Just like that, Yu Xiaogang confidently submitted his first paper to the Soul Master Theoretical Research Association.
And it was instantly rejected!
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!" Yu Xiaogang snarled with a ferocious expression. "How could it be rejected right away? There must be some shady dealings going on!"
In his mind, Yu Xiaogang conjured up a dark conspiracy inside the association: the reason his theory was rejected must be because someone powerful and influential—yet fame-hungry—saw his "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls" and was tempted. They plagiarized his work, rejected his draft, and then published the theories under their own name.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. He felt wronged—furious, even.
"That was my soul master magnum opus, forged through over ten days and nights of painstaking effort—two hundred times the toil of ordinary people! It was the crystallization of my wisdom, the foundation of my future fame! How could I let such a despicable fraud steal it?"
No. I can't just sit and wait for death.
Suddenly, inspiration struck—Yu Xiaogang thought of Bibi Dong.
That very day, Bibi Dong came to see him again.
"Xiaogang, has your paper been published yet?"
Yu Xiaogang lowered his head with a melancholic sigh. "No. It was rejected during the initial review."
"Rejected?" Bibi Dong frowned, confused. "I read your work. You proposed many groundbreaking theories. Even if they didn't accept it in the end, it shouldn't have been rejected in the first round."
"I don't know either." Yu Xiaogang rose and stood by the window, hands behind his back, his voice hoarse with sorrow. "I was expelled from my clan. Here in Spirit Hall, I'm just a rootless weed that anyone can trample on."
"You mean…" Bibi Dong's eyes lit up with realization. "Someone rejected your paper to steal your work?"
Yu Xiaogang didn't answer. He just sighed.
At that moment, in Bibi Dong's eyes, Yu Xiaogang seemed to have aged ten years.
"Wait here. I'll talk to my teacher and make sure he gives you justice!" she said angrily as she stormed off to find Qian Xuanji.
Watching her leave, Yu Xiaogang's sorrowful expression immediately vanished—replaced by a smug smile. √
As expected, after Bibi Dong persuaded Qian Xuanji, he pressured the association, and Yu Xiaogang's groundbreaking paper was published. Yu Xiaogang was awarded the title of "Master."
Thus, Yu Xiaogang reached the peak of his life. Everywhere he went, people looked upon him with awe—
"Ahhh! Master! That's Master Yu Xiaogang—the one who published the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls! I've finally seen him!"
"Look at that brilliant flat-top haircut! Oh, Master, I love you!"
"The Ten Core Competencies… just how intelligent must one be to create such work? Worship him!"
"If not for Yu Xiaogang, soul master theory would remain in eternal darkness. I've finally met you! Please let me kiss you!"
"Master, you are the beacon of my life. You told me that there are tool-type and beast-type martial souls! You told me about soul ring colors!"
At least, that's what Yu Xiaogang heard. In reality—
"Pfft! What kind of garbage is this?!"
"He told me there are beast-type and tool-type martial souls, and the colors of soul rings... Yeah, duh? You think I didn't already know that?!"
"'There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.' Sounds like inspirational fluff. But our 'Master' is still stuck at Level 29, isn't he?"
"Plant-type martial souls can take non-plant soul rings? Sure, some tried it and succeeded—but their martial soul essence got damaged and their talent declined. That theory is misleading and dangerous!"
"The association used to publish quality work. Why would they approve this clown's nonsense?"
Inside the Soul Master Theory Association
Masters who had made significant contributions to the field gathered—not to discuss new theories, but to rage over this so-called "Master" Yu Xiaogang.
"Damn it! How did this guy have the gall to publish basic common sense and pass it off as original?" roared Master Xiong Jin.
"These are conclusions gathered over thousands of years! He shamelessly calls them his own? What a fraud!" Master Lei Ting snapped.
"Take it down, revoke it, expose him! I can't bear to see his name next to basic theory for even one second!" Master Yanshan exploded.
"Tianchen, explain why this was published! Being called a 'master' alongside this poser is humiliating!" said Master Mo Lei.
As president of the association, Master Tianchen sighed.
"This paper was initially rejected. But Yu Xiaogang used his connections—he got the Pope to pressure us into publishing it."
The room went silent. The association was backed by Spirit Hall, and its funding came from them. If the Pope insisted, there wasn't much they could do… aside from resigning.
"But why would the Pope do this?" Master Xiong Jin asked.
Tianchen shook his head. "I don't know. But the Pope must have his reasons."
The room remained silent.
"Still, don't lose hope," Tianchen added. "The Elder Hall promised that once the current Pope steps down, the paper will be taken down and all Yu Xiaogang's honors revoked."
"For now, we let it stay up. We'll continue publishing real work—and from now on, exclude Yu Xiaogang from all invited events."
Unaware of his growing isolation in academia, Yu Xiaogang was already plotting his next move after earning his "Master" title.
"It's time to leave Spirit Hall," he said, as if it were a natural conclusion.
Spirit Hall—the holy land for soul masters. Yu Xiaogang had come hoping to find a way to fix his mutated martial soul. But they had failed him. So, he had no reason to stay.
But before he left, he had one final task—take Bibi Dong with him.
She would be his greatest support—helping him cultivate, protecting him, assisting with dangerous soul ring hunts, and ultimately aiding in his martial soul's evolution.
Moreover, though her martial soul manifestation was revolting, she was still a good-quality breeding vessel. Through her, Yu Xiaogang hoped to pass on his noble Golden Holy Dragon bloodline.
Finally, with her destined to become a Title Douluo—perhaps even a Super Douluo—she would be his shield against Spirit Hall's wrath and his ticket back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in glory.
However, Bibi Dong had been "poisoned" by Spirit Hall for too long. She couldn't see that Yu Xiaogang was the only one truly loyal to her. So, he had no choice but to take a roundabout approach.
Years ago, Yu Xiaogang began to brainwash her—subtly undermining Spirit Hall's image and showing her its "dark side."
Gradually, Bibi Dong began voicing criticisms of Spirit Hall.
Now that he had secured his "Master" title, it was time to execute the plan.
That day, Elder Jinzhong led Bibi Dong to hunt for her sixth soul ring in the Star Dou Great Forest. Yu Xiaogang provided the key guidance.
When she returned, now a Soul Emperor, the first thing she did was tell Yu Xiaogang about her sixth soul skill.
Yu Xiaogang endured her excited chatter and then said:
"Dong'er, congratulations. You've finally become a Soul Emperor. Why don't we celebrate? The Lantern Festival in Coconut Grove City just started."
"Sure!" Bibi Dong replied.
The festival was famous. Under the night sky, tens of thousands of lanterns soared. Every person wrote a wish on their lantern before releasing it.
Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong had visited the festival every year and made wishes together.
As their lanterns floated away, Bibi Dong asked, "Xiaogang, what wish did you make this year?"
"Guess," he said mysteriously.
"Fixing your martial soul mutation?" she guessed.
"No."
"Making more contributions to soul master theory?"
"Not that either."
"Then what is it?"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly grabbed her hand.
"It's you, Dong'er."
His sudden confession made Bibi Dong blush. Her mind went blank.
Yu Xiaogang knelt on one knee and spoke passionately:
"You are the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, a pride of heaven. Your beauty moves me deeply. From the moment I saw you, I loved you. Only now do I face this feeling. I know I'm just a Level 29 soul master who will never break through... but I love you, Dong'er. Everyone else uses or fears you—but my feelings are true."
"Please, be with me. Even if someone stronger tries to hurt you, I'll stand in front of them. They'll have to step over my corpse first!"
"Xiaogang…" Bibi Dong blushed and looked around, noticing people staring. "Get up—people are watching."
"If you don't accept my feelings, I will not rise," he said firmly.
"Say yes! Say yes!" chanted the hired background crowd.
Yu Xiaogang looked at her with burning sincerity. "Dong'er~"
"Fine, I'll say yes. Just get up already," she replied, flustered.
He stood up. "Dong'er, thank you. Today you gave me the greatest treasure of all."
She pinched his side hard. "Enough. I'm not used to being stared at like this."
Yu Xiaogang let out a squeal like a pig in pain.
And just like that, under his calculated setup, they became a couple.
As they left the city, Yu Xiaogang looked at her stunning silhouette, and the smug smile returned to his lips. √
Now that their relationship was sealed, Yu Xiaogang launched Phase Two of his plan.
He began telling Bibi Dong romantic stories—of soul master couples traveling the continent, overcoming hardships, and becoming legendary lovers.
One recurring villain in these stories?
The master figure—a manipulative teacher who used his disciples as tools, stripped them of freedom, and kept them imprisoned in mental cages.
But eventually, a gifted female disciple would meet her true love. He'd expose the teacher's hypocrisy, free her, and take her away toward love and freedom.
Yu Xiaogang would end these tales with a gentle nudge:
"Dong'er, don't you want to leave this cold, oppressive Spirit Hall and travel the world like those lovers?"
When Yu Xiaogang said those words, he deliberately observed Bibi Dong's expression. When he saw a hint of longing flash across her face, a smile of satisfaction crept across his lips.
But he understood the power of persistence and subtle influence, so he didn't press Bibi Dong to leave Spirit Hall with him at that moment. Instead, he continued telling her those poisonous tales.
Unknowingly, Bibi Dong began to long for the outside world.
Since entering Spirit Hall at the age of six, Bibi Dong had hardly ever left Spirit City except to hunt spirit rings. Her teacher had forbidden her to leave, insisting she focus on her cultivation. It wasn't until Yu Xiaogang's arrival that she began to make friends and occasionally step outside Spirit City.
Although Yu Xiaogang's stories had not yet caused Bibi Dong to rebel against Spirit Hall, they had planted seeds of repression and resistance in her heart toward the organization that had raised her.
That Day, in the Pope's Hall
Qian Xuanji suddenly summoned Bibi Dong.
Seeing Qian Xuanji's stern expression, Bibi Dong felt nervous. "Teacher, you called for me?"
"Level 64 spirit power," Qian Xuanji stated bluntly. "Dong'er, you've grown slack."
"Teacher, I…"
"It's that Yu Xiaogang, isn't it?" Qian Xuanji said coldly. "Ever since that useless man arrived at Spirit Hall, you've been running around for him. Your focus has shifted from cultivation. You're too close to him."
"Teacher, Xiaogang isn't useless," Bibi Dong whispered, correcting him. "He's my friend."
"Friend? Dong'er, a saintess doesn't need friends. No one is qualified to be your friend. From tonight onward, you are forbidden from seeing Yu Xiaogang. He will only hinder your cultivation. From now on, you will remain in Spirit Hall and focus solely on training."
"Teacher, I'm human too. Can't I have a friend?" Bibi Dong cried out anxiously.
"How many times must I tell you? No one is worthy of being your friend. A saintess needs no friends. It seems you haven't taken my words to heart." Qian Xuanji said coldly, "To help you focus on cultivation, I must drive that Yu Xiaogang out of Spirit Hall so he can no longer poison you."
"Teacher, you can't do that!" Bibi Dong said tearfully. "Xiaogang is my only friend. Must you even strip me of that?"
"Stand down. You're not strong enough to challenge my decisions." Qian Xuanji dismissed her coldly. As he watched her run out, he murmured, "This is for your own good. One day, people will line up to curry favor with you. You can have anything you want. Why would you need a friend?"
Yu Xiaogang was walking out of the library when he heard crying by the wall. Looking closely, he saw a familiar figure curled up in tears—it was Bibi Dong.
He rushed over and asked, "Dong'er, what's wrong?"
Bibi Dong lifted her head, her beautiful eyes bloodshot with sorrow. "I am the Saintess of Spirit Hall. My teacher is as great as a father to me. But—"
With a look of desolation, she said, "Since childhood, people have avoided me, kept their distance, because I am the Saintess. I've never had friends. I was told to focus only on cultivation. You are my only friend. Now, my teacher wants to take even you away from me!"
"He wants to drive you out of Spirit Hall," she said, crying.
Yu Xiaogang was stunned.
He hadn't expected Qian Xuanji to notice his plan so soon.
Still, Qian Xuanji's methods were too rough. Treating a girl of Bibi Dong's age with such authoritarian control would only provoke rebellion. That helped Yu Xiaogang.
If Qian Xuanji was going to drive him out of Spirit Hall, then he had no choice but to steal away the Saintess. After all, she was his ticket to a better future. Spirit Hall couldn't be allowed to interfere. A cold glint flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
He seized the opportunity and said, "It seems Qian Xuanji doesn't truly care for you. He only sees your twin spirit potential as a tool for Spirit Hall's benefit. I even suspect the loneliness you've experienced since childhood was orchestrated by him—to manipulate you into being his obedient puppet."
In the past, Yu Xiaogang had tried to subtly plant doubts about Qian Xuanji in Bibi Dong's mind, but she would always defend him. This time, however, she remained oddly calm. Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but smile inwardly.
He clasped his hands behind his back and said, "I was born into one of these powerful factions. No one understands the politics better than I do. There is no affection, only exploitation. Don't you feel like Spirit Hall is a gilded cage, and you're the canary inside?"
His words pierced Bibi Dong's heart like a blade. He pressed on, "Don't you want to break free? Don't you want to fly freely into the outside world?"
Yu Xiaogang stirred her emotions with his words. For someone who had barely left Spirit Hall, the outside world held immense allure.
"Your teacher uses you. Everyone around you fears you. Spirit Hall binds you. If you stay, you'll sink deeper until you lose yourself completely." Yu Xiaogang sighed. "I might be the only one who truly cares about you. But the Pope wants me gone. I have no choice."
A resolute light flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. She looked at Yu Xiaogang and said, "If Teacher wants to drive you away, then I'll leave with you."
She had decided—this would be her protest. Even her teacher couldn't dictate her life.
Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed but feigned shock. "Are you sure?"
"Xiaogang, didn't you always tell me stories about spirit masters roaming the land?" Bibi Dong looked longingly toward the world outside Spirit Hall. "I often dreamt of becoming like the heroes in those stories—traveling, supporting each other, creating our own legend. That's the life I want. Since I've decided, why not set off together?"
Smiling through her tears, she gazed at him. The two of them began planning their escape, agreeing to meet 15 kilometers outside Spirit City, in a town called Qiukui.
Soon, the Pope's order came: Yu Xiaogang was expelled from Spirit Hall. After leaving Spirit City, he headed to Qiukui Town.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong packed her things into her soul tool and sneaked out while her teacher was in seclusion.
Her plan was going smoothly—until she was stopped by Elder Jin Zhong on the road.
"Saintess, where are you going?" he asked.
Startled, Bibi Dong forced a response, "I was sent by Teacher to the Dou Spirit Arena in Heaven Dou City—to earn fame for Spirit Hall."
"Then where are your escorts?" Jin Zhong asked coldly. "Coincidentally, I was ordered by the Pope to apprehend the Saintess who planned to elope and defect from Spirit Hall."
"What? I didn't defect!" Bibi Dong cried. She had only wanted to protest, not betray Spirit Hall—the place that had raised her.
"We'll see about that when we report to the Pope." Jin Zhong struck.
Bibi Dong tried to resist, but despite her immense potential, she was no match for the Titled Douluo. Within moments, her spirit power was sealed, and she was taken back to Spirit Hall.