Qian Xunji's voice held a deep, bewitching quality:
"Ning Zhen is a clever Sect Master, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possesses abundant resources. But do they understand Martial Soul Mutation?
"No. In this world, you, Yu Xiaogang, are the only one currently delving deeply into this field. That is your value."
"Yes, I understand now, Xiao Gang!"
Yu Xiaogang sprang to his feet and hastily wiped the tears from his face. His back, which had once been slightly hunched from his inferiority complex, was now ramrod straight.
He could already picture himself standing in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Library Pavilion, winning over everyone with his flawless theories. What a glorious sight it would be.
"I'm glad you've come to this realization."
Qian Xunji turned away from Yu Xiaogang and stood with his hands behind his back. He'd laid enough groundwork. It was time to dangle the fatal bait.
He pretended to sigh as though the thought had just occurred to him, his voice laced with heartfelt regret:
"Alas... Actually, I've decided to personally escort you to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect not only to fulfill your desire to pursue the path of knowledge. There's also something weighing on my mind, and I'd like to see if you can find a way forward through theory."
"Something weighing on Your Holiness's mind? I'd give my life to help!" Yu Xiaogang was so caught up in his swelling gratitude that he wished he could immediately solve Qian Xunji's troubles.
"A year ago, Ning Zhen paid an exorbitant price to take a peerless genius from me. She was a little girl with an extremely rare Twin Spider Emperors Martial Soul."
Qian Xunji turned his head slightly, studying Yu Xiaogang from the corner of his eye.
Sure enough, the moment he heard the words "Twin Martial Souls," the eyes of this theoretical master lit up.
"That girl's talent is unrivaled throughout history, but alas... cultivating Twin Martial Souls is like walking along the edge of a cliff. Since time immemorial, countless prodigies with Twin Martial Souls have ended up exploding from within, their bones left without a trace."
Qian Xunji's voice sank lower and lower:
"That bunch of support Soul Masters in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may be sitting on a mountain of gold and silver, but they don't understand the core theory of Twin Martial Souls at all, much less have a way to resolve the conflict between their attributes. A peerless new star is about to rise, only to be destroyed for lack of a great teacher's guidance. It pains me to see it."
Yu Xiaogang froze completely. Twin Martial Souls? No guidance? Exploding from within?
Qian Xunji turned around and said meaningfully:
"Xiao Gang, the Martial Soul Mutation theory you're going to study is actually similar, at its core, to the development of Twin Martial Souls."
Guide a peerless genius with Twin Martial Souls?!
Drag her back from the brink of exploding from within using nothing but invincible theory?
Yu Xiaogang's heart began to pound uncontrollably, and even his breathing grew ragged.
If he really could do what even the Pope of Spirit Hall and the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect couldn't—solve the problem of Twin Martial Souls that no one on the entire continent could crack with theory—
then Yu Xiaogang would no longer be a good-for-nothing who couldn't even break through to Level 20. He would become the foremost theoretician in the Soul Master World, without equal in the past or future!
And she was a poor, naive girl in desperate need of a great teacher to save her. If he could become the guiding light of her life—
I, Yu Xiaogang, taught a Peerless Douluo!
Yu Xiaogang's eyes instantly blazed with fervor, almost fanatical, with a hint of a savior complex he could barely suppress.
"Your Holiness, rest assured. I understand what I must do!"
Yu Xiaogang excitedly swept his robe aside and bowed deeply to Qian Xunji.
"I won't betray your trust, Your Holiness. I'll devote myself to research within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Even if I must exhaust everything I've learned in my entire life, I swear I'll find a perfect path of cultivation for that girl with Twin Martial Souls. I'll show the entire continent that theory can create miracles, too!"
Qian Xunji was practically bursting with laughter inside.
Go on, Grandmaster Yu...
At dawn the next day, a luxurious carriage bearing Spirit Hall's highest and holiest crest rolled out of Spirit City, escorted by a troop of Hall Guard Knights. It headed straight for Seven Treasure City in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Inside, Qian Xunji sat in white papal robes trimmed in gold, resting with his eyes closed. Across from him, Yu Xiaogang sat upright in a crisp, formal robe, his hands neatly placed on his knees.
"Pope, I won't disgrace your reputation on this trip," Yu Xiaogang said, taking a deep breath and pledging his loyalty once more.
"Mm. Go ahead and do your best. I have faith in you." Qian Xunji didn't even open his eyes, casually brushing him off.
Half a day later,
Seven Treasure City,
In front of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's grand main hall.
The current Sect Master, Ning Zhen, was waiting respectfully at the foot of the steps with Yuan Lie, the Sect Protecting Douluo, and a host of the sect's core elders.
The Pope of Spirit Hall was paying them a personal visit. This was the highest level of diplomatic engagement on the entire continent. No matter how wealthy Ning Zhen was, he had to make sure the formalities were observed to the fullest.
"We welcome Your Holiness the Pope! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is truly honored by your presence!"
As Qian Xunji stepped down from the carriage, Ning Zhen hurried forward, his smile brighter than a blooming chrysanthemum.
But when the corner of his eye caught sight of the young man following behind Qian Xunji, whose Soul Power was so weak it was almost negligible, he couldn't help but pause.
"Sect Master Ning, it's been a year, and you're looking as splendid as ever."
Qian Xunji smiled warmly, then turned aside and gestured toward Yu Xiaogang behind him.
"I hope you'll forgive the intrusion today. I'm here at the request of Clan Master Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. This is his son, Yu Xiaogang. He has made quite a bit of progress in Martial Soul Theory.
"Clan Master Yu couldn't bring himself to ask you directly, so he came to me, hoping his son could make use of your Library Pavilion and exchange ideas on the subject."
Ning Zhen was taken aback for a moment. Then he laughed to himself:
"Ha! That old bastard Yu Yuanzhen is usually so arrogant, always boasting about his world's foremost Beast Martial Soul. But when he runs into an academic problem, he's too proud to ask me himself, so he runs off to cling to Spirit Hall?"
Ning Zhen was secretly delighted. A direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had come to study at their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If word got out, the influence of their sect would surely rise another notch.
"Since Your Holiness has personally recommended him, I, Ning, naturally won't refuse!"
Ning Zhen waved his hand grandly, putting on an exceptionally generous air. But the shrewdness of a businessman wasn't lost on him.
"It's rare for young nephew Xiaogang to have studied theory. Very well, our outer-court Library Pavilion contains the most basic and comprehensive collection of Martial Soul Theory on the entire continent. From today on, it will be fully open to young nephew Xiaogang. He can read for as long as he likes!"
Yu Xiaogang's brow creased slightly. The outer-court Library Pavilion? Basic theories? The old fox was clearly keeping an eye on him, preventing him from accessing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's most closely guarded secrets.
But he didn't let it show. Instead, he lifted his chin slightly, clasped his hands behind his back, and struck a grandmasterly pose. "Thank you, Sect Master Ning. The foundations of theory are often hidden in the most basic texts. I'll be sure to study them carefully."
Seeing Yu Xiaogang act like this, Qian Xunji barely managed not to laugh aloud.
"By the way, Sect Master Ning," Qian Xunji said, changing the subject as though asking casually. "How is the genius with Twin Martial Souls whom I sold—cough, entrusted to your sect a year ago?"
Before you continue