Douluo Continent: On Becoming a God Through Science

Chapter 118 Tang San has a new idea, Xiao Wu is forcibly kept by Tang Hao.

Tang San, still filled with questions, finally arrived at Yu Xiaogang's room.

"Teacher..." He pushed open the door, opened his mouth, but didn't know how to start.

"Um?"

Yu Xiaogang, who was scribbling and drawing with pen and paper, looking extremely flustered, seemed to only then notice Tang San's arrival. She looked up, revealing deep dark circles under her eyes and a somewhat weak old face. After recognizing Tang San, she forced a smile: "It's Xiao San. What's wrong? Is there something you need?"

Upon seeing his teacher's haggard face, Tang San felt a pang of sadness, and his resentment dissipated considerably. He shook his head and asked, "My matter isn't urgent. What are you doing, Teacher? You look extremely tired."

Yu Xiaogang smiled and said, "Didn't you just get your second soul ring? I've been thinking about what the best third soul skill would be after 'Entangle' and 'Parasitism,' and how to better combine it with the first two soul skills. I've been thinking about it ever since."

Tang San's eyes widened slightly, a surge of emotion welling up within him: "Teacher..."

"Ha ha!"

Yu Xiaogang smiled happily: "Xiao San, there's no need for this sentimental act. Raising you to be successful has always been my wish, and I'm willing to do it no matter how hard or tiring it is. You don't need to feel uneasy or apologetic about it."

Normally, such an emotional offensive would have moved Tang San to the point of being completely overwhelmed.

However, perhaps because he had just been awakened and severely provoked by Yusei, Tang San returned to the main topic and said, "Teacher, actually, just now, I sparred with Yusei again..."

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression immediately changed.

Seeing Tang San's gloomy expression when he came in, he knew without a doubt that Tang San... had lost again!

Yu Xiaogang quickly put on a serious expression and said, "Little San, have you forgotten what I told you? Beast Soul Masters have an advantage over Weapon Soul Masters in the early stages! Just because your Blue Silver Grass can't restrain Youxing now doesn't mean it can't in the future. The most important thing is—"

Yu Xiaogang slapped her thigh and laughed, "You have twin martial souls!"

Twin Martial Souls!

Upon hearing this four-word mantra, Tang San raised an eyebrow. This kid had completely broken free from Yu Xiaogang's previous tender offensive.

He suddenly asked, "Teacher, what do you think about Blue Silver Grass going for a support build? Is it even possible?"

Yu Xiaogang frowned, her heart tightening: 'Has Xiao San been completely demoralized by that Youxing?'

He immediately said in a deep voice, "Little Three, Blue Silver Grass is absolutely the most suitable for a control-type build! Don't doubt your path just because of one or two setbacks!"

This time, Tang San was completely disappointed.

His eyes were dark as he thought to himself, "They're not even doing any analysis. It seems the teacher is completely fixated on the control system and hasn't even considered other avenues."

In fact, Yu Xiaogang's approach to training Tang San is very similar to that of the protagonist's second editor in the manga "Bakuman" or "Bakuman".

The second editor, who himself liked comedy comics, desperately pushed the protagonist to develop in the direction of comedy comics, thus overdrawing the protagonist's youth. Some readers even called it a trial for the protagonist, saying that today's setbacks would become stepping stones for the protagonist's future success.

But in reality... without this setback, the protagonist might have had a smoother journey and achieved his goal much earlier.

The protagonist's growth is not due to his conscious guidance, but rather to his unconscious hindrance. In real life, this kind of person has caused countless people to lose their potential for development, but it is just not shown in the work.

A teacher doesn't teach properly in class, only lecturing on what he likes, and the protagonist, a brilliant self-taught student, gets into Tsinghua or Peking University and is supposed to thank the teacher for giving him the opportunity to study on his own? Meanwhile, everyone else who can't get into university and has to go out to work is considered incompetent? That doesn't make sense, does it?

This kind of person, regardless of their character, is simply a complete waste of space. They can't even do their job properly, yet they love to pontificate. What's even more disgusting is that they wait until others succeed before jumping out and claiming all the credit.

Yu Xiaogang is a typical example of this type of person.

Look at his initial idea: he just wanted to find someone with talent, and once that person became successful, he would consider it the result of his theory! But in reality? Tang San's becoming a god had absolutely nothing to do with his theoretical achievements.

In order to verify his own theory, he forced Tang San to follow his research direction.

Seemingly dedicated and devoted, but in reality? It's all effort in the opposite direction, all just hindering progress!

Putting aside other things, in this era where theories have evolved since You Chen's arrival, any normal theoretical scholar, even without Yu Xiaogang's knowledge reserves, could provide Tang San with greater theoretical assistance.

Because they wouldn't be as obsessed with proving themselves as Yu Xiaogang. Any middle-aged scholar who came from the era before Bibi Dong suppressed You Chen wouldn't mind learning and using some of You Chen's theories.

In a sense, after the world "upgraded in dimension," only Tang San's teammates remained stagnant, which meant that the gap widened once again.

At this moment, after recognizing Yu Xiaogang's true colors, Tang San had a new idea.

"Respecting your teacher is one thing, but how you specifically cultivate your martial spirit is something you have to decide for yourself."

Tang San had already secretly decided in his heart that from now on, he would only superficially deal with Yu Xiaogang, and then conduct his own research and go his own way!

He had the same thoughts as the protagonist of "Bakuman" after facing the second editor for a long time.

In fact, in the later stages of the original route, Tang San gradually stopped considering the route given by Yu Xiaogang and focused on his own ideas. Now, it's just that the timing of this has been brought forward.

But... if Tang San prioritizes his own ideas in advance, will he necessarily achieve the same result as the protagonist of that comic book, turning the tide of the situation?

Is Tang San's own ability truly sufficient to make a more suitable choice than Yu Xiaogang's?

If Tang San's life were truly so smooth, You Chen wouldn't have gone to such lengths to arrange it.

……

Several days have passed since Youchen and Youxing left Notting City.

Xiao Wu's face lost its usual liveliness and excitement. She would often squat on the stone pier next to the gate of Nottingham City and stare blankly into the distance.

The lonely and melancholic atmosphere made several of Xiao Wu's underlings, including Da Hei, try to find ways to cheer her up, but to no avail.

Tang San was already feeling gloomy, but when he saw Xiao Wu so distraught over Youxing's departure that she lost her appetite and couldn't eat or drink, he became even more gloomy.

Although he did value Yusei highly and admired his strength, he simply couldn't control his jealousy.

He could tolerate Xiao Wu punching and kicking him, or various forms of emotional abuse, but he couldn't stand Xiao Wu looking at other people...

With such mixed feelings, Tang San ultimately did not go forward to comfort her.

Seeing that all the methods were laughable, everyone stopped wasting their time and just waited for Xiao Wu to calm herself down.

But Xiao Wu, squatting on the stone pier, already had the intention to leave.

In the entire city of Nottingham, the two people Xiaowu considered closest to her had both left.

Although playing with Dahei and the others was fun, and I could occasionally beat up Xiao Sanzi to relieve my boredom, but...

"Without Uncle Youchen to cover for me, staying in one place for too long isn't a good thing. Someone might already have noticed my unusually fast cultivation speed..."

Xiao Wu's initial plan was to travel around the various villages in the human world, going about her journeys completely randomly, in ways she herself couldn't predict. In short, she wanted to avoid staying in one place for too long.

Now, she is close to becoming a three-ring Soul Master, meaning she can protect herself in most situations, even while traveling in the Douluo Continent. She already possesses the ability to embark on a journey.

Besides, having just learned that You Chen has a grudge against Bibi Dong, Bibi Dong might send a powerful expert to check on the situation at any time, and if things go wrong, it could be game over.

This further solidified Xiao Wu's determination to leave.

So, on a dark and windy night, Xiao Wu slipped out of Nottingham City without saying goodbye to anyone.

"call……"

Xiao Wu glanced at Nottingham City, which was completely shrouded in darkness and silence, a hint of longing flashing in her eyes, but it quickly turned into determination.

But when she turned around, she suddenly saw a tall figure in a tattered robe blocking her way.

Xiao Wu's eyes widened. The characteristics of her martial soul kept issuing strong warnings, but instead brought her even deeper fear, just like someone who had been immobilized by the Soul-Sealing Technique, unable to move at all.

At this moment, Xiao Wu understood—

"This Soul Master is definitely a powerful human who can see through my true nature!"

"Xiao Wu, don't be afraid."

A deep male voice came from behind him, and the newcomer took off his hood, revealing a weathered and gloomy face.

When Xiao Wu saw this face, she suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

Then the man said calmly, "I am the father of the mistress, Tang Hao."

Immediately following, he dropped a bombshell on Xiao Wu: "I know you are a soul beast in human form."

"ah?"

Upon hearing Tang Hao's words, Xiao Wu's mind went completely blank.

After standing there stunned for a long time, a thought suddenly popped into Xiao Wu's mind: "Am I going to die here?"

"However, don't worry, I'm not interested in you."

As if sensing Xiao Wu's thoughts, Tang Hao lowered his head, revealing a gentle gaze, and said, "It's not just because you're Xiao San's good friend, but also because... my wife is also a soul beast in human form. And Tang San is a hybrid with half human blood and half soul beast blood."

A hybrid of soul beast and human!?

Xiao Wu was initially filled with doubt and uncertainty, but then she couldn't help but feel a sliver of belief.

With Xiao Wu's memory, she did not recall the slight sense of closeness she felt when she first met Tang San because they were both soul beasts in human form.

But while her brain couldn't remember, she had a similar sixth sense that reminded her.

"So... I don't have to die?"

Xiao Wu wasn't completely off guard, but the thought that this stranger could see right through her meant he was at least a Soul Master, so she knew that her most important task now was to gain his trust.

Most of the time, in building a relationship of trust, expressing one's own will is more important than simply trying to please others.

Xiao Wu didn't know these theories, but as a female, she instinctively knew roughly how to do it.

Xiao Wu asked, "Mr. Tang Hao, what is your purpose in coming to see me, or rather... in waiting for me here?"

Tang Hao's gaze was deep, and he said in a low voice, "I hope you can stay in Notting City, or more precisely... stay by Xiao San's side. You should also know the risks of transformed soul beasts roaming outside. If you stay by Xiao San's side, I will also protect you from being discovered by those Title Douluos."

Purpose? What purpose could Tang Hao have? Of course, it's to help his son!

Now that Youxing has left with Youchen, it's a golden opportunity for his son to make his move. As a father, shouldn't he give him a push from behind? How could he let Xiaowu run away at this moment? That would truly mean all hope was lost!

Tang Hao thought to himself, "This might be one of the few things I can do to make amends to you, you mistress!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu's body trembled slightly.

Did Xiao Wu just accept Tang Hao's words completely?

How is that possible?!

"He's eyeing my spirit ring and spirit bone for his son!? Is he trying to keep me tied to Tang San's side and raise me like a pet!?"

Xiao Wu believed that Tang Hao's wife and Tang San's mother were soul beasts.

But this did not lessen her fear and apprehension of Tang Hao; on the contrary, it deepened her fear of him!

In Xiao Wu's eyes, Tang Hao was at least a Soul Douluo, and judging from his confident claim that he could protect her from a Title Douluo, he was very likely a Title Douluo!

Then why... according to Tang San, he has never seen his mother since he was a child?

This is a chilling question to think about.

With such a powerful being, how could there be any problem in protecting a transformed soul beast until it reaches maturity?

If you have the ability to deal with a powerhouse of that level, why not just hunt down a 100,000-year-old soul beast?

Xiao Wu ultimately didn't dare to ask such a question.

She was afraid that the moment she opened her mouth, the other party would drop the act and completely break off the pretense.

Xiao Wu was trembling uncontrollably with fear, but she forced herself to stay calm, hugging herself and making small gestures to hide her unease. She shook her head and retorted defiantly, "Hmph! Do you think I'll believe you just because you say that? Who knows if you have any ill intentions towards me! Or are you going to stop me if I insist on leaving?"

Tang Hao didn't speak, but just stared at Xiao Wu silently, putting pressure on her.

Xiao Wu finally couldn't hold back any longer. Realizing that her words might have crossed a line, she quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "Okay, okay, I know. Anyway, I'm powerless to resist."

Seeing that Xiao Wu had finally given in, Tang Hao managed a forced smile: "Don't worry, I promise you, in my honor as the Haotian Douluo, that as long as you don't harbor any ill will towards that mistress, I will absolutely do everything in my power to protect you!"

He would much rather see Xiao Wu agree to his request than force her to stay.

Hmm? As for whether this initiative is truly proactive? Please—how could Tang Hao possibly understand that?

Xiao Wu laughed heartily: "Haotian Douluo!? Wow, Uncle Tang Hao, so you're a Title Douluo? You should have said so earlier! Since you're a Title Douluo guaranteeing it with your own name, how could I not believe you? With someone as powerful as you by my side, why would I need to live in fear? Hahaha! I can already imagine dominating the Douluo Continent in the future, becoming the boss of whichever region I want!"

Tang Hao smiled and nodded: "You and Xiao San will definitely become powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of the continent."

Xiao Wu had never been so impressed with her acting skills. She herself had never expected that she could perform so brilliantly in the face of the fear of death.

At first glance, Xiao Wu seemed to have lowered her guard against Tang Hao, but... how could that be?

Xiao Wu was terrified of this strange man, whom she knew only by his name and nothing else about him.

In a rural place like Notting City, a Title Douluo suddenly appears, with no known purpose or origin. Even his own son knows nothing about him... How could Xiao Wu not be terrified of such a person before she becomes Tang San's love-struck self?

Consequently, he also developed a fear of Tang San. He was afraid that if he offended Tang San, he would face the punishment of Tang Hao, a titled Douluo.

Xiao Wu desperately wanted to escape, but she knew she lacked the ability. Without knowing the other party's true intentions, all she could do was feign compliance…

At that moment, she couldn't help but miss the person far away.

Besides her two younger brothers in the Star Dou Great Forest, she also missed You Chen and You Xing more and more, and regretted her decision to distance herself from You Chen.

……

Meanwhile, in the Papal Palace of Wuhun City.

"Your Holiness, is this really what you intend to do?"

The older, middle-aged male aide couldn't help but show a hint of hesitation.

Bibi Dong said calmly, "What, are you questioning my decision, Xiu Pu?"

Unlike Bai Sha, who was immediately intimidated by Bibi Dong's aura and knelt down instantly, the assistant Xiu Pu did not.

Although he was sweating profusely, he still dutifully offered his analysis and thoughts, earnestly stating, "Your Holiness, you intend to have a public dialogue with that masked assassin. This shouldn't be your plan to lure him in and kill him, right?"

Bibi Dong frowned and said, "Do you think I would hide anything from you trusted followers who carry out my orders?"

Heap shook his head, saying seriously, "No. However, if that were the case, wouldn't it be as if you were actively surrendering to that masked assassin? With your status, when you show a willingness to engage in dialogue as an equal, you're elevating that despicable assassin to a position close to the Pope! In a sense, such attention is seen as 'respect' by some! You're respecting an assassin, an assassin who killed countless pillars of the Spirit Hall! Then, how will those he killed be viewed? Countless people will question you!"

Bibi Dong waved her hand dismissively and said coldly, "That's all. My mind is made up."

Bibi Dong was well aware that such behavior could very well affect her plan to destroy the Spirit Hall.

But... her little anus brother is worth it!

A cold glint flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.

"Masked Assassin, I hope you truly represent Little Anal's will and aren't just a fool trying to provoke me! Otherwise..."

A soul pressure and killing intent as heavy as Mount Tai emanated from him, causing Shup's pupils to shrink and him to kneel down on one knee involuntarily.

He sighed softly to himself, knowing that the Pope's will could not be changed.

(End of this chapter)