Chapter 248: Infiltration and Learning: Oscar Retorts to the Grandmaster

The night was deep, and the stars were twinkling.

The light of the stars and moon spilled onto the earth, and a cool breeze blew, bringing a hint of chill.

At this very moment, Yu Xiaogang stood on the Teleportation Array, lost and confused, his brows tightly locked.

A gust of cold wind blew, slightly lifting his clothes, and Yu Xiaogang could not help but shiver; the chill of the outside world was somewhat biting, but the chill in his heart caused an endless sense of loss and powerlessness to surge within him.

He let out a long sigh, shook his head, and quietly left the Inner City.

When he left, two guards were leaning against the wall by the entrance, sleeping very soundly.

He came quietly, and he left quietly.

Returning to his residence, a sense of powerlessness surged over his entire body; he did not even take off his clothes before lying directly on the bed.

Contrary to Yu Xiaogang's situation, Tang San's daily guard work was very relaxed.

The guard work was very simple, with the main tasks divided into standing post and patrolling.

Standing post was very boring, but by comparison, it was slightly more relaxed, and many guards liked it.

The patrol work was a bit more complicated; there were fixed patrol routes, with ten people in a group, totaling twenty groups.

Driving the patrol Spirit Guidance Car, each group departed at half-hour intervals, perfectly connecting head to tail throughout the vast Spirit Hall Spirit Master Academy.

As soon as Tang San arrived, he was assigned to patrol work; the standing post jobs had long been snatched up, and as a newcomer, he could only go on patrol.

This was exactly what Tang San wanted, giving him the opportunity to properly familiarize himself with the Spirit Hall Academy.

After one round of patrolling, he could not help but sigh with emotion.

The entire academy was shrouded by a large-scale Spirit Gathering Array, and the concentration of soul power far exceeded that of the Cultivation Tower in the outside world.

Practicing anywhere in the academy yielded results far superior to the outside world.

Whether it was a regular academy or a Spirit Master Academy, the learning atmosphere was very strong.

Tang San suddenly had a feeling: if he could have come to such an academy to study when he was young, how wonderful that would have been!

Looking back on the past, from the Notting City Junior Spirit Master Academy to Shrek Academy, and then to Lanba Academy, it seemed he had always been attending ordinary academies.

The educational environment, the level of faculty, and the Xiulianchang within this place made Tang San yearn for it deeply.

There was a reason why the Spirit Hall was powerful; just speaking of this place for talent cultivation, other places could not compare to it.

Especially after seeing the Advanced Academy and then thinking about the academies he had attended, he felt very resentful in his heart; he had been too foolish at the time, how could he have listened to Yu Xiaogang's words and run off to Shrek Academy?

Shrek Academy was also false advertising; it had no cultivation resources, its teaching ability was low, and it relied entirely on the students' talent to sustain itself.

No wonder he could not compare to Jerry; in the Spirit Hall Academy, even a dog could probably grow into a powerful Soul Beast.

While patrolling, he saw many things.

Many courses were held outdoors, and in every aspect, teachers were teaching in person.

When patrolling to the Agriculture Academy, the teachers there personally led the students into the fields, mingling with the students; the atmosphere was quite relaxed, and the learning was very pleasant.

When patrolling to the Spirit Master Academy, teachers personally demonstrated soul skills, correcting the students' movements one by one; for students with poor learning ability, the teachers would even target individuals, explaining repeatedly and teaching in detail.

As for the Research Institute, the common people outside had always rumored that any student who entered the Research Institute was one in ten thousand, and those who could advance further from the Research Institute to the Research Department were even fewer.

However, one could only patrol the outer perimeter of the Research Institute, as the guards inside were strict.

The outer perimeter alone had forty guards standing post.

After patrolling for a period of time, Tang San also understood why the standing post positions were fought over by everyone.

When patrolling, one was always moving, making it difficult to practice with peace of mind; standing post was different, as one could practice when there was nothing to do.

Practicing in the outside Cultivation Tower required spending points, but in the academy, the cultivation effect was good, no points were needed, the cafeteria provided free meals twenty-four hours a day, there was a monthly salary, and the work was very easy; compared to the outside, this place was heaven.

It was precisely because of this that the requirements for guards were relatively high, and he himself had spent some effort to pass the recruitment.

The guards worked in two shifts, and there was one day off every week.

In their spare time, they could go to the academy library to study, attend public lectures, and even seek advice from familiar academy teachers when they had questions; these were all hidden benefits for the staff of the Spirit Hall Academy.

He had originally thought that gathering information would take some effort, but it turned out he could view the information openly and honestly.

In the academy library, there were all kinds of materials; among the materials for Soul Guidance Masters, Tang San found the Array he wanted, which was so easy that Tang San could not believe it.

For the next period of time, Tang San also found materials for Alchemists in the library, and materials for many other industries were also available here.

The materials here simply covered every aspect of life and Cultivation, even including information on clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

This was no library; it was simply a treasure trove.

However, the treasure trove in his eyes did not have many people every day; most were guards like them and other employees, with very few students coming.

These students, a treasure trove was placed in front of you, yet you do not cherish it; this makes it cheap for me. There are not many people here, and it is quiet; it is simply an excellent place for learning.

How could Tang San know that after the Mobile Phone was opened, all kinds of information could be viewed on the phone, and there was even a search engine on it, which was far more convenient than looking for information book by book.

Therefore, very few students came now, and those who did probably just saw that it was quiet here, read some books, and killed some time.

The Spirit Hall's educational method was just like this: all materials were public, and learning depended entirely on individual effort.

As for the issue of talent, the academy rarely looked at talent.

Talent only gave you a good starting point; if you do not work hard later, you will soon be surpassed by others, or even become a stepping stone for others.

Tang San, who did not understand the academy's teaching philosophy, hid in the library to read books every day in his spare time; he began to memorize the materials he felt were important, deciding to record them first.

Some colleagues saw his appearance and did not feel strange; they were the same when they first arrived, thinking they had discovered a treasure trove and studying hard, but after a period of time, they slowly took it for granted.

They had no personal connection with Tang San, and Tang San rarely interacted with them, so their relationship was not close, and thus no one went to remind him.

Tang San had used a fake identity and was usually very low-key; if he had interacted with others, someone might have given him a hint, and he would not have had to come to memorize books every day.

Using Tang San's current employee number, after downloading the academy's program, one could log in directly, and it contained library classifications.

Unfortunately, no one reminded him, and Tang San had not even bought a Mobile Phone.

The materials for Soul Guidance Masters alone numbered over thirty thousand, and they were updated every so often.

Tang San was still immersed in the ocean of learning, unable to extricate himself, feeling that every day was very fulfilling, much more interesting than in the Extreme North.

In fact, Tang San had overlooked a very important thing: why were these books on Soul Guidance Devices, alchemy, and the like not placed in the outside library?

That is because this knowledge cannot be learned simply by rote memorization; it requires personal instruction from a teacher and long-term hands-on practice.

Furthermore, it requires systematic learning, from low to high, from shallow to deep.

After Dugu Yan entered the Law Enforcement Team, she worked diligently every day, feeling that the only reason she could not find her grandfather now was that her current rank was not high enough; once she was promoted, she would naturally come into contact with more, and sooner or later, she would be able to find him.

Therefore, she was very proactive in her work every day, keeping the thought of finding her grandfather buried deep in her heart.

There are many soul skills within the Law Enforcement Team, and after learning them, Dugu Yan felt her strength had at least doubled compared to before.

Previously, her Cultivation focused too much on soul power and soul skill Spirit Rings; with few soul skills, her methods were naturally limited, yet strength tests one's comprehensive level, so even though Dugu Yan had reached the god level, her strength among god-level powerhouses was merely average.

With her studies in the Law Enforcement Team, she now realized that her own methods were too few.

Taking just the Five Great Envoys, besides cultivating his martial soul, Tang San also cultivated other things; his Hidden Weapon alone was impossible to guard against, with a myriad of ever-changing methods.

However, later on, after the Spirit Hall explained the matter of the Jerry Meditation Method and everyone began to focus on Spirit Power, Tang San no longer cultivated his previous Hidden Weapons;

but he still had many various methods, and although Tang San sometimes deliberately concealed certain things, after long-term contact, one could still see some clues.

Yu Xiaogang was different; he had always hidden many secrets in his heart, and he appeared rather gloomy; having known Yu Xiaogang for many years, she still could not see through this person.

The only point that made her trust him was that Yu Xiaogang had a grudge against the Spirit Hall.

With this point as support, she did not want to pursue other things too much.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun were both very optimistic every day, proficient in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling.

As long as no one bothered them, they lived their lives carefree all day long.

However, after arriving in Wuhun City, the two restrained themselves, and apart from eating and drinking, they did nothing else.

Of course, there was another reason: apart from eating and drinking, the other two aspects did not exist in Wuhun City.

The other two had long been strictly investigated by the Spirit Hall, which did not allow them in Wuhun City.

When Oscar and Ma Hongjun arrived in Wuhun City, they felt they had reached heaven; their shared hobby was eating and drinking, and they had previously agreed to eat their way through all of Wuhun City.

They had been in Wuhun City for a month, and they hadn't even finished walking through one snack street.

Wuhun City had been developed up to the tenth ring, with all kinds of delicacies available; just for the two of them, even given ten years, they wouldn't be able to finish it all.

Compared to others' efforts, the two of them could be said to be happy every single day.

As for Yu Xiaogang, after returning, he lay at home for several days.

It was only during a small gathering, when Tang San and Dugu Yan both spoke of their growth during this period, that Yu Xiaogang finally perked up.

He asked Tang San to give him some data on Soul Guidance Masters, as he prepared to study it.

Tang San did not hesitate; after thinking for a moment in his mind, he copied a portion of the data and handed it to Yu Xiaogang to study.

Regarding the situation in the Inner City that Yu Xiaogang mentioned, Tang San was not surprised at all; if it were him, he might have done the same, leaving behind a facade to attract others' attention—it was a very good suggestion.

However, there was an important matter to be done next: to find out the location where the Spirit Hall's Inner City had relocated.

If they wanted to overthrow the Spirit Hall, they had to at least occupy the Inner City; if they couldn't even find the city, how could they overthrow it?

Tang San had also obtained the data on the Teleportation Array, but he did not yet understand it; this time, he handed the Teleportation Array data to Yu Xiaogang to see if he could research it.

As for Oscar and Ma Hongjun, apart from sharing some good food, they had nothing else to offer.

However, they heard a piece of news: there was a restaurant that periodically had a batch of food, and this food was not ordinary food; it could assist in Cultivation.

Just listening to others discuss it, one knew that some could increase soul power, some could increase Spirit Power, some could restore injuries, and there were even special foods that could repair Meridians.

Besides these, there were many foods with temporary effects.

Oscar felt that these dishes must be made by Food-type Soul Masters; for example, those foods with temporary effects were similar to the effects of his own martial soul.

After he voiced his conjecture, he was still sighing at the power of Food-type Martial Souls and feeling proud of them, but one sentence from Ma Hongjun directly shattered his composure.

Seeing Oscar's smug expression, Ma Hongjun spoke directly: "Other Food-type Martial Souls can increase permanent attributes, why are yours all temporary?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Oscar froze on the spot, and Tang San and Yu Xiaogang also began to think.

After thinking for a while, Oscar could not figure it out himself, so he looked at Yu Xiaogang and spoke directly:

"Master, my previous martial soul theories were all taught by you; why is there not a single soul skill that can increase permanent attributes? Could it be that the martial soul theory you taught before is flawed?"

Yu Xiaogang had originally been thinking about this question, but Oscar's words interrupted him; he didn't know either—since ancient times, hadn't Food-type Martial Souls always been like this?

Didn't Food-type Martial Souls always follow the support route?

Previously, he had never heard of any Food-type Soul Master whose soul skills could increase permanent attributes.

"This, this..." Yu Xiaogang did not know how to answer this question either.

But how could the angry Oscar just let it go? He opened his mouth and said loudly:

"Master, do you know how much I have been delayed by you? Do you know about those foods that permanently increase abilities? Although each increase is small, over the years, the accumulation is also very huge."

"In Wuhun City, many wealthy people scramble for these foods that increase permanent attributes; there is an Agility Attack System Soul Master who ate speed-increasing food for several years, and now his speed is faster than that of an Agility Attack System Soul Master."

"And those foods that increase Body Strength, foods that increase soul power, foods that increase Spirit Power—do you know what I have missed?"

Oscar said the last sentence almost by shouting.

The others heard these words and remained silent.

But Oscar was mainly targeting Yu Xiaogang, and although Yu Xiaogang was very embarrassed now, he could only bite the bullet and answer.

"Oscar, my theory is not flawed; Food-type Soul Masters across the entire continent cultivate this way. The reason this shop in the Spirit Hall is special is likely because it is a theory researched by the Spirit Hall that has not yet been released."

After the Master finished speaking, he himself had no confidence in his heart, and Oscar could not be dismissed by his few words.

Sure enough, after Yu Xiaogang finished speaking, Oscar became directly enraged.

"Master, you say it like this—is it all the Spirit Hall's responsibility? Should I blame the Spirit Hall for not publishing the data on Food-type Martial Souls? Do you still remember that you were also a martial soul theory master? Could it be that your knowledge was all learned in the Spirit Hall?"

Feeling a bit guilty after being spoken to by Oscar, he could only speak weakly:

"I admit that many of my theories were summarized after learning them in the Spirit Hall, but that is not a flawed theory. Look, under my guidance, didn't you all grow up?"

Hearing Yu Xiaogang still trying to quibble, Oscar could no longer endure it.

"Under your guidance, hahaha, Master, does your conscience feel uneasy saying this?"

"Did you teach us, or was it not because we had good talent?"

"My fourth to eighth Spirit Rings were all absorbed under your guidance and according to your previous Cultivation direction. Compared to the outside world, look at what these soul skills are! They can't even compare to a Self-created Soul Skill!"

"Under your guidance? You have the nerve to say that? If it weren't for the God Trial, I would never have been able to reach Cultivation to God Level in my entire life. Do you really take us all for fools?"

"By the way, I also heard that Jerry also has a Food-type Martial Soul, just like you, with Innate Half-Level Spirit Power. Back then, you looked down on him because of this and even tried to persuade him to drop out."

"You, someone with Innate Half-Level Spirit Power, actually have the nerve to look down on other people with half-level spirit power, hahaha."

"But you deserve it. The person you used to look down on has now grown to a level where everyone has to look up to him. Is your heart filled with rage?"

"And I also heard that the reason your soul power was able to break through level thirty was because of the Cultivation Tower. Using someone else's things while badmouthing them—you really are flipping the table after finishing your meal!"

"Grandmaster, how long has it been since you went to a crowded place to eat? You should find some time to go eat there once."

Oscar and Ma Hongjun went out eating and drinking everywhere every day. Places where people eat are crowded and noisy, with all sorts of people from all walks of life, and the topics of conversation are all over the place.

However, what some people like to talk about most is Lord Jerry. When they talk about Jerry's youth, they bring up Yu Xiaogang, and they heap all kinds of abuse upon Yu Xiaogang.

It was fortunate that Lord Jerry had a firm will, which allowed him to continue walking down the path of a Spirit Master.

Otherwise, they would still be living the bitter life they had before.

There are even some idlers who made statues of Yu Xiaogang kneeling and placed them at their doorways, so that everyone passing by can go and kick them twice.

Yu Xiaogang is truly notorious and a household name in Wuhun City.

Oscar's last sentence was also meant to make Yu Xiaogang go see for himself—to see the statue of himself kneeling in apology being kicked at will by passersby. He really wanted to see the expression on Yu Xiaogang's face at that moment.

Tang San felt that what Oscar said was a bit harsh at this moment. He knew about the statue matter, but he had never brought it up.

But after all, the few of them are now a group with a common enemy, and it is not yet time to tear off the masks.

Hearing Oscar's sharp words, Yu Xiaogang's heart was filled with fury, but he could find no reason to refute them. "Pfft," a mouthful of blood, red streaked with gold, sprayed out.

Red streaked with gold; it seems Yu Xiaogang has not yet fully transformed into a God Body.

Finally, the small gathering ended, and the few of them dispersed and left, but their hearts had all undergone changes.

……

(End of this chapter)