Distributing Immortal Herbs, First Meeting with the Pope

A day later.

Qian Daoliu brought Lin Huai into the Worship Hall.

The assembled titled douluo rose, and Golden Crocodile King spoke first:

"Big Brother, we have thoroughly grasped the effects of Whale Rubber. We are already collecting it across the continent, and we have basically secured the distribution channels along the coast."

Golden Crocodile King then briefed Qian Daoliu on the specific effects of Whale Rubber based on its age.

Those under five hundred years have no effect on talent for those with innate soul power of level five or higher; they only increase the absorption limit of soul rings by a few decades. Therefore, they would release some five-hundred-year Whale Rubber to alleviate the suspicions of other factions.

Millennium-level Whale Rubber can effectively improve the talent of soul masters with innate soul power below level eight and increase the absorbable soul ring limit by one hundred to three hundred years.

Ten-thousand-year-level Whale Rubber can even allow a genius with innate level eight talent to possess level nine cultivation talent. It can directly increase the absorbable soul ring limit by five hundred to one thousand years. (The original work of Douluo Dalu II did not specify if Whale Rubber could increase soul power, so here it is assumed that ten-thousand-year-level rubber can increase a Soul Grand Master's soul power by one level.)

Moreover, the improvement to the absorption limit of the first soul ring for ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber is similar to that of the millennium-level, so it is not advisable to consume ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber too early.

"There is too little of the ten-thousand-year level. We have been having our own descendants consume it directly, and the data obtained still requires further testing."

Qian Daoliu nodded with satisfaction.

"Not bad. I also discovered some good things on this trip."

He immediately took out six boxes inlaid with gold and jade, describing the effects of the corresponding immortal herbs to the group.

He left it to them to decide whether to consume the herbs themselves or give them to talented descendants in their families.

Lin Huai interjected at this moment:

"Also, Teacher and I have discovered a soul master theory that can be called epoch-making."

The several titled douluo looked at Lin Huai with some confusion before shifting their gaze to Qian Daoliu.

Only then did Qian Daoliu recall the Soul Core theory and explain it in detail. (After all, since Qian Daoliu considered it unnecessary for himself, it was reasonable that he hadn't paid it much mind.)

After a moment of silence:

Golden Crocodile King and Mighty Lion Douluo decisively decided to save the immortal herbs for their descendants.

Azure Luan and Guang Ling, because their martial souls were mutated and they lacked descendants with high talent in their families, relied on the ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber to barely maintain the succession of titled douluo, so they consumed the herbs directly.

Falling Devil and Thousand Jun decided together that Thousand Jun would give his to a descendant, while Falling Devil would consume the immortal herb himself.

Qian Daoliu then instructed the three—Golden Crocodile King, Azure Luan, and Guang Ling—to bring their descendants to the Worship Hall.

"The three of you may proceed to consume them according to the method."

As the three titled douluo began to absorb their respective immortal herbs, Qian Daoliu continued to explain the essentials of blade techniques to Lin Huai, sharing his own insights into sword momentum and sword intent.

The doors of the Worship Hall were pushed open once again.

The three titled douluo led three children, around ten years of age, into the hall.

"Grandpa Qian." "Great Worship."

The three children first bowed to Qian Daoliu.

Golden Crocodile King's resonant voice rang out:

"Although the three of you know each other, the Great Worship has taken on a disciple, so you should introduce yourselves first."

The little blonde girl beside Golden Crocodile King stepped forward.

"I'll go first."

"Tian Yue, eight years old this year. With the help of Whale Rubber, I am now level nineteen. My martial soul is the same as my grandfather's: the Golden Crocodile King. I am a power-attack soul master."

Mighty Lion Douluo nudged the red-haired boy beside him.

He walked forward, looking somewhat awkward.

Only after hearing his introduction did Lin Huai understand why he seemed so uncomfortable.

"I am Kuang Zhan, ten years old. My martial soul is the same as my great-grandfather's: the Blazing Lion. I am a level twenty-two power-attack Soul Grand Master."

Lin Huai noticed that it was a generation gap; no wonder he felt embarrassed.

The last one appeared to be the descendant of Thousand Jun and Falling Devil.

The remaining boy walked out.

His physique was extremely sturdy; one would think he was a soul master with some powerful beast martial soul.

He pressed his palms together and bowed slightly.

"My name is Qiangu Yichen. I am the grand-nephew of the Worships Thousand Jun and Falling Devil. My martial soul is the Coiling Dragon Staff. After consuming Whale Rubber, I was lucky enough to reach level thirty. I have not yet added a new soul ring, and I am currently twelve years old."

Lin Huai introduced himself last:

"Lin Huai, disciple of the Great Worship, seven years old. My martial soul is Malenia, and I am a level eighteen power-attack soul master."

"Since we will surely have many interactions in the future, how about we set aside our seniority and address each other by age?"

Lin Huai looked at the three of them.

Qiangu Yichen spoke up directly: "Agreed."

Kuang Zhan revealed a look of joy and nodded immediately.

Tian Yue, however, bared her teeth as she looked at Lin Huai.

"Ahem... according to seniority, you should call me Martial Aunt."

Golden Crocodile patted Tian Yue on the head, agreeing to Lin Huai's suggestion on her behalf.

"Alright, you juniors will have plenty of opportunities to interact later; consume the immortal herbs first."

Tian Yue hugged the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, sat down on the meditation cushion Golden Crocodile usually used, and opened her mouth to take a bite.

Kuang Zhan and Qiangu Yichen sat cross-legged on the ground, consuming the Blazing Flame Sunflower and the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, respectively.

Lin Huai looked at Qian Daoliu, signaling that it was time to depart.

"After the three of them wake up, you can discuss how to form a Soul Core. There is an autobiography of a Title Douluo in the library whose martial soul is the Ink Flood Dragon Sword; you can use it as a reference alongside Dugu Bo's insights."

Qian Daoliu led Lin Huai out of the Worship Hall and flew directly toward the Pope Palace.

The next moment, Lin Huai found himself already standing at the entrance of the Pope Palace.

The Holy Guards on both sides saw the High Priest approaching and were about to notify Bibi Dong, but were signaled to leave by a wave of Qian Daoliu's hand.

Seeing this, the Holy Guards had no choice but to bow and retreat.

Lin Huai followed Qian Daoliu into the magnificent Pope Palace.

As soon as he entered, Lin Huai felt a gaze filled with malice sweep over him.

Sitting in the hall was none other than Bibi Dong.

She wore the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown and was dressed in a black robe with gold patterns.

Her skin was fair, and her near-perfect face was currently somewhat gloomy.

"What is it? Does the High Priest still have the leisure to stroll through my Pope Palace?"

Thinking of the cruel things his disciple had told him, Qian Daoliu did not pay much attention to Bibi Dong.

"My disciple wishes to see the Pope Palace and, incidentally, exchange some thoughts with you."

Bibi Dong looked at Lin Huai, who was standing to the side.

Information regarding him surfaced in her mind.

"Are you that child with Innate Full Soul Power who fainted during the awakening ceremony last year?"

He nodded and said, "Yes, the Pope has a truly excellent memory."

"Speak then. While I still have patience, what is it you wish to ask?"

The plan was a success!

Lin Huai's expression remained calm.

"Thanks to my teacher's care, I have been studying in the library for the past year."

A flash of realization struck Bibi Dong; so, the child Nana had mentioned before was him.

"By coincidence, I came across a book on martial soul theory and had some doubts about the viewpoints within it. I happened to know that this book was heavily promoted by the Pope, so I wanted to seek your guidance."

Bibi Dong's eyes flickered. The only thing she had ever promoted was Xiao Gang's Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. What was this old fellow Qian Daoliu trying to do?

Bibi Dong signaled for Lin Huai to continue.

"If I may be blunt, the theories in this book can be divided into two types."

"One type is plagiarized from other works, and the other is—"

"Complete nonsense!"

Qian Daoliu released his soul power to shield his disciple from Bibi Dong's pressure.

Lin Huai continued to provoke her:

"I wonder why the Pope chose to vigorously promote this book in the past?"

Seeing that Qian Daoliu had blocked her pressure, Bibi Dong withdrew her soul power.

Her expression, however, grew increasingly icy, like a biting cold wind.

How dare this brat! How dare he insult Xiao Gang like this!