Chapter 54: Yu Xiaogang's Ambition
"And the various Sects dismissed Yu Xiaogang's Spirit Master theories as impractical. Although their methods weren't particularly clever, in this semi-feudal, semi-slave society where the populace's intellect remained undeveloped, they were sufficient."
Qin Xuan idly flipped a page of the ancient, leather-bound tome in his hands. He was in a remote corner of the Supreme Pontiff Palace library's second floor, surrounded by shelves holding the true, accumulated wisdom of Spirit Hall.
"One can infer the whole from a single glimpse," he mused, scanning a chapter titled 'On the Symbiotic Relationship of Parasitic Spirits.' "Just from how the instructors at Notting Academy, whose ranks were generally Spirit Grandmasters and Spirit Elders, disdained Yu Xiaogang, one can see a thing or two."
He chuckled softly. "Only slightly more discerning individuals, like Flender, the dean of Notting Academy, were successfully bluffed by Yu Xiaogang, allowing him to live and eat for free."
Qin Xuan, while flipping through the book in his hand, was musing to himself. He was struck by the thought that since he was idle anyway, perhaps he should also write a book.
'It would be best,' he plotted, 'to publish it after Yu Xiaogang releases his so-called invincible theory and it causes a strong reaction.'
His gaze drifted to another scroll, "A Refutation of Spirit Mutation: Devolution vs. Evolution." This was the real source material.
'I'll break Bibi Dong's blind admiration for Yu Xiaogang,' he thought, a predatory smile touching his lips. 'And incidentally, I'll allow myself to harvest a massive wave of emotional value. That scene will surely be spectacular.'
As soon as Qin Xuan left, the second floor of the library returned to silence.
But not long after, there was another rapid sound of footsteps.
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang—who had been hiding behind a towering shelf—thought Qin Xuan had returned. He immediately felt that something was amiss, his heart pounding in his throat, and he hurried towards the staircase in a panic, his face pale.
Just as he reached the landing, he nearly collided with someone.
Bibi Dong, who had just recovered her spirit power and injuries, had changed into her usual light purple collared dress. She was walking distractedly, her mind clearly elsewhere, and nearly stumbled into him.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang in such a disheveled state, she asked with some confusion, "Xiao Gang? What's wrong? You look so pale, and you're sweating so much?"
"I…" Yu Xiaogang was speechless; he couldn't possibly say he was scared by Qin Xuan. He couldn't admit that the man's mere presence, even without the killing intent, felt like a mountain pressing on him.
Yu Xiaogang thought for a moment, then changed the subject, forcing a concerned look. "I just saw Qin Xuan, it seems. I was just about to go inform you."
"Qin Xuan…" Bibi Dong's heart trembled. The name alone sent a jolt through her. Her beautiful eyes instantly lit up, and she said with some excitement, "Where did he go?"
Yu Xiaogang looked towards the third-floor staircase, "He seemed to go up to the third floor."
No sooner had he said this than he wished he could slap himself. Of all the excuses to make, why did he have to mention that jinx?
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong, whether due to the disappointment of her previous defeat or because of the lie about the Immortal Herb, disregarded Yu Xiaogang who was still beside her. She hurried directly to the third floor.
"Bibi Dong, I…" Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang wanted to call her back.
He was met with Bibi Dong's hurried reply, her voice filled with a desperate hope he had never heard before. "Xiao Gang, wait for me here for a moment! Perhaps I've found a way to resolve your Spirit mutation!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's eyes instantly lit up.
Could it be? The Immortal Herb? Could it be that Qin Xuan found a way to solve his Spirit mutation in that place where even Titled Douluo were in danger of falling?
The more Yu Xiaogang thought about it, the more excited he became. The gloom in his heart instantly vanished, replaced by a burning, ecstatic greed.
He stood there, trembling, as Bibi Dong's footsteps faded up the stairs.
'My Spirit... fixed?' he thought, his breath coming in short gasps. 'I could... I could be a true master... the true genius of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!'
He imagined returning to the clan, his Spirit no longer a pig, but a true dragon. He imagined his father's shock, Flender's awe...
If it weren't for the fact that he currently lacked the courage to face Qin Xuan and the qualification to enter the third floor, he would have eagerly gone up to find Qin Xuan himself.
As for whether Qin Xuan might do something with Bibi Dong again, like last time in the small forest?
He... didn't care.
Even if something did happen, he wouldn't mind.
If not for this damned Spirit mutation, he, as a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, wouldn't have become a good-for-nothing despised and bullied by everyone.
Compared to his future... compared to his ambition... what was a small stain on Bibi Dong's honor? She loved him. She would understand. It was a worthy sacrifice.
Compared to his future, everything else was insignificant.
Bibi Dong hurried up to the third floor, her gaze sweeping around quickly.
This floor was different. It was reserved for Elders and above. It was utterly silent, the air still and filled with the scent of ancient parchment.
Dozens of meters away, in a quiet corner, Qin Xuan stood calmly. He was still clad in that bright and luxurious Phoenix Fire, which enveloped his tall and straight figure.
His eyes were fixed on the book in his hand, flickering with thoughts and a hint of laziness.
Standing there, he gave off a very peculiar feeling. It seemed as though the sunlight streaming into the third floor from the huge windows around him was focused solely on him. The bright Phoenix Fire and his cascading long hair accentuated him, giving off a stunning, almost divine impression.
Both his appearance and temperament were such that almost any innocent young woman would be captivated at first sight.
'That little tag-along... he's really grown up…' Bibi Dong gazed at Qin Xuan in a daze, a blush involuntarily appearing on her pretty face.
Qin Xuan glanced at Bibi Dong, probably guessing her intention.
"You're here." A leisurely, pleasant voice echoed in the silent hall. It wasn't a question; it was a statement. He had been expecting her.
"Mm." Bibi Dong nodded slightly, wanting to step forward but hesitating. She had originally intended to ask about the Immortal Herb, but suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
The image of Qin Xuan reaching third base in the small forest, his hands... there... kept replaying in her mind.
"Are you surprised?"
Out of caution, Qin Xuan extended his mental force, confirming that there was no one else around, only two Spirit King guards at the second-floor staircase. He then closed his book and walked towards Bibi Dong.
"Mm." Bibi Dong's reply was still that single word. A slightly bitter smile appeared on her perfect, pretty face. "Speaking of which, I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet."
"Yes, even I find it surprising." Qin Xuan's voice was light, but his eyes were not. "I went to the City of Slaughter for training and came back with a wife and a child on the way. We had clearly agreed that once I made it out of the City of Slaughter, I would come to ask the Supreme Pontiff for your hand in marriage."
Qin Xuan walked towards Bibi Dong step by step, a faint, unreadable smile on his handsome face.
Bibi Dong didn't speak, not knowing how to, only gazing at him quietly.
She was surprised to find that Qin Xuan seemed to have changed since returning from the City of Slaughter.
It wasn't just his strength. His eyes now appeared incredibly clear. Gone was the trepidation and eagerness to please he used to show when facing her.
If the old Qin Xuan was not much different from those Spirit Masters in Spirit Hall who admired her beauty and talent, then the current him seemed capable of conversing with her calmly, full of confidence and resolve.
Even Yu Xiaogang couldn't achieve this, because no matter how much pride his Upper Three Sects background gave him, he always felt inferior due to his Spirit mutation. That inferiority was a chasm in his soul.
Qin Xuan, however, felt... whole. Complete. The calm of a predator that knows its own strength.
Bibi Dong sighed softly in her heart.
Perhaps, from the moment Qin Xuan decided to go to the City of Slaughter for training for her sake, he had already changed.
It was just that it was too late to say anything now. She had already fallen in love with Yu Xiaogang, and Qin Xuan also had his own significant other. One could only say they were fated to be apart.
After a long moment, Bibi Dong, still unsure how to respond, softly uttered two words, "Congratulations."
"Congratulations, huh? That really stings." Qin Xuan's face showed a hint of self-mockery as he continued to advance.
Bibi Dong was suddenly startled, thinking Qin Xuan was going to act like last time. Although there was an expectation within her that even she didn't realize, there was more resistance.
"Don't mess around! This is the library. Someone could come in at any time."
Now that Qin Xuan was a man with a family, she couldn't ruin his home. Moreover, she didn't want to let Yu Xiaogang down again.
As Qin Xuan took a step forward, she took a step back, eventually being cornered against a massive bookshelf and forcefully 'wall-slammed' by Qin Xuan.
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