Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat and faced the assembled masters, his serious expression brimming with self-importance.
"Many soul masters fall into a misconception," he began, his voice grave. "They believe that plant-type spirit masters must only absorb spirit rings from plants, and beast-type spirit masters only from animals. But in truth, that is not so! Under the right conditions, the two types can be absorbed interchangeably. This is one of my ten martial soul theories—the theory of Martial Soul mimicry."
The room went silent.
Then—
"Pfft—hahaha!"
A loud, unrestrained laugh broke the tension. Everyone turned. Of course—it was Lu Yuan, half-drunken grin on his face as he leaned lazily against the wall.
"You actually dare spout that trash here? Seriously? Do you not remember how badly you were mocked the last time you tried to publish this 'concubine' theory of yours?"
Yu Xiaogang stiffened, face twitching. "It's Martial Soul mimicry theory, not—"
Lu Yuan cut him off without mercy. "Mimicry my ass. According to your nonsense, plants and beasts are freely interchangeable? So what then—our Clear Sky Hammer spirit masters are just getting spirit rings straight from the blacksmith's shop? And us Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda types, what—our spirit rings are gifted like little prizes from pushing blocks in an arcade?"
The crowd blinked. Half of them didn't even understand the second half of Lu Yuan's joke, but the mocking tone and common sense embedded in it struck immediate sense: the theory was absurd.
Even those who had been politely listening now muttered and shook their heads. Was this really something to boast about?
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened to the color of burnt ash.
This was his moment, the speech he had polished again and again. But Lu Yuan had ripped it apart in three sentences, leaving only humiliation behind.
Still, he forced himself to cough and continue. "Ahem… I only wished to explain that Martial Souls have diverse paths of development! Take my disciple Tang San for example—originally a mere Blue Silver Grass, universally recognized as a waste spirit. Yet! Under my teachings, he became a control-type spirit master, the pinnacle of single combat. The strongest in one-on-one!"
Before the murmurs could spread, Lu Yuan erupted into yet another fit of laughter, clutching his stomach.
"Hahaha! The strongest in one-on-one? Did you… did you just curse Old Poison Dugu to his face?"
All eyes turned toward the old Titled Douluo lounging in the corner—Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo, undisputed control-type master.
Gu Rong smirked, tone wicked. "He has a point. Old Poison, didn't he just say you're the best in duels? Or… was he calling you useless?"
Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. "…"
He hadn't said a single word since entering this damn room—and somehow he'd gotten dragged in and insulted!
"The control system the strongest? Bah! In front of Titled Douluo who built entire empires with a swing of their weapons, I—what—tickle them to death with poison?" he muttered, his face so dark the veins stood out.
One more word and he might just slap Yu Xiaogang to the ground. Martial Soul theories? Bah. All nonsense.
Mengshenji quickly raised a hand, desperate to stop an outright brawl.
That was when Lu Yuan called casually, "Little cat, stay a moment!"
Every gaze turned toward the quiet corner where Zhu Zhuqing had been standing.
Her stoic mask faltered for the first time. A faint tremor ran through her heart. She wanted to go. Truly, she did. To stand at Lu Yuan's side. Perhaps even to run away with him.
But… how could she? Her engagement to Dai Mubai wasn't just family—it was political. Xingluo's royal family wouldn't tolerate her breaking it off to join Lu Yuan. If she defied them openly, they wouldn't hesitate to make his life hell.
After a long silence, she whispered the words she'd always wanted to tell him. "I… will contact you."
Lu Yuan's grin softened. He gave her a playful wink, but said no more. He wouldn't push her—he'd wait.
At that moment, Qin Ming, rushing back from the award ceremony, walked straight into the office.
"Dean Flender? You're here too?" His surprise was genuine.
"Ah, little brat Qin Ming," Flender huffed, forcing a smile. "So you're teaching here already?"
"Yes. Thanks to your instruction all those years ago." Qin Ming bowed respectfully to both Flender and Zhao Wuji, voice filled with gratitude.
But as his eyes swept the crowd, he realized—what terrible atmosphere was this? His teachers and fellow students looked as though they'd just been dragged through the mud.
Sensing disaster looming, Flender coughed. "Let's catch up another day. Yes, another day."
And with that, Shrek Academy's proud dean turned tail and fled with his group like chastised dogs.
A shameful retreat.
When the chaos had cleared and the crowd thinned, Gu Rong suddenly turned to Ning Fengzhi, voice low.
"Fengzhi… did you notice the girl in the pink dress among Shrek? That one is not easy to overlook."
Ning Fengzhi blinked. "You mean… Xiao Wu?"
Gu Rong nodded gravely. "That child—she's not human. She's a soul beast. A hundred-thousand-year one at that."
The words struck like thunder.
"What?!" Ning Fengzhi's voice cracked, his refined composure breaking. His mind raced at terrifying speed. A one-hundred-thousand-year soul beast here, casually hiding as a student, breathing the same air as his sect, the nobles, the Academy?
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely." Gu Rong's tone brooked no doubt. "I could see it the moment I stepped through the door. Too many powerful figures were here, so I didn't say it aloud. But I tell you now—without question: she's a beast."
Ning Fengzhi's face paled slightly. He exhaled heavily.
The temptation was unbearable. Even the greatest Titled Douluo would madness if confronted with a chance to obtain a 100,000-year ring and spirit bone.
"But why let her roam here?" he whispered.
"Simple," Gu Rong said. "Tang Hao's son is there, among Shrek. Do you think Tang Hao would allow his son's companion to remain by his side if he wasn't absolutely confident? No. If anyone ever dared make a move… Tang Hao will appear."
Ning Fengzhi fell into silence, understanding dawning.
Tang Hao nearby. A hundred-thousand-year soul beast student. If this ever leaked, Tiandou would ignite in flames of blood.
"Shall we…?" Gu Rong asked, his voice carrying dangerous meaning.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head firmly. "No. We wait. We watch. Provoking Tang Hao lightly would only make him an enemy—and right now, the empire cannot afford that. For now, silence."
Half a month later.
The air in Mengshenji's office buzzed with frustration. On his desk lay the newest proposal from the Five Elements Academies: an academy exchange student program.
Mengshenji rubbed his temples, headache pounding. What exchange program? What nonsense!
He already understood their game. They didn't care about unity. They wanted Lu Yuan—wanted to study him, observe how such a freak of cultivation worked, and try to replicate it for themselves.
For three months they had watched him daily. And what had Lu Yuan done? Drink spirits like water. Nap. Flirt with girls. Sleep. Drink more.
If that was the "secret" behind his power, half the continent would already be gods.
And yet, the Five Element Academies, backed by Emperor Xue Ye himself, had pushed the plan through. Mengshenji had no choice but to pick a candidate from Tiandou's side.
And who else but Lu Yuan?
"Lu Yuan," Mengshenji began wearily. "Listen carefully. The Empire has arranged an exchange program with the Five Elements. You are Tiandou's chosen representative. You will be going."
Lu Yuan tipped his wine jar and downed a heavy gulp. Then he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"No problem!" His eyes gleamed.
Mengshenji blinked. He hadn't expected such easy agreement. Where was the laziness? The shameless excuses? The whining?
Something didn't feel right.
But then Lu Yuan's grin widened, and his voice rang cheerful through the room—
"I'll go to Tianshui Academy!"
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: My Harem System is Bugged!" — don't miss out!