That morning, some Thunder Academy team members had been wandering around the city and quickly caught wind of the controversy. They hurriedly filled in Yu Tianxin, Tang San, and others. In an instant, everyone understood: all of this was the doing of Spirit Hall!
Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale. He couldn't believe that Bibi Dong would go to such lengths. Was it not enough to cripple his cultivation and leave him with a severed arm? Now, she wanted to discredit his theories completely, like some kind of demon! Yu Xiaogang failed to consider that these theories had originally belonged to Spirit Hall. Without Bibi Dong's previous protection, he would have faced dire consequences long ago.
Meanwhile, in a nearby tavern, Su Ming and his friends stood by, watching. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to orchestrate such a large-scale move. It seemed the system's journal had indeed guided her to enlightenment. He felt it was almost too convenient, but since the outcome was favorable, he dismissed any further contemplation.
"Brother Su Ming," Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong asked with curiosity, "what do you think will happen to Yu Xiaogang after today?"
Su Ming replied calmly, "Yu Xiaogang has already been reduced to a cripple by Bibi Dong, and his true strength was never much to begin with. His real power lay in his theories and the so-called 'Ten Core Competencies.' Now that the inaccuracies in his theories have been exposed, and with accusations of plagiarism, Bibi Dong intends to leave him utterly disgraced."
Ning Rongrong thought for a moment before asking, "What if Yu Xiaogang denies the plagiarism and claims that Spirit Hall is slandering him? What happens then?"
Su Ming smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Spirit Hall has undoubtedly anticipated that response. Let's just wait and watch."
It was clear to Su Ming that Bibi Dong had planned this meticulously. The sudden exposure suggested she had left no room for error.
Just as expected, cornered by the crowd, Yu Xiaogang pointed a trembling finger toward the Pope's Hall, shouting, "This is nonsense! All of this is Spirit Hall slandering me! As the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan leader, a member of one of the top three sects, I developed these theories through my own research!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression appeared remarkably convincing, as if he were genuinely wronged by Bibi Dong.
Suddenly, applause echoed from the back of the crowd, which parted to reveal a figure clad in the distinctive robe of a Titled Douluo—Ju Douluo, accompanied by Gui Mei.
Having learned of Su Ming and Zhu Zhuqing's exploits in Death Valley, Ju Douluo had come to appreciate Su Ming even more. Not only had Su Ming given Gui Mei a spirit bone as compensation, but he had also promised Ju Douluo a rare herb to enhance his abilities.
Ju Douluo, looking at Yu Xiaogang with a cold smile, spoke up, "Yu Xiaogang, are you really trying to play the victim here? Notices with all the details are posted throughout Spirit City. Spirit Hall has provided comprehensive evidence, and you think people will believe your flimsy excuses?"
Saying this, he tossed a notice in Yu Xiaogang's direction. The irate crowd fell silent as they took in Ju Douluo's words. With Spirit Hall's substantial evidence, Yu Xiaogang's excuses seemed pitiful.
As Yu Xiaogang scanned the document, his face grew paler, and he broke into a cold sweat. "Impossible! There's no way my theories are flawed! Spirit Hall is lying! I have proof of my work!"
Gui Mei sneered, "Still denying it, Yu Xiaogang? Let me ask you, what was the age limit on your disciple Tang San's fourth spirit ring? If I'm correct, it didn't adhere to your 'Six Thousand Year' standard, did it? And what about Su Ming of the Heaven Dou team? His spirit ring also exceeds your theoretical limits. Let's not forget Zhu Zhuqing's fourth ring, which is over ten thousand years old!"
At the mention of Zhu Zhuqing, Gui Mei's lips curved in a barely perceptible smile. She was, after all, his disciple. Even Su Ming's fourth ring hadn't reached ten thousand years—a point of pride for Gui Mei.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned a deathly white as each name was mentioned. When Zhu Zhuqing's ten-thousand-year spirit ring was brought up, he could no longer hold it in and spat a mouthful of blood in fury. While he had chosen to dismiss Tang San and Su Ming's cases due to their unique backgrounds and powerful techniques, Zhu Zhuqing's case shattered his illusion.
How could it be that Zhu Zhuqing, of all people, could defy his theories?
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Yu Xiaogang was livid. Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul was merely the Ghostly Civet, and if he remembered correctly, her innate spirit power was only at level nine, with minimal boosts from her first three spirit abilities. His disciple, Tang San, was different: born with full innate spirit power, possessing twin martial souls, numerous self-created techniques, and cultivation methods that naturally allowed him to absorb spirit rings beyond his rank. As for Su Ming, he was a true anomaly, starting with only seven levels of innate spirit power!
The crowd showed no sympathy for Yu Xiaogang as he stood pale-faced, having coughed up blood from Gui Mei's pointed remarks. His faulty theories had led to the deaths of many who had followed them blindly. Now, with the exposure that his theories were plagiarized, unrefined versions stolen from Spirit Hall, their regard for him had plummeted.
Seeing the crowd's discontent, Ju Douluo seized the opportunity. "Everyone, on behalf of Spirit Hall, I apologize. The theories stolen by Yu Xiaogang were incomplete and under development. Spirit Hall did not publish them because we were still refining the theories. But rest assured, after this tournament, we'll release an improved version based on the work we've done. Please bear with us."
The announcement was met with applause from the common soul masters in the crowd, who saw Spirit Hall as an advocate for their growth and advancement. However, nobles and other soul masters aligned with powerful factions frowned, recognizing the clever strategy. Spirit Hall had deftly won the goodwill of the common people, though the nobility largely dismissed the rabble as inconsequential.
Watching the crowd's support swell around Spirit Hall, Dai Mubai pointed accusingly at Ju Douluo, saying, "Fine, but let's not forget one thing. Why did Spirit Hall ambush Thunder Academy's team?"
The crowd fell silent.
"Yes, I heard about that too," murmured one soul master, intent on turning the crowd against Spirit Hall. "They must have been afraid of Thunder Academy's strength."
Several voices joined in agreement. Yet others objected, stating, "Don't exaggerate. Even if Spirit Hall acted questionably, no one outside Thunder Academy's team was killed."
"So what?" challenged another. "Why did Spirit Hall target Thunder Academy?"
One soul master, planted by Spirit Hall, explained, "Apparently, it was an ambush involving the long-absent Clear Sky Douluo. And isn't Tang San, Thunder Academy's Tang San, his son? There's been bad blood between Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall for years."
The crowd murmured in response, with some suggesting patience until the tournament concluded for a proper explanation.
Meanwhile, Tang San and Oscar's expressions turned uncomfortable.
Seeing that the crowd was waiting, Ju Douluo exchanged a glance with Gui Mei before saying, "We understand the questions and concerns. Rest assured that Spirit Hall will provide a full account after the tournament concludes."
The common soul masters nodded, agreeing to wait for an explanation, while Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others couldn't shake an uneasy feeling as they caught sight of Ju Douluo's smirk.
Ju Douluo then directed his gaze at Yu Xiaogang and continued mockingly, "Now, I think everyone sees the truth. Yu Xiaogang is no true theorist but a thief who stole Spirit Hall's work." He added with a sly grin, "And, oh yes, Yu Xiaogang is famous for one particular saying."
He raised his voice to ensure all could hear, "Have you ever heard his claim that 'There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters'?"
The crowd listened intently, some nodding, although something about Ju Douluo's tone suggested he was leading up to something.
"If Yu Xiaogang really wanted to prove himself, why didn't he ever find a way to surpass his own rank?"
A ripple of realization passed through the crowd. Ju Douluo continued, "And consider his 'talented disciple,' Tang San. Born with full innate spirit power and twin martial souls, his success was practically guaranteed even without Yu Xiaogang. Yet when Tang San becomes a Title Douluo, Yu Xiaogang will be the first to boast, 'Look, I trained a Title Douluo!'"
The crowd burst into murmurs of agreement. Even Su Ming, listening from a distance, struggled to stifle a laugh. Ju Douluo had perfectly predicted Yu Xiaogang's behavior. After Tang San became a god, Yu Xiaogang had proudly claimed he had "trained a god." Su Ming had always thought it ridiculous—Tang San's achievements had nothing to do with his teacher's so-called guidance.
Lost in thought, Tang San stood silently among the crowd, contemplating Ju Douluo's words.
Yu Xiaogang, trembling with anger, raised a shaking finger to point at Ju Douluo, but he couldn't utter a single coherent word.
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