"Actually, according to the records in the Spirit Hall, the so-called best soul ring configuration has changed over time." Tang San explained to Xiao Wu as they walked the forest path."Originally, the optimal configuration was said to be white-white-white-yellow-yellow-yellow-purple-purple-black."
Xiao Wu nearly tripped."What kind of trash configuration is that? That could become a Titled Douluo?! Are they joking?"
"I'm not sure it's entirely accurate," Tang San replied."That's what was recorded in a collection from the Spirit Hall—supposedly the optimal configuration for Spirit Masters 10,000 years ago."
He continued, "I cross-referenced several books from both the Spirit Hall's archive and the public libraries in Nuoding. Over the past ten millennia, the so-called optimal configuration has changed dramatically: the number of black rings increased, while white rings decreased. By about 300 years ago, the standard shifted to yellow-yellow-purple-purple-black-black-black-black-black."
"Then about 200 years ago, someone managed to absorb a 100,000-year red soul ring for their ninth ring. That changed the standard again—to yellow-yellow-purple-purple-black-black-black-black-red."
"Even now, though, most people still cling to the old view: two yellow, two purple, and five black."
Xiao Wu's expression faltered slightly at the mention of the red ring but she quickly recovered."So, does that mean human physical fitness has been improving over the past 10,000 years?"
"That's one possibility," Tang San nodded."But I think it's more likely that ancient Spirit Masters simply didn't dare to absorb higher-year soul rings."
He paused, then added, "In the book Spirit Master Biographies, there's a short anecdote: a six-year-old, with the help of his elders, tried to absorb a 10,000-year soul ring… and exploded instantly."
Xiao Wu winced."That's just a horror story, right?"
"Probably. But it reflects something real. Back then, there was no clear benchmark. People didn't know what level of soul ring was safe at each stage. It took countless sacrifices for humanity to determine the limits through trial and error."
Tang San looked ahead.
"This is one of humanity's greatest advantages over soul beasts."
"Humans dare to take risks. Even when facing death, someone always dares to move forward. That's how progress is made. Soul beasts may gain intelligence at 10,000 years, but most of them still follow instinct."
"Even the legendary 100,000-year soul beasts, despite possessing human-level intelligence, rarely leave their optimal habitats. They're bound by the habits of their former lives."
Xiao Wu puffed up in protest."One-hundred-thousand-year soul beasts are still very smart!"
"I don't deny that," Tang San said."There are even recorded cases of soul beasts transforming into humans. But most of them… were hunted."
He didn't sugarcoat it."Those that transformed often retained beast-like behavior. Even if their form changed, their instincts didn't—and that's what gave them away. Spirit Masters at the Soul Douluo level or above begin developing spiritual perception. They can sense those subtle differences immediately."
"To them, the aura of a transformed soul beast is like a beacon. No matter how human they look, the nature of their soul and body gives them away."
"As for the exact characteristics, I can't say. But it's said that unless a transformed beast becomes a Soul Saint, they're never truly indistinguishable from a human."
Tang San glanced at her meaningfully."Only by cultivating up to the Soul Saint level—and more importantly, by fully identifying as human, not as a soul beast—can they really pass undetected. Otherwise, even Titled Douluo who aren't particularly sensitive to spiritual energy might still notice something's off."
Xiao Wu went silent.
Tang San's analysis struck a nerve. It made sense.She hadn't encountered other transformed soul beasts aside from her mother, so she had no comparison. But ever since she had spent more time around Tang San and learned how to live like a human, she'd noticed a subtle white aura forming around the core of her 100,000-year soul beast essence.
It seemed to cloak some of her spiritual traits—perhaps a sign that she was adapting to human life.Still, this path... it felt like a betrayal of her kind.
Her expression dimmed briefly.
But soon, she rallied her spirits again.
"What am I even thinking? In the Star Dou Great Forest, Da Ming and Er Ming still listen to me. I'm still their big sister!"
"I have another question," she said suddenly."You said you're holding off on getting your second ring to avoid attention. But won't a thousand-year ring cause even more attention?"
"It will," Tang San admitted."But I've already prepared a solution."
He paused.
"I've found a method to improve physical fitness—and once I reveal that, I can use it as a cover story. Compared to soul ring years, the speed of soul power cultivation is what truly draws suspicion."
"A method to improve physical fitness?" Xiao Wu perked up. "What is it?"
"Whale Glue," Tang San replied calmly."More accurately, whale blubber. It's the fat from whale-type soul beasts."
He glanced at her."Almost no one on the continent knows its true effects… or if they do, they're hiding it. But it strengthens blood and qi circulation, and enhances physical resilience."
He recalled Tang Hao's reaction from the past.That look of quiet recognition…
"There are probably other transmigrators out there," Tang San mused silently. "But even if they know, they wouldn't announce it. Which means I'll be the first to release it publicly."
"Besides," he added with a hint of pride,"What's the point of being strong alone? Helping others grow too… then surpassing them? That's far more satisfying."
Xiao Wu blinked."Wait, you want to release the effects of something so valuable?"
"Yes," Tang San said, unfazed."First, it gives me a logical reason for being able to absorb a thousand-year soul ring. Second, whale Glue from a 10,000-year whale-type soul beast allows a Spirit Master to absorb a thousand-year soul ring with 100% certainty—as long as the dosage and purity are managed properly."
"But there's barely any on the market. Most Spirit Masters think it's just… an aphrodisiac."
Tang San shook his head.
"Nobody would go out of their way to hunt a 10,000-year whale-type soul beast just for aphrodisiac effects. Even sea Spirit Masters who do hunt them mostly take the soul ring, maybe some meat. The whale's fat—what we call Glue—is bulky and hard to preserve."
"Add to that the fact that continental maritime tech is primitive. Most Soul Masters can't venture into deep sea regions, which are the whale's natural habitat."
"Even among Titled Douluo, few would dare to go hunting whales. It's dangerous and pointless—unless they know what to look for."
Xiao Wu frowned."Then the current market whale Glue is…?"
"Mostly leftovers. Scraps brought back decades ago by lucky Spirit Masters."
"If I publish its real value, the only consequence will be a surge in demand for the remaining supply. No one can actually launch a full-scale whaling expedition, not in this era."
Tang San had already considered the long-term consequences.
Maybe a century from now, the major powers might start building deep sea fleets. But for now?Even the Spirit Hall wouldn't risk it—no ships, no maps, no guarantees.
"And even if they wanted to," he added, "they'd be stepping into the territory of sea soul beasts. That's basically suicide."
He foresaw the outcome clearly: once he revealed the truth, the price of whale Glue would skyrocket, especially hundred-year-grade stock.
But it wouldn't destabilize the world. Not yet.
Author's Note:
Many fanfics exaggerate whale Glue's effects to the point where even Titled Douluo benefit from it. That's a poison pill of a trope.
Here, the logic is simple:
During the era of Douluo I, maritime travel was undeveloped.
There was no whaling industry to speak of.
Soul beasts in the sea are stronger and more numerous.
So the little whale Glue that exists comes from sea Spirit Masters who hunted soul beasts for soul rings, and just happened to bring some fat back. No one would risk their lives just for a libido enhancer—there are too many cheaper substitutes.
Also, if a soul beast like the Evil Soul Great White Shark King was devout enough to the Sea God, she might bypass the tribulation. Sea God Island is likely closer to Douluo Continent than we think.