At this point, Yu Xiaogang suddenly changed tack.
He forced himself to straighten up. His voice was hoarse, but it carried a strange new strength.
"Xiaogang may be weak, but I've devoted my entire life to studying Martial Soul Theory."
"Your Highness can conquer the sects under heaven with force, and use your power to make everyone bow before you."
"But force can only subdue the body. It can never conquer the truth."
Yu Xiaogang stared at Tang Yu on the high platform.
"The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, which I created over the course of my life, are the ultimate truths of the Soul Master World."
"Your Highness has been made Prince Wuyang and entrusted with the northwest. You even consider yourself a heaven-blessed genius."
"Then dare you debate Martial Soul Theory with me in public?"
"If you can refute me on theory, I'll willingly accept death without a single complaint!"
"But if Your Highness loses on theory..."
Yu Xiaogang didn't finish what he was about to say.
But the meaning behind his words couldn't have been clearer.
He wanted to challenge Tang Yu's authority in the field he knew best.
He wanted everyone under heaven to see that Tang Yu was nothing but a brute who knew how to use force.
In the face of wisdom and truth, Prince Wuyang was utterly insignificant.
At his words, the guests below the platform all changed expressions.
"Has Yu Xiaogang gone mad?"
"He actually wants to debate Martial Soul Theory with Prince Wuyang?"
"His theory is what he's most proud of. He's trying to use his strength to save face."
"What shamelessness!"
Many people shook their heads to themselves.
In their eyes, Yu Xiaogang's behavior was nothing short of despicable.
He'd lost a fight, so now he wanted to compete in a literary debate.
What kind of logic was that?
Xue Qinghe couldn't help letting out a mocking laugh, her beautiful eyes full of scorn.
"Yu Xiaogang, you've certainly opened this palace's eyes."
"Your so-called theories are nothing but garbage cobbled together from the libraries of various sects."
"You take other people's work and pass it off as your own, and now you want to debate Prince Wuyang?"
"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"
Yu Xiaogang ignored Xue Qinghe's taunts.
He only stared at Tang Yu.
He knew this was his only way to survive today, and his only chance to turn the tables.
If Tang Yu didn't dare accept, that would prove he was afraid.
Then, although Yu Xiaogang had taken a beating, he would earn a reputation as a pioneer who dared to challenge tyranny with wisdom.
If Tang Yu agreed...
Deep in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, elation flashed.
He was indeed useless in a fight.
But when it came to studying Martial Soul Theory, he had absolute confidence.
On the entire Douluo Continent, apart from Bibi Dong, there was no one he respected.
At that moment,
Tang Yu, seated in the main chair on the high platform, showed no change in expression after hearing Yu Xiaogang's challenge.
He still rested his chin on one hand, quietly watching Yu Xiaogang below, who looked like a clown.
Only after Yu Xiaogang had finished speaking did Tang Yu slowly rise to his feet.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked a few steps to the edge of the platform.
Everyone below held their breath, waiting for Tang Yu's decision.
They thought there was a strong chance Tang Yu would refuse. He might even order Yu Xiaogang killed on the spot.
After all, a ruler didn't need to justify himself for crushing an ant that dared provoke him.
However,
Tang Yu's next move took everyone by surprise.
"Interesting."
The corners of Tang Yu's mouth lifted slightly in a faint smile.
"You want to debate Martial Soul Theory with me?"
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and nodded. "That's right! Do you dare, Your Highness?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Tang Yu answered calmly.
A stir swept across the entire square.
"My heavens, Prince Wuyang actually agreed?"
"Why would he accept such an absurd demand?"
"Yu Xiaogang really does know a thing or two about theory. Prince Wuyang may be powerful, but when it comes to theoretical research, I'm afraid..."
Some representatives of the sects began to worry.
After all, how old was Tang Yu?
Even if he'd started cultivating in the womb, he couldn't possibly have mastered all that complicated, tedious Martial Soul Theory while also reaching such terrifying strength.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang had spent decades studying it.
If they really debated, Tang Yu might actually be at a disadvantage.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo furrowed their brows as well.
They couldn't quite understand what Tang Yu was thinking.
In their eyes, given Tang Yu's current status and strength, he didn't need to fall for Yu Xiaogang's provocation.
A single slap would settle things—and it would be far simpler, not to mention more in keeping with his domineering style.
Why agree?
On the high platform,
hearing the commotion below, Tang Yu raised a hand and gave a slight wave.
The murmuring vanished in an instant.
Tang Yu looked down at Yu Xiaogang, the amusement in his eyes carrying a chillingly sinister edge.
"I accept your challenge."
"But since this is a debate, there ought to be something at stake."
"Just exchanging words would be far too dull."
Yu Xiaogang's heart gave a thump, but he had no way back now. He could only ask through gritted teeth,
"What does Your Highness want to wager?"
With his hands behind his back, Tang Yu walked slowly back toward the main seat.
His voice was soft, but to Yu Xiaogang it sounded like thunder from the highest heavens.
"My terms are simple."
"If you lose this debate..."
"You must admit one thing in front of everyone here—and in front of the whole world."
"Admit that your so-called title of 'Grandmaster' is nothing but a complete fraud."
"Admit that every theory you claim to have created was filthy material shamelessly plagiarized from the libraries of various sects, including Spirit Hall."
"You're nothing but a despicable thief of theories."
At this, Yu Xiaogang's face instantly turned deathly pale.
His body began to tremble violently.
His reputation.
It was what he valued most in this life.
Even more than his own life.
Why had he been willing to bear the slander of being called useless, yet still gone around proclaiming his theories?
Wasn't it to prove he wasn't useless, and to make the world admire and respect him?
If he admitted with his own mouth that he was a fraud and a plagiarist,
all the pride he'd built up over a lifetime would crumble in an instant.
He would become the greatest laughingstock on the continent, nailed forever to history's pillar of shame with no chance of redemption.
But that wasn't all.
Tang Yu continued speaking.
"Besides that, I want something else from you."
Tang Yu stopped and looked coldly at Yu Xiaogang.
"If you lose, you must sever your right arm here, in front of everyone."
"And you must tear it off with your own hand."
Boom!
As Tang Yu's final words fell,
the entire square erupted.
Even the Super Douluos who had kept silent up to that point couldn't hide their shock.
Sever one arm!
And openly admit that he was a plagiarizing fraud!
This wasn't just about ruining Yu Xiaogang's reputation. It was about crippling him as a person.
A cripple with no right arm and a ruined reputation.
On a continent where might made right, he would live a more wretched life than a beggar.
It would make him suffer ten thousand times more than killing him.
"Vicious... so vicious..."
Ning Fengzhi swallowed, and his awe of Tang Yu deepened.
This young Prince Wuyang's methods were so ruthless that no one could see them coming.
He either did nothing, or he struck to grind his opponent into the dirt, leaving not even the slightest chance to recover.
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth.
He'd bitten down so hard that his lip split open again, and blood trickled down his chin.
His eyes shone with struggle, fear, and boundless fury.
He looked at Tang Yu, his voice trembling violently.
"Your Highness... isn't that going a little too far?"
"What?"
Tang Yu glanced at him indifferently.
"Didn't you just keep saying that truth can never be defeated?"
"If you have that much confidence in your theories, why fear the wager?"
"Or do you actually know that those so-called theories of yours are nothing but lies, ready to burst at the slightest poke?"
"You... don't dare wager against me?"
Tang Yu's words were like invisible steel needles, stabbing into the most sensitive part of Yu Xiaogang's pride.
"Why wouldn't I dare!"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly let out a shrill, hysterical cry.
His face twisted horribly, and he looked like a madman.
"Fine!"
"I'll take the bet!"
"If I lose, I'll admit right here that I'm a fraud, and sever my right arm!"
"But what if Your Highness loses?"
Yu Xiaogang stared at Tang Yu, his chest heaving violently.
Tang Yu picked up the teacup from the table and took a small sip.
"If I lose, I'll let you leave in safety. And from that day on, wherever you are, I'll keep my distance."
"Fine!"
Yu Xiaogang agreed at once.
At that moment, though his body hurt so badly he felt he might fall apart, a near-mad confidence surged deep within him.
He was sure he wouldn't lose.
Because...
He had the perfect trump card—the best in the whole world.
That was his disciple, Tang San.
Yu Xiaogang clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his flesh.
"Tang Yu... you're too arrogant."
"Do you think that just because you're powerful, you can do anything?"
"My 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul' have been perfectly researched and verified through Sanwu!"
"He has Twin Martial Souls. Under my guidance, he can break the Soul Ring age limit and absorb Soul Rings that exceed the limit!"
"That is an ironclad fact!"
"As long as Sanwu is here, my theory is the only truth in this world!"
"How could a brute like you, who knows nothing but slaughter through force, possibly understand the mysteries of Martial Souls?"
"Today, I will use the wisdom of my entire life to trample your lofty dignity underfoot, before the eyes of the whole world!"
Yu Xiaogang roared furiously inside.
He could already picture himself completely dismantling Tang Yu in the debate, while Tang Yu lost face before the entire world.
This wager—
Yu Xiaogang was bound to win!
A cool breeze swept the stench of blood across the plaza, carrying it quietly outward.
The powerful figures from the various factions present wore differing expressions. Some marveled at Prince Wuyang's ruthlessness, while others watched coldly as Yu Xiaogang stood below, looking like a beaten dog.
Yu Xiaogang's battered body was still trembling. The heavy blows he had suffered earlier had left him in agony, and even standing seemed to take all his strength.
He stared at Tang Yu on the high platform with the one eye he could barely open.
Now, there was no way back.
This was not merely a wager. It was also his only hope of surviving on this continent.
If he could defeat Tang Yu in Martial Soul Theory, then every humiliation he suffered today would become a medal he could wear when he ascended to the altar of greatness.
"Since Your Highness has agreed, let the debate begin now."
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and confident.
"For ten thousand years, the Soul Master World has classified Martial Soul cultivation into broad categories such as assault, agility, and support. Yet the world is ignorant, and most people judge a Soul Master's future by the superiority or inferiority of their Martial Soul."
"I, Xiaogang, am no genius, but after decades of research, I have reached a conclusion."
"There are no useless Martial Souls in this world, only useless Soul Masters."
As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang pointed to himself, then glanced around at the representatives of the various sects.
"Take the most common Trash Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, for example."
"In the eyes of the world, Blue Silver Grass is weak, small, and entirely lacking in offensive power. It is universally acknowledged as a Trash Martial Soul."
"But I believe that precisely because Blue Silver Grass is weak, it possesses qualities that other high-level Martial Souls lack."
"That quality is resilience."
Yu Xiaogang's speech grew faster, and the fervor in his eyes burned ever brighter.
"Blue Silver Grass is distinguished by its exceptional resilience. When cultivating this Martial Soul, one must never follow the usual assault-oriented path. Instead, one must bring its resilience to the fullest."
"If, when adding Soul Rings, one chooses a beast-type Soul Beast like the Datura Snake, which is both venomous and exceptionally resilient, then the resilience and venom of the beast Soul Ring can be perfectly transferred to Blue Silver Grass."
"In this way, the originally useless Blue Silver Grass can transform into vines, capable of entangling opponents and paralyzing them with poison. A Trash Martial Soul can likewise evolve into a top-tier control-type Martial Soul."
"This is teaching according to one's aptitude, and it is also my ultimate conclusion about the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul."
Yu Xiaogang's words echoed slowly across the plaza.
The sect masters and elders from the mid-tier sects listened, first taken aback, then lost in thought.
"Transferring a beast Soul Ring's attributes to a plant Martial Soul and using exceptional resilience as a means of control..."
"It does sound rather convincing."
"Indeed. Blue Silver Grass has no offensive power of its own, but if you focus on entangling and resilience, then add poison, it could certainly have an unexpected control effect on the battlefield."
"No wonder he's called a theoretical grandmaster. There's something to his approach of turning waste into wonder."
Many Soul Masters affiliated with powerful factions began murmuring among themselves, their eyes showing a hint of approval.
Hearing the faint praise around him, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but let a smug expression appear on his swollen face.
He straightened his back slightly and gave Tang Yu a challenging look from the high platform.
In his eyes, Tang Yu was nothing more than a brute who relied on unparalleled talent and overwhelming Soul Power to bulldoze his way through everything. How could he possibly understand the intricate workings of Martial Souls?