Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"Do you know where you went wrong?"
Yu Tianheng stared at Yu Xiaogang, puzzled. If this question had come from Qin Ming, he might have had several answers.
But being questioned by his uncle, the most marginalized member of the family, someone who didn't even inherit the direct line of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial spirit, he found himself speechless.
Wasn't the loss simply because the opponent was too strong? What else could he have done wrong?
Yu Tianheng didn't understand. Truly, he didn't. But facing his uncle, he chose to remain silent.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang placed his right hand on Yu Tianheng's shoulder.
"You didn't lose to your opponent; you lost to yourself. Your fundamentals, your application of spirit abilities—none of those were lacking."
"You lost because of the pride in your heart, the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Pride!???"
Was it really pride that caused him to lose? Yu Tianheng found himself questioning everything. Was it the world that was wrong, or his uncle?
Despite his doubts, Yu Tianheng suppressed them, nodding as he reassured his uncle.
"Uncle, don't worry. If I get another chance, I'll never lose to them again."
For once, Yu Xiaogang smiled.
"You'll have another chance, because I am the leader of Team Fengxian."
"What!?"
Yu Tianheng was stunned, staring at Yu Xiaogang in disbelief. He had heard all the stories about his uncle back in the family—the tales of his flawed martial spirit and the shame he supposedly brought to their lineage.
Although Yu Tianheng didn't care about the rumors, he knew his uncle's strength—forever stuck below level thirty.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly.
"Surprised, aren't you? It's true my own strength is limited, but that doesn't mean I can't teach exceptional disciples."
"At Shrek Academy, I may not teach all the students, but I am their mentor. My only direct disciple is one, but soon, I believe Fengxian will also become my disciple. You've already met him."
"Him?"
Yu Tianheng's expression shifted as he thought of Fengxian. Yu Xiaogang's eyes gleamed.
"One day, I will make the world see that while I may be a failure, I can nurture a peerless genius."
"Tianheng, I must go now. Remember my words: if you wish to lead your team to victory and unleash your full potential in any situation, let go of your pride."
With that, Yu Xiaogang gave Yu Tianheng one last, meaningful look, patted his shoulder, and turned to walk away.
"Uncle, can you teach me too?" Yu Tianheng called out, taking a step forward.
Yu Xiaogang paused and shook his head gently.
"Tianheng, if the clan finds out I'm teaching you, what do you think they'll do? I'd become the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's sworn enemy instantly."
"If you truly wish to become a great spirit master, then set Fengxian as your goal. If you ever surpass him, you will undoubtedly stand at the pinnacle of spirit masters on this continent."
Hearing this, Yu Tianheng's face turned green.
If you don't want to teach me, just say so! Why say something like that?
Surpass someone like Fengxian? Could he even dream of such a thing? Or did his uncle genuinely believe in him that much?
As Yu Tianheng was grappling with these thoughts, Yu Xiaogang turned around.
"Do you know what his spirit power level is?"
Yu Tianheng thought for a moment and replied:
"The information I received says he's at level forty-seven, titled Fengxian. Was the data wrong?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"No, the data is accurate. Fengxian indeed has forty-seven spirit power. But do you know how old he is?"
Yu Tianheng shook his head, his heart suddenly skipping a beat.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly.
"He just turned thirteen. At twelve, he obtained his fourth spirit ring."
With that, Yu Xiaogang walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
Yu Tianheng stood frozen, unable to move for a long time. It wasn't until Dugu Yan, supported by Ye Lingling, returned to find him that he snapped out of his daze.
Forty-seven levels. Thirteen years old.
These two figures circled relentlessly in his mind.
At last, he understood why his uncle said that to become a great spirit master, he must chase after Fengxian's footsteps.
Was this a joke?
"Ah-choo!"
Yun Feng sneezed and rubbed his nose.
"Yun Feng, are you okay?" someone asked.
Yun Feng shook his head with a smile.
"Nothing. Maybe someone's thinking about me."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Maybe it's that cute girl Meng Yiran thinking about you~"
Her words made Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing both turn to look at Yun Feng.
Under their stares, Yun Feng felt a sudden chill and broke into a cold sweat.
Thankfully, the group finally returned to their hotel.
When they walked into the hotel, they spotted Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Qin Ming sitting in a corner of the restaurant, chatting and drinking.
The dishes on their table were barely touched as they spoke in low tones.
Shortly after Yun Feng's group arrived, Tang San and the others entered the hotel as well.
"Great! Drinks are here!"
Ma Hongjun was the first to walk over. As Flender's direct disciple, he felt no restraint around him.
"Teacher, since we won today, don't you think we deserve a little reward?"
Walking up to Flender, Ma Hongjun reached for a cup on the table.
Flender's chopsticks flicked, striking Ma Hongjun's hand with a sharp smack.
"Ouch!" Ma Hongjun yelped, withdrawing his hand.
"Did you win?" Flender asked.
"That was Yun Feng's victory."
Ma Hongjun grinned sheepishly.
Qin Ming looked curiously at the chubby Ma Hongjun.
"Teacher, is this young man also a student at the academy? When did Shrek Academy have so many students?"
Ma Hongjun replied boldly:
"Senior Qin, we just met, and you're already forgetting me?"
Qin Ming squinted, examining Ma Hongjun.
"You… you're that chubby guy from earlier? H
ow old are you?"
Even though Qin Ming had already prepared himself mentally, seeing Ma Hongjun's babyish face made his heart ache.