"Yu Xiaogang, I finally found you!"
In a bustling street of Balak Royal City, Bibi Dong, hidden in the shadows, spotted Yu Xiaogang happily strolling with a hooked-nose man and a fiery, black-haired woman with a sharp and beautiful appearance.
Clad in a black cloak and a hood that covered half her face, Bibi Dong's pretty face twisted with hatred and madness. Her fists clenched as she let out a crazed, deranged grin.
'All the darkness and torment I suffered... it was all because of this damn Yu Xiaogang.'
'I went through despair and pain, the worst kind of torture imaginable!'
'And yet this trash, the source of all my suffering, got off scot-free!'
'Not only that, he's even got sworn siblings who get along with him and they've made quite a name for themselves in the soul master world.'
And as someone who had once been through it herself, Bibi Dong could clearly see—Liu Erlong looked at Yu Xiaogang with the exact same eyes she once had.
'Why?! Why him?!'
Bibi Dong howled in her mind, twisted and furious.
'Why do I suffer while you live so well?!'
'I went through hell... now it's your turn to taste every bit of it!'
Despite the overwhelming hatred surging inside her, the now-darkened Bibi Dong had become far more calculating than before. She suppressed her crazed emotions and forced her rational mind to take over.
'No... not yet!'
Although she had brought along several high-ranked Soul Saints, Yu Xiaogang might be trash, but the hooked-nose man and the woman beside him were both Soul Emperors.
The three of them could perform a Martial Soul Fusion skill to summon a Light-attribute Golden Holy Dragon—its strength would rival a Soul Saint.
With such elemental advantage, trying to snatch Yu Xiaogang by force wouldn't be so easy.
But soon, Bibi Dong thought of a solution.
"I've got it!"
A twisted grin crept across her face.
'If I can't take him by force... then I won't.'
'The nightmare began for me the moment I drank that drugged tea you gave me, Yu Xiaogang.'
'So this time... I'll return the favor. Fight poison with poison!'
'Poisoning? Oh, I'm quite good at that too.'
That night—
As the lights came on, the bustling Balak Royal City lit up like a dreamscape.
Soul guide lamps hung across the pedestrian street like a string of bright pearls, glowing in the night. With colorful ribbons fluttering, the myriad hues reflected off one another, creating a wonderland-like scene.
Because of the upcoming All-Continent Soul Master Academy Elite Exchange Tournament, soul masters and wealthy elites from all over the kingdom gathered in Balak City.
Even at night, the city remained vibrant and alive.
That evening, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong went out shopping together.
As they passed by a park, Flender suddenly dragged the other two toward a clearing in the woods.
In the dim darkness, after guiding Liu Erlong into position, Flender pulled out a fire starter and lit a fuse.
As it burned, the surroundings lit up—revealing a massive heart-shaped candle formation that encircled Flender and Liu Erlong.
Suddenly, Flender dropped to one knee and pulled out a bouquet of roses from his storage soul guide.
His hooked-nose face was filled with affection as he gazed at Liu Erlong.
"Third Sister, I've actually loved you for a long time now. Will you give me the chance to take care of you for the rest of your life?"
"Third Sister, will you marry me?"
But Liu Erlong stood frozen in shock at the heartfelt confession.
She never expected Big Brother Flender to have feelings for her.
And to even plan such a grand proposal scene...
But the truth was—she didn't feel anything romantic for Flender.
Looking at that hooked-nose, shoehorn-like face and imagining spending a lifetime with it—she felt nothing but mental collapse.
Off to the side, Yu Xiaogang was stunned too. He had no idea Flender was going to confess tonight.
'Damn, Flender really kept this under wraps!'
Yet deep down, Yu Xiaogang felt a pang of bitterness.
Over the past few years, after spending so much time together, he had started to like this Third Sister who never looked down on his martial spirit or talent.
'If she accepts Flender's proposal... then what am I supposed to do?'
But just then, Liu Erlong let out an apologetic sigh and said,
"Sorry, Boss Flender. Thank you for your feelings."
"But I already like someone else."
Flender, who had been full of confidence and love just moments before, froze completely.
Grief washed over him like a tidal wave.
'No! Why?!'
'Why isn't it me?!'
Even though it was still summer, Flender felt like he had fallen into a frozen hell.
In the back of his mind, a sad song seemed to echo—
The cold north wind... snowflakes drifting down...
He forced a smile and asked, "May I ask... who is the lucky one to win your heart, Third Sister?"
Liu Erlong, ever straightforward, didn't hide her feelings.
Her sharp and beautiful face flushed slightly as she turned toward Yu Xiaogang.
"The one I like is Xiaogang..."
Crack!
Flender could almost hear his heart shattering.
'No! Why him?! Why not me?!'
'I won't accept this! I refuse!'
Flender wanted to howl at the sky, full of sorrow and rage.
Losing to someone better, he could accept.
But to lose to his second brother Yu Xiaogang—who aside from his looks, was inferior in every way—how could he possibly be okay with that?
Yet even in the depths of despair, Flender, who treasured their bond and truly cared for Liu Erlong, couldn't speak ill of Yu Xiaogang.
He could only force a smile and say,
"Xiaogang, I didn't expect Third Sister to like you. Congratulations."
Upon hearing that Liu Erlong liked him, Yu Xiaogang felt smug and thrilled inside.
But on the surface, he put on a guilty and pained expression.
"Flender... I'm sorry!"
"I didn't think it would turn out this way either..."
After leaving Spirit City and falling out with Spirit Hall, Yu Xiaogang's reputation as the Master of Martial Soul Theory had been completely shattered.
Now that he had formed the Golden Iron Triangle with Flender and Liu Erlong, he finally had a chance to rise again under that spotlight—as the 'Wisdom Corner'.
Naturally, he didn't want the triangle to break up, so he immediately chose to appease Flender with a sorrowful and guilty face, as if he too regretted that Liu Erlong liked him.
"Boss Flender, you and Erlong keep walking around for a bit. I'm heading back to the hotel to do some research."
With that, Yu Xiaogang turned and left, acting like he didn't want to ruin their relationship.
But in his heart, he already had a plan to keep both Liu Erlong and Flender under his control.