20demayo Chapter 24 Yu Xiaogang's Defenses Are Broken
Chapter 24 Yu Xiaogang's Defenses Are Broken
"What's the problem, student?" Teacher Chen's tone was relatively gentle.
Yan Zu stood up, his voice clear and steady: "Teacher, I have a question."
All eyes turned to him. Xiao Wu tilted her head, looking curiously at Yan Zu's profile. Tang San in the back row also looked up.
Yan Zu stood up, his posture as upright as a pine tree: "You said the limit for the first spirit ring is 423 years. But as far as I know, spirit masters usually only estimate the age of a spirit beast based on its size, aura, and characteristics, such as 'about two hundred years' or 'around three hundred years,' with an error margin of at least ten years. So, may I ask, how was this precise '423 years' derived?"
The classroom fell silent for a moment.
Teacher Chen frowned: "These are theoretical values that Master Yu Xiaogang derived from statistical analysis of numerous case studies..."
"But statistics require a sample," Yan Zu continued, his tone still calm, as if he were genuinely seeking advice. "If even the Soul Masters themselves cannot accurately determine the age of a Soul Beast, then where does the 'age data' used in the statistics come from? After all, if you don't even know whether this Soul Beast is 423 years old, how can you conclude that the limit of the first Soul Ring is 423 years?"
Teacher Chen's brow furrowed deeper and deeper. He had never considered this question before. Yu Xiaogang's theories had been circulating in the Soul Master community for many years and were already regarded as gospel by many. Who would question the reliability of the data source?
Yan Zu's voice could be clearly heard in the quiet classroom: "Furthermore, if a Soul Master's physical strength, mental power, and Martial Soul quality far surpass those of ordinary people, does this so-called 'limit' still exist?"
He looked at Teacher Chen, his dark eyes clear: "For example, is it possible for some top-tier martial soul possessors to absorb a five-hundred-year-old, or even higher-age, soul ring with their very first soul ring?"
"Absurd!" Teacher Chen retorted instinctively, "Master Yu's theory has been verified..."
"If the basis of the verification is flawed, the conclusion may also be biased," Yan Zu said calmly. "I just feel that the path of a Soul Master varies from person to person. Won't using a fixed number to confine all possibilities... limit the growth of certain geniuses?"
He spoke tactfully, but the meaning was crystal clear—Yu Xiaogang's theory may have been built on a weak foundation from the very beginning, and might even mislead Soul Masters.
A low murmur rippled through the classroom. The students whispered amongst themselves, their gazes towards Yan Zu a mixture of surprise, disapproval, and deep thought.
Teacher Chen's face darkened. After teaching theoretical courses for so many years, this was the first time he'd been rendered speechless by a six-year-old student. And yet, the child's questions were logically sound, each one hitting the weakest point in the theoretical framework.
"You..." Teacher Chen opened her mouth, but finally put on a stern face, "Class time is limited, we can discuss specific issues after class. Let's continue the lesson."
He abruptly changed the subject, but his subsequent explanations were noticeably less confident, and he occasionally drifted off into thought.
Xiao Wu secretly nudged Yan Zu's arm, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Little brother Zu, you're amazing... that teacher's face turned green."
Yan Zu smiled but didn't say anything.
In the back row, Tang San gripped his pen tightly. Looking at Yan Zu's upright back and listening to the hushed discussions of his classmates, the pent-up anger in his chest surged up again. This Yan Zu… he actually dared to contradict the teacher's theory.
After class, Teacher Chen hurriedly left the classroom, his face still looking rather grim. The students filed out, and many of them glanced at Yan Zu, the "daring" work-study student, as they passed by.
Just as Yan Zu and Xiao Wu finished packing their things, a figure appeared at the classroom door.
"Yan Zu, please wait a moment."
A hoarse voice came from behind.
Yan Zu turned around and saw a middle-aged man of average height and ordinary appearance standing at the corner of the stairs. The man was wearing a faded gray robe, his face was stiff, but his eyes were terrifyingly intense.
Yan Zu guessed that this person might be Yu Xiaogang.
"Teacher, what can I do for you?" Yan Zu nodded politely, holding Xiao Wu's hand with neither servility nor arrogance.
"Yan Zu," Yu Xiaogang began, his voice hoarse and low, "would it be convenient for us to chat for a few minutes?"
Xiao Wu immediately stepped in front of Yan Zu warily, like a little animal protecting its cub. Yan Zu gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to relax.
"But..." Xiao Wu wanted to say something, but seeing Yan Zu's calm eyes, she could only nod.
Soon only Yan Zu and Xiao Wu remained in the classroom. Yu Xiaogang walked in, closed the door behind him, his movements carrying a sense of urgency.
"I am Yu Xiaogang, a theoretical master in the world of Soul Masters. Your question in class just now was very interesting." Yu Xiaogang stood by the podium, staring intently at Yan Zu. "You have unique insights into the theory of Soul Ring age limits."
"I just have some questions," Yan Zu said politely but distantly.
"Questions often mean thinking." Yu Xiaogang took two steps forward.
"Ancestor Yan, I have studied martial spirit theory for many years. Perhaps... perhaps I can help you unlock the true potential of the Qilin martial spirit!"
He took a deep breath and put on what he considered his most amiable smile: "I want to take you as my disciple and train you alongside Tang San. With your talent, combined with my theories, you will surely become a Title Douluo in the future!"
Yu Xiaogang spoke faster and faster, his eyes gleaming with an almost fanatical, unwavering determination. He seemed to see a breakthrough in his theory, and the path that had stalled him due to the flaws in his martial soul being reopened.
Yan Zu looked at him quietly, his dark eyes clear, as if they could see through all pretense: "Master, thank you for your kindness."
He bowed slightly, his tone respectful, yet his words were as sharp as a razor's edge: "But I believe that the most important thing on the path of a Soul Master is self-knowledge. Your theories are extensive, but it seems... you haven't fully resolved the doubts surrounding your own Martial Soul?"
Yu Xiaogang's smile froze.
"My Luo Sanpao..." His voice was hoarse, "That was a failed mutation, an accident..."
"Since it was an accident, it means your theory still has room for improvement." Yan Zu raised his head, his eyes calm. "I want to explore my own path."
These words were like a cold needle, precisely piercing the most vulnerable spot in Yu Xiaogang's heart. His face suddenly turned pale, his lips trembled slightly, as if someone had publicly exposed his most shameful wound.
His Luo Sanpao, a failed mutated martial spirit, was the greatest pain of his life. He studied countless theories, trying to find answers in the martial spirits of others, but he could never solve his own problem.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. He couldn't accept that a six-year-old child would reject him, and he couldn't tolerate the other child touching on his deepest sore spot. He instinctively invoked his proud theory: "What do you know! My 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls' are a treasure of the Soul Master world! Your questioning of me is questioning the authority of the entire Soul Master world!"
"The ten core competencies of a martial spirit?" Yan Zu feigned a perfectly measured look of confusion. "Master, I've only been a student for a short time and haven't heard of these theories yet. Since you've brought them up, could you please enlighten me? I humbly request your guidance."
Seeing Yan Zu "give in," Yu Xiaogang immediately perked up, cleared his throat, and began reciting: "First, innate soul power is directly proportional to the quality of the martial soul; second, the age of the soul ring determines the strength of the soul skill; third, the age of the soul ring must strictly adhere to the limit..."
He spoke at length, while Yan Zu listened attentively, nodding occasionally as if he were learning something. Xiao Wu watched from the side, puzzled, but didn't say anything to interrupt.
"...Tenth, there are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters." Yu Xiaogang finally finished speaking, looking arrogantly at Yan Zu. "Now, do you understand the brilliance of my theory?"
Yan Zu pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "Master, regarding the first point, that innate soul power is directly proportional to the quality of one's martial soul, this seems to be common knowledge. Did everyone not know that innate soul power and martial soul quality were related before? You're presenting common knowledge as your own theory; doesn't that theory seem a bit lacking in credibility?"
"This..." Yu Xiaogang was taken aback.
"Secondly, the age of the spirit rings determines the strength of the spirit skill. Besides the age of the spirit rings, does the compatibility of the spirit skill with the user's own martial soul have a greater impact on the strength of the spirit skill?"
"Well……"
"The third point is that the lifespan of a spirit ring is fixed. However, when a spirit master absorbs a spirit ring, in addition to the lifespan, should they also consider the spirit's quality, attribute compatibility, mental strength, and physical endurance?"
Yan Zu's voice remained calm, yet it struck Yu Xiaogang's theoretical foundation like a series of heavy hammer blows.
"As for the tenth point..." Yan Zu paused, his gaze sweeping over Yu Xiaogang's stiff face, "If there are no useless martial souls, there are only useless soul masters. There are two questions here: First, why have you been stuck at level twenty-nine for so many years without breaking through? Is your theory useless, or... are you, the useless soul master?"
"You!" Yu Xiaogang's face turned deathly pale instantly. He staggered backward, knocking over the bookshelf behind him, and books scattered all over the floor.
"Secondly, you said: there are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters. Can you give a concrete example of which titled Douluo has a useless martial soul? Without empirical evidence, this is not a theory, but just a nice-sounding slogan."
"Who says there isn't?" Yu Xiaogang retorted, his eyes bulging. "My disciple Tang San, though not a Title Douluo, possesses the Blue Silver Grass martial soul, a useless one. Under my tutelage, he's already reached level 15 at seven years old—a true genius. Doesn't that prove the theory?"
Yan Zu suddenly laughed: "Master, I heard as soon as I arrived at Dormitory Seven that Tang San possesses innate full soul power. You call Blue Silver Grass with innate full soul power a useless martial soul? Do you still remember your first theory—that innate soul power is directly proportional to the quality of a martial soul? A useless martial soul with innate full soul power? Your theory seems to really need improvement!!!"
Yan Zu paused for a moment and then said, "I think you should figure out your own and your disciple's martial souls first, and not get distracted by other things."
More and more students gathered outside the window, and whispers drifted in through the crack in the door.
"It seems the master was stumped by the question..."
"That child has a point; Soul Masters are fundamentally different..."
"So the master's theories have so many problems?"
Yu Xiaogang trembled, not with anger, but with the panic of a collapsing belief. Looking into Yan Zu's clear yet all-seeing eyes, he felt, for the first time, waver in his lifelong research.
"You...you..." He pointed at Yan Zu, his fingers trembling, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence.