Seeing the Subtle Reveals the Whole

Ning Chuan suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and, with a hint of anticipation, opened the booklet.

The booklet was very thin, only a dozen or so pages.

The more Ning Chuan read its contents, the more the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

It opened with the so-called "Ten Core Competencies":

"First, Martial Soul Quality Determinism: the quality of one's Martial Soul innately determines the upper limit of a Soul Master's potential. (Note: Those with Innate Full Soul Power possess tremendous potential.)"

Ning Chuan: "..."

Wasn't that nonsense? It was like saying that people with good test scores had great potential for studying.

"Second, Soul Ring Absorption Limit Theory: there is a theoretical limit to the age of Soul Rings a Soul Master can absorb, and it cannot be surpassed. (Note: The specific limit is related to one's Martial Soul, physique, and Soul Power Level.)"

Ning Chuan: "..."

Common knowledge among common knowledge, and it needed to be called a "theory"?

"Third, Martial Soul Simulated Environment Theory: cultivating in an environment suited to a Martial Soul's traits can yield twice the results with half the effort. (Note: For example, plant-type Martial Souls cultivate more effectively in forests.)"

Ning Chuan pressed a hand to his forehead. Did this need research? Any normal person would understand it, wouldn't they?

"Fourth, Soul Beast Attribute Countering Theory: when facing Soul Beasts whose attributes are countered by yours, battle becomes more advantageous. (Note: For example, water counters fire.)"

Ning Chuan no longer had the strength to mock it.

Reading further, he found things like "Soul Skill Synergy Theory" and "Team Combat Complementarity Theory." Without exception, they dressed up simplistic, even self-evident "common sense" or "speculations" as unfathomably profound "theories," then crowned them with the names "core" and "competencies."

The entire booklet was filled with hollow generalizations and deductions lacking empirical proof. There were almost no specific, practical cultivation methods or in-depth discussions of the essence of any system.

What left Ning Chuan most speechless was the final page, which contained "A Message from Her Holiness the Pope." It lavishly praised Master Yu Xiaogang's theories for their "outstanding contributions" to the Soul Master world and encouraged all Soul Masters—and ordinary people like Ning Chuan—to "study them earnestly and comprehend them deeply."

Ning Chuan closed the booklet, his expression wonderfully complicated.

He looked up at Mars, who wore an expectant expression that plainly said, "You struck it rich."

"Deacon... this... this is that master's... core theory?" Ning Chuan tried his best to keep his voice from sounding too strange.

"Of course!" Mars said proudly. "Master Yu Xiaogang is an honorary elder of our Spirit Hall. His theories are farsighted yet easy to understand, especially suitable for young people like you who are full of curiosity about the Soul Master world!

Look, the very first point emphasizes the importance of Innate Full Soul Power. How profound is that?"

Looking into Mars's sincere eyes, Ning Chuan suddenly understood something.

How was this study material for him?

This was clearly... fulfilling some sort of sales quota?

Or, more likely, Bibi Dong, the Pope far away in Spirit City, was using this method to make the "Xiaogang" in her heart famous?

Perhaps every branch hall even had promotion targets?

Using him, an ignorant village boy, to pad their performance records!? And incidentally adding another footnote to Yu Xiaogang's theories: "Even ordinary people are clamoring to read them"?

The thought made Ning Chuan feel sick.

The last trace of goodwill he had held toward Spirit Hall dissipated by more than half.

"Thank you, Deacon." Ning Chuan put away the booklet and forced a grateful smile onto his face. "Master's theories... truly... give one much to ponder. I'll study them carefully."

Mars nodded in satisfaction. "Very good! Young people should study more!

If there's anything else you don't understand in the future, you can come again... Of course, for more advanced knowledge, you'll have to wait until you become a Soul Master before you can access it."

Even in his words, he still excluded Ning Chuan from the true circle of Soul Masters.

After chatting idly for a few more sentences, Ning Chuan thanked him, rose, and took his leave.

As he stepped out through the heavy doors of the Spirit Hall branch, the blazing sunlight was somewhat dazzling.

Ning Chuan took out the thin booklet, weighed it in his hand, then shook his head with a laugh.

"Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul? Heh..."

Perhaps a few of its viewpoints possessed the slightest bit of foresight in Douluo Continent's current environment, but overall, the substance of this officially endorsed and promoted work by Spirit Hall was far inferior to some popular science books he had read in his previous life.

"Looks like obtaining valuable knowledge through legitimate channels really is harder than climbing to the heavens." He casually stuffed the booklet into his clothes. Though useless, perhaps he could keep it as a negative example in the future, or use it to wipe his ass.

This trip to Nuoding City had yielded nothing from the bookstores. Seven Treasures Pavilion had been a test and a calculation, while Spirit Hall had been an absurd farce.

The only tangible gains were perhaps the heavy Purple Soul Coin in his clothes and his father's reminder to "buy some useful books."

"Useful books..." Ning Chuan murmured, his gaze sweeping across the roadside shops selling sundries and farming tools.

Since knowledge about Soul Masters was so tightly restricted, perhaps he could start somewhere more practical.

He stepped forward and headed toward a larger general store he remembered.

Perhaps he could buy practical books about farming, craftsmanship, or even detailed explanations of the continent's common writing system.

Those were knowledge as well. They could broaden his horizons just the same, and they would not arouse anyone's suspicion.

Keeping his feet on the ground and accumulating knowledge from the most basic, ordinary places—this was the path he should take now.

As for that copy of Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul... he would take it as paying for a lesson and gaining a glimpse of this world's academic standards.

Ning Chuan's figure gradually disappeared into the bustling streets and alleys of Nuoding City.