Tang San's face was full of disbelief as he looked at Wang Li, almost as if questioning him:
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. You graduated from Notting Academy, and it's only been five years. How could you have cultivated so fast?"
Wang Li shook his head, smiling as he said:
"It's not that I cultivated quickly, it's that you cultivated slowly. After graduating from Notting Academy, I first went to the Intermediate Soul Master Academy, then to the Advanced Soul Master Academy. Through my own efforts, I earned the recognition of my teachers. They gave me the best training and cultivation environment."
"Moreover, under the tutelage of a Title Douluo, I went through unimaginably harsh training. I experienced shattered bones, organs shifted, I walked the edge of life and death, and I survived from the brink of death with sheer tenacity."
"I endured endless pain, and only then did I acquire this strength. I believe I deserve it."
With every word Wang Li spoke, Tang San's shock deepened. By the time Wang Li finished, Tang San was completely dazed.
As for Xiao Wu, the moment she heard the words "Title Douluo," her face had already turned as pale as it could.
Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were all dumbfounded as well. Wang Li's experiences were legendary to them, like reading an unreadable manuscript.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's eyes widened, hands covering their mouths, unable to utter a single sound in shock.
Then Wang Li's smile faded, replaced by what seemed like a mix of pain and indignation. He spoke solemnly to Tang San and Xiao Wu:
"Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu, we came from the same dormitory. I've always considered you my best friends, which is why I'm telling you this."
"I still remember the first time we met in the dorm. Your strong postures, your immense strength left a deep impression on me and gave me the goal to catch up."
"But now, I feel regret. Your talent is a hundred times greater than mine, and your achievements should also be a hundred times greater. But have you wasted the precious time of your youth?"
"I remember, Tang San, you loved forging, and Sister Xiao Wu, you loved to play. What a waste,wasting time, wasting talent. If the six years at Notting Academy were spent in such trivial cultivation, I feel anxious on your behalf."
Wang Li's face was sincere. Every word was meant for Tang San and Xiao Wu, yet every word struck them like a sharp knife, piercing their hearts.
Low-level torment affects the body, high-level torment affects the mind, extreme torment affects both body and soul.
Wang Li took it further, looking at them seriously:
"We are children from ordinary families. Our families cannot provide superior cultivation conditions, so we should strive to improve ourselves and be diligent, rather than seek comfort and live carelessly."
"Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu, your talent is a hundred times greater than mine. I believe that with effort, you will become stronger very quickly. Of course, if you could supplement your nutrition daily with hundred-year or thousand-year soul beasts, have powerful teachers personally instructing you, and receive the best cultivation environment from the academy, you would grow even faster!"
Wang Li's words struck Tang San directly in the heart. Later, when he would learn that his father was Haotian Douluo, yet as a child he couldn't even drink enough porridge, and that his great soul master teacher Yu Xiaogang and the shabby Shrek Academy were all part of his past, it would sting even more.
Wang Li looked forward to this, but surpassing him in soul power? Not even in his dreams. His current strength came 99% from his own efforts, yet there was still 1% from his "extra edge," and that 1% outweighed 99% of pure effort.
Tang San looked at Wang Li's earnest face. He wanted to respond with all kinds of excuses, all the words rushing to his mouth, yet he could only grit his teeth and say, frustrated:
"I… thank you!"
With just a few words, Wang Li had defined Tang San's past six years as seeking comfort and living carelessly, negating all his efforts. It hurt Tang San more than being struck.
Wang Li was truly skilled at getting into people's minds. He scolded him, yet Tang San had to thank him. Tang San's thoughts were in turmoil, but soon he seemed to grasp a lifeline.
I have the Tang Sect's ultimate techniques. I have twin martial souls. Wang Li is nothing, nothing…
Tang San's breathing became heavy.
By now, Wang Li had finished his greetings and did not intend to linger:
"You're welcome, Tang San, Sister Xiao Wu. Next time you come to Tian Dou City, I'll host a welcome for you. And to all of you, as friends of Tang San and Sister Xiao Wu, you are also my friends. When you come to Tian Dou City, I will treat you well."
Wang Li's tone was sincere, gentle, as if he had known everyone for years, like a warm spring breeze.
After speaking, he waved to everyone, then turned and left as suddenly as he had appeared. The others remained in shock.
On the way, Wang Li ran into Qin Ming. He was not surprised. Qin Ming didn't know the current Shrek Seven Devils, but he knew Zhao Wuji:
"Teacher Qin!"
Qin Ming responded:
"Let's head back first. I also ran into an acquaintance, I'll go greet him."
Wang Li smiled and nodded, then walked off with long strides. He was in a very good mood.
Meanwhile, Qin Ming quickly approached the Shrek Seven Devils and Zhao Wuji, then excitedly said:
"Teacher Zhao, do you remember me?"
Zhao Wuji looked him over, pleasantly surprised:
"You're Qin Ming! Kids, let me introduce someone,this is your senior, Qin Ming."
"Also, Qin Ming, the young man earlier, was he the student you trained?"
Qin Ming thought briefly and replied:
"I taught him for half a month, then he was taken by the one titled 'Bilin.' He was trained by that person."
Dai Mubai, familiar with the title 'Bilin,' asked in confusion:
"That person is solitary and independent. How could he do something like this?"
Qin Ming thought for a moment and told his juniors the truth:
"Under Bilin, he has a granddaughter. She's very close to Wang Li, sticking together all the time. That's probably the reason."
Upon hearing this, the broad-shouldered Ma Hongjun shouted in jealousy:
"So he had it easy and got a Title Douluo as a teacher! If I had that chance, I'd cultivate even faster!"
Oscar glanced at Ning Rongrong, as if discovering the secret to success:
"Big guy, if you want a chance like that, lose some weight first. Didn't you see Wang Li? His body, his face,though not as good as me or Dai, he's still far ahead of you!"
With Ma Hongjun and Oscar joking, the atmosphere lightened. But Tang San and Xiao Wu, especially Tang San, were frustrated and had nowhere to vent.
Wang Li had spoken up for them everywhere, always considering them, but because of this, the "path to death" they wanted to scream remained locked in their hearts.
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