In Spirit City, inside the grand Pope's Hall.
Bibi Dong received the newest research submitted by Ma Xiunuo from the Spirit Hall branch in Nuoding City, along with updated intelligence on Tang San.
This time, Tang San's submission was shorter—just 20,000 words—but its content was dense. It detailed the historical evolution of optimal spirit ring combinations from ancient times to the present, and analyzed the factors affecting a soul master's ability to endure higher-age spirit rings.
"Ten thousand years ago, the best spirit ring combination was actually white, white, white, yellow, yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She immediately ordered someone to bring her the archived records of soul masters from ten millennia ago. As she flipped through the documents, she discovered that many Titled Douluo of that era indeed followed the pattern of three whites, three yellows, two purples, and one black.
Over time, however, the number of white and yellow rings gradually diminished, while black rings became more prevalent. Today, the standard for the best ring configuration was two yellows, two purples, and five blacks—or, in rare cases, a final red ring.
It became clear: the current ideal configuration had been forged through generations of soul masters sacrificing their lives in pursuit of power. It hadn't always been this way.
Bibi Dong's heart stirred slightly. At this point in her life, she was not yet wholly consumed by madness. She remained lucid, sharp, and intelligent.
How could someone who led the enormous Spirit Hall and was revered across the continent be a total lunatic?
"It seems I really do need to go back and browse the Spirit Hall's library. As the Pope… to not even know something like this—what was I doing in my youth…"
She muttered to herself with a self-deprecating smile. Her expression soon turned serious as she focused on the second half of Tang San's paper—his analysis of the variables affecting a soul master's tolerance for spirit ring age.
"Physical strength, spiritual power, the quality of soul power, and whether the spirit beast's ring is attribute-compatible with the soul master…"
This was rigorous work. Bibi Dong could see that Tang San was no mere theorist spouting nonsense—he was meticulous. He factored in the soul master's physique, spiritual and soul power quality, and even the elemental compatibility between spirit and beast.
He didn't blindly accept the so-called "best" ring combination used across the continent. Instead, he used data preserved by Spirit Hall itself to demonstrate that spirit ring ages had consistently increased over history. Then he went further—explaining that the ideal configuration varied by individual and should be tailored to each soul master's unique condition.
Even without examples, Bibi Dong could picture it clearly. Anyone with even three years of experience in the soul master world had heard of failed ring absorption cases—crippled martial souls, ruined bodies, even total physical destruction.
"Not bad. Very good."
If this theory were published, it could help prevent many soul masters from recklessly selecting inappropriate spirit rings. It would help them make informed decisions, reducing casualties—especially among common soul masters.
Tang San's choice to submit this to Spirit Hall rather than to other publications like the Tian Dou Report or the Star Luo Report demonstrated his goodwill. It was a political gesture as much as an academic one.
If Spirit Hall published his work, it could earn the favor of unaffiliated soul masters across the continent.
If they could sway the hearts of the masses, who cared about resisting empires or sects? The only real internal challenge was the Elder Hall—and Bibi Dong was sure Qian Daoliu was fully aware of what his son had done.
Then Bibi Dong's eyes landed on the final section—Tang San's proposed method for strengthening a soul master's physical fitness.
Whale glue.
She pulled a fingernail-sized piece of ten-thousand-year whale glue from the envelope. Following the instructions, she infused it with soul power and gently activated it. The pitch-black glue turned crystal clear, glowing like rich amber honey.
Bibi Dong placed it in her mouth. The taste was poor, but she quickly felt the effects—it truly did strengthen the body.
While it offered little benefit to someone of her level, it would be an excellent tonic for Hu Liena and the others. It might even allow them to withstand near ten-thousand-year rings when they reached their fourth ring.
Near, but not over.
Bibi Dong was well aware that once a spirit beast surpassed ten thousand years, its ring retained fragments of its consciousness. For an unprepared soul master, absorbing such a ring could result in severe mental backlash—or death.
She would never allow her disciple to take such a reckless risk.
When the time came, they would target a spirit beast just under the ten-thousand-year threshold.
Still, a dilemma presented itself—should she publicize the fact that whale glue enhanced physical fitness?
Whales were not spirit beasts, but they lived in deep ocean waters. Even a Titled Douluo would face danger trying to capture one. The sea was a forbidden zone to most land-based soul masters. Even sea soul masters couldn't claim to rule the deep sea, only its shallows.
Pirates only acted arrogant in specific shipping lanes. None dared traverse the domains of powerful sea spirit beasts.
Which meant: even if this discovery became public, no one could simply go out and harvest whales. They would need to buy whale glue through apothecaries and collectors.
Besides, Tang San had already shared the discovery with Ma Xiunuo. This matter would leak eventually. When Spirit Hall inevitably began large-scale procurement, other powers would catch on—even if they didn't understand the purpose, they'd imitate the behavior.
So why not take the initiative?
Spirit Hall had one decisive advantage: it had branches in every city across the Douluo Continent.
"Someone!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo quickly arrived.
"Notify all Spirit Hall branches to collect all hundred-year, thousand-year, and ten-thousand-year whale glue from their local markets. Transport it to Spirit City."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Pope!"
After the two departed, Bibi Dong summoned the manager of the Spirit Hall's publishing office. She ordered him to publish Tang San's theory and added:
"In the future, if you receive any submissions from Tang San, send them directly to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The manager left with the manuscript. Then Bibi Dong summoned a red-clothed elder and instructed him to deliver a reward to Ma Xiunuo in Nuoding City...
Three days later, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was the first to detect Spirit Hall's actions.
With shops selling high-end goods and soul tools across both empires, their information network was vast. Since the Min Clan had joined them, intelligence gathering had become even easier.
"Fengzhi!"
Sword Douluo approached with the latest issue of Spirit Hall's publication in hand. "I've discovered why Spirit Hall is collecting whale glue. It can be activated with soul power to enhance a soul master's body and increase the age of spirit rings they can endure!"
Ning Fengzhi was stunned. He scanned the paper until he found the author's name: Tang San.
"It's Tang San again… strengthening physical fitness… Could this be the same Tang San that Rongrong met?"
"Unbelievable… Truly unbelievable!"
"Oh right—whale glue!"
Suddenly alert, Ning Fengzhi turned to Sword Douluo. "Uncle Sword, notify our clan's business agents to purchase whale glue. And inform Uncle Bone—he's faster. He might be able to acquire ten-thousand-year whale glue from large pharmacies."
"Rongrong's innate spirit power is rank nine, but her martial soul is still the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. If she can absorb a higher-grade ring for her second, third, or fourth spirit ring, the increased energy might transform the pagoda!"
"Even if it doesn't, it'll still fortify her body—making her safer in battle."
Sword Douluo grasped the urgency. He issued orders immediately. Bone Douluo, upon hearing the news, stopped his training session with Mu Tian and rushed straight to the largest pharmacy in Heaven Dou.
When Mu Tian heard about whale glue's effects, he slapped his forehead. "Damn it! I knew about its properties but never connected the dots. Tang San, you really are the child of destiny. Without Yu Xiaogang to mislead you… you actually discovered this on your own."
"No. I need to ask Bone Douluo for a piece of ten-thousand-year whale glue."
He summoned his spirit, Hao Yue, but noticed something strange. Hao Yue's eyes looked duller. Its body bulged more with soul power, but something felt… off.
Probably just my imagination, Mu Tian told himself.
Still, he had Hao Yue begin training, while he relaxed on the grass, absorbing soul power.
"I don't know if it's just me, but the soul power seems to be increasing slower than before. Could Hao Yue have lost its fighting spirit?"
"He's the God of Heaven's Wrath. He needs to work harder!"
Meanwhile, in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen also learned of the effects of whale glue.
But by then, it was already too late.
The Spirit Hall had acquired most of the supply. A smaller share had been secured by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The rest of the continent's powers found nothing left.
Forced to improvise, they turned to ordinary whale glue—effective, but impractically slow. A soul master would need to consume hundreds of catties over time to feel any effect.
And no one could eat that much in one sitting. They'd die of bloating first.
As word of whale glue's effects spread, new theories began to emerge. Some scholars proposed the use of fish glue, shark glue, and other marine extracts to improve physical fitness. Others looked to land-based spirit beasts, claiming their body parts could enhance strength and speed soul power growth.
The Spirit Hall's publishing manager, reviewing stacks of these so-called "research papers," developed a migraine.
Tang San's work was methodical and evidence-based.
The rest were shallow imitations—some even plagiarized his paper directly, swapping a few terms, changing names, and replacing "whale glue" with...
"Bullwhip."
Yes, bullwhip.
Their reasoning? Whale glue increases desire and strengthens the body. Bullwhip has "arousing" properties too, so it should work the same.
The manager stared blankly.
"Talented... There really are all kinds of geniuses among spirit theorists."
"At the very least, use your own writing style!"