Of course, this kind of feat was only possible because it was Xuyang. If another fire-attribute Soul Master of the same level tried to absorb this thousand-year-old Slime soul ring, they'd definitely have a much harder time. It could even damage their foundation.
This particular Slime had survived within the Solar Flower Sea for years. After being exposed to such high concentrations of solar energy over time, its body had long been saturated with terrifying solar force. The berserk nature of its soul power rivaled that of a two to three-thousand-year-old soul beast.
But Xuyang's Martial Soul was the Sun—it was the very embodiment of solar power, making him innately resistant to it. For him, the rootless and scattered soul power from the Slime would simply become nourishment for his Sun Martial Soul's evolution.
At the side, Ning Haiyan wasn't the least bit worried when he saw Xuyang frown briefly and then relax again. He knew Xuyang's physical endurance all too well—it had even been acknowledged by Elder Guyong. This level of intensity was at best a slightly higher hurdle for Xuyang, not anything dangerous.
Two hours later, Xuyang emerged from the soul ring absorption state. Thanks to Ning Haiyan's protection, no soul beasts had disturbed them during this time.
"How was it?! What soul skill did you get?!" Ning Haiyan immediately asked excitedly when Xuyang opened his eyes.
"Just as expected—Splitting!"
A grin formed at the corners of Xuyang's mouth. With a wave of his hand, the sun floating above his head split into three new suns, totaling four orbs revolving overhead.
With another light gesture from his right hand, one of the suns descended into his palm. He aimed at a nearby massive tree, and with a sharp whoosh, the sun drilled a hole clean through the trunk. Before Ning Haiyan could react, the entire tree disintegrated into ash, scattering in the breeze.
"This..." Ning Haiyan was stunned by the display.
He knew that the Sun Martial Soul's flames were no weaker than his own, but he hadn't expected them to be this powerful. That tree was so thick it would take five people linking arms to surround it, and it had stood under the harsh solar force for years, its wood as tough as iron. Even a Soul Elder couldn't cut it in one blow. And yet, Xuyang had just incinerated it effortlessly. This clearly demonstrated the terrifying might of the Sun Martial Soul's flames.
"That's not all—this is just the simplest application. I can also…"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
As he spoke, Xuyang waved his right hand again.
The remaining three suns floating in the air began spewing fire in all directions. Wherever the fire serpents went, everything turned to ash. Ning Haiyan watched in wide-eyed amazement.
"The only downside is that to control these Martial Soul sub-bodies perfectly, I'm limited by my mental focus. I've only reached the 'Four Apertures Constant Heart' level, so I can control just four sub-bodies for now. Also, I still can't make them self-detonate. If I could, their power would skyrocket."
"But I've already thought this through—my fourth soul ring will come from the Explosive Flame Tree, a fire-attribute soul beast. Once I obtain an explosive-type soul skill, I should be able to trigger these sub-bodies to self-destruct. Just imagine it—a single thought from me, and dozens of suns fall from the sky like meteors, obliterating everything in their path. Just thinking about it gives me chills!"
What more do you want?! Are you trying to ascend into the heavens?!
Xuyang's boastful comments nearly made Ning Haiyan curse out loud, but he also understood now why the Sect Leader had approved Xuyang hunting a Slime-type soul beast. Its soul skill was practically tailor-made for the Sun Martial Soul!
And now, it was obvious that this skill had incredible growth potential—it might even remain useful at the Title Douluo level.
With the soul hunt completed, the two of them left the Sunset Forest.
…
A few days later, in both Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City—the capitals of their respective empires—Seven Treasures Auction Houses were simultaneously holding auctions.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber… You might be wondering, why would something known primarily as an aphrodisiac be our grand finale item today?" the auctioneer asked with a smile, scanning the audience below.
"Yeah! Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber is just a fancy tonic. We Soul Masters don't need that kind of thing!"
"What qualifications does Whale Rubber have to be a final item?!"
"That's right! If the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can't produce real treasures, they shouldn't hold auctions at all!"
"…"
For a moment, the entire venue was in an uproar. Even the royal family members and top nobles in their private boxes frowned. Though they said nothing, dissatisfaction was already evident on their faces.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, due to the nature of its Martial Soul, possessed an uncanny ability to identify treasures. This reputation was what drew nobles, royalty, and top-tier Soul Masters to their auctions—because of the rare and exceptional items always presented.
And now… Whale Rubber?
"You may recall that two years ago, our sect suddenly began acquiring massive amounts of Whale Rubber, even sweeping the continent's supply. Rumors even spread that our Sect Leader's health was failing."
"But that was a misunderstanding. The truth is, our sect discovered a new use for Whale Rubber. According to the research of our sect's physicians, aphrodisiac effects are merely a side benefit. Its real function is to enhance physical endurance—specifically, to help Soul Masters break through the year-limit barrier when absorbing soul rings."
Before the auctioneer had even finished speaking, the entire venue fell into dead silence. You could've heard a pin drop.
"You're saying Whale Rubber increases the soul ring absorption threshold?" a middle-aged man in the center seats stood up in disbelief.
"That's correct. Based on our research, Hundred-Year Whale Rubber can increase tolerance by 10 to 50 years. Thousand-Year Whale Rubber can increase it by 100 to 500 years. And Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber can enhance absorption thresholds by 1,000 to 5,000 years. Of course, this boost isn't limitless. For example, Soul Scholars can only absorb Thousand-Year Whale Rubber at most—Ten-Thousand-Year versions are too potent. And the effects weaken with repeated use."
The auctioneer nodded with a smile as he revealed the data obtained through the sect's research.
"How can you prove what you're saying is true? What if this is just a ploy by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to inflate Whale Rubber prices?!"
"Yeah! How do you prove it?!"
People began shouting in protest. Most simply couldn't believe that the item they'd once scorned could actually possess such incredible value. More importantly, if what the auctioneer claimed was true, the entire Soul Master landscape would change.
If soul ring absorption thresholds could be raised, it would allow the elites of major powers to build stronger foundations, cultivate faster, and more easily rise through the ranks—perhaps even producing more Title Douluos. In such a world, Whale Rubber would become one of the most hotly contested resources among the top forces.
"Of course we can prove it. Our sect has studied Whale Rubber for two years—we've benefited from it ourselves!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
As the auctioneer finished speaking, he clapped his hands, and four youths stepped onto the stage from behind the curtain. They varied in age, the youngest no more than ten and the oldest around twenty. They positioned themselves on either side of the displayed Whale Rubber.