A day later.
Qian Daoliu appeared in the Worship Hall with Lin Huai.
The group of Elders rose to their feet, and Golden Crocodile spoke first:
"Big Brother, we've thoroughly figured out the effects of Whale Rubber. We're also collecting it from across the continent, and we've gained near-total control over the supply channels along the coast."
Golden Crocodile then told Qian Daoliu the specific effects of Whale Rubber of different ages.
Whale Rubber under five hundred years old had no talent-enhancing effect on those with innate Soul Power of Level 5 or higher. It could only increase the age of the Soul Ring they could absorb by a few decades. So they would release some five-hundred-year Whale Rubber onto the market to ease the suspicions of other forces.
Thousand-year Whale Rubber could effectively improve the talent of Soul Masters with innate Soul Power below Level 8, and increase the age of the Soul Rings they could absorb by one to three hundred years.
Ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber could even let a genius with innate Soul Power of Level 8 gain the cultivation talent of someone with Level 9. It could increase the age of the Soul Ring they could absorb by five hundred to a thousand years. (The original text of Douluo II didn't say whether Whale Rubber could increase Soul Power, so here, ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber is assumed to raise a Soul Grandmaster's Soul Power by one level.)
Moreover, ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber raised the absorption limit for the First Soul Ring by about as much as thousand-year Whale Rubber did, so it wasn't advisable to take it too early.
"There's very little ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber. We've been giving it straight to our own juniors, so the information we've gathered still needs further testing."
Qian Daoliu nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good. I also found some good things while I was out this time."
He then produced six boxes trimmed with gold and jade, and described the effects of the corresponding Immortal Herbs to them.
He left it to them to decide whether to take the herbs themselves or give them to talented juniors in their families.
Lin Huai cut in at this point:
"Also, my teacher and I discovered a Martial Soul theory that could be called revolutionary."
The Elders looked at Lin Huai in puzzlement, then shifted their gazes to Qian Daoliu.
Only then did Qian Daoliu remember the Soul Core theory, and he explained it in detail. (After all, Qian Daoliu felt he didn't need one, so it was reasonable that he hadn't paid it much attention.)
After a moment of silence.
Golden Crocodile and Mighty Lion decisively chose to save their Immortal Herbs for their juniors.
Azure Luan and Guang Ling, on the other hand, had Martial Soul Mutations, and there were no exceptionally talented juniors in their families. With the help of ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber, they could just barely ensure that their families would always have a Titled Douluo, so they took the herbs themselves.
Jiang Mo and Qian Jun decided together that Qian Jun would save his for the juniors, while Jiang Mo would take his Immortal Herb.
Qian Daoliu then had Golden Crocodile and the other two bring their juniors to the Worship Hall.
"You three can go ahead and take your herbs according to the instructions."
As the three Elders began absorbing their respective Immortal Herbs, Qian Daoliu continued teaching Lin Huai the essentials of practicing sword techniques, along with his own insights into comprehending Sword Force and Sword Intent.
The doors of the Worship Hall opened again.
Three Elders led three children of around ten years old into the hall.
"Grandpa Qian." "Grand Elder."
The three children greeted Qian Daoliu first.
Golden Crocodile's deep voice rang out:
"You three know one another, but the Grand Elder has taken on a disciple, so start by introducing yourselves."
The golden-haired little girl beside Golden Crocodile Douluo stepped forward.
"I'll go first."
"Tian Yue. I'm eight this year, and with the help of Whale Rubber, I'm now Level 19. My Martial Soul is the same as my grandpa's, the Golden Crocodile King. I'm a Power Attack System Soul Master."
Mighty Lion Douluo nudged the red-haired boy beside him.
He stepped forward awkwardly.
Only after hearing his introduction did Lin Huai understand why he seemed so uncomfortable.
"I'm Kuang Zhan. I'm ten. My Martial Soul is the same as my great-grandfather's, the Blazing Lion. I'm a Level 22 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."
Lin Huai realized that their generations didn't line up. No wonder he was embarrassed.
The last one was presumably the junior of Qian Jun and Jiang Mo.
The remaining boy stepped forward.
He was exceptionally burly. Just looking at him, you'd think he was a Soul Master with some kind of powerful Beast Martial Soul.
He clasped his hands together and bowed slightly.
"My name is Qiangu Yichen. I'm the grandnephew of Qian Jun and Jiang Mo. My Martial Soul is the Coiling Dragon Staff. After taking Whale Rubber, I was lucky enough to reach Level 30, but I haven't added a new Soul Ring yet. I'm twelve."
Lin Huai introduced himself last:
"I'm Lin Huai, the Grand Elder's disciple. I'm seven. My Martial Soul is Malenia, and I'm a Level 18 Power Attack System Soul Master."
"We'll surely have plenty of chances to interact in the future. How about we set aside seniority and address each other by age?"
Lin Huai looked at the three of them.
Qiangu Yichen answered immediately, "Sure."
Kuang Zhan looked delighted and nodded at once.
Tian Yue, however, bared her teeth and looked at Lin Huai.
"Ahem... Let's go by seniority. You have to call me Martial Uncle."
Golden Crocodile patted Tian Yue's head, agreeing to Lin Huai's suggestion on her behalf.
"All right, you youngsters will have plenty of chances to talk later. Take your Immortal Herbs first."
Tian Yue hugged the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, sat down on the meditation cushion Golden Crocodile usually used for cultivation, opened her mouth, and took a bite.
Kuang Zhan and Qiangu Yichen sat cross-legged on the floor and each took the Blazing Flame Sunflower and the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo.
Lin Huai looked at Qian Daoliu, signaling that it was time to set off.
"Once those three wake up, you can discuss how a Soul Core should be formed. There's an autobiography by a Titled Douluo in the library. His Martial Soul is the Ink Flood Dragon Sword. You can use his insights, along with Dugu Bo's experience, as a reference."
Qian Daoliu led Lin Huai away from the Worship Hall and flew straight to the Pope Palace.
The next moment, Lin Huai realized he was already standing outside the Pope Palace.
The Holy Guards on either side saw the Elder arrive and were about to inform Bibi Dong, but Qian Daoliu waved them away.
Seeing this, the Holy Guards had no choice but to bow and leave.
Lin Huai followed Qian Daoliu into the magnificent Pope Palace.
As soon as he stepped inside, Lin Huai felt a malicious gaze sweep over him.
Bibi Dong was seated in the hall.
She wore the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown and a black robe embroidered with gold.
Her skin was fair, and her nearly flawless face was now somewhat gloomy.
"What, does the Grand Elder have so much free time that he's come to look around my Pope Palace?"
Thinking of all the cruel things his disciple had told him, Qian Daoliu didn't bother giving Bibi Dong much of a response.
"My disciple wanted to see the Pope Palace and have a chat with you while he was at it."
Bibi Dong looked at Lin Huai.
The relevant information surfaced in her mind.
"You're that child from last year, the one with Innate Full Soul Power who fainted during the awakening ceremony?"
He nodded. "That's right. Your Holiness has a good memory."
"Go on. While I still have patience, what do you want to ask?"
The plan had worked!
Lin Huai kept his expression unchanged.
"Thanks to my teacher's care, I've spent the past year studying in the library."
A flash of realization crossed Bibi Dong's mind. So this was the child Nana had mentioned before.
"By chance, I came across a book on Martial Soul Theory, and I had some questions about its arguments. I happened to learn that you were the one who had strongly promoted this book, so I wanted to ask your opinion."
Bibi Dong's gaze flickered. The only thing she had ever promoted was Xiao Gang's Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. What was that old Qian Daoliu trying to do?
Bibi Dong motioned for Lin Huai to continue.
"With all due respect, the theories in this book can be divided into two kinds."
"One kind plagiarizes other works, while the other is—"
"Complete nonsense!"
Qian Daoliu released his Soul Power, shielding his disciple from Bibi Dong's pressure.
Lin Huai continued to provoke her:
"Why did Your Holiness promote this book so vigorously in the first place?"
Seeing that Qian Daoliu had blocked her pressure, Bibi Dong drew in her Soul Power.
Her expression grew even colder, like a biting winter wind.
How dare this brat insult Xiao Gang like that!
Before you continue