It wasn't unreasonable for Bibi Dong to feel upset.
After Su Cheng rose to fame, far too many people began comparing him to Yu Xiaogang, even though the achievements of the two had absolutely no basis for comparison.
But without a doubt, Yu Xiaogang had been forced into becoming Su Cheng's stepping stone.
The title "Grandmaster of Theory" had completely turned into a joke.
At this moment, Su Cheng was drinking tea inside Yan Mo's bookstore while casually asking about the release of his new book, when he suddenly heard bits of discussion coming from outside.
"I heard that Master Su, just like Yu Xiaogang, only has innate soul power of 0.5 rank, and yet he managed to make breakthroughs in soul ring theory."
"Yu Xiaogang is just a useless piece of trash. How could he possibly be compared to Master Su? He keeps saying 'There are no useless spirits, only useless soul masters,' so why doesn't he go get a thousand-year second soul ring like Master Su? Isn't he relying solely on having a good father?"
"That's true. The opening line of A Mortal's Counterattack—'Are nobles born superior?'—is truly full of momentum. With such temperament, it's no wonder he can achieve anything."
"Saying something like that… the nobles of the two empires don't mind?"
"What's the point of them minding? Would they dare trouble Master Su? Forget his current prestige—do they think Sword Douluo is a decoration?"
"Didn't Master Su already leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is one thing, but Sword Douluo is Sword Douluo. That's his only foster son—who knows what he's thinking."
"Speaking of which, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan really must have had their brains filled with pig oil…"
"Who says they didn't."
"…"
Yan Mo smiled as he looked at Su Cheng seated across from him."Master Su, your name is practically known by everyone now."
It was imaginable—after the new generation of soul masters gradually grew up and were no longer limited by the old soul ring absorption limits, Su Cheng would absolutely be regarded as their guide.
He sighed bitterly."Ai, I really don't know what the Sect Master was thinking. Are you truly not returning?"
Yu Xiaogang wasn't the only one mocked because of Su Cheng's rise—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had become the true negative example.
People regarded them as fools who failed to recognize true talent. Some even shouted that they were unworthy of being one of the Upper Three Sects.
Although such comments had limited effect on the sect's actual standing, they still caused Ning Fengzhi quite a headache.
As someone affiliated with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Yan Mo naturally didn't want such public opinion to continue fermenting.
"I'm not going back. The person I'm waiting for has arrived."Su Cheng glanced outside the window, then stood up."Oh right, find a way to promote this—change my title. Don't call me 'master' anymore. Sounds unlucky."
After speaking, he left the room, leaving Yan Mo staring blankly.
Su Cheng had indeed seen people from Spirit Hall.
And their status was extremely high.
A white-robed figure, spotless, with skin tender like a baby's, appearance strikingly beautiful—if not for the clearly visible Adam's apple, he would easily be mistaken for a peerless beauty.
Alongside him stood a faintly discernible black-clothed figure, who—though unobtrusive at first glance—gave an unfathomably deep feeling when looked at closely.
Su Cheng guessed that these two were likely the famed Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.
Judging by the timing, Spirit Hall should indeed be sending people around now.
Of course, with his current strength he naturally couldn't sense their cultivation. The only reason he noticed was because the white-robed man intentionally revealed himself within his line of sight.
He was slightly surprised—he hadn't expected these two to personally come.
"Master Su."Seeing Su Cheng walk out of the bookstore, the white-robed man stepped forward first. The black-robed figure remained in the distance, keeping a posture that warned strangers to stay away.
"I'm not any master." Su Cheng examined the white-robed man calmly."Didn't expect the famous Chrysanthemum Douluo to recognize a mere Rank-25 Soul Grandmaster like me."
"Master Su jests. I've read your books several times. I also study herbs and medical arts, but after reading your works, I realized I was merely a frog at the bottom of a well. Other than my cultivation, I truly have nothing to boast about."
"I'm serious—don't call me 'master.' Just call me by my name." Su Cheng frowned, emphasizing once more.
He truly disliked the title 'master'—the more he heard it, the more it grated on him.
But Yue Guan's attitude surprised him. He didn't seem to be speaking politely or simply trying to complete a task for the Pope.
"Very well, then. Mister Su, I wonder if you're free lately? His Holiness the Pope wishes to invite you to Spirit City for a meeting."Seeing that Su Cheng truly disliked the title, Yue Guan smoothly changed the address.
Su Cheng looked at him with mild surprise.
He didn't believe for a second that with Bibi Dong's temper she would speak this politely. Not forcing him to go was already courteous—asking whether he had time?
In truth, Su Cheng's earlier guess was correct.
Yue Guan genuinely admired him.
Originally, Bibi Dong planned to send two random subordinates to bring him back.
Instead, Yue Guan volunteered to take the mission.
He had always loved flowers and herbs and was knowledgeable in medicinal botany. But before encountering Su Cheng's theories, he had never imagined that ordinary herbs like solitary bamboo, blue sereneflower, golden-thread silver chrysanthemum—plants with only mild medicinal effects—could, when combined in special proportions, produce miraculous effects.The book called this a chemical reaction.
"Having the two of you personally come… looks like I can't refuse this honor."Su Cheng smiled. Since the other side was so courteous, there was no reason to reject them.
Besides, dealing with that crazy woman Bibi Dong—something like the "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage" approach definitely wouldn't work.
"Mister Su jests."
Yue Guan's smile remained gentle and warm.
Gui Mei remained silent, simply following behind.
During the following days of travel, Yue Guan visited Su Cheng whenever he had time to discuss medicinal properties and meridian theory.
Although he called it "discussion," the reality was that Su Cheng spoke while Yue Guan struggled to digest the content.
Su Cheng didn't mind.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were both powerful elders, staunch supporters of Bibi Dong. Building good relations with the two was extremely beneficial to his future plans.
Though the time was short, Yue Guan felt he benefited tremendously. He even gained new insights on developing his spirit.
At his level, further progress required enlightenment of one's own martial spirit.
Even upon arriving at their destination, Yue Guan still felt reluctant to end the discussions.
Inside the Pope's Palace of Spirit City, within the massive conference hall, Su Cheng was placed here to wait while Chrysanthemum Douluo went to report to the Pope.
In the enormous thousand-square-meter hall, he was the only one present.
Su Cheng sat drinking fragrant tea, waiting while mentally reviewing the final steps of his plan.
Today's meeting was undoubtedly crucial for him.
Back then, he had chosen "Veteran Actor" as one of his initial talents precisely for this moment.
Acting had three main schools: expressionism, experiential, and method acting.The technique he was about to use belonged to the expressionist school.
Su Cheng had already thoroughly studied Yu Xiaogang's past, his mental state, personality, and ambitions.
He had constructed in his mind a new character persona—similar to Yu Xiaogang, yet fundamentally different.
Now, he would immerse himself into this "second self"—
to perform a play opposite Bibi Dong.
(End of chapter)