Chapter 52 54.55. Gangzi PUA's Bibi Dong
Thus, Yu Xiaogang went confidently to the Soul Theory Research Association to submit his first paper.
Then it was instantly rejected!
"Impossible, absolutely impossible." Yu Xiaogang grinned savagely. "How could it be rejected outright? There must be a conspiracy."
Yu Xiaogang imagined the dark side of the Soul Theory Association: his theory was rejected because some high-ranking, fame-hunting master saw his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, greedily coveted it, plagiarized his research, then rejected his draft and published those core theories under that master's own name.
The more Yu Xiaogang thought, the more certain he became that this must be true; the angrier and more wronged he felt.
This was a masterpiece he had spent over ten days on, thinking day and night, working two hundred times harder than others to summarize—this was the crystallization of his wisdom, the capital for his future fame. How could such a despicable, shameless fame-chaser be allowed to steal it?
No, he could not sit idly by.
A spark lit in Yu Xiaogang's mind. He thought of Bibi Dong.
That day, Bibi Dong came to see Yu Xiaogang again.
"Xiao Gang, has your paper been published?"
Yu Xiaogang lowered his head with a weary look and heaved a sigh. "No. It was rejected at the initial review."
"Rejected?" Bibi Dong couldn't understand. She frowned. "I read your work. It really proposes many pioneering theories. Even if it ultimately doesn't get published, it shouldn't be rejected at the preliminary review."
"I don't know either." Yu Xiaogang stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, voice hoarse and weary. "I was expelled from my clan and came to the Spirit Hall. I'm just a rootless drifter everyone can bully."
"You mean…" Bibi Dong caught on at once. "Someone rejected your paper and intends to steal your work by copying it."
"Ah—" Yu Xiaogang neither confirmed nor denied; he only sighed.
At that moment, in Bibi Dong's eyes, Yu Xiaogang seemed to have aged more than ten years.
"Wait here. I'll talk to Teacher about this and ask Teacher to speak up for you." Bibi Dong, angry, went to find Qian Xunji.
Watching Bibi Dong's departing figure, Yu Xiaogang's weary face instantly changed into a triumphant grin.
Sure enough, after Bibi Dong persuaded Qian Xunji, and under Qian Xunji's pressure, Yu Xiaogang's world-shocking manuscript was finally published, and Yu Xiaogang was awarded the title of Master.
Thus, Yu Xiaogang reached a high point in his life. Wherever he went, people looked at him with reverence—
"Ahhh—Master, that's Master Yu Xiaogang, the Master who published The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls. I finally saw him."
"I saw him, that sharp-minded little crew-cut—oh Master, I love you."
"The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls—my god, what a brilliant mind it took to produce this! Worship him."
"If heaven hadn't given us Yu Xiaogang, Soul Theory would remain an eternal night. Yu Xiaogang, I finally see you; please let me kiss you."
"Master, Master, you're the guiding light of my life. You told me the difference between artifact and beast martial souls, you told me what the colors of soul rings mean."
At least that's what Yu Xiaogang heard; in reality—
"Ugh, what a piece of crap!"
"You tell me martial souls are divided into artifact and beast martial souls, you tell me the colors of soul rings, you tell me—yes yes, is this something you need to explain to me? Don't I already know?"
"There's no useless martial soul, only useless Soul Masters—that's a good bit of inspirational fluff, but I recall this so-called 'Master' is still stuck at Level 29."
"I've heard that plant-type martial souls can attach soul rings from non-plant soul beasts. Some plant-type holders have done that successfully, but later it was found that their martial soul's origin was damaged and their talent further weakened. This is a harmful theory—don't believe it."
"The works previously published by the Soul Theory Association were of high caliber. Why publish this charlatan's piece this year?"
Within the Soul Theory Research Association:
Many masters who had made major contributions to the field gathered. This time their discussion wasn't about new theoretical discoveries but focused on this new "Master" Yu Xiaogang.
"Damn, where did this guy get the nerve to publish those common-sense theories as his own?" Master Xiongjin angrily said.
"These are commonsense conclusions accumulated over tens of thousands of years. How dare he claim them as his own—shameless," Master Leiting said.
"Take it down, reject it, clarify publicly, ruin this fame-hunter's reputation immediately. I can't bear to see his name attached to such basic soul theory for even one second!" Master Yanshan erupted.
"Tianchen, tell me why this was published. We deserve an explanation. Being put on the same level as this kind of ruffian is humiliating," Master Morei demanded angrily.
As the Association president, Master Tianchen sighed. "This paper was initially rejected, but it turns out Yu Xiaogang has backing. He persuaded the Pope to pressure our Association, demanding this paper be published."
The masters fell silent. The Soul Theory Association had the Spirit Hall's backing, and their research funding came from the Spirit Hall. If the Pope insisted, they seemed to have no choice but to comply—aside from withdrawing entirely.
"Why would His Holiness the Pope do this?" Master Xiongjin asked.
Tianchen shook his head. "I don't know why the Pope would act this way, but he must have his reasons."
The masters fell quiet.
"But don't be too downcast—" Tianchen changed tone. "The Offering Hall has given us assurance: Yu Xiaogang's paper will not remain on the Association's roster forever. Once the current Pope steps down, they will immediately remove the piece and revoke all of Yu Xiaogang's honors."
"In short, let Yu Xiaogang hang there for now. We'll continue publishing our own papers, and in future Association conferences, Yu Xiaogang will be excluded." With that, Tianchen made the decision.
Yu Xiaogang was unaware of the academic ostracism brewing against him.
After using the Spirit Hall to win the title of Soul Theory Master, Yu Xiaogang vigorously executed his next plan.
"It's about time I leave the Spirit Hall." Yu Xiaogang said matter-of-factly.
The Spirit Hall, the sacred land of Soul Masters across the continent—originally Yu Xiaogang came here hoping to use its deep resources to find a cure for his martial soul's malignant mutation. But the Spirit Hall failed to meet his expectations, so he couldn't be blamed for leaving.
However, before leaving, the last thing Yu Xiaogang intended to do was take Bibi Dong with him.
She would become his asset: using her talent to help transmit training to him so he could reach higher realms; she could be his protector, help him obtain soul rings he wanted but lacked the strength to seize, and ultimately help his martial soul complete its metamorphosis.
Secondly, although Bibi Dong's possessed martial soul was nauseating, considering she was an excellent host, Yu Xiaogang reluctantly intended to be with her and produce outstanding offspring who might inherit his noble Golden Saint Dragon bloodline and eventually awaken the Golden Saint Dragon martial soul to fulfill his expectations.
Finally, Bibi Dong's talent destined her for the Title domain, perhaps even to become a Super Douluo. That strength would be crucial in protecting Yu Xiaogang from the Spirit Hall's pursuit and would be a major asset when he returned triumphantly to the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus Sect.
But Bibi Dong had been poisoned by the Spirit Hall for too long and couldn't recognize who truly cared for her. Left with no choice, Yu Xiaogang adopted an indirect strategy.
Years ago, Yu Xiaogang began brainwashing Bibi Dong, revealing the dark side of the Spirit Hall bit by bit, always appropriately undermining its image before her.
Under Yu Xiaogang's influence, Bibi Dong gradually developed misgivings about the Spirit Hall.
Now that he had secured the Master title, it was time to put his plan to take Bibi Dong into action.
One day, led by Elder Jinzhong, Bibi Dong went to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for her sixth soul ring. Yu Xiaogang gave the crucial guidance!
Bibi Dong's first action upon returning as a Soul Emperor was to explain to Yu Xiaogang the power of her sixth soul skill.
Yu Xiaogang suppressed his impatience while listening to Bibi Dong share her results, then opened his mouth.
"Dong'er, congratulations—you finally became a Soul Emperor." Yu Xiaogang offered his congratulations, then suggested, "By the way, the Lantern Festival in Yelin City has started this year. Shall we go and celebrate by visiting the lanterns?"
"Okay." Bibi Dong agreed.
Yelin City's Lantern Festival is famous across the continent.
Under the night sky, tens of thousands of lanterns ascend, lighting the heavens. Every participant writes a wish on their lantern, then releases it.
Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang had come every year to make wishes.
When their lanterns sailed away, Bibi Dong asked, "Xiao Gang, what did you wish for this year?"
"Guess!" Yu Xiaogang said mysteriously.
Bibi Dong thought a moment. "To solve your martial soul's malignant mutation?"
"No." Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"Then a new breakthrough in soul theory?" she guessed.
"Not that either."
"What is it?" Bibi Dong gave up guessing.
"Dong'er." Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke earnestly. "When I first came to Yelin City, my wish was to solve the malignant mutation. Last year at the lantern festival, I wished to become a Soul Theory Master. I've been looking for what is most important to me, and only now have I found it. I finally know what matters most to me."
Bibi Dong curiously asked, "What is it?"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly grabbed Bibi Dong's hand. "It's you, Dong'er."
The sudden confession flushed Bibi Dong's face rosy; her mind went blank.
Yu Xiaogang dropped to one knee and spoke with profound feeling, "You are the Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden. You are the favored daughter of heaven. Your beauty moved me deeply. From the first moment I saw you, I fell in love. Only now do I face my feelings honestly. I know I may never break Level 30, but I love you, Dong'er. Everyone in this world uses you and fears you—only my feelings are the most sincere."
"Promise me, Dong'er. I will love you with all I have. If anyone tries to hurt you and I'm powerless to stop them—though I'm only a Level 29 Soul Master—I will stand before you. Let them step over my corpse."
"Xiao Gang." Bibi Dong, red-faced, looked around and noticed people were watching. "Stand up; other people are looking."
"If you don't reciprocate my feelings, I will kneel forever." Yu Xiaogang declared resolutely.
"Say yes to him, say yes to him," the entourage of masters hired to create atmosphere chimed in.
Taking advantage of the moment, Yu Xiaogang gazed at Bibi Dong with heartfelt devotion. "Dong'er~"
"All right, I'll agree. Get up first." Bibi Dong blushed and said.
Yu Xiaogang rose and said, "Dong'er, thank you. Today you've given me the most precious treasure."
Bibi Dong pinched the soft flesh of Yu Xiaogang's waist hard. "Stop talking—I'm not used to so many people watching."
Yu Xiaogang squealed in pain like a pig.
Thus, on that day, under Yu Xiaogang's sentimental scheming, they established a lover's relationship.
When leaving Yelin City, Yu Xiaogang watched Bibi Dong's breathtaking back and smiled a victorious smile.
After establishing their relationship, Yu Xiaogang began executing his second plan.
He started sharing stories with Bibi Dong—stories largely about devoted Soul Master couples who traveled the continent with swords, encountering wonders and adventures.
There were tales of a princess falling in love with a noble youth from an enemy country; they shrugged off societal prejudices and restraints and traveled the continent together as an idyllic couple, their adventures becoming a romantic legend.
In Yu Xiaogang's tales, the lovers ultimately succeed after strange and difficult trials—facing family pressure or romantic rivals—but they always end up together.
In his stories, the master figure was vilified to the utmost. For instance, in one tale, an evil master trains his disciple to be a tool, cruelly depriving the disciple of freedom and imprisoning them in an invisible cage to live by the master's will. But the gifted female disciple finally meets her destined lover, who reveals the master's hypocrisy and breaks her free to pursue love and liberty.
Finally, Yu Xiaogang sighed dramatically and said, "Dong'er, wouldn't you rather leave this oppressive, silent Spirit Hall and travel the continent like the couples in my stories?"
(END CHAPTER)
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