Yu Xiaogang did not want to make a choice. He neither wanted to admit he was a plagiarist, nor did he want to miss out on this Golden Dragon Fruit.
But now, Yu Xiaogang was forced to face a difficult dilemma.
However, for Yu Xiaogang, this choice wasn't actually that hard.
Yu Xiaogang had always lived only for himself. His dreams had changed again and again. At first, he firmly believed that with his noble bloodline, he would definitely awaken a powerful martial spirit. He longed to become someone admired by all, a figure whom people must address with respect as "Your Excellency," a strong man standing at the very peak of the continent.
Yet his useless martial spirit shattered that dream of becoming strong. Yu Xiaogang had no choice but to step back, hoping instead to regain his talent, break through the bottleneck that had confined him at the 29th rank, and open the door to strength.
After countless failed attempts, Yu Xiaogang became completely disheartened. Unable to find a way to break through his bottleneck, he could only place his hopes on the disciples he trained.
The masked woman's words were not wrong—taking Tang San as a disciple had been Yu Xiaogang's last resort.
After all, a strong disciple was not the same as being strong himself. If he had a choice, Yu Xiaogang would rather be strong on his own. What's more, that disciple had already drifted apart from him.
Now, Yu Xiaogang finally had the foundation to make himself strong. Reputation, disciples—those things no longer seemed as important. In Yu Xiaogang's eyes, as long as he obtained this immortal treasure and his martial spirit evolved into the Golden Holy Dragon, he would become a peak powerhouse in the future. By then, all the lost reputation and even Tang San's respect would return to him.
"I… fine, I can admit that I plagiarized." Yu Xiaogang said, "But how can I be sure you're not tricking me? If I admit my plagiarism in front of the entire world, and afterwards you go back on your word and refuse to give me the Golden Dragon Fruit, what am I supposed to do then?"
"Then how do you think we should handle it?" the masked woman asked.
Yu Xiaogang said: "Swear upon your martial spirit. Swear upon the Angel God, the faith of the Spirit Hall. Swear that once I do this, you must give me the Golden Dragon Fruit and you may never take it back from me."
"Very well, we'll do as you say. I swear upon my martial spirit." The masked woman swore.
Hearing her oath, Yu Xiaogang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
At the venue of the Soul Master Theory Conference, Yu Xiaogang stood in the center like a criminal. People filled the space from all directions—audience members, and true masters of soul master theory.
Countless scrutinizing gazes fell upon Yu Xiaogang.
"That twenty-ninth rank fellow, what's his deal?"
"You don't know? That's the infamous plagiarist Yu Xiaogang. Over ten years ago it was proven that all his theories were copied."
"Heavens, what's such a disgusting thing doing here today?"
Those scrutinizing gazes, those humiliating curses—Yu Xiaogang felt needles prickling his back. In the past, he would have broken down in tears, covering his face with his hands and running away on the spot.
But now, Yu Xiaogang knew he had to endure. He looked toward the VIP seats, where the masked woman toyed with the Golden Dragon Fruit in her hand. That fruit—this was his chance to overturn his fate and become a peerless powerhouse!
No matter the humiliation, he could not miss it.
The theory master presiding over the conference coldly looked at Yu Xiaogang and said:
"Today's topic is the plagiarism within the 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Spirits.' Yu Xiaogang, I ask you: do you admit that your work is a plagiarized piece?"
The question was hard for Yu Xiaogang to answer, especially since he noticed the many recording crystals set up around the venue, all aimed at him.
Once these images were recorded, they would quickly spread across the world, making everyone believe Yu Xiaogang was nothing but a plagiarist.
His heart resisted, but with the Golden Dragon Fruit in mind, Yu Xiaogang forced himself to grit his teeth and say:
"Y-yes… I admit it."
"Then, we will examine your work, every theory, every viewpoint, sentence by sentence."
"Yu Xiaogang, let me ask you: is this particular theory of yours original?" One theory master pointed out a line from his work and questioned him.
"C-cop… copied." Yu Xiaogang stiffly replied.
"Source?"
"From the late theory master Wen Lao's History of Martial Spirit Evolution over Ten Thousand Years." Yu Xiaogang said.
"Very well. Then what about this line—was this yours?"
"Copied."
"Source?"
"From Soul Ring research master Lu Yuan, over seven hundred years ago, in his work Age and Martial Spirits."
Yu Xiaogang painfully answered each question. He didn't dare lie, for there was no need to—these masters were genuine scholars, well-read, able to recognize the origin of each theory at a glance. Yu Xiaogang might deceive ignorant commoners, but deceiving these experts was impossible.
Yet answering the truth was a torment.
Every question left him unable to evade, unable to argue. He could only admit that he was nothing but a shameful plagiarist. He was like a rat dragged from the dark, damp sewer into the sunlight, his ugly, filthy self exposed before all to see.
Yu Xiaogang longed to flee, but the glimmer of the Golden Dragon Fruit kept flashing in his peripheral vision, forcing him to remain in place, enduring one torment after another.
Yu Xiaogang… the world has wronged you for too long. It made you a waste. Everything you achieved came only through training two hundred times harder than anyone else, yet you were forever stuck at the 29th rank. Are you really willing to accept that? Now the Golden Dragon Fruit is right before your eyes. This is your chance to overturn your fate and become a peerless powerhouse. At this moment, you absolutely cannot give up halfway! Yu Xiaogang told himself inwardly.
"Then, this theory: There are no useless martial spirits, only useless soul masters. Is this original to you?"
Yu Xiaogang instantly breathed a sigh of relief and proudly said: "Yes! That is my original theory."
The questioning master said: "Indeed. After all, this theory clearly isn't on the same level as the others in your work."
"Yu Xiaogang, let me ask you one thing. By your logic—you've been stuck at rank 29 all this time. So tell me, is it your martial spirit that is useless, or is it you who are useless?"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's face turned beet-red. He didn't know how to answer. If he said "not me," then it meant the problem lay with Luo Sanpao, his martial spirit—but if he said that, wouldn't he be denying his own theory?
The so-called "theory master's" question made everyone at the scene burst into laughter.
People laughed heartily, and from time to time, someone would chuckle and say:
"Hahaha, with this level, he actually dares to list it alongside the consensus of other Soul theories? Ridiculous beyond belief."
"There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters—hah! That line must have been talking about him. He's exactly the useless one dragging down his martial soul."
The entire Theoretical Conference was broadcast to the world via the Spirit Hall's memory stones, which further solidified the public's impression of Yu Xiaogang as nothing more than a plagiarist.
Surrounded by countless glowing stones replaying the humiliation, Yu Xiaogang knew his reputation was ruined. He didn't even know how long he endured until his proud work was exposed—99% plagiarism rate.
Only two so-called "original" theories remained his:
There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.
Plant-type martial souls can absorb beast-type soul rings.
And now, both had become jokes.
Yu Xiaogang couldn't even remember how the conference ended. He drifted through the entire seminar in a daze. Only after it was over did he try to collect himself, forcing his spirits back up.
He approached the masked woman and said:
"I've done what you asked. Now, shouldn't you hand me that Golden Dragonfruit?"
"Take it." The masked woman casually tossed the fruit to him. Yu Xiaogang hurriedly caught the precious immortal treasure with both hands.
The Golden Dragonfruit… finally mine.
Yu Xiaogang's heart trembled. He held the treasure, staring at it in disbelief.
He thought back thirty years—because he hadn't consumed it in time, his chance had been stolen by Yu Xiaomen, who then became the famed Holy Dragon Douluo. The memory made Yu Xiaogang burn with urgency.
Fearing another accident, he immediately raised the fruit to his mouth—
—but an overwhelming force crashed down on him. Yu Xiaogang collapsed to the ground, forced into a full prostration.
"Not here. Not within my perception. You are not allowed to consume the treasure I gave you before me." The masked woman's cold voice cut through him. "Otherwise, I might kill you."
"You—you want to kill me? Don't forget, you swore before your martial souls and the gods you follow." Yu Xiaogang questioned, trembling.
The woman replied indifferently:
"Yes, we swore. We swore to give you the immortal treasure and not to rob it back. But nowhere did our vow say we couldn't kill you."
"You—!"
"Still, I'm in a good mood. Take your prize and get lost. Remember this—within the Pope's Palace, the Worship Hall, and the Elder Hall, all fall under my perception. If you're in range, you'd best not consume it."
Yu Xiaogang forced an obsequious smile, then turned and bolted. He needed a safe place to eat it.
On the way, he was both thrilled and nervous. Last time Qian Xunji demanded the same thing, and because I delayed, Yu Xiaomen snatched it away. Could something like that happen again?
Cautiously, Yu Xiaogang hid the fruit in his pocket, ensuring no one saw, then slipped into a deserted alley in Spirit City.
Without hesitation, he popped the Golden Dragonfruit into his mouth and swallowed.
The instant the treasure entered his stomach, he sighed in relief. Now that I've swallowed it, no one can steal it this time.
Almost immediately, changes surged through his body.
He summoned Luo Sanpao. To his astonishment, its body expanded, its large floppy ears stretching into majestic dragon wings, while its round body transformed into a radiant golden dragon.
"ROAR—!" The newly evolved Golden Holy Dragon let out a thunderous roar, proclaiming its rebirth to the world.
Beneath its shadow, Yu Xiaogang finally felt the sheer might of his martial soul.
"It… it evolved." For a moment, Yu Xiaogang stood frozen, then waves of ecstasy exploded inside him, overwhelming his senses.
He thought of how his martial soul's reverse mutation into the "trash" Luo Sanpao had condemned him, how he had borne endless ridicule for decades, how he was forced to deny his own academic work, branded a plagiarist just to get this treasure.
But now—his martial soul had evolved. No longer Luo Sanpao, but the Golden Holy Dragon!
The supreme martial soul—Golden Holy Dragon—his alone, not needing anyone's cooperation for a fusion!
Joy flooded his heart. Yu Xiaogang suddenly let out a deranged cry:
"Eh—! My martial soul is the Golden Holy Dragon! The Golden Holy Dragon—ah hehehehehehe Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
His mouth twisted, drool spilled down his chin, his arms fluttered like butterfly wings as he spun and skipped madly through the alley.
But while running, he suddenly crashed into someone.
SLAP!
The stranger struck him so hard Yu Xiaogang spun a full 365 degrees through the air before hitting the ground. He spat out a glob of thick phlegm before his senses returned.
Dazed, he sat up, rubbed his swollen cheek, and looked at the man.
"You've sobered up, I see."
"You… you're… Lin Chen!" Yu Xiaogang finally recognized him after a long stare.
"Well, well. Surprising that a great master like you still remembers a small fry like me." Lin Chen mocked.
Yu Xiaogang stood, brushed his wrinkled clothes, raised his chin arrogantly, and looked down at him:
"You're Lin Chen from the Spark Battle Team. As one of the contestants, of course I remember you."
"Then do you also remember my other identity?" Lin Chen asked.
"You have another identity?" Yu Xiaogang scoffed, nose in the air. "Aren't you just a peasant-born soul master?"
Lin Chen sneered.
"Truly, you've forgotten. Well, not surprising. To you, someone like me wasn't worth remembering. Back then, I was nothing more than one of your 'theory experiments.' After you finished using me, you threw me straight into a serpent's jaws."
His words tugged at a memory buried deep in Yu Xiaogang's mind. He froze, staring blankly.
"You're… Lin Chen??"
But then his eyes widened further.
"No—that's impossible. Your martial soul should be Holy Spirit Grass. How could it be the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon? Wait… how do you have the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul?!"
At last, Yu Xiaogang realized something was very wrong.
Yu Xiaogang stared at Lin Chen, trying to probe and uncover his secrets.
"Holy Spirit Grass? It's called the Sacred Breath Spirit Grass." Lin Chen spread out his hand, summoning his second martial soul.
The moment Yu Xiaogang saw the Sacred Breath Spirit Grass, his breathing grew heavy.
Another twin martial soul!
"You possess the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul. That means you must have the bloodline of my Yu Clan flowing within you, doesn't it?" Yu Xiaogang said excitedly.
"You should have seen my report before. Do you think I look like someone from your Yu Clan?"
Yu Xiaogang fell silent. He racked his memories, digging deep, and clearly remembered that neither of Lin Chen's parents had the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
"Then… how did you obtain this martial soul?"
"Do you think I'd tell you?"
Yu Xiaogang's gaze hardened. There had to be a secret hidden within.
The Spark Academy was extremely mysterious. The students they taught wielded upper-rank martial souls like the Clear Sky Hammer and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—bloodline inheritances belonging only to the top-tier sects.
One student even possessed both White Tiger and Spirit Cat martial souls, capable of fusing them into a martial soul fusion technique. Their soul ring configurations also exceeded all conventions. It was hard not to make connections.
Could it be that Spark Academy had some method to bestow martial souls upon people? The thought startled Yu Xiaogang. Martial souls came from one's parents, one's bloodline. How could anyone possibly gain them after birth?
But if not… then how did Lin Chen acquire his martial soul?
It seemed this secret could only be pried out of Lin Chen.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and said, "Lin Chen, I know you still hate me for what happened back then. But in truth, you misunderstood your teacher. At that time, I only wished to test you."
"Now that you've successfully passed my test, return. From now on, you will be my foremost disciple."
To Yu Xiaogang, Lin Chen's identity was clear—nothing more than a lucky bumpkin. Even if he possessed twin martial souls and had soul rings far beyond the norm, his background still didn't measure up in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
What's more, Lin Chen possessed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul. As a descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang could never tolerate his clan's sacred martial soul appearing in the hands of some mud-legged peasant. To him, it tainted the nobility of their bloodline.
Yet he still intended to take Lin Chen back as a disciple, for two reasons.
First, to use him as a trial subject. Let Lin Chen practice first, stumble through the difficulties, and in the process Yu Xiaogang could summarize how to properly cultivate twin martial souls. That way, he could pass the refined experience to his true disciple, Tang San, thus winning Tang San's loyalty.
Second, through Lin Chen, he could probe into the secrets of Spark Academy. Whether it was the methods for cultivating twin martial souls or absorbing soul rings beyond normal age limits, this theoretical knowledge would be enough for Yu Xiaogang to reclaim everything in the world of soul master theory that he believed rightfully belonged to him.
(Even though his own talent was sufficient to become a top-tier powerhouse, Yu Xiaogang always believed in "grabbing with both hands." He not only wanted to become a powerhouse but also to raise world-shaking disciples and dominate the soul master theory world.)
Lin Chen merely let out a cold chuckle. "So, you want me to continue being your lab rat, helping you complete your experiments, so you can shine in the world of soul master theory. You want to use my experience and suffering to nurture your real disciple, Tang San. Isn't that right, Yu Xiaogang?"
His words pierced straight into Yu Xiaogang's heart. His face soured, but he tried to soothe him. "Xiao Chen, that's not what your teacher meant…"
"Not what you meant?" Lin Chen sneered. "Do you dare swear on your martial soul?"
Yu Xiaogang fell silent.
Lin Chen coldly said, "To people like you, clan, bloodline, and interests stand above everything. You would never tolerate your clan's martial soul being passed to outsiders." Lin Chen spread his arms wide, a dragon's roar echoing behind him as the phantom of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon rose from his back. His voice was cold as steel: "After all, you wouldn't want to see a Blue Lightning Lin Clan rise to stand alongside your Blue Lightning Yu Clan, would you?"
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened even further. His voice was icy: "I don't know how you obtained this martial soul, but you are right. In this world, apart from my Yu Clan, no one else is allowed to possess or pass on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Understand this: if such a thing happens, there are only two choices. Either you join the Yu Clan, or you and your children, and all your descendants, will be hunted by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan until your bloodline is completely wiped out."
(In the history of Douluo, such bloodlines falling into the hands of outsiders was not uncommon. The great families guarded their bloodlines fiercely. If discovered, it almost always ended in "honor killings" to erase the bloodline completely. Only in this way could clans like the Tang Clan of the Clear Sky, the Yu Clan of the Blue Lightning, or the Ning Clan of the Seven Treasures remain unchanged for millennia.)
Yu Xiaogang's tone softened slightly. "As your teacher, I still acknowledge your talent. I've shown you a path to survival. Return to me, become my disciple again. I will protect you. In the future, when I return to the clan, I will even arrange a marriage for you, bringing you into the Yu Clan through marriage. What do you think of this offer?"
Lin Chen replied flatly, "I think it's worthless. Yu Xiaogang, today I came to settle the debt from back then."
As he spoke, five soul rings—purple, purple, purple, black, black—rose around him.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flickered with jealousy and greed at the sight of the five over-limit soul rings. But he comforted himself—Gangzi was only at level 29. Once Yu Xiaogang advanced further, he could pry the method of over-limit soul ring absorption from him. Then his third ring could be a thousand-year, his fourth a ten-thousand-year. For now, though, the main concern was how to subdue Lin Chen.
"So you refuse a toast, and choose the punishment instead." Yu Xiaogang spread his hands as golden light surged around him. Behind him appeared the phantom of a colossal dragon. A golden dragon unfurled its wings and released a thunderous roar toward Lin Chen and his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
In that instant, Lin Chen felt bloodline suppression crush down upon him. His heart found no resistance; only his willpower kept him from kneeling.
"You should never have cultivated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul first." Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, speaking arrogantly: "If it were me, I would have had you cultivate the Sacred Breath Spirit Grass first, using it as a stepping stone, so that your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon rings would all begin at ten thousand years."
"Furthermore, with beast martial souls, when there's a bloodline hierarchy, the higher martial soul absolutely suppresses the lower. Lin Chen, can you see?" Yu Xiaogang spread his arms, showing off the golden dragon towering tens of meters tall behind him. With pride and arrogance he proclaimed:
"The Golden Holy Dragon. This is the Golden Holy Dragon, the ultimate dragon above the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon! This is my martial soul, Yu Xiaogang's martial soul. It is a height you mud-legged peasants could never dream of reaching! Strong, invincible, supreme—shatter, obliterate, glory, cheers! HahahahahaHahahahahaHahahahaha!"
"Yes. I see it." Lin Chen's eyes grew unfocused as he gazed upon the golden dragon. Then he softly said:
"My martial soul—Golden Holy Dragon."
With that, he pulled out two cards!