"I've said all I want to say. I just hope you can take a common student's advice to heart," Tang San said calmly.
Then, with a polite tone, he added,"Well, Xiao Wu and I are heading back to the academy—we're quite busy. See you next time, Master Yu."
Although Tang San's words were outwardly respectful, how could Yu Xiaogang not hear the subtle sarcasm in that final "Master Yu"?
Especially with Xiao Wu turning around to make a mocking face at him.
This time, Tang San didn't stop her.
Watching them walk into Nuoding Academy, Yu Xiaogang clenched his fists."Good, you two little brats dare to mock me? Ignorant!"
But no matter how furious he was, Yu Xiaogang had to hold it in.If he ran to the dean of Nuoding Academy to have the two expelled, and word got out that he'd tried to get rid of two gifted students out of pettiness, it would ruin him even further.
"Just wait!"
Yu Xiaogang turned and left Nuoding Academy. He had made up his mind: it was time to go find his old friend—Flender.
All these years he had hidden himself here, but he had kept in touch with Flender through letters. From those, he learned that Flender had established Shrek Academy, an institution that only accepted "monsters."
So now, he would go there.
From Flender's descriptions, there were already three genius-level students enrolled:—The prince of the Star Luo Empire;—A child with a lucky soul mutation, possessing the Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul;—And a child with a sausage-type martial soul, but with innate full soul power.
Yu Xiaogang couldn't approach the Star Luo prince—too risky. The family power struggles within the empire were vicious, and one misstep could be fatal.
The Evil Fire Phoenix child was already Flender's direct disciple—off-limits.
That left one: the food-type soul master with full innate soul power and a sausage martial soul.He was seven or eight years old, only slightly older than Tang San and Xiao Wu. Perfect.
"Tang San, if you want to be an auxiliary-type soul master," Yu Xiaogang muttered bitterly, "then I'll raise a food-type soul master that can fight like a warrior. I'll make his sausage a weapon!"
He already pictured the future: Tang San, standing tall at the Continental Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament… only to be blindsided by his own direct disciple—an auxiliary-type soul master bursting forth with combat strength, humiliating Tang San and Xiao Wu on the grandest stage.
The thought fueled his simmering anger. Tang San's calm rejection had ignited years of humiliation. Now, he burned with purpose.
He returned to his private courtyard, gathered all his research notes, and stored them in his soul tool. He left nothing behind.
Then he went to the Nuoding Academy's dean to formally resign.
After all, he had lived under this friend's roof for years. Even if he was leaving in frustration, he had to say goodbye—it would be too shameful to just disappear.
The dean tried to persuade him to stay, offered polite reassurances, but in the end, granted his request.
In truth, the dean was quietly relieved.
Yu Xiaogang had been a recluse for years. He never taught classes or contributed much to the school. Other faculty had long grown dissatisfied, and the dean had to balance internal politics.
Now that Yu Xiaogang had taken the initiative to leave, it lifted a burden off his shoulders.
So, just like that, Yu Xiaogang left Nuoding City.
Few people noticed when he arrived. Fewer noticed when he left.
When the other teachers heard the news, they simply sighed.There were no harsh words—what was the point?
They had once hoped he might rise again, use his Great Soul Master credentials to teach students, maybe give a few lectures.
But year after year, he remained silent.
Now he was gone. At most, the teachers gossiped briefly during dinner, but soon, they moved on.
After all, they had their own jobs and lives. Who had time to mock a fifty-year-old Great Soul Master who had never advanced?
Meanwhile...
Tang San visited Teacher Mo Hen's office and respectfully requested a long-term leave.He hoped to take control of his schedule for the next six years.
"You're planning to stay in Nuoding Academy that long?" Mo Hen was surprised."It's not that we want to push you out, but your talent… I estimate that by fourth grade, you'll get your second soul ring. After that, we won't be able to teach you much."
"Don't worry, Teacher Mo. I have a clear plan for my cultivation," Tang San replied sincerely."And I've also done some research on soul cultivation. I'm preparing to publish my findings in the Soul Master Journal."
"Oh? You've done research too?" Mo Hen's eyes lit up."What's it about?"
"Secret." Tang San smiled playfully."You'll see when it's published."
"Haha, alright. I'll look forward to reading it."Mo Hen chuckled and gently ruffled Tang San's hair.This boy… mature beyond his years, yet still lively and curious. A true gem of a student.
After leaving the office, Tang San headed to the library and began organizing material for his article.
Considering he was only six years old, he knew it would be best to avoid speculative or radical theories. He chose to share a few foundational insights instead.
After all, being one step ahead makes you a genius; being ten steps ahead makes you a madman.
Tang San understood: if he wanted to be called a "madman," he'd better reach Titled Douluo level first.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
Tang San's life remained steady and disciplined.Each day, he cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Skill, Purple Demon Eye, Mysterious Jade Hand, Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. He practiced soul power control by climbing trees and experimented with the fusion of spiritual energy, blood, and soul power.
He spent time at the blacksmith's forging iron, using the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method to strengthen his body and gain insight into the law of vibration.
Whenever he wasn't reading in the Spirit Hall's archives or the Nuoding Academy library, he spent time talking with Wang Sheng and other classmates.
Wang Sheng, after seeing Tang San's daily schedule, was shocked.Aside from sleeping, eating, and going to the toilet, Tang San had no spare time.
Inspired, Wang Sheng also began training harder and eventually became part of Tang San's small circle.
He knew his talent couldn't compare to Tang San or Xiao Wu. He was already in sixth grade and would graduate next year. He had to find a path for himself.
But before that, he wanted to learn everything he could from Tang San.
One day during dinner, Tang San casually asked,"Wang Sheng, you're graduating next year, right?"
"Yeah, San-ge. My soul power's at the ninth level. I think I can reach level ten before the New Year."Wang Sheng smiled proudly."For Nuoding Academy, that's pretty good."
Tang San nodded.For a civilian soul master, reaching level ten by age twelve was impressive. To reach Great Soul Master level before adulthood was even rarer—such students were seen as prodigies.
At least in this era, that was already exceptional.
"That's great. You've helped me a lot these past two weeks. Once you reach level ten, I'll take you to hunt your first soul ring. I'll help you find a hundred-year soul beast."
Wang Sheng froze for a moment—then his eyes lit up.
"Thank you, San-ge!"
As a civilian, even if he reached level ten, he had no background. He couldn't get a Soul Hunting Permit on his own. Normally, the academy would help, but the teachers would likely only prepare a ten-year soul ring for him.
But Tang San had just promised him a hundred-year soul ring.
How could he not be excited?
Besides, Tang San was a soul cultivation genius. His first soul ring, Endless Life, looked like an ordinary healing-type skill, but in practice, it granted benefits even control-type soul masters couldn't match. It was practically divine.
Tang San would definitely find him a soul ring that complemented his tiger martial soul.
Yu Xiaogang: logged off.Wang Sheng: logged on.