Yu Xiaogang's Probe

For the students of Nuoding Academy, the meaning of a Friday morning is self-evident; the week's classes are about to end, and the two-day weekend is a rare and precious time for rest.

Sparrows chirp on the branches outside the window, seemingly discussing the upcoming weekend as well. Inside the classroom, the students' hearts have long since flown beyond the school gates.

Sitting in the front row, Xiao Wu and Na'er are huddled together, whispering.

"Big Brother Gu Tian, shall we go eat those sweet and sour pork ribs this weekend?" Na'er tugs at a strand of silver hair, her small face flushed with excitement. She has been absent-minded throughout the day, her textbook still open to the first page, her mind entirely occupied with cataloging the delicacies in Nuoding City they haven't tried yet.

Xiao Wu nods repeatedly in agreement. She wiggles her long rabbit ears and whispers, "I heard a new dessert shop opened in the north of the city, and their fruit pudding is incredible! We have to make Big Brother Gu Tian take us there."

Gu Tian sits between the two, listening to the grand plans of these little foodies, and smiles helplessly. Gu Yue sits to the side; although her expression remains cold, a hint of relaxation shows in her dark green eyes. In this safe Nuoding Academy, the tasks assigned to her by Big Sister have become much easier.

Just then, crisp footsteps approach from afar and stop at the classroom door.

The noisy classroom instantly falls silent.

A thin, stiff-faced middle-aged man walks in. He wears a washed-out gray robe, his hands clasped behind his back, his chin slightly raised. His calm, pool-like eyes radiate the arrogance of one who considers himself a sage.

It is none other than the man hailed as the number one in martial soul theory—Yu Xiaogang.

"Teacher!"

Tang San, who has been sitting in the back row, stands up abruptly the moment he sees Yu Xiaogang enter. His movement is so sudden that he knocks over the ink bottle beside him. He quickly walks out from his seat and bows deeply to Yu Xiaogang.

This shout of "Teacher" is exceptionally loud, as if declaring to the entire class: Look, this is my master, the legendary master who knows everything.

Tang San's straight back exudes a thick sense of superiority. He glances sideways at Gu Tian's direction and sneers inwardly: Gu Tian, so what if you are strong? In front of a true theoretical grandmaster, you are nothing but a brute from the wilderness.

Yu Xiaogang looks at his beloved disciple, a stiff, awkward smile appearing on his face. He gently helps Tang San up: "San, sit down. For today's public lecture, I have been entrusted by the Dean to teach you the basic logic of martial souls."

His gaze sweeps across the classroom and finally lands precisely on Gu Tian and the three girls beside him.

In that instant, Yu Xiaogang's pupils contract sharply. As a holder of a dragon-type martial soul, he has an extremely keen perception of dragon-kin aura.

Although the three of them have restrained their soul power, to Yu Xiaogang, the three sitting together feel like three dormant ancient dragons, emitting a high-level suppression that makes his very soul tremble.

This pure dragon bloodline... it really is a mutated martial soul originating from the Blue Lightning Overlord Dragon.

Yu Xiaogang's breathing becomes rapid. He had originally thought Tang San's description of the terrifying pressure was exaggerated, but seeing it with his own eyes, he realizes he underestimated this youth's potential.

This is simply the best research material heaven could have sent him!

The bell rings for class.

Yu Xiaogang picks up a piece of chalk and writes several large characters on the blackboard: [Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul].

"Students, many believe that martial souls determine everything. But today I tell you, there are no trash martial souls, only trash soul masters." Yu Xiaogang's voice is raspy and confident. "The choice of soul rings and the crossing of age limits all have rigorous mathematical logic. For example, the limit for a first soul ring is 423 years; exceeding this limit will cause a soul master's meridians to burst from the inability to withstand the energy."

At this point, he looks at Tang San and asks: "Tang San, if you were facing a soul beast over 500 years old, what would you do?"

Tang San stands straight and answers in a resonant voice: "Teacher, according to your theory, I should decisively give up. Because absorbing beyond the limit is no different from suicide. A soul master should pursue the optimal solution within reasonable bounds, rather than blindly challenging the unknown."

"Very good, sit down." Yu Xiaogang praises him with great joy. "As expected of my top disciple, your understanding is very thorough."

This rehearsed performance draws looks of admiration from many commoner students in the class. But to Gu Tian, it is even more ridiculous than a circus act.

"423 years?"

Gu Tian leans back in his chair, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking arc. He watched with his own eyes as Xiao Wu absorbed a 700-year soul ring, and his own first soul ring directly fused with the god-level power of the Fire Dragon King. This so-called limit is nothing more than a cage drawn by someone with mediocre talent like Yu Xiaogang to cover up his own incompetence.

Tang San seems to notice Gu Tian's sneer. He turns his head, his eyes filled with provocation: "Student Gu Tian, you seem to have a different opinion on Teacher's theory? Well, I suppose since some people's cultivation origins are unknown, perhaps they don't understand what scientific cultivation is."

Gu Tian doesn't even lift his eyelids, merely spitting out a single word: "Pretentious."

"You—!" Tang San turns blue with rage and is about to lash out, but is stopped by a look from Yu Xiaogang.

Throughout the class, Yu Xiaogang subtly showcases Tang San's excellence, attempting to use this contrast to make Gu Tian feel a psychological gap—that "the wilderness is inferior to the academy"—to pave the way for future recruitment.

Finally, the bell rings.

The students rush out of the classroom, eager to enjoy the freedom of the weekend.

"Gu Tian, Gu Yue, Na'er, and Xiao Wu, you four stay behind for a moment."

Yu Xiaogang straightens his collar, his expression becoming serious and solemn. "In my capacity as a specially appointed teacher of the academy, I would like to invite you to my room for a private talk. I have some very valuable suggestions regarding your martial soul traits; this concerns your future prospects."

He turns and beckons to Tang San: "San, you come too. Show them the way."

Tang San follows immediately, walking in front with his head held high like a lackey leading the way.

Gu Tian looks at Yu Xiaogang's thin back, then at Xiao Wu and Na'er beside him, who have "I don't want to go" written all over their faces, and smiles.

"Let's go. Let's see what kind of truth is hidden in this master's room."

A moment later, the group arrives at Yu Xiaogang's single room on the top floor of the faculty dormitory.

The room is small, only about thirty square meters; compared to Gu Tian's luxury apartment, it looks rather shabby.

Pushing the door open, a thick, musty smell of old books rushes out. The room is densely packed with various notes and ancient texts, and the light is somewhat dim.

Yu Xiaogang sits behind a large solid wood desk and lights a Soul Guidance Lamp. The light reflects off his stiff face, making it appear somewhat uncertain.

He clasps his fingers together on the desk, his gaze fixed intently on Gu Tian, as if trying to see through every inch of bone beneath his skin.

"There are no outsiders here now." Yu Xiaogang's voice becomes low. "Gu Tian, I have been observing you for a long time. Your martial soul must be a god-level dragon-type mutation that has never been recorded, right? Let's be frank. I want to know how you cultivated such a terrifying aura without formal guidance."

Tang San stands to the side, a gleam of schadenfreude in his eyes. In his view, as soon as his teacher makes a move, all of Gu Tian's methods and secrets will have nowhere to hide.

Gu Tian just casually finds a chair and sits down, even crossing his legs, watching this "master" who is currently putting on a show with great interest.

"Want to understand our strength?" Gu Tian looks at him with a half-smile. "Master, are you sure your current frame can withstand such an understanding?"