Everyone gathered in the lounge.
As soon as they entered, they were met with a rare smile on Yu Xiaogang's face. "You all performed very well this time."
"Grandmaster, aren't you going to reprimand Tianyang for helping us?" Ma Hongjun asked, prepared to be scolded. He hadn't expected such a response.
"Nonsense!"
"You're the one who talks too much!"
Dai Mubai and Oscar swiftly pulled Ma Hongjun down, gave him a good beating, and covered his mouth.
"Haha, Grandmaster, don't mind him. He's just drunk," Dai Mubai chuckled awkwardly.
"Relax. Even if Tianyang hadn't intervened, you would have still won," Yu Xiaogang said, pausing before adding, "It's just that the price you would have paid would have been higher. Tianyang merely helped mitigate the losses."
"Well said, Grandmaster." Xiao Tianyang couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
'Mitigate the losses.' This was the first time he had heard someone in the Douluo Continent use such modern terminology.
"However, there's something you need to take note of," Yu Xiaogang's face suddenly turned serious. "You were aware of the Nine Heart Flowering Apple's abilities before the match, but you failed to consider your opponent's reckless behavior."
"Grandmaster, wasn't that just an accident?" Ma Hongjun got up from the floor, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Who could have expected their captain to suddenly go berserk and use a move that harmed himself just to take us down with him?"
"Even if it was an accident, you must always be prepared for the unexpected," Yu Xiaogang nodded, acknowledging the element of surprise, but firmly added, "As a strategist, you must consider all possibilities, no matter how unlikely. Even if the chances are one in ten thousand, you must account for them.
"Because if this had not been in the arena, you would have suffered severe casualties. So, even if you secured victory in the end, what would have been the point?"
"Teacher, I understand," Tang San nodded solemnly.
"Alright, aside from this mistake, your overall performance was commendable," Flander interjected, stroking his beard. "Especially Rongrong—those martial arts skills were truly eye-opening!"
This wasn't mere flattery but genuine admiration.
Even in this battle, though Ning Rongrong might not have been the MVP, she certainly deserved a best performance award.
After all, as a support-type Soul master, she had managed to repel and even defeat an agility-type soul master head-on.
How many people on the entire Douluo Continent could accomplish such a feat?
"Dean, I worked really hard for this," Ning Rongrong lifted her chin proudly, sneaking a glance at Xiao Tianyang, as if waiting for his praise.
However, Xiao Tianyang remained indifferent and added, "The Emperor Team was overly aggressive this time, even resorting to such tactics. It truly caught us off guard."
Then, he casually waved his hand. "But in the end, the goal was achieved. Winning or losing, or how we got there, doesn't matter."
"Indeed." Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly, a rare smile appearing on his usually stiff face. "Over these past few months, I've witnessed your growth. As your teacher, I am very proud of you."
Everyone's faces lit up with satisfaction.
They had trained so hard for so long—wasn't it all for this moment of recognition?
But before they could bask in their accomplishment for too long, Yu Xiaogang poured a bucket of cold water over them.
"However, it's time to start the third phase of training. Get ready."
Everyone: "..."
'Couldn't this have waited? Did he really have to ruin the moment?'
Yu Xiaogang calmly observed their expressions and said, "What? You all still want a few more days off?"
"How could that be possible?" Ma Hongjun was the first to stand up, immediately putting on a righteous expression. "We love training more than anything! If we don't train for a day, we feel restless!"
Someone had to step up and say this.
Otherwise, Yu Xiaogang would definitely follow up with: 'In that case, your willpower isn't strong enough. We'll double the training load!'
They had experienced his harsh training style before!
"Ah, very good." Before Yu Xiaogang could respond, Flander stroked his beard and said, "In that case, I will personally oversee your training from now on."
Ma Hongjun clutched his chest and staggered back two steps. "I suddenly feel that the world is filled with malice toward me..."
"My condolences," Xiao Tianyang said, offering his sympathies.
With Flander personally taking charge, Ma Hongjun was doomed to suffer.
"Why? Are you dissatisfied?" Flander flicked his beard.
"Of course not! Teacher, you are the person I respect the most! It is my greatest honor to be personally supervised by you!" Ma Hongjun immediately put on a flattering smile, rubbing his hands together.
"I lost my respect for you which I never had to begin with," Xiao Tianyang muttered, raising an eyebrow.
Soon, everyone was playfully bickering with one another, creating a lively atmosphere.
Even Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but shake his head in exasperation.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared at the door.
Immediately afterward, a voice called out.
"Dean Flander..."
Zhao Wuji was the first to react. When he looked over, he couldn't help but grin. "Qin Ming, you rascal, things must be going well for you out there, huh?"
The newcomer was none other than Qin Ming, the tactical instructor of the Emperor Team.
Of course, he also had another identity—he was a graduate of Shrek Academy.
Qin Ming appeared visibly moved. He took two steps forward and knelt on one knee before Flander and Zhao Wuji, his expression full of respect. "Disciple Qin Ming pays his respects to the two teachers."
"Alright, let's not stand on ceremony." Flander reached out to lift Qin Ming up and smiled. "You haven't met your juniors yet, have you? Come, let me introduce them to you!"
What followed was a round of introductions.
Qin Ming greeted everyone politely, ensuring he acknowledged each one of them.
But when he was introduced to Xiao Tianyang, his eyes lit up.
"Junior Tianyang, may I ask you a question?"
"Senior, there's no need to be so formal. Go ahead," Xiao Tianyang replied graciously.
From his tone, he already had an idea of what Qin Ming wanted to ask.
"Did you develop all those combat techniques yourself? Or... did your teacher?" Qin Ming hesitated at the end, showing both curiosity and apprehension.
If Xiao Tianyang had developed those techniques on his own, then given his age and talent, "genius" would be an understatement.
Not even "peerless" could accurately describe him.
But if it was the latter, then Qin Ming knew he had no hope of ever mastering them himself.
"I didn't create these martial arts techniques, nor did my teacher. But in a certain sense, I was responsible for bringing them forth," Xiao Tianyang answered vaguely.
Qin Ming found this answer acceptable.
At least, it meant that neither of his worst fears had come true.
But just as he was about to proceed further, he heard Flander's voice.
"Qin Ming, are you here to steal our disciple?" Zhao Wuji also caught on. "I was wondering why you suddenly dropped by. So that's your plan, huh?"
Qin Ming, now exposed, looked a little embarrassed. "I was just curious. But of course, if it's inconvenient... I won't press the matter."
As someone passionate about combat, it was only natural that he would be interested.
That's why Flander and Zhao Wuji merely teased him instead of reprimanding him.
…
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