The day after Xiao Wu returned, Tang San also came back to Nuoding Academy with Yu Xiaogang.
From afar Yang Yuan caught a single glimpse of the pair.
They looked travel-worn; Yu Xiaogang in particular was covered in bruises, his face deathly pale, his arm wrapped in layers of bandages.
Clearly, the trip had been anything but peaceful.
Tang San sensed Yang Yuan's gaze and looked over, radiant energy on his face—a stark contrast to Yu Xiaogang's condition.
At the sight Yang Yuan unconsciously rubbed his chin.
Yesterday, when Xiao Wu came back, she'd worn the same cocky expression.
No—hers had been even more flamboyant.
But after Yang Yuan persuaded her with virtue, she'd become much more docile, calling him "boss" at every turn, obedient as could be.
Thinking of this, Yang Yuan grinned and cracked his knuckles.
He had a premonition: he'd soon have another free punching bag.
Yu Xiaogang noticed Tang San's line of sight and followed it, likewise spotting Yang Yuan in the distance.
He merely gave one calm look before withdrawing his gaze.
"Little San, you said earlier that Yang Yuan defeated you with his Eye Martial Soul?"
"Yes, teacher."
"I embarrassed you."
Tang San's face showed shame.
"Ha! What's there to be embarrassed about?"
"At that time you'd only just become my Disciple; I hadn't taught you anything. A loss is a loss."
Yu Xiaogang waved a hand, utterly unconcerned.
After this reassurance Tang San set aside his shame and asked in puzzlement,
"Teacher, what kind of Spirit is Yang Yuan's Eye Martial Soul really?"
"You told me Spirits divide into Tool Spirits and Beast Spirits; my Blue Silver Grass counts as a Tool Spirit."
"But Yang Yuan's Spirit is his eyes—does that make it a Beast Spirit or a Tool Spirit?"
At the question Yu Xiaogang looked composed, a wise smile surfacing.
"Little San, did you forget the biggest difference I taught you between Beast and Tool Spirits lies in their manifestation?"
"All Tool Spirits act externally, while Beast Spirits bestow the beast's power upon the user."
"Now tell me: is Yang Yuan a Beast Spirit or a Tool Spirit?"
Tang San saw the light.
"So that's it—Yang Yuan's Eye Martial Soul is actually a type of Beast Spirit."
Yu Xiaogang smiled in satisfaction, looking as if his pupil had potential, and added,
"Exactly. And if I'm not mistaken, his Spirit should be the result of a mutation in some Beast Spirit."
"Most Spirit mutations are negative, just like my Luo San Pao."
A strong unwillingness flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes at those words.
Had his Spirit not mutated into the useless Luo San Pao, he too would be basking in glory now.
Seeing his teacher's disappointment, Tang San encouraged him at once.
"Teacher, don't be discouraged—have you forgotten what you once told me?"
"There are no trash Spirits, only trash Spirit Masters!"
The words instantly rekindled the fight in Yu Xiaogang's heart.
He looked at Tang San with fervor, eyes bright.
"Little San, you're right."
"I will definitely raise you into the continent's top expert and proclaim it to the world."
"You are my, Yu Xiaogang's, Disciple!"
"I, Yu Xiaogang, have produced the continent's strongest fighter!"
Tang San gazed up at him with pure admiration.
"Teacher!"
"Little San!"
Their eyes locked, bromance overflowing.
"Eww—"
Watching from afar, Yang Yuan felt goose-bumps crawl all over him.
For the first time he realized that seeing too far wasn't always a good thing!
It burned the eyes!
The two could only be described as a toad finding its perfect tadpole—mutual affection in full swing.
Yu Xiaogang's dormitory.
Stepping inside, Yu Xiaogang sensed no trace of an intruder.
Under Yang Yuan's sharp double-pupiled perception, not a single flaw had been left.
Walking to a desk and sitting down, Yu Xiaogang continued his lecture.
"Little San, according to you, Yang Yuan's eyes grant extreme insight, and his strength and speed far exceed yours at the same Rank."
"That's nothing surprising."
"After all, Beast Spirits augment the body, so naturally his physique is stronger than a same-level Tool Spirit Master."
"However, he could only suppress you before you obtained a spirit ring."
"Now, even if he's lucked into absorbing a hundred-year spirit ring, he can't possibly be your match."
Tang San asked in bewilderment, "Teacher, why is that?"
"Yang Yuan was already stronger than me before absorbing his spirit ring; if he also gets a hundred-year ring, I'm afraid I still might not beat him."
Yu Xiaogang chuckled and shook his head with certainty.
"Little San, you don't understand."
"A control system Spirit Master, before meeting a countering Spirit, is the strongest in single combat!"
"That's why I can declare that from now on Yang Yuan will no longer be your opponent."
"And if he can't match you now, once you begin cultivating your second Spirit, the gap will widen without limit."
"I see." Tang San's eyes lit up with sudden delight.
He had feared that even after gaining his first spirit ring he still wouldn't beat Yang Yuan.
But with his teacher's assurance he felt greatly relieved.
Surely he couldn't be so unlucky that Yang Yuan's Spirit just happened to counter his own?
At the thought Tang San's eyes flashed with sharp intent.
He had lost to Yang Yuan before and been forced to call him boss.
The memory had always rankled, and he'd wanted payback.
Yet Yang Yuan's strength was right there; Tang San hadn't dared act rashly.
Now, with his teacher's guarantee, he felt he could give it a try.
This time, he would win!
Afterward Tang San stayed in Yu Xiaogang's room a while longer before preparing to return to Dormitory Seven.
As he was leaving, Yu Xiaogang seemed to remember something and called him back.
"Teacher, what is it?" Tang San asked in puzzlement.
"Almost forgot to tell you."
"Tomorrow go to Nuoding City's Spirit Hall to register; that way you can receive one gold coin every month."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes sparkled.
"There's such a good deal?"
"No wonder Spirit Hall is so popular among commoners—it makes sense!"
As soon as he said it Yu Xiaogang gave a contemptuous snort, his face full of disdain.
"Little San, don't be fooled by appearances."
"No one knows better than I how domineering and hypocritical Spirit Hall is."
"The stipends Spirit Hall gives Spirit Masters are paid by the two Empires; Spirit Hall merely hands them out."
There's such a thing?
Tang San was startled and blurted, "But every year Spirit Hall sends deacons to villages to perform Awakenings for commoners."
Yu Xiaogang only sneered more coldly.
"Those are merely Spirit Hall's tactics to win people's hearts."
"Neither of the two Empires does this, yet Spirit Hall steps in—what do you think they're trying to do?"
"Does Spirit Hall still regard the two Empires as worth respecting?"
"In my view, these actions of Spirit Hall…"
"Reveal a mind that deserves death!"
(End of Chapter)
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