Showing Off Before an Expert

"Who?!" Spirit Kite Douluo's face turned cold, her displeasure unmistakable.

Xie Yue had been so anxious to defend Dr. Ratio's honor that he had coughed up blood.

Yet when Dr. Ratio appeared, he still treated Xie Yue like this. Even she felt it was not worth it for Xie Yue!

Xie Yue hurriedly turned around and saw Dr. Ratio ascending the stage. His knees gave out, and he dropped to his knees. "Dr. Ratio, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I failed to live up to your expectations..."

Dr. Ratio strode to the center of the platform and looked calmly at Xie Yue.

"You have indeed disappointed me."

The shame on Xie Yue's face deepened. He lowered his head, tears streaming down his face.

Spirit Kite Douluo's expression turned livid. She hurried over to help Xie Yue up and said bitterly, "Don't kneel! Get up! Why are you apologizing to him? He's the irresponsible one!"

Spirit Kite Douluo glared furiously at Dr. Ratio, her impression of him having sunk to rock bottom.

Yet Xie Yue refused to rise with her help, remaining kneeling before Dr. Ratio.

"Ah! You're really infuriating me!" Spirit Kite Douluo snorted angrily and could only glare at Dr. Ratio with even greater fury.

Ignoring Spirit Kite Douluo's hostility, Dr. Ratio said flatly, "Xie Yue, when I first had you practice the Three Elements Fusion Skill, I helped regulate your Meridians, which was why you succeeded. What you are facing now is the real challenge."

"But you failed to think independently. Instead, you repeated the method I taught you over and over again. Rigid. Stupid!"

"Just like those people below—stupid beyond saving!"

Dr. Ratio's mercilessly sharp tongue left Xie Yue flushed red, tears sliding down his cheeks.

A member of Spirit Hall's illustrious Golden Generation, a heaven-blessed genius destined to become a Titled Douluo, was now being scolded by Dr. Ratio until he cried like a child.

Dr. Ratio did not think he was being overly harsh. Xie Yue's actions had truly been far too foolish.

He repeated things mechanically again and again, without knowing how to use his brain to investigate and improve.

Was that the wisdom a person ought to possess?

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Dr. Ratio..." Xie Yue sobbed bitterly, utterly ashamed.

Spirit Kite Douluo clenched her fists. At that moment, she was so furious her lungs were about to burst!

She understood now. Dr. Ratio had deliberately made Xie Yue embarrass himself!

Xie Yue was crying so miserably now, yet he was still standing there making sarcastic remarks?

"Dr. Ratio! A lecture is underway right now! Can't you stop talking nonsense?! You bastard, even harsher than a devil, know when to stop!" Spirit Kite Douluo cursed under her breath.

Her impression of Dr. Ratio had already fallen into a pit.

It could not possibly get any lower!

If they had not been on this platform beneath countless watching eyes, with her fiery temper, she would definitely have challenged Dr. Ratio!

"Ten minutes. Think carefully on your own about how to master the Three Elements Fusion Skill."

Dr. Ratio continued.

Xie Yue wiped away his tears and swallowed several times before he could promise Dr. Ratio with a normal expression, "Dr. Ratio, I... I definitely won't disappoint you again!"

"Stand up. No kneeling!" Dr. Ratio said coldly.

Xie Yue obediently stood at once, closed his eyes, and began recalling the Three Elements Fusion Skill.

He could not disappoint Dr. Ratio again!

Spirit Kite Douluo folded her arms as she watched, sneering repeatedly. Hostility filled her mature, regal face.

"Can you finally begin now? Take a look—everyone has quite a few complaints about you now!" Spirit Kite Douluo's voice carried a hint of schadenfreude. She no longer cared whether Dr. Ratio's failure would affect her.

Dr. Ratio turned to look at the million spectators in the venue.

A million faces were packed into this venue, and all their gazes fell upon Dr. Ratio.

Dr. Ratio's rebuke of Xie Yue had just been broadcast through the sound system.

There was also a large screen above, showing everything at the same time.

Dr. Ratio's severity directly suppressed the dissatisfied voices and doubts among the crowd.

The severity of a scholar filled everyone present with fear.

It was as though they had returned to the tense, apprehensive days of their studies.

They looked at Dr. Ratio. For most of them, this was their first time seeing him.

Seeing that he still wore a plaster head over his own, they were all deeply puzzled.

Their first instinct was to label Dr. Ratio a "weirdo."

Disappointment appeared in many people's eyes.

After all, Dr. Ratio's body was far too young and fit. At a glance, he did not look like an elderly scholar at all.

In any field, being young often meant having spent less time studying. It did not necessarily mean one could achieve anything; more often, it meant seeking attention through sensationalism.

Just like the previous Master from twenty years ago!

"Isn't he way too young? Is he really Master Ratio? Why does he seem so unreliable to me? Look at those muscles of his. It would be more convincing to call him a male model, wouldn't it?"

"I don't know about anything else, but the Three Elements Fusion Skill just failed. I'm skeptical now!"

"..."

Gaze after gaze scrutinized Dr. Ratio.

Spirit Kite Douluo also heard the murmurs below. A smile hung on her face, as though it had nothing to do with her.

Dr. Ratio frowned slightly. Just as he had said, he could not stand fools, idiots, and morons. Seeing them made him want to die; they were truly an eyesore!

Dr. Ratio did not waste time. Raising two fingers, he said flatly:

"Two things."

"First, I will demonstrate the Three Elements Fusion Skill for you and then promote it. But it will only be Xie Yue's initial version. If you want to use it, then study for yourselves how to improve it!"

The moment Dr. Ratio finished speaking,

an even greater commotion erupted below. Hearing Dr. Ratio's arrangement, they all became dissatisfied.

They had not come here merely to watch the excitement. They wanted to take the Three Elements Fusion Skill home with them!

Now that Dr. Ratio was clearly refusing to provide the complete version, they were naturally displeased.

"Master Ratio! Aren't you being too stingy? Since you're the finest scholar Spirit Hall has put forward, why are you still holding back?"

"My guess is that the Three Elements Fusion Skill was never complete to begin with, right? Are you giving us something that simply cannot succeed, making us waste our efforts?"

"Spirit Hall, don't spoil the mood! If you have the ability, have Master Ratio fully reveal the Three Elements Fusion Skill!"

"..."

The audience below erupted, all of them unconvinced.

The greed in people's hearts was a double-edged sword. They could revere Dr. Ratio, but they could also use it to pressure him.

Spirit Kite Douluo could barely keep her expression in check. She wanted so badly to laugh. Was this arrogant, inhuman Dr. Ratio finally going to be punished?

The several worshippers on the Pope's Palace Rooftop were beside themselves with anger at the sight.

They had not even received the perfected Three Elements Fusion Skill, yet these people wanted a share of it too?

Just then,

a voice suddenly rang out from below.

"Everyone! Before Master Ratio demonstrates the Three Elements Fusion Skill, I would like to show off before an expert! Let me demonstrate my research, the Soul Power Fusion Skill, and ask Master Ratio for some guidance!"