"The teacher is right. Yu Yuanzhen probably won't make any major moves. I was overthinking it."
Xue Qinghe showed a look of sudden realization and cupped his hands towards Ning Fengzhi.
As the strongest auxiliary sect on the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was one she wanted to win over.
She said all this merely to use the academy matter to sow discord between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant School.
This would make future actions more convenient.
Having infiltrated the royal family for many years, she had now achieved initial results.
In the Heavenly Dou Empire, no one could block her path forward. People like Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing were completely beneath her notice.
In just a few more years, she would tighten her grip on power.
Then, it would be time for the Spirit Hall to begin unifying the continent.
Now it seemed that the relationship between the top three sects was not as solid as a monolith. This was good news for her.
Li Xun, listening to their conversation on the side, fell into deep thought.
Compared to the uncertainty of awakening the Martial Souls of common children, academies were the key places for major sects to recruit talent.
Especially elite academies like the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, which could steadily produce mid to high-level Spirit Masters.
Even the proud Blue Lightning Tyrant School had to invite outsiders into their sect due to their own limitations.
As an auxiliary sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was even more so.
"This is the drawback of maintaining pure bloodlines. If they don't go crazy producing offspring to achieve qualitative change through quantity, decline is inevitable."
"Now, apart from Yu Yuanzhen, a Titled Douluo, who else in the Blue Lightning Tyrant School can really make a mark?"
Li Xun glanced at Qian Renxue.
Compared to the Blue Lightning Tyrant School, the Six-Winged Angel Spirit had a stronger bloodline but was even harder to continue.
Now, Qiandao Liu only had this one granddaughter left.
The reason he didn't expose Qian Renxue's disguise was his fear that something might happen to her in Heavenly Dou.
Neither he nor the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had the strength to directly confront Qiandao Liu and the elders of the Hall of Offerings.
...
"Xiao Xun, when do you plan to go to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy?" Ning Fengzhi asked Li Xun, watching Xue Qinghe depart.
"Teacher, I still have some matters to attend to. It will probably take some more time," Li Xun replied after some thought.
"Oh? Can you tell your teacher about it?" Ning Fengzhi's interest was piqued.
Li Xun's eyes lit up. He had been waiting for this question.
"Teacher, over the past year, I've been studying pharmacology and discovered that there's a type of herb on the continent that has been severely underestimated. Apart from specific groups, hardly anyone buys it."
"This herb can improve a Spirit Master's physique and also help them absorb higher-year Spirit Rings."
"You mean this herb is still abundant? Enough for our sect's disciples to use?" Ning Fengzhi's heart stirred.
"Yes, teacher. And its price is pitifully low compared to its effects."
"Xiao Xun, you seem hesitant. Does this herb have side effects?"
Ning Fengzhi understood and smiled.
On the continent, any herb that could enhance the absorption of higher-year Spirit Rings would be incredibly precious. How could it have been overlooked?
It must have some unresolved side effects; otherwise, he would have known about it.
But regardless of whether it was useful or not, he couldn't dampen his disciple's confidence.
"Teacher, this herb does indeed have side effects."
Li Xun sighed deeply, as if reluctant to say it: "It might affect your reputation."
"Affect my reputation?" Ning Fengzhi frowned, somewhat puzzled.
Seeing his teacher frown, Li Xun quickly spoke softly, "Yes, teacher, this medicinal herb is called Whale Glue."
"An aphrodisiac?"
Ning Fengzhi was taken aback, his expression gradually turning serious.
"Teacher, you know about it!" Li Xun was surprised. This thing was usually only noticed by specific groups of people.
"Xiao Xun, you're still young. Reading all sorts of miscellaneous books isn't good for your growth," Ning Fengzhi said sternly, looking at Li Xun.
"Teacher, I was only reading pharmacological travelogues. A doctor's heart is benevolent!"
Li Xun felt wronged.
...
"Teacher has really suffered!" Li Xun sighed slightly as he looked at the thousand-year Whale Glue in his hand.
Although Ning Fengzhi appeared resistant on the surface, he was actually very concerned about matters related to Spirit Master enhancement.
After Li Xun explained, Ning Fengzhi began collecting Whale Glue that very day, preparing for experiments.
Later, after several disciples absorbed it, its effectiveness was confirmed. Ning Fengzhi then began purchasing it in large quantities.
However, such things often come with drawbacks.
At some point, news of Ning Fengzhi's hidden ailment began to spread rapidly.
In just over ten days, the news reached Emperor Xue Ye's ears.
Emperor Xue Ye deeply sympathized with Ning Fengzhi's plight.
He had fathered five children in his lifetime, and although two had died young, he still had three left.
Ning Fengzhi was different. As the head of a sect, he currently only had Ning Rongrong, a single daughter.
The difference in physical constitution was clear.
Immediately, he sent someone to the royal treasury to retrieve two pieces of treasured thousand-year Whale Glue and had them delivered.
One of them was now in Li Xun's hand, and the other was with Ning Rongrong.
"The absorption limit for my second Spirit Ring should be between eight hundred and nine hundred years. After consuming this Whale Glue, the absorption limit for my second Spirit Ring should reach around twelve hundred years."
Thousand-year Whale Glue, when consumed, can increase the absorption limit of a Spirit Ring by four to five hundred years.
Such things are best taken as early as possible.
If Tang San had taken it before reaching level twenty, his second Spirit Ring could have also reached a thousand years.
Li Xun placed the Whale Glue into a specially crafted high-temperature furnace.
Once the Whale Glue softened, he quickly used tongs to remove it.
He placed it into a prepared small bowl and then continued heating it above the furnace until it completely melted.
"It looks a bit like donkey-hide gelatin. I wonder how it tastes," Li Xun thought as he picked up the bowl and swallowed it in one gulp. A wave of nausea immediately surged up.
Forcing down the nausea, Li Xun swallowed the Whale Glue, then sat cross-legged, preparing to enter a meditative state.
He didn't know what would happen next, but meditating was the right thing to do.
Before long, a strange fragrance emanated from his mouth, followed by a warm current flowing from his stomach to his limbs.
This warm current gradually accelerated within his body until Li Xun felt as if his skin was being steamed by high heat.
"Hot."
This was the only sensation Li Xun felt at that moment. The heat was peculiar, a kind of internal and external dryness.
This dryness made Li Xun's heart pound.
Although he was only eight years old, an age where desires were present but strength was lacking, his mind was that of an adult.
He didn't know how long it took, but the discomfort finally passed. By then, Li Xun was drenched as if he had been pulled out of a bucket of water.
He walked into the bathroom and washed off the filth.
"Whew! It's finally over," Li Xun exhaled deeply.
"I wonder if the next time I take it, it will still be this painful."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would continue to acquire Whale Glue, as this substance that could strengthen Spirit Masters would never be in excess.
Even if their own people couldn't consume it all, stockpiling it for resale would still be a good business.
Some disciples had already headed to coastal cities, aiming to purchase as much as possible before others caught on.
"Teacher's name will surely resound across the entire continent."
Just as Li Xun was teasing Ning Fengzhi, Aunt Xue's voice came from outside the door.
"Young master, there's a child here selling books. Would you like to meet them?"
(End of Chapter)