I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 50 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Free Members will get 10 Chapters Ahead of the schedule on Patreon!!!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
...Along the way, Xu Hong naturally didn't miss the chance to learn about the Heaven Dou Empire and that "Yu Xiaogang." He found a relatively relaxed moment to travel alongside Ning Rongrong and the others, casually chatting about the situation in the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Sect Master Ning, young ladies," Xu Hong's tone was gentle, carrying the concern of an elder. "I am quite curious about the Heaven Dou Empire, especially the situation in the Spirit Master's world. I wonder if you could enlighten this old man?"
Ning Rongrong responded with a smile: "Imperial Advisor, you are too polite. Please ask whatever you wish; we will tell you everything we know."
Xu Hong seized the Opportunity to ask: "I heard that Tang San's teacher, named Yu Xiaogang, is now the Imperial Advisor of the Heaven Dou Empire. I am truly curious, what kind of astonishingly talented person can Cultivate a Disciple like Tang San and hold such a high position?"
As soon as he spoke, the smile on Ning Rongrong's face instantly became a little strange, Xiao Wu next to her couldn't help but curl her lip, and even the usually aloof Zhuqing's eyes flickered.
"Yu Xiaogang, ah..." Ning Rongrong drew out the tone, her voice carrying an indescribable complexity. She looked at her companions beside her, and seeing that they all had a "you tell him" expression, she cleared her throat.
"Imperial Advisor, you've certainly asked the right people!" Ning Rongrong seemed to have opened a floodgate, her urge to complain almost overflowing. "The story of Master Yu... oh no, Imperial Advisor Yu... is truly one that could take days and nights to tell!"
She organized her words and began: "First of all, Master Yu comes from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the former Upper Three Sects. However, he was an anomaly among the Family's direct line because his Spirit underwent a malignant mutation, preventing his spirit power from ever achieving a Breakthrough past Rank 30. Therefore, he was not valued by the Family and eventually left."
Xu Hong nodded slightly. It was not uncommon for a Spirit mutation to restrict talent.
Ning Rongrong continued: "Later, he traveled the Continent, researching Spirit theory, and proposed the so-called 'Ten Core Competencies of Spirits.' In the lower levels of the Spirit Master's world and in some small places, he did gain some fame and was called 'Grandmaster.'"
"However," Ning Rongrong changed the subject with a hint of mockery, "to be honest, many of his theories, in our view, are either superficial or things that top-tier Spirit Masters already knew but were too lazy to summarize. There is almost no truly core, useful content that can guide high-rank Spirit Masters in their Cultivation. It's only good for misleading low-rank Spirit Masters and common folk who haven't seen the World."
Xiao Wu interjected: "Exactly! Back at Nuo Ding Academy, he wanted to teach Little San, but when he found out Little San had Innate full spirit power and twin spirits, he was instantly dumbfounded. His theories were completely useless."
Shui Binger also added plainly: "His theories might have some enlightening effect for ordinary Spirit Masters, but at the high ranks, especially when dealing with the essence of the Spirit and the qualitative change of spirit power, they appear very weak and ineffective."
Ning Rongrong summarized: "So, how strong is his teaching ability? We certainly don't believe it. Tang San's achievements today rely more on his own talent, Opportunity, and hard work, as well as the covert support of the Clear Sky Sect. At most, Yu Xiaogang gave him some basic guidance in the Early Stage, and also... taught him the phrase 'There are no useless Spirits, only useless Spirit Masters,' which sounds inspiring but is actually quite pale when facing true Geniuses and top-tier Spirits."
She paused, her tone carrying a hint of confusion: "As for how he became the Imperial Advisor of the Heaven Dou Empire... honestly, we are also very surprised. It might be due to his identity as a former member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but most likely it's because of Tang San, or perhaps the Heaven Dou Empire simply couldn't find a more suitable candidate? Anyway... we find it quite unbelievable."
"If you wish to take Tang San as a Disciple, the biggest obstacle is probably not Tang San's insistence, but his... well, difficult-to-evaluate teacher."
Listening to the girls' sharp and merciless evaluations, Xu Hong's expression gradually shifted from curiosity to astonishment, finally settling into a wry, amused look.
He stroked his beard, his eyes showing deeper interest: "Oh? So he is such an... interesting person? Hearing you all speak, this old man is even more anticipating meeting Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang."
From the descriptions given by Ning Rongrong and the others, the image of Yu Xiaogang he sketched was that of a "theorist" with limited talent, whose theories might be useful at the low ranks but lacked depth, and who had climbed to a high position relying on special connections and opportunities.
This differed by more than a thousand miles from the image of a "famous teacher" he had imagined—one capable of Cultivating a World-shocking Talent like Tang San!
This huge contrast added a sense of theatrical curiosity to his trip to the Heaven Dou Empire.
How could such a seemingly "mediocre," even "unworthy of the name," person command such respect and loyalty from Tang San? Was it truly, as Ning Rongrong said, just based on early guidance and the title of master and Disciple?
It seems this trip to the Heaven Dou Empire will be even more... interesting than he anticipated.
Xu Hong looked toward the distant Heaven Dou Empire, a probing light flashing in his eyes.
He wanted to see for himself whether Imperial Advisor Yu Xiaogang truly possessed hidden abilities, or was merely a... lucky fellow pushed into the spotlight?
Heaven Dou City, Imperial Palace.
When Emperor Xue Ye heard that Xu Hong and Ning Rongrong's group had arrived together, a complex emotion flashed across his pale face. He endured his illness, accompanied by Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, and received this special delegation in the side hall.
The atmosphere inside the hall was quite subtle. Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Shui Binger, and Huo Wu—these Spirit Masters who once represented the peak Talent of the Heaven Dou Empire's young generation—had now returned as core members of the Spirit Empire.
The powerful spirit power fluctuations emanating from them secretly alarmed the Heaven Dou high-ranking officials present. In just a few short years, these girls had grown to such an extent!
Xu Hong's gaze immediately fell upon Yu Xiaogang. The Heaven Dou Imperial Advisor had a serious expression and a tall, straight figure, his eyes holding the stubbornness and depth characteristic of a theoretical researcher.
"I have long admired Grandmaster Yu's reputation," Xu Hong said first, his tone calm but scrutinizing. "I heard that the Grandmaster has profound accomplishments in Spirit theoretical research, capable of Cultivating such an outstanding Disciple as Little Friend Tang San. It is truly admirable."
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly, maintaining the reserved demeanor of a scholar: "Imperial Advisor Xu, you flatter me. Tang San's achievements today are entirely due to his own Talent and effort."
Hearing this exchange of pleasantries, Ning Rongrong, standing nearby, couldn't help but let out a soft "tsk," which, though quiet, was particularly clear in the silent side hall.
Xiao Wu simply turned her face away, her shoulders slightly shaking, clearly trying to suppress her laughter.
Xu Hong took all of this in, believing Ning Rongrong's earlier evaluation even more. He continued to probe: "I come from overseas and am quite interested in the Spirit system of the Douluo Continent. I wonder if the Grandmaster could share his insights regarding the combination of Spirit Masters and spirit tools?"
This question directly targeted the weak point in Yu Xiaogang's theoretical system. Sure enough, Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly and stated gravely: "The foundation of a Spirit Master lies in the Spirit. Over-reliance on external objects is ultimately chasing the trivial while neglecting the essential."
"Oh?" Xu Hong raised an eyebrow. "Then what does the Grandmaster think of the popularization of spirit tools currently being promoted by the Spirit Empire? From my observation, spirit tools not only enhance the combat power of Spirit Masters but also allow ordinary people to gain the ability to protect themselves."
"Seeking popularity by claptrap!" Yu Xiaogang's tone turned cold. "The reason Spirit Masters are esteemed is their unique Talent. If everyone can gain power through external objects, where lies the value of the Spirit Master? Where is the order?"
This statement finally prompted Ning Rongrong to speak: "Master Yu, your set of theories is already outdated in the Spirit Empire. We are now promoting the concept of 'Spirit Masters as leaders, spirit tools benefit all beings.' spirit tools are not meant to replace Spirit Masters, but to create a fairer World."
Her voice was crisp and confident, completely different from the willful Young Miss she was years ago.
"Fairness?" Yu Xiaogang sneered. "The strong preying on the weak is the natural Law. Forcibly changing this Law will only lead to greater chaos!"
"So the Heaven Dou Empire should forever maintain the gap between nobles and commoners?" Shui Binger suddenly interjected. She had once studied in the Heaven Dou Empire and felt this deeply. "Just because of different origins, countless talented commoner Spirit Masters can never receive the resources they deserve? Is this the Grandmaster's so-called order?"
Huo Wu also joined the debate: "We have personally witnessed in the Spirit Empire how an ordinary blacksmith apprentice, by learning spirit tool technology, can now create spirit tool Devices that help farmers irrigate. Isn't this more meaningful than clinging to the so-called 'Spirit Master's Glory'?"