Yu Xiaogang Gets Kicked Around

"Now, touch that last shred of conscience you have as a human and tell me."

"Are you thinking that if you trick me into joining you, you can pry the method of exceeding limits for soul ring absorption from my mouth, and then slap your name on it to publish?"

"Yes, or no?"

Yu Xiaogang completely broke down, roaring hoarsely.

"You're spouting nonsense! I, Yu Xiaogang, have spent my life researching theory; how dare you slander me?"

"Those with low talent are failures by nature; they are purely a waste of my..."

Before he could finish, the crowd erupted.

A middle-aged, burly man stepped forward, his four soul rings—two yellow, two purple—lighting up.

"You damn piece of trash, who are you calling a failure? I had an Innate Soul Power of level three, and now I'm a level forty-seven Soul Ancestor. I earned this with my life and my fists."

Another person stepped out, two yellow and one purple soul ring glowing.

"I can't take it anymore! Get him!"

"Yeah! Beat him to death!"

"What kind of 'Grandmaster' is this? He's just a fraud."

Densely packed soul rings lit up—at least several hundred of them. The three were instantly surrounded, though most were only one, two, or three-ringed.

There were very few four or five-ringed soul masters.

But even a fierce tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves, and besides, Zhao Wuji and Flender were not truly fierce tigers, nor was the crowd truly a pack of wolves.

It was night, the time when the Great Soul Arena was most crowded. As word of the incident spread, those who learned what happened immediately joined the fray.

The scene spiraled completely out of control. The three were surrounded, kicked, and punched, their screams rising one after another.

As for the Shrek Seven Devils? Ning Rongrong hid behind Gu Rong, Tang San was being kicked in a circle, and the others? Seeing the situation turn sour, they had long since fled.

Xuan Qing ignored them, speaking only to himself.

"Geniuses walk among the stars, while the mediocre cannot even leave a single footprint behind. The ordinary must learn to walk alone, spending their entire lives falling and rising."

"But, a failed life is still a life. They have the right to taste it until the very end. Only when they fall to the ground with no one to help them up can the foolish truly learn how to stand."

The crowd paused for a moment.

That's right!

They were merely mediocre, but that didn't make them failures. Why should they be belittled by this piece of trash?

Suddenly, someone shouted.

"Don't stop! What this young master said makes sense, but it's also true that this guy belittled us! I can't swallow this insult!"

The crowd began to beat them even harder.

Dugu Bo walked over and patted his shoulder.

"Why are you preaching so many grand principles to them? Might makes right; if they aren't convinced, they can just suck it up."

Xuan Qing shook his head: "Just because others don't reason doesn't mean we should follow suit. Principles are all in books, but being human happens outside of them."

"Teaching a creature that isn't human how to be a human today—I suppose I've done one good deed."

Having said this, he felt enlightened, his body and mind at ease, as if he had found the final piece of a puzzle.

Two voices suddenly rang out in his mind.

[Azure Dragon God Trial Third Trial: Red Dust Heart Inquiry, completed.]

[Reward: One exclusive soul ring for the Azure Dragon Martial Soul, stored in the portable space.]

[Qilin God Trial Second Trial: Red Dust Heart Inquiry, completed.]

[Reward: Immunity to the Five Decays of Heaven and Man.]

Xuan Qing's expression was quite spectacular.

What was this supposed to mean?

If you don't like someone, just beat them up—is this called following the trend and obeying one's heart?

If someone makes me uncomfortable, I make them even more uncomfortable?

If you keep your frustration bottled up, your Dao heart becomes unstable?

Although Xuan Qing was full of doubts, he felt... his thoughts were clear!

He felt some changes, yet he couldn't quite put his finger on them.

Honestly, he didn't even know what the Five Decays of Heaven and Man were; he only knew they were a manifestation of a cultivator's tribulation. He knew absolutely nothing about the specifics.

Moreover, there was no prompt for the next trial, so it seemed the assessments had come to a temporary halt.

Xuan Qing looked at Dugu Bo.

"Old Poison, trouble yourself to find an inn. We shall rest here. After these one year and ten months of traveling, I am truly exhausted."

Dugu Bo looked at his weary expression and nodded.

"No problem! The best hotel! My treat!"

The four of them left the street and headed toward a nearby hotel, while the screams of Yu Xiaogang and his group and the angry curses of the crowd continued behind them.

Ning Fengzhi asked in a low voice, "Qinghe, what do you think of this kid?"

Xue Qinghe remained silent for a long time before spitting out four words: "Too clear-headed."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Indeed, too clear-headed. Clear-headed to the point of being terrifying, clear-headed to the point of inspiring awe. He sees through this Red Dust Myriad Phenomena far too thoroughly."

Gu Rong furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice:

"It is precisely because of this that we should win him over. If he is snatched up by Martial Soul Hall, we truly won't need to resist anymore."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, his expression unprecedentedly grave.

"That's right. Martial Soul Hall is already powerful, and Pope Bibi Dong is unfathomable. Although there are rumors that that person is dead, but..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Gu Rong understood.

Qian Daoliu!

He was the true anchor of Martial Soul Hall. As long as he remained, Martial Soul Hall would never fall.

The group returned to their hotel. Qian Renxue stood by the window, having already shed her disguise. Her stunning face was filled with struggle.

She had originally intended to ask her grandfather Qian Daoliu to make a trip here.

But upon second thought, she dismissed the idea.

She knew her grandfather's personality all too well; if someone could not be used by Martial Soul Hall, he would eliminate even the most monstrous genius.

The strength of the force behind Xuan Qing was a complete unknown. That Demon Dragon Douluo looked to be only in his twenties, yet he already possessed the strength of a level 97 Title Douluo.

This was definitely not the strongest person behind Xuan Qing. Even if Martial Soul Hall poured out its entire nest, they likely wouldn't gain any advantage, and even if they won, they would certainly suffer heavy losses.

Qian Renxue clenched her delicate fists, a decision forming in her heart. She turned to look into the shadows.

"Pufferfish, Snake Lance."

Two figures emerged from the shadows; they were the two Title Douluo sent to protect her.

"What are your orders, Young Mistress?"

Qian Renxue's voice was as cold as ice.

"Regarding matters concerning Xuan Qing, do not tell anyone, including my grandfather. Otherwise..."

She didn't finish, but the cold light flashing in her eyes made both men shudder.

Snake Lance Douluo bowed and said:

"Rest assured, Young Mistress, we understand."

Pufferfish Douluo hesitated for a moment before biting the bullet and speaking up:

"Young Mistress, if such a monster cannot be used by us, he will surely become a great disaster in the future!"

"Do you think I don't know that? It is precisely because of this that we must be cautious. We will first uncover his background before making plans. You are to investigate in secret, but do not alert him."

The two nodded and quietly faded away.

Meanwhile, inside Ning Fengzhi's room.

Gu Rong sat in a chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

"Fengzhi, what do you think that kid would like? Wealth? Power? Or beauties?"

Ning Fengzhi gave a wry smile.

"He doesn't seem to lack anything. He gambled away one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coin just like that, he has a Title Douluo following him, and even Dugu Bo treats him with great respect."

"As for beauties..."

He thought of Zi Ji. Although that woman was cold and aloof, she was clearly different toward Xuan Qing.

"That Demon Dragon Douluo by his side is no ordinary person."

Gu Rong sighed: "This is difficult. He doesn't respond to soft or hard tactics, so how do we win him over?"

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment: "Perhaps... we should change our approach. Don't rush to win him over; first, build a friendship. Let Rongrong follow him and have more contact."

Gu Rong's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea. Young people find it easier to talk, and that girl Rongrong doesn't seem to have any aversion to him."

If it were anyone else, Gu Rong would never have agreed so easily.

But facing a freak like Xuan Qing, he truly had no temper at all.

The two exchanged a smile, having made up their minds.