Yang Lin cautioned Yang Xiong to keep the news completely secret, intending to verify the effects himself before determining how to properly handle this significant discovery.
In the following days, Yang Lin and Sun Yu both took leave from their regular duties to remain at home for experimentation. They purchased several pieces of whale glue with exceptionally high ages, estimated to have reached the ten-thousand-year level.
In this era, whale glue had no recognized applications beyond its reputation as an aphrodisiac, so the price remained relatively modest. Even ten-thousand-year whale glue cost only a few thousand gold spirit coins, which was quite affordable for the Yang family's current financial situation.
Yang Xiong, meanwhile, continued attending school as usual. However, in the classroom, Ning Rongrong didn't seem to have shared their shopping encounter with anyone else, though she continued observing Yang Xiong with a peculiar and knowing expression.
This evening after dinner, Yang Lin and Sun Yu appeared somewhat nervous and excited.
"Yang Xiong, after these past few days of verification with your mother, the whale glue does indeed have remarkable effects. Your mother and I followed your method of consuming whale glue, and our spirit power has increased by one full level. Moreover, we feel that our physical fitness has become significantly stronger, and the speed of spirit power circulation throughout our bodies has increased dramatically. Your mother's improvement seems to be even more pronounced than mine."
Yang Xiong smiled with satisfaction. "Dad, then we should take advantage of the fact that no one else knows this secret to purchase more whale glue. Whale glue should still be relatively inexpensive now—I'm afraid we won't be able to afford it once the knowledge becomes widespread."
Yang Lin nodded in agreement. "I've already purchased several additional pieces. It should be sufficient for you and your brother to use in the future. Since you discovered this secret, I plan to report the whale glue discovery to the sect leadership. What kind of reward would you like to request?"
Yang Xiong considered the question carefully before responding. "Dad, could you claim that you discovered this secret when you report it to the sect? After all, I'm only eight years old now, and I'm concerned it might easily cause misunderstandings or inappropriate attention from others."
Yang Lin shook his head firmly. "Yang Xiong, you still don't fully understand the rules of survival within a sect. Within our organization, we're not afraid of you performing exceptionally well—instead, we're afraid of you remaining too unknown and unremarkable, especially since our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School doesn't reject Spirit Masters regardless of their martial spirit type."
"Today, you have made this discovery, and the sect will recognize your natural talent and potential. In the future, they should focus more resources on your training and development. For example, when valuable opportunities arise, they will consider you first. You must understand that the resources of any sect are ultimately limited."
"Moreover, this discovery is extremely significant. I plan to report it secretly to the sect master with you present this time. With the strict internal management protocols of our sect, your information should not be leaked to outsiders."
In truth, Yang Lin didn't mention one important consideration: Yang Xiong had been the last student in Class One to break through to level ten, and he was probably considered to possess poor cultivation talent. If he could now demonstrate such an amazing discovery, even the sect master would likely take special notice.
Yang Xiong nodded in understanding. He had previously focused only on cultivating quietly, always believing that he could catch up with others in the future, or even surpass them eventually. Such thinking was indeed somewhat naive and wishful.
The inner sect of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was located very close to Seven Treasure City, but the main Spirit Master forces of the sect were basically concentrated within the inner sect grounds.
The entire inner sect was situated within mountainous terrain, and the surrounding peaks served as natural barriers and protection. The inner sect itself resembled a smaller city, but both the height of its walls and its defensive capabilities were extremely formidable.
In a grand hall within the inner sect, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were seated together, apparently discussing matters related to Ning Rongrong's progress.
"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, I believe Rongrong has been performing quite well in school recently, and her spirit power has improved very rapidly. She truly deserves to be called the most talented disciple in the entire history of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda lineage."
Both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo nodded their heads, obviously agreeing with Ning Fengzhi's assessment.
Ning Fengzhi continued his evaluation. "I think Class One's overall performance has been quite satisfactory. In just two years, everyone has successfully become a Spirit Master, even that child whose martial spirit is his own body is progressing adequately."
Bone Douluo commented critically. "Innate spirit power level six, reaching level ten in two years—this cultivation speed is already considered quite slow. Our Rongrong has already nearly reached level sixteen."
Ning Fengzhi smiled diplomatically. "The quality of his martial spirit is ultimately limited, but Teacher Lin Gong seems to appreciate this child greatly. He reports that the boy is not only the top academic performer in his grade, but also particularly loves reading, and his knowledge base is exceptionally broad. In addition, this child shows unusual dedication to physical exercise. From a purely physical standpoint, he is the strongest student in the entire class."
"You both know that Lin Gong is quite demanding and stubborn in his teaching methods, with extremely high standards. Otherwise, I wouldn't have assigned him to personally teach Rongrong."
Bone Douluo snorted with disapproval. "That's putting the cart before the horse! Spirit Masters should emphasize the improvement of spirit power, especially when they are young—this is the golden period for cultivation. Such waste of time on physical training is simply squandering one's natural talent."
Ning Fengzhi didn't argue further, obviously sharing Bone Douluo's perspective to some degree. As for Sword Douluo, he kept his eyes closed throughout the conversation, as if he didn't concern himself with such trivial matters.
Just then, someone knocked on the door from outside. "Reporting to the sect master, Yang Lin, an outer sect deacon, has arrived with his son Yang Xiong, stating that he has important matters to report personally. He claims this matter concerns significant secrets."
Ning Fengzhi appeared quite calm and composed. "Allow them to enter the hall directly."
Bone Douluo seemed somewhat puzzled. "Fengzhi, what important discoveries could this outer sect deacon possibly have made? Shouldn't he be directed to report directly to the outer sect elders instead?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled knowingly. "Uncle Bone, I have reviewed the records of this family. Several generations have served loyally within our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's outer sect. They should be completely trustworthy, and they must have made some valuable discovery—otherwise they wouldn't dare to approach me directly."
Yang Xiong, following his father Yang Lin under the guidance of a sect attendant, quickly arrived at the impressive hall. Within the chamber, in addition to Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi whom he had seen before, there was also an extremely tall and imposing man. This individual appeared exceptionally fierce, with prominent bone structure throughout his frame. This had to be Bone Douluo.
Among these three powerful figures, Ning Fengzhi wore a welcoming smile and seemed quite approachable, Sword Douluo kept his eyes closed and appeared indifferent to everything around him, and Bone Douluo projected an somewhat intimidating and unapproachable aura.
Yang Xiong followed his father's example and offered proper respect. "Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Senior Sword Douluo! Greetings, Senior Bone Douluo!"
Ning Fengzhi responded with a warm smile. "There's no need for such formality. Your family represents our own people within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Please don't feel too nervous or anxious."
"Now then, what is the matter that brought you here specifically today?"
Yang Lin quickly spoke with obvious excitement. "Reporting to the sect master, recently we have made a tremendous discovery that may provide significant benefits to our sect. We have documented everything in careful detail."
After speaking, Yang Lin produced a sheet of paper that thoroughly detailed the effects of consuming whale glue and even included the specific preparation and consumption methods.
Bone Douluo casually waved his hand, and the paper instantly appeared in his grasp through his spirit power. However, he didn't examine it himself and directly handed it to Ning Fengzhi for review.
Ning Fengzhi began reading the contents of the document with his usual calm demeanor, but his expression seemed to become increasingly serious and focused. Eventually, a hint of genuine surprise appeared in his eyes.
"Yang Lin, have you personally confirmed that this method is truly effective, and have you verified that there are no harmful side effects?"
Bone Douluo observed from the side with extreme surprise. Ning Fengzhi was known for maintaining his composure and rarely displaying his emotions openly. How could he suddenly appear somewhat overwhelmed?
Yang Lin responded with complete seriousness. "Reporting to the sect master, since my son made this discovery, my wife and I have personally tested and verified the results. There have been no apparent side effects thus far."
Ning Fengzhi nodded with obvious satisfaction. "Excellent! I will arrange for additional verification testing. If this proves to be accurate, this will represent the greatest discovery made by our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in nearly one hundred years. You and your family will be recognized as distinguished contributors to our sect's advancement."