The day after Sword Douluo left.
At Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang was putting the students through hellish training.
The humiliation he had suffered in Soto City was etched in his mind, and he was determined to seek revenge.
However, aware of his limited talent and strength, Yu Xiaogang decided to focus on nurturing his star disciple, Tang San.
A cold glint and a trace of resentment flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. While he couldn't afford to offend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he was determined to get back at that cat.
Coincidentally, he had learned from Flender that the cat's owner was the one who had defeated his prized disciple, Tang San. This made Yu Xiaogang even more displeased. Both the cat and its owner deserved to die.
"Xiao San, the reason for your defeat is simply that the quality of your Blue Silver Grass is currently inferior to Shen An's martial soul. However, your potential and future achievements will far surpass his."
"Not to mention, once you attach the same soul rings to your Clear Sky Hammer, you will easily defeat him in battle."
Flender, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but twitch at Yu Xiaogang's words. The same soul rings? Is that even possible? He glanced at Yu Xiaogang, wanting to say something but ultimately shook his head.
Yu Xiaogang was extremely confident in the number one tool-type martial soul in the world. However, Shen An's martial soul was too sharp and formidable. Flender didn't believe the Clear Sky Hammer could win against it.
Forget it. My old friend values his pride too much. Next time, I'll let him see Shen An's performance in the Spirit Arena. Then he'll understand. In the short term, Flender didn't see any hope of Tang San winning.
That said, Flender agreed that Tang San's potential far exceeded Shen An's. Twin martial souls were simply too uniquely gifted.
Tang San was also inspired by Yu Xiaogang's words. A temporary setback meant nothing. His future achievements were destined to be glorious, and Shen An was just a passing figure in his life.
However, a cold glint flashed deep in Tang San's eyes. Even so, he would definitely avenge Xiao Wu's injuries and his own defeat!
Yu Xiaogang said solemnly, "Flender, gather the other students. I want to put them through special training. Let's see just how impressive this so-called genius youth really is."
"Isn't he hailed as the Rookie King of the Soto Spirit Arena? Within three months, I'll have Tang San defeat him in battle." Yu Xiaogang spoke with full confidence), a heartfelt trust in his own extraordinary wisdom.
The title of "Master" wasn't just for show.
---
After Shen An agreed to Ning Rongrong's request, she readily taught him the Split Control technique.
The two of them, along with Tom, went to a quiet spot outside Soto City to practice, leaving Zhu Zhuqing alone at the teahouse.
The method of practicing Split Control wasn't complicated, but it varied depending on the soul master.
"Shen An, you can try shifting your gaze between three different trees and releasing sword energy. The intervals between each sword energy should ideally be one second."
When Ning Rongrong taught Shen An the Split Control technique, he instinctively felt that this secret technique would be of great help to him.
At its peak, Split Control allowed one to perfectly control every change in the surroundings and calmly respond. It also enabled more proficient use of soul power.
Shen An believed that if he could reach the first level of Split Control—Three Apertures Controlling the Heart—his struggle with sword flight would be resolved. It would also be a huge advantage in battle.
When Shen An used his sword-flying soul skill to control the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, just maintaining his balance took up most of his energy.
But if he could master Split Control, Shen An wouldn't just be able to fly on his sword—he could also fight enemies mid-air, giving him an unparalleled advantage.
Moreover, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass could currently only split into one phantom sword. However, as he attached more soul rings in the future, the number would increase.
Shen An couldn't help but marvel that Split Control seemed tailor-made for him.
However, the highest level of Split Control was only Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, which left Shen An slightly disappointed.
Fortunately, Shen An was pragmatic. I haven't even learned to walk yet, and I'm already thinking about running. I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's focus on reaching Three Apertures Controlling the Heart first.
On the first day of practice, Shen An found it extremely frustrating. While multitasking wasn't difficult for him, handling three tasks simultaneously was a bit of a challenge.
The training process was tedious and maddening.
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, hid nearby, quietly amused. Watching Shen An reminded her of her struggles when she first learned the technique.
Back then, she had suffered a lot to reach Three Apertures Controlling the Heart, and once she had mastered the basics, she stopped practicing altogether.
Tom, meanwhile, watched Shen An with boredom. After petting the cat, Ning Rongrong suddenly had an idea.
"Tom, do you want to learn too? It's fun. I can teach you." Ning Rongrong's playful side emerged. Since I'm free anyway, why not teach the cat?
Dad said not to teach outsiders, but he didn't say anything about teaching a cat. Ning Rongrong thought mischievously.
Tom was initially taken aback but then shook its head. It instinctively rejected the idea. What does a house cat need to learn all this for? Being able to catch mice is enough.
"Come on, Tom, please? I'll buy you lots of dried fish if you learn, okay?"
If anyone else had heard this, they would have been green with envy. A secret technique that others would beg to learn, and here was Ning Rongrong pleading with a cat to learn it.
Even more infuriating was that the cat wasn't interested and had to be coaxed with treats.
At the mention of dried fish, Tom's ears perked up. Fine, since you're so sincerely asking, I, the Heavenly Emperor, will reluctantly learn it.
Tom immediately stood up, full of energy, and took Ning Rongrong's hand with its paw, flashing a bright smile.
Ning Rongrong excitedly explained the Split Control technique to Tom. Although Tom didn't have soul power, that didn't hinder its ability to learn the secret technique.
As Ning Rongrong spoke, Tom listened attentively, occasionally nodding its head as if it understood perfectly.
"Alright, Tom, you're now a cat who knows Split Control. Try it out—draw two different pictures on the ground at the same time. Keep it simple."
Ning Rongrong looked at Tom with a teasing smile. Having seen Tom's many miraculous abilities—swordsmanship, cooking, chess, and even housework—she was sure Tom wouldn't master this immediately.
But then, something unbelievable happened, shattering Ning Rongrong's confidence.
Tom nodded, pulled out a white canvas as tall as itself, and grabbed four paintbrushes.
Without even questioning how Tom had produced so many items, Ning Rongrong watched in stunned silence as Tom balanced on one leg, holding three brushes in its paws and one in its mouth.
The four brushes moved like a whirlwind, creating four lifelike portraits simultaneously.
Shen An, Tom, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing—each portrait was so accurate it seemed like a carbon copy of the original.
Ning Rongrong felt her years of cultivation crumbling under the weight of Tom's talent.
Back then, I suffered so much to learn Split Control. But Tom? It mastered it in minutes. This is beyond Four Apertures Steady Heart.
Moreover, Ning Rongrong's intuition told her that Tom's four-line operation wasn't because it could only handle four tasks—it was simply limited by having only four paws and one mouth.
Tom stood proudly in front of the canvas, waiting for Ning Rongrong's praise.
But Ning Rongrong was in a daze, her body swaying backward as she muttered, "I never thought the gap between me and Tom would be greater than that between a human and a dog. I think I understand what it means to be a mayfly glimpsing the vast sky."
Thankfully, Tom quickly rushed over to support Ning Rongrong, preventing her from collapsing.
Shen An, who had been frustrated by his Split Control practice, decided to take a break and chat with Ning Rongrong while petting Tom.
But when he turned around, he saw Ning Rongrong teaching Tom the technique. Shen An watched with interest, ready to offer some advice when Tom inevitably failed.
Instead, Shen An's cultivation heart also shattered.
I call foul! Someone's cheating!
Shen An turned and walked away, as if making a firm decision, without looking at Tom again.
I'm such a fool. I actually thought I could guide the Heavenly Emperor Tom. How presumptuous of me.