Surging Public Opinion

Light Feather Douluo's words were like a thousand waves crashing across a calm lake.

Though beneath that seemingly calm surface, undercurrents had already been surging.

Bibi Dong had just been about to suppress Dr. Ratio and forbid his theories from spreading. Yet the very next moment, Ratio's name and theories were about to become known to everyone?

This turn of events was utterly absurd!

Bibi Dong turned into a blur and suddenly rushed out of the meeting room.

The other higher-ups exchanged glances, then followed her out in curiosity.

Golden Crocodile Douluo walked over to Light Feather Douluo and asked doubtfully, "Wasn't this your doing? You've always had a good relationship with Ratio."

Light Feather Douluo rolled his eyes. "How would I have had time for that? Hurry up and see what's happening outside!"

The consecrates were all deeply curious upon hearing this and headed outside as well.

Outside the Pope's Palace.

The gate, over ten meters wide, was now completely surrounded by people!

The steps below were packed with dense crowds on every level.

Spirit City had a population of more than eight hundred thousand. There were probably over a hundred thousand people crammed here now!

Countless curious faces peered inside.

The Spirit Hall guards had retreated to the entrance and formed a human wall, barely keeping the crowd from charging in.

And now, there were clearly not enough guards.

"We want to see Master Ratio! He is a true master! We want to see him with our own eyes and express our gratitude! Dr. Ratio! Please come out and meet us!"

"Dr. Ratio's formula has surpassed the limits of mortals! He isn't a master! He is a god!"

"Don't hide Master Ratio! Please let Master Ratio come out and show himself!"

"..."

The people blocking the entrance looked fanatical. Their cries of "Master Ratio" nearly seemed capable of overturning the entire Pope's Palace!

The moment Bibi Dong and the others appeared in the first-floor hall, they saw this scene.

The crowd's enthusiasm was like a blazing fire, and the walls of Spirit Hall would soon be unable to contain it!

Bibi Dong's pupils contracted. She could hardly imagine that spreading Ratio's formula would provoke such an enormous reaction!

Even Bibi Dong herself, the Pope, or the emperors of Heavenly Dou and Star Luo would never command such a spectacle!

"..." Bibi Dong clenched her teeth in secret, filled with resentment. Why weren't these people worshipping Yu Xiaogang instead?

If Yu Xiaogang had received such adoration back then, that beast Qian Xunji would never have dared force himself on her, would he?

Now, what stood before Spirit Hall was a surging tide of "public opinion"!

For all these years, Spirit Hall had awakened martial souls for everyone and handed out subsidies to soul masters at the empire's expense, all to win over "public opinion."

Yet now, Ratio had achieved it alone!

Of course, beneath this "public opinion" lay cunning as well.

They had gathered here to force Spirit Hall to release the complete formula.

How to intervene in the awakening of their descendants' martial souls was what truly drove them most!

The Spirit Hall higher-ups who arrived afterward were all stunned by the sight.

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

"Dr. Ratio! Dr. Ratio! I have wonderful news to tell you!"

Xie Yue stood outside Ratio's room and called softly.

The next moment, the door opened.

Ratio was wearing a bathrobe, with the Plaster Head Sculpture still over his head.

Xie Yue froze slightly. He had not expected Dr. Ratio to wear such a thing even in private.

Following Ratio into the sitting room, Xie Yue knew the rules and obediently remained by the door. He said excitedly, "Dr. Ratio, so many people outside admire you! They all want to see you!"

"They verified your formula and hope that you will show yourself."

"Dr. Ratio, you are going to become the greatest scholar in the history of the Soul Master Realm! Go out and take a look. Enjoy everyone's admiration for you..."

Xie Yue's face was flushed as he spoke, practically gesturing with excitement.

Ratio looked calmly at Xie Yue and said, "This is not something worth being happy about, nor will I go out to meet them."

"???"

Xie Yue was dumbfounded. Anyone else would be willing to go out and enjoy such glory, wouldn't they?

Why would Dr. Ratio refuse?

"I have a cleanliness obsession. I cannot bear to see idiots, fools, or imbeciles. When I see them, I want to die," Ratio said casually.

Xie Yue could neither laugh nor cry after hearing that. Dr. Ratio was still as merciless as ever.

Those people gathered at the Pope's Palace entrance had come because they admired Dr. Ratio, yet Dr. Ratio viewed them this way.

Xie Yue could only think, as expected of Dr. Ratio.

Xie Yue sighed. "If it were anyone else, they would surely be delighted to receive the admiration of so many people."

Ratio remained unmoved. The moment he had stopped standing by and spread the formula, he had already gone against his original intention.

The people outside called it admiration, but in truth, they were another group of fools ready to abandon independent thought.

Such mediocrities were what he loathed most. They made him feel uncomfortable all over!

Ratio said flatly, "Xie Yue, remember this. If you become one of them, do not come see me again."

Xie Yue's expression turned solemn. Though he did not understand why Dr. Ratio was being so severe,

his greatest wish now was to study under Dr. Ratio. Naturally, he treated the other man's words as absolute truth!

"Dr. Ratio, I'll remember!"

Ratio nodded slightly, then said, "Show me your martial soul and soul rings."

Xie Yue froze for a moment before immediately complying.

With a lift of his hand, a Moon Blade spun in his palm. At the same time, four soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—appeared beneath his feet.

"Dr. Ratio, I am currently level forty-seven. My martial soul is the Moon Blade, and my Innate Soul Power was level nine." Though Xie Yue did not understand Dr. Ratio's intention, he cooperated readily.

Ratio set down his book and grabbed one of Xie Yue's yellow soul rings with one hand.

"!!!" Xie Yue revealed a look of shock.

Soul rings were manifestations of illusory energy, yet Dr. Ratio had actually grasped one and made it tangible!

It was simply unbelievable!

"Dr. Ratio..."

Xie Yue was still dumbfounded.

Ratio then touched the other three soul rings in succession before picking up the Moon Blade.

"Channel your soul power," Ratio said.

"Oh... oh!"

Xie Yue did as instructed, filling the Moon Blade with soul power.

Ratio nodded again and smiled. "Very good. Put it away, Xie Yue. You may come study the Self Three Elements Fusion Skill with me."

"Huh? The Self Three Elements Fusion Skill?"

Xie Yue muttered to himself, racking his brain. He was certain he had never heard of such a Soul Skill.

Ratio handed Xie Yue a small booklet. "Take it back and read it yourself. Remember, do not spread it. You may not give it to anyone, or I will punish you."

Xie Yue took the booklet and hurriedly said, "I will obey you!"

Ratio waved a hand, indicating that he could leave.

Xie Yue bowed deeply to Ratio. Only then did he leave with the booklet, holding it as though it were a priceless treasure.