Chapter 83: Yu Xiao Gang Arrives

Yu Tianyun and his group returned at lightning speed, but they didn't go back to Shilake Academy; instead they went to Sotto City to wander and play.

Near evening, Yu Tianyun was carrying a bunch of big and small bags of clothes; he originally thought of stuffing all those items straight into the Storage Soul Conduit, but the three girls objected, saying that would take away the fun of shopping and defeat the purpose of a boyfriend!

Seeing the three girls' eager little glances, Yu Tianyun could only sigh helplessly and obediently keep the clothes in his hands.

Following the three girls as they turned east and west, he didn't know how they ended up at the Rose Hotel.

Ning Rongrong's little face flushed "swish" red, but after a blink she returned to looking nonchalant and calmly said, "Tianyun, it's getting dark; why don't the four of us just rest here tonight!"

Yu Tianyun was stunned, thinking to himself, "Didn't we just say this morning that we'd work hard on cultivation? This little girl is really a headache‑inducing little imp!"

Although he didn't want to delay his cultivation, his girlfriend had politely brought it up, so how could he harshly refuse!

So Yu Tianyun pretended to be clueless and nodded.

……

Meanwhile, Zhao Wuji led a group from Shilake and finally made it back to Shilake Academy before nightfall.

After returning, Zhao Wuji waved his hand and disbanded the team on the spot; Tang San and Xiao Wu, hand in hand, disappeared somewhere unknown; Oscar quickly went back to his room to rest; Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, the two "playboys," slung arms together, and it was obvious where they intended to go to mess around.

Zhao Wuji then ran to find Fland and recounted the entire soul‑hunting expedition in the Star Dou Great Forest from start to finish.

He described how they first encountered a Phoenix‑tail Rooster Comb Snake upon entering the forest, then met a legendary Dragon Snake, and also the terrifying Titan Giant Ape; the three of them obtained soul rings, and he kept talking until the end when everyone returned safely, covering every detail.

Fland inhaled a cold breath, saying he never expected that a simple soul‑hunting mission could turn into so many thrilling and dangerous twists.

He sighed deeply and said, "Running into the snake matriarch of the Dragon Snake couple is one thing, but to also clash with the forest king, the Titan Giant Ape, and still come back fully loaded! I really don't know whether you got lucky or just terribly unlucky! But returning safely is a good thing."

"And our academy suddenly gained three more Soul Elders: Oscar, a 14‑year‑old food‑type Soul Elder; Tang San and Xiao Wu are even more impressive, becoming Combat Soul Elders at just twelve. This academy has hit the jackpot; if Yu Tianyun could also join us, that would be perfect! But even as it stands, it's great, hahaha."

As he was speaking and Fland laughed heartily, a cold, slightly hoarse voice came from the doorway:

"By that account, my disciple has also broken through to 30th‑level soul power, absorbed a soul ring, and become a Soul Elder."

That voice turned both Fland's and Zhao Wuji's heads toward the doorway, where a middle‑aged man with a short buzz cut, a face as stiff as a block of wood, tall and thin, a gloomy expression, and a downright miserable look stood.

Zhao Wuji frowned, instantly seeing that the middle‑aged man's strength was weak, yet he showed no fear before the two Soul Saint elders, Fland and himself, and spoke casually, wondering what his background was, and asked, "Your disciple? Could it be Tang San? You must be the master known as Yu Xiao Gang!"

Fland laughed, stepped up, patted Yu Xiao Gang's shoulder, and introduced him to Zhao Wuji: "That's right, he's Tang San's teacher Yu Xiao Gang, also my old brother, the wisdom horn of our Golden Iron Triangle!"

Then he introduced Zhao Wuji to Yu Xiao Gang, saying:

"Xiao Gang, this guy is our academy's teacher, Zhao Wuji, a 76‑level Soul Saint, and his nickname is 'Immovable Bright King'!" Yu Xiao Gang nodded, forcing a smile uglier than crying, and said, "So that's the Immovable Bright King, I've heard of your great name. On this journey, Tang San and Xiao Wu, thank you, Teacher Zhao, for your care. I'm now going to see my disciple."

Zhao Wuji gave Fland face, not putting on airs despite Yu Xiao Gang's strength, treating him as an equal, and then said:

"They are all my students; protecting them is my duty. After returning, I disbanded the team, and Tang San and Xiao Wu should have gone back to rest."

Then Yu Xiao Gang bowed to Zhao Wuji, turned and left, not at all noticing the Yu Tianyun Fland mentioned; perhaps he only cared about Tang San.

Seeing Yu Xiao Gang leave, Fland finally said to Zhao Wuji, "Old Zhao, thanks for your hard work on this soul hunt; I'll give you a few more days off to rest well."

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji frowned and said, "Fland, I got slapped by a Titan Giant Ape this time! That slap was harsher than Tang Hao beating me ten times. You can't just give me a few days off! No, you must cover my medical expenses, or pay me the wages you owe!"

When Fland heard Zhao Wuji mention money, his eyes bulged like copper bells, and he said seriously:

"You big, hulking guy, just sleep a few more days; don't waste money hiring a healing Soul Master, just eat a few of Little Ao's big restorative sausages and you'll be fine. As for wages, the academy is broke as a bell, you know that, so wait a bit longer."

Zhao Wuji's face darkened; knowing exactly what kind of person Fland was, he muttered curses as he pushed the door open and left, still grumbling:

"Stingy ghost, iron rooster, a penny‑pinching guy!"

After the team disbanded, Tang San and Xiao Wu didn't immediately return to their rooms to rest; instead they wandered around the academy in silence, walking head down without a word.

After a while, Yu Xiao Gang suddenly appeared, his face full of satisfaction, and said, "Little San, Xiao Wu, congratulations; you both have become Soul Elders."

Tang San, seeing Yu Xiao Gang appear suddenly, was thrilled, grabbed Xiao Wu and hurried forward, exclaiming in surprise:

"Teacher, when did you arrive?"

Yu Xiao Gang forced a thin smile onto his stiff face and said:

"Just one day after you left the academy, I formally submitted my resignation to the dean of Nording Academy, then headed straight for Shilake, and timing it so that I arrived here exactly when you went on the soul hunt."

"Come with me, I'll explain the effects of the third soul skill; a millennial‑level soul skill far surpasses a centennial‑level one."

"Yes! Teacher."

Tang San nodded in agreement without hesitation, glanced at Xiao Wu, and began to introduce his millennial soul skill:

"Teacher, my third soul ring comes from a 1,500‑year‑old Mandrake Snake, which is one of the soul beasts you selected for me. This 1,500‑year‑old Mandrake Snake soul ring greatly boosts the paralysis toxin and durability of my Lan Yin Cao Martial Soul, granting my soul skill a similarity to my first soul skill. I call it 'Blue Silver Snake Bind'; as long as the opponent is within Soul Elder level, once I control them with Blue Silver Snake Bind, they cannot escape, and the paralysis toxin quickly strips them of resistance, forcing them to surrender obediently."

(End of chapter)