Chapter Eight: Nine Years Old, Level Ten, Forced Training Device.

Whale gelatin—a rare and exquisite tonic unique to the Continent of Douluo—was also used as a marvelous aid in intimate matters millennia ago.

Such elixirs are typically derived from deep-sea spirit beasts, especially those of the whale variety, which, after living over a thousand years, almost invariably produce this substance upon death.

The quality of whale gelatin varies: the inferior kind comes from beasts captured and killed by humans, while the supreme grade is harvested from those that died naturally. Only the finest whale gelatin possesses the power to strengthen the body, fortify bones, and expand meridians!

Moreover, if a gifted beast martial soul master uses thousand-year whale gelatin in their youth to enhance their physique, they need not fear their body’s inability to withstand soul ring absorption up to at least the fifth ring. They can even absorb soul rings beyond the age limit without any issues.

Those with exceptional talent can even absorb thousand-year soul rings as early as the second ring!

Such tremendous effects naturally command a high price and scarce availability.

Originally, Ning Wuque only knew he could pick up a piece of supreme whale gelatin after the Shrek Academy storyline began. But now, that was unnecessary.

He directly spent 250,000 contribution points to purchase a piece of thousand-year supreme whale gelatin through his sect’s channels!

Although it was merely at the entry level of the millennium grade—the lowest tier of its kind—Ning Wuque was more than satisfied. After all, having something is better than having nothing.

With Zhang Can’s help, Ning Wuque paid 500 sect contribution points to hire a sixth-ring fire attribute soul emperor to assist in melting down the gelatin for easier ingestion. After half a day of digestion and absorption, he felt reborn!

“No wonder it’s whale gelatin. My basic physical quality has improved by at least double, my cultivation speed is much faster, and my whole body feels inexhaustible energy when training!”

In the living room, Ning Wuque rose slowly after finishing the refinement. The joyous feeling coursing through his body made him want to shout “Awesome!”

But considering it might be impolite, he restrained his excitement and turned to his grandfather Zhang Can.

“Grandpa, I think I only need four or even three hours of sleep daily now. Maybe I can steadily break through to level ten by the age of nine!”

“Ah! That won’t do. You’re still young and growing. You can’t sacrifice sleep for cultivation and training!” Zhang Can scolded him with some frustration, his eyes filled with concern.

Ning Wuque had been training each morning, practicing again after dinner, and then cultivating for four hours before bed—his daily sleep barely reaching six hours!

Other children his age were still sound asleep at eight in the morning, while Ning Wuque had already been up for nearly two hours training.

“Grandpa!”

Ning Wuque’s determination was unwavering. He knew well that insufficient sleep could even stunt his future height!

When others stood tall at 1.8 meters, he alone might remain a mere 1.6-meter-tall runt.

But... if outward appearance truly mattered in this world where martial prowess reigned supreme... well, on the Continent of Douluo, looks and figure could indeed open soft paths to survival.

As for the girls here... calling Ning Wuque a liar would seem unfair; it would be all too easy.

Yet a man of stature seven feet tall should never... Well, best not say too much—after all, a real man knows when to bend and when to stand firm, right?

If he truly couldn’t advance further in the future, Ning Wuque might lower his moral standards a bit and, without shame, throw his pride to the ground to be a loyal companion to women.

But not now! He would strive to be the toughest one in any relationship!

“You... fine, do as you please, Wuque. Just remember, Grandpa’s home will always be your harbor of rest. If you ever get tired, come share some tea with this old man and chat.”

Resigned, Zhang Can shook his head, allowing Ning Wuque his rebellious freedom. After all, he couldn’t restrict such an unconventional genius.

Though Ning Wuque possessed neither a powerful martial soul nor innate soul force, handing over those two manuscripts made Zhang Can realize:

Ning Wuque would one day become renowned in this era—as a genuine “low-level soul master” no less!

“Thank you, Grandpa!”

Ning Wuque said gratefully, then wasted no time. Riding the momentum from refining the whale gelatin, he plunged into even more grueling, extreme training.

Days passed steadily.

Spring faded into autumn, shifting like a girl’s capricious moods from day to night. Time flew, and two years slipped by in the blink of an eye.

In this year, Ning Wuque was eight years and seven months old, with his soul power reaching level ten.

The same year, Ning Tian, the young sect leader of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, officially became a second-ring great soul master.

Also in this year, a certain blue-haired boy was destined to face the gravest blow of his life.

...

“699, 700, 701, 702...”

Within the beginner soul master academy of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Wuque supported himself with one hand, struggling to complete push-ups.

Though seemingly simple, the movement appeared incredibly difficult from afar. He gritted his teeth as sweat poured down like rain, soaking the ground.

Even under the scorching sun, beating down relentlessly on passersby, Ning Wuque remained steadfast amidst strange gazes from others, training until...

“Crash—”

Ning Wuque collapsed face-first onto the ground, the scent of earth smearing across his face, utterly spent and unable to move.

Yet his heart was exhilarated, for today he had improved by five more push-ups than yesterday!

Ha! If you ask why, after being so strong over two years ago, he only made such little “progress” now?

That traces back to his seventh birthday, when Zhang Can—Ning Wuque’s grandfather—presented him with a profoundly precious gift on the night of his birthday:

A complete set of level six soul-guided forced training equipment!

This set of armor could adjust its soul-guided weight automatically, custom-made by a seventh-ring soul tutor from the Sun Moon Empire specifically for Ning Wuque.

It consisted of five components: chest armor, two forearm guards, and two leg guards, each with freely adjustable weight.

For instance, Ning Wuque currently bore chest armor at the maximum weight tolerable by a high-level first-ring strength-type beast martial soul master, while limb guards carried the maximum weight for a second-ring common master.

His total weight, including the equipment, was already enough to knock out a first-ring beast martial soul master who just opened their martial soul with a single punch!

Striking a vital spot, killing with one punch was a breeze!

Thanks to this armor, every time he reached the “one thousand” mark on his standard measurement, he would increase the equipment’s weight to commence a new round of extreme training.

“Ding ding ding~”

The school bell rang in Ning Wuque’s ears.

Suddenly, he felt a pair of large hands gently lifting him up—it was none other than Zhang Can, who never missed an opportunity to observe Ning Wuque in secret.

“Grandpa, you’re here.”

“Hm, how’s the preparation for tomorrow’s soul hunting?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already chosen the soul beasts and soul rings I want to absorb. I won’t let you down!”

“No, it’s about not letting yourself down that matters, Wuque.”