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What Yu Xiaogang and Tang San did not know was that Ye Lan had considered how most awakened martial souls on Douluo Continent more readily absorb gentle soul force rings; those who could absorb evil soul rings must have dark, wicked hearts. Such people are almost always evil soul masters, so Ye Lan would never provide them with hints. As for someone with an evil martial soul but a kind heart, absorbing a gentle soul ring poses no issue—so long as its attribute does not conflict with the soul's nature. Ye Lan's eighth doctrinal principle covers this too: as long as there is no attribute conflict, any type of soul ring can be absorbed.
"Never expected Xiao San to have an aptitude for theory," Yu Xiaogang praised.
"Heh…" Tang San scratched his head, as if shaking off a lingering doubt.
"In the future, don't think about absorbing a century soul bone. Do you know how precious your Twin Martial Souls are? A century soul bone would be like drinking poison to quench thirst—a disastrous short-term solution! You, Xiao San, deserve far better!" Yu Xiaogang warned.
"But Teacher," Tang San protested, "didn't you say that absorbing soul bones improves physical attributes? I want to absorb a century soul bone to strengthen myself. I'm confident that at level 40, my mental strength will reach the Soul King level. Then my fourth soul ring will definitely break through to a ten-thousand-year ring."
"I see your reasoning is sound," Yu Xiaogang conceded. "But century soul bones are extremely inferior, and the number of soul bones a soul master can absorb is limited. If you absorb a century soul bone and later wish to replace it, even with a regeneration pill, you must sacrifice ten levels of spirit power."
"Oh…" Tang San lowered his head. Between his teacher's objection and Ye Lan's protection by a Soul Douluo, he realized a ten-thousand-year ring was out of reach.
"Look at this," Yu Xiaogang said.
"This is… a ten-thousand-year soul bone?" Tang San's eyes lit up.
"Correct. It's a forty-thousand-year left leg soul bone, and it perfectly matches your poison attribute. Wait until your spirit power reaches level 40, and until your Eight Spider Lances have fully fused. Only then should you absorb this bone. It will greatly enhance your physique," Yu Xiaogang advised.
"Understood!" Tang San accepted the bone and tucked it into his Twenty-Four Bridges of the Bright Moonlit Night storage belt.
"Teacher, where did this soul bone come from?" Tang San asked, as he didn't believe his teacher—a mere Great Soul Master—could acquire a ten-thousand-year bone.
Yu Xiaogang had planned to keep silent if Tang San didn't ask, letting him believe the bone was his gift so as not to reveal his father's identity. But now that he was asked, he had to push aside his selfish thoughts and explain. "Your father entrusted this to me years ago for safekeeping. When your body matures, I am to present it to you. Your father is a great soul master—this was his birthday gift to you."
Tang San gazed at him with admiration. He could hardly believe that his father, who used to drink all day, possessed such a treasure.
"Is he a Titled Douluo?" Tang San ventured.
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "I can't tell you his identity yet, but know this: your father is a man of true integrity. Xiao San, you must always look forward. If you persevere, attaining the Titled Douluo rank won't be your limit. Do not let emotion hinder your progress."
"I will keep my eyes ahead and train diligently!" Tang San promised—but he acted as if he hadn't heard that last admonition.
Letting go of Xiao Wu? Impossible.
Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, East Palace Secret Chamber
A middle-aged man in a dark robe entered the chamber and saw the blonde maiden applying makeup, so he stood quietly in the shadows, waiting.
The blonde maiden sat gracefully at a gilded vanity. She opened a boxed blush compact, its rose-scented warmth wafting up. With slender fingers, she dipped into the pristine pearl powder and swept it along her straight nose bridge, her skin fairer than snow. A dab of red rouge accentuated her lips, and her brows were drawn into elegant arches with an ink brush.
Finished with her cosmetics, the blonde maiden studied her reflection. In the mirror she saw a flawless beauty: a straight nose, brows like dark jade, and skin whiter than snow.
For a long moment, she scrutinized every detail of her peerless visage, as if seeking her true self within the glass.
Finally, she spoke. "What is it, Uncle Yu?"
Qian Renxue noticed the Snake Spear Douluo.
"Young Lady, I have gathered all the intelligence on 'Scholar' Ye Lan," he said, stepping forward and handing her a bundle of confidential scrolls.
"Thank you, Uncle Yu, for running this errand," she replied, accepting the scrolls.
"It is my honor to serve you. Your mission in the East Palace far outweighs mine," he said tenderly, his heart aching for her. He knew how little time she had to be herself, always forced to masquerade as Xue Qinghe. This was why the Snake Spear Douluo, despite being a Titled Douluo, could not bear to disturb her while she applied her makeup.
Qian Renxue unfurled the scrolls and began reading. The deeper she read, the more she realized how extraordinary Ye Lan truly was: an innate soul power of only level three, yet in four years he rose thirteen levels; his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul now rivaled the strength of a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon; at fifteen years old, he published theories that shook the entire continent.
As the Young Pontiff of the Spirit Hall, she had studied under Qian Daoliu from childhood and understood theories beyond most people's grasp. She compared her own knowledge with Ye Lan's doctrines, finding them perfectly corroborative.
Her golden eyes shone even brighter. She grasped what these theories meant for civilians and low-ranked soul masters. She knew her older sister's vision was farsighted and that the Spirit Hall's future support would shift toward agriculture, animal husbandry, and civilian welfare. Improving civilians' lives would free hidden geniuses from the chains of poverty.
The better the civilians fared, the more soul masters would emerge, and the Spirit Hall would reap the talent.
For over a decade she had worked to improve civilian life in the Heaven Dou Empire—yet a fifteen-year-old had already realized her vision with his theories.
As Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, six years older than Ye Lan with vastly greater resources, she had still fallen so far behind. A blush of embarrassment touched her cheeks.
For the first time, genuine curiosity about Ye Lan blossomed within her. She wanted to know what kind of man this prodigy was.
At the scroll's end was a simple note:
Recently, Ye Lan was attacked by an unknown Soul Saint. The Holy Emperor's warrior "Silver Wolf" successfully repelled the mysterious assailant.
"Oh? Bibi Dong sent one of her Holy Emperor's Warriors to protect Ye Lan?" she murmured.
"Yes. Some months ago, Her Holiness the Pope included Ye Lan on the Spirit Hall's key observation list," the Snake Spear Douluo replied, ignoring her disrespectful reference to the Pope.
"Uncle Yu, assign Douluo warriors to watch Ye Lan's every move. Report back to me immediately on any development," Qian Renxue commanded, recalling Bibi Dong's cold face as she spoke to the Snake Spear Douluo.
(End of Chapter)