Chapter 62: Flender: "Are You Targeting Su Mo?"

"Xiaogang, lately it seems like you've been targeting Su Mo, haven't you?" Flender asked while casually chatting with Yu Xiaogang in the Shrek Academy principal's office.

Hearing Flender's remark, Yu Xiaogang's hand paused slightly, his teacup hovering mid-air. After sipping from the cup, Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly. "Your instincts are as sharp as ever! Yes, I've been targeting him, but it's necessary."

Yu Xiaogang didn't try to hide much from Flender, especially knowing he needed to give him an explanation.

"Oh? Why is that?" Flender wasn't angry—just curious.

"Compared to the others, aside from Tang San, Su Mo's performance has always been outstanding," Yu Xiaogang explained slowly. "But in a team, one brain, one absolute core, is enough."

"Our current team is built with Tang San at its center."

"I'm not targeting Su Mo as an individual. I'm just ensuring Tang San's position as the absolute core."

Flender quickly nodded in agreement. "I see. You're right! With Su Mo's talent, it's true that he wouldn't be suitable as the team's core in the future."

"Haha, come on, let's drink some tea!" Flender laughed, soon accepting Yu Xiaogang's reasoning. After all, in his eyes, no one's talent could surpass Tang San's.

Making Tang San the team's core was only natural—after all, he had twin martial souls!

Yu Xiaogang felt a deep sense of gratitude seeing Flender's trust and support.

"Do you remember what I once said?" Yu Xiaogang asked, feeling sentimental.

"What words?" Flender seemed at a loss.

"There are no useless martial souls, only useless Soul Masters!" Yu Xiaogang said with a low voice.

Flender's smile disappeared, replaced by a look of concern as he gazed at Yu Xiaogang. "Are you saying that Su Mo's brilliance makes you feel…"

Flender didn't finish the sentence.

"Yes, to be honest, I don't mind admitting it. Deep down, I don't enjoy seeing Su Mo perform so well."

"Not only does it highlight how foolish I was for rejecting him before, but it also makes me feel like I'm truly worthless."

Yu Xiaogang spoke bitterly, unafraid to admit his insecurities.

"You're still so sensitive. Who are you? You're the master who's mastered countless theories!" Flender exclaimed, unable to hold back his feelings. "The reputation of the Golden Iron Triangle was built largely thanks to you!"

"Xiaogang, you're far from useless!"

"Could someone useless teach a disciple as outstanding as Tang San?"

Flender's harsh words seemed to snap Yu Xiaogang out of his self-pity. "You're right. I've been too sensitive!"

"How could I be useless?"

Buoyed by Flender's encouragement, Yu Xiaogang quickly regained his composure. He had doubted himself countless times over the years, but his heart had become much stronger as a result.

And now, by dedicating himself to training Tang San, he was proving his worth.

He had merely been caught up in a moment of emotion.

...

"Impossible… Xiaogang couldn't be like this…" Bibi Dong watched the conversation between Yu Xiaogang and Flender from the side, finding it hard to accept.

She had long suspected that Yu Xiaogang resisted Su Mo's rise, but hearing him admit it so openly today unsettled her deeply.

It hurt to believe that Yu Xiaogang could be this way, and it pained her even more to see him so insecure and self-conscious.

In her heart, Yu Xiaogang had always been perfect.

Aside from his lack of martial soul talent, he had used his wisdom to overcome that flaw. But the more time she spent around him, especially after he joined Shrek Academy, the more her image of him had shifted.

"Maybe… this is the real Xiaogang?" she thought.

"Everyone has their selfish desires. What Xiaogang is doing for his disciple isn't exactly wrong…"

After convincing herself with this reluctant justification, Bibi Dong quietly left.

"Tsk tsk!"

"So she left so quickly, couldn't bear to listen any longer?" Su Mo, who was in the middle of his cultivation, noticed the scene that had just unfolded.

Seeing Bibi Dong leave so quickly, Su Mo couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

As for discovering that Yu Xiaogang was targeting him, Su Mo had known for a long time. He didn't need Yu Xiaogang to admit it.

What pleased Su Mo more was seeing Bibi Dong's quick departure—this was a clear sign that her opinion of Yu Xiaogang had changed!

"Useless trash will always be trash. Without Tang San, you're nothing," Su Mo scoffed coldly before continuing his cultivation.

Later that night, the Shrek Battle Team would be officially formed.

…

"From today onwards, your Shrek Battle Team is officially established!" Yu Xiaogang announced. "To maintain secrecy, none of you will use your real names anymore. Instead, you'll go by titles."

"I've prepared masks for all of you. From now on, whenever you participate in Soul Battles, you must wear them at all times!"

"As for your titles, just use something based on your characteristics. For example, Dai Mubai will be 'Evil-Eyed White Tiger!'"

"Zhu Zhuqing can also use her Martial Soul as her title!"

…

That evening, Yu Xiaogang led Su Mo and the others to the Great Soul Arena of Soto City. After securing a private room for the team, he began giving instructions.

"Master, isn't this a bit unnecessary?" Su Mo raised his hand after Yu Xiaogang finished speaking. "Aside from Oscar, all of us have fought in this arena before. Anyone who's interested could easily investigate our identities."

Su Mo admitted to himself that hearing Yu Xiaogang's remarks earlier through Bibi Dong had left him itching to poke fun at him. But this was also a point of contention that had always bothered him.

In the original story, Yu Xiaogang's arrangement had treated others like fools!

"You're right," Yu Xiaogang replied, his expression momentarily stiffening before recovering. "But those who would actually investigate are few and far between."

"All I ask is that you maintain an air of mystery in front of the public."

"And don't you all think wearing masks and using code names is pretty cool?"

The last part is what you're really after, isn't it? Su Mo thought sarcastically. "Mystery"—more like you just want us to show off!

"Exactly! Master's idea is great!" Ma Hongjun immediately jumped up in agreement. "I'm all for wearing masks and using code names! It's so cool!"

"I agree too. Teacher's arrangement is perfect!"

"Mm-hmm!"

Tang San and the others echoed their agreement, quickly putting on their masks.

"In that case, I'm on board as well." Su Mo calmly picked up his mask and placed it on his face. He had no intention of continuing to confront Yu Xiaogang, his earlier comment was just meant to undermine his authority a bit.

"As for my title, I'll go with 'Soul Hunter Spear!'"

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