Chapter 12: Yu Xiaogang: He's at most Level 19!

"Xiao San, go grab the fourth book from the left on the second row of the left bookshelf. Your task these days is to finish reading that book. It contains my research on Tool Martial Souls, and it should be beneficial for you... Huh? Xiao San, Xiao San!"

Yu Xiaogang had intended to assign some homework to Tang San but noticed that Xiao San seemed absent-minded.

"Hmm? Teacher, what did you just say?" Tang San was surprised, snapping back to reality.

"What's been going on with you these past few days? Why are you so distracted?" Yu Xiaogang frowned.

Tang San opened his mouth as if to say something but ended up smiling bitterly.

"Did you go hunting soul beasts with that guy Cheng Xiao the past few days? Did you get injured?" Yu Xiaogang recalled and asked.

"No. I wasn't injured. Cheng Xiao was hunting the Binding Soul Vine, which wasn't difficult. It's just..." Tang San's mood was low. "Teacher, I'm starting to doubt whether going down the control-type Soul Master path is the right choice."

Yu Xiaogang's expression grew serious. His disciple was beginning to question the Soul Master path he had chosen. This wasn't a good sign.

It seemed that something significant had happened in the past few days. Otherwise, Xiao San wouldn't be plunged into self-doubt; Yu Xiaogang knew his disciple's character well.

"What's going on? Tell me the details."

"A few days ago, Xiao Wu and I helped Cheng Xiao hunt a five-hundred-year Soul-Binding Vine, and then..."

"Wait a minute, did you say five hundred years? Are you sure?" Yu Xiaogang interrupted.

"There's no mistake. Teacher, you've been teaching me for so long. Don't you know? Soul-Binding Vines, as a plant-type, I remember very clearly. There can't be any mistake."

Yu Xiaogang stood up abruptly, excitement flashing in his eyes. Five hundred years, the first soul ring at five hundred years! It meant that the physical strength could indeed affect the upper limit of the soul ring! No wonder this kid trained so hard every day!

He needed to publish a paper quickly, giving a small shock to the Soul Master world.

Wait, that kid could be just an exception. There must be a second example for it to be convincing. Moreover, this second example had to be under controlled conditions. And this second example...

Yu Xiaogang's gaze fell on Tang San. His breathing quickened. No one was more suitable than his disciple for this!

"Isn't this a good thing? He proved that absorbing beyond the time limit is possible. Just because of this, you're disheartened?" Yu Xiaogang shook his head with a smile, comforting, "Don't forget what I taught you before. While the duration of the soul ring is important, it's far less critical than the chosen path of the Soul Master. As long as the direction is right, the disadvantage of the soul ring's duration can be compensated."

"Moreover, he verified the feasibility of absorbing beyond the time limit for us. We can confidently try it later. You don't need to worry; I will arrange all your training plans so that you can make up for these differences in the subsequent soul rings."

Tang San shook his head, forcing a faint smile. "Thank you, teacher. But it's not because of this. It's because I lost to him."

Then, Tang San recounted the details of their match to Yu Xiaogang.

After listening to Tang San's narration, Yu Xiaogang fell into silence. He hadn't expected the mutant martial soul of innate first level to display such outstanding performance. It was truly beyond his expectations.

But that's where it had to end. Innate first level was still innate first level, no matter how astonishing the performance of the first soul skill. It couldn't conceal the fact that he was a waste.

After a long silence, Yu Xiaogang spoke again, "Xiao San, I don't blame you for this failure. But what you absolutely shouldn't do is be so downhearted these days. Do you consider me your teacher?"

Tang San, upon hearing these words, was instantly shocked. The statement sounded quite severe, and he immediately knelt in front of Master Yu Xiaogang, saying, "Teacher, what are you saying? Xiao San would never not consider you his teacher. One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father. Since Xiao San has accepted you as his teacher, it will never change."

"Sigh, get up." Yu Xiaogang sighed lightly, patting Tang San's head. "Xiao San, remember, I am your teacher. In the future, no matter what doubts arise in your cultivation, you should communicate with me first. As a teacher, I will point out your shortcomings and help you perfect your future cultivation."

"Yes,Xiao San remembers. Xiao San knows his mistake." Tang San nodded heavily.

"Xiao San, this defeat in the battle was not your fault. Your practical combat experience is still lacking, so you suffered a big loss. As you gain more experience in the future, you will naturally find ways to deal with situations like this, for example, with someone like Cheng Xiao. Do you really think his soul skill is flawless?"

Tang San hesitated for a moment. Although he hadn't found a way to crack it, he instinctively felt that Cheng Xiao's first soul skill was not without weaknesses.

"I, in just an instant, can analyze three shortcomings in his soul skill." Yu Xiaogang raised three fingers.

"The first type, although the shadow follows the person, the effectiveness of his shadow ability is undoubtedly constrained by the size and depth of the shadow. If it rises into the air, wouldn't the shadow shrink and become shallower? At that time, the binding power of the shadow would undoubtedly be greatly reduced."

"The second type, the shadow is undoubtedly constrained by his soul power. From your description just now, the height of his shadow tentacles is only at your waist until you fall down, can they completely bind you. Doesn't this indicate that there is a limit to its height? As long as you react promptly and jump up, you may be able to evade the binding of these tentacles."

"And the more crucial point, also the third one, since the shadow has materialized, it can no longer be treated as just a shadow. Instead, it should be seen as a rope, and if it's a rope, there must be a bearing limit. If your soul power and strength are strong enough, you can directly shatter the tentacles of the shadow."

Regardless of Yu Xiaogang's character, having immersed himself in theoretical knowledge for so many years, he still had a broad perspective. He actually analyzed the shortcomings and even the methods to crack Cheng Xiao's soul skill. If Cheng Xiao were here, he might have applauded Yu Xiaogang.

However, all these analyses were based on the premise that Cheng Xiao's martial soul was currently an "abridged version." Once he truly unleashed the Shadow Monarch, all the soul skill powers would experience a qualitative leap.

If tactical strategies were developed based on the current "abridged version," it would be somewhat futile. Cheng Xiao would probably laugh it off.

However, Tang San was unaware of all this. After listening to his teacher's guidance, he suddenly felt enlightened, and all the troubles that had plagued him before disappeared.

"Teacher, thank you for your guidance. I understand!" Tang San exclaimed excitedly.

Indeed, the teacher was the correct guide. He couldn't easily doubt the path his teacher had chosen for him. After all, his teacher had immersed himself in theory for so many years, so how could he provide Tang San with a wrong path?

"Also, don't pay too much attention to Cheng Xiao. His innate soul power is only at the first level. I've seen him training desperately every day; he is depleting his own potential. I dare to assert that he will reach a maximum of level nineteen in his lifetime!"

By pressuring himself every day and without a substantial amount of rare soul beast meat and medicinal herbs for replenishment, once he exhausts his potential, he won't be able to make any breakthroughs.

"Do you want to consider a lifelong Spirit master as your opponent? Don't focus your thoughts on him. You have a twin martial soul; without any accidents, you will undoubtedly become a Title Douluo in the future. Your opponents should be the young talents of this continent, those who have already become famous as Title Douluo!"

Tang San nodded heavily. Yes, why was he attaching so much importance to someone who could only be a spirit master for a lifetime? That guy was not even worthy of being his opponent!

The gap between them would only grow larger. At that time, Xiao Wu would only become more dependent on him, her brother, and not on Cheng Xiao!

In a moment, Tang San's mood improved significantly, and the oppression brought by Cheng Xiao was swept away.

"I understand, Teacher!"