Within the grand main hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Fengzhi studied the documents in his hands with a serious expression etched across his features. The information before him required careful consideration, as it could significantly impact the sect's future development.
"Uncle Bone," Ning Fengzhi began, his voice carrying the weight of authority, "according to our experiments over the past few days, the people who have consumed the whale collagen are showing remarkably positive results. The effects are quite obvious and appear to match the descriptions provided by Yang Lin and his son perfectly."
Bone Douluo nodded with evident satisfaction. "Indeed, the effectiveness of the whale collagen has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations. Most notably, when we arranged for a Soul Saint to consume the ten-thousand-year whale collagen, they actually managed to break through their cultivation bottleneck and advance by one full level. Moreover, I clearly observed that numerous impurities were expelled from their body, while their meridians experienced a noticeable expansion. Their cultivation speed has increased dramatically compared to before, and even their overall physical constitution has improved significantly. I estimate that whale collagen can indeed increase a Soul Master's absorption limit for soul rings. It appears that when whale collagen is used correctly, it truly represents a treasure that will greatly benefit our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Bone Douluo paused, his expression becoming more cautious. "However, we have identified two notable drawbacks for people consuming whale collagen. The first time someone takes it, the effects are remarkably pronounced, but the second consumption yields significantly reduced benefits - perhaps only twenty to thirty percent as effective as the initial dose. The other concern is that whale collagen possesses certain aphrodisiac properties, especially when an entire piece is melted and consumed. This effect becomes maximized and can easily spiral out of control if not properly managed."
"I plan to arrange for several female disciples to test the substance over the next few days to determine if there are differences between how men and women respond to it. However, I believe we should wait a while before proceeding and avoid rashly administering it to disciples we are prioritizing for cultivation."
Ning Fengzhi remained silent for several moments, carefully weighing the implications before speaking. "That approach sounds prudent. We are not under any immediate pressure, so we must thoroughly confirm the effects and ensure there are absolutely no harmful side effects. Nevertheless, we can begin purchasing supplies. Uncle Bone, please arrange for the Fourth Elder to take reliable personnel on a secret expedition to Vast Sea City. The quantity of whale collagen available there is relatively abundant, and the prices are more reasonable than other locations."
"I will arrange it immediately," Bone Douluo replied with a respectful bow.
Ning Fengzhi continued examining the various documents scattered across his desk when suddenly one particular report captured his attention. The document stated that inner sect disciple Yang Xiong had recently advanced to level ten, but he insisted on selecting a five-hundred-and-forty-year-old Dark Tortoise as his first soul ring. Because this soul beast was considered relatively special and its age far exceeded normal safety limits, the school administration required a decision from higher authority.
After reading the entire report, Ning Fengzhi could not help but smile with amusement. "Uncle Bone, this Yang Xiong is quite an interesting character. I did not expect him to display such boldness."
Bone Douluo's face showed a somewhat exasperated expression when he examined the information contained in the document. "This youngster is far too reckless. Although his martial soul possesses unique properties, what connection could it possibly have with tortoise-type soul beasts? Moreover, the established age limit for a first soul ring is only four hundred and twenty-three years, yet he wants to absorb a soul ring from a creature that is five hundred and forty years old. This is simply absurd."
"Furthermore, while his martial soul may present certain challenges, it is not nearly as problematic as initially imagined. Could this boy be considering pursuing a defensive cultivation path?"
"Besides, if I remember correctly, the Shi family from Heaven Dou City recently expressed interest in purchasing this particular Dark Tortoise from us, and they offered quite a generous price."
Ning Fengzhi considered the situation carefully before responding. "Uncle Bone, do you believe this Yang Xiong is a fool? Does he strike you as the type of person who lacks proper planning or completely disregards his own safety?"
Bone Douluo shook his head decisively. "Not at all. Although I have only met Yang Xiong once, that boy demonstrated remarkable intelligence. Moreover, his passion for reading and study clearly indicates he is far from stupid. Besides, a fool would never have been capable of discovering the incredible secret of whale collagen's properties."
A knowing smile appeared on Ning Fengzhi's face. "Then let us allow him to absorb the soul ring from this Dark Tortoise. While making money is certainly important, our own disciples are infinitely more valuable. Please, Uncle Bone, go to observe the process in person. We also want to confirm whether whale collagen truly possesses the ability to increase the age limit for soul ring absorption. If any genuine danger arises, do your best to preserve his life. It is rare for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to have such an intriguing young talent."
At the Yang family residence, after Yang Xiong repeatedly assured his parents of his careful consideration and preparation, they finally agreed to permit him to attempt absorbing the five-hundred-and-forty-year-old soul ring. Their decision came only after extensive discussion about the risks and potential benefits.
Two days later, under the personal guidance of Teacher Lin Gong, Yang Lin, Sun Yu, and Yang Xiong traveled together to the edge of the soul beast forest that the school maintained. The tortoise that Yang Xiong had requested was already unconscious and securely contained, though none of them realized that Bone Douluo was secretly observing their every action from a concealed position.
Lin Gong became visibly agitated when he examined the captured creature more closely. "This is completely unacceptable! Do the personnel responsible for capturing and raising soul beasts here lack even the most basic knowledge about soul beast identification? They have completely misidentified the type of soul beast we are dealing with!"
Yang Xiong felt even more pleasantly surprised when he studied the soul beast before him, because the creature matched exactly what he had hoped to find. This was definitely not an ordinary Dark Tortoise as the records had indicated.
Typically, the specific age of all tortoise-type soul beasts could be determined by examining the intricate patterns covering their shells. This particular tortoise was significantly larger than ordinary Dark Tortoises. Based on the complex pattern adorning its back, it was indeed five hundred and forty years old, but a normal Dark Tortoise of similar age would measure only about one meter and eighty centimeters in length. The specimen before them reached an impressive two meters and forty centimeters.
This was not a common Dark Tortoise, but rather the legendary Dark Underworld Tortoise. According to ancient texts, the Dark Underworld Tortoise represented the finest example of tortoise-type soul beasts. Not only did it possess amazing defensive capabilities, but its numbers remained extremely small throughout the continent. Many Dark Underworld Tortoises lived extraordinarily secretive lives, making them incredibly difficult to locate and capture. Yang Xiong wondered how the school's personnel had managed to obtain such a rare specimen.
When Yang Xiong had first seen the detailed information about the supposed Dark Tortoise, he suspected that this creature was anything but ordinary. The comparison between a Dark Underworld Tortoise and a regular Dark Tortoise involved more than just body length differences. While most characteristics appeared roughly similar, careful examination revealed distinct differences in tooth patterns and claw shapes. Without close inspection, distinguishing between the two species proved nearly impossible.
Moreover, the Dark Underworld Tortoise could rightfully be called among the finest soul beasts available. It possessed dual Water and Earth attributes, and its defensive capabilities were legendary - truly earning its reputation as impregnable. Many Soul Masters considered defensive abilities from such creatures to be virtually unbreakable.
However, what most people failed to understand was that the Dark Underworld Tortoise also represented a remarkably rare Strength-type soul beast. Whether considering the crushing force of its bite or the power contained within its limbs, both were extraordinarily formidable. Once a Dark Underworld Tortoise clamped down with its jaws, even the strongest soul beasts would lose significant flesh and blood.
The creature's main limitation stemmed from its physical design. Because it carried such a massive shell upon its back, its limbs appeared relatively short in proportion, resulting in reduced movement speed compared to other soul beasts of similar power levels.
However, this apparent slowness was actually relative to its other impressive capabilities. If the creature's limbs were not restricted by their proportional shortness, the speed of this tortoise-type soul beast would certainly not be considered slow by any measure.
Even more remarkably, very few records suggested that the Dark Underworld Tortoise naturally possessed spatial attributes as well. Because these creatures were so rare and very few Soul Masters had ever absorbed this type of soul ring, the broader Soul Master community remained largely unaware of this incredible capability.
Whether examined from the perspective of defense, strength, or even spatial manipulation, the Dark Underworld Tortoise could rightfully be called a miracle within the Soul Master world. Most significantly, ancient legends claimed that the Dark Underworld Tortoise carried the bloodline of the divine beast Black Tortoise, one of the four legendary guardian spirits.
Lin Gong could not help but stare in amazement when he noticed Yang Xiong's expression showed no surprise whatsoever, as if this discovery had been entirely expected. "Yang Xiong, did you somehow know this was actually a Dark Underworld Tortoise after reading the pictures and detailed descriptions provided that day?"
Yang Xiong simply smiled mysteriously. "Teacher, I can only say that fortune has smiled upon me. I never expected that my first soul ring would come from such an exceptional soul beast."
Lin Gong felt somewhat embarrassed by his earlier assumptions. "I was perhaps too presumptuous in my judgment. You certainly have not wasted the time you spent reading and studying these past two years. Your knowledge clearly extends far beyond what I had realized."
The discovery of the Dark Underworld Tortoise's true identity added an entirely new dimension to Yang Xiong's planned cultivation path. Instead of settling for a merely adequate defensive soul beast, he now had the opportunity to obtain a soul ring from one of the continent's most legendary creatures - one that would provide not only incredible defense but also significant strength enhancement and potentially even spatial manipulation abilities.
As they prepared for the soul ring absorption ceremony, Yang Xiong felt confident that this unexpected fortune represented the perfect beginning for his ambitious journey toward mastering all fundamental attributes and achieving unprecedented power levels.
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