The disdain and rejection from the Elite Class students were written plainly across their faces.
None of them even tried to hide it.
As soon as Yu Xiaogang entered the training grounds, countless hostile gazes landed on him like sharp blades.
To them, Yu Xiaogang was nothing more than someone who had entered through connections.
A privileged outsider.
Someone unworthy of standing among them.
Yu Xiaogang naturally understood their thoughts very clearly.
If he placed himself in their position, he would probably feel the same way.
After all, every student present had worked desperately to enter the Elite Class of Spirit Hall Academy.
This was the highest-level class in the academy.
Only true geniuses could qualify.
Each of them had endured years of grueling cultivation, competition, and elimination before finally earning the right to stand here.
And now, suddenly, a newcomer with strength far below theirs had entered through special arrangements.
It was only natural that they felt dissatisfied.
Still, understanding their emotions did not mean Yu Xiaogang would back down.
Resources were resources.
Since an opportunity had been placed before him, he would naturally make full use of it.
On the Douluo Continent, strength was everything.
As long as one became powerful enough, people would praise even the most shameless methods.
History had always been written by the strong.
When it came to increasing one's strength, things like pride, reputation, or the opinions of others were meaningless.
Once he became strong enough, there would naturally be countless people willing to justify his actions.
At that moment, Zhao Xunxing looked coldly at Yu Xiaogang.
"Level twenty-four?" he asked flatly.
His gaze swept over Yu Xiaogang from head to toe.
"That means you are currently the weakest student in the Elite Class."
The surrounding students sneered openly after hearing those words.
Zhao Xunxing continued calmly.
"Are you certain you can keep up with our cultivation progress?"
"The Elite Class follows strict standards. Although each student receives different training arrangements, the overall intensity is far beyond that of ordinary classes."
His tone became slightly sharper.
"And there are also regular sparring sessions among the students."
"No one here will hold back simply because you are younger."
He paused briefly before adding,
"Even Bibi Dong, despite being His Holiness the Pope's disciple, suffered repeated defeats when she first entered the Elite Class."
The meaning behind his words was obvious.
He was trying to scare Yu Xiaogang away.
After all, Zhao Xunxing himself did not particularly welcome this sudden addition to his class.
"Don't worry, Teacher Zhao," Yu Xiaogang replied calmly.
"My cultivation intensity has never been low."
He then glanced around at the Elite Class students surrounding him.
Their eyes were filled with provocation, ridicule, and hostility.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly.
"As for sparring…"
His voice became slightly sharper.
"I actually look forward to witnessing the strength of the Spirit Hall Academy's Elite Class."
His gaze swept across everyone present.
"I just hope you aren't all people who only know how to boast but fall apart in real combat."
The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere froze.
Then—
The entire training ground exploded.
"What did he say?!"
"That bastard!"
"He entered through the back door and still dares to act arrogant?"
"Only level twenty-four, yet he talks like this?"
"He really thinks he's some kind of genius?"
"We need to teach him a lesson!"
"Teacher Zhao, I request a sparring match with him!"
"So do I!"
"And me!"
The Elite Class students immediately erupted in anger.
Every single one of them glared at Yu Xiaogang furiously.
To them, his words were no different from a direct insult.
Yu Xiaogang, however, remained perfectly calm.
Everything had developed exactly as he expected.
Since these students already despised him, there was no point acting polite and submissive.
That would only make him appear weak.
Instead, he chose the most direct method possible.
Challenge them openly.
After all, his purpose for joining Spirit Hall Academy was simple.
First, he wanted access to Spirit Hall's cultivation knowledge and resources.
Second, he wanted combat experience.
And where better to gain combat experience than the Elite Class itself?
With Zhao Xunxing, a Spirit Douluo, overseeing the battles, there was virtually no danger to his life.
Under such safe conditions, these sparring matches would become the perfect opportunity for him to sharpen himself.
"Quiet!"
A cold shout suddenly rang out across the training grounds.
The pressure released from Zhao Xunxing instantly silenced everyone.
The noisy crowd immediately quieted down.
Even the angriest students lowered their heads slightly.
Zhao Xunxing then looked toward Yu Xiaogang.
"Yu Xiaogang," he said seriously, "although I know you possess extraordinary talent, sometimes it is better to remain humble."
His expression became stern.
"You should understand something clearly."
"Any student capable of entering the Elite Class is already considered a genius among geniuses."
"Outside this academy, they would all be highly regarded talents."
He narrowed his eyes.
"And you are only level twenty-four."
"A Spirit Ancestor at level forty possesses two more spirit rings than you."
"That gap is not something easily crossed."
His tone carried genuine warning.
Although Zhao Xunxing disliked the special arrangements surrounding Yu Xiaogang, he still fulfilled his responsibilities as a teacher.
Over the years, he had seen countless talented Spirit Masters die because of arrogance.
He did not wish to see another one ruined the same way.
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly.
"Thank you for the reminder, Teacher Zhao."
He could naturally hear the goodwill hidden beneath Zhao Xunxing's stern words.
However—
Yu Xiaogang truly did not believe the gap between himself and ordinary Spirit Ancestors was insurmountable.
After all, his current strength was far from ordinary.
His physical body alone had already reached astonishing levels.
After absorbing a five-thousand-year spirit ring as his second ring, his physique had undergone terrifying enhancement.
In terms of raw physical strength, he was already comparable to genuine Spirit Ancestors.
Then there was his spirit power.
Thanks to the passive enhancement provided by his first spirit ring, his total spirit power reserves far exceeded those of ordinary Spirit Grandmasters.
Even many Spirit Ancestors could not compare to him in that regard.
Finally, there was his spiritual strength.
The passive effect of his second spirit ring had significantly enhanced his mental abilities as well.
In terms of body, spirit power, and mental strength—
He was no weaker than an ordinary level-forty Spirit Ancestor.
The only thing he lacked compared to them were two additional spirit abilities.
However, his existing spirit skills were already extremely powerful.
Combined with Little Dragon's ability to fight alongside him, that weakness was largely compensated for.
Because of this, Yu Xiaogang genuinely believed he could battle a Spirit Ancestor despite only being level twenty-four.
Perhaps others would think he was arrogant.
But he understood his own strength better than anyone.
"Hmph."
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's calm confidence, Zhao Xunxing let out a cold snort.
"What arrogance."
A level-twenty-four Spirit Grandmaster wanting to challenge level-forty Spirit Ancestors?
And he still claimed he wasn't conceited?
Zhao Xunxing had seen many arrogant young geniuses before.
But Yu Xiaogang was definitely among the most confident.
"Fine," Zhao Xunxing said coldly.
"Since you are so confident, don't come crying to me after you get beaten later."
After speaking, he no longer paid attention to Yu Xiaogang.
Instead, he began the day's official lesson.
The Elite Class students immediately suppressed their dissatisfaction and focused on the lecture.
No matter how angry they were, none dared disrespect Zhao Xunxing.
Yu Xiaogang also found a seat and quietly listened.
Although he had already learned countless cultivation theories from his father, he never believed knowledge should come from only one source.
The cultivation path required continuous learning.
Different people had different understandings and experiences.
Only by drawing from many perspectives could one truly grow stronger.
Because of this, Yu Xiaogang listened extremely carefully.
Not far away, Bibi Dong occasionally glanced toward him while listening to Zhao Xunxing's explanations.
When she saw how seriously Yu Xiaogang focused on the lesson, she suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed for letting her attention wander.
Soon, she hurriedly forced herself to concentrate again.
The lecture continued for an entire hour.
Zhao Xunxing explained various cultivation experiences, battle techniques, spirit power control methods, and practical applications of spirit abilities.
Every student listened attentively.
Even Yu Xiaogang benefited greatly.
Although some knowledge overlapped with what he already knew, Zhao Xunxing's personal insights still provided valuable perspectives.
After the lecture ended, Zhao Xunxing allowed the students to ask questions.
This session lasted another hour.
One by one, the students raised their doubts regarding cultivation.
Zhao Xunxing patiently answered every single question.
Even Yu Xiaogang asked several questions of his own.
Some involved spirit power compression.
Others involved the coordination between spirit abilities and physical combat.
Zhao Xunxing answered all of them seriously.
Gradually, even some of the Elite Class students began looking at Yu Xiaogang differently.
At first, they believed he was merely relying on connections.
But after hearing his questions, they realized something surprising.
Yu Xiaogang's understanding of cultivation was extremely deep.
Far deeper than expected from someone his age.
Still, that alone was not enough to earn their recognition.
On the Douluo Continent, true respect could only be obtained through strength.
Finally, after the Q&A session ended, Zhao Xunxing slowly stood up.
His gaze swept across the class before eventually landing on Yu Xiaogang.
A faintly meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"Alright," he said calmly.
"Next…"
"The practical combat session will begin."
The moment those words fell, every student turned simultaneously toward Yu Xiaogang.
The hostility in their eyes instantly reignited.
Many of them even revealed cold smiles.
Clearly—
They had been waiting for this moment for a very long time.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)