"Really, Xiaogang? You found a soul beast that can solve Xiao Ma's evil fire problem?"
Flender, who had always been the most anxious about Ma Hongjun's condition, immediately grabbed Yu Xiaogang's sleeve and asked urgently.
When it came to Ma Hongjun, Flender had long forgotten the countless rifts between himself and Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang's lips curled upward slightly, a trace of smugness flickering in his eyes.
Hmph! Now you know how important this Grandmaster is, don't you?
Damn you, Flender!
While cursing inwardly, Yu Xiaogang still outwardly assumed his usual self-important "Grandmaster demeanor," clasping his hands behind his back with feigned calm.
Meanwhile, his small, calculating eyes secretly darted toward Liu Erlong again and again.
At that moment, Liu Erlong, upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's claim, subconsciously adjusted her glasses, her expression showing genuine interest in what he was about to say.
Yu Xiaogang's gaze lingered on her — she was more alluring than ever, and the addition of those glasses gave her a kind of intellectual charm that made his heart itch.
Who would've thought Erlong has become even more beautiful…?
Reading really does change one's fate, he thought.
But his ambition flared up again — he had to become a teacher at Blue Tyrant Academy.
Yes, despite what others might think, Liu Erlong had not given him any special treatment or "backdoor" entry into the academy.
That fact burned deep in Yu Xiaogang's heart, adding yet another layer of resentment toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The story behind it was this—
After Yu Xiaogang left, Liu Erlong had once spiraled into near-madness. But six years ago, when Xiao Yan's first thesis was published, she began reading books.
Of course, it wasn't that Xiao Yan's theories had such a profound effect on her.
Rather, after a portion of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan went into seclusion, their productivity plummeted, and the clan ended up taking direct control of Blue Tyrant Academy.
On the surface, Blue Tyrant Academy still belonged to Liu Erlong, but in truth, a large portion of its profits went straight to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The clan held itself in high esteem and treated the academy as a reflection of its prestige. Therefore, they required all teachers to master the theories of Grandmaster Xiao Yan.
Liu Erlong was no exception. Out of boredom at first, she began reading Xiao Yan's work.
But from the very first paper, she immediately recognized who the "trash" being subtly criticized in the text was meant to be.
At first, she wanted to stop reading out of anger and embarrassment. But curiosity got the better of her, and she continued.
In time, Liu Erlong developed a genuine interest in theory, soul master knowledge, and reading in general.
Reading makes one wise. Knowledge changes fate.
Over the long years of study, she came to understand one painful truth—
Yu Xiaogang, both as a soul master and as a man, was truly useless.
With her thirst for knowledge growing stronger, Liu Erlong gradually let go of her obsession with Yu Xiaogang. Through years of study, she developed a new aura — one that was calm, confident, and intellectual.
Now, her theoretical understanding was in no way inferior to Yu Xiaogang's.
Recently, Yu Xiaogang's group joined Blue Tyrant Academy.
Liu Erlong had originally stopped caring about Yu Xiaogang altogether, but since he'd shown up, she figured she might as well see what he'd become.
The result? A complete disappointment.
That ridiculous "Infernal Prison" hairstyle alone made her unable to look directly at him.
And then he had the nerve to ask her for a favor — to let him become a teacher at her academy?
Liu Erlong, who had long since moved on and rekindled her own second spring, had no desire to be entangled with Yu Xiaogang ever again.
The only reason she allowed him to stay at the Academy was out of respect for his past ties to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Later, when she asked him how he intended to help the students improve, his answers only proved her right.
She rejected his application to become a teacher outright, citing the academy's policy — in truth, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's principle — that only those who understood theory could teach students.
Yu Xiaogang, who didn't understand real theory at all, had actually made students run laps with heavy loads as "training."
That, apparently, was the best his brain could come up with.
Not a shred of progress… Liu Erlong had thought back then, utterly disappointed.
And now, hearing Yu Xiaogang claim that he'd found a perfect soul beast and soul ring to cure Ma Hongjun's evil fire, Liu Erlong raised an elegant brow.
After six years of study, she had reached rank 82, a Soul Douluo, yet she still hadn't found a solution.
Naturally, she was curious about Yu Xiaogang's so-called "method."
If it truly worked, she'd reconsider his position as a teacher.If not, then forget it.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang, feeling the gazes of everyone fix on him — especially Liu Erlong's — couldn't help but feel a wave of secret satisfaction.
"Heh heh…"
After two smug chuckles, he turned to Ma Hongjun.
"Xiao Ma, don't worry. I've already found a way to resolve your evil fire problem."
After pausing for effect, he continued, "Since everyone believes your evil fire is incurable, we shall not suppress it — but rather embrace it."
At those words, Flender immediately frowned.
Isn't this the same old nonsense again?
But before he could object, Yu Xiaogang spoke again.
"The evil fire is your weapon. How can we abandon your weapon? What we should do is master it—control it completely."
Having laid out his grand theory, Yu Xiaogang could already see the doubt on everyone's faces. To salvage his credibility, he quickly added:
"I recently went through Blue Tyrant Academy's library and found records of a soul beast perfectly suited for Xiao Ma. It's called the Evil Nether Wraith ."
"This soul beast usually manifests as an irregular, constantly shifting shadow. It's said to be formed from the souls of dead spirit beasts tangled together."
"It naturally wields the power of Evil Nether energy, devouring the life force of nearby soul beasts, and possesses extremely strong spiritual power."
"If Xiao Ma absorbs the soul ring of such a beast, he could perfectly control his Evil Nether energy, replenish his vitality by devouring other life forces, and even gain a considerable boost to his spiritual power."
"This," Yu Xiaogang said excitedly, "is the most suitable soul beast for Xiao Ma!"
But his words were met not with enthusiasm — only with suspicion.
Liu Erlong soon voiced the question on everyone's mind:
"You said this Evil Nether Wraith is so evil — aren't you afraid Xiao Ma will become like it?"
Her words struck like a thunderclap.
Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened, and in his heart he cursed: What does that have to do with me?!
What he truly cared about was getting Ma Hongjun stronger — fast. As long as he reached Soul Emperor level without weakening, it would serve his purpose.
Two years from now, once the academy tournament was over and everything was settled, what happened to Ma Hongjun wouldn't matter.
By then, he'd already have taken Xiao Lin as his personal disciple. Whether Ma Hongjun lived or died — that was none of his concern.
In truth, this was exactly how he'd treated Tang San in the original timeline as well.
If Tang San hadn't been born with the twin martial spirits of the Blue Silver Emperor and the Clear Sky Hammer, he would've long ended up a half-baked cripple under Yu Xiaogang's "guidance."
And when Ma Hongjun finally did fall, Yu Xiaogang could always claim moral high ground — using "justice" as an excuse to have his prized student, Xiao Lin, slay Ma Hongjun and become the true "Grandmaster's heir."
Unfortunately for him, Liu Erlong's question instantly changed the atmosphere.
The teachers' eyes — including Flender's — turned sharp, filled with disbelief and doubt.
"Yu Xiaogang," Flender snapped coldly, "what are you really planning?"
"Flender, I'm doing this for Xiao Ma's own good!" Yu Xiaogang protested, his expression growing stiff. "Would Xiao Ma fall into evil? With you watching over him? Impossible!"
He twisted the conversation cleverly, turning the accusation back around.
Now, if Ma Hongjun did fall, it would be Flender's fault for not managing him properly.
"Don't you trust Xiao Ma? After all his years of bitter cultivation?"
Yu Xiaogang's tone brimmed with moral superiority, standing tall as if on the high ground of righteousness — leaving the others staring at his "noble" face, unsure whether to laugh or be disgusted.
(End of Chapter)