Chapter 19: Yu Xiaogang—Spirit Hall Stole My Theory!
After being expelled from Spirit Hall, Yu Xiaogang once thought his life was over.
Fortunately, fate granted him an unexpected encounter—a young soul master who admired him greatly. Because of that man, he regained some of his lost confidence.
That youth was none other than Flender, the flat-faced young man currently standing beside him. Though his looks were… unfortunate, his strength wasn't weak.
It was only after meeting Flender that Yu Xiaogang finally realized—those "reference books" Spirit Hall once allowed him to study were all priceless treasures outside the Hall.
Qi Tian, playing along with feigned curiosity, asked lightly,
"Since you've achieved so much in Martial Soul theory, your cultivation must be quite high, then?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened, embarrassment flashing across his face.
Why must this woman touch the sorest spot in his heart?
Thankfully, someone came to his rescue.
Flender quickly stepped forward and said,
"Miss, though Xiaogang's soul power is only at rank twenty-nine, that's due to a malignant mutation of his Martial Soul."
"But he never gave up. Instead, he devoted himself to studying Martial Soul theory and has now become a true master in that field!"
"He even published a groundbreaking work—The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls!"
Flender's tone grew more impassioned as he continued,
"Even Spirit Hall coveted his knowledge! They actually sent Saintess Bibi Dong to get close to him, trying to steal his theories."
"When he refused, Spirit Hall banished him from Spirit City to cover up their crime!"
Qi Tian was momentarily stunned. Even Liu Erlong—listening through their soul connection—was confused.
"Benefactor, is that man really that incredible? Spirit Hall wouldn't do something so vile, would they?" she asked skeptically.
After all, when she had extended her mother's life, it was thanks to Spirit Hall's monthly soul coin subsidy. It was hard for her to imagine them committing such treachery.
Qi Tian snorted inwardly.
"Of course he's lying! If he were truly that talented, do you think Spirit Hall would've let him go?"
Spirit Hall wasn't filled entirely with fools like Su Yuntao.
Once Flender finished his grand introduction, Yu Xiaogang quickly interjected,
"Flender, that's enough. Don't say such things carelessly! If Spirit Hall's people hear that, it could cause trouble."
His tone was modest, but his heart was secretly pleased.
The truth was, when he'd first met Flender, he had deliberately twisted the story to win his trust—mixing a bit of truth with plenty of ambiguity. Flender had simply filled in the blanks on his own, forming this wild narrative.
And Yu Xiaogang? He saw no reason to correct him.
If Spirit Hall ever came knocking, he could always deny everything and walk away clean.
By now, Yu Xiaogang had thought things through.
He planned to travel the continent, find a gifted disciple, and personally train that student into a true prodigy—thus proving his worth to both his clan and Spirit Hall.
However, given his current strength, wandering the world alone was dangerous.
That was why he intended to recruit both Flender and this beautiful woman before him into his little "team."
Yu Xiaogang smiled courteously and said,
"Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Yu Xiaogang. This is my companion, Flender. May I know your name, Miss?"
Qi Tian deliberately reached down to adjust the jade pendant hanging at her waist before answering,
"My name is Liu Erlong."
Yu Xiaogang's gaze instinctively followed the motion—and when he saw the familiar family jade pendant, his pupils contracted sharply.
A surge of disbelief flashed across his mind. But almost immediately, he calmed himself and asked cautiously,
"Miss Liu… may I take a closer look at your jade pendant?"
Even Liu Erlong, listening through soul resonance, grew nervous.
"Benefactor, ask him quickly! He seems to recognize this token!"
Qi Tian removed the jade pendant and handed it over casually.
"You seem to know this piece?"
Yu Xiaogang accepted it and examined it carefully.
Indeed, it was a genuine identification token of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Could she be a member of the clan? But… I've never seen her before. And her surname is Liu?" he thought, suspicion clouding his eyes.
To confirm his guess, Yu Xiaogang finally asked,
"Miss Liu, may I ask—what is your Martial Soul?"
Qi Tian smiled faintly and said,
"My Martial Soul is the Fire Dragon."
"Fire Dragon?" Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment. Not the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon? Then this jade pendant... could it be that she killed a member of the clan and took it from them?
His expression darkened. Quietly, he took a cautious step back, subtly positioning Flender in front of him as a shield.
Although he had been expelled from the clan, that didn't mean he harbored no feelings for it.
"Benefactor, what's wrong with him? Why does it look like he's afraid of me?" Liu Erlong's curious voice echoed in Qi Tian's mind.
Qi Tian chuckled and replied,
"Did you forget what your mother told you a few days ago? What's your biological father's surname?"
"Hmm... I think it was 'Yu'? Wait—Yu Xiaogang's surname is also Yu! Could it be... they're from the same family?"
Qi Tian nodded mentally.
"Exactly. As far as I know, the most prominent soul master family with the surname Yu is none other than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"If he recognizes that jade pendant, he's likely related to your father—maybe even your half-brother."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect is one of the three upper sects. On the surface, they're on good terms with Spirit Hall, but behind the scenes, they're rivals."
"This Yu Xiaogang once joined Spirit Hall despite that. He might be the kind of man who betrays both teacher and clan. You should stay cautious—don't let him deceive you."
Qi Tian took the opportunity to "warn" her, ensuring Liu Erlong wouldn't develop feelings for Yu Xiaogang like in the original timeline.
If not for her upright, compassionate nature—her refusal to harm innocents—Qi Tian might've already killed Yu Xiaogang and completed his task by now.
"So that's the kind of person he is? Benefactor, rest assured—I won't be fooled by someone like him!" Liu Erlong's tone was firm, righteous fire burning in her words.
Only then did Yu Xiaogang feel it was safe enough to speak again. He straightened slightly and questioned,
"Miss Liu, may I ask—where did you get this jade pendant?"
After explaining everything to Liu Erlong through their link, Qi Tian finally replied aloud,
"My mother gave it to me. Why? You recognize it?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes narrowed slightly. Could her mother have been a powerful soul master who killed a member of the clan and took the pendant?
He glanced at Flender beside him and felt a bit more secure.
With some hesitation, he said,
"To be honest, that jade pendant is a symbol of identity for my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. May I ask... where exactly did your mother obtain it?"
Qi Tian sneered faintly,
"Didn't you just say you were expelled from Spirit Hall? Why are you now claiming to be a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect again?"
"From what I know, although the sect masters of the Three Upper Sects hold guest elder titles in Spirit Hall, their relationship with the Hall is far from harmonious."
"Over a decade ago, when Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu returned from Sea God Island and fought to determine superiority before retreating into seclusion, it was already clear—the Three Sects and Spirit Hall aren't exactly friendly."
"So, if someone left their sect to join Spirit Hall, that person would indeed be a traitor in every sense."
Yu Xiaogang was left speechless, his mouth opening and closing with no words escaping. Flender, however, was stunned.
"Xiaogang, you're from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?" he exclaimed, eyes gleaming with surprise.
Flender's biggest dream was to found a soul master academy renowned across the continent. And to achieve that, he needed someone exactly like Yu Xiaogang—someone with a theoretical genius and noble background.
Of course, before they could establish the academy, they needed fame—something that would draw both teachers and students to their future institution.
Yu Xiaogang's face, however, turned bitter again, sinking back into his usual gloom.
"Flender… I didn't mean to hide it from you. Because of my Martial Soul's malignant mutation, the clan cast me out. That's why I joined Spirit Hall afterward."
His words were directed at Flender, but at the same time, they served as an answer to Qi Tian's earlier question.
—
End of Chapter