When Flender spoke, everyone present was utterly stunned. And it wasn't just because Gai Yue had revealed a 70,000yearold torso bone.
To be able to singlehandedly kill a 70,000yearold soul beast with only Rank 80 soul power was itself a testament to the terrifying strength of Gai Yue.
Under normal circumstances, soul beasts of the same level are generally stronger than soul masters. To defeat a 70,000yearold soul beast usually requires at least a Spirit Douluo with eight soul rings.
Yet Gai Yue, with just the strength of a quasi Spirit Douluo seven soul rings was able to slay such a beast on his own. His combat prowess was beyond dispute.
And then there's the soul bone. Soul bones are so rare in the soul master world that even a mere thousand year soul bone (since hundred year ones are too weak to form properly) can ignite a bloody war.
But Gai Yue had obtained a 70,000yearold torso bone? With the addition of an eighth soul ring and this high grade soul bone, how terrifying would his strength become?
Previously, Shao Xin and the others merely believed Gai Yue had a high chance of breaking through to the Title Douluo level. But now, after hearing Flender's revelation, they were all convinced he would reach that level.
Zhao Wuji, however, was the one most shaken and envious because he and Flender alone knew that Gai Yue also possessed another soul bone: a tenthousand year old family heirloom.
Something as rare as a soul bone and now Gai Yue had two? And one of them was seventy thousand years old? Zhao Wuji had lived nearly fifty years and never even dreamed of such luck.
If Gai Yue weren't his sworn brother, Old Zhao might have entertained the idea of killing him to take the bones.
Of course, he was joking. Gai Yue had shown his trust in Flender and Zhao Wuji by revealing the existence of his soul bone back when they first met. That trust hadn't wavered.
Besides, Gai Yue was also confident in his own strength. And because he had long known Shao Xin and the others through Flender and Zhao Wuji's accounts, he also trusted Shrek Academy.
Even Oscar, a transmigrator who had read the original novel, was thoroughly shocked. This teacher, who never appeared in the original storyline, turned out to be so talented and lucky?
Soul bones aren't common cabbages. In the original story, even the Spirit Hall with all its Title Douluohad few members who possessed soul bones. Take Chrysanthemum Douluo, one of Bibi Dong's elite guards: despite being a Rank 95 Super Douluo, he had no soul bone.
Previously, Oscar had only felt lucky to be taught swordsmanship by such a teacher. But now, he was outright excited.
Just from his teacher's strength and talent alone, it was clear that he was destined to reach the Title Douluo level. Which meant Oscar now had a truly powerful backer.
Ma Hongjun didn't even need to say anything. His own teacher, Flender, was only at Rank 76 and had no soul bones. No wonder he was so jealous of Oscar right now.
Facing everyone's amazement, Gai Yue simply waved his hand and smiled. But his cold face made the smile seem more like a forced expression.
It wasn't that Gai Yue was unattractive on the contrary, he was rather refined. Clad in a plain ice blue robe, he gave off an air of otherworldly detachment.
Gai Yue chuckled and said, "It's nothing worth mentioning. I was just lucky."
Zhao Wuji's face darkened at those words. "Brother Gai, that kind of humility is dishonest. This isn't just luck. I told you back then you would surpass me and Flender one day. I just didn't think that day would come so soon!"
He shook his head and sighed. "I'm only at Rank 74 now, and you're already Rank 82. You've completely left me behind."
Flender also laughed wryly. "Brother Gai is a prodigy and works harder than all of us. It's no surprise we can't keep up."
As soon as he finished, Zhao Wuji raised his glass. "Come on, let's drink to Brother Gai's soaring strength!"
All the teachers toasted together. Oscar and Ma Hongjun followed suit, and Oscar added, "Congratulations, teacher!"
Despite being only nine and seven years old, Oscar and Ma Hongjun were soul masters whose development was much faster than ordinary children.
The drink was just ordinary malt beer not particularly intoxicating so the two kids drank heartily as well.
After dinner, the group chatted leisurely for over an hour. Gai Yue had just joined Shrek, and aside from Flender and Zhao Wuji, even Oscar, his own disciple, didn't know much about him. So the conversation turned mostly to getting to know Gai Yue.
It was only then that Oscar learned the truth about his teacher's background.
Gai Yue was born into a great sect within the Star Luo Empire. Decades ago, that sect clashed with the Wind Sword Sect. At that time, Gai Yue's sect was already in decline. Its leader Garen, Gai Yue's grandfather was only Rank 85, while the leader of the Wind Sword Sect was Rank 89, one step from becoming a Title Douluo.
Due to this overwhelming gap in power, and because both sects claimed the title of the second best sword martial spirit in the world, the Wind Sword Sect annihilated Gai Yue's sect in the resulting conflict.
Gai Yue was the only survivor. He had personally watched his grandfather tear the clan's inherited soul bone from his body and give it to him. Since then, Gai Yue had trained alone, vowing revenge.
Now, though he had reached Rank 82, he hadn't taken action yet. He understood that even with his current strength, he couldn't take down the Wind Sword Sect.
After all, the Wind Sword Sect was now one of the Four Lower Sects. Gai Yue had honed his blade for decades he wouldn't strike unless he could end them in one blow.
The Wind Sword Sect didn't even know he was still alive. He would wait until he reached Title Douluo, until he had the absolute strength to destroy them completely and avenge his sect.
And the fact that Gai Yue could talk about this now wasn't because he had let go of his hatred it was to fuel his determination.
Normally, a person would never share such a traumatic story. But Flender had gotten drunk and accidentally brought it up in an attempt to inspire Oscar and Ma Hongjun.
Since Gai Yue didn't stop him, the others finally learned about his past.
Oscar gently patted his teacher's hand and offered him a drink. "Teacher, you're not alone anymore. You have us now. If you ever need anything, I will stand by you without hesitation!"
He meant it. Even though Oscar hadn't lived through Gai Yue's tragedy, and the Wind Sword Sect had done nothing to him personally, they had wiped out Gai Yue's entire sect nearly a thousand people, including children.
Just hearing about it made Oscar's heart ache. Now that Gai Yue was his master, revenge was naturally his duty too.
Gai Yue took the drink, drained it, and set the cup down with a faint smile. "Foolish child. This is your teacher's personal vendetta. What business do you have getting involved?"
"I…"
Oscar wanted to say more, but Gai Yue cut him off: "Your task is to master everything I've taught you. As for revenge, that's mine to carry out."
Flender sighed and said to Oscar, "Little Ao, you may be his student now, but this isn't something you can interfere with. Even back when Old Zhao and I wanted to help, Gai Yue turned us down flat. He's just as stubborn as you once he decides something, not even ten bulls could pull him back."
Oscar looked at his teacher, feeling a pang of sorrow.
Noticing the boy's concerned gaze, Gai Yue reached out and gently patted Oscar's head. "Don't worry. Your teacher isn't reckless. I've held back for years already. I won't make a move until I'm absolutely certain. Otherwise, I'd just end up handing them another soul bone."
At that last sentence, Ma Hongjun who had been nearly moved to tears by the story suddenly burst into laughter. It turns out that Teacher Gai, despite his icy appearance, could still crack a joke.
Oscar couldn't help smiling too. "As long as Teacher has a plan, I can rest easy."
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