Chapter 240: Ah Yin, My Love!
With a gloomy expression, Tang San did not return to the simulated training grounds. Instead, he went straight back to his room.
He couldn't let anyone know about this, especially not the academy's higher ups. After all, he was admitted as a special recruit, and Heaven Dou Academy valued him for his talent and cultivation speed.
As for his combat ability? He only got in after losing to the first team.
Even though he still had hidden trump cards and believed himself to be no weaker than Yu Tianheng, that didn't matter to the academy.
What the academy cared about was performance in the Spirit Master Tournament, and his hidden abilities couldn't be displayed on that stage.
If the academy discovered that his Martial Soul was experiencing issues and his cultivation speed slowed down, then his current privileged treatment would definitely be revoked.
He had already endured years of finishing training only to be forced to work in the blacksmith shop.
Yes, he liked making hidden weapons, but only when he chose to, not when it was forced upon him as labor.
No. I need to find Teacher. He must know the reason.
Tang San abruptly stood up and was about to rush out to find Yu Xiaogang but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
Wait…
Logically speaking, I shouldn't know where Teacher is right now.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Tang San took a deep breath, suppressing the frustration in his heart, and walked toward the entrance.
When he opened the door, he saw a guard in academy uniform glance at him before speaking.
"Student, is Tang San here? Someone named Yu Xiaogang is waiting for him at the academy gates. If he's here, please let him know."
Tang San was momentarily stunned, but joy quickly spread across his face.
"There's no need to look for me. I'm Tang San. I'll go right now!"
The guard nodded but barely had time to react before Tang San bolted toward the gate.
"...Well, he's certainly energetic."
The guard shook his head, closed the still open door, and followed along.
At the Academy Gates
As soon as Tang San arrived, he immediately spotted Yu Xiaogang, dressed in an eye catching new outfit.
Perhaps due to finally being able to use Spirit Beast Fusion, Yu Xiaogang had abandoned his usual dull gray robes.
Instead, he now wore a light blue combat uniform, and on his chest, the emblem of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was boldly displayed.
"Tang San, I have something important to tell you."
"Teacher, I have something urgent to ask you!"
Both spoke at the same time, looking at each other.
However, while Yu Xiaogang's voice was filled with excitement, Tang San's tone carried urgency and unease.
Yu Xiaogang paused for a moment but then smiled.
So… Tang San must have already heard about my success from someone else.
He must be concerned about me!
Feeling deeply gratified, Yu Xiaogang nodded confidently. However, noticing the nearby guard observing them, he pointed toward a pavilion in the distance.
"Come, let's talk over there."
Tang San, reassured by his teacher's presence, calmed down a little and followed Yu Xiaogang to the pavilion.
Once they sat down, Yu Xiaogang's smile deepened.
"Tang San, I know what you want to ask, but it doesn't matter anymore. Even though I am no longer an assistant teacher and can't always be by your side, you are still my proudest disciple."
Yu Xiaogang's voice was filled with deep emotion.
However, just as he was about to continue, Tang San interrupted him.
"Teacher, you've misunderstood. That's not what I wanted to ask."
"I have something urgent I need to discuss with you."
Not that?
How could it not be about that?
Am I not the teacher he respects the most?
Does he not care about my struggles at all?
Yu Xiaogang's smile stiffened.
His fantasized dramatic reunion had been shattered in an instant.
The emotions he had carefully built up in his mind were suddenly cut short, leaving him awkward and embarrassed.
Still, he forced a smile and said, "Alright, then what is it, Tang San? Speak. I will tell you everything I know."
Tang San, too impatient to notice his teacher's reaction, immediately blurted out his problem.
"Teacher, I think there's something wrong with my Martial Soul."
"The simulated training grounds are no longer effective for me, and when I tried cultivating elsewhere, all the Blue Silver Grass rejected me."
"Do you know how to fix it?"
…Huh?
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock.
His previous feelings of disappointment vanished instantly, replaced by complete disbelief.
This kind of problem…?
I've never even heard of such a thing before!
Tang San looked at him expectantly, waiting for an answer.
But Yu Xiaogang's mind went completely blank.
He searched through every piece of knowledge he had ever read, but he had never encountered anything like this.
Originally, he had come today to share good news…
But instead, he had been hit with a massive setback.
What the hell is going on?!
Still, Tang San was his greatest hope.
No matter what, he couldn't abandon him.
Stay calm.
There has to be a solution.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"I think I've read about something like this before, but it must have been a long time ago, so my memory is a little fuzzy."
Yu Xiaogang frowned deeply, pretending to be in deep thought.
"Alright, Tang San, for now, just go back and continue your training. Don't worry. I'll go through my notes and find a solution. I should be able to figure this out soon. What do you think?"
After a long pause, unable to withstand the oppressive atmosphere any longer, Yu Xiaogang proactively suggested an alternative because he truly had no clue.
"Alright, no problem! Thank you, Teacher! I'll be waiting for your good news!"
Tang San's face lit up with excitement. As expected of Teacher, seeking his advice always yielded results.
"Good. No time to waste. I'll go check right away. You, on the other hand, stay calm. This isn't a big issue."
With that, Yu Xiaogang hurriedly got up, flagged down a carriage, and left for Heaven Dou City, all while Tang San watched him depart with gratitude.
Only when he was seated inside the carriage, out of Tang San's view, did Yu Xiaogang let out a long sigh.
I can't keep up this act anymore…
Tang San's situation… I've never encountered anything like it.
Forget it! I should just tell Tang Hao and let him handle it.
I can't do anything about this.
Thankfully, Tang Hao is living with me now. When I left this morning, he even told me to prepare food, rather than disappearing mysteriously like before.
Tang San is his son. He can't possibly dump everything on me.
Thinking this, Yu Xiaogang felt a little more at ease but also exhausted.
Ever since he arrived in Heaven Dou City, nothing seemed to go smoothly.
Now, even his one and only disciple was experiencing problems with cultivation.
As Yu Xiaogang sat lost in thought, the carriage arrived at its destination.
After paying the driver, he walked back home with little enthusiasm.
A House Filled With Blood
The moment Yu Xiaogang pushed open the door, a thick scent of blood assaulted his nostrils.
What…?
Yu Xiaogang instantly tensed up, scanning the room.
There, Tang Hao sat in a chair, face dark, his entire body covered in dried blood.
His usual black robes were gone, replaced by an old, tattered gray robe.
Wait. Why does that robe look familiar?
No that's mine!
"Y Your Excellency, Tang Hao… this is…?"
Yu Xiaogang carefully chose his words, not daring to provoke him.
"Don't ask about things that don't concern you."
Tang Hao shot him a cold glance, immediately shutting him up.
"You went to see Tang San? Did you tell him?"
Surprisingly, when Tang Hao mentioned his son, his mood improved slightly.
"Uh… no. Something seems to have happened to Tang San."
Hearing Tang Hao's question, Yu Xiaogang broke out in a cold sweat and stammered his response.
"Hm? What happened? Explain."
Tang Hao was already in a foul mood.
Now, upon hearing that his son had problems, his killing intent surged, making Yu Xiaogang feel suffocated.
Thud!
Yu Xiaogang collapsed onto the ground, his legs giving out beneath him.
"T This isn't my fault, Your Excellency!"
"I wanted to tell Tang San about the discovery, but the moment I saw him, he told me his Martial Soul was acting strange."
"I hurried back to inform you right away!"
Yu Xiaogang's survival instincts kicked in, forcing him to explain as fast as possible.
"His Martial Soul is acting strange? What do you mean?"
Tang Hao's expression darkened.
He grabbed Yu Xiaogang by the collar and lifted him off the ground with one hand.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned red, struggling to breathe as his clothing tightened around his throat.
After a long breath, Tang Hao finally let go, dropping him onto the ground.
"Explain. In detail."
Not daring to delay, Yu Xiaogang repeated every word Tang San had told him earlier.
Once finished, he hesitantly glanced up at Tang Hao.
"Your Excellency… I've never encountered anything like this before in any records… Do you have a solution?"
Tang Hao's face twisted with uncertainty.
Tang San's Martial Soul… was being rejected by Blue Silver Grass?
How is that possible?!
Tang San's Martial Soul was inherited from Ah Yin!
Ah Yin was the Blue Silver Emperor, the supreme ruler of all Blue Silver Grass.
Even if Tang San hadn't fully awakened his mother's bloodline, this situation should be impossible.
Unless…
Unless something has happened to Ah Yin?!
Tang Hao suddenly stood up, his mind racing.
He hadn't visited Ah Yin in a long time.
Could something have happened to her, causing a ripple effect on Tang San?
"I just thought of something…"
"Tang San's Martial Soul problem might be related to this."
"For now, keep him calm. Don't let anyone find out about this."
"Wait for me to return."
Without waiting for Yu Xiaogang's response, Tang Hao stormed out of the house, his movements rushed and frantic.
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth to protest but nothing came out.
All he could do was watch as Tang Hao vanished from sight.
"Keep Tang San calm?"
How the hell am I supposed to do that?!
You figured out the cause, but you didn't even tell me anything!
What if I say the wrong thing? Won't you just kill me later?!
Yu Xiaogang felt utterly hopeless.
Tang Hao's Desperate Race
Outside, Tang Hao ripped off a piece of black cloth, tying it around his face to hide his identity.
Then, he sprinted toward the city gates at full speed.
"Ah Yin, my love… please… please don't let anything have happened to you!"
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