Tang San's demeanor caused Dugu Bo to glance at him with newfound interest before turning toward Qi Lin.
"Xiao Lin, I'll let you decide how to deal with this."
Qi Lin looked at Tang San, a cold smile flashing in his eyes.
From Tang San, he could only sense overwhelming unwillingness and resentment—like a venomous snake coiled in the dark.
But then again, that fit Tang San's character perfectly.
With a faint smile, Qi Lin said calmly, "Let's not talk about how I plan to deal with you just yet. Let's first address the wager from earlier."
"You made a bet with me. If I lost, I would have to apologize to all of you and hand over the correct soul power cultivation method."
"But now that I've won—what exactly are you putting on the table?"
"Don't try to go back on your word. You couldn't handle the consequences."
Hearing this, Tang San's pupils shrank suddenly, a wave of unease flashing through his heart.
"There was such a wager?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow. With his experience, he instantly saw the anxiety written all over Tang San's face.
Looks like this kid has secrets...
After a moment, Tang San gritted his teeth and said, "I can also apologize and admit my mistake—and hand over the Controlling Crane Catching Dragon technique."
"You've seen me use it before."
Hearing this, Qi Lin smiled faintly and looked at him mockingly. "You're offering just Controlling Crane Catching Dragon?"
"Are you giving alms to beggars?"
"You think Controlling Crane Catching Dragon is on par with my soul power cultivation method?"
As he spoke, Qi Lin casually lifted his palm. Instantly, a strong suction force erupted from it, pulling a boulder weighing nearly a hundred pounds from dozens of meters away into the air.
"In my eyes, your so-called technique is just basic soul power control—not worth mentioning."
Seeing Qi Lin belittle a Tang Sect secret technique, Tang San couldn't help but clench his fists tightly.
"What do you want, then?"
Taking a deep breath, he chose to endure.
Seeing this, Qi Lin said offhandedly, "In that case, hand over your soul power meditation technique, your hand technique, eye training method, and the footwork you displayed earlier."
He didn't particularly care for the Tang Sect's secret arts, but these were the most valuable things Tang San had.
And they would certainly be painful for Tang San to part with.
Indeed, the moment Tang San heard this, his entire body stiffened.
Qi Lin had struck directly at his artery.
As a disciple of the Tang Sect, how could Tang San bear to see outsiders learn its sacred techniques?
But now, if he refused, things would not end well today.
Dugu Bo's presence was like a mountain pressing down on him, leaving him with no room to resist.
"…Fine!"
"I'll hand them over!"
Tang San gritted his teeth. Faced with life and death, he chose to surrender the Tang Sect techniques.
However, for what Qi Lin had done today, he would repay him a hundredfold in the future!
"You better not play any tricks—or deal with the consequences yourself!"
"No need for you to remind me."
Tang San's voice was low. "Tomorrow. I'll deliver everything to you tomorrow."
After saying this, he staggered over to Yu Xiaogang.
"Teacher, let's go!"
But just as he was about to leave, Qi Lin's voice rang out again.
"You seem to have forgotten to apologize to me."
Tang San's body froze, but he still turned around and lowered his head slightly.
"Everything just now was my fault. I was overconfident and challenged you. I also harbored envy toward your cultivation method."
"I ask that Teacher Qi Lin be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
Dugu Bo raised his hand slightly in a pressing motion.
Boom!
At that moment, his robes fluttered without wind, and a terrifying pressure of soul power erupted from him, crashing down on Tang San.
The pressure felt like a mountain falling from the sky. Tang San's face changed drastically, and under the weight, he collapsed to his knees without resistance.
A cracking sound came from his kneecaps.
Dugu Bo said blandly, "If you want to apologize, do it properly."
Agonizing pain twisted Tang San's face, blood dribbling from the corner of his lips.
Still, he could only force himself to endure and cup his fists respectfully. "Your teachings are correct, Poison Douluo. I accept your lesson."
Then, still kneeling, he turned to Qi Lin and bowed his head once more to admit his mistake.
At that moment, Dugu Bo's gaze shifted subtly toward where Tang Hao was hiding in the distance.
Just as Tang San knelt, he had sensed the intense soul power fluctuations of a hidden Titled Douluo again.
Clearly, this mysterious powerhouse was closely connected to Tang San—but still showed no intention of revealing himself.
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes slightly.
I'll need to tell Xiao Lin about this later. He should be cautious around Tang San.
Talented and adaptable is one thing… but with a Titled Douluo backing him, he could become a real threat in the future.
In Dugu Bo's view, threats should be eliminated before they grew.
But if he made a move against Tang San now, that Titled Douluo would definitely retaliate—likely endangering both Dugu Yan and Qi Lin.
So for now, he could only hold back.
After all, no matter how talented Tang San was, he couldn't possibly surpass Qi Lin.
On the other side, Flender watched the situation unfold with a heavy sigh.
After what had happened today, neither for Yu Xiaogang's sake nor Tang San's could they remain at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
As for Dai Mubai's injuries… they'd have to find another solution.
On the way here, he'd seen a recruitment notice for Blue Tyrant Academy. Just from the style of the notice, he had a good guess about who the dean was.
It had been over ten years since he last saw Liu Erlong. Flender couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Once they arrived at Blue Tyrant Academy, they could rely on Liu Erlong's connections in the imperial capital to help treat Dai Mubai's injuries.
"That's enough. The wager is settled."
"Don't forget to bring me what you promised tomorrow."
Qi Lin glanced at the kneeling Tang San and waved casually.
Tang San's eyes flashed with humiliation. As he tried to rise, he found his kneecaps shattered—he couldn't stand up at all.
Yu Xiaogang rushed forward to support him. "Xiao San, are you alright?"
Tang San buried his hatred deep in his eyes, his face pale. "Don't worry, Teacher. I'm fine."
"Teacher Shao Xin?"
He then turned to Shao Xin.
Shao Xin sighed helplessly and produced another healing candy.
I've really become a tool at this point, he thought to himself.
Flender looked at the miserable state of his students and sighed in disappointment. Under Dugu Bo's overwhelming pressure, even the teachers dared not breathe too loudly.
As for Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar—they stood like wilted quail, heads lowered, not even daring to meet Dugu Bo and Qi Lin's eyes.
Only now did Flender truly realize how thoroughly he had failed as an educator.
That old motto, "Only cowards are afraid of causing trouble", now seemed like a cruel joke.
Dai Mubai and the others had always bullied the weak with impunity—but when faced with true power, they were instantly exposed.
How could they ever become real powerhouses this way?