Chapter 23: Attracting Attention

Chapter 23: Attracting Attention

Recently, Heaven Dou City had been abuzz with excitement.

It all started when Xue Qinghe appeared at the Heaven Dou Auction House with a strange young man, and spent a fortune to bid for a soul bone for him.

Then, the Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect accepted a genius with innate full soul power as his disciple, and this genius with innate full soul power was the young man previously seen with the First Prince, Xue Qinghe.

The young man, Wang Si, immediately caught the attention of all the major powers, and his background was quickly dug up.

"Innate full soul power," "failed martial soul awakening," "successful martial soul awakening again"—these three keywords were all associated with Wang Si.

Originally, they were already marveling at the rise of a new star. After all, innate full soul power meant a 100% chance of becoming a Title Douluo.

However, this was not enough to attract their full attention. After all, geniuses were common, and they had often eliminated potential threats by crushing them in their cradles.

But almost overnight, all the Title Douluos received a cultivation technique for strengthening the bones, which was applicable to all soul masters.

This cultivation technique had only one effect: to strengthen the physical body.

It had nothing to do with martial souls and would not affect their cultivation.

All the Title Douluos who received this technique recognized its value immediately.

Some even considered passing it down as a family heirloom to their descendants. In addition, all the powers began searching for the creator of this cultivation technique.

After a month, they found him: the same boy who had first appeared alongside Xue Qinghe.

Some forces, risking the exposure of their spies, leaked out the process of Wang Si's creation of this miraculous cultivation technique.

When they heard that Wang Si had created this technique using just a single soul ring, they were astounded.

To be honest, the secret cultivation techniques passed down by the major powers were also obtained by reverse-engineering soul skills.

However, those techniques were only useful for specific martial souls, and in order to monopolize those souls, the cultivation techniques became closely guarded secrets.

As for Wang Si, because he had no martial soul, the soul skill he obtained was unrelated to martial souls. By reverse-engineering it, he had created a cultivation technique that could be practiced by all soul masters.

Other forces could only envy his luck.

But soon, they realized the truth. The one who truly mastered this cultivation technique was its creator, Wang Si.

So, Wang Si was the most skilled practitioner of this technique! Some quick-witted individuals immediately thought of sending their younger generations to Wang Si, asking him to help them strengthen their bodies.

The earlier one started with this body strengthening, the greater the benefits in the future.

However, Wang Si was currently under the protection of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and he also had a Title Douluo as his teacher. No one dared to make a move on him.

What could they do?

Use connections, of course. Those with connections to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would rely on those connections, and those with ties to the Heaven Dou Royalty would do the same.

As for those who had no relation to either the Heaven Dou Empire or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, like the Star Luo Empire, they could only stare in frustration.

What could they do? The Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires had been at war for years, so there was no chance of a relationship there.

As for connections with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect… well, using those connections would cost money, and the Sect wouldn't even bat an eye at a small sum.

Even if they did notice, the other party would have to ensure that their young generation could leave Heaven Dou City alive.

……​…

Xue Qinghe opened his eyes, feeling as if his entire body was floating.

No, why did this bone-strengthening process feel even more comfortable than taking a bath?

"Xue brother, how do you feel?"

A familiar voice sounded in Xue Qinghe's ear, and he turned instinctively to see Wang Si looking at him with concern.

Xue Qinghe smirked in response.

"Pretty comfortable. I'd like to do it a few more times."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe slowly got up.

This feeling of having his entire body feel as if it didn't belong to him was truly… exhilarating.

"Brother Wang, did you go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect this month just for this?"

Wang Si nodded helplessly.

"I went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for this matter. To be honest, I didn't really do anything. I just used my soul skill in front of the Bone Douluo, and then cooperated with them in their experiments.

After that, I was ready to leave, but Elder Ning stopped me and wanted to make a deal."

Xue Qinghe couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

"Brother Wang, I didn't realize you're quite the aristocrat. Do you know how many people are crying and begging to make deals with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

Xue Qinghe didn't react at first, but when he realized what Wang Si wanted, his face turned red. Just a few days ago, he had contemplated controlling Wang Si with a "beauty scheme," but now, Wang Si had risen to equal footing with him, perhaps even surpassing him in status. It wouldn't be right to use such a scheme anymore.

'Brother Wang, rest assured, I won't treat you unfairly,' Xue Qinghe assured, patting his chest vigorously. He also dropped the formalities and started addressing Wang Si as "Wang brother" instead of "Wang brother-in-law." While such a form of address could be sensitive for members of the royal family, Xue Qinghe didn't mind anymore. After all, he needed Wang Si's help now.

At the same time, he felt relieved that he hadn't forced Wang Si to do anything he didn't want to do, or else he would have had no face left.

Xue Qinghe pointed out Xiao Ya's room, and with his limbs' bones now unblocked, he got up to deal with the various forces that had come knocking.

Seeing Xue Qinghe off, Wang Si headed toward Xiao Ya's room. As expected, it was empty, so he returned to his own room and opened the door to the simulated cultivation chamber. Qian Renxue was sitting inside, as if she had known he would return and had been waiting for him all along.

'Long time no see. I hope your cultivation hasn't slacked,' Wang Si said as he sat down and took out a hair ornament from his soul guide device, presenting it to Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue glanced at the ornament and then at Wang Si before turning her head away and letting out a soft hum. 'Next time, don't bother with these fancy things.'

Wang Si sat down and hung the hair ornament, made from the feathers of a bird-type soul beast, in Qian Renxue's light golden hair. Then, he took her hand and began inspecting the strength of her bones.

Seeing Wang Si like this, Qian Renxue chose to close her eyes. A month ago, she could still remain calm and collected in front of him, even lying quietly in his embrace. But after thirty-two days, she found that she couldn't maintain that calmness anymore.

She allowed Wang Si to examine her bones, lifting her other hand to smoothen her hair. Her fingers "accidentally" brushed against the hair ornament, and a slight curve lifted the corners of her mouth.

After inspecting Qian Renxue's bones, Wang Si nodded. 'It seems you haven't slacked off this month. When do you plan to start the second stage of unblocking?'

Letting go of Qian Renxue's hand, Wang Si took out several small notebooks.

Qian Renxue took the notebooks and gave Wang Si a puzzled look.

'While I was at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Bone Douluo and the Sword Douluo helped me organize my understanding of the technique. My Hundred Refinement Bone Technique definitely can't be mastered instantly, so it's divided into three volumes: upper, middle, and lower. They represent the three stages of unblocking the bones.

The first stage is the unblocking of the limbs' bones, which you've already completed.

The second stage involves unblocking the bones of the fingers, ribs, and other functional bones, enhancing the overall power of the Soul Master. These areas can be selectively strengthened.

The third stage is the most difficult: the strengthening of all bones.

So, are you ready to begin the second stage?'

Looking at the three small notebooks, Qian Renxue's expression turned to one of realization. However, she soon felt a bit embarrassed and rubbed her nose.

'What's wrong? Don't you want to start the second stage?' Wang Si asked curiously. He wondered if Qian Renxue was hesitating because she was still uncomfortable with him.

Qian Renxue coughed awkwardly and explained how she had arranged for the Snake Lance Douluo to take her as his disciple.

Hearing this, Wang Si stroked his chin in thought...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end