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"Ah, this..." Ning Tian's simple words left Liu Erlong speechless. She instinctively looked to Flender, hoping he could counter Ning Tian's arguments. But Flender was at a loss for words. Ning Tian continued, "Besides, you have to consider the bloodline strength of soul beasts. A hundred-year Titan Giant Ape can match a ten-thousand-year soul beast, while a hundred-year Colorful Cat is just an ordinary hundred-year soul beast. If someone who can only handle a four-hundred-year ordinary soul ring tries to absorb a four-hundred-year Colorful Cat or Titan Giant Ape soul ring, do you think the outcome would be the same?"
"As for Yu Xiaogang's so-called soul ring absorption limits, if you have friends in Spirit Hall, I suggest asking them to check the Spirit Hall library. See if those numbers match the highest recorded soul ring absorptions in history."
Liu Erlong and Flender exchanged glances, remembering that Yu Xiaogang had once been part of Spirit Hall. Could his theories really be stolen? Flender, not wanting Liu Erlong to linger on this, tried to change the subject. "What about the fourth theory? Innate soul power is tied to the strength of the spirit. The higher the innate soul power, the stronger the spirit. If it's the opposite, there must be another, more powerful spirit; meaning twin spirits."
He smiled confidently, thinking of Tang San's twin spirits: the weak Blue Silver Grass and the mighty Clear Sky Hammer. Yu Xiaogang had used this theory to spot Tang San's potential.
Ning Tian shook his head. "Wrong again. The first part is mostly true, innate soul power usually reflects spirit strength. But the second part, about twin spirits being the reason for an imbalance, is nonsense. Twin spirits require both spirits to be of similar quality, like the Spirit Hall Pope's Death Spider Emperor and Soul-Eating Spider Emperor."
"But Tang San—" Flender started.
Ning Tian cut him off. "You're going to say Tang San has Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer, right? Just as there are Man-Faced Demon Spiders and Man-Faced Demon Spider Emperors, there are Blue Silver Kings and Blue Silver Emperors above ordinary Blue Silver Grass. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass isn't ordinary. If he hadn't been misled, absorbing life or wood-attribute soul rings, his spirit might have evolved properly. Now it's just a blackened mess that gives him stomach trouble every other day."
Zhu Qing, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong looked at each other, surprised to hear Tang San had twin spirits; though one was now ruined. They couldn't help but feel a little smug about it.
Flender and Liu Erlong tried listing the rest of Yu Xiaogang's Ten Core Competencies, but Ning Tian shot down each one with ease. It was a moment that shook their entire worldview. The man they'd seen as a genius theorist was revealed as a fraud, piecing together stolen ideas and wild guesses.
Finally, Ning Tian said, "I hear the Killing Corner of the Golden Iron Triangle had a Fire Dragon spirit, a mutation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Think about it: Yu Xiaogang, from the same clan, should've recognized your spirit. If he didn't, he's just slow. If he did and acted like he didn't, well, that's something to chew on."
"No, this isn't true! You're lying!" Liu Erlong's eyes filled with tears, and she ran off, crying.
"Erlong!" Flender shouted, hurrying after her, worried she might do something reckless.
Just then, a calm, pleasant male voice spoke up. "So, the Great Master's theories are stolen and full of flaws. And to think, Hao Tian Douluo's son has twin spirits."
"Your Highness!" Mona, Shi Mo, Yu Feng, and the others bowed as Qian Renxue approached alone, looking as handsome and gentle as ever.
But Ning Tian knew she was secretly thrilled to see Yu Xiaogang torn apart. She'd probably have someone gather all this to show Bibi Dong, letting her see the pathetic truth about the man she'd pined for.
In reality, Qian Renxue had come to recruit Ning Tian and maybe get back at him for past teasing. Instead, she'd stumbled onto this goldmine.
"Brother Xue, what brings you here?" Ning Tian stepped forward, arms wide for a hug.
Qian Renxue, wiser from past run-ins, dodged to the side.
But Ning Tian wasn't so easily avoided. Though she might outrank him in cultivation, his close-range skills were top-notch. He shifted his stance, chasing her with a grin.
Qian Renxue's pulse quickened. She couldn't use her full strength without blowing her cover, so she kept dodging. But Ning Tian was too fast, and soon he had her in a tight hug, his arm around her neck.
From the VIP seats, Emperor Xue Ye smiled faintly at Ning Fengzhi. "It seems Qinghe and Ning Tian are closer than we thought."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, glancing at Salas, who hadn't spared Ning Tian a glance. 'Maybe Spirit Hall's given up on recruiting him,' he thought, feeling a bit relieved.
"Your Highness, this isn't proper," Mona cautioned.
"Mona, Brother Xue and I are like brothers. It's fine," Ning Tian said, squeezing Qian Renxue tighter, nearly pressing her face into his chest.
'This little brat's senses are too sharp,' Qian Renxue thought, annoyed. She wanted to shove him off but couldn't risk exposing herself. Forcing a smile, she said, "Ning Tian's right. Don't worry, Mona."
"But Brother Ning Tian, we're at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. We should watch our behavior." She slipped out of his grip as she spoke.
Ning Tian pouted but didn't push it. "Brother Xue, did you come for something? Just tell me, if I can help, I will, no question."
As he spoke, he gave Qian Renxue's chest a playful punch, never missing a chance to tease her.
'This punk's touching me again!' Qian Renxue's face heated up under her disguise. She worried she'd lose it and hit him with her fifth soul skill, Holy Sword.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "It's nothing big. We've known each other a while, and I haven't properly hosted you. After the prelims, I'd like you to visit the Prince's Mansion. I'll introduce you to a friend. You won't turn down your big brother's invite, right?"
'That friend's probably you,' Ning Tian thought, holding back an eye roll. Out loud, he said, "Of course, I'll come by."
'Just wait till I get you alone,' Qian Renxue thought, smiling. "By the way, you mentioned that Hao Tian Douluo's son has twin spirits. What's that about?"
The others leaned in, curious.
"It's not much. A few days ago, Hao Tian Douluo reached out through Uncle Ning, asking me to help with his son's spirit side effects."
Ning Tian explained how Hao Tian Douluo had contacted him and how Ning Fengzhi had smoothed things over between them.
Ning Rongrong huffed. "That's ridiculous! Tang San trusted that fraud, and it backfired. Then Hao Tian Douluo blames you? After you offered a fix, he acts like it's all settled without even a thank you. Do Titled Douluos just bend the truth however they want?"
"And my dad; how could he let Hao Tian Douluo push you around? It's too much. After the match, I'm going to—"
Zhu Qing, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ye Lingling looked just as upset.
Ning Tian spoke calmly, "Don't take it too hard, especially you, Rongrong. Tang San's father is a Titled Douluo. I'm lucky Uncle Ning stepped in. In this world, the weak get stepped on. It's a simple fact."
The group went quiet, though Qian Renxue gave Ning Tian a surprised glance. She'd thought he'd be cocky after shining in the tournament, but he stayed level-headed.
As for Tang San, his twin spirits were interesting, but one was already wrecked by Yu Xiaogang's nonsense. Even if he mastered the second, he'd be less of a threat. And with his current mess, making it through the tournament was a big if.
...….
The day's matches flew by. Against Las Academy, who didn't even have a Spirit Ancestor, Zhu Zhuqing, the Shi brothers, Yu Feng, Osler, and Huang Jia won easily. Zhu Zhuqing stood out, taking down two assault-type Soul Honorables with just her first and second soul skills, Nether Thrust and Nether Hundred Claws. Her speed and control left everyone stunned.
Even Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Salas in the VIP seats were impressed.
"This Zhu Zhuqing is one of the strongest here, second only to Ning Tian," Emperor Xue Ye said. "But her spirit looks like the Zhu family's from the Star Luo Empire."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Yes, Your Majesty. She was once engaged to the Star Luo Empire's third prince, Dai Mubai. But she refused to accept her fate and chose Ning Tian instead."
He briefly shared their story from Shrek Academy.
Emperor Xue Ye grinned. 'The Star Luo Empire's practically gifting us talent.' With Ning Tian likely to become a Titled Douluo loyal to Heaven Dou, and Zhu Zhuqing with him, it was a perfect deal.
He gave orders: "If the Star Luo Empire stirs trouble for Ning Tian or Zhu Zhuqing, drive them away. And have the prince boost security to keep the tournament running smoothly."
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