Chapter 71: Approaching Relationships
Flanders heard Yu Xiaogang's words and shouted angrily, "Xiaogang, do you know what you're saying? We're just teachers at a soul master academy. The students have their own cultivation methods, and coveting others' self-created soul skills is a taboo in the soul master world, not to mention Yang Xiong is from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!"
Yu Xiaogang gave a bitter smile. "Flanders, do you not recognize me either? Just like when I published those theories, even though my family didn't support me, and the entire soul master world misunderstood me, you always stood by me and supported me."
Flanders shook his head. "This is completely different. Back then, although your theories weren't recognized and you were even ostracized by your sect, they did contribute to civilian soul masters. Time has proven that many of your theories were correct."
"But Yang Xiong's situation is completely different. He's just a student at Shrek Academy. He has no obligation to let you research his martial soul, and he certainly has no obligation to give you his self-created soul skills. Don't forget, Yang Xiong comes from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and his teacher is Bone Douluo. You should know what that means. As for background, he's not much weaker than Tang San."
Yu Xiaogang said, "The problem is, both Yang Xiong's cultivation and his self-created soul skills could change the entire soul master world's landscape. In the future, he might even go down in history. Haven't you thought about the significance of that?"
Flanders replied, "Xiaogang, I don't know what you're thinking. Are you thinking about the soul master world or about Tang San? You should understand the brutality of the soul master world more than I do. Just like your family, do you think they would reveal their cultivation methods and self-created soul skills?"
"On the contrary, anyone who covets their secret methods will be mercilessly killed, regardless of their background. This is the true soul master world."
Yu Xiaogang sighed and helplessly left. In his eyes, Tang San was more important than anything else. He had two goals in life: to nurture Tang San and to prove his theories, earning the recognition of both the soul master world and his family.
Yang Xiong arrived at the cafeteria and found that he was the only one there. After today's training, everyone else probably hadn't woken up yet.
After Yang Xiong had his meal, the first person to enter the cafeteria was Ning Rongrong. Compared to the others, Ning Rongrong had probably expended less energy today, especially since she had been carried by Yang Xiong during the last few laps.
Ning Rongrong saw Yang Xiong and blushed slightly. "Little Bear, you did well today. I'm the first to wake up out of the three girls."
Yang Xiong smiled helplessly. "Rongrong, I can help you once or twice, but in the future, you'll need to learn to handle running by yourself. It will be beneficial for your training."
Ning Rongrong looked puzzled. "Little Bear, what do you mean? Are we going to have to go through this kind of training every day?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "It won't be that simple. In the future, besides the usual weight-bearing runs, we're likely going to have even tougher training. Today was just an appetizer."
"You've already been through a few soul battle competitions with me, so you should know how brutal the soul battle arena is. Once everyone steps into the arena, they will attack you without hesitation, especially since you're a support type. On the battlefield, attacking the support is always the enemy's first objective."
"Moreover, only if you have enough stamina and speed will you be able to truly survive on the battlefield. It's much more brutal than soul battle competitions."
Ning Rongrong thought carefully and then spoke. "I understand now. Thank you for the reminder, Little Bear. Tomorrow, I'll try to run the whole distance by myself."
"By the way, I have good news. I'm already at level 29, two levels higher than you. Don't worry, I'll cover you from now on. You'll see how powerful my support abilities are."
The two chatted and laughed, quickly dispelling the awkwardness from yesterday.
The others gradually arrived at the cafeteria, looking refreshed after the medicinal baths. However, when they saw Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong eating together, there was a hint of gossip in their eyes, and they tactfully sat a little farther away.
After the meal, Yang Xiong, as usual, sought out Zhao Wuji for a combat training session, then went back to the dormitory to meditate. According to his plan, he should be able to create a complete Yin-Yang Meditation method very soon.
Meanwhile, Tang San's eyes darkened, and he went to find Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang was a bit confused. "Little San, shouldn't you be meditating now? The effect of meditation at this time would be better and could speed up your soul power improvement."
Tang San lowered his head. "Teacher, I let you down today. During the battle, I actually lost to Yang Xiong."
In truth, Tang San had always been very proud. He had never lost to anyone in his level range, especially with his Tang Sect techniques. He considered himself the best among soul masters of the same level. Otherwise, he wouldn't have revealed his Haotian Hammer martial soul in the Soul Master Competition.
After all, Tang San was aware of the enmity between the Haotian Sect and the Spirit Hall. Revealing his Haotian Hammer so openly would definitely lead to the pursuit of the Spirit Hall.
Yu Xiaogang sighed as he looked at Tang San. "Little San, don't think too much. Yang Xiong has been through medicinal baths since he was young, and his martial soul is special. It's only natural that his physical strength is stronger than yours. And he's Bone Douluo's disciple, so Bone Douluo must have given him some special training."
"In terms of technique, you're not weaker than Yang Xiong, and you even have an advantage in control. What you lack is Yang Xiong's ability to deliver a killing blow. By the way, what did you think of Yang Xiong's self-created soul skill?"
Tang San thought carefully for a moment before replying, "I've only seen Yang Xiong's self-created soul skill twice: once during his battle with Zhao Wuji and again today. I think it's incredibly powerful. It might already surpass the third soul skills of ordinary soul masters. At the very least, it's much stronger than Dai Mubai's soul skills."
Yu Xiaogang then said, "You're living in the same dorm as Yang Xiong. When you have time, try to communicate with him more. Maybe you'll gain some insight. You know that self-created soul skills are a soul master's secret. I can't say too much, but some things need to be realized by yourself."
Tang San nodded. "Teacher, I understand. I have confidence in my combat ability. Today, I had trouble during the run because I was injured. I'll definitely train harder in the future, so I won't lose to others in physical strength."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Little San, I've been very satisfied with you since you were young. But you don't need to be too hard on yourself. Everyone's martial soul and physique are different. You have your own advantages. In any team, control-type soul masters are typically the core. No matter how strong Yang Xiong's combat power is, he can never compare to you in this regard."
...
The next morning, it was Yu Xiaogang's turn to give class again.
Yu Xiaogang looked at everyone with a cold face before nodding. "Good. You're all on time today, and at least no one missed breakfast."
"Yesterday's actions were a good start. Based on my arrangement, normally not everyone would complete the task, but because of mutual help, all of you passed the training yesterday."
"I want to emphasize one thing. Team members must trust each other. Only then can you entrust your back to your teammates at critical moments. Today's lesson will be similar to yesterday, but it will be stricter, and the tasks will be heavier. I hope you'll continue to help each other and complete the tasks."
Yang Xiong felt that Yu Xiaogang was deliberately or unintentionally looking at him when he said these words, which made him feel something was off.
However, Yang Xiong didn't think too much about it. This was only the first day he met Yu Xiaogang, and he had no intention of giving up his self-created soul skills. Furthermore, he had already discussed this with Ning Fengzhi.
When everyone arrived at the Shrek Academy gates, they were all shocked. Each person's weight was heavier than yesterday. Especially the large basket with Yang Xiong's name on it, which was full of stones, seemed to weigh over two hundred jin.
Oscar, with a bit of schadenfreude, said, "Yang Xiong, you brought Ning Rongrong along for the run yesterday, huh? Looks like the master considered her weight too, so today you won't be able to carry her."
Yang Xiong gave Oscar a light slap on the head. "Oscar, you're asking for it. Stop talking nonsense. Don't forget how badly you fared yesterday. If I can't carry it today, then I won't be able to help you carry the stones either."
Oscar's face darkened. As a support-type soul master, he couldn't carry so much. If it weren't for Yang Xiong's help yesterday, he probably wouldn't have been able to complete the task.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh as they saw Oscar, who, like Ning Rongrong, had weaker physical strength than the others. Even Ma Hongjun, who had struggled yesterday, seemed to be enjoying the situation.
Ning Rongrong, with a little pride, said, "Little Bear, today I'm going to finish the whole run. I'm already at level 29, and my body has improved a lot."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Rongrong, don't be so confident. I'm starting to be afraid. At this rate, you might not just need me; you might need me to carry the stones in your basket too."
Ning Rongrong blushed. "Of course not! Today, I'm going to prove myself. Even without you, I'll finish the test."
Yang Xiong shook his head helplessly, and amidst the laughter, everyone began their run, at least with a lighter heart than the previous day.
Having experienced the trials of yesterday, everyone now understood the purpose of the exercise, and each person was full of confidence.
As expected, halfway through the run, Ning Rongrong and Oscar began to falter, and most of the stones in their baskets ended up with Yang Xiong.
Even though Oscar and Ning Rongrong were doing their best, support-type soul masters were ultimately physically weaker. Oscar, not carrying extra weight, managed to finish the entire distance, but Ning Rongrong, after struggling for a while, finally collapsed on the eighth lap.
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate and directly carried Ning Rongrong for the last two laps.
At first, Ning Rongrong wanted to refuse, but Yang Xiong's basket was even fuller than yesterday, and the stones were nearly spilling out. If Yang Xiong didn't control them well, they would have spilled everywhere.
In the end, Ning Rongrong reluctantly agreed, blushing as she was carried in Yang Xiong's arms for the final two laps.
The others watched Yang Xiong in awe, and even Oscar admired him. "Yang Xiong, bro, I envy you. I never imagined you could carry so much weight and still carry someone. Your strength seems endless."
"And seeing you two, it looks like something good is coming up. I'll be the first to congratulate you."
Yang Xiong smacked Oscar's head again. "Can you stop talking nonsense? If you spent less time talking, maybe you'd have more energy to train. That would reduce my burden."
Oscar helplessly said, "Yang Xiong, I can't help it. I'm a support-type soul master. No matter how hard I train, I'm still not as strong as those beast-type soul masters."
At this point, Yang Xiong's basket was probably over three hundred jin, and he was still carrying Ning Rongrong. He could only run slowly.
(END CHAPTER)
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