Upon hearing this, Tang San's eyes lit up.
"This plan is brilliant, Teacher. I've always disliked that Ye Wen—he's such a slippery character. How else could he deceive so many girls into swarming around him, despite being such a waste?"
Would Tang San feel jealous about Ye Wen becoming Yu Xiaogang's disciple?
Not at all. After accepting Yu Xiaogang's theory about innate talent, Tang San had already concluded that Ye Wen—someone he once envied—would inevitably be surpassed by him in the future.
No amount of knowledge mattered if one lacked the innate aptitude to become a true powerhouse like him.
With this realization firmly in place, Tang San readily accepted Yu Xiaogang's task and headed back to the dormitory to fetch Ye Wen.
"Xiao Wu~ Xiao Wu, hehe~"
At this moment, Ye Wen, who had just exited his meditative state after diligent cultivation in the dormitory, saw Tang San striding toward him, which made him somewhat puzzled.
"Why is this guy coming for me? Does he have something against me and now wants to take me out?"
While Ye Wen was wildly speculating, Tang San stopped directly in front of Ye Wen's bed, arrogantly tilting his chin upward as he declared:
"Ye Wen, my teacher is calling you. Come with me."
Ye Wen frowned. Yu Xiaogang was calling him? They had no prior interactions, so he instinctively asked:
"What does Master want with me?"
Having been suppressed as a low-ranking member of a sect in his past life, Tang San now looked down on Ye Wen, believing this "waste" would never surpass him. With an air of superiority, he replied:
"Don't ask too many questions. Just come with me."
Ye Wen knew Tang San tended to spout ridiculous phrases like "courting death" and realized that badmouthing Yu Xiaogang in front of him might make him the next real-life example of Gatekeeper 2.0.
After some careful thought, Ye Wen cautiously responded:
"Sorry, Tang San, but I'll have to decline. Though Master is your teacher, he holds no official position in the academy. I'm under no obligation to follow the instructions of someone outside the school. If there's nothing else, please leave—I still need to cultivate."
Though Ye Wen's tone was calm and didn't offend Tang San, Tang San had heard plenty of complaints about his teacher from other students. Assuming Ye Wen was also belittling Yu Xiaogang, he coldly retorted:
"Ye Wen, don't be ungrateful. My teacher is calling you because he wants to give you an opportunity. If you miss this chance, you won't get another."
Ye Wen was internally speechless. Some transmigrators really didn't think before speaking, blurting out phrases that clearly didn't fit the style of Douluo Continent.
Though Ye Wen wanted to say something like "unsolicited kindness often hides ulterior motives," he decided to keep quiet and find another way to respond.
At this moment, Huo Yu'er had just returned from relieving herself outside and witnessed the standoff between Tang San and Ye Wen. She immediately felt displeased.
'This damn Tang San better not be making things difficult for my future husband,' Huo Yu'er thought slyly.
Seeing Huo Yu'er, Ye Wen's mind raced, and he quickly said:
"Sorry, Tang San, but I'm not interested in whatever benefits your teacher is offering. As you can see, my girlfriend comes from a prominent family—even a Soul Sage-level elder exists within her lineage. I'm currently living off her family's resources, so I doubt Master's offer could compare to what I already have.
Moreover, let's not forget—I have one redeeming quality: I'm focused. I'm already satisfied with the resources provided by Yu'er's family, and I absolutely won't betray her."
This was a lie.
In this era, which wasn't yet the drug-fueled era of The Peerless Tang Sect, soul master cultivation primarily relied on personal talent or rare treasures of fate. Ye Wen's words were merely a way to brush Tang San off.
However, Huo Yu'er took him at his word. Her already radiant golden eyes sparkled even more as she wrapped her arms around Ye Wen's arm and raised her chin proudly.
"Did you hear that? Scram! Don't disturb me and Ye Wen's cuddle time. And tell Yu Xiaogang we're not interested. One Ye Wen is all I need!"
With that, Huo Yu'er tightened her grip on Ye Wen's arm, looking every bit like she was staking her claim.
At this moment, Xiao Wu also returned. Seeing how close the two were, her cheeks puffed up in jealousy, and she tried to hug Huo Yu'er. But Huo Yu'er pushed her away, sending her tumbling back onto the bed.
"You're no different. Two girls shouldn't be clinging to each other like that."
"Sister Yu'er, waaah~ You don't love me anymore! I don't want this~"
Xiao Wu instantly became upset, and the three of them began bickering and wrestling again, much to Ye Wen's annoyance.
'This rabbit is so annoying! Your true destined partner is this lump of charcoal, Tang San. Stop interrupting our alone time, will you?'
And though Ye Wen doubted he could absorb Xiao Wu's soul ring, her gleaming hundred-thousand-year soul bone was still quite attractive to him as a soul master.
Meanwhile, Tang San watched the entire scene unfold, unable to interject. His already dark face grew even darker.
'Fine! You're all high and mighty! I'm leaving!'
Once again, Tang San suffered defeat.
When he returned to Yu Xiaogang, though Tang San didn't exaggerate Ye Wen's moral failings, his interference with Yu Xiaogang's plan alone was enough to irritate the latter.
At this moment, the rose-tinted lens through which Yu Xiaogang viewed Ye Wen shattered completely.
Though Yu Xiaogang could have personally visited to show sincerity, he genuinely looked down on Ye Wen—a "waste" with only half a level of innate soul power.
In his mind, as the once-lofty young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect—one of the top three sects—it was already a great honor for him to consider taking in such a talentless commoner as a disciple.
"Hmph! Commoners are just commoners—blind and ungrateful. To reject a master like me and instead leech off a small family is laughable!
I can't believe I once saw myself in him. I, Yu Xiaogang, am upright and dignified—I'd never stoop to such disgraceful behavior as eating soft rice!
But… this plan failed too? It seems I'll need to try a different approach."
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang completely forgot how he had once stolen precious tomes from the Spirit Hall through Bibi Dong. In his mind, he was always the most noble, righteous, and virtuous person.
Though both plans had failed, as a man who had once conquered Bibi Dong and won over the talented young woman Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang still had his pride.
'Seducing women? That's my specialty!'
Thus, during his free time, Yu Xiaogang not only taught Tang San theoretical knowledge but also instructed him on how to woo women. Unfortunately, Tang San's less-than-impressive appearance required alternative methods to enhance his charm.
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