Douluo: Protect Our Spirit Hall [23]

CLANG!

The next moment, Yu Xiaogang suddenly shot to his feet. The chair beneath him crashed to the floor with a loud bang from the force of his abrupt movement.

The resounding noise drew the attention of every teacher and student eating in the dining hall, instantly silencing the discussion among a group of children.

Yu Xiaogang strode swiftly over to the table where the chatter had taken place, grabbing two of the children who seemed to know something and bellowed:

"What did you just say? Say it again!"

His voice was hoarse, strange, and filled with a ghastly tension. His contorted face now looked more like that of a vengeful ghost.

The two young children, only a few years old, had never experienced such a scene. Startled by Yu Xiaogang's monstrous appearance, they stammered as they repeated what they had just said.

After hearing it, Yu Xiaogang stood frozen on the spot. His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing this, the two kids quickly took the opportunity to slip away.

"So scary... I didn't know someone could look that terrifying, like a demon from a nightmare."

"Hahaha! Qian Xunji... you're finally dead. Serves you right!"

A long while later, Yu Xiaogang snapped out of his stupor, his heart surging with joy.

For years, he had lived under the oppressive shadow of Qian Xunji.

Qian Xunji's very presence had hung over him like a sharp sword suspended above his head—never letting him eat or sleep in peace.

Ever since the disbandment of the Golden Iron Triangle, Yu Xiaogang had lost the strength and security provided by their three-spirit fusion technique. Left with no other choice, he had hidden away in the remote Nuo Ding Academy, scraping by like a ghost of a man.

Not quite living, and yet not quite dead.

Now, Qian Xunji was gone. Yu Xiaogang let out a long breath of relief.

"A true idol!"

"Tang Hao, from now on, you're my hero!"

He shouted in his heart, overwhelmed with excitement. He couldn't help but start fantasizing:

"If only I had Tang Hao's strength…"

"If I had been the one to kill Qian Xunji…"

"Who would still dare call me a useless waste? Who would dare laugh at me? I would be a respected Grandmaster! I'd finally reach the pinnacle of my life!"

As he let his mind wander, Yu Xiaogang began to drool unconsciously.

He was completely lost in his delusions.

Around him, the teachers and students in the dining hall began whispering among themselves, pointing at him like he was some kind of fool.

"What's he doing?"

"Daydreaming, obviously."

"Just a shameless freeloader. A complete joke."

"Exactly. Always lounging around eating for free. Says he's researching spirit theories, but what has he ever actually produced?"

"Right? I don't know what the dean was thinking, letting him hang around like this."

"Tch, useless garbage."

"Look at him standing there laughing like an idiot."

More and more people gathered to eat, and as they saw Yu Xiaogang acting strangely in the middle of the dining hall, they couldn't help but hurl their mockery.

Yu Xiaogang finally came to his senses. Hearing the wave of contemptuous comments, his expression slowly turned green.

"Hmph!"

He gave a cold snort, flicking his coarse sleeves as he straightened his back, placing his hands behind him and walking out, trying to maintain the image of a wise and profound master.

But unlike usual, he didn't return to his cramped, under-30-square-meter room in the corner of the top floor of the dormitory.

Instead, he ran straight out of the academy, heading toward the Spirit Hall in Nuo Ding City.

He had to confirm the news himself.

Half an hour later.

Yu Xiaogang rushed back into his room and locked the door tightly.

He had confirmed it.

Qian Xunji was really dead.

Inside the room, Yu Xiaogang began to weep—silently, yet with visible agony. His veins bulged, tears streamed down his face, and a moment later, he burst into silent laughter.

Sobbing one moment, laughing the next—but never making a sound. He looked utterly deranged.

It was a glimpse into just how deeply Qian Xunji had traumatized him.

Qian Xunji could never have imagined that one casual threat had left Yu Xiaogang in such a pitiful state for years.

His mental resilience was so fragile, it was laughable.

In a twisted sense, Qian Xunji had done something good—by dying.

A long time passed. Yu Xiaogang finally curled up in a dark corner of his room, tears still on his face, his eyes sinister and cold.

His mind drifted back to his time in Spirit Hall.

Back then, Bibi Dong—naïve and foolish—had easily fallen for his slick tongue and meager show of intelligence and manipulation. She had trusted him completely, never realizing she was being used.

By getting close to the Saintess, Yu Xiaogang had gained access to the Spirit Hall's private library.

It was there he compiled the theoretical framework for the Ten Core Competencies of Spirits.

He could have become famous, won the heart of the Saintess, and ascended to greatness—if not for Qian Xunji utterly destroying it all.

Yu Xiaogang recalled how Qian Xunji had publicly humiliated him, called him worthless, and exiled him from Spirit City.

He also remembered how Bibi Dong had abandoned him coldly, calling him a failure.

His eyes filled with pain, hatred, and a burning desire for vengeance.

After a long while, he finally suppressed the fury in his chest.

Then, grinning with his ugly face, he muttered under his breath:

"Good. Qian Xunji is dead. The one who threatened me is gone."

"Now the sky is wide, and the ocean vast. No one can hold me back anymore."

Then a thought struck him.

"Since Qian Xunji is gone, Bibi Dong—as the Saintess—is the obvious successor to the position of Pope."

"Yes... she will definitely become the next Pope."

"And if I become the man beside the Pope… who would dare question my theories then? I'll finally be famous throughout the world!"

Yes! This is my chance. I must seize it!"

A gleam lit up in Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he sprang to his feet.

But then he remembered how cold and ruthless Bibi Dong had been, how she had discarded him without a second thought.

He began to hesitate.

"She was so heartless back then... if I go to her uninvited, it might be walking into the lion's den."

"If she holds a grudge... if she tries to kill me…"

"No… no, she loved me deeply. She wouldn't hurt me."

"She must have been manipulated by Qian Xunji. She wouldn't have changed so suddenly on her own."

"She still thinks about me—I'm sure of it. I have confidence in my charm."

"If I go see her, she'll definitely throw herself into my arms."

"Yes, yes, that must be it…"

As he thought of Bibi Dong's stunning beauty and elegant figure, a fiery passion flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.

Eventually, desire overcame hesitation. Straightening his back, hands behind him, gaze sharp, he made his decision.

"It seems… I'll just have to swallow my pride a little."

"Bibi Dong, I'm giving you a chance. Don't let me down."

Having made up his mind, Yu Xiaogang began packing swiftly.

The most important items were his so-called spirit theory research notes. He stored them all in his soul tool.

As for the headmaster of Nuo Ding Academy—who had kindly taken him in—Yu Xiaogang didn't even bother to say goodbye.

He simply disappeared.

On the road, teachers and students who saw him carrying a bundle instantly lit up with joy.

"Is he finally leaving?"

The headmaster, upon hearing the news, had mixed feelings.

He was angry that Yu Xiaogang left without a word of thanks.

But more than that, he was thrilled.

"Finally, that useless leech is gone! No more freeloading!"

Tears welled up in his eyes as he muttered emotionally—

"Thank the heavens!!!"