Chapter 8: Snakeheart Grass, Taking Whale Resin
The manager of the trading association delivered the items won at the auction to Ning Bei's private room. After paying, they returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Once in the council hall, Gu Rong called for Jian Douluo and Ning Fengzhi.
"Bei'er, it's time to see what effect that herb has."
Ning Bei nodded at the words and took the nameless herb he had purchased from the auction out of his necklace, summoning his martial soul.
Under the gaze of the three men, he placed the herb into the first layer of the Pill Tower's space.
He closed his eyes to sense the herb's situation within the Pill Tower, and soon, a piece of information appeared in Ning Bei's mind.
"Father, Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Gu, this herb is called Snakeheart Grass. It has a significant effect on low-level snake-type soul beasts or soul masters with snake-type martial souls."
The three men were astonished. It seemed that the martial soul could even recognize herbs and understand their uses.
"Oh? What does the Snakeheart Grass do for snakes?"
Gu Rong asked curiously about the herb's function.
Ning Bei thought for a moment and then looked at the three men.
"It has the chance to help snake-type soul beasts or snake-type martial souls evolve."
"Mm!"
The three didn't seem very excited after hearing about the herb's effect. The fact that it worked on low-level snake martial souls didn't pique their interest much.
Looking at their expressions, Ning Bei understood.
"Did you forget? The Pill Tower also has the ability to increase cultivation."
The three men's eyes widened in surprise at his words.
"Doesn't it only work for soul beasts? How can this herb have an effect on cultivation?" Ning Fengzhi asked in confusion.
Ning Bei smiled proudly.
"Indeed, herbs don't have cultivation per se, but they can increase their age and medicinal effect."
"Let's store it in the Pill Tower. Who knows, it might even be useful for high-level snake-type martial soul soul masters in the future?"
The three men looked at each other, realizing that the Pill Tower's auxiliary abilities were already extraordinary. But the ability to nurture soul beasts and herbs was almost too much to believe—it must never be revealed.
"Bei'er, don't tell anyone about the ability to nurture herbs. It could be very dangerous."
Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Bei with a serious expression.
Ning Bei immediately stopped smiling.
"I understand, Father. I know the importance of discretion."
"Good. For now, focus on increasing your soul power. Don't rush the herb or soul beast things. Once your cultivation improves, the effects will be even better."
Ning Bei, seeing the discussion about the herb come to a pause, took out the block of 10,000-year-old whale resin from his necklace.
"Father, Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Gu, it's time to talk about the whale resin."
The three looked at the item Ning Bei had taken out with strange expressions. Chen Xin furrowed his brow and began to scold Ning Bei.
"Kid, don't you think this is a bit too early for you? You're the hope of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. You can't let all your energy be wasted on this."
Although Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong didn't speak, their expressions showed that they agreed with Chen Xin's words.
Seeing their misunderstanding, Ning Bei sighed softly.
"Ah~~ Even if I wanted to, I need the ability to do so."
"This whale resin can enhance a soul master's physical strength. The Pill Tower told me that."
Whenever he was unsure, Ning Bei could always blame it on the Pill Tower. It worked wonders.
"Oh? Is that so? Why have we never heard of this?" Gu Rong asked.
Ning Bei, seeing that the three weren't convinced, suggested an idea.
"Why not try it and see? There's no loss in testing it. Enhancing physical strength could also help with absorbing soul rings."
The three thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement. Indeed, as Ning Bei said, this was zero cost. As for the 10,000-year-old whale resin costing a few thousand gold soul coins, for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, it was practically negligible.
"Alright, give it a try, Bei'er."
"Thanks. Grandpa Jian, can you use your soul power to melt the whale resin?"
Chen Xin, upon hearing this, took the whale resin in his hand, using his soul power to melt it into a paste. Then he took out a large bowl from a soul tool, filled it, and handed it to Ning Bei.
Ning Bei, thinking about how the whale resin was usually consumed, didn't dare drink it all in one go. He took a small sip, and a heavy fishy taste immediately filled his mouth.
Then, his body started to feel hot. He quickly ran toward the plaza and jumped into the fountain pool.
The three hurried to follow, worried about what might happen to him.
In the pool, Ning Bei crossed his legs and began to meditate on soul power.
Half an hour later, Ning Bei opened his eyes and smiled as he walked out of the pool.
"Good thing I didn't gulp it down all at once. Otherwise, I'd have nowhere to vent right now."
When Ning Fengzhi saw that Ning Bei had finished cultivating, he asked:
"How is it, Bei'er? Did it work?"
Ning Bei paused to feel his body.
"There's some effect, but it's very weak. This whale resin needs to be taken for a long time before the effects are more noticeable. Please get more whale resin for me, Father. This one will only last about a week."
Chen Xin, hearing this, approached Ning Bei, placing his hand on his shoulder. He used his soul power to check Ning Bei's body and after a moment, nodded toward Ning Fengzhi.
Seeing that the whale resin had no harmful effects on Ning Bei's body, Ning Fengzhi readily agreed to his request.
A little whale resin wasn't much for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but the trip to the sea was a bit of a hassle. If, as Ning Bei claimed, it could help with a soul master's physical strength, then the whale resin would be an invaluable resource for the school.
"Bei'er, focus on your cultivation. I'll take care of the whale resin. And remember, don't let anyone else know about this."
"I understand, Father."
And so, Ning Bei returned to his regular life. During the day, he nurtured soul beasts and herbs, and at night, he practiced soul power, occasionally taking whale resin.
Two years passed quietly, and at the age of eight, Ning Bei's soul power had reached level 20. This speed of cultivation greatly pleased Ning Fengzhi and the others.
After a year of taking whale resin, Ning Bei's physical strength was comparable to that of a mid-level Soul Master. This was impressive, considering Ning Bei was a pure support-type soul master.
This year, while Ning Fengzhi continued his duties as sect leader, he hadn't neglected his task of expanding the family. Ning Bei's mother was once again pregnant.
Ning Bei knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's great daughter was about to be born, and he had also figured out the timeline. The event that would shock the soul master world was about to occur.
The current Pope of the Spirit Hall was still Qian Xun Ji, and Bibi Dong was still the Saintess. Ning Bei had learned about the son of the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Sect's sect master, the useless Yu Xiaogang, who was kicked out of Spirit Hall City for seducing the Saintess. However, he wasn't sure in which year this event took place.
Now, the little "witch" would be born in ten months, and Ning Rongrong, who was the same age as Xiao San, would soon be born. Shortly after her birth, the event where the Pope was struck by the giant hammer would mark the beginning of a series of significant events.
Ning Bei was eight years older than Tang San, meaning he was the same age as Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan from the original story.
As expected, not long after, the news spread across the soul master world that Qian Xun Ji, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, had died from injuries sustained during a soul hunting mission when Tang Hao of the Haotian Clan severely wounded him. Tang Hao, once a hero in the eyes of the people, was now branded a traitor for his involvement with soul beasts.
Ning Bei couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. With less than 20 years before the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was dismantled, Ning Bei knew that in these 20 years, he had to gain the power to change everything.
The opportunities that could be seized were already in his plans. Rather than relying on Xiao San, he would take fate into his own hands.
(END CHAPTER)
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