At that moment, the Grandmaster involuntarily took two steps back. Qian Yu's sharp words had struck him like a blade—direct, cold, and impossible to ignore.
"Teacher!" Tang San immediately stepped forward to steady the Grandmaster.
Yu Xiaogang took a breath, steadying himself. He looked at Tang San and replied calmly, "I'm fine."
Then he turned his gaze toward Qian Yu and said slowly, "My Martial Soul is called Luo San Pao. You're right—if, according to your suggestion, my first Soul Ring had come from a 400-year-old Soul Beast and the second from a 700-year-old one, my Martial Soul would have certainly been much stronger. But hunting such beasts is no easy task. Luo San Pao, as a mutated Martial Soul, lacks offensive capabilities. I simply didn't have the strength to defeat high-tier Soul Beasts."
Qian Yu chuckled lightly; his eyes filled with disdain.
"That's exactly why I said theory alone is useless in real battle. Even if you possess all the theories in the world, what can you do with them if you lack the strength to apply them? If you were my teacher, and I needed Soul Rings from thousand-year-old Soul Beasts, who would get them for me? Would I have to rely on your Luo San Pao?"
He looked at the Grandmaster mockingly.
His words silenced Yu Xiaogang on the spot. Even Tang San was stunned by Qian Yu's knowledge and boldness. How could a boy their age speak with such confidence, as though he had lived a hundred lives?
Qian Yu didn't stop there. "As for Martial Soul knowledge, let's just say—I know more than a little."
In truth, he had spent nine lifetimes on the Douluo Continent and, in his very first life on Earth, had read the Douluo Continent novel in its entirety.
His understanding of Martial Souls and Soul Rings wasn't merely theoretical—it was built upon lifetimes of personal cultivation and firsthand experience.
He smiled faintly. "First of all, the so-called 'age limit' for Soul Rings only applies to ordinary cultivators. If your body is strong enough, you can absolutely absorb Soul Rings far beyond those so-called limits. The stronger the Soul Ring, the greater the resulting power."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened, and he immediately rebutted, "No, that's impossible! The accepted limit for Soul Ring absorption is well-established. The first Soul Ring cannot exceed 423 years, the second must stay under 764, the third around 1,760, the fourth 5,000, the fifth 12,000, the sixth 20,000, the seventh between 30,000 to 50,000, the eighth over 50,000, and the ninth over 100,000! If you go beyond these limits, your body will explode from the inside. Death is inevitable!"
Qian Yu let out a low laugh.
"That's true—for ordinary people like you. That's why I said: if the body is strong enough, it can withstand far more than the so-called safe thresholds. The rules of cultivation bend for those who surpass the limits of what's deemed 'normal.'"
He continued, his tone casual yet authoritative.
"Second, it's not mandatory to absorb Soul Rings with the same attribute as your Martial Soul. Rings with different attributes can yield unexpected and sometimes even greater effects. For example, a plant-type Martial Soul can benefit from an animal-type Soul Ring, and vice versa. Compatibility is key, not similarity."
"Third…"
"Fourth…"
"Fifth…"
…
"Tenth…"
Qian Yu continued listing insight after insight, each more profound than the last. His knowledge flowed effortlessly, as though he were lecturing rather than debating.
By the time he finished, both the Grandmaster and Tang San were stunned. Every point Qian Yu made matched the Grandmaster's own Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls, and in many cases, Qian Yu's insights even surpassed them. Yu Xiaogang stared at him in disbelief.
How could a six-year-old child understand so much? He had spent fifty years researching Martial Souls, and yet here was a boy who had just thoroughly outmatched him.
"You lack the strength, and your research doesn't even come close to mine," Qian Yu said coldly. "So tell me—do you still think you're qualified to be my teacher?"
Without waiting for a reply, Qian Yu reached into his robes and handed the Grandmaster his Spirit Hall certificate. "Since you're so eager to know about my Martial Soul, have a look."
Yu Xiaogang took the certificate and glanced at it. What he saw made his eyes widen in shock. The paper listed Qian Yu's Martial Soul as Black Begonia, and his Soul Power as surpassing innate full Soul Power.
In that instant, something clicked in Yu Xiaogang's mind. His expression turned from astonishment to disbelief. He had once been an elder of Spirit Hall and had access to ancient records. He had studied countless Martial Souls over the years—but this one…
A Black Begonia…
Could it be?
His hands trembled slightly. He recalled an entry in Spirit Hall's archives, detailing a long-lost Martial Soul: the Netherworld Begonia. According to legend, it belonged to one of Spirit Hall's two original founders. The first was Angel Douluo, with the Six-Winged Angel.
The other… was the Netherworld Douluo, whose Martial Soul was the Netherworld Begonia. It was said that this legendary soul master had once annihilated an entire city using a single Soul Skill.
And now, this Martial Soul had reappeared—on a six-year-old boy standing before him.
Qian Yu looked him dead in the eye. "Now, do you still think you're qualified to teach me?"
The Grandmaster stood there, completely speechless.
Qian Yu took back his certificate and turned away. There was no more need to waste words.
If Yu Xiaogang hadn't acted so arrogantly, Qian Yu might have let him off lightly. But since he insisted on boasting in front of him, this humiliation would serve as a much-needed lesson.
If Yu Xiaogang failed to learn from this, Qian Yu wouldn't mind delivering a far more painful one in the future.
As Qian Yu left, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San stood in silence, stunned and disoriented.
Moments later, the Grandmaster let out a bitter laugh. "Hahahaha... I, Yu Xiaogang, knew from the beginning that my talent was limited. That's why I poured my life into theory. But now, after fifty years of research, I've been outdone by a six-year-old child. What a joke. What a huge joke! Hahahaha…"
"Teacher, don't be discouraged!" Tang San said firmly, stepping closer. "You still have me! I'll work hard to cultivate and prove your Martial Soul theories."
The Grandmaster looked at him, his eyes lighting up slightly. Yes—he still had Tang San. Tang San possessed Twin Martial Souls and exceptional potential.
If he could help this child grow, if he could guide him to surpass even Qian Yu, then this humiliation could be overturned.
"Xiao San," the Grandmaster said, gripping his shoulders tightly, "do you have the confidence to surpass Qian Yu?"
Tang San hesitated for a moment, then nodded seriously.
"Qian Yu is strong, yes—but I don't believe he's unbeatable."
"That's right!" the Grandmaster exclaimed, growing more animated. "He's not invincible! If we, as master and disciple, combine my theories with your Twin Martial Souls, we can definitely defeat him!"
Tang San nodded with determination. Though he and Qian Yu had come from the same village, Qian Yu had always been cold and distant toward him. That distance had planted a seed of resentment in his heart.
Now that he had seen Qian Yu's immense strength, that seed had taken root. Qian Yu had become his rival.
"Don't worry, Teacher," Tang San said firmly. "I will definitely surpass Qian Yu."
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