The Slap Came Too Fast, Like a Tornado

The slap came too fast, like a tornado.

Yu Xiaogang's mind went blank for a moment, his thoughts spinning rapidly.

He wanted to think of a way to defuse the awkwardness as quickly as possible.

However, he realized that he could not justify himself in response to Su Mu's question.

There were no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters.

By that logic, he was nothing but complete trash.

But how could I admit that I'm useless?

Ning Fengzhi seemed to have suddenly seen the light. He knew Yu Xiaogang as well.

He had studied some of his theories.

For example, the age limits for Soul Masters hunting Spirit Rings were indeed helpful to ordinary Soul Masters.

As for the Ten Core Competitions of Martial Souls, he felt that it at least counted as a school of thought worth considering.

After all, the field of Martial Soul scholarship had always been one where a hundred schools of thought contended.

Only time could test the truth.

He had originally intended to invite Yu Xiaogang to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as a Guest Elder.

But after Su Mu's question, he suddenly understood why he had always felt that something was off whenever he studied Yu Xiaogang's writings.

Truly, one could not see the truth while caught up in the situation. He had been trapped in a strange cycle all along.

He had always believed that Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul was an Innate Malignant Mutation, something that could not be changed by human effort.

Yet even so, it conflicted with his theory of "there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters."

If a scholarly Soul Master created a theory that could not even hold up in his own case, how could anyone else be convinced by it?

"Yu Xiaogang, was this your purpose in approaching me?"

Bibi Dong first revealed a disappointed look, then it turned into relief...

She knew those theories better than anyone, because many of them had been summarized by her and told to him.

Some of the others had been compiled by the sages of Spirit Hall throughout the generations.

Yet she had never expected him to be so shameless as to make a few minor edits, add one or two points, and claim them as his own theories.

Most embarrassing of all was the point he added: there were no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters. Perhaps it could only fool himself.

Forget it. The past was like passing clouds.

Who had not met a few scumbags in their youth?

He was merely Yu Xiaogang, a Level 29 Soul Grandmaster.

And she was the Pope of Spirit Hall.

"I told you Yu Xiaogang was just a freeloader. Do you believe it now?"

"How could a Level 29 Soul Master possibly establish any remarkable theory?"

"In the end, he only fooled himself—and everyone else followed along and believed him..."

Hearing the discussions from the crowd, Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red. What he valued most was his knowledge and reputation.

He could not accept such slander against him!

He suddenly roared at the crowd behind him, "Even if my core theory is wrong, I still have other theories."

"My knowledge of Soul Beasts, Soul Bones, and Spirit Skill combinations is all unique. I did not give myself the title of Spirit Encyclopedia."

Spirit Skill combinations?

Su Mu laughed again. The Spirit Ring Skills Yu Xiaogang had chosen for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass in its early stages were no different from trash later on. As Su Mu recalled, they had never even appeared again...

They had just been left there gathering dust.

He had even said that the highest possible Innate Soul Power at awakening was Level 10...

And so on, and so forth. There were simply too many flaws to even bother criticizing.

Snake Lance Douluo looked at Yu Xiaogang, who seemed to have gone mad, and scoffed, "Knowledge of Soul Beasts? Knowledge of Soul Bones? Doesn't Spirit Hall already know all that?"

"Does that count as his own discovery? Is he using it to fool commoner Soul Masters?"

"Truly the art of taking what belongs to others..."

Su Mu said with a smile, "The Myriad Realms Auction Pavilion can automatically assess the value of a bidder's stakes. Do you need my help?"

As if he had grasped a lifeline, Yu Xiaogang nodded frantically. "Assess it. Assess it."

Su Mu waved his right hand, and a panel appeared before everyone's eyes as though it were a projection.

Bidder: Yu Xiaogang

Stake: Core Spirit Theory Knowledge

Auction Point Exchange Value: 1000

"I'm sorry." Su Mu said apologetically, "The minimum starting bid for this auction is 5,000."

"Myriad Realms Auction Pavilion is open for business, but we do not receive just anyone. Since you cannot provide sufficient stakes, the Auction Pavilion cannot serve you."

"Please leave."

Yu Xiaogang stared blankly at the number 1,000. It was especially glaring...

It did not even meet the starting bid.

But over the years, he had remained alone and possessed no other valuable items.

"Please step aside, customer. Come back once you have prepared your stakes. Don't delay the Auction Pavilion's business." Daji stepped forward with small, graceful steps and welcomed the people behind him. "Customers with Invitation Tokens may enter directly. Those without them may come to me for a verification of assets."

"Chrysanthemum Du, let's go too."

Bibi Dong's long, fair legs were clad in purple high heels, and she exuded an air of dignity and elegance without even trying.

"Your Excellency the Pope."

"Your Excellency the Pope."

Among the crowd, whether they were Spirit Hall elders, Cardinals, or Demon Subduing Douluo from the Worship Hall, all bowed slightly to show Bibi Dong their respect.

Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also wore a warm smile and nodded slightly.

Even Sword Douluo gave a slight nod.

Everyone made way for Bibi Dong, allowing her to walk straight toward the Myriad Realms Auction Pavilion.

Only two people were exceptions. Su Mu and Daji remained as they were, standing tall without changing their expressions.

At that moment, he only wanted to say...

He seemed to understand Cao Cao now...

Bibi Dong's eyes, like autumn waters, were not as calm as they appeared. She had personally experienced the wonders of the Myriad Realms Auction Pavilion.

Even now, her heart yearned for it, filled with curiosity about those myriad worlds.

She had not expected the Pavilion Master to be so young.

"May I enter?"

"Of course. Your Excellency the Pope possesses an Invitation Token issued by the Auction Pavilion, which makes you an honored guest of our Auction Pavilion."

"I hope today's auction items include something you like."

"How should I address the Pavilion Master?"

"Su Mu."

"Pavilion Master Su Mu, you may also call me Bibi Dong." Bibi Dong smiled faintly, nodded, and walked inside.

Even Your Excellency the Pope had come.

The crowd cried out in surprise as well. Snake Lance Douluo in particular felt as though ten thousand wild beasts were stampeding through his heart.

If Your Excellency the Pope participated, what chance would he have?

Besides, if Your Excellency the Pope took a liking to something, was he, as her subordinate, supposed to compete with the Pope for it?

Forget it, forget it!

Snake Lance Douluo shuddered.

Compared with becoming stronger, staying alive was more important!

As Bibi Dong's right-hand man, Chrysanthemum Douluo was currently in high favor.

Today, the Pope had seemed like the big sister next door when speaking with Su Mu. There had not been the slightest trace of arrogance, and she had even told Su Mu to call her by name...

What kind of treatment was that?

Did Your Excellency the Pope regard Su Mu as an equal—or as someone who could stand on equal footing with her?

"Uncle Jian, let's go in too."