Chapter 48: Making a Name
"A Soul Elder with three thousand year rings?" Yu Xiaogang muttered, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Beside him, Bibi Dong despite her extensive experience was equally astonished at Ye Wen's unconventional soul ring configuration. She blurted out, "How… how did you achieve this?"
Realizing her slip and feeling a hint of embarrassment, she looked away, face slightly flushed. Ye Wen, however, was unfazed and answered calmly, "It's quite simple. According to my research, a soul master's capacity to absorb a ring's strength is closely tied to their physical resilience. After multiple trials, I've concluded that the maximum absorbable ring power correlates almost 1:1 with one's core strength. For example, if someone can exert 600 pounds of force, they can handle a 600 year ring for their first ring. If their strength surpasses 1,000 pounds for their second ring, they can take a thousand year ring."
With a hint of pride, he added, "This is demonstrated by my own rings: 400 years, 1,200 years, 5,000 years, and 9,000 years. And my disciples are living proof of this theory. Show them, everyone."
In the spacious hall, hues of yellow and purple glowed as his students revealed their rings, including two distinct black rings among them.
"Ten thousand year rings!" Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang exclaimed together in shock.
The rings belonged to Huo Rui and Huo Quan. Under Ye Wen's rigorous training, Huo Rui had reached Rank 42, while her younger brother, Huo Quan, had even reached Rank 45. Thanks to the "purple qi" technique for cultivating spiritual power, Ye Wen had led them to hunt ten thousand year old Violent Demon Apes, giving them powerful fourth skills. Huo Quan's Fury of Strength raised all his attributes by 30%, while Huo Rui's similar skill provided a 25% boost.
Ye Wen's other disciples, though younger and just reaching Soul Grandmaster level, still left the hall in awe. Every one of them had purple rings as their second ring. At barely over ten years old, they were well above twenty in power, an impressive feat.
Bibi Dong's interest sharpened. "How is this possible? If you could share this with us, I could request my teacher's support for you. Name your conditions, and Spirit Hall will fulfill them."
Though young, Bibi Dong had the presence of Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden. Ye Wen's discovery would revolutionize soul master training, bringing enormous benefit to Spirit Hall if they could circulate it first.
Ye Wen, who had intended to impress Spirit Hall with this very idea, bowed politely and responded, "Of course, Your Highness. My purpose in coming here was to share this method, so that soul masters no longer need to risk their lives for higher level rings out of ignorance. Furthermore, I have two other theories I'd like to share with the Pope, so they may be spread across the continent. I humbly ask for Your Highness's assistance in arranging this."
As Ye Wen spoke confidently, his scholarly demeanor and poise deeply impressed Bibi Dong. Compared to him, Yu Xiaogang's presence quickly faded in her mind.
"I would be delighted. Please, come with me," she replied, smiling.
As Ye Wen left with Bibi Dong, Dugu Bo quietly pulled him aside. "Kid, you sure about this?"
Ye Wen gave a casual shrug. While Spirit Hall was often maligned for its power, it had no known record of forcing members to join. "Trust me, Master Dugu. Please keep an eye on my disciples. Things in Spirit City may get... interesting."
"Ha! At least you know the trouble you're starting," Dugu Bo said, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
Once Ye Wen and Bibi Dong were gone, the hall quickly emptied, though a few opportunists approached Dugu Bo, eager to learn the details of this "soul ring theory." They were promptly dismissed, with Dugu Bo warning that Spirit Hall would make any announcements in due time. Even the boldest soon backed down, as no one wished to risk crossing Spirit Hall.
Yu Xiaogang, recovering from his shock, suddenly realized the significance of Ye Wen's theory and hurried to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's quarters to report to his father.
"A Soul Elder in his early twenties, with a yellow purple purple purple ring configuration?" Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, a tall, rugged man, rubbed his stubbled chin thoughtfully. "He's got guts, testing that theory on himself for the sake of his disciples."
The events in Spirit City soon spread, reaching every major power with ties to the city. Each reacted to Ye Wen's theory with excitement and greed. The advantages of knowing the exact ring absorption limits were too tempting to ignore. But with Ye Wen in Spirit Hall's main temple, none dared take any rash action on Spirit Hall's territory. However, the strongest clans and factions were already gathering information on Ye Wen, hoping to learn as much as possible.
"Starting with only Rank Four innate soul power and still reaching Soul Elder before twenty?" The clans shared whispers of disbelief. "His progress rivals even the core disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"And he established an academy that's produced five remarkably talented young soul masters, each under ten years old yet already Soul Grandmasters. And there's no noble lineage to explain it he's managing this on his own? Plus, with Dugu Bo by his side, he must be some kind of expert in medicinal herbs. No wonder those kids are advancing so quickly."
Across the city, a sense of growing respect and curiosity for Ye Wen spread like wildfire.
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