Intellectual Theft

Suddenly, Qian Zong seemed to think of something and came to a sudden realization:

"So it was that thing!"

Luo Qi asked in surprise: "Library Director, you've also heard of Grandmaster's name?"

In his view, Qian Zong was still young and didn't look like someone who knew about things from back then.

Qian Zong shook his head and said dismissively:

"I haven't heard of him, but I've read Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. The content is full of nonsense and completely worthless.

"Moreover, most of the contents in this book duplicate the ancient texts in A12 Zone on the second floor of the Library.

"That fellow must have secretly copied them out when he was browsing the Spirit Hall's ancient texts back then."

The Library was extremely large, divided into three major sections: A, B, and C. Under each of these three sections were subsections numbered 1 through 20.

Section A collected ancient texts related to Martial Souls, including cultivation methods, compendiums of Martial Souls, classifications of Soul Beasts, and so on. All the books came from the Spirit Hall.

Section B collected bizarre anecdotes, folklore, and popular tales. The collection wasn't very large, but it was relatively interesting.

Section C belonged to the mixed section. Any books deemed valuable by the Martial Soul Librarian could be included there.

At this stage, Section C mainly collected some scholarly writings and research results.

Hearing this, Luo Qi turned pale with fright, his eyes full of disbelief:

"Library Director, what do you mean by this?"

Involving the reputation of other scholars, Luo Qi didn't dare to jump to conclusions and could only seek an accurate answer from Qian Zong.

Scholars valued their reputation above all else, and the act of stealing others' achievements was the most base and shameful behavior in scholarly circles.

Yu Xiaogang not only stole the knowledge of the Spirit Hall, but also claimed it was his personal research achievement.

If this matter were substantiated, Yu Xiaogang would be spurned by scholars across the entire continent.

Even the friends and family around Yu Xiaogang would suffer disaster along with him.

When scholars cursed people, it was the most ruthless!

"It means exactly what you are thinking." Qian Zong gave an affirmative reply.

As he spoke, Qian Zong shook his head. He didn't excessively blame him, but simply wore a look of disdain and chuckled lightly:

"That fellow is truly foolish and hypocritical. He couldn't even plagiarize knowledge properly, truly like a half-full vessel making a lot of noise.

"I don't know where he gets the confidence to brag about his abilities everywhere."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire crowd was in an uproar, discussing animatedly.

Qian Zong took in everyone's expressions, the corners of his lips curling into a mischievous smile.

By opening the Martial Soul Library, he had intended from the start to take the opportunity to destroy Yu Xiaogang.

As long as the source of Yu Xiaogang's theories was made public, Qian Zong only needed to add fuel to the fire, and Yu Xiaogang would become the target of attacks for all scholars on the continent.

Sometimes, destroying a person didn't require facing them in person.

Qian Zong looked at Luo Qi and said earnestly:

"Old sir, since you are a scholar, you shouldn't go believing those unofficial histories that mislead people in the future.

"Although my Spirit Hall's collections are not considered numerous, the books concerning Martial Souls are absolutely authoritative."

Luo Qi looked at Qian Zong's serious expression, opening his mouth to speak but stopping himself.

Seeing Qian Zong's demeanor, it didn't look like he was lying. Could it be that Grandmaster's theories were really plagiarized from the contents of the ancient texts in A12 Zone on the second floor?

But I am not a member of the Spirit Hall; I can't go up there.

Just as Luo Qi was stunned, another six old men approached Qian Zong.

They were all dressed in long robes with extraordinary bearings.

Qian Zong sized the other party up and had a slight guess in his heart, figuring they must also be Soul Master scholars.

Soul Master scholars specialized in researching knowledge related to Martial Souls and could be considered the rare knowledgeable people on the continent.

Yu Xiaogang was essentially a Soul Master scholar as well, but as for his wisdom and character...

Hard to say...

His achievements were quite high, though, having taught a god.

Qian Zong turned his head and asked, "And who might you people be?"

The six old men arrived before Qian Zong, successively cupping their fists and bowing respectfully to Qian Zong and Yue Guan's group of four.

"Library Director, we are all Soul Master scholars who have studied Martial Soul theory for over forty years.

"After Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul came into the world, we all studied it. The content was detailed and the logic rigorous, and we didn't feel there were any problems.

"Since the Library Director says Grandmaster's work is riddled with flaws, might we ask the Library Director to point them out?"

After finishing, the old man bowed once more.

Yu Xiaogang's theories were the most widely spread among Soul Master scholars. As scholars themselves, they deeply respected the original creators of knowledge.

Seeing Qian Zong disparage a colleague's work, even though they felt fear in their hearts, they still stepped forward wanting to get to the bottom of the matter.

The dignity of scholars could not be trampled upon.

However, Qian Zong's status was noble, and they didn't dare to act rashly, maintaining proper etiquette when asking.

Ling Yuan was shrouded in a crimson halo, her gaze turning cold as she chided:

"Mere Soul Master scholars, how dare you question the Library Director!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ci Xue, and She Long decisively followed suit, and a majestic wave of Soul Power instantly pressed down toward the six old men.

Scholars or whatever, they didn't care at all.

Offend Qian Zong, and they all had to die.

"Stop!"

Qian Zong raised his hand, speaking out to stop the three of them.

"Yes!"

Hearing this, the four immediately reined in their Soul Power.

Qian Zong cupped his fists and said:

"Everyone, my subordinates don't know any better. Please don't take offense."

Qian Zong didn't harbor any malicious intentions toward these scholars, but he couldn't be said to hold any fondness for them either.

Scholars were mostly stubborn and self-righteous people.

Take the six before him, for instance-damn it, free-riding on the Spirit Hall's knowledge was one thing, but now they even had to come and stand up for someone else.

If not for Qian Zong's noble status and having Titled Douluo bodyguards by his side, these six probably wouldn't be this polite, instead putting on the airs of elders to question him.

Of course, the most crucial part was: this group of people were not the Spirit Hall's own people.

"It's fine, it's fine!"

The six scholars waved their hands repeatedly, the trace of arrogance remaining on their faces rapidly fading away.

A Titled Douluo was terrifying to this degree; with merely a shred of oppressive might, they had almost dropped to their knees.

Qian Zong didn't bicker with the six of them, saying:

"You are scholars, and I am also a scholar. This can be considered academic discourse on our part.

"Since you have asked, as the Library Director-knowing the answer-I naturally ought to clear up your doubts."

A trace of shock flashed across the depths of the six scholars' eyes. How had this Library Director suddenly become so amiable?

However, they were quite happy for this to happen; after all, they had never intended to make an enemy of Qian Zong.

Qian Zong's gaze fell upon Luo Qi and he smiled:

"Old sir, didn't you want to know why my Soul Ring could exceed the so-called Soul Ring age limit you spoke of?"

Luo Qi subconsciously nodded.

The surrounding crowd did not disperse, but instead tacitly all kept their mouths shut.

Such a secret was something they wanted to know as well.

"It's very simple. Because Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul only plagiarized a portion of the contents from the ancient texts in A12 Zone, resulting in a vast number of misconceptions within it.

"Moreover, that so-called Grandmaster is merely a rank-29 Soul Master. What could he possibly understand about Martial Souls?

"If you were to ask him about knowledge regarding Soul Shock, he probably wouldn't even know what Soul Shock is.

"Such a person even dares to call himself a grandmaster. I truly don't know where he gets the face."

After laying down this label, Qian Zong proceeded to explain:

"Regarding the age limits for absorbing Martial Soul Soul Rings, Soul Rings under a thousand years are only related to physical fitness.

"The stronger the physical fitness, the higher the age of the Soul Ring one can absorb. There is no such thing as a so-called limit for Soul Ring age.

"If a Martial Soul is special or some secret arts are used, the first Soul Ring can even reach ten thousand years, or even one hundred thousand years.

"Of course, these are core secrets of the Spirit Hall. There are clues in the second-floor library that you can explore on your own, but I will not tell you the answer."