Yu Xiaogang Loses His Composure

"Do you have a question?" Teacher Chen asked in a fairly gentle tone.

Yan Zu stood up, his voice clear and steady. "Teacher, there's something I don't understand."

The whole class turned to look at him. Xiao Wu tilted her head, curiously studying Yan Zu's profile. Tang San looked up from the back row as well.

Yan Zu stood up, straight as a young pine. "You said the limit for a First Soul Ring was four hundred and twenty-three years. But as far as I know, Soul Masters can usually only estimate a Soul Beast's age from outward signs like its size, presence, and features, saying things like 'about two hundred years' or 'around three hundred years,' with a margin of error of at least ten years. So how was this precise figure of 'four hundred and twenty-three years' obtained?"

The classroom fell silent for a moment.

Teacher Chen frowned. "That's a theoretical figure Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang derived by compiling statistics from a large number of cases..."

"But statistics require samples," Yan Zu continued, his tone still calm, as though he were sincerely seeking instruction. "If Soul Masters themselves can't accurately determine a Soul Beast's age, where did the 'age data' used in those statistics come from? After all, if you don't even know whether a Soul Beast is four hundred and twenty-three years old, how can you conclude that the limit for a First Soul Ring is four hundred and twenty-three years?"

Teacher Chen's frown deepened. He had never considered the question. Yu Xiaogang's theories had circulated in the Soul Master World for years and had long been held up as gospel by many. Who would question the reliability of the data behind them?

Yan Zu's voice rang clearly through the quiet classroom. "Furthermore, if a Soul Master's physical strength, spiritual power, and Martial Soul quality far exceed those of ordinary people, does this so-called 'limit' still apply?"

He looked at Teacher Chen, his dark eyes clear. "For example, might someone with a top-tier Martial Soul be able to absorb a five-hundred-year Soul Ring, or even one of a greater age, as their First Soul Ring?"

"Absurd!" Teacher Chen retorted instinctively. "Grandmaster Yu's theory has been verified..."

"If there are errors in the basis for that verification, the conclusion may also be inaccurate," Yan Zu said calmly. "I just think the path of a Soul Master differs from person to person. Would using one fixed number to box in every possibility... restrict the growth of certain geniuses?"

He had put it tactfully, but his meaning could not have been clearer: Yu Xiaogang's theory might have been built on shaky foundations from the very start, and might even mislead Soul Masters.

Low murmurs arose in the classroom. The students whispered among themselves, giving Yan Zu complicated looks-some surprised, some dismissive, and some thoughtful.

Teacher Chen's expression turned sour. In all his years teaching theory, this was the first time a six-year-old student had left him speechless with questions. What was more, the child's questions were logically sound, every one striking a weak point in the construction of the theory.

"You..." Teacher Chen opened his mouth, then finally put on a stern face. "Class time is limited. We can discuss specific questions after class. Let's continue."

He changed the subject awkwardly, but there was noticeably less confidence in the rest of his lecture, and his mind occasionally wandered.

Xiao Wu secretly poked Yan Zu's arm and leaned close to his ear. "Little Brother A-Zu, you're amazing..." she whispered. "That teacher's face turned green."

Yan Zu smiled without a word.

In the back row, Tang San tightened his grip on his pen. He watched Yan Zu's straight back and listened to the hushed discussion around him, that stifled resentment welling up in his chest again. This Yan Zu... had actually dared to challenge the teacher's theory.

After class, Teacher Chen hurried out of the classroom, his expression still unpleasant. The students filed out, and many cast a few extra glances at the "outrageously bold" work-study student as they passed Yan Zu.

Yan Zu and Xiao Wu had just finished packing their things when a figure appeared at the classroom door.

"Student Yan Zu, please wait."

A hoarse voice came from behind them.

Yan Zu turned and saw a middle-aged man of average build and ordinary appearance standing at the turn of the stairs. The man wore a gray robe washed pale, and his face was stiff, but his gaze burned with frightening intensity.

Yan Zu wondered if this man might be Yu Xiaogang.

"Teacher, what can I do for you?" Yan Zu nodded politely, holding Xiao Wu's hand in his small one, neither servile nor arrogant.

"Student Yan Zu," Yu Xiaogang said in a low, hoarse voice, "could we have a few words?"

Xiao Wu immediately stepped half a pace in front of Yan Zu, alert as a little beast protecting its young. Yan Zu gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to relax.

"But..." Xiao Wu wanted to say more, but when she saw Yan Zu's calm gaze, she could only nod.

Before long, only Yan Zu and Xiao Wu remained in the classroom. Yu Xiaogang walked in and shut the door behind him, a certain urgency in his movements.

"I am Yu Xiaogang, a master of theory in the Soul Master World. Your questions in class just now were very interesting." Yu Xiaogang stopped beside the lectern and stared intently at Yan Zu. "You have unique insights into the theory of Soul Ring ages."

"I merely had some questions." Yan Zu's tone was polite but distant.

"Questions often signify thought." Yu Xiaogang took two steps forward.

"Yan Zu, I've studied Martial Soul Theory for many years. Perhaps... perhaps I can help you develop the true potential of your Qilin Martial Soul!"

He took a deep breath and put on what he considered his most genial smile. "I want to take you as my disciple and train you alongside Tang San. With your talent and my theories, you'll surely become a Titled Douluo someday!"

Yu Xiaogang spoke faster and faster, a near-fanatical fervor flashing in his eyes. He seemed to see a breakthrough in his theories, and the road that had been blocked by his defective Martial Soul opening before him once more.

Yan Zu watched him quietly, his dark eyes clear, as though they could see through every disguise. "Grandmaster, thank you for thinking so highly of me."

He bowed slightly, his tone respectful, but his words were sharp as a blade. "But I believe that on the path of a Soul Master, knowing oneself comes first. Your theories are extensive, but it seems... you haven't yet fully resolved the questions surrounding your own Martial Soul?"

Yu Xiaogang's smile froze.

"My Luo Sanpao..." His voice was dry. "That was a failed mutation, an accident..."

"Since it was an accident, that means there's still room to improve your theories." Yan Zu raised his head, his gaze open. "As for my path, I want to explore it myself."

The words were like a cold needle, piercing the most vulnerable part of Yu Xiaogang's heart with unerring precision. His face went pale in an instant, his lips trembling slightly, as though someone had torn open his most shameful scar in public.

His Luo Sanpao, a Martial Soul with a failed mutation, was the pain of his life. He had studied countless theories, trying to find answers in other people's Martial Souls, yet had never been able to solve his own problem.

Yu Xiaogang's expression turned ugly. He could not accept being rejected by a six-year-old child, much less tolerate having the boy strike his most painful sore spot. Instinctively, he brought out the theories he was so proud of. "What do you know? The 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul' I developed are a treasure of the Soul Master World! To question me is to question the authority of the entire Soul Master World!"

"Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul?" Yan Zu showed just the right amount of confusion. "Grandmaster, I only recently enrolled, so I haven't heard of these theories. Since you've mentioned them, might I ask you to enlighten me? I humbly seek your instruction."

Seeing Yan Zu "back down," Yu Xiaogang perked up at once. He cleared his throat and began to recite. "First, Innate Soul Power is directly proportional to Martial Soul quality; second, Soul Ring age determines Soul Skill strength; third, Soul Ring ages must strictly adhere to the limit..."

He spoke on and on while Yan Zu listened attentively, nodding from time to time, looking every bit the receptive student. Xiao Wu watched from the side, utterly baffled, but did not interrupt.

"...Tenth, there are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters." Yu Xiaogang finally finished and looked at Yan Zu with pride. "Now, do you understand the brilliance of my theories?"

Yan Zu pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke. "Grandmaster, about the first point: Innate Soul Power is directly proportional to Martial Soul quality. That seems like common knowledge. Did people really not know that Innate Soul Power was related to Martial Soul quality before this? You've presented common knowledge as your own theory. Doesn't that make your theory a little less valuable?"

"This..." Yu Xiaogang was taken aback.

"The second point: Soul Ring age determines Soul Skill strength. Besides the Soul Ring's age, wouldn't its compatibility with the Martial Soul itself have a greater effect on the Soul Skill's strength?"

"Uh..."

"The third point: a fixed limit on Soul Ring age. But when a Soul Master absorbs a Soul Ring, shouldn't they also consider Martial Soul quality, attribute compatibility, spiritual power, and the limits of their physical body, in addition to its age?"

Yan Zu's voice remained calm, but each question was like a heavy hammer blow crashing down on the foundations of Yu Xiaogang's theories.

"As for the tenth point..." Yan Zu paused, his gaze sweeping over Yu Xiaogang's stiff face. "If there are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters, then there are two questions. First, Grandmaster, why have you been stuck at level twenty-nine for years, unable to break through? Are your theories trash, or... are you a trash Soul Master?"

"You!" Yu Xiaogang's face turned deathly pale. He staggered backward and knocked over the bookshelf behind him, sending books clattering across the floor.

"Second, you say there are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters. Then can you give a real example? Which Titled Douluo has a trash Martial Soul? Without evidence, this isn't a theory, just a nice-sounding slogan."

"Who says there isn't one?" Yu Xiaogang grew frantic. "My disciple Tang San isn't a Titled Douluo, but his Martial Soul is the trash Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass. Under my guidance, he's already level fifteen at seven years old, a true genius through and through. Doesn't that prove the theory?"

Yan Zu suddenly laughed. "Grandmaster, I heard as soon as I arrived at Dorm Seven that Tang San has Innate Full Soul Power. You call Blue Silver Grass with Innate Full Soul Power a Trash Martial Soul? Do you remember your first theory-Innate Soul Power is directly proportional to Martial Soul quality? A Trash Martial Soul with Innate Full Soul Power? It seems your theories really do need some work!!!"

Yan Zu paused, then added, "I think you should first figure out your own Martial Soul and your disciple's, Grandmaster, instead of letting yourself get distracted by other things."

More and more students gathered outside the window, their whispers drifting in through the crack in the door.

"It looks like Grandmaster's been stumped..."

"That kid has a point. Soul Masters aren't all the same to begin with..."

"So there are that many problems with Grandmaster's theories?"

Yu Xiaogang trembled all over, not with anger, but with the panic of seeing a belief collapse. He looked into Yan Zu's clear eyes, which seemed to see through everything, and for the first time felt his confidence in his life's research waver.

"You... you..." He pointed at Yan Zu, his finger trembling, but could not get a complete sentence out.