The Grandmaster is Bewildered

The Grandmaster's expression swiftly changed, a multitude of complex emotions converging into a long sigh. It seemed that fate hadn't destined him to be a mentor to this little prodigy.

What a pity... He only hoped that this young talent wouldn't be led astray by others in the future.

However, he had a second thought. Helping Ao Tian didn't necessarily require taking him as a disciple. He could offer timely advice to prevent Ao Tian from going down the wrong path.

Though they might not bear the title of master and disciple, the actual mentorship was there. This was a kind of long-term investment, which seemed quite promising.

Thinking this way, he felt relieved and less regretful.

As for admitting that his theory had flaws, it wasn't that difficult for him.

He spoke up, "I, Yu Xiaogang, am willing to concede defeat. I acknowledge the flaws in my theory, and I won't bring up the matter of taking Ao Tian as a disciple again."

Ao Tian looked at the Grandmaster with a smile and said, "You don't seem to be entirely convinced. Actually, deep down, you probably don't believe there's anything wrong with your theory. But that's understandable. Admitting defeat only requires a simple statement. Who would know what you truly think?"

A strange expression flickered across the Grandmaster's face, realizing that his thoughts had been laid bare by Ao Tian. It was a bit awkward.

Indeed, that's exactly what he thought. He had devoted so much effort to researching and summarizing, based on a vast amount of real data. How could there be flaws in his theory?

The cost of losing was just uttering a casual sentence; he wouldn't lose anything significant.

The Grandmaster remained silent, but Tang San spoke up. He endured the pain on his face and said, "Since you've been so insistent that my teacher's theory has flaws, how do you prove it?"

Ao Tian suddenly became interested and said, "Alright, I'll make you believe it from the bottom of your heart."

He looked at the Grandmaster and asked, "Reaching level of a Spirit Grandmaster at the age of seven, according to your theory, is this possible?"

The Grandmaster opened his mouth, wanting to immediately say it was impossible, but the words wouldn't come out.

If this were in the past, he would have firmly declared it impossible. But now, after witnessing Ao Tian's strength, he was starting to have doubts.

Could it be that he really had the power of an advanced Spirit Grandmaster, easily defeating Tang San?

"Are you really... already a Spirit Grandmaster?" the Grandmaster asked.

"That's right," Ao Tian replied.

"This is impossible. Awakening a martial soul at six and becoming a Spirit Grandmaster at seven. How can anyone progress by over a dozen levels in just one year?" Tang San vigorously shook his head.

Ao Tian paid him no mind and continued, "Now tell me, according to your theory, how many years can a Spirit Master's first spirit ring absorb at most?"

This time, the Grandmaster didn't hesitate at all. He blurted out, "Four hundred and twenty-three years!"

"How did you arrive at this data?" Ao Tian inquired.

The Grandmaster explained, "Every year on the continent, countless Spirit Masters obtain their first spirit ring and register for certification at the Spirit Hall. I worked there for several years and examined thousands of cases. Among these cases, even the most outstanding Spirit Masters, with exceptional talent, have only absorbed up to four hundred and twenty-three years of soul power. While this data may not be the most accurate, it is certainly very close to the limit."

"Well, that's because you haven't encountered anyone even more talented than those you studied. In the face of true geniuses, your theories can easily be shattered." Ao Tian said.

He couldn't help but remember Qian Renxue, the number one genius in the Spirit Hall. When her martial soul awakened, her soul power had already reached level twenty, and her first spirit ring far exceeded four hundred and twenty-three years.

Then there was Tang San. In the original story, he repeatedly surpassed the limits of absorbing spirit rings. If it weren't for Tang San's good fortune, he would never have been forced to attempt absorbing spirit rings that exceeded the Grandmaster's theory. In that case, his achievements probably wouldn't have been as high.

According to the Grandmaster's theory of absorbing spirit rings, at most, one could only become a genius among the majority of Spirit Masters. That wouldn't qualify as astonishing talent.

The Grandmaster shook his head, saying, "The theory derived from extensive data..."

Ao Tian shook his head with a smile, "Then let me show you my spirit rings."

With that, two purple spirit rings rose from under him. The Grandmaster, who was so certain of the correctness of his theory just moments ago, was now dumbfounded.

"How is this possible?" he exclaimed, stumbling back a step, almost falling over, his face showing an expression of utter disbelief.

Tang San quickly supported his teacher, exclaiming in astonishment, "This is impossible! I've seen your first spirit ring before, it was clearly yellow. How could it have turned purple now?"

"There's nothing impossible about it," Ao Tian said. He looked at the Grandmaster and asked, "Master, do you know the secret of upgrading spirit rings?"

The Grandmaster shook his head blankly, saying, "I don't know."

But soon, he became excited and said, "Ao Tian, can you tell me this secret? I'm willing to do anything you ask."

The Grandmaster had dedicated his whole life to the research of martial souls. While there was a desire to prove his worth in it, he genuinely loved the field of research. Now, suddenly being exposed to an area he had never delved into, how could he not be excited?

Ao Tian shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I can't tell you this secret."

In truth, it wasn't exactly a secret. As long as a Spirit Master had sufficient talent and came into contact with the divine heritage of this world, they naturally had the opportunity to increase the years their spirit ring could absorb.

He revealed his two purple spirit rings, simply not wanting the Grandmaster to use his theories to care for him in the future.

Ao Tian looked at Gu Yuena and Xiao Wu, saying, "Let's go. We should think about what to eat for dinner."

With that, he took the lead in descending the hill.

Gu Yuena and Xiaowu quickly followed.

"This is great! I want to have steamed carrots, boiled carrots, stir-fried carrots..." Xiao Wu cheered and hopped along behind Ao Tian.

"Xiao Wu, are carrots really that delicious?" Gu Yuena asked in puzzlement.

"I just happen to like them."

"..."

...

On the mountaintop, Yu Xiaogang looked utterly lost, his face eventually filled with bitterness.

"I'm really ridiculous. He possesses knowledge that even I don't know about, and yet I dared to think about taking him as my disciple. In his eyes, I'm probably just a joke from start to finish."

The Grandmaster mocked himself, feeling like a complete joke.

The principal walked up and comforted him, saying, "Xiaogang, don't be discouraged. Even if the whole world looks down on you, you can't look down on yourself."

Tang San also advised, "That's right, Teacher. I think your theory is fine. Ao Tian probably used some unconventional methods to extend the years a spirit ring can absorb. I only believe in the results I achieve through my own hard work and practice."

In truth, the blow the Grandmaster received from this battle was even greater than Tang San's. Tang San only felt embarrassed, but the Grandmaster was struck in the realm of theory by Ao Tian.

A seven-year-old Spirit Grandmaster with two purple spirit rings – these were all impossible situations according to the Grandmaster's theory. Yet, today, he had witnessed it with his own eyes.

He couldn't help but wonder if there was a significant flaw in his theory.

Suddenly, he looked up and said, "For Ao Tian to know such an astonishing secret about cultivation, he must have a remarkable background. Xiao San, can you find out which family Ao Tian comes from?"