But at those words, Tang San's hands clenched involuntarily, his nails digging into his palms. His jaw tightened.
Zhao Wuji noticed. His brows furrowed slightly. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Tang San's voice was low and bitter. "They're gone… my external spirit bone. Someone stole it."
Zhao Wuji froze. "What?"
"I didn't get the chance to fuse it completely," Tang San said through gritted teeth. "He ambushed me. A Spirit Master with a Flaming Sword Martial Spirit. I tried to resist, but he overpowered me. And when I woke up… they were gone."
The forest air felt colder after that.
Zhao Wuji's face darkened, a rare flash of fury crossing his expression. "To steal a fused external spirit bone... That's not just cruel—it's monstrous."
Behind them, Luochen stood silently, his expression unreadable.
He had played his part perfectly.
No one suspected him.
And Tang San… still had no idea the true thief walked right beside him.
Zhao Wuji's fists clenched at his sides. His voice turned cold. "Tang San… describe him. This man who stole your external spirit bone. What did he look like?"
Tang San took a slow breath, trying to recall through the fog of pain and rage. "He was cloaked… tall. Wielded a flaming sword. His Martial Spirit radiated heat—even the air shimmered around him when he moved. His attacks were fast, but precise. He never went for the kill—he just… wore me down."
Zhao Wuji's brows furrowed deeper. "Anything else? Did you see his face?"
Tang San shook his head. "No. He wore a hood the whole time. And when he left… he vanished like smoke. It was like he was never there."
Behind them, Mo Luochen stood perfectly still, eyes calm, heart unreadable.
It was everything he wanted Tang San to say.
"I see…" Zhao Wuji murmured. "A Spirit Master that skilled—able to suppress you, steal a fused external spirit bone, and vanish without trace… That's no ordinary enemy."
Tang San nodded grimly. "He said I hadn't fully fused the spirit bone. That it was still unstable. And then he tore it out of me."
Zhao Wuji turned sharply to Luochen. "Did you sense anything? Were you nearby when it happened?"
Mo Luochen kept his expression composed. "I came shortly after. Found Tang San injured. I didn't see the attacker… only the traces of spirit energy he left behind. It was faint—but definitely fire-based."
Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth. "We'll report this to the academy. Maybe the elders know someone with a Flaming Sword Martial Spirit. They can help identify him."
"If nothing else, at least they can be on the lookout," Zhao Wuji said, and the others nodded in agreement. With everyone's spirit rings secured, there was no point lingering in the Star Dou Forest any longer.
A week later, the group returned safely to Shrek Academy.
But when they arrived, they were greeted with a surprise.
A new teacher had been appointed to the academy—Tang San's own master, Yu Xiaogang.
"Everyone, this is Yu Xiaogang," Flender announced, his voice respectful. "In the world of spirit masters, he's known simply as 'Master'."
Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands calmly folded behind his back, his gaze cool as he looked over the students.
"I don't think I've ever heard of this man," one of the students whispered, eyeing him with suspicion.
Mo Luochen's expression remained neutral, but his words were sharp. "I don't sense any power from him. You claim to be Master, but anyone can say that. Prove it."
His words cut through the room like a blade, and several students glanced toward Yu Xiaogang in anticipation.
Yu Xiaogang's eyes narrowed slightly. "What are you implying, boy? That I'm a fraud?"
Mo Luochen stood casually, his voice calm but sharp. "No. You're just weak. And that makes it hard to believe you're the so-called 'Master' "
The tension in the room rose.
"So," Luochen continued, "just show me a certificate—something official that proves you're really Master. If you do that, I'll acknowledge you."
The air chilled slightly as Luochen's gaze bore into Yu Xiaogang. His expression didn't change, but inwardly, his thoughts were biting:
This man... below average. Even Flender looks more capable than him. And yet somehow, two top beauties fell in love with this sorry-looking excuse of a Spirit Master? No wonder the Douluo Dalu series is often nicknamed the 'brain-dead love continent'.
The entire room fell silent. Even the air felt heavy.
Tang San's eyes shifted toward Luochen, a cold glint flashing within them.
"There's no need to question him," Tang San said flatly. "He's the one who wrote the Ten Core Spirit Theory—recognized across the continent."
Luochen raised an eyebrow slightly, then slowly extended his hand toward Tang San. "Is that so?" he asked coolly. "Then I want to read it myself."
Tang San blinked, confused. "You… want the Ten Core Theories?"
Luochen gave a faint smile. "Yes."
Tang San hesitated but then reached into his spatial belt, pulling out a carefully bound notebook. He handed it over, trusting.
Luochen flipped through it silently, scanning the words. His eyes didn't widen in awe. No reverence. Just… disappointment.
After a long pause, Luochen closed the book and turned to Yu Xiaogang with a quiet voice full of intent.
"You wrote this?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded, proud. "Yes. Every word."
A small smirk curled at the edge of Luochen's lips.
"Fascinating… I've seen more structured theory in a child's homework."
Yu Xiaogang stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Luochen said as he stepped forward slightly, "this entire theory set is a web of assumptions strung together with flimsy logic. You claim the age ranges for Spirit Rings, you generalize aptitude by spirit affinity, and you talk about fixed thresholds as if cultivation were a clockwork formula."
He raised the book in one hand.
"You ever consider that most of what you call 'rules' are just common sense wrapped in pompous language?"
Yu Xiaogang's face paled.
"And if those were really new discoveries," Luochen continued coldly, "then why did Zhao Wuji already have spirit rings between 400 and 800 years? Are you implying your theories traveled back in time to inform him?"
Yu Xiaogang was frozen, unable to respond.
*******
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