After seeing Tang San going crazy like this, Wu Lan was very satisfied.
"Tang San, I hope you like what I planned for you."
Seeing Tang San so engrossed in venting his frustration, Wu Lan did not want to disturb him. He left silently and made his way back toward Xiao Wu and the others.
Soon he arrived and saw Liu Erlong, her eyes swollen and red from crying.
"Are you ok now?" Wu Lan asked, while looking at her pitiful expression.
She did not reply but simply nodded in a daze.
"You should know," Wu Lan continued, his tone calm yet heavy, "in Yu Xiaogang's life, nothing is more important than his fame. He will use anything and anyone to achieve his goals. In the process he has harmed countless people. You are one of the lucky ones to survive."
"Is he really that bad? But in the past, Xiaogang did many good things for common people." Liu Erlong was still clinging to the Yu Xiaogang of her memories.
"Oh? Like the Ten Core Competences of Spirit Theory he publicly released?" Wu Lan asked with a mocking tone.
"Yes. He said he compressed all the knowledge he had researched throughout his life into the Ten Core Competences of Spirit Theory and released it publicly to help common people understand martial spirits." Liu Erlong's voice softened as she remembered Yu Xiaogang's proud face when he said those words.
"Hahahahahaha!" Wu Lan suddenly burst into laughter.
Liu Erlong looked at him strangely.
"Sorry. Normally I don't laugh, but sometimes I just can't help it. Hahahaha!" Wu Lan tried hard to hold back his laughter, but failed miserably.
Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, and Ye Lingling grew curious about this so-called theory that could make Wu Lan laugh so uncontrollably.
"Brother, tell us about it."
"Liu Erlong, you should have a copy of that bullshit theory. Give it to them and let them take a look," Wu Lan replied, still suppressing his laughter. He could never resist laughing at someone who treasured that worthless paper.
Liu Erlong hesitated but eventually handed them the copy she carried with her.
Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, and Ye Lingling opened the book and began reading.
- A martial spirit's innate soul power decides a soul master's future.
- Innate soul power sets the starting point of cultivation.
- Martial spirits are passed down through bloodlines.
- A martial spirit can carry no more than nine soul rings.
- A martial spirit's form limits its potential and role.
- Every soul ring grants a unique ability.
- Twin martial spirits cannot exist.
- Each soul ring has a best age limit based on its order:
1st Ring: up to 423 years
2nd Ring: up to 764 years
3rd Ring: up to 1,293 years
4th Ring: up to 2,055 years
5th Ring: up to 3,250 years
6th Ring: up to 5,000 years
7th Ring: up to 10,000 years
8th Ring: up to 20,000 years
9th Ring: up to 100,000 years
As they read, their expressions grew stranger and stranger. Finally, Xiao Wu lost control, threw the book on the ground, and stomped on it with her feet.
"What kind of trash is this? Most of it is just common knowledge even children know, and the worst part is half of it is wrong!"
Zhuqing and Ye Lingling also nodded, then joined her in stomping on the book.
Liu Erlong stared in disbelief. The book she had treasured for so long was now being trampled underfoot. Instinctively, she rushed forward to stop them.
"Stop it!"
She snatched the book back, brushing the dust off its cover with trembling hands.
Wu Lan watched her still trying to defend Yu Xiaogang and began considering a way to cure her delusion. His tone turned serious.
"Liu Erlong, do you truly believe this book is valuable?"
"Yes. This book helps common people," Liu Erlong said firmly.
"Oh? Then let's test the usefulness of the theory."
After saying that, Wu Lan told them to follow him. He led the group to the students' training grounds.
There, several students were practicing. Wu Lan approached a boy who was swinging his sword.
"Brother, do you mind if I ask a few questions?"
Li Feng, the boy swinging his sword, turned around and saw a handsome youth accompanied by the dean and several beautiful ladies.
"Dean," he greeted respectfully.
Liu Erlong gave him a slight nod, signaling him to listen to Wu Lan.
"No problem, I will answer," Li Feng said.
"Thank you. My first question, have you ever read the Ten Core Competences of Spirit Theory?"
Li Feng tried to recall, then shook his head. "No, I haven't read it."
"Ok, then please tell me what you know about martial spirits."
"Martial spirits? Father said it's the power we're born with.
Innate soul power decides our future, the more you have, the stronger you can become.
Martial spirits are inherited from parents.
And oh, if you absorb soul rings from soul beasts you can gain special powers." Li Feng scratched his head, trying to recall everything.
Wu Lan looked at Liu Erlong with a mocking smile.
Li Feng had just recited three of Yu Xiaogang's so-called 'theories' which he had claimed to have studied his entire life.
Liu Erlong's eyes widened in shock, but a faint glimmer of hope still remained in her heart.
"Did your father ever study from a theory book?" she asked hurriedly.
"No, Dean. My father is a farmer in a remote village. He can't read or write."
Liu Erlong froze, but still clung to her fragile hope. She continued questioning different students one after another. But the answers were all the same.
The theory she had treasured as priceless knowledge was nothing more than worthless scribbles.
Her world collapsed. The book slipped from her hands and fell to the ground. She stared blankly at it, her expression hollow.
She began to question her very life.
"Is this the theory Yu Xiaogang claimed to have written with all his life's knowledge? Knowledge even a farmer in a remote village already knows?"
"Is this worthless?" she whispered.
"No" Wu Lan corrected her sharply.
"A worthless book at least does no harm. But this book is dangerous. It has already taken many lives." His tone was filled with anger.