Exchange

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, training grounds.

Ning Fengzhi stood in the middle of the training grounds, with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo on either side.

"Ning Tian!" the Sect Master called out a name.

This seemingly solemn ceremony was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's annual assessment. Its core purpose was to examine the Sect Disciples.

The assessment mainly covered Soul Power Level, theoretical knowledge, and Secret Method studies.

Han Tao had been at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for less than half a year, but once this assessment was over, it meant that four years had already passed since he came to this world.

"Did you spend this whole year living like a dog? Your Soul Power Level hasn't budged at all. Even if you went to Star Dou Forest to catch a hen, your Soul Power Growth would be greater than this!"

"And your theory? Tell me, what is this? I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't beat a Soul Beast, but you can't even recognize one. What the hell is this 'Chrysanthemum Beast'? Does Douluo Continent even have a Soul Beast like that?"

"All you know how to do all day is soak your feet at the club. What, do your hooves swell up if you take them out of the water?"

Han Tao was holding back his laughter. He turned and looked around, discovering that quite a few people were doing the same.

Every one of these Sect members was a character. They loved listening to others get scolded, yet feared being scolded themselves.

Ning Tian lowered his head, not daring to look at Ning Fengzhi's broad face.

"Manager Ning, cut his salary in half next year!"

"Little Brat, I'll let you soak your feet!"

Ning Fengzhi left the presiding position and kicked Ning Tian squarely in the butt, driving him out the door. Only then did he call out the next person's name.

"Ning Rongrong!"

Ning Rongrong emerged timidly from behind Han Tao and walked over to Ning Fengzhi.

"Holy crap, how did a Rongrong get hidden here?"

Han Tao had not even realized that Ning Rongrong was behind him until she came out.

"Ning Rongrong, level 21 Soul Grandmaster."

After Ning Rongrong finished her test, Ning Fengzhi straightened his expression, though a trace of disappointment showed in his eyes.

"With the talent of level-nine Innate Soul Power, you only increased your Soul Power by four levels in a year. And one of those levels came from your Soul Ring."

"Ning Rongrong, tell me. Did you cultivate properly this year?"

Even when facing his own daughter, Ning Fengzhi still showed no warmth. His tone gradually turned cold, and his voice grew louder.

Ning Rongrong put on an aggrieved expression.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo clenched their fists. After exchanging a glance, a chilling aura shot straight toward the Sect Master standing before the platform.

Ning Fengzhi turned around and looked at Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, only to find the two of them gazing up at the ceiling of the training grounds as if they had no idea what had happened.

When he turned back to Ning Rongrong and prepared to continue his reprimand, that chilling aura appeared again.

Ning Fengzhi helplessly sighed, then said calmly to Ning Rongrong,

"Ning Rongrong, go down. Cultivate properly next year."

After saying that, Rongrong looked at Sword Douluo and made a playful meme-like expression before hopping away.

"Old Bone, that expression Rongrong just made was for me!"

The moment Ning Rongrong left, Sword Douluo turned to Bone Douluo and began bragging, like two Old Men sharing their joy. He even used the Secret Method of Secret Voice Transmission.

"Hmph! Getting carried away!"

Bone Douluo snorted coldly, turning his head aside and pretending not to hear Sword Douluo's Secret Voice Transmission.

Thus, Chen Xin repeated himself.

"Fine, I know."

After Gu Rong replied, he stormed off, leaving behind a group of dumbfounded Small Frys.

That was right. Gu Rong's reply this time had not used the Secret Method of Secret Voice Transmission.

"Next, Cao Yuexuan!"

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect did not have many members, so they soon finished testing everyone. The final member to be tested was none other than Han Tao, who had joined recently.

"Han Tao, level 14 Soul Master."

That was right. Han Tao had broken through another level of Soul Power during this past month.

Although it looked outrageous, it was actually perfectly reasonable.

High-level Soul Power Suppression could widen the Meridians and increase one's Soul Power Level, but it would lower the upper limit of one's talent. Widening the Meridians, meanwhile, was directly equivalent to improving one's Cultivation Talent.

Thus, Soul Power Suppression both increased and reduced talent. The two seemed contradictory, but were actually reasonable.

Han Tao's first Soul Skill, Deep Treatment, prevented damage to the Capillary Meridians from lowering his Cultivation Talent, turning Soul Power Suppression into a purely beneficial cultivation method.

"Your Soul Power Growth is pretty good. How is your Distraction Control Method coming along?"

Ning Fengzhi was somewhat puzzled. Han Tao's Cultivation Speed was clearly abnormal, but he did not pursue the matter.

"I can use the Two Splits Mind Technique now."

Ning Fengzhi nodded and stepped forward. Patting Han Tao on the shoulder, he spoke with a hint of a smile.

"If you complete your practice of the Seven Splits Mind Technique within three months, I, the Sect Master, promise to give you a surprise!"

Han Tao performed the proper etiquette and expressed his thanks. "Han Tao thanks you in advance, Sect Master Ning."

As Han Tao thanked him, Ning Fengzhi's movement paused for a moment. His expression became hesitant, as though he were weighing something.

Han Tao quietly remained where he was.

"If... I mean, if you have any Research Findings regarding Martial Souls, Soul Rings, Soul Skills, or anything else, you can share them within the Sect."

"Kid Han, rest assured. The Sect definitely won't treat you unfairly!"

Looking at Ning Fengzhi's expression and manner, Han Tao could not help remembering his boss from his previous life drawing empty promises for his subordinates and manipulating them.

Children were always easy to deceive, and the Sect Master's attitude was sincere. Han Tao was moved and decided to share some of his own findings.

"Mm!"

"As everyone knows, a Soul Master's Innate Soul Power is equivalent to their Cultivation Talent."

"But according to my tests, actual Cultivation Talent depends on the width of the Meridians within a Soul Master's body, as well as the compatibility between the Meridians and Soul Power."

The Sect Master stood rooted to the spot, seemingly contemplating and verifying Han Tao's theory.

"The higher a Soul Master's Innate Soul Power, the wider the Meridians in their body, and the higher their Soul Power Compatibility."

Han Tao had simply introduced two concepts. He did not explain how to widen the Meridians without paying a price, nor did he explain how to improve Soul Power Compatibility.

"These two concepts still require verification. But since you brought them up, do you have a way to improve them?"

Han Tao did not answer.

Seeing Han Tao's expression, Ning Fengzhi clearly understood that he already had an answer. This Little Brat definitely knew.

"That's a separate price."

"What do you want?" Ning Fengzhi asked curiously.

"Big Brother Xiao Yuan has assisted me in cultivation for so long, and I owe him a debt of gratitude. I hope the Sect can increase some of his salary and status."

Ning Fengzhi was extremely surprised. As the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he truly had not expected Han Tao to make such a request.

In fact, Han Tao was helpless as well. At present, his cultivation and training relied entirely on Big Brother Xiao Yuan's Gravity Soul Skill.

Once Big Brother Xiao Yuan started slacking off, his own growth would be "choked," which was undoubtedly extremely frustrating.

Therefore, trading two relatively important concepts for a favor owed to Big Brother Xiao Yuan did not seem like an equal exchange.

But for his current growth, this was an immensely profitable exchange. Even if he had to hand over the method of improving Soul Power Compatibility, it would still be worth it.