"It's your precious disciple Tang San."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately assumed Wu Lan was mocking him.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" he snapped, clearly offended. "Tang San is my disciple. What could he possibly know about spirit mutations?"
Wu Lan's smile deepened, calm and unhurried.
"Oh? Then why haven't you asked him why his martial spirit evolved?"
"'Evolved'? What do you mean?" Yu Xiaogang asked, putting on a confused expression.
Seeing him feign ignorance, Wu Lan mocked him.
"So, you don't even know that your only disciple's martial spirit has changed?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression twitched. "What are you talking about? Tang San's martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass. That hasn't changed."
"Oh really? Then do you know what happened when we went to get soul rings?"
"Yes. Zhao Wuji and Tang San told me."
"Then, did they tell you that your disciple trapped a Soul King and a soul beast with his Blue Silver Grass?"
"Yes, I heard about that. Under my guidance, his martial spirit has become much stronger."
Hearing words and seeing his smug expression Wu Lan felt the urge to punch him. Can this trash stop praising himself for everything?
"And did you hear about his performance during the entrance exam?" Wu Lan asked.
"No, I haven't," Yu Xiaogang replied confidently. "But since he is my disciple, I'm sure he performed outstandingly."
Xiao Wu and Zhuqing, listening nearby, wanted to scold him for his shamelessness, but stayed silent so as not to interrupt Wu Lan.
Wu Lan was nearly boiling with rage. He almost punched Yu Xiaogang then and there. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he continued, explaining how Tang San's martial spirit had failed when rescuing Rongrong, how it collapsed under her weight. At first, Yu Xiaogang's smug expression froze.
Wu Lan then told him how Tang San had been knocked out with a single punch from Zhao Wuji. And while he was at it, he also recounted Tang San's humiliating defeat at the hands of Dai Mubai.
Yu Xiaogang's expression twitched as if he'd been slapped.
His face kept changing with each new detail, and Wu Lan thoroughly enjoyed watching it. It was far better than seeing his usual prideful look.
"Are you trying to insult my teaching?" Yu Xiaogang snapped, mistaking Wu Lan's intent.
Wu Lan was speechless. After all this, this idiot still thinks I'm trying to insult him instead of recognizing the issue?
Who said this guy is a theoretical genius?
He's too dumb to understand simple facts.
Talking to Yu Xiaogang was exhausting, but thinking about the eventual payoff, Wu Lan forced himself to continue.
"You still don't get it, do you?" Wu Lan said slowly, his voice calm but laced with disdain. "In just a few days, Tang San and his martial spirit went from level 21 and unable to carry Rongrong to level 30, restraining a Soul King and controlling a soul beast. And not even a flicker of doubt crossed your mind?"
Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed.
"His progress is the result of hard work and my precise theoretical guidance. With the right foundation, growth can.."
"I'm done," Wu Lan interrupted, no longer willing to listen to the nonsense. "I've already told you what I know. The rest you can figure out yourself."
With that, Wu Lan turned and walked away. Xiao Wu and Zhuqing followed.
"Brother, how did Tang San do it?" Xiao Wu asked curiously, Zhuqing also perking up to listen.
"I'll tell you when the time is right," Wu Lan replied. He didn't want to risk detection by the God Realm.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu didn't press further.
After they left, Yu Xiaogang stood there alone, pondering Wu Lan's words.
As he thought about Tang San's rapid increase in strength over just a few days, he realized something was wrong. That kind of growth was impossible under normal circumstances.
I'll have to confirm with Tang San first.
Soon, Tang San, Fatty, Oscar, Rongrong, and a heavily breathing Mubai completed their first lap and returned to the entrance to drink salt water.
Seeing Tang San, Yu Xiaogang said to them, "Take a ten-minute break, then continue."
Mubai collapsed instantly from exhaustion.
Yu Xiaogang ignored him and turned to Tang San.
"Tang San, come with me."
Tang San followed him to a secluded area.
Yu Xiaogang's tone turned serious.
"Tang San, tell me what happened after you left Nuoding Academy."
Tang San didn't dare hide anything and told him everything. After confirming Wu Lan's words were true, Yu Xiaogang grew visibly excited.
"Tang San, tell me how did you evolve your martial spirit?"
Tang San hesitated, silently pondering how much to reveal.
As for disclosing the location where he had gained his power it was out of the question. That was his opportunity. He had already laced the area with deadly poison. It belonged to him and no one else.
"Teacher, I'm not really sure how my martial spirit evolved. When I woke up, my strength had already increased." Seeing his teacher's expression darken, he quickly added, "After I checked my martial spirit, I saw it had strengthened. While I was wondering why, I remembered your choice of soul rings. So I thought maybe it was because of your guidance that my soul ring upgraded."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression softened slightly, and Tang San relaxed a bit.
Yu Xiaogang pondered his words. Is this the truth?
He remembered choosing a beast-type ring for Tang San instead of a plant-type, hoping to prove his theory.
Could it be that my theory… really evolved his martial spirit?
If that's true… then my name will become legend!
He believed wholeheartedly that Tang San's evolution validated his lifelong theories the same ones mocked by countless experts.
After a long, one-sided conversation filled with self-praise, Yu Xiaogang finally dismissed Tang San.
Tang San bowed and left, a cold glint flashing through his eyes.
If this is true, Yu Xiaogang thought, then my name will rise above all others. Even Spirit Hall will have to acknowledge me. I'll be the one who reshaped the path of spirit cultivation!
As Yu Xiaogang wandered back toward the training field, his steps grew lighter with each thought of recognition, glory, and the respect he had long desired.
Yet, he failed to realize…
Everything he was dreaming of came not from his own efforts,
but from the secrets Tang San carefully concealed.
[Author's Note:
I'm deeply thankful for all the wonderful readers supporting my work on Patreon. Your support breathes life into every chapter and fuels my passion to keep writing.
Thank you for walking this journey with me.
Advance chapters are available now on patreon.com/I_SK_I for those who wish to read ahead!
]