"So, you're the Grandmaster! I've heard so much about you!"
"I'm Zhao Wuji."
Even though he had absolutely no idea who Yu Xiaogang was, Zhao Wuji still played along for Flender's sake, acting like he'd just recognized an old friend. Smiling warmly, he cupped his fists respectfully toward Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang nodded stiffly, clearly pleased, though his face remained as rigid as ever.
"No need to be so polite, Unmovable King."
After that, Zhao Wuji began reporting to Flender everything that had happened during their trip to the Star Dou Forest to find a Spirit Ring for Oscar.
When Flender heard that they had run into the Unrivaled Dragon-Serpent duo, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest.
Thankfully, it didn't lead to any major incident.
But just as Flender was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Zhao Wuji dropped the next bombshell: their team had been attacked by a 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape, and Xiao Wu had even been taken by it.
"What? A 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape?! That's impossible!"
Flender shot to his feet, visibly shaken.
By all logic, 100,000-year Spirit Beasts should remain deep within the core region of the Star Dou Forest. There was no reason for one to show up near the outskirts.
"A 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape shouldn't be anywhere near the outer forest," Yu Xiaogang added, frowning. "Unless… something drew it out."
But no matter how hard he thought, Yu Xiaogang couldn't imagine what in Zhao Wuji's team could possibly attract a Titan Giant Ape—or why it had taken Xiao Wu.
Zhao Wuji then went on to describe what happened next: how Tang San had Oscar secretly produce his third Spirit Ability, the Flying Mushroom Sausage, and taken off in pursuit despite his protests. How he had failed to catch up, only to run into a Man-Faced Demon Spider instead.
And then, how the Unrivaled Dragon-Serpent duo had found the Man-Faced Demon Spider first and nearly killed Tang San. In the end, it was thanks to Ning Rongrong and Zhao Wuji pleading with Ye Yu that Meng Shu let the matter go.
Then came Tang San's attempt to absorb the Man-Faced Demon Spider's Spirit Ring, which turned out to be far beyond the usual limit. The violent and evil spirit power nearly tore Tang San apart from the inside.
Once again, it was Ye Yu who stepped in to save his life.
That name—Ye Yu—made Yu Xiaogang's brows furrow slightly. It sounded vaguely familiar.
He thought back to his time doing research at Nuoding Academy.
He recalled a young Spirit Master with the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, born with rank 1 Spirit Power, yet progressing at an astonishing pace. Yu Xiaogang had been certain the boy held some great cultivation secret, but the kid had been selfish and refused to share it for the benefit of the entire Blue Silver Grass community.
"Selfish brat," Yu Xiaogang thought with a snort. "No vision at all."
But the Ye Yu Zhao Wuji spoke of was an absurdly powerful genius. Yu Xiaogang didn't believe for a second they were the same person.
It was simple logic.
That Ye Yu's Martial Soul was a blue crystal-like tree, whereas Blue Silver Grass was clearly just a weed. Tree and grass—completely different forms.
Sure, Martial Souls could evolve with enough Spirit Rings, but turning a weed into a towering tree?
Impossible!
He, Yu Xiaogang, was a man of towering intellect—a Grandmaster of Martial Soul theory. After all these years, he hadn't managed to evolve his own Luo Sanpao, so how could a lowborn commoner possibly evolve Blue Silver Grass?
The very idea was laughable.
Still, when Zhao Wuji mentioned that Xiao Wu said she had been released by the Titan Giant Ape after it heard a loud bull-like roar, Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. Time to flex his scholarly knowledge again.
He recalled reading about it in a travel journal back in Spirit City.
Straightening his back and adopting a solemn expression, Yu Xiaogang explained:
"A bull's roar, you say? I believe I know what kind of Spirit Beast it was."
"It must've been a fellow 100,000-year Spirit Beast—one even stronger than the Titan Giant Ape—called the Sky Blue Bull Python!"
"If the Titan Giant Ape is considered the King of the Star Dou Forest, then the Sky Blue Bull Python is its Emperor."
After Zhao Wuji finished reporting, Yu Xiaogang left with him to find Tang San.
They made their way to the dormitory area.
—
"Teacher!"
When Tang San saw Yu Xiaogang, his face lit up with joy, and he ran over without hesitation.
"Little San."
Yu Xiaogang's stiff expression cracked into a rare smile.
"Congratulations. You've advanced to the Spirit Elder rank."
"Twelve years old and already a Spirit Elder… I'm proud of you."
"It's all thanks to your teaching, Teacher," Tang San replied respectfully.
—
In a nearby forested area, Ye Yu sat high in the leafy canopy of a large tree, eyes closed in deep focus.
Through the Demon Willow Fluff he had implanted in Tang San, he was sensing the flow of spirit power in Tang San's body, trying to map out the internal workings of the Mysterious Heaven Technique.
Though Ye Yu himself cultivated using internal core techniques, and didn't need the Mysterious Heaven Technique personally, it could still be immensely valuable to others—his grandfather Dugu Bo, his girlfriend Dugu Yan, or even Ye Lingling and her family.
Thanks to his enhanced body and powerful vitality, Ye Yu's five senses had become incredibly sharp.
He easily picked up on the presence of Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang…
Hearing that name made Ye Yu open his eyes with a cold glint and narrow his brows, rising from the tree to glance toward the dormitory.
Sure enough, in the courtyard stood a middle-aged man in a black academic robe, crew cut, stubble on his face, and a stiff, expressionless demeanor.
Ye Yu's eyes flashed with undisguised disgust.
He remembered all too well what kind of man Yu Xiaogang was at Nuoding Academy—self-serving, always expecting others to give while he himself contributed nothing. Quick to moralize, even quicker to exploit.
Back then, Ye Yu hadn't dared provoke him, let alone the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan backing him.
But now…
Ye Yu's lips curled into a cold smile.
Let's see how I play with you this time.
Listening in on the conversation between Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, Ye Yu couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Tang San bow with reverence, praising Yu Xiaogang's "brilliant guidance."
Such brilliant guidance indeed.
Turning the Blue Silver Emperor into a tangle of useless abilities—first a basic entangle from a plant-type beast, then a bunch of poisonous Spirit Abilities.
And when it finally evolves into the Blue Silver Emperor?
Purified. All the poison gone.
Those earlier rings?
Completely wasted.
What a joke.
Thanks to Ye Yu's interference, Yu Xiaogang's entire training roadmap for Blue Silver Grass had become a walking contradiction.
It was hilarious.
—
Later, as the two strolled through the academy grounds and found themselves alone, Tang San finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
He told his teacher what he had sensed after absorbing the Man-Faced Demon Spider's Spirit Ring—how it felt like there was an extra set of meridians layered outside his own.
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed instantly.
Excitement and disbelief flashed across his face.
"Little San, this is… an External Spirit Bone!"