I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
----------------------
"There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters!"
Instantly, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar looked at the solemn Yu Xiaogang with expressions of admiration and awe.
"Teacher truly lives up to his title as a master, able to forge a new path in the face of adversity! This disciple admires you deeply!"
Tang San bowed slightly, genuinely praising him. He felt glad for choosing Yu Xiaogang as his teacher.
"My judgment is indeed exceptional. On the other hand, Dai Chengfeng is blind. Back in Nuoding City, he actually rejected my teacher's offer to take him as a disciple—what a great loss for him. In the future, when he sees my accomplishments, he will surely regret it!"
"But... this is good too!"
"With only me as a disciple, teacher can focus entirely on cultivating me!"
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun also quickly nodded in agreement. "What Xiao San (Third Brother) said is right. Master's wisdom is truly beyond our reach."
"Congratulations, Master, on finding a new direction!"
"Hahaha..."
Yu Xiaogang smiled and nodded at the admiring Tang San and the others, feeling much calmer even about Liu Erlong's betrayal. "Work hard. Under my guidance, you all may one day become as knowledgeable as I am."
"Yes, Teacher!"
"Master, we will work hard."
"..."
For a moment, Tang San and the others nodded enthusiastically, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future.
However, there was one person...
And that was Tang Hao.
He was not like Tang San or Dai Mubai. Even though Tang San was a time traveler, his insight into soul master cultivation still couldn't match Tang Hao's.
Therefore, Tang Hao's sharp gaze swept over Yu Xiaogang, his face expressionless, but inwardly, he sneered.
"This Yu Xiaogang appears solemn and upright, yet he is so vain and shameless."
"My senses don't lie."
"The reason his aura changed so drastically in such a short time, and why his spiritual power became unusually condensed, far surpassing his soul power level..."
"Just now, he must have consumed some kind of top-grade pill or herb."
"And yet, he claims it's the result of his own cultivation breakthrough?"
However, for some reason, Tang Hao didn't expose him.
After all, his current identity was delicate, and it wasn't convenient for him to show his face directly. Thus, Tang San's nominal teacher still had to be this 'Master' Yu Xiaogang.
But, although Tang Hao knew Yu Xiaogang had taken a pill, what made him feel somewhat uneasy was...
Yu Xiaogang's appearance seemed to have undergone some extremely subtle changes.
The once rigid and somewhat stern facial lines now appeared softer; the long-furrowed brows from years of frustration had relaxed, and his overall demeanor inexplicably lost some of its masculine hardness, gaining an indescribable... gentleness and warmth?
Especially those eyes, after being infused with explosive spiritual power, seemed clearer than before. The movement of his eyes now carried a faint... charm different from usual?
But soon, they returned to normal.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it?"
Tang Hao shook his head slightly, suppressing his doubts and that indescribable strangeness. His gaze toward Yu Xiaogang grew deeper.
"The pill or herb that brought about such a tremendous change in him is certainly no ordinary thing. Xiao San..."
---
Tang Hao fell silent, and soon after Tang San and the others finished expressing their admiration, they returned to their cultivation.
At this point, Tang Hao finally spoke.
"Master, may I have a word in private?"
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang Hao in surprise. "Alright."
Soon, he followed Tang Hao to a secluded corner of the valley.
Once they stopped, Tang Hao turned around. His lone eye under the wide-brimmed hat was sharp as a blade, seemingly capable of piercing through one's heart.
He got straight to the point: "Master, your breakthrough just now probably wasn't so simple, was it? Did you consume some kind of pill or herb?"
Instantly, the smug smile on Yu Xiaogang's face froze, and his heart skipped a beat. "Does Tang Hao know?"
A sense of embarrassment and guilt quietly spread within him.
"Your Majesty has keen insight... To be honest, I did rely on a pill. My explanation to Xiao San had no ill intentions. I merely wanted to establish sufficient authority in their eyes."
"This way, it will be easier to teach them in the future."
"Everything I've done is for Xiao San and the others, to help them grow faster."
Tang Hao listened silently, his face betraying no emotion.
After a moment, he slowly nodded. "I understand, Master."
"As a teacher, one does need some... methods."
Yu Xiaogang immediately felt relieved, seeing that Tang Hao had no intention of probing further or blaming him.
"In that case, Your Majesty, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"The date of the duel with Dai Chengfeng is approaching. I must intensify Xiao San and the others' training."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Wait." Tang Hao's voice rang out again, stopping him.
Yu Xiaogang paused, asking in confusion: "Is there something else, Lord Tang Hao?"
Tang Hao looked at Yu Xiaogang, pondering his words for a moment before speaking: "The pill you just took... its effects were extraordinary, capable of directly strengthening the spiritual origin."
"Such treasures are rare in this world."
"I wonder... does Master happen to have any left?"
At this point, Tang Hao gave a slight bow to Yu Xiaogang: "Master, you know well that Xiao San's cultivation of the Purple Extreme Demon Eye heavily relies on the strength of spiritual power."
"If such a pill could assist him, it would undoubtedly lay a more solid foundation, making future cultivation twice as effective, with broader prospects."
"If Master has any left, or can acquire another, might you consider... giving one to Xiao San?"
"Tang Mou thanks you in advance."
Upon hearing Tang Hao's words, Yu Xiaogang instinctively furrowed his brow.
After all, the Soul-Forming Pill was given to him by Liu Erlong. Where would he find a second one?
But just as Yu Xiaogang was about to refuse, the image of Liu Erlong embracing Dai Chengfeng flashed through his mind again, and an uncontrollable surge of resentment and anger welled up inside him.
"Just one Soul-Forming Pill. Liu Erlong, you dare betray me—it's all because of what you owe me!"
Thinking this, Yu Xiaogang nodded at Tang Hao: "Your Majesty, to be honest, I obtained that pill purely by chance. It was the only one, and I've already consumed it."
"Is that so?"
Seeing a barely noticeable flicker of disappointment in Tang Hao's eyes,
Yu Xiaogang quickly shifted his tone: "But! Please rest assured. For Xiao San's future, I will do my best to think of a solution!"
"I will find a way and definitely secure one for Xiao San!"
Tang Hao looked at Yu Xiaogang's "wholehearted" dedication to his students. Though skeptical of whether he could actually find one, Tang Hao appreciated his attitude.
He gave a slight bow: "In that case, I'll leave this matter in your hands, Master. Tang acknowledges this favor."
"Your Majesty flatters me. This is all part of my duty. If there's nothing else, I'll go supervise the children's cultivation."
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)