Early the next morning, Lin Feng set off with Qian Renxue and her group for the Heaven Dou Empire.
Qian Daoliu had no negative feelings about Bibi Dong's desire to make the Spirit Hall the sole power dominating the continent.
After all, he was nearing the end of his life. As long as he ensured Qian Renxue could undergo the divine trials and become a god, there would be nothing in the world that could stand in Spirit Hall's way.
Besides, this wasn't the later stage where Titled Douluos were everywhere.
Heaven Dou officially only had two Titled Douluos, and even those belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—the Sword and Bone Duo.
Dugu Bo was merely at the Spirit Douluo level.
To ensure early success in the mission, Qian Daoliu personally dispatched four Titled Douluos:
Snake Lance, Porcupinefish, as well as Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo.
With these four plus the measures Qian Daoliu left on Qian Renxue, the safeguards were maxed out.
Inside the carriage en route to Heaven Dou City, Lin Feng chatted casually with Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Senior, what you said makes a lot of sense."
Yue Guan's effeminate face lit up with pride."Of course. When it comes to research on flowers and herbs, I dare say no one in the soul master world surpasses me."
With a bright smile, Lin Feng took out a somewhat ancient-looking book.
"When it comes to botany, I naturally can't compare with you.But take a look at this tome—I think it might pique your interest."
"Oh?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's curiosity was sparked. He reached out to take the book.
Upon opening it, he was greeted with a flood of sensual imagery.
His eyes widened, and he instinctively pulled the book closer to himself."Th-this… what kind of decency is this?"
"Xiao Feng, what did you give him? I want to see too, Grandpa Ju!"
Cough cough cough."Little miss, wait a moment. You brat, what kind of book is this?!"
Lin Feng waved it off."Just flip further, senior."
Chrysanthemum Douluo discreetly avoided Qian Renxue's eager peeking and turned a page.
Qian Renxue glared at him with dissatisfaction.
"Hm? This is interesting."
The book detailed the uses of whale glue. To rationalize its effects, Lin Feng started with descriptions of bedroom activities, illustrated with vivid images, followed by examples of anomalous effects discovered during these experiences.
"Whale glue can strengthen the body? I've never heard of that before."
Chrysanthemum Douluo had always lived a chaste life and remained a pure-hearted man—well, he did have one true love: Ghost Douluo.
Lin Feng sometimes wondered if their Martial Soul Fusion Technique had suppressed their interest in women altogether.
Otherwise, why wouldn't they pass on their martial souls to the next generation? It was a tragedy that a top-tier martial soul like Chrysanthemum Passiflora might just vanish with time.
"Whale glue?"Qian Renxue's face flushed, and she pinched Lin Feng."Isn't that stuff nobles use for those kinds of things? Xiao Feng, you're so naughty."
"I'm more interested in its alternative use. Senior, let her take a look."
Lin Feng winked as he spoke.
Yue Guan quietly removed the more... colorful pages and handed over the rest that described the medical benefits.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly."Why does it feel like a few pages are missing?"
"Well, these old books often suffer damage over time, right, Senior?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded seriously.Those intriguing illustrations... he needed to study them further later. Maybe even invite old Ghost for a joint viewing?
Qian Renxue made a soft sound of acknowledgment.
"But what's the use of this?"
Lin Feng waved a hand.
"There's a widely accepted theory in the soul master world. You've all heard it:
The Soul Ring Age Theory.
The upper limit of the first and second soul rings is a hundred years, while the third and fourth are capped at a thousand years.
It seems like an unchangeable law—but that's not the case."
At this point, Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed as realization struck.
He nodded thoughtfully:
"Indeed, any high-level soul master should know that below ten thousand years, as long as your body is strong enough, you can increase the soul ring's age.
If whale glue really strengthens the body, it might allow a second ring to reach a thousand years.
But it's not something easily found. It's a rare product from the coast, and requires thousand- or even ten-thousand-year-grade whale glue.
And what's written in this book still needs to be verified. The exact effects are unknown."
Lin Feng added slowly:
"Exactly. Plus, due to martial soul traits, users of higher-quality martial souls naturally have stronger bodies.
For example, compare Clear Sky Hammer and Blue Silver Grass—those two can't be measured on the same scale at all at awakening."
Qian Renxue furrowed her brow:
"I was born with rank-20 innate soul power and a Six-Winged Angel martial soul. By all rights, my body strength should've surpassed the requirement for a hundred-year soul ring.
So why did Grandpa still make me take a hundred-year ring?
Now that I think back, absorbing the ring back then was way too easy. Not painful at all—it felt almost suspiciously smooth."
Lin Feng chuckled:
"You're the Grand Worship's treasured granddaughter. Playing it safe is smarter. No need to risk your life just to push the ring age a bit further."
Qian Renxue understood, but her pretty face still showed a bit of dissatisfaction. Internally, she grumbled about how her grandfather underestimated her. Wasn't she Qian Renxue? Why couldn't she endure a little pain?
Watching her cute expressions, Lin Feng couldn't help but think of the original novel.
She had been overly protected by Qian Daoliu and the Spirit Hall elders. That upbringing had made her arrogant in the later stages, dismissive of all other soul masters.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have let Tang San go so many times.
Qian Renxue pouted,"Forget the past. My fourth soul ring is going to be a ten-thousand-year one!Grandpa Ju, send a message to Grandpa now. Have him compile the body strength data of Soul Kings. When I return, I'm definitely testing this whale glue."
...Ah.
Chrysanthemum Douluo started sweating. Great Worship, don't blame me—it's all this kid Lin Feng's fault.
"Xiaoxue, don't be in such a rush. Even without high-aged soul rings, your soul power will still increase. If you really want to do this, we'll need a lot of prep."
"Oh, I see... Xiao Feng, you brought this up because we need to find some, right? You said your body's not fully built yet."
Qian Renxue remembered Lin Feng had mentioned his internal structure was incomplete and asked with concern.
"Exactly. I've already talked to the Grand Worship. He's dispatched people to search the coastal regions.
The reason I brought it up now is because we're going to Heaven Dou City.
And that place? Full of nobles. The odds of finding high-quality whale glue among them might be even better."
"Ohhh, I see! Leave it to me then—consider it done."
Chrysanthemum Douluo patted his chest with confidence. He really admired Lin Feng's botanical philosophy.
These days, finding a man who loves flowers was so rare—even Old Ghost didn't appreciate them like he did.
Besides, considering the inevitable fallout from Great Worship, doing something now would give him leverage. Lin Feng wouldn't be able to blame him later.
Half a month later, the group arrived at Heaven Dou City.