NOVEL WEB Chapter 24: SS - 24
Chapter 24: The Teacher is Here
Su Xiao had barely won his first soul battle. The price was high—he had exhausted all his soul power.
It was also the first time he had killed someone.
Slowly walking off the field, Su Xiao saw Flanders and the others waiting for him at the exit.
"Brother Xiao, are you okay?" Ning Rongrong asked with concern, trotting up to him.
Su Xiao shook his head. "Just drained of soul power. Oscar, give me a sausage, and I'll be fine."
Oscar quickly conjured a sausage, which Su Xiao devoured in two bites. His soul power recovered swiftly, and he soon felt energized.
Flender patted him on the shoulder reassuringly. "Killing in the Soul Fighting Arena is normal. Don't let it weigh on you."
Su Xiao nodded silently. Although he didn't feel crushed by the act, it was hard to shake off the lingering tension.
"Let's not overthink it. With the money we've made tonight, why not have a feast?" Ma Hongjun suggested, grinning.
"No," Flender immediately shot down the idea. "A distinguished guest is coming to the academy tonight. We need to head back."
The group took a carriage back to Shrek Academy. As they approached, they saw a figure standing in front of the gates, seemingly waiting for them.
"Boss Fu, long time no see," the figure greeted.
The voice was all too familiar. Su Xiao and Tang San leaped out of the carriage, their faces lighting up with excitement.
"Teacher!" they called in unison.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly, nodding as Su Xiao and Tang San rushed to him. Flender took this moment to address the group. "The rest of you, head back and rest. Su Xiao and Tang San, come with me to the office."
Inside Flender's office, Su Xiao and Tang San poured hot tea for Yu Xiaogang and Flender, then sat quietly, waiting for the adults to speak.
"Xiaogang," Flender began with a wry smile, "if it weren't for these two students of yours, I doubt you'd ever want to see me again."
"For the children's sake, let's leave the past behind," Yu Xiaogang sighed softly.
He then turned to Su Xiao and Tang San. "Ah Xiao, Xiao San, are you close to a breakthrough?"
Su Xiao nodded. "Thanks to Dean Flender taking us to the Soul Fighting Arena, I've broken through to level 40 and reached the Soul Ancestor stage."
Both Yu Xiaogang and Flender exchanged looks of astonishment. A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor—such a genius was rare in the history of Douluo Continent.
"Can you tell me about the battle?" Yu Xiaogang asked.
When Su Xiao explained, including his ability to use ring fusion, Yu Xiaogang's eyes gleamed.
"Ah Xiao, your opponent was indeed strong, but your lack of real combat experience showed," Yu Xiaogang remarked. "You rely too much on overwhelming soul power. Against an evenly matched opponent, that can be dangerous."
Then, turning to Tang San, Yu Xiaogang added, "Xiao San, your talent is no less than Ah Xiao's. His soul power surpasses yours because of the soul ring he absorbed—an opportunity unique to him."
"I understand, Teacher. I will work harder," Tang San responded, his tone steady.
Flender chimed in, "I'll have Old Zhao accompany Su Xiao to obtain his next soul ring tomorrow."
Yu Xiaogang thought for a moment. "The students should all come. It'll be a good trial for them. As for Su Xiao's fourth soul ring, I'm considering a ten-thousand-year soul beast."
"I'd like that too," Su Xiao said.
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Your body can handle a ten-thousand-year ring. But a sub-dragon-like ten-thousand-year soul beast will be tough. Boss Fu, we'll need you with us; Zhao Wuji won't be enough."
"No problem," Flender agreed.
The next morning, Flender gathered everyone. Yu Xiaogang stood beside him as Flender cleared his throat.
"Let me introduce Master Yu Xiaogang, the leading theorist in the soul master world and the teacher of Su Xiao and Tang San. Starting today, he'll create your cultivation plans."
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward. "This afternoon, we'll begin a trial to help Su Xiao obtain his fourth soul ring."
"What?!" Dai Mubai exclaimed, and the others stared at Su Xiao in disbelief.
Ma Hongjun scratched his head in frustration. "How am I supposed to keep up with a freak like this?"
Oscar raised his hand. "Master, I've broken through level 30 too. I need a soul ring!"
The group was shocked again. A fourteen-year-old food-based Soul Master reaching level thirty was a remarkable feat. Though not as monstrous as Su Xiao, Oscar was undeniably a genius in his own right.
Su Xiao noticed Ning Rongrong's reaction. Her eyes held no admiration—only jealousy.
"Before we head to Star Dou Forest, you'll all have one more lesson," Yu Xiaogang announced. "It's simple—each of you must eat one of Oscar's sausages."
Oscar immediately conjured seven sausages. Su Xiao and Tang San ate without hesitation, as they were used to it. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, though resistant, also complied, understanding the benefits.
The girls, however, hesitated.
Tang San tried to convince Xiao Wu. "It's okay. The chant might be… odd, but the sausage is incredibly useful."
After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Wu gritted her teeth and ate one. Zhu Zhuqing followed, her expression cold as always.
Both girls' eyes widened as they felt the sausage's effects.
Now, only Ning Rongrong remained.