Tang San's face was filled with disbelief as he questioned Wang Li, almost accusingly:
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. Only five years have passed since you graduated from Notting Academy. How could you have cultivated so quickly?"
Wang Li shook his head and said with a smile:
"It's not that I cultivate fast; it's that you cultivate slowly. After graduating from Notting Academy, I first went to an Intermediate Soul Master Academy, then to a Advanced Soul Master Academy. Through my own efforts, I gained the recognition of my teachers, and they provided me with the best training and cultivation environment."
"Moreover, under the guidance of a Titled Douluo, I underwent extremely brutal special training. I experienced shattered bones and dislocated organs. I walked on the edge of life and death, and I stubbornly persevered from the brink of death."
"I endured endless suffering to gain this strength, and I believe I deserve it."
With each word Wang Li spoke, Tang San became more astonished. By the time Wang Li finished, Tang San was already in a daze.
As for Xiao Wu, her face had turned as white as a sheet the moment Wang Li uttered the words "Titled Douluo."
In addition, Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were all dumbfounded. Wang Li's experiences seemed as legendary as a heavenly book to them.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's eyes widened, and they covered their mouths with their hands, too shocked to utter a sound.
Then, Wang Li's smile faded, replaced by what seemed like a hint of deep sorrow. He said to Tang San and Xiao Wu in a deep voice:
"Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu, we came from the same dormitory. I consider you my best friends, which is why I'm telling you these things."
"I still remember when we first met in the dormitory, your agile figures and your powerful strength left a deep impression on me. I also gained a goal to strive for and catch up."
"But now, I truly feel regret. Your talents are a hundred times greater than mine, and your achievements should also be a hundred times greater than mine. However, did you perhaps waste the precious cultivation time of your youth?"
"I still remember, Tang San, you loved to forge iron, and Sister Xiao Wu, you loved to play. It was such a waste—a waste of time, a waste of talent. If your six years at Notting Academy were spent cultivating like playing house, I would be anxious for you."
Wang Li's face was full of sincerity, every word spoken for Tang San and Xiao Wu's sake, yet every word transformed into a sharp knife, piercing deeply into their hearts.
Low-level abuse is physical abuse; high-level abuse is mental abuse; extreme abuse is both mental and physical abuse.
Wang Li took another step forward, looking at the two of them and saying solemnly:
"We are both children from common backgrounds. Our families cannot provide us with superior cultivation conditions, so we should strive harder, be proactive, and not seek comfort or just get by."
"Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu, your talents are a hundred times greater than mine. I believe that as long as you work hard, you will quickly become stronger. Of course, if you could have the meat of century or millennium Spirit Beasts to supplement your nutrition every day, powerful teachers to personally guide you in combat, and an academy to provide a better cultivation environment, you could become even stronger faster!"
Wang Li's words were meant to stab Tang San's heart. Later, when he learns that his father is Clear Sky Douluo, yet he barely had enough porridge to eat when he was young, and then there's his Spirit Grandmaster-level teacher Yu Xiaogang, and the dilapidated Shrek Academy—will these things sting Tang San's heart?
Wang Li was very much looking forward to it. As for surpassing him in spirit power, don't even think about it. While 99% of his current strength comes from his own hard work, there's still 1% from his cheat, and that 1% cheat is greater than 99% effort.
Tang San looked at Wang Li's sincere face, opened his mouth, full of trash talk, but when it reached his lips, he could only grit his teeth and say, very dejectedly:
"I... thank you!"
With just a few words, Wang Li had defined his past six years as seeking comfort and just getting by. His efforts were all negated, which made him feel worse than being killed.
One could say Wang Li was very good at messing with people's minds. He lectured him, and Tang San still had to thank him. Tang San's thoughts were muddled now, but soon, he seemed to grasp at a straw.
I have the Tang Sect's unique techniques, I have twin spirits. Wang Li is nothing special, nothing special...
Tang San's breathing grew heavy.
But at this moment, Wang Li had finished his greetings and had no intention of lingering:
"You're welcome, Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu. If you come to Heaven Dou City in the future, I'll host a welcoming banquet for you. And to all of you, you are friends of Tang San and Sister Xiao Wu, which means you are my, Wang Li's, friends. If you come to Heaven Dou City in the future, I will definitely treat you well."
Wang Li's attitude was sincere, and his voice was gentle, as if he had been good friends with everyone for many years, making them feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
After speaking, he waved to everyone, then turned and left. Just as suddenly as he arrived, Wang Li left just as suddenly, while everyone was still immersed in shock.
Midway, Wang Li also encountered Qin Ming. He was not surprised; Qin Ming didn't recognize the current Shrek Seven Devils, but he recognized Zhao Wuji:
"Teacher Qin!"
Qin Ming responded:
"Go back first. I also ran into an acquaintance, I'll go say hello!"
Wang Li smiled and nodded, then strode back. His mood was quite good now.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming had quickly walked over to the Shrek Seven Devils and Zhao Wuji, then excitedly said:
"Teacher Zhao, do you still remember me?"
Zhao Wuji looked him over and said with surprise:
"You're Qin Ming! Little freaks, let me introduce you. This is your former senior, his name is Qin Ming."
"And Qin Ming, was that young man you just saw a student you brought out?"
Qin Ming pondered for a moment before replying:
"I taught him for half a month, then he was taken away by that adult titled 'Bi Lin'. He was taught by that adult!"
Dai Mubai had some knowledge and knew who the adult titled "Bi Lin" was, so he asked, quite puzzled:
"That adult is reclusive and prefers to be alone. Why would he do such a thing?"
Qin Ming thought for a moment and didn't hide anything from his juniors:
"Your Grace, Bi Lin, has a granddaughter who is now inseparable from Wang Li, sticking together all day. That's probably the reason!"
As soon as this was said, the portly Ma Hongjun was the first to let out a strange cry, saying enviously:
"So he's a freeloader, that's why he has a Titled Douluo teaching him! If I had that chance, I'd cultivate even faster than him!"
Oscar glanced at Ning Rongrong, as if he had discovered some secret to success:
"Fatty, if you want that kind of opportunity, lose some weight first. Didn't you see that Wang Li? His physique, his face—though not as good as Boss Dai and mine, they are definitely far superior to yours!"
With Ma Hongjun and Oscar joking around, the atmosphere became lively, but Tang San and Xiao Wu, especially Tang San, felt stifled and had nowhere to vent their frustration.
Wang Li spoke up for him and Xiao Wu everywhere, thought for him and Xiao Wu everywhere, but precisely because of this, the phrase "path to death" was stuck in his heart, unable to be shouted out.