Yu Xiaogang immediately felt drawn to the red robes. It was as if he were now shrouded in a faintly sinister, yin-like aura.
Standing before a mirror, he stared at his reflection, amazed at how his previously rough skin had turned smooth.
"Haha… looking good!"Yu Xiaogang was in a great mood. He had made up his mind—if training in this divine skill meant becoming a woman, so be it. With his ahem natural "adjustments," the cultivation was going twice as fast—more like a thousand miles a day.
After all, his little buddy was gone.
So cultivating now felt absurdly satisfying.
Yu Xiaogang arrived at Blue Star Academy's rest area and saw Zhang Fan and the others lounging.
"Mast… teacher!"
Tang San was stunned to see Yu Xiaogang. He hadn't expected the teacher, missing for three days, to just show up—especially looking so… spirited in that red robe. Nothing like the defeated mess he'd been before.
"Huh… Xiaogang, you're looking surprisingly lively… where'd you get that red robe?"Flender eyed Yu Xiaogang, who seemed younger—though he gave off a creepy vibe.
Frankly, it was unsettling.
"Heehee…"Yu Xiaogang giggled like a lady. The others were left speechless.
"Why is Yu Xiaogang giving off such a heavy feminine vibe?"Xiao Wu stared, baffled. He was practically a woman at this point.
"Yeah, it's kind of spooky,"Ning Rongrong agreed, frowning slightly.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything. She just furrowed her brows.
"None of your business!"Yu Xiaogang snapped at Flender, then turned to Tang San.
"Let's talk over there." His voice was soft, feminine—definitely unsettling.
Yu Xiaogang pulled Tang San aside to a quiet corner.
"How've these three days been?" he asked curiously.
"Not bad,"Tang San said after thinking. Since he hadn't gone nuts the past few days, it had actually been peaceful.
"I've got something great to pass on to you."Yu Xiaogang was ready to hand over the Sunflower Manual.
After all, Tang San was his favorite disciple. They could cultivate divine techniques together.
But he did hesitate. He wasn't sure what would happen if someone cultivated the Sunflower Manual without… cutting.
So, he figured Tang San could test it out.
Ding! Plot modification mission triggered.[Yu Xiaogang gives the Sunflower Manual to Tang San.] — Four characters can be modified.
Zhang Fan was stunned by how selfless and loving Yu Xiaogang was toward Tang San—to the point of giving away a treasure like that.
Immediately, he changed "Sunflower Manual" to "Toad Skill"—and not even the good version. A weakened one.
Ding! Plot successfully modified. Minor chaos caused. Reward: 20 modification points.
Yu Xiaogang handed the Toad Skill to Tang San.
Tang San blinked when he saw the title. What a weird name.
He stared at it for a moment but felt warm inside. Who would've thought his godmother cared so much that she'd give him such an amazing secret technique?
He quickly flipped through it.
It was profoundly mysterious—his eyes widened as he read.
"Thank you, Godmother!"Tang San sent a voice transmission, giving Yu Xiaogang a big hug.
"No problem!"Yu Xiaogang replied confidently, looking smug.
Tang San quickly memorized the contents, visualizing the Toad Skill's stances. He picked them up fast.
He thought to himself: once he mastered this, he'd shine in the tournament. Just thinking about it made him excited.
Yu Xiaogang, seeing Tang San work so hard, nodded in satisfaction and sat quietly beside him.
Meanwhile, Godwind Academy had done very well in the first two rounds.
Blazing Fire Academy also scored high in the second round, ranking just behind Godwind.
With two rounds over, the top ten of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament were confirmed.
The third round was about to begin. Godwind Academy and the second-seed team from Star Luo Empire had byes.
Blue Star Academy was finally stepping into the ring for their first match of the finals.
Their opponent? Star Luo Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy—the seeded team from the Star Luo Empire.
The other match was between Spirit Hall Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Advanced Soul Master Academy.
Two seeded teams clashing—a sign that the finals were indeed fair.
Dai Mubai was noticeably downcast. On the way from their lodging to the arena, he didn't say a word—completely unlike his usual self.
Tang San, after days of training, had fully grasped the Toad Skill. He felt like an absolute genius.
(Though, of course, this was the weak version, which is why he could learn it so easily.)
"Fan Bro, we have to win this match, okay?"Zhu Zhuqing said seriously to Zhang Fan.
"Of course, no problem!"Zhang Fan rubbed her head gently.
Zhu Zhuqing blushed slightly and lowered her head in shy silence.
"Dai Mubai and I were betrothed since childhood. We left the Star Luo Empire to escape that arranged marriage. My sister was betrothed to his brother. If we win this match, I'll finally have a choice—I can break off the engagement."
She spoke solemnly.
Of course, Dai Mubai knew. If he lost this match, his fate with Zhu Zhuqing would be over.
In the past, he was truly fond of her. Now? He didn't dare to be.
This match clearly favored Blue Star Academy. That meant Zhu Zhuqing would have nothing to do with him afterward.
He felt terrible—but there was nothing he could do.
"Then let me win your future for you!"Zhang Fan took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and raised it high. A beam of light shone down on them from the sky—so dazzling, so full of hope.
"For this match, the lineup is: Me, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Jiangzhu, Tai Long, and Tang San."
Zhang Fan said calmly.
"Uh… Boss Zhang, I want to go too!"Dai Mubai clenched his teeth and pleaded.
"You're not allowed!"Zhang Fan grinned wickedly. He didn't care about Dai Mubai's future—only Zhu Zhuqing's.
"…"Dai Mubai was fuming. He hadn't expected Zhang Fan to be so cruel.
But he couldn't force it—he knew that'd only end badly for him.
Zhang Fan then led the group to the arena.
Dai Mubai could only watch from below.
Tang San was thrilled, ready to unleash his new, mysterious technique. He knew it'd shock everyone.
Just thinking about it made his blood boil.
Blue Star Academy, led by Zhang Fan, stood at the center of the arena.
On the opposite side, another team of seven.
At the center stood a tall young man with long golden hair draped behind his back, wearing a lazy expression. His eyes shimmered with purple light—not twin pupils.
He resembled Dai Mubai by about 60%, but was slightly taller.
Beside him stood a tall, curvy girl with creamy white skin and a soft smile.
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(End of Chapter)