"Since we've confirmed that whale glue has such miraculous effects, this sect has decided to personally head to the sea in the near future to hunt those whale soul beasts and obtain more whale glue resources. As for you all, use various secret channels to acquire as much whale glue as possible and bring it back to lay a foundation for the young ones in our sect."
Chu Shanhe, seated in the main position, now seemed reborn, exuding a vibrant energy that belied his age.
Hua Shuwen, standing nearby, also wore a relaxed smile and said softly, "It just so happens I've been idle lately. Why not join you? We might even have some unexpected gains." With that, his gaze turned to the eager youngsters below, his smile growing even brighter.
"But we can't all go; we need to leave a few to guard the house. Don't you all know the situation in the Yun Tian Mountains?"
The Yun Tian Mountains bordered the extreme north, with complex terrain and truly barren land. Because of this, no powerful soul master forces existed here. However, this also made the Yun Tian Mountains a paradise for fugitives and degenerates. People who couldn't survive elsewhere thrived in this environment, acting with impunity.
"Yuan Hua, Chen Zhen, Huang Qiyi, Zhou Zheng, Han Xiang—you five will stay behind to guard. During our absence, stay fully alert. This old man doesn't want to return from a trip only to find our home gone." His gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on the five named.
The five responded in unison: "We accept the order!"
Just as everyone was enthusiastically discussing preparations for the sea voyage, a figure who had been like an invisible presence suddenly raised his hand, drawing all eyes to him.
"Um... Last year when I was staying in Balak Kingdom, I heard the Duke has a piece of 50,000-year whale glue." Zhu Changyou's voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet atmosphere, it was exceptionally clear.
"The beastly duke of the Barak Kingdom?" Chen Zhen stroked his stubbly chin, his tone odd. "Are you sure they have a 50,000-year whale glue?"
The Luo Ducal Mansion was infamous across the entire Douluo Continent. Generations of Luo dukes were known for wanton killing, bullying men and dominating women, committing countless atrocities in the Barak Kingdom.
But because their family controlled one-third of the Barak Kingdom's military power, victims dared not speak out. Even when the Spirit Hall intervened, it was thwarted by the Heaven Dou royal family and Barak royalty, making them even more arrogant.
"Confirmed." Zhu Changyou nodded firmly, then recalled, "Last year, that old Luo guy got some opportunity and broke through to level 80. The old fool got a wild idea to hunt sea soul beasts in the ocean and actually succeeded in killing a 50,000-year Devil Killer Whale. He threw a big banquet upon return and even showed off that whale glue. The whole Balak Kingdom knows about it."
"Devil Killer Whale? If I remember right, they live in pods, right? How did that old guy pull it off?" The slim Han Xiang nearby looked shocked, his tone incredulous.
"Heh!" Yuan Hua, seated to the right, sneered disdainfully, "Who cares how he did it? Since we've learned about it, we'll just rid the continent of this scourge."
"The Second Elder is absolutely right. Those beasts have been wreaking havoc in Barak for years; they should've been killed long ago. This is our Body Sect's duty—we'll act on behalf of heaven."
Zhu Changyou's eyes lit up with excitement. In his mind, he calculated: a 50,000-year whale glue's effects probably rival those of legendary immortal herbs, right?
However, before his words even faded, he suddenly noticed the atmosphere turning strange. Everyone present was looking at him with speechless expressions.
Before Zhu Changyou could react, there was a "bang" as Chu Shanhe unceremoniously smacked him on the head, making stars dance in his vision.
"You brat, you've only been out mixing for a few years and you've learned all these fancy tricks? Robbery is robbery—why make it sound so hypocritical?"
The soul master world had always been survival of the fittest, big fish eating small fish, small fish eating shrimp. Back in the day, Yu Yuanzhen forcibly took someone's family heirloom for his useless son, and no one said a word.
"Exactly. If old Luo hadn't broken through to level 80, he wouldn't have gotten that whale glue. And our Body Sect is about to hunt at sea—that Devil Killer Whale might very well fall into our hands. So, we're just taking back what's ours."
Nearby, Jiang Wu spoke with a righteous face, making everyone side-eye him. Who knew you were this shameless before!
"Alright, since we've learned the location of a top-grade whale glue, we'll make a trip to Balak Kingdom first. Since ancient times, heavenly treasures go to those destined for them. That whale glue is destined for our Body Sect." Chu Shanhe said calmly, his words full of entitlement.
Everyone looked at him with admiration. As expected of the sect master—face not red, heart not skipping a beat.
"Our realm is still lacking!" The group sighed inwardly.
Chu Shanhe ignored the youngsters' thoughts. His sharp gaze fell on Chen Zhen in the crowd, and he said:
"As for Chen Yi, he discovered the whale glue's effects, which is a great contribution to our sect! By sect rules, he should be heavily rewarded. But considering his young age, we'll hold off on the reward for now. When Chen Yi awakens his martial soul later, we'll give it all at once."
At this, Chu Shanhe paused slightly, as if giving Chen Zhen time to digest. Then he continued: "However, this sect specially permits him to enter the Body Secret Realm and consult the sect's classics."
As soon as Chu Shanhe finished, Chen Zhen was overcome with excitement. The Body Secret Realm held the Body Sect's years of research and countless secret soul master knowledge from across the world! It stored precious materials like self-created soul skills, ring fusion secrets, divided attention control, and more—these were the sect's core secrets, the foundation of its enduring strength.
Normally, only core high-level members could enter the Body Secret Realm; others couldn't even touch the threshold. Now, Chu Shanhe was allowing Chen Yi in, clearly grooming him as a future high-level sect member!
"Chen Zhen thanks the sect master on behalf of my son."
His boy had always loved reading soul master classics, and this reward suited him perfectly. Anyway, he didn't get along with those other kids, so better to expose him to that knowledge early and save time for future soul master cultivation.
Everyone present looked envious. They could guess the sect master's intent: as long as Chen Yi's martial soul wasn't too poor in the future, the sect would heavily nurture him. Besides, the sect master had said this privilege was just an appetizer; the real reward would come after Chen Yi awakened his martial soul. It wasn't hard to guess what that might be.
"Double training when we get back!" A bunch of them thought darkly.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, everyone go prepare on your own."