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"Yu Xiaogang, how bitterly you've deceived me!"
Tang San forced out each word through gritted teeth. Standing rigidly in place, his eyes locked onto Yu Xiaogang, his pupils trembling.
For years, he had believed taking Yu Xiaogang as his teacher was the greatest fortune of his life.
But now he realized the truth—it was Yu Xiaogang who had picked up a genius disciple, while he himself had become the pitiful fool.
Yu Xiaogang's heart was filled with bitterness.
His plagiarism had been exposed on the spot, his reputation ruined.
He was so stifled he could hardly breathe; even speaking a word in defense felt like an unattainable luxury.
Tang San, seeing Yu Xiaogang still unmoved, shook with rage. His breathing grew erratic and heavy, his chest rising and falling violently.
His voice was low and hoarse, squeezed out from deep within his throat, heavy with long-suppressed hatred.
"At this point… you don't even plan to explain yourself?"
Murderous intent surged within Tang San, his tone cold and deadly.
He had been looking forward to hunting spirit beasts, then visiting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to acquire resources for his hidden weapons.
But he had never expected that Yu Xiaogang's arrogance would push Dai Mubai to the brink, exposing everything.
Sensing the time was right, Wu Song released Yu Xiaogang from his restraints.
"This drama is juicy. Yu the Copycat, go ahead and explain yourself to your disciple."
In an instant, Yu Xiaogang felt his body lighten. Thrown off balance, he stumbled forward toward Tang San.
But Tang San, already consumed by anger, thought Yu Xiaogang was attacking him.
His gaze sharpened. Using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step to evade, he swung his palm with full force.
Smack!
A sharp slap resounded. Tang San's strike sent Yu Xiaogang flying several meters before crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.
At that moment, all notions of respecting one's teacher and honoring the Dao were cast aside!
Luckily, Yu Xiaogang's skin was thick. Even after taking Tang San's full-force slap—bolstered by the strength of his Mysterious Jade Hand—his face merely swelled rather than him falling into unconsciousness.
Clutching his burning cheek, anger finally showed on Yu Xiaogang's face.
"Tang San, remember your place! I am your teacher!"
Tang San sneered, his gaze like eternal ice, piercing and merciless.
Yu Xiaogang felt a chill crawl down his spine. He knew better than anyone what Tang San was capable of.
In that moment, his mind worked faster than ever before, scrambling to come up with a way to placate him.
Scrambling up from the ground, he hurriedly said, "Xiao San, calm yourself! Listen to my explanation first."
Tang San only laughed coldly, saying nothing.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun looked on with glee, eager to see how Yu the Copycat would attempt to explain himself.
Flander opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
In this situation, he could either choose between Tang San and Yu Xiaogang or stay out of it altogether.
Either way, he wouldn't lose.
Tang San was still a student of Shrek Academy, and Yu Xiaogang was still his old friend.
In his mind, it was the perfect balance—having his cake and eating it too.
Seeing Tang San's silence, Yu Xiaogang grew more anxious.
"Xiao San, why did you strike me?"
"Why? This book's contents and your so-called 'Ten Core Competencies of Spirits' are nearly identical. Seventy to eighty percent the same—tell me, why shouldn't I strike you?"
Tang San had chosen Yu Xiaogang as his teacher because he believed his theories were unmatched.
With his two lives' worth of experience, Xuan Tian Gong, and Tang Sect hidden weapons, all he had needed was theoretical guidance to grow into a powerhouse.
For he held boundless confidence in his Xuan Tian Gong.
But now, to discover that Yu Xiaogang's theories were nothing more than recycled common knowledge—it was intolerable.
That he hadn't noticed for six years was simply because he had never thought to doubt.
Moreover, Yu Xiaogang's Ten Core Competencies had never been published, taught only verbally.
Unlike Dai Mubai, who had grown tired of hearing them and deliberately sent people to investigate, Tang San had no reason to suspect plagiarism.
In truth, uncovering Yu Xiaogang's theft was no easy task.
Straightening his face, Yu Xiaogang said gravely, "Xiao San, it's true that my Ten Core Competencies bear a seventy to eighty percent resemblance to the Fundamental Spirit Power Cultivation Manual. But doesn't that still leave twenty percent that's unique?"
"Sometimes, even the smallest difference can lead to vastly different results."
Tang San's icy gaze softened slightly at his words.
After all, theory itself often followed the principle of many paths leading to the same destination.
Great theories were built upon the shoulders of those who came before, transcending their era.
Sensing Tang San's shift in expression, Yu Xiaogang decided it was time to reveal his background.
"Xiao San, even if my theories are not perfect, they originate from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—one of the Three Upper Clans. What I have taught you are the finest theories the continent has to offer."
Before Tang San could reply, Dai Mubai let out a derisive laugh.
"Ha! Don't think that just because your surname is Yu, you belong to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Their spirit is no pig."
Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. His own spirit had been mocked as a common chicken, enough to shame him already.
But to discover Yu Xiaogang's spirit was even worse—a pig—was beyond hilarious!
Yu Xiaogang's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
He had never revealed Luo Sanpao before Dai Mubai, but somehow the truth had been discovered.
Just as Tang San began to think perhaps that remaining twenty percent contained genuine substance, doubt crept back into his mind.
What if even that part was stolen, nothing but recycled trash?
This time, however, he was wrong. That small portion was indeed genuine—valuable knowledge.
But it had not originated with Yu Xiaogang. It belonged to Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yu Xiaogang was merely a peddler of stolen goods.
Instead of responding, Yu Xiaogang turned to Flander.
"Flander, tell them yourself. Am I not of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
As a member of the Golden Iron Triangle, Flander naturally knew his companion's background.
And with his mercenary nature, if Yu Xiaogang had no pedigree, he would never have kept him around.
Forget brotherhood, forget friendship—in the end, profit ruled all.
All eyes turned toward Flander.
Clearing his throat, he said solemnly, "Xiao Gang is indeed a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and not just any member—he is a direct descendant."
(In the original story, Tang San had not yet learned Yu Xiaogang's true identity at this time.)
Hearing this now, Tang San froze, then showed open surprise.
To think Yu Xiaogang truly was from one of the Three Upper Clans, and a direct descendant no less.
"Tch. So what? You're over fifty years old and still only a Spirit Grandmaster," Dai Mubai scoffed with disdain.
But Tang San's killing intent toward Yu Xiaogang had already lessened greatly. At least that twenty percent wasn't worthless.
And as a member of the Clear Sky Clan, one of the Three Upper Clans, he felt a sense of duty to stand with those of similar standing.
Immediately, he dropped to his knees before Yu Xiaogang, guilt in his voice.
"Teacher, I wronged you. Please punish me as you see fit."
"Ah, Xiao San, just knowing your heart is enough to comfort me. Don't let the words of petty men ruin our bond as teacher and student."
Yu Xiaogang, relieved that he had successfully fooled him again, quickly led Tang San and Xiao Wu away, fearing more trouble might arise.
But behind him, Tang San's eyes flashed with a hidden, murderous gleam.
"Hmph. To dare deceive me, Yu Xiaogang… you have already chosen the path to death. When you have no further use to me, that will be the day you die."
Little did he know, his carefully concealed killing intent had already been detected by Wu Song, who was secretly observing.
"As the sect master said, Tang San truly is a hypocrite."
Soon, Wu Song relayed the events at Shrek Academy through Thousand-Mile Voice Transmission—a skill of the Heavenly Dragon Gang—to Lan Minghua.
Riding atop his flying sword, Lan Minghua's eyes widened in disbelief as he received the message.
"Well, well. Tang San has that much patience? What is he, a Ninja Turtle?"
(End of Chapter)