Shrek Academy, Dean's Office.
"Erlong, Xiaogang joined Spirit Hall for the sake of his disciple, not because of that woman."
Flender looked at the increasingly haggard Liu Erlong and couldn't help but feel heartbroken as he tried to comfort her.
Since Yu Xiaogang left, Liu Erlong had been crying every day, constantly muttering about Xiaogang, completely oblivious to everything else around her.
In truth, Flender couldn't understand Liu Erlong's thoughts either.
Yu Xiaogang had already done 'that' kind of thing, trying to use her to relieve his disciple's lust, so why was she so indifferent to the insult? Why was she still so deeply in love with him? It was simply incomprehensible.
Was this love? Or just obsession?
And why could a man like Yu Xiaogang win the goddess's favor, while Flender was destined to be alone forever?
At this moment, Liu Erlong looked up at Flender and questioned, "Brother Flender, now that Xiaogang has gone to Spirit Hall, do you think that old woman will let him come back?"
"Sigh... Erlong, try to be more open-minded. Xiaogang isn't as good as you think."
Flender sighed, feeling utterly helpless.
After Yu Xiaogang left, he thought his chance had finally come. He never expected that Liu Erlong would still only have eyes for the man who abandoned her.
Previously, Flender had always believed Yu Xiaogang possessed genuine skill. He even felt a slight inferiority complex, voluntarily withdrawing from the competition back in their youth to try and bring the two of them together.
But now, his image of the "Grandmaster" was completely shattered.
First, Xiaogang made an arrogant bet with Lin Mu, causing him to not only get punched but also lose 100,000 Gold Soul Coins. Then, he presumptuously tried to become the leader of the Royal Fighting Team, only to be beaten up by Lin Mu again.
Finally, he led a group to the Far North, insisting on adding an Ice-attribute soul ring to Ma Hongjun, a Fire-attribute Spirit Master.
The result? Ma Hongjun nearly exploded and died. Even though the boy barely survived, he lost his most precious Phoenix Flame in the process.
What kind of "Grandmaster" was this?
Even if Flender was loyal, after all these ridiculous failures, he had realized the truth about Yu Xiaogang's abilities. This guy was completely unworthy of Liu Erlong.
Moreover, Yu Xiaogang was wasting Liu Erlong's time, actually going to Spirit Hall to find his old lover, the Pope!
"Xiaogang will definitely not abandon me. He will definitely come back."
Faced with Flender's persuasion, Liu Erlong became even more resolute. She looked at him earnestly and said, "Brother Flender, I know what you want to say. You're a good person, but I only have Xiaogang in my heart."
These past few days, Liu Erlong could feel Flender's meticulous care.
But to her, this care couldn't compare to a single word, a single glance from Yu Xiaogang, or the scholarly aura he projected.
"Erlong, Sister..."
Flender opened his mouth to speak, but it felt as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat. He couldn't utter another word.
Just then, a voice filled with boundless rage roared from outside.
"YU XIAOGANG! GET THE HELL OUT HERE!"
Hearing this voice, Liu Erlong's pupils suddenly contracted. She abruptly stood up from her seat, muttering to herself, "Why is he here?"
The voice belonged to Yu Luomian, Liu Erlong's father.
However, Liu Erlong felt no affection for this father; on the contrary, she harbored considerable resentment. If Yu Luomian hadn't intervened and ruined her wedding twenty years ago by revealing the incestuous truth, she would have been with her beloved Xiaogang all this time.
Flender also recognized the newcomer. He had been the one to officiate the wedding back then and had naturally seen Yu Luomian before.
As the Second Head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Luomian's status in the Soul Master world was not much lower than that of a Titled Douluo.
Not long after, Flender and Liu Erlong left the office and arrived at the main gate of Shrek Academy.
Yu Luomian stood there, his white hair full and wild, his posture upright and imposing. His cloudy eyes flashed with a cold lightning, looking as if he were about to erupt at any moment.
"Where is that bastard?! Make him get out here right now!"
The second half of the sentence was practically shouted by Yu Luomian, his voice thundering with soul power.
Seeing that Yu Xiaogang hadn't appeared yet, Yu Luomian lost his patience. In his mind, this good-for-nothing nephew was definitely hiding like a coward again.
"This is Shrek Academy. Outsiders are not welcome!"
Liu Erlong didn't give Yu Luomian a friendly look. Even though he was her biological father, in her heart, he wasn't worth a single hair on Yu Xiaogang's head.
Hearing this, Yu Luomian's face darkened considerably.
The fact that the Blue Tyrant Academy (now Shrek Academy) was able to operate in Heaven Dou City was entirely due to his secret efforts and connections, a way of making up for his neglect of his illegitimate daughter.
Now, Liu Erlong had not only given his academy to outsiders but also wanted to expel her own father? It was utterly outrageous!
Seeing that Yu Luomian was about to lose his temper, Flender hurriedly stepped forward to explain. "Senior, Xiaogang went to Spirit City a few days ago. He isn't here."
"Spirit City?" Yu Luomian sneered, skeptical. "Don't try to fool me. That trash is definitely hiding here!"
"Senior, it's the truth. Xiaogang really did go to Spirit City to solve his disciple's martial soul problem."
Flender was truly at a loss. He hadn't expected that Yu Xiaogang, even after leaving, would still cause him trouble. The man was practically a jinx.
Seeing that Flender didn't seem to be lying, Yu Luomian hesitated slightly.
According to Yu Tianheng's report, Yu Xiaogang had chosen a soul ring with opposite attributes for his disciple, causing significant side effects. Going to Spirit City to seek a solution was plausible.
He then expanded his spiritual power to investigate the academy grounds, but indeed, he couldn't sense Yu Xiaogang's presence.
"Hmph! That bastard better stay in Spirit City for the rest of his life. If I catch him, I'll definitely cripple him!"
Yu Luomian's eyes blazed with fury, and bursts of raging lightning erupted from his body as he gritted his teeth.
In his view, Liu Erlong's current miserable state was entirely due to the toxic influence of Yu Xiaogang. That scoundrel was simply a menace to the family.
A moment later, Yu Luomian barely suppressed his anger and transmitted his voice to Flender: "Flender, how many people know about the 'fire relief' proposal?"
Hearing this, Flender immediately realized that this was the main reason Yu Luomian had come personally.
"Don't worry, Senior. Only about ten people know. I've already instructed them; they will definitely keep their mouths shut," Flender solemnly promised via voice transmission.
"That's for the best. If this matter is exposed, you should know the consequences."
Yu Luomian threatened, staring intently at Flender.
If the scandal of Yu Xiaogang trying to prostitute a noble girl and even doing it himself to cure his disciple were exposed, it would inevitably have a significant negative impact on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Although Yu Xiaogang had supposedly been expelled, the blood connection could not be severed in the eyes of the public.
In fact, Yu Xiaogang's departure from the clan twenty years ago hadn't been a formal expulsion, but rather him leaving in a fit of righteous indignation because he couldn't bear the ridicule.
Yet, after twenty years of wandering, he had not only failed to achieve anything significant but had also committed two enormous blunders that shamed the clan.
At this moment, Yu Luomian looked at Liu Erlong. To prevent Yu Xiaogang from ever returning to harm his daughter again, he had to take drastic measures.
"Erlong, you're not getting any younger. It's time for you to settle down."
Yu Luomian spoke in a deep, commanding voice.
Upon hearing this, both Flender and Liu Erlong were stunned.
'Was this too sudden?'
Soon, Liu Erlong recovered, her eyes lighting up with a flicker of hope. She hurriedly asked, "Father... do you agree to me being with Xiaogang?"
"Bullshit! I'm letting you settle down with someone else so that scoundrel won't ever think about touching you again!"
Yu Luomian's eyes widened in anger as he roared irritably. He was here to arrange a marriage for her, to sever her ties with Yu Xiaogang once and for all.