Chapter 121 - 13

Chapter 13: A Master?At that moment, Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San on the shoulder, pulling him out of his chaotic thoughts."I know you'll understand."Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, his tone flat,"You will be in charge of the tactical arrangements on the field, and you will also decide the competition roster.What I can remind you is that during the preliminary rounds, the fewer of you Shrek Seven Devils who appear, the better.In the finals, the opponents you'll face will be far stronger than you imagine.And you have only one goal. For that goal, work hard."Within the simulation, the words Yu Xiaogang spoke were not problematic in themselves, and the arrangements were reasonable.But as an observer, Tang San keenly sensed that when Yu Xiaogang looked at the simulated "himself," there seemed to be a slight reduction in the genuine concern and fervent expectation present during their first simulation at Nuoding Academy. Instead, there was a trace of faint alienation and... an indescribable complexity.This subtle change sparked a flicker of doubt in the observant Tang San's heart.As the meeting concluded, everyone stood up, preparing to leave.Just then, Yu Xiaogang's voice sounded again: "Tang San, stay behind."Hearing this, the simulated Tang San stopped and followed Yu Xiaogang to his private room.Once inside, Yu Xiaogang first inquired about his understanding of the competition rules just discussed and some conventional tactical ideas.The simulated Tang San answered each question clearly and logically.Then, Yu Xiaogang shifted the topic, his tone carrying obvious hesitation and a trace of barely perceptible nervousness, as he tentatively asked:"This time... for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament... will that master of yours... come to watch?"A master? What master?As an observer, Tang San's mind was instantly filled with confusion.In his memory and understanding, whether in reality or the first simulation, he had never formally taken anyone as a master, except... that Fu Shiyan he intended to wait for!Could it be... Before he could think further, the simulated Tang San hesitated for a moment and answered truthfully:"Teacher, I'm actually not sure about that. Master went to Sunset Forest some time ago, saying he had important matters to attend to. He might not be able to make it back in time."Hearing this answer, Yu Xiaogang's expression seemed to improve imperceptibly, but then, as if thinking of something else, his face darkened slightly.He snorted coldly, his tone dripping with obvious sarcasm:"Hmph! I thought that with such a powerful and capable master, you'd long since stopped acknowledging this useless teacher of yours!"Hearing this, the observer Tang San's heart gave a sudden jolt! He immediately began analyzing rapidly:"From Yu Xiaogang's words, full of sourness and dissatisfaction, it can be inferred that in this 'future,' the simulated me seems to have indeed taken a master!And Yu Xiaogang clearly doesn't get along well with this master of mine!Considering the strength Fu Shiyan demonstrated earlier, his unique understanding of the Blue Silver Grass, and his disdain for this teacher...The identity of this 'master' is almost obvious!"Meanwhile, hearing Yu Xiaogang's barbed words, the simulated Tang San immediately responded seriously, his tone sincere and even a bit urgent:"Teacher! Please don't say that! Once a teacher, always a father!Your careful guidance to me, Tang San, is forever engraved in my heart. I would never dare forget your kindness as my teacher!You and my master are both the elders I respect and care for the most!"He paused, then continued explaining, trying to ease the tension:"The reason I go to my master with questions about Spirit cultivation is precisely because... his primary cultivation is the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.In this regard, Master is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable.After all, on the entire Douluo Continent, when it comes to understanding and cultivating the Blue Silver Grass, apart from Master, no one else would dare claim to be number one!"Hearing these sincere yet clearly demarcated words from the simulated "self," the observer Tang San was now convinced:"That's it! This 'master' is ninety-nine percent certain to be Senior Fu Shiyan!Only he possesses that terrifying, common sense-defying mastery over the power of the Blue Silver Grass. Only he can truly be called the foremost authority on the Blue Silver Grass in the world!It seems in this simulated future, I ultimately did take him as my master!""I just wonder if I received any information about my mother from Master Fu Shiyan!""However, judging by Yu Xiaogang's attitude, over these two years, whenever I encountered cultivation problems, especially doubts about the nature of my Spirit, I probably rarely relied on and consulted him as completely as before. Instead, I sought guidance more often from the more specialized and powerful Master Fu Shiyan!And this undoubtedly deeply wounded his pride as a 'theoretical master,' making him feel that I, his disciple, had grown distant from him."However, this reasonable, even flattering explanation from the simulated Tang San did not appease Yu Xiaogang's dissatisfaction. On the contrary, it seemed to hit a sore spot, making his expression grow even darker!The sarcasm in Yu Xiaogang's tone thickened, almost undisguised:"Indeed! A peerless genius who specializes in the Blue Silver Grass, reaching such a cultivation level in his twenties... naturally isn't someone a teacher like me, who could only 'carefully guide' you with some armchair theories when you were young, can compare to!"Between the lines, he was sharply accusing the simulated Tang San of being "ungrateful" and "forgetting his old teacher after getting a new master!"The observer Tang San could clearly sense that upon hearing these words, the simulated self was filled with anxiety, grievance, and an urge to defend himself, yet also seemed somewhat helpless, as if this scene had happened before.He could understand this feeling.After all, in the beliefs he accepted in his previous life in the Tang Sect, "Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, Teacher" and "Once a teacher, always a father" were principles carved into his bones.Being accused like this by a teacher he once respected and who genuinely gave him his initial guidance would inevitably lead to feelings of grievance and anxious desperation to prove his innocence."It seems that in this future, because of Senior Fu Shiyan's appearance and his more fitting guidance for my Spirit, an irreparable rift has developed between me and Teacher Yu Xiaogang due to differences in philosophy and path..."The observer Tang San fell silent within, gaining a more direct and complex understanding of how relationships can change due to 'choices.'Hearing this earnest and respectful response from the simulated self, the gloom on Yu Xiaogang's face lightened slightly, but the coldness and alienation did not completely dissipate.He waved his hand, his tone still lacking warmth:"Alright, you should go back and prepare.Starting tomorrow, targeted tactical drills will begin."He emphasized specifically, looking seriously at Tang San:"Especially Tai Long and the other three. You need to pay particular attention to them."