Chapter 151: Yu Xiaogang's Misguided Confidence
"Oh? You're not convinced?"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's outburst, Sun Zhongjing, standing on the high platform, showed a look of mild amusement. He asked in a calm voice, "What part of my decision do you find unsatisfactory?"
"Medicine King Your Excellency, why was I deemed unqualified in this test?" Yu Xiaogang raised his voice, his neck stiff with indignation. "Did you not say that this test was not about strength but about overall aptitude?"
"That is indeed correct," Sun Zhongjing nodded. "This test does not focus solely on strength." Then, his tone shifted slightly, "But it does assess a spirit master's overall competency. Do you truly believe that your performance just now was acceptable?"
"Uh…"
Yu Xiaogang found himself at a loss for words. Even he knew that his display had been utterly lackluster. However, he couldn't just accept failure outright. His pride would not allow it. He, the self proclaimed Grandmaster, could not publicly admit his incompetence.
"But I believe that for a teacher, strength is not the most important factor," Yu Xiaogang argued. "Surely, you have heard of my 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Spirits', Medicine King Your Excellency? I, Yu Xiaogang, am confident that my theoretical knowledge alone is more than sufficient to teach students."
"Yes, I have indeed heard of your theories," Sun Zhongjing nodded slightly, then his expression shifted. "However, after witnessing your performance, I must say your reputation does not match your true ability. If those theories were truly the result of your diligent research, then you would not have made such glaringly basic mistakes."
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened.
For years, in order to gain fame, he had published numerous theories in the spirit master world. Many of these theories were actually borrowed from his clan or from the Spirit Hall, mixed in with some of his own speculations such as his baseless claim that Tool Spirits could absorb Beast Spirit rings.
While some of these ideas were not particularly profound, they had been closely guarded secrets among the great clans and factions. These elite groups preferred keeping common spirit masters ignorant, ensuring that their own descendants always remained ahead.
By making these ideas public, Yu Xiaogang had violated the unspoken rules of these major factions. If not for his background as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's heir, and the fact that he hadn't revealed truly top secret information, he might have been assassinated long ago.
However, his motivations had never been selfless. He did not spread knowledge to benefit others. Rather, he did it because his own lack of talent and strength had left him desperate for recognition.
He wanted respect and he was willing to gamble everything for it.
Yet, his personal additions to these theories, instead of making him look brilliant, had turned him into a laughingstock among high level spirit masters.
Yu Xiaogang had never been a true scholar. He was merely a fraud who copied others' work and pretended to be a genius.
The only reason history would later regard him as a "Grandmaster" was because of his one talented disciple, Tang San. Other factions, wanting to gain Tang San's favor, had deliberately exaggerated Yu Xiaogang's abilities, painting him as a legendary genius when, in reality, he was nothing more than an average, self important man.
Now, seeing Yu Xiaogang momentarily speechless, Sun Zhongjing decided to drive the point home.
"This test evaluates a spirit master's comprehensive capabilities," he continued. "This includes their understanding of martial spirits, the selection of spirit rings, and the practical application of their abilities."
"But from your performance today, I have seen nothing that qualifies you as a 'Grandmaster'."
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, feeling a rare sense of shame. But he refused to back down.
"This is not my fault!" he insisted. "My Luo San Pao is a malignant mutation, and my innate spirit power was less than half a rank! Reaching Rank 29 was already my absolute limit! How could I possibly develop it further?"
"As for my spirit rings," he continued, "I knew Luo San Pao lacked true potential, so I deliberately chose to take an unconventional approach. Instead of following my clan's tradition of using dragon type spirit beasts, I opted for pig type spirit beasts, selecting soul skills that would maximize its existing strengths!"
"I see."
Sun Zhongjing nodded as if finally understanding. "So that's why your spirit martial spirit, which actually has immense potential, ended up in such a pathetic state."
"Wait… immense potential?"
Yu Xiaogang froze, his face filled with disbelief.
Even the audience stirred in confusion.
"Did he just say… that fat pig has potential?"
"No way! His innate spirit power was less than one rank!"
"What potential could it possibly have?"
Sun Zhongjing ignored their skepticism and continued.
"Your martial spirit is far more special than you ever realized."
"In truth, Luo San Pao is not just a pig."
"It actually has the potential to evolve into a dragon."
The entire arena fell silent.
Yu Xiaogang visibly tensed.
He turned his gaze downward, staring at his chubby, innocent looking Luo San Pao, who blinked up at him with seemingly clueless eyes.
Then he shook his head violently.
"No! Impossible!" he shouted. "A pig is a pig! How could it ever become a dragon?!"
"Why not?" Sun Zhongjing countered. "You come from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan how could a spirit mutation turn a dragon into a pig?"
"Moreover, Luo San Pao possesses independent intelligence, something extremely rare among martial spirits. Does that not tell you it's special?"
Yu Xiaogang's breathing grew heavy.
"Additionally," Sun Zhongjing continued, "I have heard of the so called Golden Iron Triangle. From what I understand, when your trio fuses your martial spirits together, your Luo San Pao transforms into a Golden Holy Dragon."
"If Luo San Pao were truly just a pig, how could it turn into a dragon?"
"And why would it be the primary spirit in your fusion, overriding the other two?"
"Have you ever wondered about this?"
Yu Xiaogang staggered back slightly, his mind racing.
"Because… Luo San Pao… isn't just a pig…" he muttered.
"It's… a dragon in disguise?"
"And its bloodline is actually superior to the other two spirits in the fusion?"
His voice trembled as the realization hit him like a hammer.
Sun Zhongjing nodded in approval.
"Exactly."
"As you may know, martial spirits can evolve when given the right conditions choosing the right spirit rings, accumulating the right power, and unlocking dormant bloodline potential."
"For example, White Cloud City's Lord Ye Cheng was able to evolve his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Pagoda through careful planning and power infusion."
"If nurtured correctly… your Luo San Pao could have followed a similar path."
"But instead…"
Sun Zhongjing sighed.
"You made all the wrong choices."
Yu Xiaogang felt his entire worldview collapse.
For decades, he had hated his martial spirit.
For decades, he had believed himself doomed to mediocrity.
But now…
To hear that Luo San Pao was actually a hidden dragon, and that he himself had ruined its potential…
It was a cruel revelation.
And yet, deep down
Yu Xiaogang knew.
Sun Zhongjing was right.
(End of Chapter)
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