Taking Sword Douluo as Master, Collecting Whale Rubber!

"What?!" Ning Fengzhi sprang to his feet, his eyes wide. "Is what you said true?"

"Absolutely true." Lin Ming lied without batting an eye. "The reason my first Soul Ring became a Millennium Soul Ring was because, after awakening my martial soul, I accidentally ate some Whale Rubber."

That was, of course, a lie. His Millennium Soul Ring was entirely thanks to the system and had nothing to do with Whale Rubber. But he needed a reasonable explanation to conceal the system's existence, and Whale Rubber happened to be the perfect excuse.

After all, people in this world only knew Whale Rubber as an aphrodisiac. They had no idea of its true effects. Whatever he said went.

Ning Fengzhi paced back and forth, his expression constantly changing.

If what Lin Ming said was true, then the value of Whale Rubber was enormous! The age of a Soul Ring determined a Soul Master's upper limit.

The difference between a Millennium Soul Ring and a Hundred-Year Soul Ring was simply worlds apart. If consuming Whale Rubber could increase a Soul Ring's age, then it would be an epoch-making discovery for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

"Can you be certain?" Ning Fengzhi stopped and fixed Lin Ming with a burning gaze.

"I can guarantee it with my life." Lin Ming wore a righteous expression. "If I'm lying, may lightning strike me dead."

He was not lying anyway. Whale Rubber really did have that effect, though there was still a limit to it.

But as long as Ning Fengzhi believed him, he could obtain a steady supply of Whale Rubber. Even if the effects were minor, eating more of it had to be useful, right?

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment before finally making his decision. "Fine! I believe you! From today onward, I'll have people purchase Whale Rubber in large quantities and deliver all of it to you!"

"Thank you, Sect Master!" Lin Ming said, clasping his fists.

Ning Fengzhi waved a hand and issued more orders. "Someone, go to the treasury and withdraw one million Gold Soul Coins as Lin Ming's cultivation resources for this month. Also, notify the purchasing department: buy Whale Rubber with all your strength. Take as much as they can get!"

After giving those instructions, he looked at Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, take Lin Ming to choose a place to live. He's Uncle Sword's disciple; he can't stay in the servants' quarters."

"Okay!" Ning Rongrong answered cheerfully, grabbing Lin Ming's hand and running outside. "Lin Ming, come with me! I know a great place!"

The two jogged through several corridors and arrived at a quiet courtyard. It was not large, but it was exquisitely arranged, with rockeries, flowing water, flowers and trees, and a small pond filled with several koi.

"What do you think?" Ning Rongrong introduced it as if presenting a treasure. "This was where I lived when I was little. After I moved into the inner sect, it was left empty. I think it suits you best!"

Lin Ming looked around and nodded. "Not bad. The environment is great."

"Of course! How could a place I picked be bad?" Ning Rongrong proudly lifted her chin, then moved closer and lowered her voice. "Besides, I live right next door! If you need anything, you can come find me anytime!"

Seeing her bright, sparkling eyes, Lin Ming could not help reaching out to pat her head. "All right, I understand."

Ning Rongrong's little face turned crimson at the intimate gesture, yet she did not dodge. Instead, she rubbed against his palm like a kitten.

Over the next few days, Lin Ming thoroughly experienced what it meant to rise straight to the heavens in a single step.

First came his accommodations. Ning Rongrong personally supervised the servants as they completely redecorated his room. From the furniture to the ornaments, every item was top-quality.

The floor was covered with premium magical beast-fur carpets, the bed was furnished with heavenly silkworm silk bedding, and even the teacups on the table were carved from fine white jade.

Then came his clothes. Ning Rongrong thought his rough cloth outfit was far too shabby, so she had more than a dozen sets of brocade robes delivered. Once Lin Ming changed into the new clothes, his entire bearing transformed.

He had already been handsome, with sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a high nose bridge. Combined with his roguish air, the brocade robes made him look even more dashing and extraordinary.

When Ning Rongrong watched him emerge after changing, she stared blankly, her little face as red as a ripe apple.

"Lin Ming... you're so handsome..."

Lin Ming curled his lips into a smile and deliberately leaned closer. "Then does Rongrong like it?"

"I do!" Ning Rongrong answered without hesitation, then shyly lowered her head. "I like it most of all..."

Lin Ming was in high spirits as he watched her bashful appearance.

After thirteen years in this world, he had finally made it.

And this was only the beginning.

However, early the next morning, when dawn had barely broken, Sword Douluo hauled Lin Ming out of bed.

"Master... what time is it..." Lin Ming rubbed his bleary eyes and yawned.

Sword Douluo snorted. "The path of cultivation values persistence. 'The day's work begins in the morning' is not just something people say. Hurry up and wash up. I'll be waiting for you at the back mountain."

With that, Sword Douluo flashed away and vanished from the spot.

Lin Ming sighed helplessly. He could only wash up in a hurry, change into fitted training clothes, and head toward the back mountain.

Behind the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lay a massive training ground, normally used by core disciples to spar and cultivate. It was still early, and the field was empty. Only Sword Douluo stood there with his hands behind his back, the morning breeze stirring his white hair and giving him the air of an immortal.

"You're here?" Sword Douluo turned around and examined Lin Ming. "You look fairly spirited. Come, let me see what your Sky-Piercing Spear is really capable of. Hit me with your strongest attack."

Lin Ming froze for a moment. "Master, are you sure?"

"What? Afraid you'll hurt me?" Sword Douluo laughed heartily. "Relax. With that little Soul Power of yours, you can't hurt me. Go all out and let me see what you can do."

Lin Ming took a deep breath and stopped hesitating.

He raised his right hand, and silver light flashed!

A silver-white spear appeared from thin air in his hand. Its shaft was long and slender, roughly twelve feet in length, and a faint, cold silver gleam flowed across its entire surface.

There were no unnecessary decorations and no complex soul-tool inscriptions. It was simple to the extreme, and tyrannical to the extreme.

Sword Douluo's eyes narrowed slightly.

What a fine spear!

The instant he saw it, he felt a sharp aura rushing toward him. It was pure, ultimate sharpness, as if nothing in heaven or earth could stop a single thrust from it.

"Watch out, Master!"

Lin Ming gripped the shaft tightly as the Soul Power within him surged madly into the spear. The purple Soul Ring beneath his feet abruptly lit up, radiating dazzling light.

"First Soul Skill—Shatter the Sky!"

The moment the words fell, Lin Ming moved.

The Sky-Piercing Spear in his hand transformed into a blazing white streak of light. The spear shot forth like a dragon, streaking across the sky! There was not a single flashy technique or complicated variation in this thrust—only the purest, most extreme penetrating power!

Wherever the spear light passed, the air let out sharp explosive shrieks. Space itself seemed to shatter inch by inch like a mirror, leaving behind a pitch-black fissure!

Sword Douluo's pupils suddenly contracted.

The power of this strike far exceeded his expectations!

He instinctively wanted to leap into the air and evade it, but suddenly felt an invisible force suppressing his body. That force was not strong, yet it made his movement to take flight lag for an instant.

Sky-Sealing Domain?!