บท 8: Chapter 8: The First Encounter with Bibi Dong
Yu Xiaogang.
Born into prominence as the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Chief of the Upper Three Sects.
However, with a malign mutation in his martial soul, his innate soul power was only at level 0.5. Coupled with the arrogance and extremism of most elders in the clan, he endured ridicule during his childhood, shaping his character to appear aloof but actually harboring deep-seated insecurities.
His cultivation talent was average, his intelligence was average, his character was average, he aimed high but was emotionally weak.
Lacking great wisdom but possessing some cunning, he knew how to leverage resources. He seized the opportunity to meet the then Holy Maiden Bibi Dong during his visit to the Martial Soul Hall.
He organized and summarized various knowledge within the Martial Soul Hall, and later published it, earning himself the title of "Master," yet he remained unrecognized by society.
As for the subsequent series of events involving Liu Erlong, there was no need for much consideration. By that time, Yu Xiaogang's actual self was different from the one Bibi Dong had initially favored.
Su Cheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, silently contemplating.
He needed Bibi Dong to see shades of the old Yu Xiaogang in him, but he couldn't be seen as simply a copy of him; the balance here was crucial.
Bibi Dong, that crazy woman, could be said to have lived her whole life for Yu Xiaogang, which was absurd.
If he replicated everything about Yu Xiaogang except for his appearance, things might spiral out of control.
If that crazy woman had a mental breakdown and felt that his existence tainted the uniqueness of her first love, leading her to do something extreme like harming herself, who would he reason with then?
Gaining some trust and goodwill was enough.
So, what would be the difference?
Yu Xiaogang's aloofness was only surface-level; his strength was false.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily given up on Bibi Dong, wouldn't have directly abandoned Liu Erlong.
Similarly, he wouldn't have felt comfortable presenting himself as a theoretical master, using knowledge obtained from his first love.
When facing his family, he wouldn't have been so submissive.
He was fundamentally a deeply insecure person, constantly seeking validation.
Too bad he lacks real talents and accomplishments. The theories he published were copied, and the disciple he found is the Son of Destiny, completely contradicting his statement "There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters."
Apart from handling women well, he's useless.
Unlike Su Cheng.
Even if he didn't rely on theories for fame, with his current medical expertise, breaking through to the Title Douluo realm wouldn't be difficult, even with his miserable innate soul power of 0.5.
"Unfortunately, it's only limited to the Title Douluo realm." Su Cheng couldn't help but sigh when he thought about it.
Sometimes, manpower is limited.
If possible, he would prefer to use strength to overpower others instead of getting involved in these conspiracies and calculations.
Over the years, his dedication to medical studies had reached an incredible level, and he understood more than ever that the limitations of innate talent had locked the ceiling.
In this world, if we only consider martial strength, the martial soul can truly determine the limits.
Unless he can acquire various external resources like Tang San, which can improve bloodlines at a level close to cheats, and have the support of twin gods.
But this depends on luck, and Su Cheng clearly couldn't rely on luck.
After adjusting his mindset and emotions, Su Cheng quickly immersed himself in the pre-prepared image resembling Yu Xiaogang.
Not long after, a calm and dignified female voice echoed outside the door, "Wait outside. Without my order, no one is allowed to disturb."
...
The tall arched door opened, and an extremely stunning woman walked in.
She wasn't tall, dressed in a luxurious black robe with gold trim, wearing a nine-curved purple-gold crown, and holding the Pope's scepter.
Fair skin, almost perfect features, she could be described as a goddess.
Especially the noble aura she exuded made people uncontrollably feel the urge to bow and worship.
It was the current Pope, Bibi Dong.
Although she looked around twenty years old, seemingly the same age as Su Cheng, she was actually approaching thirty now.
Su Cheng quietly set down his teacup and stood up, bowing slightly as he greeted, "Greetings, Your Holiness."
Bibi Dong didn't speak but silently appraised him.
Though she didn't want to admit it, she had been quite conflicted about meeting this person before. Her feelings were complex, and she couldn't tell whether she was anticipating or feeling apprehensive.
"It's like... really similar..." she murmured to herself.
Equally extraordinary backgrounds.
Equally 0.5-level innate soul power, mocked by their peers, standing alone.
And both dubbed "masters" by the world, achieving remarkable feats with extraordinary wisdom that even Title Douluos had to take notice of.
Looking at him now, he exuded the same kind of aloofness. Even facing her, the Pope, he showed no signs of fear or flattery.
After a moment, she let out a mocking chuckle, "High aspirations, huh? Such audacity, such ambition."
Bibi Dong couldn't help but want to jab at him instinctively.
Actually, she didn't really dislike that statement.
That was the difference between the Martial Soul Hall and the imperial nobility.
After all, even she, the current Pope, came from an orphan background.
"That wasn't my original saying; it's something I heard when I was young," Su Cheng replied calmly. "Of course, I thought it was well-said, so I wrote it in my book."
Bibi Dong paused for a moment, feeling a bit uncomfortable but didn't delve further. Instead, she asked, "Your biological father is Su Shan, the Edgeless Sword, right?"
"Yes," Su Cheng replied, unsurprised by the revelation. "The one who killed him was the former Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, Qian Xunjie."
"Don't you want revenge for him?"
"Of course, but Qian Xunjie is already dead."
Bibi Dong fell silent at his words, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
"Would you like to join the Martial Soul Hall?" Sensing her own awkwardness, Bibi Dong decided to extend an olive branch directly.
"The Martial Soul Hall can give you the opportunity to prove yourself and reclaim everything you've lost from the Seven Treasure Glass Sect."
With that said, she seemed to shake off the odd mood from before.
"You're remarkable. Your theories are groundbreaking, benefiting countless people."
Su Cheng chuckled at her words and shook his head.
"Nothing remarkable about it, just a self-redemption journey for a cultivation waste, really.
"Pope, your talents are exceptional, and I envy that."
"If I could, I'd prefer inheriting the Edgeless Sword, but alas, talent is this unreasonable thing.
"But everyone at least has some other shining points. Perhaps there are geniuses in the world, but there are no absolute wastes. When all else fails, there are always other choices and paths.
"But for me, it's all rubbish. My theories can help countless people, yet they can't help me.
"Instead, the deeper I delve into them, the more I realize my own limitations."
He said this casually, as if he truly didn't care about those praises.
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with confusion.
It shouldn't be like this.
Why would someone who achieved such feats, the achievements that person had dreamed of, that were recognized by everyone, look down on the power of theory and not see themselves as exceptional?
Why say such things?
On what basis!
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