Seeing the serious and resolute expression on Yan Tian's face, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang knew that he wasn't wrong. In this world where strength reigns supreme, being weak is the only sin.
However, Tang San was his disciple, and he couldn't just stand by and watch as Tang San was expelled from the academy.
"Yan Tian, even if Tang San was at fault, can't you forgive him just this once, considering he's still a child?! Besides, you're also partly to blame for this incident. If you hadn't failed to kill that Ghost Vine, we wouldn't have ended up in this state!
How about this? I'll have Tang San come in and apologize to you, and you take a step back by allowing him to continue his studies here! What do you say? Don't forget, with Tang San's talent, if he goes to another school, you'll be the one losing out!"
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang spoke in a deep voice.
Given his pride, lowering his head to a Soul Ancestor and academy dean was already his limit.
" Grandmaster Yu, there's no need to say more. Allowing Tang San to return would be an insult to my dignity as the dean!"
Dean Yan Tian, looking at Yu Xiaogang's persistent entanglement, spoke with a face full of anger.
If it happened once, it could happen again. Yan Tian had no desire to be publicly humiliated by Tang San a second time!
Seeing Dean Yan Tian's unwavering expression, Yu Xiaogang knew he had no choice but to play his trump card.
"Yan Tian, if you're so determined to expel Tang San, then I'll have no choice but to leave the academy as well. After all, Tang San is my disciple. If he goes, I go with him!"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Dean Yan Tian couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
"What, are you trying to force my hand with this?! Hmph, Grandmaster Yu, Grandmaster Yu, you've never truly understood your position, have you? I invited you to stay here temporarily, but you've been living here for years, eating and drinking for free. And now you're using this to pressure me?
Fine, if you want to leave, then leave! I won't stop you. But make sure to pack up your personal belongings by this afternoon, or I'll have someone throw them out!"
Seeing Yan Tian's heartless response, Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale with shock and anger.
He never expected Yan Tian to actually agree to his resignation. How dare he!
He, the great Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, was truly being expelled.
For a moment, Yu Xiaogang wanted to say that his earlier words were just spoken in anger.
But now that the words were out, his pride wouldn't allow him to take them back.
Thus, he could only respond with a threat.
"Hmph, Yan Tian, the tides will turn. With Tang San's talent, in a few decades, he will be one of the pinnacle figures of the continent. When that time comes, you'll regret this!"
After saying this, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang strode out of the room.
However, not long after he left, he heard Dean Yan Tian's voice behind him.
"Hmph, Yu Xiaogang, save your ridiculous rhetoric! With Tang San's personality, even if he does become one of the continent's top figures, I wouldn't want to associate with him. Someone who looks down on the poor and fawns over the rich—I'm not worthy of such a person.
Oh, and Yu Xiaogang, if you're really so principled, go settle your unpaid meal debts. The cafeteria staff have complained to me several times about you eating without paying."
Hearing Yan Tian speak of his disciple in such a manner, Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened even further.
"Hmph! So what if it's just meal money?! I, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, am renowned in the spirit master world. Do you think I can't afford a few meals?"
With that, Yu Xiaogang strode confidently toward the cafeteria.
It was just a few meals at the cafeteria. Was it really such a big deal?
When the cafeteria manager saw Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang coming to settle his bill, his face lit up with joy.
He immediately pulled out the account book and began calculating.
But when the bill was tallied, Yu Xiaogang was stunned.
"Why is it so expensive?! Twenty-five gold spirit coins?! Are you trying to cheat me?"
Yu Xiaogang glared angrily at the elderly man managing the cafeteria.
He had only eaten a few meals here! What kind of meals could possibly cost twenty-five gold spirit coins?!
" Grandmaster Yu, there's no mistake. Given your esteemed status, every meal you've had here has been meticulously recorded. If you don't believe me, you can check for yourself!"
Yu Xiaogang immediately took the account book and began verifying the entries.
For a moment, the quiet cafeteria was filled with the sound of pages turning.
When he reached the last page, Yu Xiaogang's face turned ashen.
Every entry in the book was accurate. There were no errors or exaggerations.
He really had accumulated a debt of twenty gold spirit coins at the cafeteria!
And that was just for meals. It didn't even include the cost of accommodation.
" Grandmaster Yu, since everything checks out, how would you like to settle the bill?"
The elderly man smiled warmly.
Twenty-five gold spirit coins! Even a spirit master would need over two years of stipends to earn that much!
Hearing the man's words, Yu Xiaogang's face twisted with frustration.
He patted his pockets, unsure of what to say.
Twenty-five gold spirit coins! Where would he get that kind of money?
Although he had recently received his stipend from the Spirit Hall, it was only ten gold spirit coins—far short of the twenty-five needed.
Not to mention, the recent trip to help Tang San obtain a spirit ring had also cost him quite a bit!
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang deeply regretted his earlier outburst.
It had left him in such an embarrassing position!
"Old Wang, the dean said that if Grandmaster Yu doesn't have enough money right now, he can pay what he can, and the rest can be settled next month after he receives his stipend from the Spirit Hall."
Just as Yu Xiaogang was drowning in embarrassment, the head of the academic affairs office, Director Zhang, hurried over and spoke to the accountant, Old Wang.
"Oh! No problem. Grandmaster Yu, how much can you pay for now? I'll make a note of it!"
Old Wang smiled politely at Yu Xiaogang.
Hearing their words, Yu Xiaogang grew even more furious.
But there was nothing he could do about it.
He could only seethe in silent rage.
In the end, with insufficient funds on hand, Yu Xiaogang reluctantly took out eight gold spirit coins and placed them in a row in front of Old Wang.
"I'll pay eight for now. The rest will be sent over later!"
"Grandmaster Yu, please make sure to send the remaining amount within the next year. If it's delayed too long, I'm afraid you might forget!"
Director Zhang chimed in.
"Hmph! I, Yu Xiaogang, always keep my word. Do you think I'd default on a mere dozen or so gold spirit coins?!"
With that, Yu Xiaogang strode away, ignoring the whispers of Director Zhang and Old Wang.
However, while Yu Xiaogang maintained a composed exterior, his heart was filled with pain and anger.
As he walked back to his room, he endured the mocking glances of everyone he passed, his feelings of humiliation and rage boiling over.
He had already made up his mind. Once he settled down at Shrek Academy, he would train Tang San rigorously using his theories. He would show these blind fools the error of their ways and make them regret their decisions today!