"This actually worked?" Ma Hongjun, his bruised and swollen face making him look pitiful, stared at Xiao Wu in disbelief.
Xiao Wu patted her chest, still feeling a lingering fear. "Guess I was lucky. Since I woke up first, I didn't get killed by the soul beasts around. After absorbing my third soul ring, I recovered some strength. That's how I managed to follow the path back, using the campfire light to find you all."
Although there were a few suspicious points in her story, it generally made sense. Naturally, no one would guess at her connection to the Titan Giant Ape.
The fact that all seven of the Shrek group returned safely made Zhao Wuji nod in relief. "It's good that you're back. After you were taken, Tang San chased after the Titan Giant Ape. We thought you'd be in danger..."
He recounted everything that had happened after Xiao Wu was taken. Of course, he had no idea Tang San had gained an external soul bone, nor did he know the Eight Spider Lances had absorbed the Gale Demon Wolf's life force. All he knew was that Tang San had risked his life to save Xiao Wu.
As she listened, Xiao Wu's eyes gradually turned red, tears streaming down like a kite with a snapped string.
Even though she'd only spent six years with Tang San, she already saw him as family, no different from Da Ming and Er Ming. Knowing he had risked his life to find her, she deeply regretted ever coming to the Star Dou Forest. Not only had she caused Da Ming's death, but she had also dragged Tang San into danger.
She threw herself into Tang San's arms, mumbling, "Ge, I'm sorry... It's all my fault. I made you worry. If something happened to you while you were looking for me, I'd never forgive myself."
Tang San looked at the tear-streaked Xiao Wu in his arms. The cold killing intent left on his face after slaying the Gale Demon Wolf slowly faded. All the bitterness in his heart melted into gentle warmth. He stared at her seriously. "Aren't I fine now? Xiao Wu, I'll never let myself lose you like that again."
The happiness of getting her back overwhelmed Tang San, making even someone as reserved as he was say what was truly on his mind.
Hearing his veiled confession, Xiao Wu blushed deeply, pushing the grief over Sky Azure Bull Python's death to the back of her mind, and curled herself in his embrace.
Watching the two of them cling to each other, the others in the Shrek group, relieved after surviving the ordeal, smiled knowingly.
Dai Mubai, instinctively, looked toward Zhu Zhuqing. They should have been a loving couple too—comrades who fought side by side. But now it was too late. She had found protection; they would no longer fight for survival together.
It was Dai Mubai who had abandoned her years ago, leaving her to join Shrek on his own. That had driven a wedge between them.
And yesterday, Zhu Zhuqing had ignored him completely and asked Yu Tianming for protection without hesitation. That moment had finalized their split.
Her way of fawning over another man disgusted him. But with the looming threat of death in two years and the overwhelming strength of Davis, Dai Mubai had started to seriously consider how he too could gain Yu Tianming's protection.
With Tang San and Xiao Wu's return, harmony was restored among the Shrek team.
After resting in the tents overnight, the group returned to Shrek Academy with laughter and conversation.
---
South of Soto City, Shrek Academy.
Flender sat in the headmaster's office, his expression serious as he listened to Zhao Wuji recount their trip to the Star Dou Forest. His expression shifted several times, only relaxing when he heard that everyone had returned safely.
"Looks like we were too careless this time," Flender muttered, still feeling shaken. "Next time we go soul beast hunting, you and I will both lead the team, and we'll bring along two more teachers. These little monsters are no ordinary students. We can't afford any missteps."
Zhao Wuji, seated beside him, had seen the powers of both Tang Hao and Yu Tianming. He was even more afraid something could go wrong. With a bitter smile, he said, "Who would've thought we'd encounter a forest overlord even in the outer regions of Star Dou?"
Flender nodded. "It's really surprising Xiao Wu survived. But she mentioned some kind of ox roar? One that scared off the Titan Giant Ape?"
"That ox roar must've been from the Sky Azure Bull Python."
A stiff and somewhat strange voice came from outside the door.
Zhao Wuji was startled. He'd heard footsteps earlier but assumed it was another teacher. Hearing the voice now, he realized a new arrival was here.
"Wuji, the one who knows about the ox roar is here. Xiaogang, come in."
At Flender's invitation, the door opened slowly, and a disheveled middle-aged man stepped inside.
This man had a buzz cut and a scruffy beard covering his whole face. His appearance was unremarkable, his expression stiff, and his gaze dull. Nothing about him fit the image of a so-called "theory master."
But if Tang San were here, he would immediately recognize this ordinary-looking man as none other than Yu Xiaogang, the self-proclaimed number one theory master in the soul master world.
Flender pulled Zhao Wuji up enthusiastically and introduced him. "Wuji, this is my old partner from back in the day and Tang San's teacher. Just call him 'Master.' That's what everyone in the soul master world does."
Zhao Wuji's heart stirred in surprise. So this was the legendary theory master Yu Xiaogang.
Despite his unremarkable looks and low innate talent, and despite being ridiculed in the soul master world, he was still one of the Golden Iron Triangle, Flender's close brother, and the son of Yu Yuanzhen. Zhao Wuji, the so-called Immovable King, couldn't afford to offend him.
He quickly stepped forward and greeted him respectfully. "Master, it's an honor. I'm Zhao Wuji. I've heard of you for a long time. You're Yu Tianming's uncle, right?"
At the mention of that name, Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed, recalling unpleasant memories.
The last time he saw Yu Tianming was over a decade ago, when he'd gone to teach him personally. But instead of appreciating it, Tianming had openly mocked the "Top Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls"—the theory he'd spent his life researching.
How does Zhao Wuji know that guy?
He didn't press for details, nor did he reveal the animosity between himself and Yu Tianming. Forcing a smile, he said, "No need to be so formal. I am Yu Xiaogang. But tell me, Immovable King, how do you know my worthless nephew?"
Zhao Wuji wasn't about to admit he'd almost lost his life. Instead, he began praising Tianming, "We met him during our recent soul hunt. As expected of a direct heir from one of the Upper Three Sects, he may be young, but his strength is unfathomable."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's thoughts stirred. If Zhao Wuji called his strength 'unfathomable,' then Yu Tianming's cultivation must be quite advanced. Still, at seventeen, he couldn't be more than a Soul Sect.
But my student Tang San is already a Soul Elder at twelve. In a few years, when Tianming sees Tang San's strength, hmph, he'll realize who was right all along—and regret his foolish rejection.
The more he thought about it, the more pleased Yu Xiaogang felt. He couldn't help but smile as he said, "That boy's not even twenty. How can his strength be unfathomable? If he were twelve like Tang San, his level might not even compare."
"Doubt you've been back to the sect recently, Master," Zhao Wuji said while scratching his head. "I'm a Soul Saint, but I couldn't even counter Yu Tianming. That's not something a normal seventeen-year-old can do."
Yu Xiaogang's face showed surprise—Tianming could overpower Zhao Wuji? How was that possible?
Tang San, who had been listening outside the door, entered the room and spoke up with carefully prepared words. "Teacher, I saw Yu Tianming too. He didn't look strong enough to suppress Teacher Zhao. Could it be he's using some crooked path?"
That comment made Yu Xiaogang's face harden. If someone gained strength that quickly, the most likely explanation was that they were absorbing others' life force—a method belonging to so-called evil soul masters.
Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged glances. "Do you think your nephew used evil soul master techniques to gain his strength?"
"To be able to suppress Zhao Wuji at such a young age... it's almost certainly the work of an evil path."
Yu Xiaogang forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart and let out a long sigh, wearing an expression of sorrow. "Tianming's martial soul is a benign mutation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. He was born with full soul power—should've been a pillar of the sect. But he was too impatient for results. To think he would go astray like this..."
"That child was always domineering. I tried to teach him kindly, but he insulted me instead. Perhaps this was his nature all along. I just never thought... without my guidance, he'd become a soul master who takes lives."
Thanks to Yu Xiaogang's narration, the image of Yu Tianming as a rebellious, ungrateful soul master was firmly planted in everyone's minds.
Flender patted his shoulder. "You can't blame yourself. Who could've predicted a child would turn into an evil soul master?"
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San. "Even though I failed to guide Tianming, that loss brought me a student like you, one who respects his teacher."
Tang San thought for a moment, then borrowed Yu Tianming's words and said, "Two days ago, I overheard him slandering your theory, saying your suggestion to fuse with animal soul rings would ruin Blue Silver Grass' chances of evolving. How could he be so disrespectful?"
The moment he heard that, Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red with anger. Without thinking, he snapped, "What does that foolish nephew of mine know? Blue Silver Grass is the weakest plant-type martial soul, but it has great compatibility. Fusing animal soul rings helps it evolve and gain animal traits. Your own soul is proof of that."
His tone became more confident. "Your case is unique. Plant soul rings would give weaker skills and no bodily enhancements. Animal rings are more suitable. Don't listen to a word that brat says."
Tang San's eyes lit up, thinking of how his Blue Silver Grass had changed appearance, and of his second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer. He nodded repeatedly. "Teacher, your decades of research are still unmatched. He can't compare to you at all."
Those few words made Yu Xiaogang shine again in Tang San's eyes. But what Tang San didn't know was that while his Blue Silver Grass had become more aggressive, it wasn't evolution—it was mutation. Using animal soul rings had not only reduced efficiency but was gradually cutting off the possibility of awakening the Blue Silver Emperor.
Flender, listening to Yu Xiaogang's theoretical explanation, was as full of admiration as Zhao Wuji. "Xiaogang's theories are as brilliant as ever. With you as his teacher, Tang San's future is limitless."
Yu Xiaogang, who had endured years of criticism, cared deeply about others' opinions. Hearing such genuine praise, he was thrilled inside but still put on a modest face. "I've always been low-profile. As long as you know my theories work, that's enough—no need to praise me."
"It's because you're so low-profile that the soul master world misunderstood you and threw so much criticism your way," Tang San said, full of righteous indignation.
That hit Yu Xiaogang right in the heart. He grabbed Tang San's hand, speaking with deep emotion. "I can bear all the insults I've received—if I can nurture you, my life will be fulfilled."
Tang San, a Tang Sect disciple who had never known parental love in his past life, and who had only suffered under Tang Hao in this one, had long regarded Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu as the dearest people in his life.
Hearing such heartfelt words, his emotional defenses collapsed under the warmth of fatherly love.
He clutched Yu Xiaogang's rough hands tightly, his facial muscles twisting, and tears the size of beans fell. "A teacher for a day, a father for life. Teacher, I'll work hard to fulfill your dream."
Watching the touching scene of teacher and student, Flender smiled warmly.
Only Zhao Wuji stood dumbly in the corner, watching the headmaster grin like a proud mother and seeing Yu Xiaogang and Tang San act like father and son, completely at a loss.
(End of Chapter)
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