Chapter 94: Yu Xiaogang’s Theory Debunked

Liu Erlong crossed her arms and turned her head to look out the window, refusing to engage with Dan Heng.

She was furious!

The Ten Core Competencies Theory clearly belonged to Yu Xiaogang, yet in Dan Heng's words, it had become someone else's?

Wasn't this blatant plagiarism of Yu Xiaogang's theoretical work?

Once she got the evidence, she wouldn't just slam it in Dan Heng's face—she would kick him out of Blue Tyrant Academy!

And she would tell him directly: This theory was published by my beloved, Yu Xiaogang!

Dan Heng, however, enjoyed the silence. He shifted slightly outward, wanting to keep some distance from Liu Erlong.

But Liu Erlong grabbed his sleeve, her voice cold and firm.

"Trying to run?"

Dan Heng paused slightly. "Run from what?"

"Because you're wrong. That theory couldn't have been published by someone else." Liu Erlong sneered, her tone full of skepticism.

Dan Heng frowned and countered, "Why is the Dean so certain?"

Liu Erlong replied confidently, "Because I say it's impossible, so it's absolutely impossible."

Dan Heng said calmly, "Dean Liu, the Soul Master world has been developing for tens of thousands of years, correct?"

"Of course!" Liu Erlong replied matter-of-factly.

Thousands of years ago, even though there were no detailed historical records, the Spirit Hall had already existed as an ancient institution.

Back then, there were even people who ascended to godhood—naturally, there had been Soul Masters as well.

Dan Heng continued, "Then do you believe that in tens of thousands of years, plant-type Soul Masters have only ever absorbed plant-type spirit rings and never animal-type ones? Do you think they wouldn't have discovered this fact?"

His voice was calm, but his words carried weight.

Liu Erlong suddenly froze.

He had a point. No matter how foolish the Soul Masters of Douluo Continent were, there were bound to have been exceptions.

For example, a beast-type Soul Master might have accidentally absorbed a plant-type spirit ring, or vice versa.

The probability of it never happening was simply too low!

Dan Heng continued, "That's exactly why this belief persisted. Because plant-type Soul Masters absorbing plant-type spirit rings is generally safer, with a higher chance of obtaining powerful soul skills."

"..."

Liu Erlong's mind was in turmoil. She couldn't listen anymore.

In her heart, Yu Xiaogang was a genius with unparalleled insight. How could he have plagiarized someone else's theory?

No, that was impossible!

There must be some misunderstanding!

She was too frustrated to even argue with Dan Heng anymore.

Moments later, there was a knock on the door, and the three sisters of the Red Pearl walked in, bringing the books Dan Heng had mentioned.

Liu Erlong immediately rushed over and snatched them up, flipping open the first one.

"Page thirty-four. The author briefly mentions how Blue Silver Grass Soul Masters should choose their first spirit ring, and suggests Mandala Snakes as a good option," Dan Heng reminded her.

Liu Erlong quickly turned to the page—and sure enough, that exact statement was written there.

Even though it was only a passing remark, it was far more detailed than Yu Xiaogang's one-liner.

She hesitated for a moment, then flipped to the back of the book, hoping for some discrepancy.

The book was written thirty years ago—meaning that this theory existed long before Yu Xiaogang, and was even more refined!

"This… this…"

Liu Erlong's face turned pale.

The brilliant but underappreciated master she had idolized had actually stolen someone else's theory?

No… No, that couldn't be!

He must have arrived at the same conclusions through his own research—it was just a coincidence!

Liu Erlong suddenly didn't want to check the second book anymore. She shoved it into Red Pearl's hands as if it were a burning coal.

"Dean Liu, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?" Red Pearl asked worriedly.

Liu Erlong shook her head. "No, I'm fine… I'm fine…"

She was just too shaken.

After a moment of thought, she turned to Dan Heng, gritting her teeth.

"There's another theory—it's about the ideal spirit ring age limits for different ranks of Soul Masters. The first spirit ring should…"

She refused to believe that Dan Heng could find this one in a book too!

She remembered it vividly—when she absorbed her fifth spirit ring, Yu Xiaogang had presented this theory and helped her choose the best spirit ring.

Even now, she recalled it as a sweet memory.

She had memorized Yu Xiaogang's words from that day.

Dan Heng listened, then frowned slightly. He hadn't actually read about this topic in books.

Seeing his hesitation, Liu Erlong smirked smugly and patted her chest.

"What's wrong? Out of arguments, Dan Heng? Since you lost, you should obediently become my senior teacher!"

Liu Erlong declared triumphantly.

But then—Dan Heng shook his head.

"No. This isn't a theory, but rather an observation based on experience. I haven't seen it in books, but I did read about it in an old magazine…"

"It mentioned that about twenty years ago, Spirit Hall conducted an experiment using convicted criminals, forcing them to absorb spirit rings to test their age limits…"

"Spirit Hall never publicly released the results, but even if they had, it's impossible to apply a one-size-fits-all rule."

"For example, consider two Soul Masters at rank ten. One is malnourished, sickly, and frail. The other is well-fed, physically strong, and has trained rigorously. Do you think they can absorb the same level of spirit ring?"

Dan Heng shook his head slightly, decisively refuting Liu Erlong's argument.

"!!!"

Liu Erlong's face went completely white—first with anger.

Because the time frame matched too well—Spirit Hall's experiment likely happened to support Yu Xiaogang's research!

And the one helping him must have been Bibi Dong, her romantic rival.

But before her jealousy could even surface, Dan Heng's next words shattered her illusions.

With just a single statement, he made her realize her mistake.

Now that she thought about it—she had trusted Yu Xiaogang too much back then. She hadn't questioned him.

Was the so-called spirit ring age limit really her own limit?

If she hadn't followed his recommendation, could she have obtained a stronger spirit ring?

The thought made her shudder. She quickly shook her head, afraid to continue down that path.

She was terrified that Yu Xiaogang's image in her heart would completely collapse.

And she no longer dared to bring up his Ten Core Competencies Theory.

"Dean Liu, if you're feeling unwell, please take care of yourself. I'll be taking my leave…"

Dan Heng smiled, stood up, and prepared to leave.

But suddenly, Liu Erlong grabbed his sleeve again, gritting her teeth.

"No! You can't leave! You must become a senior teacher at Blue Tyrant Academy!"

"???"

Dan Heng froze and looked at her in shock.

"Didn't I win? Why…"

Liu Erlong declared with conviction, "I am the Dean of Blue Tyrant Academy! What I say goes! And yes, I'm breaking my promise—so what? I never said I was a noble person!"

"..."

Dan Heng's lips twitched.

Great. He had encountered a shameless scoundrel.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke seriously. "If Dean Liu insists on this, then I will resign and leave Blue Tyrant Academy today."

(End of Chapter)