Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to give up on life—
Unexpectedly, Tang Lan spoke up for him!
"Hey! You guys shouldn't dismiss the Grandmaster's efforts."
"He systematically compiled all this knowledge, most of which was only accessible to nobles and elite clans."
"Publishing this book broke down knowledge barriers and benefited countless soul masters."
——
Yu Xiaogang was stunned!
Tang Lan… was defending him?!
Wait—what?
Yu Xiaogang even felt a bit moved and slightly guilty about trying to take Tang San away earlier.
But then—
Tang Lan flipped the script—
"By the way, Grandmaster," he continued, "I heard you spent some time in Spirit Hall when you were younger."
"How many of the 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls' actually come from Spirit Hall's records?"
"Make sure you properly credit your sources—otherwise, people might think you were trying to pass their research off as your own."
——
Yu Xiaogang: ( ﾟДﾟ)?
He thought Tang Lan was helping him—
But the real attack was here?!
——
How was Yu Xiaogang supposed to answer this?!
The 'Ten Core Competencies'—almost every single point—was already recorded in Spirit Hall's archives!
It was just that no one had previously compiled and published them systematically.
That's how he had managed to take advantage of the loophole and release them as his own work.
And since Bibi Dong had a soft spot for him, Spirit Hall had never officially challenged his claims.
That's how he got to where he was today.
But now—
Tang Lan had just exposed everything with one sentence?!
—— Yu Xiaogang shut down completely.
His eyes went blank, staring into space—
Muttering incoherently like a broken man.
Like he was about to lose his mind.
——
"That's too much!" Flender shouted angrily. "No matter what, Xiaogang is still your elder! How can you be so disrespectful?"
"Who even knows him?" Ning Rongrong fired back. "Just because he's old, I have to treat him as my elder? He's not worthy!"
Savage.
——
And the worst part—
Flender couldn't even argue with her.
Ning Rongrong's status was too high.
—— She wasn't even a Shrek student anymore.
—— The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's protection still applied.
A mere Seven-Ring Soul Sage like Flender—
How could he afford to offend one of the top three sects?
——
Flender finally saw the truth.
Taking Tang San today was impossible.
All he could do was say, "Xiaosan… take care of yourself."
Then, he helped Yu Xiaogang out the door.
If they couldn't win, there was no point in staying to be humiliated further.
——
But.
Just as they were about to leave—
"Grandmaster," Tang Lan suddenly called out, "I'm heading to Heaven Dou City to establish a new Advanced Soul Master Academy."
"Would you like to be a professor there?"
——
Yu Xiaogang's footsteps halted immediately.
——
"Xiaosan will still be your student, and if your theories are flawed, you can always refine them."
"Plus—"
"The 'Nine Yang Divine Skill' has meridian-purifying effects.
At the very least, it can definitely help you break through your Rank 29 bottleneck."
——
Yu Xiaogang's dull eyes snapped back into focus!
He stopped walking, staring at Tang Lan in disbelief.
——
"Are you serious?" Yu Xiaogang asked, his voice uncertain.
After all this, Tang Lan still wanted to recruit him?!
——
"Of course," Tang Lan said calmly. "You're Xiaosan's teacher—one of his few family members. Our debates are just debates; they don't change that bond."
——
That level of magnanimity!
That vision!
That sheer sense of control!
——
Even Dai Mubai and the others were impressed.
"Now that is leadership!"
Even Zhu Zhuqing's gaze softened, glowing even brighter.
—— As expected of the man she had chosen.
——
Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted.
After hesitating for a moment—
He glanced apologetically at Flender.
——Brother, I'm sorry, but I have to pursue a better future.
——
Flender's face fell into deep disappointment.
He understood Yu Xiaogang's decision.
But still…
It felt like betrayal.
But as a sworn brother—
Could he really stop Yu Xiaogang from seeking progress?
——
Silently, Flender let go of Yu Xiaogang's arm and walked out alone.
——
Yu Xiaogang watched Flender leave, helplessly.
He had Tang San as a connection, so Tang Lan was willing to accept him.
But Flender and Tang Lan—
Their ideologies clashed too much.
It was practically impossible for them to reconcile.
So, Yu Xiaogang didn't try to stop Flender from leaving.
——
Maybe…
This was the best outcome.
——
The atmosphere felt strange.
Tang Lan glanced at Tang San, who immediately understood.
He stepped forward to support Yu Xiaogang.
"Teacher, I have many questions—I need your guidance."
Yu Xiaogang took the easy way out, shaking off Tang San's support, but walking ahead with hands behind his back—
—— Still pretending to be dignified.
——
[System Notice: The host has successfully created a rift between Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, leading to Yu Xiaogang joining the Tang Sect under your command. You have stolen a small portion of Tang San's fate!]
[Reward: "Dragon Capture Hand - Mastered"!]
Since Tang Lan rarely used Dragon Capture Hand, he had stopped practicing it after reaching the entry-level.
Now that it had reached mastery, its effects had greatly improved—
✔ Longer range!
✔ Stronger suction power!
Originally, the range was (Level × 2) meters.
Now, it had become (Level × 4) meters.
At Level 47, that meant—
💥 47 × 4 = 188 meters!
Nearly a 200-meter radius!
The things he could do with this…endless possibilities!
——
With the two nuisances gone,
The atmosphere instantly brightened.
——
"Uncle Tang, you're incredible!" Ning Rongrong giggled. "That so-called 'Grandmaster' got completely roasted, and now he's even working for you! Genius!"
"What are you saying!" Oscar corrected. "Sect Master simply has great vision! A true leader!"
"Exactly," Zhao Wuji said, trying to hold back a laugh. "Kids these days, always saying the truth too bluntly."
——
The group exchanged glances—
And then burst into laughter!
—— Today's drama was absolutely satisfying!
Tang Lan himself was very pleased.
✔ Roasted Yu Xiaogang.
✔ Created a rift between him and Tang San.
✔ Still made him work for the Tang Sect.
Three birds with one stone!
As for Nine Yang Divine Skill?
—— Something that cost him nothing.
But!
Yu Xiaogang had to help the Tang Sectswallow up the Blue Tyrant Academy in return.
An excellent trade!
Besides—
Tang Lan had no time to personally teach him.
He'd let Tang San handle it.
—— The problem?
Tang San had never practiced Nine Yang Divine Skill, but couldn't admit it.
So he'd have to figure it out from scratch while teaching Yu Xiaogang.
Whether he learned it or not—
—— Tang Lan won either way.
——
After the laughter died down,
Tang Lan sent everyone back to their rooms and sealed the entire Tang Sect inn using Blue Silver Grass.
That way, there was no need for night guards—
If anything happened, he'd know immediately.
——
Everyone left—
Except for one person.
"Old Zhao, stay behind."
Zhao Wuji, confused, stayed back.
Once the others were gone,
Tang Lan revealed the Eight Spider Lances on his back.
"Old Zhao, smash them."
——
Huh?!
——
"Sect Master, are you sure?" Zhao Wuji asked, double-checking.
"Mhm." Tang Lan nodded. "The Eight Spider Lances are a bit fragile. Breaking them and reforging them should make them stronger."
——
Hmm… Makes sense!
Zhao Wuji didn't know if it would actually work—
But Tang Lan was the guy who just destroyed Grandmaster in a debate.
—— If he says it works, it must work!
——
No hesitation—
He activated his soul skill—
💥 Titan Palm!
——
"F@#%!"
Tang Lan immediately activated—
✔ Vajra Indestructible Body
✔ Undying Seal
✔ Mental Projection to Reduce Pain Perception
——
💥 "CLANG—!"
A sharp metallic crash rang out.
Golden light shook violently across Tang Lan's body—
He actually withstood Zhao Wuji's palm strike!
—— A full-powered hit from a Seven-Ring Soul Sage using a soul skill!
——
Zhao Wuji was shocked!
Even though he held back,
There was no way it shouldn't have at least cracked the defense!
——
"It's my fault," Tang Lan deactivated Vajra Indestructible Body. "Try again."
(This technique increases defense 5x, but reduces speed 5x.)
——
Zhao Wuji, still doubting, struck again—
💥 "CRACK—!"
Eight Spider Lances splintered—
But before Zhao Wuji could follow up,
The cracks instantly healed themselves!
—— Soul Bone Skill: Regeneration!
This ability was now a passive effect—
Always active.
——
Tang Lan grinned.
"Old Zhao, don't hold back. I won't die."
——
Hearing this, Zhao Wuji went,
"Oh, hell yeah!"
And slammed down full force!
——
Then Zhao Wuji's jaw dropped.
(End of Chapter)