"Oh, it's the Grandmaster!" Huo Feng said with a polite smile as the two groups met. "I didn't expect you to find Tang San so quickly. I'm so happy for you both!"
At this moment, Xiao Wu and the other two girls stood quietly behind him. They weren't familiar with Yu Xiaogang and had never properly met Tang San, so they obediently hung back instead of stepping forward to join the conversation. Instead, the three of them began whispering.
"So that's the Grandmaster's famous disciple, Tang San?" Ning Rongrong, the most gossipy of the three, secretly glanced at the pair in front of Huo Feng, a look of disgust creeping onto her face. She recognized Yu Xiaogang, so the disheveled boy next to him had to be Tang San.
Although she had been at the blacksmith shop yesterday, it had been dark and crowded. Huo Feng and Dai Mubai had been standing in front, blocking her view. Now, seeing him clearly in the daylight, she found that he was completely different from how the "Grandmaster" had described him. Setting aside his strength, his appearance had absolutely nothing to do with the word "good-looking." He looked more like a beggar than a promising Spirit Master.
"The 'Grandmaster' brought him all the way to the academy. Do you think he's trying to get him enrolled?" Ning Rongrong whispered. They had all noticed the close relationship between the dean and Yu Xiaogang. Even though Tang San had failed the entrance exam, it probably wouldn't be difficult for him to get in with that connection.
"Very likely," Zhu Zhuqing, who rarely expressed her opinions, added in her usual terse manner. It was only two words, but it highlighted her cool and distant personality. In her view, though she didn't know Tang San personally, her first impression was extremely poor. Yu Xiaogang had already left a bad taste in her mouth; anyone taken on as his disciple was likely no good either. Even someone as despicable as Ma Hongjun or as lecherous as Dai Mubai was better. Her disgust for those two was purely physical; her disgust for Tang San and his teacher was mental.
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, just frowned slightly and said nothing. She had met Tang San before but had never paid him much mind. Her only thought now was that he had indeed changed a lot, at least in appearance. Compared to such boring people, she would rather focus her attention on someone more meaningful. Someone like Huo Feng. She was more than happy to pay attention to him.
The three girls exchanged glances. Though few words were spoken, their expressions conveyed a long and detailed conversation.
"We found Tang San in a blacksmith shop in Soto City late last night, so I didn't have time to inform you," Huo Feng said, his tone apologetic. "I was planning to tell Dean Flanders this morning, but I didn't expect you two to show up so soon." Although his words were a mix of truth and lies, his performance was flawless.
"In any case, I still want to thank you, Huo Feng," Yu Xiaogang responded calmly. He had learned from Flanders that Huo Feng was the first to find Tang San. Therefore, Huo Feng deserved most of the credit. But looking at Yu Xiaogang's stiff, unchanging expression, it was impossible to detect any real gratitude.
"Oh, you're being too polite," Huo Feng said, waving his hand dismissively. Then, he posed a very tricky question. "Since you've already found Tang San, what brings you back to Shrek Academy? Surely, you're not here to…?" He let the sentence hang, leaving it open to interpretation while simultaneously choking off whatever Yu Xiaogang was about to say.
He couldn't possibly admit that he was planning to use his relationship with Flanders to get Tang San into the academy through the back door, could he? The disciple of the great "Grandmaster" getting into Shrek that way? He would be a laughingstock. If word got out, the humiliation would be unbearable.
Tang San, standing beside him, didn't dare say a word. He already felt inferior to Huo Feng; admitting he needed to sneak in would be another blow to his pride.
After a brief moment of thought, Yu Xiaogang spoke. "Now that Tang San has been found, a great weight has been lifted from my mind. I thought it would be a good opportunity to bring him to Shrek Academy to rest and let him learn from outstanding students like yourselves." He had cleverly resolved the awkward question while also flattering Huo Feng and the others.
Huo Feng just smiled. This guy may not be much of a cultivator, but he's certainly mastered the art of talking his way out of things, he thought. He turned and gestured for the girls to come forward. "We have some things to do in Soto City, so we won't keep you. Goodbye."
Without waiting for a reaction, Huo Feng led the three girls past them. As they passed Tang San, a fragrant breeze followed in their wake. Envy flared in Tang San's heart, turning his eyes red. He had to force himself to maintain a neutral expression with his teacher right beside him, and it was deeply uncomfortable. Why was it that Huo Feng was not only powerful but also always surrounded by beautiful girls, while he was so unlucky?
"Tang San, you don't have to feel inferior," Yu Xiaogang said, sensing his disciple's dejection. "You have great talent. As long as you practice hard, surpassing Huo Feng won't be a problem." He paused, then leaned in and lowered his voice so only Tang San could hear. "Don't forget, you still have your second martial spirit!"
Tang San's body shook. That's right. He had a second martial spirit! Although cultivating his Blue Silver Grass felt somewhat disappointing, his second spirit was a true, top-tier weapon spirit. As long as he practiced diligently, his future would be limitless! Confidence surged back into his heart.
Yu Xiaogang felt it too. Tang San might only know that his second spirit was a hammer, but Yu Xiaogang knew it was no ordinary hammer. It was the Clear Sky Hammer! So what if his Blue Silver Grass was weak? This was all just laying the foundation for his true power. Unconsciously, a vision of Tang San as an unrivaled powerhouse had already formed in Yu Xiaogang's mind.
"My disciple, Tang San, definitely has the potential to become a Titled Douluo!" he thought, growing more and more excited. Tang San's father, Tang Hao, was the Haotian Douluo. The son of a Titled Douluo would surely become one himself. And when that day came, he, as Tang San's master, would see his own status in the Spirit Master world rise to unimaginable heights.
A stiff smile crept onto Yu Xiaogang's face. As they walked through the academy gate, he quickened his pace, pulling Tang San deeper into the grounds.
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