Chapter 31: Qian Daoliu Falls into the Reward Trap
After much persuasion, Han Li finally managed to put out the unease in his two elders' hearts, and the three of them headed toward the Hall of Worship together.
This time, Han Li was finally not being dragged along. At his insistence, the two adjusted their pace to match his, entering the grand hall at a steady speed.
"Han Li greets all the senior uncles and elder brothers."
As soon as he entered the hall, Han Li grinned and greeted the other Titled Douluo present, acting completely at ease, as if this was his own home.
"You little rascal, you never show up without a reason. Seeing that grin of yours just like Guang Ling's I doubt you're here just to visit us old folks, huh?"
Before Han Li could continue speaking, the burly Lion Douluo beckoned him over with a smile.
The Lion Douluo often visited Guang Ling's place, so he was quite familiar with Han Li. In fact, he rather liked the boy compared to Guang Ling, his tongue was much sweeter.
Han Li ran over with a grin, placing his hands on the Lion Douluo's shoulders and giving an exaggerated massage as he spoke, "How could I hide anything from you, Senior Brother? You saw right through me at a glance. I do have something important to discuss with Grand Worshipper something big."
"Alright, scram over there and say your piece. Just let me listen in. Also, this massage of yours is way too light you think I can't handle a little strength?" The Lion Douluo laughed and cursed before grabbing Han Li and precisely tossing him toward Qian Daoliu.
Han Li didn't mind at all. He adjusted his stance mid air, landing gracefully before the seated Qian Daoliu, who had already opened his eyes to observe him. Without any unnecessary preamble, Han Li dove straight into the matter.
"Grand Worshipper, I have discovered a method to significantly enhance a soul master's physical endurance before their fourth ring, allowing them to break past the previous optimal spirit ring configurations. With this, even a ten thousand year fourth ring is possible."
The moment he finished speaking, the Hall of Worship fell into utter silence.
Qian Daoliu's pupils instinctively contracted. Though this discovery was useless to him personally, there was no doubt that it was an overwhelmingly powerful tool for strengthening the foundation of their forces. If this was real, it could cause tremors across the entire soul master world.
However, the one most shaken wasn't Qian Daoliu it was Golden Crocodile Douluo. He froze for a moment before leaping to his feet and rushing to Han Li's side.
"Are you telling the truth? Has it been tested?"
His voice carried urgency, and a faint pressure leaked from his body, forcing Han Li to activate his soul power just to keep himself stable.
"Senior Uncle, of course it's true. And yes, it has already been tested. You can check my physical endurance yourself."
Han Li, though puzzled as to why Golden Crocodile Douluo was reacting even more strongly than Qian Daoliu, still answered truthfully.
"Alright."
Hearing Han Li confirm it once more, Golden Crocodile Douluo finally calmed down. He placed a hand on Han Li's shoulder, channeling a bit of soul power to examine his body. Moments later, his face visibly shifted to one of shock.
"Your body is already stronger than a typical Beast Martial Soul Soul Elder… Are you planning to attempt a two thousand year second ring?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo asked, his expression complicated.
"Senior Uncle, I just recently reached level eighteen, so I still have time. If possible, I'd like to try for three thousand years." Han Li gave a modest smile, speaking as if it was just a hopeful wish.
"You're already level eighteen?"
The sudden exclamation came from Thousand Jun Douluo, who couldn't help but blurt it out.
"Yes, Senior Uncle. I just broke through ten days ago." Han Li obediently replied.
"You've been a soul master for less than a year, haven't you? And you've gained eight levels in a year? And still had time to conduct research?"
Demon Subduer Douluo clutched his jaw, feeling an odd ache in his teeth.
"Seven days short of a year, to be exact."
Guang Ling added in from the side, his eyes scanning the faces of the other worshippers with unconcealed pride. This is my disciple, you old geezers. Envious? You all laughed at me when I took him in laugh now if you dare!
Meanwhile, Golden Crocodile Douluo had quietly returned to his seat, appearing as if he had just suffered a heavy blow.
"Don't mind him," Qian Daoliu's voice carried through the hall. "Your Second Worshipper isn't upset at you it's just that the previous record for the highest ring ages for the first four rings was his. He's always been proud of it, so this news hit him hard."
"Grand Worshipper, I'm fine. Having a junior surpass me is a blessing for Spirit Hall. I may like leaving my name in history, but I don't dwell on it that much."
Golden Crocodile Douluo waved a hand dismissively, though his mood was still visibly low.
"Now then," Qian Daoliu turned back to Han Li, his interest piqued. "What is this treasure that can achieve such an effect?"
"Grand Worshipper, it is whale glue." Han Li answered respectfully.
"…Whale glue? That thing? Besides… that function, it actually has this effect too?"
Several worshippers exchanged bewildered glances.
"Yes, it is indeed whale glue. However, it cannot simply be consumed raw it must first be melted at high temperatures before being swallowed and refined rapidly through cultivation."
As Han Li spoke, he retrieved a prepared document detailing the test results from his storage bracelet and handed it to Qian Daoliu.
"The main benefits are concentrated around the second, third, and fourth spirit rings. The first ring is more complicated even with guidance from an elder during absorption, breaking into the thousand year threshold is quite difficult unless the individual possesses a top tier beast martial soul and has trained extensively from a young age. Even then, the risk is high. It's simply not worth gambling a few extra hundred years for such a major risk.
"That said, if someone were willing to sacrifice some early cultivation time in exchange for a thousand year first ring, it's possible."
"As for the fourth ring, the additional endurance granted depends largely on individual physique. After all, every soul master has a different physical potential. Whale glue is just an aid it doesn't create endurance out of thin air. And there is a limit to its effectiveness. If a soul master aims for a ten thousand year fourth ring, their spiritual power must also reach a certain threshold. Spirit type soul masters with a strong foundation would have an easier time, though body durability would still be a factor."
"In short, after the fourth ring, whale glue's benefits become negligible. Even before that, there's a limit to how much can be consumed before its effects diminish. The best approach is gradual consumption alongside training the stronger the body, the greater the improvement."
Han Li thoroughly explained everything before looking up at Qian Daoliu, who had already skimmed through the documents.
"This research is invaluable to Spirit Hall…"
Qian Daoliu murmured, his tone carrying genuine appreciation. "I don't even know how to properly reward you."
It wasn't that he was unwilling he just genuinely had nothing suitable left.
All the high quality spirit bones had already been allocated to the Hall of Worship members. The few remaining ones in the treasury under the Supreme Pontiff's control were mostly five thousand year bones at best, which were far from ideal for Han Li.
What was he supposed to do? Hand over the Angel God Set as a reward? That was ridiculous.
And so, Qian Daoliu found himself in a situation he had never expected he had no fitting reward to offer.
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