To be honest, Yu Xiaogang didn't place much importance on Meng Yiran.
In the blueprint he envisioned, Meng Yiran would, at most, be a substitute for the team.
Because her Rank wasn't high; she was only Rank 32 even now.
Even by the start of the Soul Master Tournament, she probably wouldn't be able to advance many Ranks.
(There is actually a bug here. In the original work, from the time she obtained her third spirit ring until the Soul Master Tournament, only about a year and a half passed, but her Spirit power reached Rank 37, which is too exaggerated.
Also, Xiao Wu, who didn't eat an Immortal Herb, was able to Breakthrough to level 40 before the finals began. I don't know what Tang Jia Sanshao was thinking, making everyone else look like clowns.)
Furthermore, Meng Yiran didn't particularly excel in other aspects.
Don't look at Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun being only Rank 28.
But Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix is a top-tier Spirit, and his combat power is in no way inferior to an ordinary Spirit Elder just over Rank 30.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, as an Agility Attack System Soul Master, once she Breaks through to Rank 30, her usefulness will surpass Meng Yiran's.
In addition, theoretically, Zhu Zhuqing can also perform the Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Dai Mubai. Once deployed, its power would be considered top-tier even among Spirit Ancestors.
However, these two still haven't achieved tacit understanding, and no matter how Yu Xiaogang tried to persuade them, it was useless.
Training continued.
Oscar and Meng Yiran ran side-by-side. The latter snorted and said, "Why did you stop me just now? Was what I said wrong? I think Yu Xiaogang is clearly targeting me."
"Shh, keep your voice down." Oscar turned his head, glanced at Yu Xiaogang, who was criticizing Tang San and Tianheng from afar, and then whispered:
"Tang San is his Disciple, and Dean Flender is his friend. If you contradict him in front of so many people, how will you manage in Heaven Dou Class Four later?"
Meng Yiran still wore a look of disdain.
"So what? At worst, I'll transfer classes. Hasn't it been proven that Yu Xiaogang is just a fake Grandmaster?"
After speaking, Meng Yiran's eyes lit up.
"Little Ao, why don't we transfer to Class One?"
"Or we could just leave Heaven Dou Academy and go to the Strange Beast Academy. My Family has a lot of influence in that area, and we can still receive top-tier training there."
Upon hearing this, Oscar sighed.
"You know that if I leave, the Dean will definitely be very sad."
Even for the sake of the Dean's Face, he couldn't transfer classes!
Although Meng Yiran felt disappointed upon hearing this, she could only give up.
Her original purpose for going to Shrek Academy was precisely because she valued Oscar's potential.
If Oscar wasn't leaving, no matter how dissatisfied she was with Yu Xiaogang, she had to stay.
When the training ended, the Shrek Group dispersed.
Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke.
"Zhuqing, stay behind. I need to ask you something."
A look of confusion flashed across Zhu Zhuqing's Face, but she still nodded and stayed.
After everyone else had left, Yu Xiaogang finally spoke: "Zhu Zhuqing, if I'm not mistaken, you should be a member of the Zhu Family from the Star Luo Empire, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the pupils in Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes suddenly contracted, and a trace of shock that was hard to conceal appeared on her Face.
She hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to actually guess her identity.
But she didn't stop to think.
Looking across the continent, besides the Star Luo Zhu Family, who else possessed the Hell CivetSpirit?
Yu Xiaogang took in her reaction entirely, and a calm, knowing smile appeared on his Face.
He stood with his hands behind his back, deliberately adopting the posture of someone who saw through the world.
"No need to be surprised."
"A Spirit and a surname inherently explain many things, especially with a signature agility-attack systemSpirit like the 'Hell Civet.' If I couldn't even guess your identity, I wouldn't be worthy of being called 'Grandmaster'."
Hearing the word Grandmaster, Zhu Zhuqing's cold Face twitched slightly, and the look she gave Yu Xiaogang was filled with strangeness.
Just a few days ago, your Face was almost beaten swollen by Yang Yuan.
And you still call yourself "Grandmaster"?
Alas!
Truly pathetic!
Noticing Zhu Zhuqing's gaze, Yu Xiaogang instantly guessed what she was thinking, immediately felt embarrassed, and was secretly annoyed.
Damn Yang Yuan, this is all your fault!
However, in order to persuade Zhu Zhuqing to put aside her grievances and perform the Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Dai Mubai, he could only take a deep breath and suppress the anger in his heart.
"I have also heard about the cruel competition within the Star Luo Imperial Family. If I'm not mistaken, you fled Star Luo precisely to escape that brutal Family competition."
"Or perhaps, to find a sliver of hope in desperation."
"And Dai Mubai, should be your fiancé!"
Yu Xiaogang slowly paced, returning to a calm expression.
Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful Face was icy cold, and she stared coldly at Yu Xiaogang.
"What exactly do you want to say!"
Yu Xiaogang met her gaze and said solemnly, "Zhuqing, since you traveled thousands of miles to find Mubai, why are you unwilling to perform the Martial Soul Fusion Skill with him?"
"You should know the fate of those who fail the competition within the Star Luo Imperial Family. Without the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, you and Mubai have absolutely no chance of winning."
"I specifically had someone gather contemporary information on the Star Luo Imperial Family. Your older sister Zhu Zhuyun and Mubai's older brother Dai Weisi not only far surpass you in Spirit power Rank, but more importantly, they have long mastered the Hell White Tiger, a top-tier Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
"And what about you two? Forget about performing the Martial Soul Fusion Skill; you don't even have basic trust and understanding, let alone spiritual connection."
Speaking up to this point, Yu Xiaogang stopped pacing.
He shook his head, looking at Zhu Zhuqing with a hint of pity.
"So, Zhuqing, listen to my advice: put down your unnecessary emotional burdens and pride, talk properly with Mubai, try to trust, to coordinate, and to master the power that belongs to you both."
"This is also the fastest way to become stronger, and it is your only chance."
The air seemed to solidify at this moment.
After listening, Zhu Zhuqing did not immediately reply to Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang was not anxious; he believed Zhu Zhuqing would eventually see the light.
What he was worried about was... there was less than a year left until the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Tournament.
Could Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai master the Martial Soul Fusion Skill before the Tournament arrived?
This was also the ultimate trump card for their team in the Soul Master Tournament.
However, after a long period of consideration, Zhu Zhuqing's expression was firm as she spoke softly.
"Grandmaster, you don't need to persuade me. Although what you said makes sense, I refuse!"
The expression on Yu Xiaogang's Face suddenly froze, and he looked anxiously at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Zhuqing, are you crazy? Don't you know you are acting impulsively?"
"This doesn't just concern the life and death of you and Mubai; it also relates to the future of our team."
Obviously, the last sentence was what Yu Xiaogang truly cared about.
Zhu Zhuqing glanced indifferently at Yu Xiaogang, ignoring the small calculations in his mind, and simply left a final remark.
"Grandmaster, I know exactly what I'm saying, but this is my decision. Even if destiny comes calling one day, I will not change it."
After speaking, Zhu Zhuqing bowed to Yu Xiaogang, turned, and left, leaving Yu Xiaogang only with an aloof and cold silhouette.
Watching her silhouette disappear, the expression on Yu Xiaogang's Face could no longer hold up. He kicked the ground in a burst of frustration.
"Stupid! Unbelievably foolish!"
"Ruining my great plan!"
(End of Chapter)
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