In the Black World, the members of Shrek Academy were left utterly stunned.
"This... this completely reveals the underlying logic behind Spirit Abilities and Self-Created Spirit Abilities!"
Zhao Wuji's voice was filled with disbelief.
Until now, he had never truly understood the concept of Self-Created Spirit Abilities. However, after watching Yu Xiaogang's research—how Self-Created Spirit Abilities were formed, the principles behind their creation, and the results they could achieve—everything suddenly became crystal clear.
Even though Zhao Wuji had yet to test the theory himself, he already had a clear understanding of its foundation.
Yu Xiaogang had explained the entire system so thoroughly that anyone could grasp its basic principles.
"In that case... my own Spirit Abilities..."
Following Yu Xiaogang's examples, Zhao Wuji immediately began experimenting in his mind.
His First Spirit Ability, Immovable Bright King Body, repelled attacks within a certain radius.
His Second Spirit Ability, Vigor Vajra Palm, transformed his hands into powerful bear claws, dramatically increasing his physical strength.
His Third Spirit Ability, Gravity Amplification, created a gravity field that suppressed opponents and restricted their movement.
His Fourth Spirit Ability, Locating Trace, allowed him to place his fourth spirit ring on a target and instantly close the distance within a limited range.
"If I dismantle the useful characteristics of these abilities..."
A thought suddenly struck him.
"I could combine the tracking effect of my Fourth Spirit Ability with the gravity field of my Third Spirit Ability."
"Wouldn't that create a Spirit Ability that permanently marks an opponent while constantly suppressing them with gravity?"
The more Zhao Wuji thought about it, the more excited he became.
His Gravity Amplification was an excellent control-type ability, but its greatest weakness was its limited range. It was devastating in close combat yet nearly useless against enemies who fought from a distance.
Like Flender.
The reason Zhao Wuji had never become the Dean of Shrek Academy wasn't simply because he disliked managing people.
It was also because he couldn't defeat Flender.
Whenever they sparred, Flender simply took to the skies, staying out of Zhao Wuji's reach while slowly wearing him down with ranged attacks.
Zhao Wuji's only opportunity to win was to rely on Locating Trace to instantly close the distance and finish the battle before Flender could escape again.
He understood his own shortcomings perfectly.
He was powerful, but slow.
Against agile, long-range opponents, he had very few options.
That weakness had already been exposed during his battle with Tang San.
But if he could combine Locating Trace with Gravity Amplification...
...then once his spirit ring attached to an opponent, the target would remain trapped inside his gravity field.
Flender would never again be able to circle freely above his head.
Just imagining that scene made Zhao Wuji grin.
"My chances of winning would increase dramatically!"
He laughed loudly.
"I've always said that the Yu Xiaogang from the parallel world is the true Grandmaster."
"Look at what he's accomplished through research alone."
"Whale Glue, Martial Soul evolution methods, hidden applications of spirit rings, and now the complete underlying theory behind Self-Created Spirit Abilities."
"Every single discovery has changed the future of Spirit Masters."
"Unlike certain people..."
His gaze shifted toward the Yu Xiaogang standing nearby, filled with unmistakable contempt.
Both men called themselves researchers.
Yet one had uncovered revolutionary truths that transformed cultivation itself.
The other had merely summarized theories copied from the archives of Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The difference between them was like heaven and earth.
Flender naturally noticed Zhao Wuji's expression.
But what could he possibly say?
Every attempt to defend his old friend only made Yu Xiaogang look worse.
The comparison was simply too overwhelming.
In the end, Flender could only pretend he hadn't noticed.
Meanwhile, everyone else had become increasingly excited.
Now that Yu Xiaogang had explained the foundation of Self-Created Spirit Abilities, everyone eagerly began discussing ideas for their own techniques.
"My Phoenix Fire Wire is a straight-line ranged attack."
Ma Hongjun scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"If I combine it with my Second Spirit Ability, Bathing Fire Phoenix..."
"Wouldn't it become a close-range defensive attack?"
"The kind where anyone who approaches me gets blasted by Phoenix Fire immediately?"
"That actually sounds amazing!"
Oscar, however, looked depressed.
"Then what about my Sausage Martial Soul?"
"No matter how I combine my abilities... they're still sausages."
"Does that mean there's no point in creating Self-Created Spirit Abilities?"
Xiao Wu smiled.
"Actually, no one said you could only combine Spirit Abilities."
"You can also combine your Spirit Abilities with your own combat techniques."
"My Instant Kill Eight Stage Drop was created exactly that way."
Oscar's eyes lit up.
"Right!"
"Just like Tang San's Self-Created Spirit Abilities!"
Only then did everyone remember the person standing right beside them.
Tang San possessed several famous Self-Created Spirit Abilities.
Since his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul clearly couldn't produce techniques like those, they naturally assumed he had created them himself.
Oscar immediately wrapped an arm around Tang San's shoulders.
"Third Brother!"
"Tell us how you developed them."
"Or better yet..."
"Just teach them to us."
"Now that the threshold for Self-Created Spirit Abilities has become so much lower, everyone should be able to learn them."
The moment those words left Oscar's mouth...
...an icy chill ran down his spine.
He instinctively shivered.
Confused, he glanced toward the bright sun overhead.
"Why does it suddenly feel so cold?"
Oscar had no idea that, for a brief instant, Tang San had nearly pulled out a Hidden Weapon and killed him on the spot.
Fortunately...
Tang San restrained himself.
Even so, his expression had turned ice cold.
Teach them?
Share his experience?
Those were not Self-Created Spirit Abilities.
They were the secret techniques of the Tang Sect.
Techniques that were absolutely forbidden from being passed to outsiders.
Anyone who coveted the Tang Sect's inheritance...
...had already chosen death.
Tang San silently sneered.
Oscar...
You have already stepped onto the path to your own destruction.
Among everyone watching Yu Xiaogang's research, however, the greatest beneficiary was undoubtedly Feng Xiaotian of Divine Wind Academy.
"Hahaha!"
"I understand now!"
"I finally understand!"
With his Martial Soul Possession activated, Feng Xiaotian repeatedly performed his Self-Created Spirit Ability.
Each repetition made the technique smoother and noticeably stronger.
Not far away, the teacher who had spent years telling Feng Xiaotian to stop wasting time researching Self-Created Spirit Abilities watched in astonishment.
Then he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"It won't be long now."
"Xiaotian's Self-Created Spirit Ability is finally about to be perfected."
"At last, he'll be able to cultivate without distractions."
The teacher looked toward the image of Yu Xiaogang from the parallel world with sincere gratitude.
"Thank you..."
"Your Excellency, Dragon God."
"Thank you for helping this child find the correct path."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)