The Dream of a Thousand-Year Second Ring, the Beginning of a Grandmaster

"Dad, I hope none of us absorbs this Soul Bone for now."

Before Su Haichao could respond to Su Yuntao's decision, Tang Shan spoke up.

His words immediately drew the other two's attention.

"Shanzi, tell us what you're thinking."

Su Haichao did not dismiss Tang Shan's objection. He knew his younger son had a mind of his own, and Su Yuntao's earlier experience had confirmed the boy's predictions about Soul Rings and Soul Skills. That gave Tang Shan's words even more weight.

Tang Shan gathered his thoughts and turned to Su Yuntao first.

"Big brother, what Soul Skill did you get? And what's your Soul Power Level now?"

"Oh, right!" Su Yuntao slapped his forehead. "That Soul Bone made me forget all about it. Little brother, your theory was right. My First Soul Skill is called Rampage. It boosts my speed by fifty percent and my strength by twenty-five percent. Father tested my Soul Power Level when we got back. I'm well past level thirteen and close to fourteen."

So absorbing a Soul Ring above one's level really does make a difference.

That answer sharpened Tang Shan's idea. He looked at Su Haichao and Su Yuntao, then said something that stunned them both.

"Dad, how would you like big brother to get a thousand-year Second Soul Ring?"

"What!"

Su Haichao's cry showed just how shaken he was. A thousand-year Second Soul Ring would defy everything the Soul Master World knew. If they pulled it off, it would cause an enormous sensation.

Su Yuntao stood there with his mouth open for some time before he recovered enough to stammer, "L-little brother, you're not joking, are you?"

"Of course not."

Confidence filled Tang Shan's eyes as he explained himself. This was no empty boast; he had sound reasons to believe it could work.

"Big brother's First Soul Ring was around five or six hundred years old, right?"

When both men nodded, Tang Shan continued.

"I've read plenty of records. For most Soul Masters who haven't trained their bodies, the limit for a First Soul Ring is roughly four hundred years, and for a Second Soul Ring, roughly seven hundred. Big brother's First Soul Ring is already close to six hundred years old. With more physical training and the improvements that come as his Soul Power rises, absorbing a nine-hundred-year Soul Ring should be easy. With a little extra help, a thousand-year Second Soul Ring may be possible."

Tang Shan was being conservative. In his view, his big brother's body had entered another period of rapid development after breaking through his bottleneck. By the time Su Yuntao reached level twenty, absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring would be almost certain—and Tang Shan had another measure in mind.

"The energy in a Thousand-Year Soul Ring is much more violent. Wouldn't that be pushing it?"

Su Haichao had absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring himself, so his concern came from experience.

"Dad, trust little brother. If it takes a little risk, I'm willing."

Tang Shan had not even opened his mouth before Su Yuntao answered for him.

He was not being rash. The prospect Tang Shan had laid out was too tempting, and it sounded entirely achievable. He was willing to take a risk for a thousand-year Second Soul Ring.

Soul Spirit technology did not yet exist, and Body Martial Soul Soul Masters had not yet shown the astonishing effects of a Second Awakening. For now, those who could achieve such a feat were either Soul Masters who had undergone a god's trial or Twin Martial Souls Soul Masters who had sacrificed their potential.

Su Yuntao knew nothing of the peculiarities of cultivating Twin Martial Souls or the changes a Soul Master's Soul Rings might undergo after a god's trial. As far as he knew, if he gained a thousand-year Second Soul Ring, he might be the only person like him on the continent.

After all, Su Yuntao was still a young man. Unlike Tang Shan, he did not have an adult mind in a child's body.

"What are you thinking, big brother? There won't be any risk."

Tang Shan shot Su Yuntao an exasperated look, then turned to Su Haichao.

"Don't worry, Dad. It'll be safe. I have something else prepared."

That caught Su Haichao's interest. He wanted to hear what it was.

"Dad, have you heard of whale rubber?"

Su Haichao's expression turned a little strange at the question, but he nodded.

"Whale rubber? What's that?"

Su Yuntao looked curious.

"It's my backup plan."

Tang Shan explained what he had discovered.

"A book in Spirit Hall in Notting City says whale rubber conditions the body and restores virility. A piece of hundred-year whale rubber can supposedly keep a man going for a long time. To me, that suggests it strengthens the body, while the effect on virility is only a side benefit."

"If it's that effective, why does it seem like hardly anyone knows about it?"

Su Haichao could not help wondering. Surely people who had used whale rubber would have noticed such an extraordinary effect?

"Dad, would you use whale rubber yourself?"

Su Haichao shook his head without hesitation.

"There's your answer. Healthy people don't need it. People in poor health just return to normal after taking it. And given what whale rubber is famous for, who would eat it for no reason?

"Besides, the effect of hundred-year whale rubber isn't obvious. It might only raise the absorption limit by a few decades. But most Soul Masters' First Soul Rings are only two or three hundred years old—they never even reach the normal limit. It's no surprise the effect has gone unnoticed."

"So I have to eat something that's basically an aphrodisiac?"

As it sank in, Su Yuntao looked stricken. He was still a young man. How could he face anyone if word got out?

"Adults are talking. Don't interrupt."

Su Haichao brushed aside his son's objection and continued discussing Su Yuntao's future with Tang Shan.

"If hundred-year whale rubber doesn't do much, then you're aiming for thousand-year whale rubber, Shanzi?"

Tang Shan nodded. "It costs nearly ten thousand Gold Soul Coins. That may be difficult even for you, Dad, so I have an idea."

As he spoke, Tang Shan could not help grumbling inwardly about prices in Douluo. For ordinary living expenses, one Gold Soul Coin was worth nearly ten thousand yuan in his previous life. Yet when it came to Soul Master cultivation resources, Gold Soul Coins seemed far less valuable.

Perhaps Gold Soul Coins were mainly used for everyday transactions, while high-level Soul Masters mostly bartered with one another.

"Dad, you know my theory. We can submit it anonymously to Spirit Hall and collect a reward in Gold Soul Coins. It would cover how physical condition affects Soul Ring absorption, along with some advice for Soul Masters with limited talent. Then, even if big brother does get a thousand-year Second Soul Ring, it won't draw too much attention. For the next few years, though, he should train hard in Notting City. That'll give him a plausible reason for succeeding."

"I have to start training again?"

Su Yuntao instantly seized on that part, and his spirits sank.

"Big brother, you wouldn't want to miss your chance at a thousand-year Second Soul Ring, would you? Or would you rather Spirit Hall's higher-ups haul you away for study afterward?"

Su Yuntao opened his mouth, worked his jaw for a while, and said nothing.

Su Haichao, who had been deep in thought since Tang Shan laid out his plan, suddenly clapped his hands.

"All right, Shanzi. We'll do as you say. This boy is lucky to have a chance at a thousand-year Second Soul Ring."

Tang Shan was delighted that neither of them objected.

"With a thousand-year Second Soul Ring, big brother's future will be extraordinary. A mere Hundred-Year Soul Bone isn't right for him. Dad, you shouldn't absorb it yet either. Maybe one day your sons will find you something better. Keep this Soul Bone for now. If things don't go as we hope, you can still absorb it later."

Su Haichao had agreed to everything else. Even a decision about a Soul Bone seemed minor to him now.

One of my sons will gain a Soul Ring that overturns the Soul Master World's understanding! My other son's theory will reshape the entire field!

Who else can say that? Who else!

Beaming as though he had been given a new lease on life, Su Haichao suddenly hoisted Tang Shan into the air. "Good, good, good! We'll listen to Shanzi."

Finding himself lifted off solid ground again, Tang Shan wisely stopped resisting. Experience had taught him that his little arms and legs could do nothing about it. He might as well enjoy the ride.

"Shanzi, when will you submit the theory?"

Once he was finally back on the ground, Tang Shan considered Su Haichao's question.

"I'll train big brother and put it together over the next week. I'll give it to you then. Remember to send it to Spirit Hall anonymously. Say it came from a Soul Master who wishes to remain hidden. This theory won't change the fundamentals of Soul Master cultivation, so however influential it becomes, it shouldn't attract the truly powerful. Tell them you'll pass the payment on to its author, who doesn't want his identity revealed."

"Don't worry. I'll handle it. You're right to be careful, Shanzi. You're still so young. The tallest tree is the first to feel the wind. Better to keep a low profile."

Su Haichao fully agreed. He was only the head of Spirit Hall in an ordinary small city. If people learned that such an incisive theory had come from a child not yet three years old, he was certain he could not protect Tang Shan.

With everything settled, the three returned downstairs. Su Haichao went to prepare lunch, while Tang Shan took Su Yuntao to begin training.

Su Yuntao complained about physical training, but once he started, he took it seriously. He knew how much his father and little brother had done for him. He could not let their efforts go to waste.

"Big brother, before, your body was still developing, so there were some exercises I didn't dare teach you. Now that you've absorbed your First Soul Ring, your body has improved a great deal. You can start more advanced training."

Su Yuntao's face changed. The old training had been grueling enough. Now Tang Shan was telling him it had only been the beginning. A chill rose in his heart.