"Dong'er! Dong'er! Look!"
A plainly dressed, ordinary-looking young man came running over excitedly, carrying a large bundle of messy manuscript papers.
It was Yu Xiaogang.
He spread the pile of manuscripts on the stone table in front of Bibi Dong, a smug look on his face.
"Look, this is my latest research result, 'The Core Competitiveness of Martial Soul'!"
"Once my theory is published, the entire Soul Master community on the continent will be shaken!"
Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the manuscript papers, and her beautiful brows furrowed unconsciously.
She was getting a little impatient.
The things Yu Xiaogang mentioned, such as "simulated cultivation environment" and "the age limit of spirit rings," are all recorded in the Spirit Hall's library.
All he did was retell those profound ancient texts in simpler language.
Any Soul Master who can read can explain it clearly and logically if they spend some time organizing it.
But he insisted on treating it as his own original theory and was quite pleased with himself.
Yu Xiaogang, however, did not notice her change in mood and continued to chatter on.
"Dong'er, I know you've been working hard in your cultivation lately. How about we go for a walk in the countryside outside the city tomorrow to relax?"
"Oh, by the way, I'd like to ask you for a small favor."
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Does your Spirit Hall's database contain an ancient book called 'A Study of Ancient Mythical Beast Spirits'?"
"Could you... bring it out for me to take a look? Just for a moment! With it, my theory can be perfected much faster!"
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's face finally darkened.
"Xiaogang, are you crazy?"
She was angry.
"The database is a core secret of the Spirit Hall! Not to mention me, even the elders are not allowed to enter without His Holiness the Pope's warrant!"
"Do you know that taking ancient books out without permission is a serious crime of betraying the Spirit Hall? You will be stripped of your soul power and expelled from the Spirit Hall!"
When Yu Xiaogang saw that she was angry, he not only did not restrain himself, but continued to use sweet words to persuade her.
"Dong'er, don't get agitated."
"My theory is specifically tailored for geniuses like you with twin martial souls, and it's completely different from those garbage theories out there!"
"Just think about it, once you succeed, you'll be the strongest woman on the continent! At that point, who will dare to control you?"
"It's worth taking a small risk for a great cause!"
He spoke with heartfelt sincerity, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future.
Bibi Dong looked at him, momentarily stunned.
She knew it was wrong, but the blueprint Yu Xiaogang described made her feel a little tempted.
She hesitated.
Perhaps... we could discuss and find a more reliable solution?
Just as her resolve wavered.
A clear, slightly mocking voice came from the shade of a tree not far away.
"You dare call something cobbled together a theory?"
"You piece of trash."
"How long do you intend to keep lying to her?"
The atmosphere froze instantly upon hearing this.
Yu Xiaogang's face, which had turned red with excitement, instantly turned liver-colored.
He turned around abruptly and stared intently at the young man who was slowly walking out from under the shade of the tree.
The newcomer was dressed in a plain white scholar's robe, with a tall and upright figure, handsome face, and clear and bright eyes.
"Ning Lin?"
Bibi Dong recognized him.
He is a visiting scholar at the Spirit Hall's Theoretical Academy. He is said to have made great achievements in alchemy. His spirit is an extremely rare pure fire attribute, and his spirit power has exceeded level 40. He is an absolute genius.
More importantly, this person has his own unique insights into the theory of martial spirits. Not long ago, he submitted a paper on the "coupling between martial spirits and pharmacology," which was highly praised by his teachers, which led to his exceptional summons to the capital.
But how did he end up here?
Ning Lin ignored Yu Xiaogang's murderous glare and simply bowed slightly to Bibi Dong as a gesture of respect.
His consciousness was crystal clear at that moment.
The system perfectly embedded his existence into this history.
His current identity is that of a guest scholar at the Spirit Hall Theoretical Academy.
An identity that would allow him to deliver a devastating blow to Yu Xiaogang at this time and place.
As a true scholar, Ning Lin knew all too well what kind of rubbish Yu Xiaogang's so-called "Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls" was.
This is not a theory at all, but an observation report.
An observation report on Bibi Dong, a peerless genius with twin martial souls!
If Tang San, that monster who absorbed the world's fortune, hadn't appeared, Yu Xiaogang's nonsensical "theory" would never have been verified in his lifetime.
There is only one reason why he was able to piece these things together.
That's just a hoax.
He tricked Bibi Dong, who still harbored illusions about him, into using her identity as a saintess to steal ancient books that were not publicly available from the Spirit Hall's secret archives!
This man, from head to toe, is all talk and no action; he has absolutely no real talent or ability whatsoever!
"What are you?!"
Yu Xiaogang finally couldn't hold back any longer. He pointed at Ning Lin's nose and shouted angrily.
"Some guy who popped up out of nowhere dares to spout nonsense here!"
"Do you even know what theory is? Do you even know what a martial spirit is?"
"My theory is a groundbreaking innovation! It's a great discovery that can change the entire landscape of the Soul Master world! How could a mere mortal like you possibly understand it!"
He spoke with great passion, as if he were truly a genius who was misunderstood by the world and whose talents were not recognized.
Upon hearing this, Ning Lin smiled, a smile full of contempt.
"Ordinary people?"
He repeated it softly and shook his head.
"A piece of trash whose own martial spirit is only at level half has the nerve to call others mere mortals?"
"You...you..."
Yu Xiaogang's face turned bright red, and he trembled all over. He stammered for a long time but couldn't utter a single complete sentence.
His martial spirit was the greatest pain of his life.
"Xiao Gang!"
Bibi Dong finally spoke.
Yu Xiaogang's shouting came to an abrupt halt.
Bibi Dong stood up and slowly walked between the two.
She first glanced at Yu Xiaogang, her eyes carrying a hint of reassurance, but more of a scrutinizing gaze.
Then, her gaze turned to Ning Lin.
"Ning Scholar".
She spoke slowly, her tone regaining the dignity and composure befitting a saint.
"You said his theory was plagiarized and pieced together."
"You said he's a piece of trash."
"Then, where is the evidence?"
She did not take sides with either party because of her relationship with Yu Xiaogang.
Even in her teenage years, the future Iron Queen had already shown her decisive side.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang felt a little calmer, immediately straightened his chest, and gave Ning Lin a provocative look.
Show me the evidence!
Let's see what evidence you can come up with!
Seeing this, Ning Lin's smile deepened.
That's exactly what he wanted to hear from Bibi Dong.
He didn't look at Yu Xiaogang, but instead pointed to the messy stack of manuscript papers on the stone table.
"evidence?"
"Your Highness, isn't the evidence right before your eyes?"
"Take a look at this first."
(End of chapter)