Chapter 118: Tang San’s New Idea, Xiao Wu Is Forced to Stay by Tang Hao

Tang San, carrying a swirl of questions, finally approached Yu Xiaogang's room.

"Teacher..." He pushed open the door, his mouth opening and closing a few times without knowing how to start.

"Hmm?"

Yu Xiaogang, who was scribbling furiously on paper, looked up, revealing deep dark circles and an exhausted expression. Upon seeing Tang San, he forced a smile. "Oh, Xiao San, it's you. What's the matter?"

Seeing his teacher's weary face, Tang San felt a pang of guilt, and much of his earlier resentment dissipated. He shook his head and asked instead, "It's nothing urgent for me. What about you, Teacher? You look utterly exhausted. What are you working on?"

Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly and replied, "You just obtained your second spirit ring, didn't you? I've been thinking about what your third spirit skill should be, something that can synergize with 'Entangle' and 'Parasitic.' I've been working on this all night."

Tang San's eyes widened slightly, and he felt a rush of emotion. "Teacher..."

"Haha!" Yu Xiaogang laughed heartily. "Xiao San, don't get so sentimental. It's my wish to nurture you into a great spirit master. No matter how hard or tiring it is, it's something I do willingly. You shouldn't feel bad or guilty about it."

Ordinarily, such a heartfelt display of devotion would have moved Tang San deeply.

But perhaps due to You Xing's earlier revelations and the sharp jolt they delivered, Tang San stayed focused and said, "Teacher, earlier, I sparred with You Xing again…"

Yu Xiaogang's expression immediately shifted.

Seeing Tang San's gloomy demeanor, it didn't take a genius to figure out the outcome—Tang San had lost again.

Yu Xiaogang quickly adopted a stern expression and said, "Xiao San, have you forgotten what I told you? Beast Spirit Masters have an advantage over Tool Spirit Masters in the early stages! Just because your Blue Silver Grass can't restrain You Xing now doesn't mean it won't in the future. Most importantly—"

Yu Xiaogang slapped his thigh with a grin. "You have twin spirits!"

Twin Spirits!

Hearing this phrase, Tang San raised an eyebrow, snapping out of the emotional hold Yu Xiaogang had tried to establish earlier.

Suddenly, Tang San asked, "Teacher, what do you think about developing Blue Silver Grass as an auxiliary spirit? Is it possible?"

Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed, and his heart tightened. Is Xiao San so shaken by his losses to You Xing that he's lost faith in his path?

He immediately replied in a grave tone, "Xiao San, Blue Silver Grass is best suited for the control system! Don't let a few setbacks shake your belief in your chosen path!"

At this, Tang San's heart sank completely.

His eyes darkened as he thought, He won't even analyze the question. It's clear Teacher is dead set on the control path, unwilling to consider any alternatives.

---

In truth, Yu Xiaogang's approach to teaching Tang San bore similarities to the second editor in the manga Bakuman. That editor, being a fan of gag manga, pushed the protagonist toward gag stories, ultimately wasting much of the protagonist's youth.

Some readers even glorified this as a "necessary trial," claiming the setbacks became stepping stones to future success.

But in reality, without these setbacks, the protagonist might have achieved his goals more smoothly and earlier.

The protagonist's eventual success wasn't thanks to the editor's guidance but rather occurred despite the editor's interference.

Yu Xiaogang was exactly this type of person.

From the start, his goal had been to find a talented student and use their success as proof of his theoretical achievements. But the reality? Tang San's eventual rise to godhood had nothing to do with Yu Xiaogang's theories.

Yu Xiaogang pushed Tang San toward his own research interests, under the guise of meticulous care. In truth, all his efforts were counterproductive, dragging Tang San down.

In an era where theoretical understanding had already advanced thanks to figures like You Chen, even an average scholar could offer Tang San better guidance than Yu Xiaogang.

Why? Because they wouldn't be so fixated on proving themselves, and they'd be open to integrating modern theories. Scholars from the pre-ban era wouldn't hesitate to use You Chen's ideas, unlike Yu Xiaogang.

In this upgraded world, Tang San's team was effectively stagnant, falling further behind the curve.

At this moment, recognizing Yu Xiaogang's flaws, Tang San formed a new plan.

"Respecting my teacher is one thing, but the development of my martial spirit is something I'll have to decide for myself."

Tang San resolved to feign obedience to Yu Xiaogang while secretly charting his own path.

This realization mirrored the protagonist's shift in Bakuman after enduring the second editor's misguided direction for too long.

But would Tang San, prioritizing his own judgment earlier, truly achieve a better outcome?

Would his own understanding be enough to make better decisions than Yu Xiaogang?

If Tang San were guaranteed smooth success, You Chen wouldn't have gone to such lengths to interfere with the narrative.

---

Several days had passed since You Chen and You Xing left Notting City.

Xiao Wu, usually vibrant and cheerful, now often sat quietly on a stone post near Notting City's gates, staring blankly into the distance.

Her lively demeanor was gone, replaced by a melancholy stillness.

But this tranquility didn't last long.

A shadow loomed over her suddenly, and Xiao Wu turned to see Tang Hao standing behind her.

"Xiao Wu," he said gruffly, "come with me. We need to talk."

"Uncle Hao?" Xiao Wu looked up in surprise.

Without waiting for a response, Tang Hao's firm grip on her shoulder made it clear she had no choice but to follow.

"Wait! What's going on? Where are we going?"

Tang Hao didn't answer. His face was set, his eyes cold and calculating.

---

Tang Hao had been watching Xiao Wu closely, ever since she began acting strangely after You Chen's departure.

"She's hiding something," he thought.

And Tang Hao, as a father determined to protect Tang San, wasn't about to let anything—or anyone—endanger his son.

Several days had passed since You Chen and You Xing had left Notting City.

Xiao Wu's once lively and cheerful demeanor had vanished. She often sat listlessly on a stone post near the city gates, staring blankly into the distance.

Her sense of loneliness and melancholy was palpable. Even Da Hei and the other small gang members tried various ways to cheer her up, but nothing seemed to work.

Tang San, already troubled by his own emotions, felt even more frustrated watching Xiao Wu's despondency over You Xing's departure.

While he greatly respected and admired You Xing, Tang San couldn't suppress the jealousy gnawing at his heart. He could endure Xiao Wu's punches, kicks, and cold shoulders, but he couldn't stand her gazing at someone else.

With such conflicted feelings, he ultimately chose not to comfort her.

The others, having failed to lift Xiao Wu's spirits, eventually gave up, hoping she would sort out her emotions on her own.

But as Xiao Wu sat on her stone perch, her mind was already set on leaving.

---

With You Chen and You Xing gone, Xiao Wu felt like the two people she was closest to in Notting City had left her behind.

While playing with Da Hei and the others was fun and occasionally beating up Tang San was amusing, she couldn't shake the sense of unease that lingered in her heart.

"Without Uncle You Chen to cover for me, staying in one place too long is bound to attract attention. Someone might already have noticed my unusual cultivation speed…"

Her original plan had been to wander randomly between human villages, never staying too long in one place. That way, even she wouldn't know where she would end up, making it harder for anyone to track her.

Now, having reached nearly the level of a Spirit Elder, Xiao Wu felt she was strong enough to journey through the Douluo Continent. For the most part, she could protect herself in any situation.

Moreover, hearing about You Chen's enmity with Bibi Dong only strengthened her resolve to leave. She feared that Spirit Hall might send powerful agents to investigate Notting City, the last known location of someone who had crossed Bibi Dong. If she stayed, it might mean her end.

Thus, on a dark, moonless night, Xiao Wu slipped out of Notting City without telling anyone.

---

"Phew…"

Xiao Wu glanced back at the sleeping city, now cloaked in darkness. A trace of reluctance flickered in her eyes, but it was soon replaced by determination.

However, when she turned around, a tall figure in a tattered cloak suddenly appeared before her.

Xiao Wu's eyes widened in alarm. Her martial spirit instinctively issued a powerful warning, flooding her with fear. She felt as though she were frozen in place, unable to move.

At that moment, she realized the truth.

"This spirit master… they must be strong enough to see through my true identity!"

"Xiao Wu, there's no need to be afraid."

A deep male voice broke the silence. The man removed his hood, revealing a weathered face full of sorrow and darkness.

Xiao Wu stared at him, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.

The man spoke again, his tone calm: "I am Tang San's father, Tang Hao."

And then, he dropped a bombshell: "I know you're a spirit beast in human form."

"What?"

Tang Hao's words left Xiao Wu's mind blank.

She stood there, stunned, until a chilling thought surfaced: "Am I going to die here?"

"Don't worry, I have no interest in harming you."

As if reading her mind, Tang Hao lowered his head, his gaze softening. "Not only because you're a good friend to my son, but also because… my wife was a spirit beast in human form. Tang San is half-human, half-spirit beast."

A spirit beast hybrid?

Xiao Wu's heart wavered between doubt and belief.

While her memory didn't recall any specific reaction upon first meeting Tang San, her instincts—a sixth sense honed as a spirit beast—had always nudged her toward trust.

"So… I'm not going to die?"

Though she didn't completely let her guard down, Xiao Wu recognized the gravity of the situation. The man before her was at least a Spirit Douluo—if not a Title Douluo, given his claim that he could protect her from other Title Douluo.

She knew the best course of action now was to establish some level of trust with him. Blind flattery would be suspicious, but showing her will and resolve might work better.

"Mr. Tang Hao," Xiao Wu began cautiously, "why are you here? Or rather… why are you stopping me from leaving?"

Tang Hao's deep eyes bore into her as he spoke in a low voice. "I want you to stay in Notting City—or more precisely, to stay by Tang San's side. You should understand the risks of wandering as a spirit beast in human form. If you remain with Tang San, I can protect you from being discovered by other Title Douluo."

His purpose? What purpose?

Of course, Tang Hao's goal was simple: to help his son win Xiao Wu's affection!

With You Xing now out of the picture, it was the perfect time for Tang San to make his move. As Tang San's father, wasn't it Tang Hao's duty to give him a push? How could he let Xiao Wu leave now and ruin the chance?

Tang Hao thought to himself, "This is one of the few ways I can make amends to you, Xiao San!"

---

Xiao Wu, however, shivered slightly at his words.

Did she believe Tang Hao's reasoning? Not entirely.

"Is he trying to keep me close as a captive, waiting for the right time to take my spirit ring and bone?"

While Xiao Wu believed his story about Tang San's mother being a spirit beast, it only deepened her fear. If Tang Hao had married a spirit beast but still failed to protect her, why would he treat Xiao Wu differently?

Tang Hao's strength was undeniable. And if he was a Title Douluo, why hadn't he been able to shield his wife? Was it because she had been hunted? Or worse… had he hunted her himself?

These questions lingered unspoken, fear sealing Xiao Wu's lips.

Though her body trembled uncontrollably, Xiao Wu forced herself to stand tall. Crossing her arms and turning her head defiantly, she spat out: "Hmph! Do you really think I'll believe you just because you say so? What if I insist on leaving? Will you stop me by force?"

Tang Hao said nothing, his silent gaze pressing down on her like a mountain.

Unable to bear the weight of his presence, Xiao Wu quickly softened her tone. "Fine, fine! I get it. I can't fight you anyway."

Seeing her concede, Tang Hao allowed a faint smile to cross his face. "Don't worry. I swear on my title as the Clear Sky Douluo that as long as you mean no harm to Tang San, I will do everything in my power to protect you."

---

But Xiao Wu's heart was far from calm.

"This man…"

Fear gripped her as she realized she was trapped. For now, she could only comply, all while silently cursing her own isolation.

And for the first time, Xiao Wu deeply regretted distancing herself from You Chen.

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