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Yu Xiaogang walked along the path with an air of ease.
Finally, someone was willing to take on Tang San, that scorching hot potato.
Even if the Spirit Hall decided to settle scores later, they would go after the Tian Dou Empire, not him—a penniless theoretical teacher with no real connection to the matter.
Would the Tian Dou Royal Family dare to cause trouble for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?
Don't be ridiculous! The Tian Dou Royal Family would grovel to curry favor with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. After all, most of the Tian Dou Empire's Title Douluo were from the upper three sects.
Tang San keenly noticed Yu Xiaogang's cheerfulness and assumed it stemmed from his teacher's joy at seeing him advance in cultivation. Tang San grew even more reverent toward Yu Xiaogang, believing his teacher had gone to great lengths for his benefit.
As one of the continent's top academies, the Tian Dou Imperial Academy might lack in other areas, but its architecture was undeniably magnificent.
The group soon met their targets—the three Soul Battle Lord Academic Affairs Committee members of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy:
- Meng Shenji, Level 86 Black Demon
- Bai Baoshan, Level 85 Heavenly Star Furnace
- Zhi Lin, Level 83 Azure Vine
None of them were weak, and their teaching philosophies complemented each other. If not for the sudden emergence of Ye Wen's Tianxing Academy, they would have trained several championship-winning teams by now.
The moment they entered the reception room, Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted.
"Why is Ye Wen here?"
A bad feeling lingered in his heart, but Yu Xiaogang quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, esteemed committee members, and Director Ye Wen."
The others followed suit.
Tang San, after bowing, couldn't help but steal glances at Ye Wen. Not only was Ye Wen present, but he was accompanied by eight others—some familiar faces from Shrek Academy.
Among them, a girl with blue-and-white hair caught Tang San's eye.
Though years had passed and her appearance had changed slightly, Tang San instantly recognized her as Ye Tianshui, who had once beaten him mercilessly.
His gaze grew increasingly entranced, his body recalling the phantom pain from back then. A voice within seemed to whisper incessantly, luring him deeper into obsession.
With so many powerful individuals present, how could they miss Tang San's strange behavior?
Ye Wen's forced smile twitched slightly.
'Good grief, even after all these years, you're still hung up on my little girl? Are you really that into the whole "wild girlfriend" trope? Masochist, huh?'
Yu Xiaogang also noticed his disciple's odd demeanor and subtly nudged Tang San.
Only then did Tang San snap out of it, pretending to cough casually. He felt frustrated with himself. What was wrong with him? Could it be that being single for too long had driven him mad?
But Ye Tianshui was just as adorable as ever. 'Wait for me, Tianshui. I'll grow strong enough to marry you, and nothing will stop me.'
Tang San, who had always been self-taught and isolated in his cultivation, was exceedingly arrogant. As for mutual affection, he had no concept of it. He believed that his love, as the reincarnated chosen one, would be an immense honor for Ye Tianshui.
At this point, Meng Shenji, the leader of the three committee members, spoke kindly to the Shrek group.
"So, you wish to enroll in our Tian Dou Imperial Academy?"
"Yes, Academician Meng Shenji. I believe these children, in terms of both age and talent, are worthy candidates for the academy's focused cultivation," Yu Xiaogang said confidently.
What about Tang San serving the Tian Dou Empire after graduation?
That question should be directed to Heaven Douluo Tang Hao. Yu Xiaogang had already prepared his excuse—he was merely providing resources to cultivate Tang San to the Soul Ancestor level. The Tian Dou Royal Family wouldn't make a fuss over such a small investment.
The three committee members exchanged glances, and finally, Meng Shenji said,
"Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. Let me test them myself. Dr. Yu, I assume you have no objections?"
After all, the current state of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy was dire.
If they admitted subpar students, they'd lose face before Emperor Xue Ye. Moreover, Yu Xiaogang's identity was sensitive—if they made a misstep, they could become the laughingstock of the soul master education world.
Given Tang San's achievements at his age, Yu Xiaogang was confident he would pass.
By the time of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, which capped participants at age 25, Tang San, with his current rapid cultivation rate, would likely reach the Soul Emperor level, or at least the advanced Soul King level. If he failed to meet those standards, it would defy logic.
Off to the side, Ye Wen quietly observed the unfolding drama.
The inertia of fate was truly absurd.
Under the previous circumstances, Tang San should have remained in Shrek's remote countryside, slowly cultivating without encountering the Royal Battle Team or Qin Ming, the traitorous rebel. Yet here he was, seeking enrollment at the Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
If Tang San were allowed to study here, it would be like a rat falling into a rice barrel.
Though the academy's teaching quality was poor, its facilities were top-notch.
But since fate had brought him here today, Ye Wen decided to sabotage this opportunity.
'Tian Dou isn't something you can handle, Tang San. Let me take care of it instead.'
"Chairman Meng, may I interject?" Ye Wen said.
Though curious about Ye Wen's sudden interruption, Meng Shenji, respecting Ye Wen's status, replied amiably,
"Of course."
Ye Wen then turned his gaze to the Shrek group.
"Though I have no authority to interfere with your enrollment at Tian Dou, I happen to plan to have my children represent the academy in the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament. If you join the school team, I hope you'll prioritize my children.
After all, while you all possess decent talent, compared to my children, you're still lacking."
Ye Wen's words were blunt, causing the Shrek group to frown collectively.
Flander knew Ye Wen wasn't lying. Though their students were talented, they couldn't match the elite training provided by Tianxing Academy.
But—
Tang San suddenly spoke up, "Director Ye Wen, I disagree with what you've said."
"Oh? Where do you think I'm mistaken? I'm open to advice—you can speak freely, Tang San," Ye Wen replied smoothly.
Tang San's gaze hardened as he declared firmly,
"Times have changed. After years of cultivation, I'm no longer the same person. Even though Miss Ye Tianshui defeated me in the past, I don't believe I'd lose to her now. Therefore, I cannot accept your claim that your children surpass me in talent."
'How confident of you, Tang San,' Ye Wen thought inwardly.
But this was exactly what Ye Wen had hoped for.
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