Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

……

During the journey, Xu Hong naturally didn't miss the opportunity to learn about the Heaven Dou Empire and that "Yu Xiaogang". He found a relatively relaxed moment and traveled with Ning Rongrong and others, casually chatting about the situation of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Sect Leader Ning, ladies," Xu Hong said gently, with the concern of an elder, "I am quite curious about the Heaven Dou Empire, especially the situation in the Soul Master world. I wonder if any of you could enlighten me?"

Ning Rongrong replied with a smile, "You're too kind, Grand Preceptor. Please feel free to ask us anything, and we'll answer to the best of our knowledge."

Xu Hong then asked, "I've heard that Tang San's teacher is named Yu Xiaogang, and he is now the Grand Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire. I'm really curious, what kind of extraordinary talent could cultivate a disciple like Tang San and rise to such a high position?"

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong's smile immediately turned somewhat strange, Xiao Wu beside her couldn't help but purse her lips, and even the usually aloof Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered.

“Yu Xiaogang…” Ning Rongrong drawled out the words, her tone carrying an indescribable complex emotion. She glanced at her companions, who all had a “you tell me” expression on their faces, and then cleared her throat.

"Grand Preceptor, you've come to the right person!" Ning Rongrong seemed to have opened a floodgate, her吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for complaining/criticizing) almost overflowing, "The story of this Master Yu... oh no, Grand Preceptor Yu, is truly... it could go on for days and nights!"

She organized her thoughts and began to speak: "First of all, this Master Yu comes from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the former three upper sects. However, he is an anomaly among the direct descendants of the clan. Because his martial soul underwent a malignant mutation, his soul power could never break through level 30 in his lifetime. Therefore, he was not valued in the clan and later left the clan."

Xu Hong nodded slightly. It is not uncommon for a Martial Soul mutation to limit one's talent.

Ning Rongrong continued, "Later, he traveled across the continent, studied martial spirit theory, and proposed the so-called 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Spirit.' He gained some fame in the lower levels of the soul master world and in some small places, and was called a 'master'."

"However," Ning Rongrong changed the subject, with a hint of mockery, "to be honest, in our opinion, many of his theories are either specious or things that top-tier Soul Masters already know but are too lazy to summarize. There's almost no truly core, practical advice that can guide high-level Soul Masters' cultivation. He's just fooling low-level Soul Masters and ordinary people who haven't seen much of the world."

Xiao Wu chimed in from the side, "Exactly! Back at Notting Academy, he wanted to teach Xiao San, but when he found out that Xiao San was born with full soul power and twin martial souls, he was dumbfounded. His theory was completely useless."

Shui Bing'er added casually, "His theories may have some enlightening effect on ordinary soul masters, but at higher levels, especially when it comes to the essence of martial souls and the qualitative change of soul power, they seem very pale and powerless."

Ning Rongrong concluded, "So, as for how strong his teaching ability is? We don't really believe it. Tang San's achievements today are more due to his own talent, opportunities, hard work, and the secret support of the Clear Sky Sect. Yu Xiaogang at most gave him some basic guidance in the early stages, and also... well, taught him the inspiring but actually pale statement that 'there are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters' in front of true geniuses and top-tier martial souls."

She paused, her tone tinged with a hint of confusion: "As for how he became the Grand Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire... to be honest, we were quite surprised. It might be because of his status as a former member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but it's more likely due to his connection with Tang San, or perhaps the Heaven Dou Empire simply couldn't find a more suitable candidate? Anyway... we find it quite surreal."

"The biggest obstacle to your decision to take Tang San as your disciple is probably not Tang San's insistence, but his... well, it's hard to say about his teacher."

As Xu Hong listened to the group of girls' cacophony and merciless evaluations, his expression gradually shifted from curiosity to astonishment, and finally to a wry smile.

He stroked his beard, his interest growing stronger: "Oh? Such a... remarkable person? After hearing what you all say, I am even more eager to learn about this Master Yu Xiaogang."

From Ning Rongrong and others' descriptions, the image of Yu Xiaogang that he sketched out was that of a "theorist" with limited talent, whose theoretical level might be useful at the lower levels but lacked depth, and who climbed to a high position through some special relationships and opportunities.
This is worlds apart from the image of the "master teacher" he had imagined who could cultivate such an extraordinary talent as Tang San!

This stark contrast fueled his fascination with the Heavenly Dou Empire, making him feel like he was watching a spectacle.

What is it about this seemingly "mediocre" and even somewhat "unworthy" person that Tang San respects and protects so much? Is it really as Ning Rongrong said, just because of his early enlightenment and the master-disciple relationship? It seems that this trip to the Heaven Dou Empire is more... interesting than he expected.

Xu Hong looked towards the distant Tian Dou Empire, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes.

He wanted to see for himself whether this Imperial Preceptor Yu Xiaogang truly possessed hidden abilities, or was merely a lucky one pushed to the forefront.

Tiandou City, the Imperial Palace.

When Emperor Xueye heard that Xu Hong and Ning Rongrong's group had arrived together, a complex emotion flickered across his pale face. Despite his illness, he received this special group in a side hall, accompanied by Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.

The atmosphere inside the hall was quite subtle. Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Shui Bing'er, and Huo Wu, these Soul Masters who once represented the most outstanding talents of the younger generation of the Heaven Dou Empire, have now returned as core members of the Spirit Empire.

The powerful soul energy emanating from them secretly alarmed the high-ranking members of the Heaven Dou Alliance present. In just a few short years, these girls had grown to such an extent!
Xu Hong's gaze immediately fell on Yu Xiaogang. This National Preceptor of the Heavenly Dou Kingdom had a serious face, an upright posture, and eyes that carried the stubbornness and profundity unique to theoretical researchers.

"I have long admired Master Yu's name." Xu Hong spoke first, his tone calm but scrutinizing. "I have heard that Master Yu has profound attainments in the study of martial soul theory, and that he was able to cultivate such an outstanding disciple as Tang San. It is truly admirable."

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly, maintaining the composure of a scholar: "National Preceptor Xu is too kind. Tang San's achievements today are entirely due to his own talent and hard work."

Ning Rongrong listened to these polite exchanges and couldn't help but click her tongue softly. Although the sound was very soft, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet side hall.

Xiao Wu turned her face away, her shoulders twitching slightly, clearly trying to suppress her laughter.

Xu Hong took in everything, and his belief in Ning Rongrong's earlier assessment grew even stronger. He continued to probe, "I come from overseas and am quite interested in the Martial Soul system of Douluo Continent. I wonder if you, Master, could enlighten me with your insights on the combination of Soul Masters and Soul Tools?"

This question directly points to a weakness in Yu Xiaogang's theoretical system. Sure enough, Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "The essence of a Soul Master lies in their Martial Soul. Over-reliance on external things is ultimately putting the cart before the horse."

"Oh?" Xu Hong raised an eyebrow. "Then what is your opinion, Master, on the popularization of soul tools that the Spirit Empire is promoting? In my observation, soul tools can not only enhance the combat power of soul masters, but also enable ordinary people to protect themselves."

"Surprise!" Yu Xiaogang's tone turned cold. "The reason why Soul Masters are so noble lies in their unique talents. If everyone can gain power through external means, what is the value of Soul Masters? What is the order?"

These remarks finally prompted Ning Rongrong to speak up: "Master Yu, your theory is outdated in the Spirit Empire. What we are promoting now is the concept of 'Soul Masters as the guide, Soul Guidance for the benefit of all beings.' Soul Guidance Devices are not meant to replace Soul Masters, but to create a fairer world."

Her voice was clear and confident, a stark contrast to the spoiled young lady she had been years ago.

"Fairness?" Yu Xiaogang sneered. "The law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, is the law of nature. Forcibly changing this law will only lead to greater chaos!"

"So the Heaven Dou Empire is destined to forever maintain the divide between nobles and commoners?" Shui Bing'er suddenly interjected. Having studied in the Heaven Dou Empire, she felt this deeply. "Just because of their different backgrounds, countless talented commoner soul masters will never receive the resources they deserve? Is this what the Grandmaster calls order?"

Huo Wu joined the debate: "We witnessed firsthand in the Spirit Empire that an ordinary blacksmith apprentice, through learning soul tool technology, is now able to create soul tool devices to help farmers irrigate. Isn't this more meaningful than clinging to the so-called 'Soul Master glory'?" (End of Chapter)