506. Learning How From Books

"Heh, you all have really underestimated Xiao San."

Flender's words made Yu Xiaogang shake his head with a cold smile.

Turning sideways, glancing back proudly, he said:
"Xiao San's martial soul isn't a mutation. It's twin—twin martial souls."

"What!? Twin martial souls?"

Flender's eyes widened in shock.

He never expected Tang San to possess twin martial souls!

Zhao Wuji's face mirrored the astonishment, mingled with excitement.

This accomplishment always seemed to fall into his lap, as if handed to him deliberately.

Or perhaps the miss had known all along and strategically placed him here.

Thinking about this, Zhao Wuji felt even more respect and awe in his heart.

"Xiao Gang, does this mean Tang San's other martial soul is the Clear Sky Hammer?"

Flender's eyes held a mix of shock and revelation.

"That's right," Yu Xiaogang confirmed gravely.

"So, for Xiao San to break through to Soul Elder, he must have secretly trained with the Clear Sky Hammer in advance!"

"I see."

Flender finally understood why Yu Xiaogang had behaved the way he did.

"No, I have to go check on Xiao San!"

The more Yu Xiaogang thought about it, the angrier he got. He immediately tried to storm out to reprimand his rebellious disciple.

Zhao Wuji glanced out the window; night had already fallen. He quickly stopped him.
"Master, wait until tomorrow. He's still injured."

"Yes, Xiao Gang, let him rest properly," Flender added with a sigh of resignation.

Yu Xiaogang hesitated but eventually sat back down.

Flender turned to Zhao Wuji.
"Wuji, you’ve worked hard this time. Go get some rest."

Zhao Wuji smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"No need for pleasantries. Just back me up the next time I take a beating."

"Dream on! You're tougher than me; you can handle it better!" Flender's face twitched slightly.

Of course, he knew exactly what Zhao Wuji meant. Zhao Wuji's defense was far superior to his own—he couldn’t endure the same kind of punishment.

Yu Xiaogang calmly interjected,
"Don’t worry. When the Title Douluo arrives, I'll plead on your behalf."

Zhao Wuji burst into hearty laughter.
"Haha! Master, you’re reliable as always. Thanks a lot!"

Yu Xiaogang nodded lightly, confident in his ability to handle the situation. After all, in Tang San’s heart, he was practically a second father figure.

Hearing this, Flender also smiled. He turned to Zhao Wuji and teased:
"Get lost already!"

Once Zhao Wuji left the room, the space fell into silence once more.

For a long while, the quiet lingered.

Looking at Yu Xiaogang, Flender couldn’t help but sigh.

"Xiao Gang, I’m truly glad you stayed. It’s just a pity that Third Sister isn’t here."

At the mention of Liu Erlong, pain flashed across Yu Xiaogang's eyes.

"Flender, don’t bring her up again. She and I are impossible!"

Yu Xiaogang closed his eyes, his heart filled with nostalgia and self-reproach.

He thought back to when he was the leader of the Golden Iron Triangle, the Horn of Wisdom.

Back then, he was well-known in the Soul Master world, admired and respected.

Those were the brightest, most glorious days of his life.

Flender shook his head with a bitter smile, his tone tinged with sorrow and mockery.
"Xiao Gang, you can deceive others, but you can’t deceive me—or yourself."

"Can you really say you’ve forgotten Third Sister?"

"Enough!" Yu Xiaogang roared.

"Flender, stop mentioning her. It’s all just fleeting memories from twenty years ago!"

As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang couldn’t help but clench his fists.

"She must have found her place by now."

"All I want now is to help Xiao San reach his potential. I have no expectations for myself when it comes to love."

"Heh, you’re still the same," Flender chuckled, shaking his head.

How could he not sense Yu Xiaogang’s fear? Fear that Liu Erlong had married someone else.

"Xiao Gang, I actually saw Third Sister once. It seemed like she was searching for someone..."

Hearing Flender’s words, Yu Xiaogang’s heart trembled as if a weight had been lifted.

Suddenly, he stood up, interrupting Flender with a sharp reprimand.

"Shut up, Flender!"

"Don’t say another word. I don’t want these old matters to ruin our peace!"

"You—"

Flender looked at Yu Xiaogang’s weary appearance, but for a long time, no words came out. He could only shake his head helplessly.

"Fine, fine. This is between you two, after all. But Xiao Gang, as your brother, I’ll always support you!"

Yu Xiaogang did not respond. Only he knew—he wasn’t truly angry. In fact, he felt a bit relieved.

"Xiao Gang, have you been back home recently?"

Flender took a deep breath, changing the subject.

Yu Xiaogang stiffened, shaking his head with a cold tone.
"Home? I haven’t had a home for a long time."
"Until I achieve something, I won’t go back. I don’t want to be ridiculed ever again!"

With his hands behind his back, Yu Xiaogang turned away, gazing out the window. His hunched figure looked frail, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

All these years, how could he not have thought about returning? But he couldn’t—no, he dared not. His dignity couldn’t withstand being trampled again.

"Why put yourself through this?" Flender muttered helplessly, understanding that Yu Xiaogang’s pride was once again the culprit.

Yu Xiaogang said nothing more, silently forcing back his tears. He refused to show such a vulnerable side to anyone.

After all, he was the Grandmaster, the undisputed master of theory.


---

In Heaven Dou City, the streets glowed brightly with lights.

Inside the continent’s grandest arena, the Emperor Team was waiting in a private box. Opposite three large sofas was a transparent one-way glass wall.

From their side, they could clearly see the battles unfolding in the arena.

On the middle sofa sat two robust twin men with square faces and silent demeanors. Their mature and steady aura was unmistakable.

At the edge of the sofa sat a young man with long black hair. He wore a sleek blue outfit, his tall figure exuding confidence and pride. Although his facial features weren’t handsome, they were sharp and unwavering.

At that moment, he held a cup filled with a blue-purple liquid, offering it to a green-haired girl on the adjacent sofa.

"Yan Zi, try my family’s special Dragon Saliva Wine."

"Yu Tianheng, I’m busy right now!"

Dugu Yan leaned against the girl beside her and turned her head away, rejecting him outright.

"Alright, Yan Zi. I’ll just leave it here."

Yu Tianheng smiled, placing the cup down without pushing further. He knew Dugu Yan was important. If he couldn’t win her over, he at least couldn’t make her dislike him.

On another sofa, a blond young man with features as delicate as a woman’s nudged his companion and asked,
"Yufeng, what do you think Lingling is reading?"

"How would I know? And if you get any closer, I swear I’ll hit you!"

Yufeng, wearing a beret and boasting sharp, handsome features, responded irritably.

"Tch, fine! This rugged man will just stay away from you, Mr. Pretty Boy."

Oslo pouted and turned his attention back to Ye Lingling.

In truth, he wasn’t the only one curious. Even the Shi brothers occasionally glanced toward Dugu Yan’s direction.

On the sofa sat two girls: the green-haired, strikingly beautiful Dugu Yan, and the blue-haired, quiet Ye Lingling.

At that moment, Ye Lingling was holding a book, carefully hiding its title from view. Dugu Yan was even keeping watch for her.

Ye Lingling silently flipped through the pages. Even with a veil covering her face, the blush radiating from her skin was unmistakable, and her earlobes glowed crimson.

"Lingling, how’s it going? Is this one explicit enough?" Dugu Yan leaned in and asked softly.

"It’s… it’s alright. I think I’m starting to learn how to do it," Ye Lingling replied, her voice barely audible and her face flushed.

"Good, then."

Dugu Yan nodded slightly, cradling a stack of similarly suspicious books. She glanced through the simple illustrations in her hands.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling felt her body growing restless. But she wanted to give Qian Renjue the best experience—one that would truly please him. ⊂ •͡˘∠•͡˘ ⊃