A disciple's breakthrough was a good thing, but a breakthrough that defied convention wasn't necessarily so. Zhu Jiuyang stared at Su Ming, questioning him about the opportunity that led to his breakthrough.
Su Ming didn't hide it, especially the effect of the Whale Glue. If he didn't explain it clearly, it would be difficult to achieve a thousand-year Spirit Ring for his second ring, let alone a ten-thousand-year one for his fourth ring later on. After all, he relied on Zhu Jiuyang for his Spirit Rings.
"Teacher, I consumed some Whale Glue."
"Whale Glue? What did you use that for?" Zhu Jiuyang's face darkened.
Su Ming didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Whale Glue contains abundant energy that can temper the body and enhance a Spirit Master's resistance to Spirit Rings, effectively increasing their ability to withstand them. I want to absorb a thousand-year Spirit Ring for my second ring."
"Are you sure?" Zhu Jiuyang indicated that even he wasn't aware of this.
If it really had such an effect, Whale Glue would surely become a hot commodity, right?
"Yes. I accidentally found a book back in the village, seemingly a journal from a Spirit Master from the sea. It not only described this effect of Whale Glue but also recorded some simple methods for crafting Spirit Tools," Su Ming said, fabricating a story like Tang San did.
Tang San's Tang Sect secret techniques were also supposedly from a found manual.
A sharp light flashed in Zhu Jiuyang's eyes as he enveloped the surroundings with his Spirit Power, isolating all sound.
"Crafting Spirit Tools?"
Su Ming had expected Zhu Jiuyang's reaction to be somewhat strong, but he remained relatively calm.
"Yes, there are methods for crafting some of the most basic Spirit Tools."
Zhu Jiuyang's eyes flickered.
"Overseas..."
After weighing it for a moment, he warned Su Ming, "Don't let anyone else know you possess methods for crafting Spirit Tools. Remember, only ancient ruins can yield Spirit Tools!"
Su Ming was taken aback.
What did that mean?
Numerous thoughts rapidly flashed through his mind.
Right! The Spirit Hall had knowledge of the seas; they had even launched large-scale landings on Sea God Island. Could they truly be unaware of the Sun Moon Continent?
"Don't overthink it either," Zhu Jiuyang continued. "The methods of crafting Spirit Tools involve too many conflicting interests; you can't handle them. However, I am considered a Grandmaster blacksmith and have handled at least a hundred Spirit Tools. Having been in the Blacksmith Association for so many years, I've also collected some Spirit Tools. It won't raise suspicion if you produce some Spirit Tools in the future, just avoid exposing them in bulk."
Zhu Jiuyang told Su Ming not to worry too much.
"As for the effect of Whale Glue, I wasn't aware of it before. Come here, let me check your body."
Su Ming stepped forward.
Zhu Jiuyang pinched and prodded his body, then channeled Spirit Power into him, letting it circulate once.
"You've been forging metal year-round, so your physical fitness is higher than the average Spirit Master's. The strength of the meridians inside your body is even more exaggerated, likely due to the Whale Glue. Your Spirit Power isn't unstable either; instead, it's more robust."
He breathed a sigh of relief, confirming Su Ming was in excellent condition.
"How did you consume it?"
Su Ming described the process.
Listening to the description, the corners of Zhu Jiuyang's mouth twitched slightly.
Respect.
Such a large piece of Thousand-Year Whale Glue, consumed in just two or three mouthfuls, and then endured.
How ruthless must one be?
"Such a large piece probably couldn't unleash its full effect. Whale Glue is meant to be used in small doses," Zhu Jiuyang said. "From what I understand, a piece as large as you described would last those nobles three months, used daily. The medicinal effect is very potent. That book you found didn't say to take it all at once, did it?"
Su Ming shook his head.
"Good. I'll find a way to get some more Whale Glue in the future and research how to pair it with recipes to maximize this effect. I'll give you a small amount to eat daily; that's how we can achieve the best results," Zhu Jiuyang said.
"Thank you, Teacher."
"Mm. Being able to withstand higher year Spirit Rings is always good," Zhu Jiuyang said with a laugh.
He had certainly broadened his horizons today.
He didn't take Su Ming to hunt for a Spirit Ring immediately, but told him to wait a couple of days.
After Su Ming left, he pondered for a while, then went to the auction house and bought a piece of Thousand-Year Whale Glue to experience it himself.
"It is indeed effective. I only used half the amount. If I took it all, it could increase the limit by at least three hundred years."
Before he could finish savoring the experience, Zhu Jiuyang felt a surge of Evil Fire.
"If a child like Xiao Ming could endure it, why should I fear you?"
Zhu Jiuyang remained as steady as a mountain, circulating his Spirit Power within his body, frantically trying to refine this Evil Fire.
Evil fire was also energy, a special type of vitality.
"Evil fire is still fire. Watch me refine it completely with my Sacred Fire!"
Su Ming waited for two days but found he couldn't contact his teacher. Asking Duan Jin yielded no answers either.
After waiting another five days, he finally received news: Zhu Jiuyang had broken through.
"Broken through? So suddenly?"
Zhu Jiuyang had been stuck at the 79th level for a long time, a full three years.
He had actually broken through now.
In truth, this was the normal breakthrough speed for high-level Spirit Masters. After reaching level 70, even those with good talent typically advanced only about three levels in two years; rarely two levels in one year. Further on, one level per year became the norm. The stages of level 79 and level 89 especially required a significant amount of time to break through, ranging from two or three years to five or six years at the longer end.
Zhu Jiuyang was only forty-five this year, his body still in its prime. Breaking through to level 80 now meant he was hopeful of becoming a Titled Douluo within twenty years.
Su Ming was happy for his teacher.
He came to Zhu Jiuyang's forging room.
"Congratulations, Teacher, on breaking through to the 80th level."
Zhu Jiuyang was also full of vigor and vitality, possessing an uplifting spirit.
"Mm. Your Spirit Ring has been delayed long enough. I will first help you hunt for your Spirit Ring, and then find a way to obtain my Eighth Spirit Ring."
Su Ming said, "Teacher, isn't there a Dark Gold Bear near the Meteorite Iron Mine? Let's go for that Dark Gold Bear."
He had long coveted that Dark Gold Bear. It was a pity that back when he needed his first Spirit Ring, it was simply impossible to cross ranks and absorb a thousand-year ring.
After returning that time, Duan Jin had told Zhu Jiuyang about the Meteorite Iron Mine. Zhu Jiuyang had been mining that vein, and Su Ming had gone back twice, even spotting that Dark Gold Bear from afar.
"Dark Gold Bear?" Zhu Jiuyang obviously knew of that Dark Gold Bear and said with a laugh, "Very well. That Dark Gold Bear has an extraordinary bloodline. Guarding the Meteorite Iron Mine, who knows how much Metal Attribute Vital Energy it has absorbed, which in turn promoted Bloodline Atavism. Although it hasn't completely evolved into a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear, it has already surpassed the category of a normal Dark Gold Bear. If it truly succeeded in its atavistic evolution, it actually wouldn't be suitable for your Spirit Ring. Its current state is perfect."
Hearing Zhu Jiuyang's words, Su Ming was extremely surprised and delighted.
It had actually undergone Bloodline Atavism.
Although the evolution wasn't complete, this actually lowered the absorption threshold for him.
Especially since he planned to fuse with the Dark Gold Bear in the form of a Spirit Soul this time. This Dark Gold Bear's bloodline had reverted, bringing it very close to evolution. It still had a chance to complete its evolution in the future, and Su Ming would be able to reap the full benefits of that evolutionary effect!
He licked his lips, unable to resist the urge.
"Teacher, when do we set off?"
(End of Chapter)