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“Zhuqing!”

Yu Xiaogang, who was suddenly scolded, paused, then sternly rebuked her, attempting to regain his authority as a teacher.

Zhuqing looked at Yu Xiaogang coldly, “Regarding Erlong Teacher’s matter, you kept saying you didn’t want her to bear the pressure, but in reality, you were just afraid to face it yourself. You ran and hid in a corner, leaving Erlong Teacher to suffer alone!”

“While Erlong Teacher was waiting anxiously for you, enduring torment by herself, what were you doing? How dare you try to get close to Aunt Rou?”

“I…” Yu Xiaogang’s face turned extremely ugly. His lips trembled slightly, wanting to retort but finding himself speechless.

Zhuqing continued, “You kept saying you didn’t want Erlong Teacher to get hurt, but then you turned around and were all smiles. Is that your responsibility as a man?”

“You’re nothing but a coward, knocked down by life, yet you don’t even have the courage to stand up and fight again!”

“The ridiculous thing is that you don’t even dare to admit the fact that you’re a coward, and you try every possible way to excuse yourself!”

“I’ve always called you Grandmaster out of respect for your knowledge, and also out of respect for Flender Dean and Erlong Teacher, absolutely not out of respect for you, a hypocritical coward!”

Yu Xiaogang was left red-faced and his body trembled slightly as Zhuqing’s words hit him hard.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and said, “Zhuqing, that’s my personal emotional issue, and it shouldn’t be mixed with the current situation. I admit I had moments of cowardice in my personal life, but in the Spirit Master’s world, I have always strived for a higher realm and contributed to the Spirit Master’s world.”

Zhuqing sneered, “Contribution? Is your so-called contribution hiding behind others and using them to achieve your own goals?”

“You helped Dai Mubai merely for the sake of the Clear Sky Sect and Star Luo Imperial Family’s interests, wanting to elevate your status and influence through it. You don’t care about Dai Mubai’s or my life or death; you only care about yourself!”

“You pretend to be righteous and benevolent, but if you search your conscience, which of your actions wasn’t driven by selfishness?”

“Even in Tang San’s matter, you must have had your calculations, right?”

“It’s truly a shame that Tang San respects and reveres you, almost seeing you as a father, yet you treat him as a tool to achieve your so-called ambitions and prove yourself!”

“My guidance to Tang San was sincere! I taught him theoretical knowledge and planned his cultivation path. Doesn’t that count as effort?” Yu Xiaogang retorted, his face flushed, veins bulging on his forehead, his emotions agitated.

Zhuqing scoffed, “Sincere? He trusted you so much, but how did you treat him? Experimenting on him with things you weren’t even sure about? Did you consider what would happen if something went wrong?”

“You left the risks to Tang San. If he failed, it was because he wasn’t good enough. If he succeeded, it was because you taught him well, right? Is that your so-called sincerity?”

“You call yourself Tang San’s teacher, but of his true abilities, which one did you teach him? I’m afraid you still don’t even know what abilities Tang San truly possesses, do you?”

“…”

“Zhuqing is amazing.”

Xiao Wu’s expression was a bit strange as she watched Yu Xiaogang, who had been rendered speechless by Zhuqing.

Zhuqing usually spoke very little; this was the first time she had seen her say so much, and so incisively!

Her sharp tongue felt like it could rival Ning Rongrong’s!

Ning Rongrong slightly raised her chin, “Of course, Zhuqing is very smart; she just doesn’t say much.”

Zhuqing understood many things, but she didn’t voice them. After all, as a daughter of the Star Luo Zhu Family, she knew what shouldn’t be said, and these were certainly things she had to understand.

Over the past six months, Grandmaster had tried to mediate many times, just like today. Daily training, spirit ring hunting, and even short vacations—he had truly used every trick in the book. But Zhuqing had endured it every time, after all, she had to consider Flender and Liu Erlong, and also Tang San.

She spoke so much today because Zhuqing had truly reached her limit!

“Why are you bothering with them?”

Xuan Ming sighed and walked out.

Zhuqing’s body stiffened slightly upon hearing Xuan Ming’s voice. She slowly turned her head, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes the moment she saw Xuan Ming. She gently bit her lip and whispered, “You… you’re back.”

Upon seeing Xuan Ming, Dai Mubai’s pupils contracted sharply, and the pain of the past instantly surged into his heart. He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resentment and fear. He desperately wanted to rush forward and unleash his anger, but his instincts made him unconsciously retreat, not daring to utter a single word.

Xuan Ming stepped forward, gently stroked Zhuqing’s head, and looked at Dai Mubai, “It seems I was too lenient back then.”

As soon as he finished speaking, before Dai Mubai could say anything, countless sharp ice needles condensed in the air and rained down on Dai Mubai from all directions.

The next moment, Dai Mubai let out a mournful roar, his whole body began to turn blue, then red, just like six months ago.

“I’m in a good mood today. Same as before, endure for three days, and I’ll let you go,” Xuan Ming said.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang quickly stepped forward and said, “Xuan Ming, you…”

Xuan Ming glanced at Yu Xiaogang, and the fine rain of ice needles formed again, not giving him another chance to speak, as dense ice needles struck him.

The next moment, Yu Xiaogang enjoyed the same ice and fire human treatment as Dai Mubai.

“I couldn’t be bothered with you, so why do you actually take yourself so seriously?” Xuan Ming was a bit speechless.

“I crippled Yu Luomian; do you think I wouldn’t dare touch you?”

Yu Xiaogang was covered in wounds from the ice needles, writhing in pain under the torment of ice and fire, yet he still muttered unwillingly, “Xuan Ming, you… you cannot act so recklessly…”

“Why not?” Xuan Ming asked.

“Is it because you are Yu Yuanzhen’s son? Or because you are the teacher of Tang Hao’s son?”

“I’m giving you a chance. Call them all here and see if they can help you.”

With that, Xuan Ming ignored Yu Xiaogang, turned, and left with Zhuqing and the others.

…

Seven Treasure Clan.

News of Xuan Ming’s return to the city quickly reached the Seven Treasure Clan and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. With the Grand Competition approaching, Ning Fengzhi had been in Heaven Dou City during this time, so he quickly rushed over, coincidentally running into Xue Qinghe.

The two discussed it and decided to deliberate on the matter at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s territory.

“To be honest, I’d rather you hadn’t come back,” Ning Fengzhi sighed.

“Why?” Xuan Ming asked.

“The situation in Heaven Dou City has already begun to get a little out of control,” Ning Fengzhi said with a serious expression.

“The Seven Great Families have abandoned further discussion. They have already decided in the joint meeting to eliminate you in the Grand Competition. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also plans to participate in this matter.”

“That old dragon intends to personally take action,” Gu Rong said, frowning deeply.

“I say, what exactly did you take from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, kid?”

To force Yu Yuanzhen to personally come out, this matter was definitely not simple! It might even be related to the foundation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!

“What about the Imperial Family?” Xuan Ming looked at Xue Qinghe.

Xue Qinghe paused, “The Imperial Family… still hopes for some reconciliation.”

The Seven Great Families dared to make up their minds to break with Xuan Ming because they had Titled Douluo behind them!

Even if they truly fell out, the Seven Great Families would not fear Dugu Bo.

But the Heaven Dou Imperial Family was in a difficult position. After all, once they fell out with Xuan Ming, they would not only lose Xuan Ming but also Dugu Bo!

The Seven Great Families breaking with Xuan Ming was a timely stop-loss, but for the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, this matter was too much of a loss!

Emperor Xue Ye now placed all his hopes on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, hoping that Ning Fengzhi would properly resolve this matter.

“Then who will expose my problem?” Xuan Ming asked.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head, “They haven’t discussed it yet. Being this scapegoat isn’t easy.”

Xuan Ming’s matter needed someone to ignite it, and it had to be someone with a certain influence, but this was also a very dangerous thing!

First, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had always expressed its best efforts to mediate in this matter, and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family was also unwilling to rashly fall out. Regardless of whether Xuan Ming’s matter was true or false, once it was exposed, offending these two families was inevitable.

Of course, the most dangerous one was Dugu Bo, that unpredictable fellow!

Since Xuan Ming came to Heaven Dou City, he had always been under Dugu Bo’s name. Now, if they said Xuan Ming was a fallen Spirit Master, could Dugu Bo remain unscathed?

Moreover, Dugu Bo’s precious granddaughter, Dugu Yan, had always been with Xuan Ming. Regardless of the nature of this matter, whoever dared to expose it would incur Dugu Bo’s mortal enmity!

To incur a mortal enmity with a Titled Douluo, especially one like Dugu Bo who specialized in large-scale poison attacks?

Even the old dragon of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wouldn’t dare to play like that!

“I do have a candidate,” Xuan Ming said.

Ning Fengzhi was startled, “Who?”

“Yu Xiaogang,” Xuan Ming said.

“Yu Xiaogang?” Gu Rong frowned deeply.

“Does that kid dare?”

“Naturally, he wouldn’t dare now. If he dared, he would have done it already. But if someone adds fuel to the fire, he might really act on impulse,” Xuan Ming said.

“After all, this is a good opportunity to become famous throughout the continent.”

“Adding fuel to the fire?” Ning Fengzhi’s expression became a bit unnatural.

“You’re not going to ask me to do it, are you?”

“Aren’t you a professional?” Xuan Ming said.

“Or, Crown Prince also could try.”

“Coincidentally, Yu Xiaogang is currently an ice and fire human. If you go and rescue him, that would be equivalent to opposing me, and his trust in you would deepen.”

“He is Yu Yuanzhen’s son and the teacher of Tang Hao’s son. Now, if he also gets the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, with the Upper Three Sects as his backing, and I give him a little more stimulation, this guy who relies on others’ power will definitely act impulsively.”

“By then, the responsibility will be Yu Xiaogang’s, and your families’ original cooperative interests can also be maintained. Everyone will be happy, won’t they?”

“…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep