Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
"Wow! So the level of innate soul power is also related to physical development. No wonder the more prosperous areas of the Heaven Dou Empire have a higher rate of awakening innate soul power."
"Yeah. Aside from powerful inherited martial souls, the awakening rate for most ordinary martial souls is roughly the same. Many people who could have awakened innate soul power ended up with zero innate power because their bodies were underdeveloped due to malnutrition during childhood."
"Teacher, what level does my martial soul belong to?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.
"A high-level martial soul, close to top-tier. But don't be discouraged. As long as your soul rings are chosen well, your martial soul can gradually evolve into a top-tier one. Besides, there might be a pleasant surprise waiting for you in the future," Ye Lan comforted her as he noticed her disappointment.
"Ye Lan, so in the future, I should choose gentle soul beasts to absorb from, right?" Ning Rongrong asked.
"That's right. Once you've determined the general type of soul skill you want, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda should prioritize gentle soul beasts. This is because regardless of the beast, the Pagoda's amplification effect is a fixed increase. For example, between a 1000-year Bloodthirsty Demon Bear and a 1500-year Snow Bear—if both provide a strength-based soul skill, the difficulty of absorbing the 1500-year ring from the gentle Snow Bear is about the same as the 1000-year ring from the violent Demon Bear. Therefore, the 1500-year Snow Bear is the better choice."
"Teacher, why do you want to make these theories public?"
"Maybe I just want to do something for the people of this continent. After all, I was born a commoner myself," Ye Lan said, not hiding his humble origins.
"Teacher, you're so noble," Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ye Lan with admiration.
"So even though holding back on ranking up still allows for cultivation, it's slower than directly advancing and then cultivating further!" Ning Rongrong said in surprise.
"Teacher, you still have many theories you haven't revealed, right?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.
"Of course. Your training techniques and several nuances you haven't noticed—I've kept those hidden. They will be our foundation for standing at the peak of the Douluo Continent," Ye Lan replied.
"We? Hmm! We!" Zhu Zhuqing murmured to herself.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong kept rereading the theoretical drafts Ye Lan had written, the stars in her eyes growing brighter. She couldn't believe Ye Lan was only three years older than her, yet capable of creating such brilliant theories. She was certain it wouldn't be long before his work spread throughout the continent!
Excitedly clutching Ye Lan's letter, she ran toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Soto City branch. She wanted her father to publish Ye Lan's theories as soon as possible.
"Uncle! Please deliver this letter to the sect immediately. You must ensure it doesn't get lost!" Ning Rongrong instructed the elder at the Soto City branch.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect – Main Hall
The hall was styled classically, adorned with solemn wooden carvings. The most eye-catching feature was a large sandalwood throne at the northern end, inlaid with precious warm jade.
Seated there was a middle-aged man in his forties with handsome, refined features. Holding a white jade teacup, he was chatting casually with a white-haired elder beside him.
Just then, a young man in white combat attire strode into the hall and knelt before the throne, reporting respectfully, "Sect Master, we have new information from the Young Miss in Soto City. She has taken a fifteen-year-old youth as her teacher—he's a Rank 23 Control-type Soul Master with the Blue Silver Grass martial soul, who goes by the title 'Green Emperor.' The Nine-Star Ring is currently in his possession."
"Blue Silver Grass? Green Emperor? Do we have more detailed information?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
The white-haired elder frowned, "She even gave him the Nine-Star Ring? That was a birthday gift I personally won at auction for her."
Ning Fengzhi smiled wryly, "Uncle Jian, the girl's growing up."
Chen Xin replied anxiously, "Hurry and report everything we know about this Green Emperor. I want to see just what kind of man convinced Rongrong to give away my ring."
"Yes, Grand Elder. According to reliable sources, the Green Emperor is none other than Ye Lan, the genius with a thousand-year second ring from Hanhai City. Recently, he has been winning back-to-back matches in two-on-two soul battles in Soto City. His combat strength is exceptional."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up. He nodded and said, "This young man seems promising. No wonder Rongrong chose him as her teacher."
Chen Xin voiced his concern, "Fengzhi, he may be strong, but he's still a Blue Silver Grass Soul Master. Can we really trust Rongrong's future to him?"
"Uncle Jian, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's not like they're engaged," Ning Fengzhi replied calmly, sipping his tea.
But Chen Xin still looked uneasy, worried she had placed her trust in the wrong person. "Ye Lan is only fifteen and a Control-type Soul Master. Can he really teach Rongrong properly? I told you before—we should've brought her back from Shrek Academy."
"Look at that Four-Eyed Owl—he can't even look after Rongrong properly. Wasn't Flender supposed to have that so-called Number One Theory Master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan join his academy?" Chen Xin grumbled.
"Yu Xiaogang? I sent Rongrong to Shrek to temper her character, not for his knowledge. What can Yu Xiaogang even teach? He hasn't produced a single notable disciple in decades," Ning Fengzhi said, shaking his head as he recalled how unruly Rongrong had been at home.
"Even so, he's from one of the Upper Three Sects—he must know something," Chen Xin argued.
Ning Fengzhi, however, was more optimistic about Ye Lan. "Uncle Jian, you know what the Blue Silver Grass martial soul is like. Aside from the Blue Silver Emperor from years ago, very few of its users even become Soul Masters. This boy isn't named Tang, so he's not of the Emperor bloodline. For him to reach Rank 23 and go undefeated in two-on-two matches is truly remarkable."
Just as Chen Xin was about to respond, a black-cloaked figure appeared in the hall.
"Reporting to the Sect Master—an urgent letter from Soto City. The Young Miss instructed it be delivered to you personally!" the man said, handing over a thick letter.
"Oh? A letter from Rongrong? Don't tell me she's already been heartbroken," Chen Xin joked, his hand instinctively resting on his Seven Kill Sword.
Ning Fengzhi opened the letter. The first thing he saw were the bold words: 'New Martial Soul Core Competitiveness.'
"Hm?" His interest piqued, he began to read. After just a few lines, he was completely captivated by the world of theory within. Seeing Ning Fengzhi so engrossed, Chen Xin leaned closer to read as well.
After a long while, a burst of laughter echoed through the hall.
"Hahahaha! What a rare genius! I can't believe that our Rongrong, who messes up so many things, actually managed to find the perfect teacher," Ning Fengzhi exclaimed with delight. He praised Ye Lan's talent loudly, more excited than he had been in a long time.
Chen Xin nodded in agreement. "Indeed, I didn't expect this. It seems Rongrong's judgment surpassed my own. That Nine-Star Ring? To gain such a mentor, it wouldn't have mattered if she'd given him several more."
"To think Ye Lan is only fifteen... Even if he weren't a Soul Master, these theories alone would make him a revered teacher across the continent." Ning Fengzhi turned to the man in black. "Send word to have our people test whether soul rings from gentle beasts are easier to absorb. Also, publish both simplified and detailed versions of 'New Martial Soul Core Competitiveness' through all our merchant channels. Credit the author: Ye Lan. I want his name known throughout the entire Heaven Dou Empire within a week!"
"Yes, Sect Master!" The shadowy youth prepared to leave.
"Wait—when promoting this, be sure to include that the Green Emperor, Ye Lan, is the teacher of our Sect's Little Princess," Ning Fengzhi added.
"Yes!"
"Oh? Fengzhi, your intention is?" Chen Xin probed.
"Exactly. Ye Lan's theory is groundbreaking. If he kept it for himself, a new powerful family could rise from it. But he selflessly chose to share it, an act that is bound to provoke jealousy and resentment. By linking him to our Sect, we can ward off potential enemies. I believe that's also why he entrusted the theory to us first. He's not only a brilliant theorist but also a shrewd strategist. I now feel completely confident entrusting Rongrong to him," Ning Fengzhi said with deep admiration.
"Who would've thought he's only fifteen? At that age, most people with a little achievement are desperate for recognition. Just think of Yu Xiaogang—when he was seventeen or eighteen, he never shut up about his theories," Chen Xin scoffed.
"Theories which were mostly common sense, though I suppose they helped broaden the knowledge of commoner Soul Masters," Ning Fengzhi said. "Uncle Jian, Ye Lan mentioned he has more theories he hasn't released, saying the time isn't right. I wonder what they are, that they require such careful timing."
"Why the hurry, Fengzhi? Ye Lan is Rongrong's teacher. Whatever he knows, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will eventually know too," Chen Xin said, his attitude completely transformed into one of admiration.
"I was especially impressed by the final line in Ye Lan's theory: 'There are high- and low-quality martial souls, but only a Soul Master who fails to bring out their martial soul's potential is truly useless.' When I first awakened my Seven Kill Sword, my innate power was only Rank 7—far worse than my father's Rank 9. But I devoted my life to the sword, pushed it to its limits, and through my sheer will, I finally became a Titled Douluo at seventy. Once I broke through, there was no stopping me—and now I am the Sword Douluo!"
"Exactly. The reason our Sect is one of the Upper Three, despite our martial soul being capped at the Soul Douluo rank, is that we fully utilize its every advantage. It's only with the support of the Sect that you and Bone Douluo could reach such heights."
"Speaking of which, does the Green Emperor have a grudge against Yu Xiaogang? That final line sounds like a direct jab at his famous catchphrase, 'There are no useless martial souls, only useless Soul Masters,'" Chen Xin mused.
"I'm not sure, but Yu Xiaogang's theories certainly pale in comparison to Ye Lan's. That quote... it seems to suit Yu Xiaogang himself perfectly," Ning Fengzhi said, shaking his head as he recalled Yu Xiaogang's pitiful martial soul, Luo San Pao.
"Uncle Jian, go and inform Bone Douluo that Rongrong has found a teacher. In a few days, once the theory starts to create a stir, we'll go and meet this rising star in person. And we'll see what kind of troublemakers show up."
Chen Xin nodded and, now eager himself, hurried off to find the Bone Douluo.
(End of Chapter)