Bibi Dong was very dissatisfied with Lin Dong's thesis. However, in her view, Lin Dong's actions likely had just two intentions.
First, to conceal his true identity.
Bibi Dong was well aware—since Lin Dong, or rather, Xiao Yan, didn't appear in Spirit Hall, and instead used their channels to publish the thesis without even claiming the manuscript fee—then either:
His strength was relatively weak and he feared Spirit Hall might forcefully coerce him.
Or he was worried about being found by others, perhaps because he had offended someone.
If it were the latter, considering how Lin Dong and Xiao Yan constantly slandered her Xiaogang (Yu Xiaogang), Bibi Dong believed that Lin Dong must hold a grudge against Yu Xiaogang.
Second, Lin Dong was worried that Spirit Hall might not publish the thesis.
If that were the case, then perhaps Lin Dong was just a pure academic—a researcher. As for the manuscript fee, maybe he simply didn't care about it?
Lying on the Pope's throne, Bibi Dong pondered the influence this thesis might bring once published.
If things went as Lin Dong suggested, all soul masters would start training their physical bodies diligently, which would raise the overall foundational strength of soul masters across the continent.
And not only that—the two great empires, the three upper sects, the four lower sects, and other powers might experience earth-shattering changes.
Who knows, even some hidden forces might emerge.
More importantly, some Soul Douluo-level experts, when breaking through to level 90 to become Title Douluo, might begin choosing 100,000-year-old soul beasts.
That would be very disadvantageous to Spirit Hall's future development. Looks like the pace of subduing the lower four sects must be accelerated.
"Yue Guan, from now on, you'll be responsible for Nana and the others' soul rings. Do your best to make them perfect," Bibi Dong said to the two who had already read the paper.
"Yes, Your Holiness," Yue Guan replied crisply, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile.
Yue Guan had no objections to Bibi Dong's order. If what the thesis suggested came true, then the future of Spirit Hall would indeed see the strong grow even stronger.
As the mentor of the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall and someone with close ties to them, his days would only become better.
"Mm. Gui Mei, how are things on your side?" Bibi Dong shifted her gaze toward Gui Mei and asked.
"Your Holiness, aside from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I've encountered no problems with other factions," Gui Mei responded.
"Good. For the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's copy of the thesis, you and Yue Guan will go together to retrieve it."
"Once the thesis is collected and verified for authenticity, publish it immediately," Bibi Dong ordered with a wave of her hand.
"Understood."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei responded in unison.
In the next moment, the vast Pope's Palace was left with only Bibi Dong.
She looked up at the ceiling, her gaze a little unfocused, murmuring softly:
"I wonder… what Xiaogang will think when he reads this thesis?"
"Sigh…"
At the same time, the heads of various high-level academies each received a copy of the thesis.
If not for the huge success of Xiao Yan's previous thesis, and if not for the letter bearing the name "Lin Dong," the deans wouldn't have paid any attention to such a small document.
Yet this thesis had only one page, and at the bottom was a note saying other parts were in the hands of other academy deans.
This left the deans thoroughly confused. All they could do was try to piece together the main theme from the limited contents.
Apparently—it claimed that the ability to absorb a higher-level soul ring was tied to physical fitness?
But how strong did the body need to be? The thesis didn't say, leaving them frustrated.
This Lin Dong… was really crafty.
Collaborating with other academy deans? They hated the idea.
In just three more years, the next Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament would begin.
If they didn't cooperate and share the thesis, other factions might use this against their own academies.
As deans, this was something they were keen to avoid.
So eventually, they reached an agreement: all would gather at Spirit City to read it together. This, of course, aligned with Spirit Hall's expectations.
In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's training grounds, young spirit masters were diligently practicing and sparring.
Ning Fengzhi stood at a distance, watching silently, deep in thought.
Behind him, the aged but tall and imposing Gu Rong trembled slightly as he read the thesis in his hands, then drew in a sharp breath.
"Fengzhi, the content of this thesis is credible," Gu Rong finally said after a long pause.
"Oh? But it's just one page, barely any data—how can you be so sure, Uncle Gu?" Ning Fengzhi turned with a puzzled expression.
"The thesis's argument is simple: the stronger the physical body, the stronger the soul ring one can absorb. For Title Douluo like us, that's practically common knowledge."
"It's true soul masters today are becoming physically stronger."
"Not to mention the growing number of younger, more powerful Title Douluo with 100,000-year ninth soul rings…"
"Even Rongrong, compared to you at her age, is a generational leap."
Gu Rong couldn't help but smile as he mentioned Ning Rongrong.
"With Rongrong's talent, if her first soul ring is an overlimit 500-year ring, changing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to Eight Treasures may not be a dream."
He rested a large hand on his chin, watching Rongrong the little tyrant gleefully bullying other kids in the training ground, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"She's way more energetic than you were at that age."
That was also to say—Rongrong's talent and physical strength were far superior to Ning Fengzhi's when he was young.
"Uncle Gu, I can't believe you'd say that," Ning Fengzhi chuckled.
Then, with a shift in tone and a serious look, he said:
"Since Uncle Gu has such confidence, Rongrong must stop playing around. I'll make sure she puts in twelve points of effort and absorbs an overlimit first soul ring."
"Fengzhi… she'll hate you for that," Gu Rong replied, stunned.
"No, no, Uncle Gu—you're the one who said it, didn't you?" Ning Fengzhi grinned slyly like a fox.
"You little…" Gu Rong frowned, at a loss for words—this kid calculated even this!
"Oh, right—Uncle Gu, take me to Spirit Hall in a few days. I need to read the full thesis," Ning Fengzhi added seriously.
"Alright… I really wonder what this Xiao Yan is planning," Gu Rong replied, clearly aware—as were others—that the handwriting belonged to the same person. Xiao Yan and Lin Dong were one and the same.
Meanwhile, in the northeast part of the Heaven Dou Empire—Dragon City, in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
In a grand, ancient golden hall—
Yu Yuanzhen narrowed his eyes at the newspaper in hand:
"This Lin Dong… is he trying to wipe out our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's foundation?"
He then tossed the page over to Yu Luomian.
After reading carefully, Yu Luomian understood.
"Big Brother, our medicinal baths are meant to aid our family's dragonification process. They're not just for strengthening the body. Without our specific martial spirit, even the Evil Eyed White Tiger couldn't handle it."
"Though… a simplified version of the bath could be sold for profit."
"That may be true, but what if Spirit Hall and the rest of the continent's soul masters don't believe that?"
"Have you forgotten Yu Xiaogang? He successfully used our medicinal bath and absorbed a 400-year soul ring."
Yu Yuanzhen already foresaw the massive upheaval coming to the continent. If they didn't prepare now, extermination could be in their future.
"Yu Luomian, as the head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I now order you to take a portion of our people into hiding. For at least fifty years—no contact with the outside world."
"Yes."Yu Luomian bowed deeply, his expression solemn.
(End of Chapter)