Chapter 71: Close Ties

Flanders heard Yu Xiaogang's words and shouted angrily, "Xiaogang, do you know what you're saying? We're only teachers at the Spirit Master Academy, the students each have their own cultivation methods, coveting other people's Self‑Created Spirit Skills is a great taboo of the Soul Master World, not to mention Yang Xiong comes from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

Yu Xiaogang's face showed a faint bitter smile: "Flanders, even you don't recognize me? Just like the knowledge I presented back then, even if my family didn't support me and even the whole Soul Master World misunderstood me, you still always stood by my side supporting me."

Flanders shook his head: "It's completely different. Back then your theory, although unrecognized and even ostracized by sects, did contribute to common Soul Masters; time has proven many of your theories correct."

"But Yang Xiong's situation is entirely different; he's only a student at our Shrek Academy, he has no obligation for you to study his martial soul, nor any obligation to hand over his Self‑Created Spirit Skill. Don't forget, behind Yang Xiong is the whole Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, his teacher is Bone Douluo; you should understand the implications between master and disciple. In terms of background, he's not much weaker than Tang San."

Yu Xiaogang said: "The problem is that whether it's Yang Xiong's cultivation or his Self‑Created Spirit Skill, both can reshape the landscape of the Soul Master World and may even go down in history. Haven't you considered the significance?"

Flanders said: "Xiaogang, I don't know what you're thinking. Are you after the so‑called Soul Master World or for Tang San? You should know the cruelty of the Soul Master World better than I do. Just like your own family, would they ever contribute their cultivation methods and Self‑Created Spirit Skills?"

"On the contrary, anyone who covets their cultivation secrets will be mercilessly slaughtered; no matter how big their background, it doesn't help. This is the true Soul Master World."

Yu Xiaogang sighed, then left helplessly. In his eyes, Tang San is more important than anything; he has only two goals in life: to cultivate Tang San, and to prove his own theory, gaining recognition from the Soul Master World and his own family.

When Yang Xiong arrived at the cafeteria, he was the only one there; the others, after today's trials, were probably still not awake.

However, after a hearty meal, the first person to come to the cafeteria was Ning Rongrong. Compared with the others, Ning Rongrong's consumption today was probably relatively low; at least the last few times, Yang Xiong carried her the whole way.

Ning Rongrong saw a faint blush on Yang Xiong's face and said, "Xiao Xiongzi, you performed well today. I, the eldest of the three girls, am the first to wake up."

Yang Xiong's face showed a hint of helplessness: "Rong Rong, I can help you once or twice with this, but later you must learn to finish the run on your own; that will still be beneficial for your training."

Ning Rongrong's face showed a hint of doubt: "Xiao Xiongzi, what do you mean? Does that mean we'll have to undergo this kind of trial every day from now on?"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "It won't be that simple. In addition to simple stone‑carrying running drills, we'll have even more brutal training. Today's exercises are just appetizers."

"You've also joined me in several Soul Fighting Competitions, so you should know better the cruelty of the Soul Fighting Arena. Once everyone steps onto the field, they'll attack an Auxiliary without hesitation; especially on the battlefield, targeting an Auxiliary is the opponent's primary objective."

"Moreover, only you have enough stamina and speed to truly preserve yourself on the battlefield; the battlefield is countless times more brutal than a Soul Fighting Competition."

Ning Rongrong thought carefully before speaking: "I understand. Thank you, Xiao Xiongzi, for the reminder. Tomorrow I will try to run the entire course on my own."

"By the way, here's good news: I'm now Level 29, still two levels of soul power above you. Rest assured, I'll watch over you, and you'll see how formidable my support is."

The two chatted and laughed, and the awkwardness from yesterday quickly faded.

The others also arrived at the cafeteria one after another; after the Medicine Bath, everyone seemed in good spirits. However, as they watched Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong eat together, a spark of gossip flickered in their eyes, and they politely sat farther away.

After the meal, Yang Xiong, as usual, sought Zhao Wuji for a combat training session, then returned to the dormitory to meditate. According to Yang Xiong's plan, he should soon be able to create a complete Yin Yang Meditation Method.

Tang San, however, had a hint of gloom in his eyes and then went to find Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang asked, a bit puzzled: "Tang San, shouldn't you be meditating now? Meditating at this time works better and should accelerate the increase of your soul power."

Tang San lowered his head: "Teacher, I disappointed you today; during the battle I actually lost to Yang Xiong."

In fact, Tang San has always been extremely proud; among Soul Masters of his rank, he has never lost to anyone, especially since he possesses Tang Sect techniques and considers himself the finest among his peers. Otherwise he wouldn't have displayed the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul in the Soul Master Competition.

One must know that Tang San is well aware of the hatred between the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall; flaunting the Clear Sky Hammer so boldly inevitably draws the Spirit Hall's pursuit.

Yu Xiaogang sighed at Tang San: "Tang San, don't overthink it. Yang Xiong has been through Medicine Baths since childhood, and his martial soul is special; it's normal that his physical condition surpasses yours. Moreover, he's a disciple of Bone Douluo, so I believe Bone Douluo has given him plenty of special treatment."

"In terms of techniques, you're not weaker than Yang Xiong; you even have some advantage in control, whereas what you lack is Yang Xiong's one‑hit‑kill capability. By the way, what do you think of Yang Xiong's final Self‑Created Spirit Skill?"

Tang San thought carefully for a moment before speaking: "I've only seen Yang Xiong's Self‑Created Spirit Skill twice—once when he fought Zhao Wuji, and once today. I find its power extremely formidable; it probably surpasses the Third Soul Skill of ordinary Soul Masters, and is certainly much stronger than Dai Mubai's soul skill."

Yu Xiaogang finally spoke: "You share a dorm with Yang Xiong; you have time to interact with him more, perhaps you'll gain some insight. You also know that Self‑Created Spirit Skills are a secret of Soul Masters; I can't say much more—some things you must comprehend yourself."

Tang San nodded: "Teacher, I understand. I'm confident in my combat ability; today the run was troublesome because of an injury. From now on I'll train twice as hard and won't be outmatched physically."

Yu Xiaogang nodded: "Tang San, you've satisfied me from childhood to now, but you don't have to be overly hard on yourself. Everyone's martial soul and constitution differ; you have your own advantages. In every team, Control System Soul Masters are essentially the core, and even if Yang Xiong's combat power is strong, he can never compare to you in that regard."

……

Early the next morning, once again Yu Xiaogang taught the class.

Yu Xiaogang's cold, aloof face lingered on the group before she finally nodded: "Very good, you're more punctual today than yesterday; at least you didn't delay breakfast."

"Your actions yesterday, according to my arrangement, would normally mean not everyone could complete the mission, but through mutual assistance you all passed yesterday's training."

"I want to stress one point: teammates must trust each other; only then can you entrust your back to a teammate at critical moments. Today's lesson is like yesterday's but stricter, and the tasks are heavier. I hope you continue to help each other and complete the mission."

Yang Xiong always felt that when Yu Xiaogang said this, she seemed to be looking at him, intentionally or not, and something felt off.

However, Yang Xiong never imagined that after only meeting Yu Xiaogang on the first day, he would already start coveting his Self‑Created Spirit Skill. For Yang Xiong, such a skill could never be handed over, especially since he had already communicated with Ning Fengzhi in advance.

When everyone arrived at the Shrek Academy gate, they were all a bit stunned; each person's load had increased considerably compared to yesterday, especially the massive backpack bearing Yang Xiong's name, piled with stones, apparently exceeding two hundred jin.

Oscar, with a grimace of schadenfreude, said: "Yang Xiong, you were carrying Ning Rongrong while running yesterday. I think the master also counted Rong Rong's weight, so today you can't carry Ning Rongrong."

Yang Xiong immediately gave Oscar an Explosion chestnut: "Oscar, you must be itching for trouble, babbling so much. Don't forget your miserable state yesterday; if I can't carry, I won't be able to help you carry stones any more."

Oscar's face darkened at those words; as an Auxiliary System Spirit Master, he truly couldn't carry that much. Had Yang Xiong not helped yesterday, he probably wouldn't have completed the mission at all.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at Oscar's reaction; for Oscar and Ning Rongrong, the two Auxiliaries, their physical condition was indeed far poorer than the others, even though the extremely exhausted Ma Hongjun yesterday also showed a hint of schadenfreude now.

Ning Rongrong, with a faint pride, said: "Xiao Xiongzi, today I will definitely run the whole course on my own. Know that I'm now Level 29, and my body has improved considerably."

Yang Xiong's face showed a hint of speechlessness: "Rong Rong, don't be so confident; I'm already a bit scared. When the time comes, not only you, but even the stones in your backpack will have to be carried by me."

Ning Rongrong's face flushed: "Not at all. Today I will prove myself; even without you, I can pass the assessment."

Yang Xiong also felt a bit helpless, but amid the laughter, everyone lifted their backpacks and started running; at least no one was as solemn as yesterday.

Having undergone yesterday's trial, everyone somewhat understood its purpose and each felt full of confidence.

But, as expected, halfway through, Ning Rongrong and Oscar could barely continue; most of the stones in their backpacks ended up with Yang Xiong.

Even though Oscar and Ning Rongrong pushed forward with all their might, Auxiliary System Soul Masters are still relatively frail; Oscar, without any load, barely managed to finish the entire route, while Ning Rongrong, after persisting for a while, finally collapsed from exhaustion on the eighth lap.

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate; this time he directly carried Ning Rongrong and ran the final two laps.

Originally Ning Rongrong wanted to refuse, but Yang Xiong's backpack today was even fuller than yesterday; the stones were about to spill out. If Yang Xiong's control ability weren't decent, they'd have scattered on the ground long ago.

In the end, Ning Rongrong, a bit helpless, blushed and finished the last two laps within Yang Xiong's embrace.

The others could only stare at Yang Xiong in amazement; even Oscar looked full of admiration: "Yang Xiong, Brother Xiong Ge, I'm so envious of you. I didn't expect you to carry so much weight and still be able to carry a person; your strength seems endless."

"And seeing you like this, I reckon good things are near; brother, I wish you all the best in advance."

Yang Xiong gave Oscar another Explosion chestnut: "Can't you cut the chatter? If you have time to talk, you should spend it training your body; that would also reduce my pressure."

Oscar replied helplessly: "Yang Xiong, I have no choice. I'm an Auxiliary System Soul Master; no matter how much I train, I can't match those Beast Spirit Soul Masters."

At this moment, Yang Xiong's backpack weighed roughly three hundred jin, and he still had to carry Ning Rongrong, so he could only run slowly.

(End of Chapter)