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"Oh?"
Bibi Dong looked at Su Wen, her face wearing a perfectly crafted mask of surprise.
Every eye in the square was instantly fixed on Su Wen. At this moment, everyone had been anticipating the conclusion of the tournament so they could proceed with the various schemes and plans they had formulated while watching Su Wen fight. Yet, Su Wen had chosen this exact second to interrupt the Pope. What could he possibly want to say before the tournament officially ended?
Su Wen, who already held the heartstrings of every person present, had successfully piqued the curiosity of the entire audience.
"I imagine there are far too many Spirit Masters curious about my techniques for absorbing soul rings beyond the standard age limit," Su Wen began, his voice calm. "Regarding that, everyone, there is no need to worry."
No need to worry?
The moment Su Wen spoke those words, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of excitement. Was he implying that he intended to make the technique public?
Good heavens!
Yu Xiaogang, in particular, stared at Su Wen's figure on the stage with a death-grip intensity.
Publicly disclose it? Even Yu Xiaogang, who had published the "Ten Core Competencies," had never imagined that a theory of this magnitude could be made public. If it were truly disclosed... wouldn't it mean one could easily obtain the theory and the specific techniques within? If that were the case, the absorption of the first three soul rings for Tang San's second martial soul would be entirely without risk. As for the remaining six rings, they could use the experience gained from the first three to find the key themselves.
"Actually, I suspect your curiosity isn't limited to my soul ring absorption," Su Wen continued at a steady pace, slowly recounting his history. "You likely have doubts about my soul power cultivation speed as well."
"My innate soul power was only Rank 5. My martial soul is nothing more than an ordinary Book. However, in the ten years since I was six years old, I have become a sixteen-year-old Soul King and achieved everything you see today."
The audience sighed in collective realization along with Su Wen.
Indeed, if they looked back to those early years, who could have imagined that a Rank 5 scholar with a Book martial soul could absorb soul rings beyond the limit—a thousand-year ring for his second, a ten-thousand-year ring for his fourth—and reach the rank of Soul King in just a decade?
"My martial soul is a book; therefore, in essence, I walk the path of a scholar."
A scholar? Su Wen is also a scholar?
"I firmly believe that knowledge is power."
"A scholar who can transform knowledge into strength is a qualified scholar. Otherwise, no matter how many theories one researches, if they cannot even solve their own problems, they can never truly claim to be a successful scholar."
Yu Xiaogang's face turned an ashen shade of black. Was Su Wen mocking him?
Many people in the crowd instinctively glanced toward the Grandmaster, making Yu Xiaogang's expression even more unsightly. To be fair, Su Wen hadn't launched a general "map-wide" attack on all scholars, because most scholars didn't go around promoting their own fame or proclaiming their success. Only Yu Xiaogang was so flamboyant, branding himself with the title of "Grandmaster."
The surrounding Spirit Masters pondered Su Wen's words, not particularly caring if he was throwing shade at Yu Xiaogang, though they did enjoy the side-eye at the person involved.
Knowledge is power...
The Spirit Masters from the fifteen teams representing the Heaven Dou Empire suddenly recalled Su Wen's previous invitation to them.
Xuegong—The Academy. A place for the dissemination of knowledge.
"Knowledge is power. Relying on knowledge, I have reached my current height. I have developed a relatively complete theory for absorbing soul rings beyond the limit, and I have established a comprehensive framework for martial soul cultivation and soul skill development."
Hiss—!
The sound of collective gasps filled the air.
Because Su Wen had laid it out so clearly, they finally realized that beyond the obvious soul ring anomaly, his cultivation speed and his mastery of self-created soul skills were themselves "invisible" freakish traits. And if Su Wen had theoretical guidance in those areas as well...
Heavens, he was only sixteen! Could he really have researched so many theories in just ten years? Was he a natural-born scholar? That seemed to make sense; after all, his martial soul was a book. Was he not born for this?
"Knowledge is the foundation of power. Theory is the lighthouse that guides a Spirit Master's cultivation."
"Similarly, the dissemination of theory and knowledge is the inexhaustible driving force for the development of the Spirit Master world."
"I remember how difficult it was to obtain knowledge in the beginning, and I am acutely aware of how primitive and backward cultivation is without the guidance of knowledge."
"Therefore, I have established the 'Xuegong'."
"Xuegong shall be the gathering place for all the world's knowledge. My research results and everything I have learned will be recorded within its halls."
"Currently, Xuegong has three honorary elders: Clan Head Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo. We also have two formal elders: the Poison Douluo and the Soul Douluo 'Fire Demon' Xiao Zhan."
Hiss—!
This lineup was, quite frankly, heaven-defying.
"On behalf of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, I offer unconditional support to Xuegong," 'Xue Qinghe' spoke up at that moment.
Again, the crowd gasped.
Everyone was shocked that Su Wen could gather such a luxurious roster. Simultaneously, the more quick-witted individuals realized the heart of the matter: if such a magnificent lineup had been assembled, then whatever Su Wen intended for Xuegong to do would surely shock the entire continent.
Xuegong, the gathering place for the world's knowledge.
Combining that with Su Wen's earlier statement that his knowledge and theories would be made public... many had already guessed what Su Wen was about to announce. Yet, they still held their breath, gazes locked onto the figure standing atop the stage in the center of the square.
"Knowledge should not stay in archive rooms gathering dust."
"Xuegong advocates that knowledge is power. We will integrate knowledge, develop theories, and push the evolution of the Spirit Master world!"
"Furthermore, the knowledge and theories held by Xuegong will be made public to the world."
"Xuegong will be divided into internal and external sectors. There will be direct members and peripheral members, but regardless of affiliation, there will be no distinction made when it comes to accessing knowledge or participating in theoretical research."
"Anyone may join Xuegong as a peripheral member to obtain the knowledge and theories within."
Silence.
A heavy, absolute silence.
At this moment, outside the Pope's Palace of Spirit Hall, the square was deathly quiet.
The powerful experts belonging to Spirit Hall changed their expressions one by one. They looked at the figure on the stage, then turned their heads toward the Pope. The tenets and goals of this "Xuegong" were essentially an attempt to steal Spirit Hall's rice bowl.
However, there was still a distinction.
What truly struck a nerve with Spirit Hall was the banner Xuegong raised about "pushing the development of the Spirit Master world." For ages, Spirit Hall had considered itself the leader in this regard. The development of the Spirit Master world was Spirit Hall's business. But today, someone had come to challenge their monopoly.
Bibi Dong showed no sign of surprise. Her face remained remarkably calm throughout, sending a clear signal to the members of Spirit Hall: The Supreme Pontiff already knew about this!
Sure enough, as the Spirit Masters gradually realized the conflict of interest and turned their eyes toward the Pope, Bibi Dong finally spoke. Her voice echoed across the entire square.
"Since it is for the sake of pushing the development of the Spirit Master world, my Spirit Hall naturally supports this."
"Whatever Xuegong requires for its development, Spirit Hall will do its utmost to satisfy those needs."
As the Pope's voice faded, it signaled Spirit Hall's successful declaration of its stance. The Spirit Masters in the square were moved to a state of near-frenzy.
"For the Spirit Master world!"
"For the Spirit Master world!"
"For the Spirit Master world!"
(End of Chapter)