Although Yu Xiaogang was silent during the meal, his dissatisfaction grew stronger. If it weren't for the chef present, he would have probably started arguing with Tang San again.
In his eyes, how could a fourteen-year-old possibly manage to balance cultivation and theoretical studies?
Based on Yu Xiaogang's experience as someone who had been through it all, he felt that Oscar's theoretical knowledge was all copied from elsewhere and definitely not his own research.
Moreover, it was even possible that Oscar's soul power cultivation had relied on external items that consumed life force as a price, allowing him to have soul power approaching the Soul Ancestor level at just fourteen years old.
And Yu Xiaogang had been hinting these thoughts to Tang San, trying to make him change his mind and avoid being deceived by a petty person.
Although Tang San held deep affection for this teacher who had guided him for six years, once he was almost certain that the other person was just as Oscar described, Tang San couldn't help but feel somefeel repulsed by toward Yu Xiaogang.
Although the six years of friendship prevented Tang San from directly confronting Yu Xiaogang, if Yu Xiaogang continued to act so shamelessly, Tang San wouldn't tolerate it either.
Because the Tang Sect had its rules: "Tang Sect Rule No. ×: Those who frame others in injustice and deceive ignorant youths shall be punished with amputation and execution."
Tang San might not kill Yu Xiaogang, but he would definitely sever all ties with him. Because upon learning the truth, he fully understood how Yu Xiaogang had wasted his talent.
And in Yu Xiaogang's view, if it weren't for Tang San having Twin Martial Souls and extraordinary talent, how could he be so tolerant toward Tang San?
Besides, Tang San was his only disciple in this lifetime. Yu Xiaogang had pinned all his hopes on Tang San, and now Tang San actually wanted to oppose him? And because of an outsider?
At this moment, while eating the food made by Shao Xin, Yu Xiaogang was thinking about how to deal with Oscar. He didn't believe he couldn't handle a teenager.
A while later, after Yu Xiaogang and Tang San finished eating, Oscar finally arrived late.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang wiping his mouth, Oscar walked directly into the cafeteria. Seeing Oscar, Shao Xin said with a smile: "Little Oscar, did training end so early today?"
Oscar replied: "Not yet, Teacher Shao. I had some matters to handle here, while training is still continuing over there."
Oscar was indeed still training, but the one training Ma Hongjun and the others was his clone. Splitting his attention was already second nature to Oscar.
Approaching them, Oscar said to Yu Xiaogang: "This is the cafeteria, not the best place to discuss things. Let's go to the pavilion by the stream."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang stood up and straightened his robes before saying: "No rush. Since I'm here, I naturally need to make things clear with you, but before that, I need to see Flender first."
Hearing this, Oscar's expression remained calm. He could probably guess what Yu Xiaogang was thinking, but... Oscar wasn't worried. Although he hadn't mentioned this matter to Flender beforehand, he believed Flender was a smart person.
Although this dean valued friendship, in the face of absolute truth, plus the fact that Oscar's relationship with Flender wasn't much worse than Yu Xiaogang's now.
It wasn't that Yu Xiaogang was just a long-time friend, but Oscar had also developed a good relationship with Flender over the past eight years at Shrek Academy. More than just teacher and friend, the help Oscar had brought Flender far exceeded what Yu Xiaogang could.
It could even be said that besides their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Yu Xiaogang couldn't bring Flender any real benefits.
So Oscar believed Flender wouldn't take sides, after all, Flender was a smart person.
So hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Oscar calmly replied: "Fine, then let's go to the dean's office."
Then Oscar turned and led the way, with Yu Xiaogang and Tang San following closely behind.
At this time, Ma Hongjun and the others, who were on a break, had started discussing among themselves.
Ma Hongjun said: "Do you think that person was? Why did he come back with Tang San?"
Although Dugu Yan knew the truth, she didn't participate in this discussion, instead talking with Oscar's clone nearby.
And knowing the truth, Xiao Wu whispered: "That middle-aged man is Third Brother's teacher, named Yu Xiaogang, known as Grandmaster."
Hearing Xiao Wu's introduction, everyone was slightly stunned. Even Ning Rongrong frowned, thinking for a long time as if she had never heard of such a person.
Dai Mubai shook his head: "Grandmaster? Never heard of him. Is he famous? How dare he call himself Grandmaster?"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong also agreed: "Indeed haven't heard of him. But I imagine someone who can be called Grandmaster and become Tang San's teacher should be a powerful Soul Master."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu didn't know whether to laugh or not. After all, that was Third Brother's teacher, but she still explained: "Grandmaster's strength isn't powerful; what's powerful is his theory."
Hearing this, Ma Hongjun immediately became interested: "Theory? Is he here to compete with Boss? I've never seen anyone with better theory than Boss."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu chuckled awkwardly and didn't say much: "Perhaps..."
On the other side, Tang San had already brought Yu Xiaogang to the dean's office. Flender was currently resting with his eyes closed on a reclining chair! This wasn't Flender's real body but a clone made from consuming Oscar's clone sausage.
So usually, the clone Flender would rest on the reclining chair when nothing was happening, because the main body was still searching for Zhao Wuji's eighth soul ring!
Of course, when clone Flender saw Yu Xiaogang, surprise and delight showed simultaneously on his shoe-shaped face: "Xiao Gang? Why are you here now?"
In fact, Yu Xiaogang and Flender had corresponded several months ago when Tang San was about to graduate. Of course, Yu Xiaogang had told Flender that he had a promising student to recommend, and the letter Tang San brought had also been shown to Flender by Oscar.
But the letter said Yu Xiaogang would return in two months. Although a month had passed, there was still a month left before Yu Xiaogang was supposed to come. Why was he here now?
Flender had wanted to rush back before Yu Xiaogang arrived, but it seemed he couldn't make it now.
But it didn't matter, since the clone and main body shared consciousness, there was almost no difference.
Seeing Flender, Yu Xiaogang didn't show the same delight as Flender. He just stood there with a stern face.
Flender, who was about to go up and hug him, noticed this and his smile froze on his face as he asked in confusion: "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?"
Yu Xiaogang didn't answer Flender's question but looked at Oscar beside him: "Flender, if you had to choose between me and your student, what would you choose?"
"?" Flender was stunned by Yu Xiaogang's question.
Choose between the two? Why even choose? Obviously, he'd choose Little Oscar. Without him, where would Flender be today? Where would Shrek Academy be today?
Of course, this thought was just a prank in Flender's mind, but he wondered why his friend held such hostility toward Oscar?
The sharp-witted Flender could see that his friend obviously had some problem with Little Oscar.
Flender asked puzzledly: "Xiao Gang, what's wrong with you? Why ask such a question suddenly?"
Yu Xiaogang with a stern face: "You should ask your student instead! Gossiping about others' teachers behind their backs, even fabricating about a senior in the academic world. Flender, is this the student you taught?"
Facing Yu Xiaogang's questioning, Flender's expression also became somewhat unpleasant, but since they were old friends, he couldn't blame Yu Xiaogang. Instead, he asked: "What happened? You and Little Oscar haven't even met before, so how could he fabricate things about you behind your back?"
"There must be some misunderstanding between you two, right?"
Hearing Flender's words, Yu Xiaogang's expression became even uglier. He had originally thought Flender would stand by his side since the facts were clear, but now it seemed Flender was obviously partial to Oscar.
Was it just because Oscar was a genius? So what? In Yu Xiaogang's view, a student without good character won't go far!
Besides, he had also given Flender a genius. He believed that once Flender knew about Tang San's talent, he would know what to do.
Then Yu Xiaogang said: "No misunderstanding! Your student is simply immoral! My disciple Tang San has only been at your Shrek Academy for a day, and he has already been deceived by him. He even questioned my theory, saying I've ruined Xiao San's cultivation?"
As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang seemed to get angrier: "Flender, you know me. Although my cultivation talent is somewhat lacking, I've dedicated my life to theoretical research. How dare a teenager who's not even out of his teens question my theory? Do you know how much theoretical research I did to transform Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass into what it is now?"
It seemed Yu Xiaogang had found an outlet to vent, pouring out his heart to Flender. In the middle, Oscar didn't open his mouth to explain anything, just exchanged a glance with Tang San, the meaning in his eyes obvious: "Now you know why I said what I did, right?"
Tang San also seemed helpless. Seeing his teacher like this, he fully understood who was actually right, but... this was after all the teacher who had guided him for six years...
But Yu Xiaogang's demeanor was truly unpleasant. Was Oscar the child, or was his teacher the child?
After a long while, Yu Xiaogang's mouth was dry, and Flender had understood the whole story. But in his ears, it seemed, maybe, perhaps... how could Oscar be the one who was right?
Although Flender knew Yu Xiaogang was rich in theoretical knowledge, Oscar had grown up under his eyes for these eight years. In fact, Flender and the entire Shrek Academy could be where they were today all because of Oscar.
If a comparison had to be made, Flender felt Oscar's theory seemed more authoritative since it was personally tested by him.
Even after meeting Oscar, Flender often felt that his friend's theories were too fanciful, almost untested, but he treasured them like gems and even wanted to publish them.
But it wasn't right for Oscar to speak of his friend like this. Although the two had never met, it wasn't right to talk about him behind his back, was it?
But focusing on the matter at hand, Flender couldn't take either side's side. So after a long while, he said: "Xiao Gang, since that's the case, let's discuss one thing. Regarding your disciple's Blue Silver Grass martial soul, since you and Little Oscar both think your own theories are correct, let's ask Tang San what he thinks."
"He trained under your guidance, so just ask for his thoughts and feelings directly, right?"
As he spoke, as if afraid Yu Xiaogang would overthink, Flender added: "Xiao Gang, the reason I say this is because Little Oscar himself has a solid theoretical foundation. There are even many issues we need to consult him on, and now the academy's teaching matters are all decided by him alone."
"I'm sure Tang San has mentioned to you the situation of the students in the academy now. Think about it, it's not just that Little Oscar himself is excellent. He can also teach so many other outstanding geniuses. How could his own strength be poor?"
"Although it's wrong for him to fabricate things about you, but... but..."
Flender didn't need to say anything more for Yu Xiaogang to understand.
He never expected Flender to think this way! At this moment, a surge of anger rose in Yu Xiaogang's heart.
But, what Flender said also made sense. If Tang San wasn't lying, then the geniuses at Shrek Academy had all broken the records he knew about.
But how could this be the achievement of a teenager? Wasn't it just because they were exceptionally talented themselves?
He was the real Grandmaster, transforming a waste martial soul like Blue Silver Grass into a control-type Soul Master with good control abilities. That was true strength!
Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to use this as an argument, Tang suddenly spoke up: "Teacher, actually there's no need to argue. I've been thinking about a lot of things on the way here. Perhaps... Senior is right."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang felt his vision go dark! His disciple was actually siding with an outsider? Oscar was right? Then what about his six years of effort? Had it all been for nothing?
Yu Xiaogang angrily looked at Tang San: "Xiao San! What did you say?! He's right? Do you know that without me! Your Blue Silver Grass would still just be a waste martial soul! Without my theory, how could you possibly absorb soul rings to enhance your Blue Silver Grass? You're actually siding with an outsider? Questioning your teacher for his sake?"
Looking at the angry Yu Xiaogang, Tang San's expression was uncertain. He didn't know how to gently explain it to his teacher, after all, the man had taught him for six years. If he completely denied it now, he would truly be an ingrate.
Fortunately, Oscar spoke up: "Yu Xiaogang, in my opinion, you don't deserve the title of Grandmaster, so I won't address you as such."
"As for Tang San's martial soul, do you really think it's just ordinary Blue Silver Grass? I heard from Tang San that you've researched many Blue Silver Grass martial soul wielders. Then you should know that if Tang San's martial soul was just ordinary Blue Silver Grass, how could he have innate full soul power?"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang turned and glared angrily at Oscar: "What do you know? Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass is just ordinary Blue Silver Grass, its form can't be faked! The reason he has innate full soul power is because of his second martial soul!"
Hearing this, Oscar smiled: "It seems you didn't listen to what I asked Tang San to tell you. The conditions for Twin Martial Souls require both martial souls to be of equivalent quality. I don't need to say much about the quality of the Clear Sky Hammer, right?"
Hearing this, Flender's expression also changed. He didn't know Tang San had Twin Martial Souls, let alone that his second martial soul was the Clear Sky Hammer.
But listening to Oscar and Yu Xiaogang's argument, how could he still feel that Little Oscar's position was more tenable?
What was wrong with his friend? Why... compared to Little Oscar, did he seem somewhat ignorant?