Facing Tang Lan's open disgust, Yu Xiaogang smiled calmly.
"Sect Master, you're right. My entire life has been a series of failures."
"I was too obsessed with what people thought of me, and I've done a lot of hypocritical things."
"But from today onward—I only want to be an honest scoundrel."
"The Tang Sect Encyclopedia is truly impressive—so many advanced theories, many of which are still unproven. I want to test them myself."
"Not for anything else. Just because I want to."
Huh?
What's with this sudden enlightenment?
Tang Lan narrowed his eyes, thinking.
He decided to test him.
"The headmaster of the Tang Sect Academy will be Old Zhao (Zhao Wuji). If you want to stay, you'll only be a regular theory instructor—and you'll only be allowed to teach from the Tang Sect Encyclopedia."
Yu Xiaogang nodded without hesitation.
"That's exactly what I want."
He's actually fine with that?
"I'd like to stay as well," Liu Erlong added. "I'd like to apply as a combat instructor, to complement Xiaogang's theory classes."
Yu Xiaogang squeezed Liu Erlong's hand and gave her a grateful look.
Liu Erlong smiled sweetly in return.
Damn.
Two people pushing forty, still acting like young lovers?
Yu Xiaogang himself wasn't important.
But Liu Erlong, as a Rank 70+ Soul Sage, was valuable for the newly established Tang Sect Academy.
And with her support, taking over Blue Tyrant Academy would go much smoother.
As for whatever scheme Yu Xiaogang was plotting—
Who cares?
Let him work for free first.
Thinking this through,
Tang Lan simply nodded. "Fine."
Seeing him agree, Yu Xiaogang smiled.
And finally—revealed his true goal.
"Sect Master, Erlong and I, along with Flender, have a Martial Soul Fusion Technique called Golden Holy Dragon—capable of fighting even a Soul Douluo."
"Flender's Shrek Academy currently only has one student left—Ma Hongjun. It's basically non-existent."
"So I was thinking—could he enroll in Tang Sect Academy as an exchange student?"
"And in the future, if needed, the Golden Iron Triangle will be at your command."
Ah.
So this was their real play.
"Exchange student" my ass.
They just wanted to use Tang Sect Academy's resources to train Ma Hongjun.
Resources weren't even the issue—
Tang Lan just didn't like that little fat bastard.
But having the Golden Iron Triangle as temporary muscle was still useful for now.
Thinking it over,
Tang Lan compromised.
"I'll talk to my brother and get them into Heaven Dou Imperial Academy—but Tang Sect Academy is off-limits."
Yu Xiaogang sighed.
He could tell that Tang Sect was on the rise and had wanted to bring his old friends along.
But… the rift between them was too deep to mend.
"Then we'll trouble you, Sect Master," Liu Erlong said graciously.
"And in the future, if you ever need us, the Golden Iron Triangle is at your service."
Tang Lan nodded in satisfaction.
A fair trade—just don't act like we're friends.
He immediately pulled out his communication soul tool and called Ning Fengzhi.
He briefly explained the situation.
Ning Fengzhi readily agreed.
He even extended an invitation—
"Brother Lan, are you free tomorrow? The Blue Silver Kings heard you're in town and are eager to see you."
"Alright, I'll visit them tomorrow."
"Great! Then I'll be waiting at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for you." Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily.
Tang Sect Academy Begins!
After hanging up,
Tang Lan handed the documents from Liu Erlong—as well as official papers from Qian Renxue—back to her.
Then, he called over Zhao Wuji, who had been watching the drama unfold.
"Old Zhao, take care of the academy's renaming."
"Also, publicly announce that Tang Sect Academy is now recruiting students from across the continent."
"The Imperial Guard will assist in screening and maintaining order."
"Any student of appropriate age, who pays tuition and has no criminal record, will be admitted."
"Those with talent and no criminal record can join as Outer Sect disciples."
"And if they have innate soul power of Rank 7 or higher—or possess unique potential—compile a list. I'll personally evaluate them for Inner Sect disciple status."
Tang Lan issued a series of commands—
And completely ignored Liu Erlong,
since she technically wasn't even a Tang Sect member.
—But Yu Xiaogang was.
So to Liu Erlong,
Tang Lan was entrusting these major responsibilities to Yu Xiaogang.
She felt genuinely honored—thinking she was helping share Xiaogang's burden.
Zhao Wuji: Stuck with the Work
As for Zhao Wuji…
Managing an academy was a headache—but what choice did he have?
Orders are orders.
So he reluctantly accepted.
Tang Lan: Becoming a Carefree Boss
With all the troublesome work now delegated,
Tang Lan was officially a hands-off boss.
Life was good.
Just as he was enjoying his success—
Dai Mubai and Oscar walked into the hotel, arms slung around each other.
Seeing Tang Lan,
they immediately stood up straight.
"Sect Master!"
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Tang Lan nodded slightly.
He extended his spiritual power—
Thanks to the Evil Eye's enhancement, he no longer needed to rely on the Blue Silver Domain for basic spiritual abilities.
Through mental communication, he summoned Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing downstairs.
Then—
Tang Lan pulled out a ten-thousand-year Tiger-Eagle Left Arm Bone.
Without explaining its origins, he got straight to the point—
"Your performance during the wilderness training was commendable."
"This is a ten-thousand-year soul bone—the Tiger-Eagle Left Arm Bone!"
"It's unsuitable for support-type soul masters, so Rongrong and Oscar are out of the competition."
"Zhuqing, Little San, Mubai—you three can decide who absorbs it."
Everyone's Reaction: Stunned!
A soul bone as a reward?!
Tang Lan was way too generous!
But after thinking it over...
The Tiger-Eagle Left Arm Bone was best suited for agility and power attack types—
so Oscar was eliminated.
That left Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, and Dai Mubai.
Among them—
One was Tang Lan's woman.
One was Tang Lan's younger brother.
Dai Mubai had no chance.
In the end,
the soul bone would still end up with Tang Lan's own people,
while Tang Lan got to maintain his reputation for generosity.
This guy knew how to play the game!
Who Should Get It?
Tang San was a control-type,
which didn't align well with the soul bone's attributes—
But.
He was Tang Lan's little brother.
If Tang Lan wanted to give it to him directly, who would dare object?
Tang San was fully confident.
He stared at the Tiger-Eagle Left Arm Bone with eager anticipation,
certain that his brother would choose him!
On the other hand, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were also shining—
She was determined to fight for it!
(All those "hot dogs" and "whipped cream" weren't for nothing!)
As for Dai Mubai—
His eyes clearly burned with desire...
But he knew better.
He glanced at Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing,
then after a brief pause, he actually said—
"Sect Master, according to the Tang Sect Encyclopedia, Tiger-Eagles possess both the strength of a tiger and the speed of an eagle."
"So this Tiger-Eagle Left Arm Bone should be more suited for power and agility attackers."
Dai Mubai's Hidden Message
His words
were just one step short of directly saying—"Give it to Zhu Zhuqing."
Tang San instantly glared at him!
(You don't want it? Fine! But why sabotage me?!)
Tang San: Determined to Win
"Brother!" Tang San quickly retorted.
"Teacher once said that if a soul bone isn't compatible, the user won't be able to absorb it."
"I should at least try!"
Tang Lan's Dilemma
Try?
Do you think soul bones are something you can just "test out"?
Tang Lan glanced at Yu Xiaogang,
curious to see his stance.
Yu Xiaogang: Unexpected Calculations
Yu Xiaogang paused to think.
Earlier, he had seen Tang Lan and Zhu Zhuqing spend an entire afternoon together in her room.
Were they training?
Or... something else?
Who could say?
But one thing was clear—
Their relationship was not simple.
As for Tang San?
Just a rebellious disciple who had once defied his teacher's orders.
Yu Xiaogang Had Made His Decision.
Just as he was about to speak—
(End of Chapter.)
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X