Dugu Bo vs ....

Dugu Bo took a step closer to Yu Xiaogang, his towering presence suffocating. "Listen well, you so-called Grandmaster," he sneered. "Your theories, your self-proclaimed expertise, mean nothing when faced with actual strength. You can fill pages with words, but power is forged through blood, sweat, and experience, not empty rhetoric."

Yu Xiaogang trembled under Dugu Bo's scorn, but he tried to gather himself. "Even if... even if you think my methods are flawed, they are the foundation of countless Spirit Masters' paths!" he argued, his voice weak yet defiant. "Theories bring structure to chaos."

"Structure?" Dugu Bo laughed coldly. "What structure has your precious theory brought? A structure of mediocrity? Of fear? Spirit Masters afraid to push their limits because your 'limits' told them they would die if they tried? The only reason Tang San even managed to absorb his first ring was because of his twin spirits—a blessing you had no hand in."

Tang San flinched at the statement but said nothing.

Dugu Bo's voice dropped, turning icy. "Let me be clear: the reason Zhu Shin has surpassed the so-called 'limits' is simple—proper preparation, guidance, and an unshackled mindset. Unlike you, I don't bind my disciple with baseless restrictions."

He turned his attention to Tang San, who straightened under the pressure. "You, boy, are talented. There's no denying that. But talent means nothing without the courage to seize your potential. Learn to question everything—even your master's teachings—or you'll always fall short of greatness."

"How dare you!" Xiaogang snapped, his anger boiling over. "You dare insult my student—"

"You?" Dugu Bo interrupted with a scoff. "I'm not insulting Tang San. I'm telling him the truth you're too afraid to admit. The only insult here is that someone with his potential has been saddled with you as a master."

The words hit Xiaogang like a hammer. He looked down, unable to meet Dugu Bo's piercing gaze.

Zhu Shin decided to step forward, his calm yet firm voice cutting through the tension. "Enough. There's no point in arguing." He glanced at Tang San, his expression unreadable. "I respect your strength, Tang San, but you're far from your peak. Your journey is just beginning, and you need to decide who you'll rely on to guide you. Choose wisely."

Tang San stared at Zhu Shin, conflicted. For the first time, doubt clouded his unwavering belief in his master. He clenched his fists, silently vowing to grow stronger, no matter the cost.

"Well said," Dugu Bo remarked, nodding approvingly at Zhu Shin. He then turned back to Yu Xiaogang one last time, his tone dripping with disdain. "Remember this moment, Grandmaster. The world doesn't bend to your theories. If you can't adapt, you'll be left behind."

"My theories aren't baseless!" Yu Xiaogang snapped back, glaring at him with defiance.

Zhu Shin stopped and turned his head slightly, his calm expression betraying a hint of amusement. "Very well then," he said. "Just answer one simple question."

Yu Xiaogang raised an eyebrow, waiting for the challenge.

"Can a person with a Tool Spirit and a Beast Spirit experience the same level of physical strengthening?" Zhu Shin asked, his tone measured.

Yu Xiaogang scoffed. "Of course not! That's impossible. A Beast Spirit user naturally gains superior physical enhancement compared to a Tool Spirit user. The differences are inherent to their respective natures."

Zhu Shin smiled faintly and nodded. "Then tell me—how can your so-called 'limits' be universally applied to both? Why does your theory treat all Spirit Masters the same, regardless of their differences?"

Yu Xiaogang froze. For a moment, he was speechless. His mind raced as he tried to formulate a response, but the glaring inconsistency in his theories left him fumbling.

Zhu Shin didn't wait for a reply. Turning his back to the Grandmaster, he said, "Think about it, and perhaps you'll realize how much you've ignored." Without another glance, he walked away, his steps confident and unwavering.

For the first time, Yu Xiaogang felt the weight of doubt settle over his shoulders. Could it be that his theories—the cornerstone of his reputation—were flawed in such an obvious way? How could he have overlooked something so fundamental?

Behind him, Tang San silently observed, his expression conflicted. Even he couldn't ignore the validity of Zhu Shin's question.

Dugu Bo smirked at Yu Xiaogang's stunned silence as Zhu Shin's parting words struck deep. The so-called Grandmaster's face twitched with a mixture of frustration and realization, his fists clenching as his confidence crumbled under the weight of Zhu Shin's simple yet devastating logic.

Zhu Shin didn't even look back as he walked away, his steps steady and deliberate, his voice echoing faintly. "Your theories are flawed, Grandmaster. They've blinded you to the individuality of Martial Spirits. Not everything fits into a neat little framework."

For the first time, Yu Xiaogang felt the cold sting of doubt. He stood there, frozen, as his mind raced to justify his theories. Tool Spirits and Beast Spirits—how could I overlook such a fundamental difference? If the physical enhancements are so different, why would the limits be universal? The questions gnawed at him like an itch he couldn't scratch.

Tang San, standing beside him, glanced at his master with a furrowed brow. He hesitated, then spoke cautiously. "Master... Zhu Shin's question—could there be exceptions to the limits you've established?"

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. "Impossible," he muttered at first, but his voice wavered. "But... if his rings truly exceed the limits..." He trailed off, his words losing their conviction.

Dugu Bo chuckled, the sound cutting through the tense silence like a knife. "You see, boy," he said to Tang San, "your master's pride has always been his greatest weakness. When faced with something that challenges his worldview, he'd rather deny it than accept the truth."

"Enough!" Yu Xiaogang snapped, glaring at Dugu Bo. "You've made your point. But I will prove that my theories are not wrong!"

"Prove it?" Dugu Bo's eyes gleamed with mockery. "You'll waste years chasing shadows. Meanwhile, Zhu Shin will continue to grow, leaving you far behind." He turned to Tang San, his tone serious. "Think carefully, boy. Do you want to be held back by your master's ego, or do you want to soar beyond limits?"

***

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