He paused to study Bo Saixi's expression. Seeing that she seemed to be listening attentively, he continued, his tone growing more fluid as he spoke. "A Soul Master's physical strength directly affects the maximum age of the Soul Ring they can absorb. If your physique is strong enough, you might be able to absorb a Soul Ring that's older than your limit, gaining a more powerful Soul Skill and a greater boost to your Soul Power. I think... this might help me get my next Soul Ring."
A well-judged look of surprise appeared on Bo Saixi's face, as if she had just heard some novel theory. She pressed him for details. "Strengthening your physique? Absorbing a Soul Ring beyond your limit? Where... did you hear about all this?"
Li Qing had expected that question.
He had prepared his answer long ago and replied at once. "I saw it in an old travel journal and miscellany once. The book was falling apart, and I don't know who wrote it. It described all sorts of strange things, including this unusual use for Whale Rubber."
He tried to make his tone sound casual and convincing, so Bo Saixi wouldn't grow more suspicious.
Bo Saixi listened, then gave a gentle nod. An expression of "I see" crossed her peerlessly beautiful face, showing that she understood.
Then she looked at Li Qing and asked in an even tone, "So, what do you need me to do?"
"Huh?" Li Qing froze, his eyes widening slightly. He could hardly believe his ears.
He had thought Bo Saixi would at least ask a few more questions. What was the book called, for instance?
Where had he seen it?
Was it reliable?
She might even question whether the method was real.
He had prepared several explanations to handle all kinds of interrogation, but never imagined Bo Saixi would believe him so easily. It all went so smoothly that it made him uneasy.
He couldn't help asking tentatively, "High Priestess, you... you don't want to ask me anything else? Like where I found that book? Or whether this method carries any risks?"
[That makes no sense!]
Li Qing ranted inwardly. [Bo Saixi believed me just like that? That was way too careless! She's the High Priestess of Sea God Island, a Peerless Douluo at level ninety-nine! Is her guard really that low? I racked my brains on the way here, coming up with all those reasons and explanations, and I didn't need a single one? Damn it! No wonder the original story had her falling for Tang Chen, that brute who only knew how to swing a big hammer. She really is a naive, sweet-natured woman, inexperienced with the world and quick to trust people!]
Bo Saixi took in the bewilderment, confusion, and even a hint of exasperated disappointment on Li Qing's face. At the same time, every word of his impassioned, utterly irreverent rant reached her ears.
She didn't know whether to laugh or be angry. Fighting back the twitch at the corner of her mouth, she maintained her serene smile and said, "Didn't you just explain it clearly? Since you read it in an ancient book, there must be some truth to it. I trust you wouldn't joke around with your own cultivation. Why would I need to ask more?"
Inwardly, she retorted, [You're the naive one! This High Priestess is clever and perceptive! And what do you mean, Tang Chen the brute managed to win me over? That was... that was...]
Bo Saixi was briefly at a loss for words. Complicated feelings rippled through her heart, but she quickly suppressed them. Now wasn't the time to think about that.
Li Qing looked at Bo Saixi's seemingly sincere gaze, opened his mouth, then finally managed only a quiet, "Oh..."
[Fine. You're beautiful, so whatever you say goes. At least the outcome's good.]
He stopped dwelling on it and held out the Whale Rubber in his hand. "It's actually quite simple. I just need you to use your pure, gentle Soul Power to refine this Whale Rubber, remove the impurities, and leave only its purest energy essence. With your cultivation, controlling your Soul Power to do that shouldn't be difficult."
Bo Saixi took the hard piece of Whale Rubber. It felt heavy in her hand, and she asked curiously, "Is it really that simple? And can other people use this method too? Are there any restrictions or precautions?"
As High Priestess, she naturally considered whether this method could be applied more broadly and benefit other Soul Masters on Sea God Island.
Li Qing nodded and answered confidently, "In principle, yes. Refining it and removing the impurities is the key. Other people should be able to use this method to strengthen their physiques too. But as I said, the refining process requires extremely high temperatures or incredibly pure and powerful Soul Power. It's best to find a fire-attributed Soul Master, or someone as powerful as you, High Priestess, to help refine it. If it isn't refined thoroughly and impurities remain, it won't just be less effective; it might cause side effects. For example... well... you understand. Its original effects might become even more pronounced."
Li Qing rubbed his nose, feeling a little embarrassed as he said this.
Bo Saixi nodded in understanding and said no more.
She extended her delicate hand, palm facing upward, and rested the piece of Whale Rubber on it.
The next moment, a vast yet gentle stream of pale golden Soul Power welled from her palm, wrapping around the Whale Rubber like a warm flame.
The pure Sea God Divine Power contained tremendous energy and precise control. Under Li Qing's astonished gaze, the hard Whale Rubber softened at a visible rate and turned translucent, like a piece of yellow crystal.
Strands of black impurities were precisely stripped away by the powerful Soul Power, dissolving into wisps of smoke that vanished into the air.
The pungent smell gradually gave way to a strange, fresh fragrance redolent of the sea.
In just a few moments, the Whale Rubber in Bo Saixi's hand had completely changed. It had become a fist-sized lump of crystalline, flowing-amber-like gel. Golden flecks seemed to drift slowly within it, and enticing waves of energy radiated from its surface.
"Done." Bo Saixi withdrew her Soul Power and handed the refined essence back to Li Qing.
She did it so casually, as if she had merely taken care of some trivial task. But the precision with which she controlled her Soul Power left Li Qing secretly amazed.
Li Qing hurriedly wrapped the precious essence in his own Soul Power, feeling its warmth and the immense vitality within. His heart surged with excitement.
He thanked Bo Saixi from the bottom of his heart. "Thank you, High Priestess! I really can't thank you enough!"
With the help of the Whale Rubber, he could now challenge a thousand-year Soul Ring. Before, he had only been able to absorb one that was a few hundred years old.
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