them and allow the Tang family to take their place, Tang San needed constant control over the continent. Yet after becoming a god, he couldn't descend freely due to the God of Destruction's oversight. Thus, spreading faith across Douluo became the key to maintaining control.
But to sustain that faith, Tang San himself had to be spotless. He couldn't afford blemishes or controversies.
Killing his master would be an irreparable stain. Perhaps while he still reigned, no one would dare speak of it—but thousands of years later, when his influence waned, such a controversy would resurface.
It would erode the faith of his followers, destabilize his position, and even disrupt plans for his Tang clan to seize the Douluo plane, as well as his schemes to suppress Huo Yuhao and claim the Dragon God, Life God, and Destruction God legacies tens of thousands of years into the future.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang was utterly full of pride. Not only had he made the world know of his master-disciple relationship with Tang San, but Spirit Hall had even helped fan the flames by planning to compile his "story" into a book to spread across the entire Douluo Continent.
Now, his connection with Tang San had been nailed down in front of the whole world.
In such circumstances, even if Tang San wanted to abandon him and go solo, it was impossible. After all, "teacher" meant "father," and in this world, all fathers were deemed faultless. If there was blame, it always lay with the child being unfilial. Once Tang San became a peerless powerhouse in the future, he would inevitably carry Yu Xiaogang's name to glory as well.
Under the eyes of the masses, Yu Xiaogang walked up to Tang San, gazing affectionately:
"Little San~"
At this point, it was meaningless for Tang San to argue before the public that Yu Xiaogang's words were false. On the Douluo Continent, the master-disciple relationship was an iron law. Even if the disciple was right and the master was wrong, if you contradicted your master, you were wrong. The world would always think the master was correct, and you were merely talking back.
Tang San wanted to cut Yu Xiaogang down on the spot. But for the stability of the Douluo Continent—and considering the current situation—not only did he have to endure, he also had to maintain appearances of harmony with Yu Xiaogang in front of others.
Thus, holding back his disgust, Tang San stepped forward, hugged Yu Xiaogang, and said with gratitude:
"Teacher, once a teacher for a day, a father for life. Thank you for your guidance all these years."
Yu Xiaogang's frail body trembled violently. Breathing rapidly, he stared at Tang San.
"Little San… what did you just say?"
Tang San suppressed his impatience and revulsion. "Thank you for your guidance all these years."
"No, no—the one before that!" Yu Xiaogang pressed eagerly.
Tang San forced himself to choke down the feeling as if he had just swallowed filth, and said:
"Once a teacher for a day, a father for life."
"Yes! Yes, that's it, that's it!"
Yu Xiaogang's body shook as if in climax. He finally understood why he had always felt something missing when Tang San first became his disciple. It had been that phrase.
Now, at last, he had forced Tang San to say it in front of the whole world. The insecurity that had haunted him since Tang San's initiation was finally gone.
Yu Xiaogang hugged Tang San tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Little San!"
Tang San's heart was filled with loathing, yet he still had to act like a dutiful disciple.
"Teacher!"
For faith, for the Tang Clan's ten-thousand-year plan, enduring this farce with Yu Xiaogang for decades was nothing. Yu Xiaogang was scum, and he deserved to die—but he mustn't die at Tang San's hands, or at those close to him.
Just wait, Yu Xiaogang. In the last life, letting you die of old age on the continent was too merciful. In this life, it won't be so easy. After you die, I'll drag your soul to my Asura God Palace, use it as fuel, and make you burn in torment for eternity!
And so, in front of everyone, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang embraced passionately. What a moving scene of "deep affection between master and disciple."
After the speeches of the three teams ended, the tournament officially resumed. Bibi Dong announced:
"This morning, each of your three teams will hold a seven-person elimination round. The last remaining team will gain the advantage. The two losing teams will compete in the afternoon semifinals for the other spot in the finals. You may now send out your first contestants."
A row of gilded chairs had been set before the Pope's Hall. Bibi Dong sat in the center. To her left sat Huo Qiqiang, Ghost Douluo, and Yue Guan; to her right sat the Snow Empress, then Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Yu Xiaomen.
The three teams each sent their first contestants.
Shrek Academy: Tai Long, the weakest of their team.
Spark Academy: Zhao Hengning, with his Bone Dragon spirit.
Spirit Hall Academy: Gui Xuan, a Spirit Elder with a Ghost Leopard spirit.
They drew lots to decide which two academies would face off first.
Shrek's luck was good. Tai Long drew the bye. Next was Spirit Hall vs. Spark.
Zhao Hengning and Gui Xuan stepped onto the stage. Just as the Shrek Seven watched from the side, Gui Xuan suddenly bowed toward the Pope.
"This match, I forfeit."
The red-clothed bishop serving as referee froze briefly, then quickly announced Zhao Hengning the winner of the first match.
The second match: Spirit Hall Academy's Gui Xuan vs. Shrek Academy's Tai Long.
The Shrek members frowned immediately. After realizing the reason behind this, Tang San, Yu Xiaogang, and the others all showed anger.
Tai Long, startled by the sudden developments, was just about to go all-out against Gui Xuan when Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back. Looking toward Bibi Dong, he said calmly:
"Hold the match a moment."
"State your reason," Bibi Dong said.
Yu Xiaogang gave a cold laugh. "My reason is that Shrek Academy voluntarily forfeits the first half of the finals, and will directly enter the afternoon loser's semifinal. Tai Long, come back."
"Why?" Bibi Dong asked lightly.
Yu Xiaogang stood proudly, hands behind his back. "No reason. I just think conceding is our right."
At once, the red-clothed bishop released a crushing pressure on this level-29 waste, forcing Yu Xiaogang to his knees.
"In front of the Pope's Hall, you will address her as 'Your Holiness.' To be disrespectful is a crime that deserves punishment!"
Under the bishop's control, Yu Xiaogang was forced to kowtow three times toward Bibi Dong. His head spun, blood smearing his forehead.
"Indeed," Bibi Dong said. "Conceding is your right. But this is the first time I have seen someone boast so proudly about forfeiting. Very well—I allow it. Shrek forfeits and will enter the afternoon semifinal."
"The personal matches will continue."
Tianchen, the Spirit Hall representative, stepped forward, bowed, and declared:
"Your Holiness, representing Spirit Hall Academy, we too forfeit the personal matches."
"Granted."
And so, the morning matches ended hastily. Spirit Hall and Shrek both forfeited, leaving only Spark Academy to advance. This stirred countless speculations.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Spirit Hall's team, then at Spark's.
Could it be… these two forces are secretly allied?
The thought made Ning Fengzhi break into a cold sweat. It was already daunting enough to stand against Spirit Hall alone—but if Spirit Hall and Spark united?
No… impossible. Spirit Hall has its own inherited clans, while Spark's technology threatens to overturn the entire continent's order. Spirit Hall would never allow that. Ning Fengzhi silently reassured himself.