Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun stormed into Yu Xiaogang's residence, seething with rage.
On his way there, he had already decided that if Yu Xiaogang couldn't give him a reasonable explanation, he would take the man down with him.
"Bang! Bang!!"
Ma Hongjun pounded on the dilapidated wooden door, nearly smashing it to pieces.
The loud noise startled Yu Xiaogang inside, who quickly dropped his leftover food and rushed out.
When he saw the furious Ma Hongjun, his heart skipped a beat.
Judging from this rebellious disciple's appearance, he had most likely failed the fifth trial, and this time he was probably here to vent his anger on his teacher.
It was clearly his own fault for not being good enough, yet he insisted on blaming others.
Even so, to avoid a beating, Yu Xiaogang had to calm Ma Hongjun down first.
"Hongjun, are you hurt?"
Yu Xiaogang staggered forward, ignoring his weakened state, and hurriedly checked Ma Hongjun's body.
Faced with Yu Xiaogang's concern, a flicker of hesitation crossed Ma Hongjun's eyes.
On second thought, although Yu Xiaogang had put him in such a predicament, he had been quite kind to him in the past.
However, he didn't intend to let Yu Xiaogang off the hook so easily. No matter how good Yu Xiaogang was to him, it couldn't make up for his mistakes, especially since it was uncertain whether his concern was sincere or not; perhaps he was just acting out of self-interest.
After all, Yu Xiaogang originally only had Level 29 soul power, yet he harbored immense ambition.
Back when Shrek Academy planned to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Yu Xiaogang actually wanted to be the leader of the Royal Fighting Team, completely failing to recognize his own status and position.
"Yu... Teacher, I'm not injured. Sea Ghost Douluo didn't agree taking an outside soul master for assistance."
Reaching a sore spot, Ma Hongjun's face darkened.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed. He had originally thought that with Dai Mubai's help, Ma Hongjun should be able to pass the fifth trial.
If Ma Hongjun could complete the Black-level assessment, even if he couldn't become a revered god, he could at least become a guardian of a Holy Pillar, which would be enough to salvage some of his reputation.
Although he wouldn't be able to leave Sea God Island afterward, with Ma Hongjun's backing, he could live a comfortable life.
Now, however, he couldn't even achieve that.
After a full two minutes, Yu Xiaogang finally recovered and looked up behind Ma Hongjun, but didn't see Dai Mubai.
"Where's Dai Mubai? Why isn't he with you?"
Yu Xiaogang's tone was urgent. His only hope now was Dai Mubai, since Dai Mubai had a god backing him and might be able to help Ma Hongjun escape the punishment for failing the trial.
Although this wouldn't allow him to become a guardian of a Holy Pillar of Sea God Island, it could at least bring him back to the mainland.
However, Ma Hongjun's expression grew increasingly grim, and his gaze towards Yu Xiaogang turned hostile. He coldly said, "He died at Lin Mu's hands, without even a trace of ashes left behind."
"What did you say?!"
Yu Xiaogang's pupils dilated, and he stumbled backward several steps.
His last remaining hope was completely extinguished.
After a long while, he looked at Ma Hongjun with a heart full of despair and asked, "Why did Lin Mu want to kill him?"
"It wasn't Lin Mu who wanted to kill him, but Tang San. However, during the fight, a divine thought was triggered on Dai Mubai's body, but it was still destroyed by Lin Mu, who arrived just in time," Ma Hongjun said with a bitter smile.
Who could have imagined that Lin Mu was so powerful that he could even destroy the divine thought of a god with a single blow?
"Does this guy really want to go against me?!" Yu Xiaogang roared, his eyes bloodshot and his breath ragged.
However, he immediately coughed violently, his whole body trembling uncontrollably, as if he were about to die of pure anger.
Looking at the impotently furious Yu Xiaogang, Ma Hongjun remained unmoved.
In the past, he might have blamed Lin Mu, but then he thought, what kind of person was Lin Mu? How could a person of his stature deliberately target a useless person with no cultivation?
Let alone the invincible Lin Mu, even Yu Tianheng was beyond their capabilities.
"Teacher, I'm already doomed. You've made me suffer so much, you might as well die with me. That way, our master-disciple relationship will have a proper ending."
As he spoke, Ma Hongjun wore a kind smile, his tone full of false respect for his teacher.
In an instant, Yu Xiaogang's expression froze.
What a joke!
Although life was hard, he had persevered. How could he willingly die with Ma Hongjun?
If he agreed, what would his two and a half years of hardship even matter?
However, if he directly objected, Ma Hongjun would probably kill him without hesitation; he had to do the opposite.
"Hongjun, it's all my fault for being useless. I didn't help you transform into a true Fire Phoenix soul master. I should have persisted a little longer, so Erlong could have helped you release your evil fire."
At this point, Yu Xiaogang paused, looking at Ma Hongjun with a face full of guilt, and continued, "Even if you kill me, I won't blame you."
"I only have one last wish: if you ever have the chance to return to the mainland, you must take good care of Erlong for me."
Deeply moved by Yu Xiaogang's passionate speech, Ma Hongjun actually shed tears of emotion.
He never expected his teacher to be so considerate, even entrusting his teacher's wife to his care.
Immediately afterward, Ma Hongjun hugged the extremely thin Yu Xiaogang.
This scene looked exceptionally harmonious between master and disciple.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang revealed a smug smile, confident that with his extraordinary wisdom, no one could escape his calculations.
But the next second, his smile froze.
Ma Hongjun leaned close to Yu Xiaogang's ear and whispered, "Teacher, rest in peace. As long as I can get back alive, I will definitely take good care of Teacher Erlong for you."
Regardless of whether Yu Xiaogang's words were sincere, Ma Hongjun only knew one thing: he had no more resources. How could he take care of Teacher Erlong? In the end, it would all be in vain.
"Hongjun, I don't want you to have any burdens." Yu Xiaogang hadn't given up. He didn't believe he couldn't handle Ma Hongjun and offered, "You should let me stay here and fend for myself."
Hearing this request, Ma Hongjun immediately fell into deep thought.
If he didn't send Yu Xiaogang food, Yu Xiaogang had almost no chance of survival; at most, he could last a few months.
On the contrary, there was still a year until the end of the assessment, so letting him live a few more months wouldn't hurt.
"Alright, but don't expect me to bring you food for a while."
Ma Hongjun felt he had already shown leniency to Yu Xiaogang, giving his teacher a final bit of face, hoping he would understand.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Ma Hongjun didn't attack him immediately, he still had a glimmer of hope.
"Hongjun, don't give up on your cultivation; there might still be a chance."
"I know that without you saying so."