As the effects of whale glue spread, a wave of whale glue fever swept across the entire Douluo Continent. Countless people began frantically pursuing it—so much so that even counterfeit products appeared.
Some buyers unknowingly consumed fake "whale glue" made from sheep fat. Not only did it fail to improve their physical fitness, but it also gave them violent diarrhea.
Although the major powers managed to collect a considerable amount of whale glue, most of it was thousand-year grade. Ten-thousand-year whale glue was almost nonexistent, and hundred-year whale glue was even rarer.
After all, whales lived in the deep sea—a forbidden zone for most soul masters. At present, the sea soul masters and fleets in coastal cities could only explore the shallow waters. The continent's land-based resources were already so abundant that humanity hadn't fully explored them—so why bother with the sea?
Most whale glue on the market had been hunted by powerful sea soul masters near coastal cities. They risked their lives venturing into the deeper sea to hunt whale spirit beasts—typically of at least a thousand years of age. Few would ever dare risk it for a mere hundred-year whale.
But that was then.
Now that Tang San had publicized the benefits of whale glue, many sea soul masters would no doubt risk deep-sea expeditions for profit.
But this no longer had anything to do with Tang San.
He had already reaped the benefits of whale glue, and he had even been fortunate enough to obtain a rare whale pearl.
Whether his discoveries would raise the combat strength of soul masters continent-wide no longer concerned him. In fact, he might even be looking forward to a future where soul master development became more diverse and competitive.
After all, he too needed inspiration—and a single person's creativity was always limited, even if that person was a transmigrator from the modern world.
As for whether someone might surpass him? Tang San wasn't worried. There were already countless Titled Douluo whose spirit power far exceeded his, with more spirit skills and experience.
He had already given up his identity within the Clear Sky Sect and had no intention of returning to his ancestral roots. From now on, he was just a civilian genius. Thanks to the publication of his research in the two Martial Soul newspapers, his reputation had already skyrocketed.
Because of this, the vast majority of soul masters who benefited from his findings would owe him a debt of gratitude—regardless of class or allegiance.
As for other transmigrators? Tang San suspected Mu Tian wasn't the only one. But if any of the others had received more substantial "golden finger" advantages, then he likely wouldn't have been born in the first place.
Mu Tian, for instance, had encountered the God of Destruction—Austin Griffin. That power had once resided within the original Clear Sky Hammer before being defeated by Tang San and merging into his martial soul.
Tang San wasn't sure how many more transmigrators were out there, but if they were strong, they would've already emerged. There would have been no need for them to secretly steal Blue Silver Emperor seedlings.
So he didn't mind if they also profited from his published theory. In fact, he welcomed it—he hoped it would lure them out. It would help him count them, study them, and prepare countermeasures.
After all, the name "Tang San" didn't carry a great reputation among transmigrators. Most of them sought to surpass him—stepping on his head to rise. Only the more nostalgic "ancient" transmigrators still fantasized about following in his footsteps.
The whale glue phenomenon did attract many transmigrators' attention, but most stayed hidden in the shadows, cursing Tang San for being "inhuman." How could he publicly reveal the effects of such a rare resource?
But a few more experienced transmigrators realized the truth.
Tang San's use of whale glue and his ability to absorb high-age spirit rings might've been the result of butterfly effects. In order to protect himself from scrutiny and suspicion, especially since he was just a civilian from Holy Spirit Village with no background, he chose to release the information as a diversion. By shifting the continent's attention to whale glue, he avoided being singled out.
After all, to the outside world, he was still a Blue Silver Grass soul master—just a bright young theorist with interesting ideas.
These transmigrators, having been in the world longer, understood the brutal realism of Douluo Continent. They had no intention of interfering. They simply focused on living their own lives.
As for changing the world?
They might post grand declarations online—but when it came to action, they quietly backed off. The people of this world were not as one-dimensional as in web novels. While they often used fists, they weren't stupid. Once they realized that brains could solve problems more efficiently, they'd choose strategy over force.
No faction wanted to pay a painful price for victory—especially in a world where martial souls were inherited through bloodlines.
Heaven Dou City, Moon Pavilion.
Tang Yuehua also read the latest issue of the Martial Soul Newspaper. She saw the whale glue article—but it was already too late. When she went to pharmacies, even the ordinary whale glue was sold out.
If she wanted to place an order, she'd have to wait ten years.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Hall had begun actively recruiting sea soul masters from coastal regions, hoping to develop an elite marine force to explore oceanic resources.
Tang San's revelation had made soul masters across the continent aware of the ocean's vast potential. It was a world even larger than land. Who knew how many undiscovered sea spirit beasts and precious minerals remained hidden beneath the waves?
Although it would take Spirit Hall more than a decade to fully train a capable deep-sea team, they had already pulled far ahead of every other force.
The Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire would no doubt draft their own countermeasures, but when it came to soul master power, they simply couldn't compare to Spirit Hall.
"Xiao San, you're really helping the enemy…"
Tang Yuehua sighed, a trace of resentment flashing in her heart.
Such a brilliant child, and yet Tang Hao hadn't kept him close. Instead, he had entrusted him to her care. Even if the major factions learned he was from the Clear Sky Sect, they wouldn't pay much attention to him—his martial soul was just Blue Silver Grass.
And now?
Tang San had established a positive relationship with Spirit Hall from a young age. If things continued like this, he might even become an ally of Spirit Hall… and a future opponent of the Clear Sky Sect.
"Sigh~"
"Why is Teacher Tang sighing?"
At that moment, a blond youth approached her. His demeanor was elegant and his smile warm.
"Qinghe," Tang Yuehua replied with practiced composure. "I'm sighing because I missed my chance to buy whale glue. I was curious to see whether it could help me strengthen my body enough to cultivate spirit power to level ten."
Her martial soul, the Noble Ring, was a mutation of the Clear Sky Hammer. It came with its own domain, but her innate spirit power had been extremely low—likely because all her potential had been used to generate that domain.
"What's so difficult about that?" Xue Qinghe smiled gently. "I was fortunate enough to purchase ten kilograms of thousand-year whale glue. I can give half to Teacher—and help you use it properly."
Xue Qinghe had studied music and painting at Moon Pavilion, and it was natural for him to call Tang Yuehua "teacher." He also knew that despite her composed exterior, Tang Yuehua secretly resented that her Clear Sky Hammer had mutated into the Noble Ring.
Anyone born into the Clear Sky Sect developed pride from a young age, long before their martial souls even awakened.
So how could Tang Yuehua, who awakened a martial soul like the Noble Ring, possibly feel satisfied?
In truth—she couldn't even allow herself to hate it.
But Xue Qinghe knew: this woman was very good at hiding her true self.