Douluo Continent: Starting with a Self-Created Soul Ring 122

While Gu Ziyue was dismissing Ning Fengzhi and continuing his cultivation, occasionally incorporating dual cultivation, and while Tang Hao’s trials in the Slaughter City were more than halfway complete, Yu Xiaogan, who had joined the Martial Soul Temple several months prior, wasn’t idle. Having gained access to the Martial Soul Temple’s library, he began delving into its vast collection.

Qian Xunji didn’t interfere, even assigning Yu Xiaogan the position of a library administrator. His intention in recruiting Yu Xiaogan was to undermine the prestige of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect, and he had promised Yu Xiaogan access to the library. Thus, Yu Xiaogan was free to explore the library’s resources.

Yu Xiaogan diligently absorbed the knowledge the Martial Soul Temple possessed, marveling at its superior collection compared to the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect’s. He noticed, however, that the first floor contained only basic knowledge. While it solidified his foundational understanding of Martial Souls, it lacked the information he sought. He couldn’t access the second floor.

Without hesitation, he copied the knowledge from the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect’s archives. His only contribution was the Sect’s treasured Martial Soul knowledge and some secrets. He traded the Sect’s knowledge for access to the second floor.

But again, he found nothing he needed.

“Damn it!”

“That Qian Xunji is so stingy! I’ve joined the Martial Soul Temple, and I still need to make contributions to access more information!”

“Joining the Martial Soul Temple itself should be a significant contribution, shouldn’t it?”

Frustrated at his inability to find what he wanted, Yu Xiaogan harbored intense resentment towards Qian Xunji. His earlier pledge of loyalty to the Martial Soul Temple? Forgotten. If the Temple couldn’t help him, why should he be loyal?

Anger subsided, he considered betraying the core secrets of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Sect – secrets intrinsically linked to their Martial Soul. He knew this was what Qian Xunji truly desired.

“No, the Martial Soul Temple library has five floors. Even if I betray the secrets of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Martial Soul, I won’t gain full access. I still won’t reach the top two floors!”

He quickly dismissed this option. He wouldn’t hesitate to betray the secrets if it achieved his goal, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew that even if he did, he wouldn’t get what he wanted.

“Qian Xunji never intended for me to access the core secrets of the Martial Soul Temple!”

He realized this, his expression darkening. However, if he were the Pope, he admitted he would have done the same. His identity as Yu Yuanzhen’s son made Qian Xunji’s caution understandable; a lack of caution would have been foolish.

“Damn it, why didn’t I think of this earlier?”

Regret washed over him. Had he known, he wouldn’t have joined the Martial Soul Temple. He’d thought joining would provide the information he sought.

Dejected, he remained despondent for a long time.

Then he met someone – a woman, a woman whose talent fueled his envy: Bi Bi Dong, the Pope’s first disciple.

He learned that Bi Bi Dong frequently visited the library. He hadn’t encountered her because he’d always been on the first floor. He discovered she valued knowledge, unlike many Soul Masters who only cared about cultivation.

Unknown to Yu Xiaogan, Bi Bi Dong hadn’t initially enjoyed learning. She’d started reading more with Gu Ziyue’s companionship. Now, she actively sought out books. The more she learned, the more she felt her own limitations and admired intelligent people, particularly Gu Ziyue.

Knowing Bi Bi Dong’s frequent visits and respect for knowledge, a plan formed in Yu Xiaogan’s mind. This was his chance. If he could win Bi Bi Dong’s affection, he could access the Temple’s core secrets.

He knew pursuing her wouldn’t be easy. Most would be intimidated by the gap in talent, but Yu Xiaogan possessed an unusual self-confidence, or perhaps arrogance, never believing he was inferior. Or perhaps it was deep insecurity he refused to acknowledge, forcing himself to appear confident.

He stationed himself at the first-floor reception desk, reading there to ensure encounters with Bi Bi Dong. He greeted her enthusiastically, complimenting her talent and thirst for knowledge.

Bi Bi Dong responded politely, as expected from a Martial Soul Temple member, though others lacked his boldness. They became familiar through frequent encounters, but not friends.

“Saintess, may I ask you a question?”

Feeling comfortable enough, Yu Xiaogan launched his plan.

“Certainly, what is it?”

Bi Bi Dong was surprised but agreed. A Temple member asking her questions was normal.

“Saintess, I recently analyzed data from the library and discovered something alarming!” He felt a surge of joy.

“Saintess, please look…”

He presented prepared data.

“Saintess, this is based on library data! I’ve found that the number of Soul Beasts on Douluo Continent is dwindling. Ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts were common ten thousand years ago. A thousand years ago, there were 56 recorded sightings. A hundred years ago, only 15 remained. And the number of ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts…”

He presented statistics to prove his point. This wasn’t a genuine inquiry; he wanted to showcase his intelligence and observational skills to pique her interest.

“Impressive, you discovered this?”

“What’s your question?”

Bi Bi Dong was impressed by his findings, but not shocked.

“…”

Yu Xiaogan’s expression faltered at her muted response.

“Saintess, this data shows the decline of Soul Beasts. No one seems concerned. If this continues, future Soul Masters will lack Soul Rings – a grave issue!”

“That’s incorrect.”

Bi Bi Dong interrupted.

“Ah… Saintess, where did I go wrong?”

Yu Xiaogan was flustered.

“This isn’t unnoticed or unaddressed. The Martial Soul Temple prioritizes this. We cultivate Soul Beast forests and prevent indiscriminate killing.”

Bi Bi Dong stated the facts.

“…This…”

Yu Xiaogan paled. He’d overlooked the Temple’s efforts, assuming they mirrored other sects’ inaction.

Humiliated, he wanted to disappear. His attempt to impress her had backfired spectacularly.

“Saintess is right. I… I overlooked that… But the Temple’s efforts aren’t enough. Soul Beasts are still declining. Future Soul Masters will still face a lack of Soul Rings!”

He admitted his mistake, then continued his concerns.

“There’s nothing to worry about. Powerful Soul Beasts are rarer, but the overall number of Soul Beasts hasn’t decreased; it’s increased.”

Bi Bi Dong remained unconcerned, again pointing out his error.

“Impossible! The numbers clearly show a decline!” He argued, pointing to the data.

“I’ll ask you this: what happens to a Soul Ring if it’s not absorbed after a Soul Beast is killed?”

Bi Bi Dong questioned, implying his lack of understanding would end the discussion. She had initially perceived him as intelligent but now found him average.

“Are you mocking me? Of course, I know that! Unabsorbed Soul Rings dissipate!”

He felt insulted.

“You know that. What happens to that dissipated Soul Power? It returns to nature, as does the Soul Power of deceased Soul Masters. Nature gains more Soul Power, leading to more Soul Beasts. Powerful Soul Beasts become less common, but more low-quality Soul Beasts appear. Therefore, Soul Beasts won’t become extinct. And without Soul Beast Soul Rings…”

Bi Bi Dong glanced at him disdainfully; she knew this from Gu Ziyue. She stopped short of mentioning self-cultivated Soul Rings.

“Don’t think you understand everything. Think before you speak.”

She left, unimpressed.

Yu Xiaogan’s face flushed red and white. Bi Bi Dong’s explanations were like slaps to his face. Her disdainful look and final warning were even more stinging blows. His face felt incredibly swollen.

……

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter