At the training grounds, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Yu Xiaogang were already gathered. As soon as Tang San saw Xiao Wu, he ran toward her and said eagerly,
"Xiao Wu, you arrived at the perfect time. Teacher is about to begin class."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu scolded him sharply,
"Tang San, shut up. We came to watch, not join."
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened immediately. If she didn't participate, his entire plan would be wasted.
He had planned to assert his authority and pressure her into revealing the soul ring absorption method.
"But Teacher is about to begin teaching," Tang San added, trying to persuade her. "He's the strongest theoretical master on the continent. You'll gain tremendous benefits just by listening to his class."
Hearing his disciple praise him so highly, Yu Xiaogang began acting like an expert, pretending to be indifferent.
Wu Lan, however, was laughing inside.
Yes, yes... tremendous benefits like running around town with rocks strapped to your back.
He said casually, "Little San, we're not interested in your teacher's training. We just came to watch."
He wanted Tang San to stop pestering Xiao Wu.
Tang San's expression immediately darkened. He clenched his fists, glaring at Wu Lan with resentment for interrupting their conversation.
Yu Xiaogang, determined to prove his value through results so that they would eventually beg to join his classes, called out,
"Tang San, come back. The class is about to start."
Tang San returned to the group without hesitation.
Then Yu Xiaogang began.
Wu Lan stood quietly, thinking.
Unlike in the anime, instead of calling on Mubai to fight, he's using Tang San to defeat the others.
Tang San's martial spirit still holds power. His Blue Silver Emperor bloodline hasn't completely disappeared, though it's fading slowly without notice.
His strength has also grown stronger than in the original story. It must be nice to be the protagonist: even when you're weak, something always comes to increase your power.
But Tang San, no matter how many times you grow stronger, I'll always be here to put you in your place.
Soon, Tang San had began Fighting.
With Xiao Wu present, he didn't hold back he went all out.
He especially remembered how Dai Mubai had humiliated him at the hotel. So, now he targeted his face relentlessly.
Mubai's face was quickly covered in wounds. It was clear Tang San was deliberately striking him in the face.
Even when Mubai closed the distance, Tang San would evade using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Tracks, only to land another strike right where it hurt most.
This was the same Tang San he had defeated with a single punch not long ago.
Now, the tables had turned.
Mubai felt deeply frustrated.
Yu Xiaogang saw Tang San's overwhelming victory but didn't stop the match. He remembered how Mubai had humiliated him as well, and now, he was enjoying watching his disciple take revenge on his behalf.
Both teacher and student were so focused on punishing Mubai, they forgot their surroundings entirely.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't care that her fiancé was the one being beaten to a pulp. In truth, she had felt worse when he abandoned her.
"Brother, Tang San clearly won, but that trash isn't stopping the match," Xiao Wu said, puzzled.
"Yesterday, Mubai embarrassed him," Wu Lan replied, watching Tang San's smug expression. "So now, he's getting his revenge."
Finally, Fatty and Oscar stepped in to stop the one-sided match.
Yu Xiaogang, pretending to be unaware, said mockingly,
"Why are you interfering in the match? Mubai is six levels above Tang San. He should be able to take care of himself."
He emphasized the level gap, pretending to speak logically yet everyone knew he was mocking Mubai.
Mubai, his face now beaten into a pig's head, felt utterly humiliated.
His fists were clenched so tightly they began to bleed.
Afterward, Yu Xiaogang began scolding the students, pointing out their "mistakes" but Mubai bore the brunt of it.
His chest rose and fell visibly with suppressed rage. Who wouldn't be angry after being mocked by someone weaker?
Tang San, meanwhile, was placed on a pedestal by his teacher. Yu Xiaogang's favoritism was impossible to miss.
Once the scolding ended, the students were ordered to run around the city carrying rocks on their backs.
Yu Xiaogang, still holding a grudge, gave Mubai more weight than he could bear, pushing him to exhaustion.
"Brother, this trash is so petty," Xiao Wu said in disgust.
Before Wu Lan could respond, Yu Xiaogang turned to them and, feigning scholarly authority, said,
"Xiao Wu, can you show me the technique you use to absorb soul rings beyond the limit? I already have a rough idea of how it works. With a little more refinement, I could improve the method and share the results with you."
Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Wu Lan all stared at him in disbelief.
How is this guy so shameless?
Wu Lan already knew what kind of person Yu Xiaogang was. If they told him anything, the next day he'd claim the method was his own discovery through hard work.
Just like how he had stolen previous theories from Spirit Hall.
"We don't need your improved technique. Keep it for yourself," Xiao Wu snapped.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. He had failed to trick her.
At that moment, Wu Lan had a sudden idea. As he thought of the final outcome, he grew increasingly excited.
He decided to act immediately.
"By the way," Wu Lan said slowly, "your martial spirit… mutated in the wrong direction, right?"
Yu Xiaogang instantly assumed Wu Lan was insulting him.
But Wu Lan continued,
"I think I know someone who has the solution."
Yu Xiaogang's expression changed instantly from anger to hope. He asked excitedly,
"Who? Tell me quickly!"
He didn't care about appearances anymore. If this problem could be solved, he could finally become strong again.
The people who mocked, insulted, and ridiculed him would finally respect and praise him for his power.
He had already given up hope of ever fixing his martial spirit.
Now, hearing there might be a solution, he was thrilled.
"Don't worry," Wu Lan said with a slight smile. "You know this person very well."
He paused.
"It's your precious disciple Tang San."
[Author's Note:
Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to ELLOMYGELLO and Сергий Илюченко for becoming the first official members on patreon.com/I_SK_I
Your early support means a lot it gives this story life, motivation, and momentum.
I'm deeply grateful you're walking this journey with me.
]