On the seventh night, as the moon hung full and bright in the sky outside our window, I informed Baixue that the time had come to administer the medicine. I explained once more that the process would cause extreme pain, but the benefits would be worth the temporary suffering.
"Are you prepared?" I asked, giving her one final opportunity to delay.
She didn't hesitate, nodding her head with determination that belied her young age. "Yes, Master. I'm ready."
I carefully melted a portion of the whale glue, calculating the dosage based on her current resistance and willpower. The viscous liquid shimmered with an otherworldly glow as I poured it into a small cup and handed it to her.
Before she could drink, however, I swiftly tied her hands and feet to the bed frame with sturdy rope and prepared a cloth to put it between her teeth.
Her eyes widened in shock and perhaps a hint of betrayal, but as she looked into my face, understanding gradually dawned. These weren't acts of cruelty but necessary precautions for what was to come. The restraints would prevent her from injuring herself during the inevitable convulsions, while the gag would protect her tongue and teeth.
"Drink," I commanded, holding the cup to her lips.
She drank the medicine without hesitation, her trust in me evidently overriding any fear. The effect was almost immediate—her skin flushed a deep crimson, and her body arched against the restraints as the first wave of pain hit her.
"Endure it," I instructed firmly, placing a cool cloth on her forehead. "And whatever you do, don't allow yourself to fall asleep. The medicine will be ineffective if consciousness is lost prematurely."
Understanding flickered in her eyes despite the agony contorting her features. With remarkable mental fortitude for one so young, she fought to maintain her awareness through the waves of searing pain. Her small body trembled violently, sweat soaking through her clothes and the bedding beneath her, but she kept her eyes open, fixed on mine as if drawing strength from my steady gaze.
Hours passed this way—her struggling against overwhelming pain or pleasure, me monitoring her condition and occasionally adjusting the restraints to prevent issue. Toward dawn, as the first light began to creep over the horizon, I noticed the changes occurring within her. Through my martial spirit, I could see her muscles and tendons strengthening, her bones becoming denser, her meridians widening to accommodate greater soul power flow.
Finally, as the full light of morning filled the room, the effects of the whale glue subsided. Baixue's eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness—not in defeat, but in triumph. She had endured the full process successfully.
I quickly removed the ropes and the gag, checking her vital signs and overall condition. She was safe, her pulse strong though rapid, her breathing deep and even. According to my martial soul eye's assessment, her body could now potentially resist a soul ring of up to 700 years—a remarkable improvement that would give her significant advantages in her future development.
As I watched over her sleeping form, I contemplated our next steps. I could also help her obtain a conscious spirit ring—one with awareness and the potential to provide further spirit rings in the future. I hadn't asked Tian Meng or Xiao Wu to give me additional spirit rings because I doubted they possessed any truly valuable skills that would enhance my abilities significantly.
For Baixue, however, the right conscious spirit ring could provide a foundation for extraordinary growth. It would require a journey to find a suitable spirit beast—one with compatible attributes and the appropriate level of power. The forests to the north might offer promising opportunities, particularly the ice-bound forest with rare ice-attribute creatures.
The morning sunlight spilled fully into the room as Baixue finally stirred, her eyelids fluttering open slowly. For a moment, confusion clouded her gaze, but then awareness returned—along with the realization of the changes within her body. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she tentatively moved her limbs, clearly sensing the new strength and fluidity in her movements.
Excitement bloomed on her face, but she quickly suppressed her expression when she noticed me watching her. This restraint amused me—was she naturally timid, or simply unsure of the proper way to behave as a disciple? Either way, her awareness of propriety was commendable.
"Take a bath and dress in proper traveling clothes," I instructed, rising from my seat beside the bed. "We will be going on a journey to acquire a spirit ring for you."
At this news, her excitement burst through her attempted composure, her entire face lighting up with anticipation. "A spirit ring? Already?" she gasped, unable to contain her joy.
"Yes, but don't think the path will be easy," I cautioned, though I allowed a small smile to acknowledge her enthusiasm. "From today onward, your true physical training begins. You will wear four weight bracelets—one on each limb—and a weight vest beneath your clothes for the duration of our journey to our destination."
Her expression remained confident, perhaps even slightly proud of being deemed ready for such training. This confidence pleased me—a strong spirit was as essential as a strong body. However, reality would soon provide its own lesson.
After she bathed and dressed, I equipped her with the training weights—each carefully calibrated to challenge her newly enhanced physique without causing injury. The moment the full set was in place, comprehension dawned on her face. Her shoulders drooped slightly under the unexpected burden, and her steps became immediately heavier and more deliberate.
Yet, to my approval, she straightened her posture and lifted her chin, refusing to be defeated by this first real test. The unyielding spirit I had glimpsed earlier now showed itself more fully—a quiet determination that spoke not through words but through action.
"We leave in one hour," I announced, gathering my own preparations. "Pack only what is essential in your storage soul guide. The journey will be your first lesson in endurance."
"Then say with me PLUSSS ULTRAAA"
"Plus ultra"
The elegant tea set clinked softly as I set down my cup, the fragrance of rare mountain oolong filling the private chamber of the Prince mansion.
"Uncle She, did you find that person named Tang San?" I asked, keeping my voice low despite the enchantments that prevented eavesdropping.
The older man across from me—his weathered face belying the deadly efficiency with which he carried out his duties—bowed his head slightly in deference.
"Young master, after the auction I followed that person as instructed, but he suddenly disappeared without a trace." Uncle She's voice carried a rare note of frustration. "I don't believe he could have escaped my detection unless someone else was assisting him. However, I find it unlikely that any other Titled Douluo was present at the auction."
I nodded thoughtfully, tapping one finger against the polished wood of the table. The mystery surrounding this Tang San intrigued me more with each passing day. His sudden appearance and equally sudden disappearance suggested capabilities far beyond what his unassuming appearance would indicate.
"Then, Uncle She, I must trouble you to investigate through the martial soul registration records," I decided after a moment of consideration. "Though I suspect this individual may have used a false name. Someone of his caliber would be unlikely to leave such an obvious trail."
"As you wish, young master," Uncle She replied with a respectful inclination of his head. "I will personally attend to this matter."
I rose and walked to the window, gazing out at the city below. Lanterns were beginning to illuminate the streets as dusk descended, creating rivers of light between the shadows of buildings.
"I don't believe this person is ordinary," I mused, more to myself than to my companion. "According to my martial spirit's induction abilities, I sensed that his soul power is of remarkably high quality. Either he came specifically to rescue the girl being auctioned, or he possesses knowledge about her that makes her valuable to him."
The memory of our brief encounter still rankled. "I misjudged him, and that lowered my guard. He is more cunning than he appears." I turned back to face Uncle She. "We must locate him quickly. It's common knowledge that the royal family's martial spirit is a swan—a relatively low-level spirit beast. If his martial soul is of comparable level to mine, he may have already deduced that I am not who I claim to be."
The implications of such a discovery could be catastrophic for our plans. Years of careful positioning and alliance-building could crumble if the wrong information reached the wrong ears.
"Understood, young master," Uncle She replied, his voice carrying the weight of solemn promise. "I will find him swiftly and bring you all relevant information."
As he departed, I remained by the window, watching the city transform in the growing darkness. Somewhere out there, this Tang San was moving pieces on a board I couldn't fully see. But I had not survived this long by allowing unknown variables to roam freely within my sphere of influence.
One way or another, I would discover who this man truly was—and whether he would serve better as an ally or an obstacle to be removed.
It had been a week of intensive training and preparation. Each day, I had carefully monitored Baixue's progress, gradually increasing her workload as her body adapted to the changes induced by the cultivation technique and the whale glue. I ensured her diet remained rich in nutritional and protein-dense foods—game meat, wild vegetables, and rare herbs that I gathered myself from the surrounding wilderness.
The results were remarkable. Her health and physical condition had improved dramatically, bringing her in line with what would be expected for her age. More importantly, she had embraced the training with unwavering dedication, pushing herself beyond what I demanded and showing genuine enthusiasm for each new challenge.
Her demeanor had changed as well. The frightened, withdrawn child I had first encountered was transforming into someone more confident and vibrant. She smiled more frequently now, though she maintained appropriate respect and seriousness during formal training sessions. Sometimes, typically after particularly exhausting days, she would ask me to hold her as she fell asleep—a request I occasionally granted, recognizing that emotional healing sometimes required physical comfort, particularly for one who had likely experienced significant trauma.
"Master what does Plus Ultra, which you always keep shouting?"
"That's a good question and I was waiting for you to ask it. Anyway tell me how do you feel shouting plus ultra."
"Umm, if I say it feels more like freedom or like free from any shackle."
"Nice try, you are somewhat close. Actually Plus Ultra is meant for breaking through your own self, or just like you said breaking from the shackle of weakness of your body. There's no limit to any possibilities, it's just our thought which limits us. So, don't ever think that anything is impossible, yo just need to keep moving forward. And one more thing, just like you have infinite possibilities, others also have them, so keep it in your mind that even if anyone defeat you, you shouldn't waver from the path of Plus Ultra, once you give up, you set limit for yourself. So, say with me 'PLUSSSS ULTRAAAAAA'"
"PLUSSS ULTRAA."