Chương 167: Chapter 167: Yu Xiaogang's Plan, Paving the Way for Tang San
After Yu Xiaogang called for the stop, Ma Hongjun and Oscar landed smoothly from the sky. Ma Hongjun, with a smug expression, wiped his nose and said, "So, Boss Dai, looks like you lost this time!"
Dai Mubai, unwilling to admit defeat, argued, "Master, I haven't lost yet!"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head and criticized, "No, you've already lost. You knew that Oscar's third soul skill allows flight, yet you didn't stop him from making his sausages immediately or getting close. That was your arrogance!"
"You assumed that with your strength at level 37, dealing with a level 26 Spirit Master like Ma Hongjun would be easy, even with Oscar's support. Am I right?"
Dai Mubai, unable to argue, could only purse his lips in frustration, knowing Yu Xiaogang's words were true.
Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun and Oscar were laughing off to the side.
Yu Xiaogang didn't let them off either. "Don't think you two are without flaws. Fatty, your biggest problem is your low level. Your Phoenix Martial Soul has immense burst power, even stronger than Dai Mubai's White Tiger Martial Soul, but it also consumes a large amount of soul power. You need to increase your soul power level immediately!"
"And Oscar, you need to make your sausages faster. The flying mushroom sausage only lasts a minute for others, and just 30 seconds for yourself. If your opponent is prepared, your sausages will become useless!"
Faced with Yu Xiaogang's criticisms, both Ma Hongjun and Oscar's smiles disappeared. Ma Hongjun was particularly frustrated—how could his low level be considered a flaw during combat? Oscar, already pale from the soul power he had consumed, could only nod in agreement. He knew that producing more than ten mushroom sausages in a single battle was exhausting, and the short flight time was a critical weakness.
Yu Xiaogang, feeling that he had successfully asserted his authority by pointing out their flaws, was secretly pleased, though his expression remained stern.
Next, Yu Xiaogang moved on to the second match, which, as in the original story, was between Tang San and Dai Mubai.
This was the first time they had fought since Su Ming's arrival. Dai Mubai thought to himself that while Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was decent for control, after seeing Su Ming's power, he didn't think much of it. In his mind, Tang San was no real threat.
After all, without using his second martial soul, the Blue Silver Grass alone couldn't be enough to defeat him.
However, Tang San saw through Dai Mubai's overconfidence and knew exactly what he was thinking. He decided to use this match to show Dai Mubai just how powerful his control abilities could be.
With only his first two soul skills, Tang San wouldn't have stood a chance against Dai Mubai, a three-ring Spirit Elder. But now, with his third spirit ring from the Man-Faced Demon Spider, Tang San was more than confident in his abilities.
Moments later, the battle between Tang San and Dai Mubai concluded. As Su Ming had expected, Dai Mubai lost.
If Dai Mubai hadn't been so overconfident, he could have used his third soul skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and quickly closed the distance. Even if he hadn't won, he wouldn't have lost as easily.
To Dai Mubai, the Blue Silver Grass seemed fragile and its control too weak. If it weren't for Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track technique, Dai Mubai would have been able to get close and win.
But as Su Ming thought, The natives could never compete with a cheat user. And I, with my system, am the cheat of all cheats!
Dai Mubai, frustrated by his loss, couldn't accept it. In the academy, he had rarely experienced defeat. But since the new students had arrived, it felt like all he did was lose. It was unbearable!
Yu Xiaogang saw Dai Mubai's issue and sternly said, "Dai Mubai, your mistakes in this match were even greater than your first!"
"As a power-type soul master, you should know that control-type soul masters naturally counter power-types. Yet, you underestimated Tang San's Blue Silver Grass and failed to close the distance, which led to your defeat!"
"In a normal situation, control-type soul masters are nearly unbeatable in the same level combat. Their attacks may be weak, but all it takes is a single mistake, and once you're caught, you've lost. Do you understand?"
Even though Dai Mubai was filled with resentment, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and accept the lesson.
He reassured himself, It's okay, Dai Mubai. Tang San is a twin martial soul holder, and his second martial soul is the Clear Sky Hammer. Plus, his father is the legendary Clear Sky Douluo. I just need to stay close to Tang San and win the royal competition with his help. Even if we lose, the royal family wouldn't dare punish me with Tang San's background.
It's all about building a good relationship with Tang San.
Having comforted himself, Dai Mubai felt better. After all, he was still the boss of the academy, and that was enough for now.
After giving Dai Mubai his critique, Yu Xiaogang turned to Tang San and said, "Well done, Tang San. You're beginning to grasp the essence of being a control-type soul master, and your third soul skill, Spider Web Restraint, is an excellent control ability."
"With the toughness and poison of this skill, any soul master caught in it who isn't significantly stronger than you will be completely immobilized. Even if they escape, they'll be restrained long enough for your teammates to strike!"
Tang San, pleased with his teacher's praise, felt a deep sense of accomplishment. He was proud of his third soul skill and how it had performed.
Yu Xiaogang's compliments also served another purpose: to elevate Tang San's status. He knew that Tang San was likely overshadowed by Su Ming and Xiao Wu at the academy, just as the other students had been before. While he hadn't cared much at Nuoding Academy, where there were few talents, Shrek Academy was different. These students were all highly gifted, and many had powerful backgrounds. It was important for Tang San to build connections here.
Su Ming inwardly despised Yu Xiaogang's tactics. He noticed that in both matches, Yu Xiaogang had only praised Tang San while criticizing everyone else, regardless of whether they won or lost. This served to both bolster Tang San's status and reinforce his authority.
But Su Ming didn't mind. If he or Xiao Wu were to face Tang San in the next round, he wondered how Yu Xiaogang would respond when Tang San was defeated. Surely, Yu Xiaogang couldn't be unfair with everyone watching.
As for the third group match, Yu Xiaogang already had an idea in mind. He smiled at Su Ming and said, "Su Ming, I'm well aware of your strength, so there's no need for you to participate in the group combat. It wouldn't be fair to the others, don't you agree?"
Su Ming shrugged, indifferent to the decision. Fine, if you don't want me to participate, I'll just sit this one out. But let's see if you dare exclude Xiao Wu.
Seeing Su Ming's reaction, Yu Xiaogang didn't press further. His reasoning was sound. The matches were meant to showcase the students' abilities and elevate Tang San's status. He couldn't allow Su Ming to derail that.
As for the third match, it was obvious. Dai Mubai had already fought two rounds, Ma Hongjun's condition wasn't ideal for a second fight, and Oscar's soul power was nearly depleted. The only ones left were Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
Thinking carefully, Yu Xiaogang announced, "The final group match will be Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing against Xiao Wu!"
Everyone, including Zao Wuji and Flender, was surprised. Wasn't it unfair for Xiao Wu to face three opponents?
Flender hesitated, "Xiaogang, isn't this arrangement a bit inappropriate?"
Yu Xiaogang dismissed the concerns and explained seriously, "Don't assume this is unfair to Xiao Wu. She's already a level 42 Spirit Ancestor, and she even absorbed a higher-level spirit ring for her fourth ring. I'm sure her fourth soul skill is quite powerful. Right, Xiao Wu? Could you tell us what your fourth soul skill is?"
Xiao Wu frowned and looked toward Su Ming for guidance. Su Ming stepped forward and replied sternly, "Grandmaster, isn't it inappropriate to ask that? We're in the middle of group combat, and asking Xiao Wu to reveal her fourth soul skill beforehand isn't fair. You didn't ask Tang San to reveal his third soul skill before his match, did you?"
"If Tang San had disclosed his skill, perhaps Dai Mubai would've been better prepared and wouldn't have lost."
"This…"
Yu Xiaogang was momentarily speechless, not expecting Su Ming to counter so sharply. His plan to have Xiao Wu reveal her skill and give Tang San an advantage had backfired.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang at a loss for words, Su Ming felt satisfied. Even if they knew Xiao Wu's soul skill, it wouldn't matter. Her new ability was nearly unbeatable unless someone had the strength of a god.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances before speaking up, "Grandmaster, could you explain your reasoning for this arrangement? Otherwise, we don't feel comfortable going through with it."
Yu Xiaogang hadn't anticipated such resistance. His reasoning, of course, was to help Tang San build a strong relationship with the two girls, given their powerful backgrounds in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Zhu family of the Star Luo Empire. But he couldn't say that aloud. Instead, he justified his decision, "Xiao Wu is a Spirit Ancestor, and the gap between a Spirit Ancestor and Spirit Expert is significant."
"Even with Ning Rongrong's support, Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing would only barely reach Spirit Ancestor-level strength. And since Xiao Wu's third soul skill is teleportation, I believe this arrangement is fair. Any more questions?"
Su Ming didn't mind Yu Xiaogang's decision. He was confident in Xiao Wu's abilities. With her invincible body skill still available, not even he could defeat her, let alone Tang San or Zhu Zhuqing.
Wait… wasn't there something about Zhu Zhuqing's third soul skill? Su Ming recalled that her Netherworld Slash might not only cause bleeding but also break through defenses. Could it bypass Xiao Wu's invincible body?
Su Ming whispered to Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, I know you can handle a 1v3, but Grandmaster's arrangement seems more for Tang San's sake. Focus on attacking him. After absorbing his third soul ring, he's been acting pretty arrogant. It's time to humble him with your Eight Stage Drop!"
Xiao Wu, excited, nodded. Anything her brother said, she would do. She had been annoyed with Tang San's strange behavior ever since he absorbed his third ring. His gaze had become unnerving.
Besides, if she fought Tang San and hurt him, it wouldn't be her fault. Zao Wuji and Flender were watching, so if they couldn't save him in time, that was their problem, not hers!
Just as she was thinking this, Su Ming added, "By the way, be careful not to get hit by Zhu Zhuqing's third soul skill. I suspect her Netherworld Slash not only causes bleeding but can also break through defenses. It might render your invincible body useless."
Xiao Wu, startled by this, but still confident, replied, "Don't worry, big brother. Even if that's true, I have teleportation. Zhu Zhuqing may be fast, but I'm no slouch!"
Xiao Wu had almost forgotten about Zhu Zhuqing's potential to break through defenses, a theory Su Ming had written about in his diary. Fortunately, he reminded her in time. Zhu Zhuqing's soul skill wasn't just capable of breaking one defense—it could break all of them!
Thankfully, Su Ming had given her a heads-up. Otherwise, Xiao Wu might have gotten careless and been hit by Zhu Zhuqing's skill. Despite her confidence in her invincible body, she would now opt for a quick victory, targeting Tang San as her primary opponent.
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