Information Gaps Are Gold Mountains

The room was filled with dappled light and shadow as Tuoba Yan's fingertips twitched, and a translucent white crystal ball slowly emerged from his storage ring.

The moment his palm touched the sphere's surface, it suddenly burst with a dazzling blue light, illuminating the brilliance in the young man's eyes.

"Level Fourteen!"

It had been three months since he obtained his first Soul Ring.

Just three months ago, upon receiving his first Soul Ring, his Soul Power had soared from Level Ten to Level Thirteen.

Then, after three months of meditation, his Soul Power Level had risen from Level Thirteen to Level Fourteen today, finally achieving a small but significant increase. It pleased Tuoba Yan; his grandfather, Tuoba Xi, hadn't become senile just yet. Under his guidance, Tuoba Xi hadn't been foolish enough to hand over the method of using Whale Rubber to the Martial Soul Hall.

Tuoba Xi had adopted his grandson's suggestion, sending family members out to scour the major cities for Whale Rubber.

After three months of frantic purchasing, the Whale Rubber amassed by the Tuoba Clan could fill two rooms. And clan members continued to bring it back daily. The quantity of Whale Rubber was still increasing at a remarkable rate.

It was worth noting that this rare treasure was still cheap as cabbage.

The Tuoba Clan's frantic acquisition of Whale Rubber had attracted the attention of many interested parties. On the streets outside the Tuoba Manor, numerous intelligence agents were secretly monitoring the Clan's activities.

"Dong dong dong!"

Just as he was pondering, a knock echoed through the room. Tuoba Yan subtly activated his Soul Power, forming a gust of wind that opened the door, revealing Tuoba Xi standing outside.

"What is it?"

The young man's tone was as cold as ice, as if the March chill hadn't yet dissipated.

For nearly three months, he had deliberately kept his distance from his grandfather, aside from mealtimes, to focus on his cultivation and, more importantly, to see if the elderly man would reconsider—whether familial affection or loyalty held greater importance.

Tuoba Xi was a man of unwavering loyalty.

Sometimes, Tuoba Yan worried that Tuoba Xi might foolishly prioritize loyalty over family.

Tuoba Xi coughed lightly and said in a solemn voice, "Ahem, tidy yourself up and come with me to pay respects to Pontiff Bibi Dong."

"To see Bibi Dong?"

"That's right, I'm seeking a master for you."

"You want me to accept her as my teacher?" Tuoba Yan raised an eyebrow, his tone firm. "I refuse."

"Yan'er, don't be reckless!" Tuoba Xi urged earnestly, imparting wisdom. "If the Pontiff takes you as a disciple, you'll be able to be formally designated as a Saint Son in the future, and eventually inherit the position of Pontiff! I've already asked the steward to find Ju Douluo; Ju Douluo will speak well for you in the Pontiff's ear. You possess Twin Martial Souls; this is practically guaranteed!"

Hearing this, the young man's eyes blazed, making Tuoba Xi's spine tingle.

For some reason, whenever Tuoba Xi gazed into his grandson's eyes, he felt as though he saw the wisdom of a seasoned veteran hidden beneath the face of a six-year-old child.

Feeling self-conscious under the intense gaze, Tuoba Xi seemed like a child stammering, "Have I done something wrong?"

"You're still clinging to that old habit!" Tuoba Yan scolded, "All living beings are equal. We bear the blood of the White Armored Earth Dragon, so why should we kowtow and curry favor with Bibi Dong?"

"Yan'er…"

Tuoba Xi wanted to persuade Tuoba Yan, to analyze the numerous benefits of studying under Bibi Dong.

Just then, the steward entered the room, bowing respectfully to Tuoba Xi and Tuoba Yan.

"Lord, Pontiff Bibi Dong sent a message, saying that she doesn't want a brat like you sullying the ground of the Pontiff's Hall. She refused to speak on your behalf. She even returned the Saint Soul Grass you sent. She said she can't help you with this matter."

Tuoba Xi took the box containing the returned gift with a grim expression.

Having been so thoroughly rejected by Bibi Dong, Tuoba Yan suddenly shrugged and laughed, "Looks like you were right. Not only am I unwilling to accept Bibi Dong as my teacher, but now she doesn't want me as a disciple either. Bibi Dong is turning her nose up at me."

"A brat?" Tuoba Xi was furious.

"Brat" implied impurity and filth.

Tuoba Xi felt indignant, "My grandson is a person of great worth; it's already inappropriate for her to refuse him as a disciple, let alone humiliate him like this! Yan'er, have you offended the Pontiff?"

"Why would I bother to provoke her?" The young man scoffed, turning towards his desk, "Alright, grandfather, is there anything else? If not, I'm going to read."

Perhaps many people wanted to curry favor with the Pontiff, but Tuoba Yan was an exception.

Tuoba Yan didn't want to continue discussing the matter of becoming a disciple or Bibi Dong's opinion of him. He dismissed his grandfather.

He stood and walked to the desk, picking up a book from the table.

Tuoba Xi had something to say, but hesitated. Watching his studious grandson, he turned to leave, but heard a voice behind him.

"Leave the Saint Soul Grass."

In the original storyline, Da Ming and Er Ming had found the Saint Soul Grass and, along with other ingredients, resurrected Xiao Wu.

It was a celestial herb.

It had a nourishing and restorative effect on the soul, with a special efficacy for injured or dormant souls, making them more stable and vibrant.

The Saint Soul Grass was also the Tuoba Clan's treasured heirloom.

In order to smooth the way, Tuoba Xi was willing to part with this precious item to have his grandson accepted as a disciple.

"It's better to rely on oneself than on others. Now that eyes and ears are everywhere, the secret of the Whale Rubber will likely not last long. You should go to the Martial Soul Hall to 'contribute.' When all our clan members return from their procurement missions, you will hand over the method, but you must obtain something beneficial to our clan in return."

"You've always opposed this," Tuoba Xi was puzzled.

"Times change," Tuoba Yan placed the box containing the Saint Soul Grass on the desk, "It's better to use it as a bargaining chip than to have it discovered and become worthless information. As a Platinum Bishop of the Soul Hunting Squad, you should know how to weigh the pros and cons, and not repeat that foolish loyalty."

Looking at the unwavering sharpness in his grandson's eyes, Tuoba Xi sighed in resignation, "I'll go and see."

"Pay attention to what children say, adults must take it seriously. It's not a matter of 'trying,' it's a matter of must succeed." Tuoba Yan's gaze was like a blade. "If Qian Dao Liu isn't interested, there are other clans willing to pay a high price. Remember—information is gold."

Tuoba Xi, lectured by this six-year-old child, nodded repeatedly, feeling in a daze that he was the junior who needed guidance.

While Whale Rubber couldn't directly increase Soul Power, it could widen meridians, strengthen the body, and help Soul Masters absorb higher-year Soul Rings.

If such a secret could be exchanged for an opportunity for the clan to rise, Tuoba Xi felt that it wasn't a bad move after all.