Chapter 6: The Fantasy of a Millennium Second Ring, The Beginning of a Grandmaster
"Dad, I hope none of our family members absorb this Spirit Bone for the time being."
Before Su Haichao could react to Su Yuntao's choice, Tang Shan spoke up first.
As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately drew the attention of the other two.
"Shan Zi, tell me your thoughts."
Facing Tang Shan's opposition, Su Haichao did not immediately refute. He knew his younger son was very opinionated. Especially since Su Yuntao had just proven his younger son's conjectures regarding spirit rings and Spirit Abilities, Tang Shan's words now carried even more weight.
Tang Shan organized his thoughts and first looked toward Su Yuntao.
"Big brother, what is the Spirit Ability you obtained, and what is your current spirit power Rank?"
Hearing this, Su Yuntao slapped his forehead. "I was so distracted by this Spirit Bone that I forgot. Little brother, your theory was correct. The First Soul Skill I obtained is called Berserk. Its effect is a 50% increase in speed and a 25% increase in strength. As for my spirit power Rank, Father tested me when we returned; I'm well past Rank 13, approaching Rank 14."
"Then it seems the boost from absorbing a spirit ring beyond one's limit is quite significant."
With this answer, the idea in Tang Shan's mind became clearer. He looked at Su Haichao and Su Yuntao and said something that shocked them deeply.
"Dad, would you like Big Brother to obtain a millennium second spirit ring?"
"What!"
Su Haichao's exclamation expressed just how turbulent his heart was. After all, a millennium second spirit ring would be an existence that completely broke the common knowledge of Spirit Masters. If it were truly achieved, it would inevitably cause an immense sensation in the Spirit Master's world.
Su Yuntao also stood with his mouth agape for a long while before coming to his senses, asking somewhat stutteringly, "Li-little brother, you aren't joking, are you?"
"Naturally not."
Tang Shan's eyes were full of confidence as he spoke his thoughts, proving he wasn't just talking big but had a logical basis with a high possibility of implementation.
"Big Brother's first spirit ring should be around five or six hundred years old, right?"
Seeing the two nod in affirmation, Tang Shan began to explain his idea.
"I've perused many ancient texts. Basically, the limit for the first spirit ring absorbed by most Spirit Masters without special training is around four hundred years, and the limit for the second spirit ring is around seven hundred years. Big Brother's first spirit ring is already close to six hundred years. With physical training during the remaining time, combined with the improvement in physical fitness that comes with rising spirit power, wanting to absorb a nine-hundred-year spirit ring would definitely be easy. By using some additional means, it might not be impossible to achieve a millennium second spirit ring."
Tang Shan's explanation was still conservative. In his view, his elder brother's physical fitness, having broken through the Bottleneck and entered a second stage of physical development, would enter another period of rapid growth. By the time he reached Rank 20, absorbing a thousand-year spirit ring would be a sure thing, not to mention he had further preparations.
"The energy contained in a thousand-year spirit ring is even more violent. Isn't that a bit forced?"
Su Haichao, who had absorbed a thousand-year spirit ring himself, had experience in this area and voiced his concerns.
"Dad, you have to believe in Little Brother. It's just taking a bit of a risk; I'm willing to take it."
Before Tang Shan could speak, Su Yuntao had already replied to his father for him.
It wasn't that he was impulsive, but the grand vision Tang Shan painted was not only alluring but also highly likely to be realized. For that, he was willing to take the risk—after all, it was a millennium second spirit ring.
In an era where spirit soul technology didn't exist and Body Martial Soul Spirit Masters hadn't yet displayed the Heaven-Defying effects of second Awakenings, those who could currently achieve this were either Spirit Masters who had undergone the trials of a Divinity or twin spirits Spirit Masters who had sacrificed their own potential.
Su Yuntao naturally didn't understand the specialties of Cultivating twin spirits or the changes that could occur to a Spirit Master's spirit rings after passing a Divinity's trials. In his view, if he truly achieved a millennium second spirit ring, he might very well become the most unique person on the continent.
At the end of the day, Su Yuntao was still a youth, unlike Tang Shan, who had the body of a child but the mind of an adult.
"What are you thinking, Big Brother? There is no risk."
Tang Shan retorted to Su Yuntao with a hint of exasperation before turning back to Su Haichao.
"Dad, rest assured, there is definitely no danger because I have other preparations."
Hearing about other preparations, Su Haichao also became interested, wanting to see what they were.
"Dad, have you heard of Whale Glue?"
Hearing Tang Shan's question, Su Haichao's expression became a bit strange, but he still nodded.
"Whale Glue? What's that?"
Su Yuntao asked curiously.
"That is my ace in the hole."
Tang Shan began to explain his discovery.
"In the books of the Nuoding City Spirit Hall, it's recorded that the effect of Whale Glue is to regulate the body and replenish Yang Qi. Using a piece of hundred-year Whale Glue can basically guarantee one remains 'unflagging' for a long time. In my view, this effect is, in a sense, a strengthening of the body; the so-called 'unflagging' part is just a secondary effect."
"If it has such extraordinary effects, why does it feel like not many people know about it?"
Su Haichao, hearing that Whale Glue had such ridiculous effects, couldn't help but ask. Could it be that those who used Whale Glue didn't notice this?
"Dad, would you use Whale Glue when you're perfectly fine?"
Su Haichao denied it without hesitation.
"Then the matter is obvious. Normal people don't need it, and those with weak bodies only return to a normal state after using it. Add to that the famous reputation for its 'other' use, and who would eat such a thing just for fun?"
"Furthermore, the effect of hundred-year Whale Glue isn't obvious; it might only increase the absorption limit by a few dozen years. But the issue is that most Spirit Masters' first spirit rings are only two or three hundred years old—they don't even hit the normal limit. So, it's perfectly normal that the true effects of Whale Glue are little known."
"In other words, I have to eat something that works like an aphrodisiac."
Su Yuntao, gradually catching on, felt his composure breaking. He was still a young lad; if he had to eat such a thing and word got out, how could he face anyone?
"When adults are talking, children shouldn't butt in."
Su Haichao bluntly ignored his son's opinion and continued to discuss the arrangements for Su Yuntao's future with Tang Shan.
"Since hundred-year Whale Glue isn't effective enough, Shan Zi, is your target thousand-year Whale Glue?"
Tang Shan nodded. "thousand-year Whale Glue costs nearly ten thousand gold coins. This price might be a bit difficult for you, Dad, so I have an idea."
As he spoke, Tang Shan couldn't help but complain in his heart about the prices in Douluo. From the perspective of an ordinary person's survival, one gold coin being equal to nearly ten thousand yuan from his previous life was about right, but from the perspective of a Spirit Master's Cultivation resources, the value of gold coins felt a bit low.
It could only be said that gold coins were mainly used for general transactions; transactions among high-level Spirit Masters were likely dominated by bartering.
"Father, you are aware of my theories. We can anonymously send my theories to Spirit Hall to obtain rewards in gold coins. These include the impact of physical fitness on spirit ring absorption and some suggestions for Spirit Masters with insufficient talent. This way, even if Big Brother truly achieves a millennium second spirit ring later, it won't be too conspicuous. However, over the next few years, Big Brother must try his best to work out in Nuoding City to have a legitimate reason for achieving a millennium second spirit ring."
"I have to start training again."
Su Yuntao quickly caught the main point of Tang Shan's words, and he felt his whole world darkening.
"Big Brother, you wouldn't want to miss the chance for a millennium second spirit ring, would you? Or would you prefer to be snatched away for research by the higher-ups of Spirit Hall after you absorb it?"
Su Yuntao opened his mouth, stammered for a long while, but ultimately said nothing.
Su Haichao, who had been in a state of deep thought since Tang Shan spoke his idea, suddenly clapped his hands.
"Good! Shan Zi, we'll listen to you. A millennium second spirit ring is truly this kid's good fortune."
Seeing that the two did not object and expressed their support, Tang Shan was also very happy.
"With a thousand-year second spirit ring, Big Brother's future will certainly be extraordinary. A mere hundred-year Spirit Bone is really not suitable for him. Dad, don't absorb it for now either. Maybe in the future, we brothers can get you an even better one. This Spirit Bone will be kept with you for now; even if things don't go as smoothly as expected, it won't be too late to absorb it then."
Since he had already agreed to the previous matters, the rest—even regarding a Spirit Bone—seemed like a small matter to the current Su Haichao.
One of my sons' spirit rings will break the perception of the Spirit Master's world! My other son's theory will rewrite the landscape of the Spirit Master's world!
Who else is there! Who else!
Su Haichao, looking as pleased as if he were experiencing a second youth, unexpectedly hoisted Tang Shan up. "Good, good, good! We'll definitely listen to Shan Zi."
Facing the situation of leaving the solid ground once again, Tang Shan decisively chose to stop resisting. Previous experience had clearly told him that with his small arms and legs, he couldn't resist, so he might as well enjoy it.
"Shan Zi, when will you submit the theory?"
Finally returning to the ground, Tang Shan thought for a moment upon hearing Su Haichao's question.
"I'll organize it this week while leading Big Brother's training. I'll give it to you in a week. Remember to send it anonymously to Spirit Hall; just say it was given to you by a hidden Spirit Master. This theory won't affect the overall Cultivation landscape of Spirit Masters, so even if its influence is large, it won't attract the attention of truly powerful experts. At that time, you can just say you're responsible for delivering the payment to him, as that Spirit Master is unwilling to reveal his identity."
"Rest assured, I will arrange it. Shan Zi, your idea is very good. You are too young after all; the tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be destroyed by the wind. It's better to keep a low profile."
Facing Tang Shan's reminders, Su Haichao also agreed deeply. He was just an ordinary Spirit Hall Branch Master in a small city. If others knew such a profound theory came from a child not yet three years old, he was certain he absolutely could not protect Tang Shan.
After everything was handled, the three returned downstairs. Su Haichao went to prepare lunch, while Tang Shan took Su Yuntao to begin training.
Although Su Yuntao outwardly resisted the physical training, he was actually very serious once he started. He knew very well how much his little brother and father had sacrificed for him, and he absolutely could not let their efforts go to waste.
"Big Brother, previously I didn't dare teach you certain exercises because your body hadn't fully developed. But now that you've absorbed your first spirit ring and your body has improved significantly overall, you can begin some more advanced training."
Brother Tao, who had just made up his mind, saw his expression change slightly. The previous training was already torturous enough, and now he was told that it was only the beginning. A chill naturally rose from his heart.