Faced with Ning Rongrong's questioning, Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened noticeably. His fists clenched as irritation surged within him.
Again, it was Ning Rongrong.
Why did she always ask so many questions?
First, she pressed him about the twenty catties of white radishes. Now she was questioning why he had not invited the academy dean to accompany Tang San into the Spirit Hunting Forest.
Of course he could have asked.
But his purpose in bringing Tang San there was to have him use Blue Silver Grass to absorb an animal-type spirit ring, thereby proving his martial soul mimicry theory.
If the dean had come along and voiced objections, and Tang San chose to follow the dean's advice instead, what then?
Even if Tang San became powerful in the future, how could he claim that this was a disciple cultivated strictly according to his own theories?
How could he prove that his title as a master of martial soul theory was deserved?
These thoughts churned within him, but Yu Xiaogang could only suppress them, along with his anger.
"I did ask him," he said stiffly, forcing a calm tone.
"But he is the dean of Nuoding Academy. Tomorrow is the opening ceremony, and he must give a speech. He simply could not come."
"Then why not wait a few days and go together?" Ning Rongrong pressed on.
"If the dean were there, it would be safer, and helping Tang San obtain a hundred-year spirit ring would be much easier."
Her persistence made Yu Xiaogang's fists tighten further. Though resentment flared in his heart, he could only continue making excuses.
"Little San has Innate Full Spirit Power. At the time, I was eager for him to obtain his first spirit ring and officially become a Spirit Master so he could continue cultivating."
"I did not consider that much."
With that answer, Ning Rongrong had no grounds to continue pressing.
Although both Flender and Tang San felt some doubts, they ultimately chose to believe him.
In Flender's eyes, Yu Xiaogang was still his trusted brother. He had even gone so far as to arrange matters between Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong.
As for Tang San, who prided himself on respecting his teacher and his teachings, there was no choice but to accept his words.
[After leaving the ten-year Lone Bamboo, Yu Xiaogang continued leading Tang San deeper into the Spirit Hunting Forest, explaining the various spirit beasts they encountered along the way until evening approached.]
[As night fell, they arrived at a clearing surrounded by towering trees and decided to set up camp.]
[After pitching the tent, Yu Xiaogang took out realgar powder, which could repel snakes, insects, and other small creatures, and instructed Tang San to sprinkle it in a circle around the camp.]
[Once they finished their dry rations, they prepared to rest.]
[At that moment, a pack of Nether Wolves suddenly launched an attack.]
["Luo Luo!" Luo San Pao reacted first, letting out a warning cry.]
["Nether Wolves." Yu Xiaogang's voice was low, but he remained composed. "Little San, stay here and do not move."]
[He stepped forward, standing before the tent with a cold snort.]
["I, Yu Xiaogang, may not be able to defeat a hundred-year spirit beast, but a mere pack of ten-year beasts dares to act arrogantly before me?"]
[With a wave of his hand, he summoned Luo San Pao forward. At the same time, he handed Tang San a mask and told him to put it on.]
Tang San was puzzled, but complied.
["Luo San Pao! Fart like thunder, shake the heavens and the earth!"]
[With a solemn expression, Yu Xiaogang activated his spirit, attaching a hundred-year spirit ring to Luo San Pao.]
[In an instant, Luo San Pao leapt into the air and inhaled deeply. Its already round body swelled rapidly, expanding to more than three times its original size, resembling a massive floating sphere.]
[The next moment, it turned around, aiming its rear toward the approaching wolves.]
[With a thunderous boom, a green, foul-smelling gas burst forth like a cannon, blasting directly into the pack of Nether Wolves.]
[The explosion sent the wolves flying, scattering them in all directions.]
[After the blast, the noxious green gas spread wildly with the shockwave, engulfing both Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.]
[Even with the mask on, Tang San's face turned green. He staggered to a nearby tree, barely holding himself up as he retched repeatedly.]
["It stinks so much!"]