Blue Silver Grass Strategy (Douluo Dalu Fiction)

Kang Zhan gave a thumbs-up to Ling Yi, smiling admiringly, "Mr. Ling, you have a kind heart. Not only did you accept these heavily depreciated 'Soul Measuring Crystals', but you also offered them an easy job to earn money..."

It's known that the 'Soul Measuring Crystals' brought by Yue Qing were of the lowest grade, only able to detect soul power below level ten. Any power exceeding level ten would cause the crystal ball to burst.

Even as a soul tool, the 'Soul Measuring Crystal'—which can only be used within a limited range—sells for around three to five hundred gold soul coins, depending on its quality.

What's more, the ones that Yue Qing and his group purchased weren't new; they were second-hand goods passed around multiple times, so naturally, their price was even lower.

Currently, in the Douluo Continent, 'Soul Measuring Crystals' are one of the few manufacturable soul tools.

Such rare craftsmanship is firmly in the hands of the Spirit Hall.

This is also one of the reasons the Spirit Hall can handle nearly all civilian spirit awakening ceremonies across the Douluo Continent.

Each branch of the Spirit Hall is equipped with several 'Soul Measuring Crystals', with blue ones designated for testing soul power below level ten and white ones capable of testing below level thirty.

In smaller cities, a branch might even equip a yellow 'Soul Measuring Crystal' to measure soul power below level fifty, suitable for use by Soul Ancestors.

Ling Yi is well aware of these details. He previously spent twelve hundred gold soul coins through channels of the 'Blacksmith Association – Shuimu Principality Branch' to purchase a white-level 'Soul Measuring Crystal' from the main Spirit Hall in Wooden City.

To be honest, Ling Yi has been interested in acquiring more crystals, but having just one is already more than sufficient under normal circumstances.

Ling Yi was careful not to draw too much attention, having already garnered enough with his recent actions. Despite the urge to delve deeper into research, he chose to bide his time. His current priority was cultivating his own strength; mastering soul tools had to wait.

Forging was essential, not just for maintaining relationships or as a calling card for external interactions, but it also significantly benefited his physical condition and control over energy. Without these advantages, he wouldn't have dedicated so much effort and time.

"Mr. Kang, you're too kind," Ling Yi replied with a humble smile, waving his hand dismissively. He pushed the ornate box containing the crystal ball towards Zhang Mufeng, indicating for him to take it. "It's purely mutual benefit. Whether it's this 'soul-measuring crystal' or employing their services, these are precisely what I need for my upcoming plans."

Without dwelling on the subsequent research into the soul-measuring crystal, Ling Yi's mind was already on the approaching six-year birthday of his cousin Zhang Miao in just over two months. He could facilitate her martial soul awakening at that time.

The blue 'soul-measuring crystal,' albeit only capable of testing soul power below level ten, presented a kinder option for those with low innate soul power. For instance, individuals below level one would still see some illumination using the blue crystal, unlike the faint response from a white 'soul-measuring crystal' meant for up to level thirty.

Avoiding deeper discussions with Yue Qing and his brothers, Kang Zhan swiftly shifted the focus to his reason for visiting. Likewise, he presented the pending medical fees for teammates and brothers Ling Yi had previously treated.

At Kang Zhan's gesture, three young men each carrying a box stepped forward, placing them on the table between Ling Yi and Kang Zhan. Out of the three wooden boxes, two were similar to those holding the 'soul-measuring crystals' that Yue Qing had used.

The one in the middle, however, was a metallic box with black and blue-white patterns.

Based on Ling Yi's experienced gaze, it seemed to be crafted from "Frost Pattern Cold Iron."

"Frost Pattern Cold Iron," one of the twenty-three categories of "Cold Iron," originates chiefly from the southeastern region of the Extreme North of the Douluo Continent, near the [Shuimu Principality].

Although in terms of hardness and toughness, it ranks at the bottom of the twenty-three types of "Cold Iron," its inherent natural patterns make it aesthetically appealing and highly sought after by nobles across the Douluo Continent.

Just being in the [Shuimu Principality], if you were to sell it down south in the [Star Luo Empire], this box alone could be exchanged for two or three of those blue "soul-measuring crystals" that Yue Qing just brought back.

As Ling Yi examined the material of the metal box, Kang Zhan extended his hand to open the two wooden ornate boxes on each side, revealing the items within.

One was a stack approximately seven to eight centimeters in diameter, resembling the size of an average person's palm.

The scales were dark and muted, like coal buried deep underground.

People often say "a glimpse of a scale, a hint of a claw" to convey the challenge of seeing an entire creature; with just these two items, even Ling Yi couldn’t determine what kind of soul beast they belonged to.

But when Kang Zhan opened the "Frost Pattern Cold Iron Box" in the center, revealing what was inside, Ling Yi's eyes instantly lit up, reflecting genuine interest.

This wasn’t feigned; it was genuine curiosity. Besides, in everyday life, there’s no need to wear a mask constantly; one only needs to control their words and expressions when necessary.

“Is this... the Spine Pearl of the Earth Dragon Rhino?”

Ling Yi fixed his gaze on the "Frost Pattern Cold Iron Box," his eyes resting on an oval pearl inside, smooth and lustrous like white jade. He asked with a hint of surprise, "Due to the properties of 'Frost Pattern Cold Iron,' the box emits a chill. Upon opening, a swirl of white mist enveloped the pearl, creating a stunning spectacle."

"Mr. Ling, you have a keen eye!" Kang Zhan praised once again.

He then wore a look of pride and nodded, "Indeed! It is the spinal pearl of the 'Earthshaker Dragon'—!"

The 'Earthshaker Dragon,' resembling a rhinoceros, bears faint draconic lineage. It possesses the attributes of earth, stone, and metal, boasting immense strength and formidable defense, with enduring stamina, making it exceptionally difficult to hunt.

Its spinal pearl, produced once every hundred years from its spine, when worn by common folk, strengthens the body. Soul masters can grind it into powder for ingestion, significantly enhancing their physical form, with improvements in defense, stamina, and power.

Ling Yi knew that in the Douluo Continent, an auxiliary soul master had ingested a millennium-grade 'Earthshaker Dragon' spinal pearl and gained about five hundred jin of strength!

Mimicking Kang Zhan's earlier gesture, Ling Yi gave a thumbs-up, "Impressive! Judging by the pearl's size, that 'Earthshaker Dragon' would have been at least seven hundred years old, right?"

Kang Zhan smiled confidently, "Over eight hundred years~"

"Oh~" Ling Yi raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, smiling as he congratulated him, "It seems your side has gained a new expert of the Soul Sovereign level—"

An 'Earthshaker Dragon' soul ring over eight hundred years old is not akin to Ling Yi's eight hundred-year-old 'Blue Silver Grass.' Not everyone can exceed limits and use it as a second soul ring.

Following the current norms on Douluo Continent, this would be sought after as the third spirit ring essential for advancing to the rank of Soul Elder.

"Xiao Si~" Kang Zhan waved his hand towards his side.

The young man who had been holding the 'Frost Patterned Cold Iron Box' stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Ling Yi. "Thank you, Mr. Ling, for treating my sixth brother. I, Kang Yao, am deeply grateful!"

Had Ling Yi not taken action, his sixth brother, Kang Zhao, would have been as good as gone.

In that case, he wouldn't even know how to face their parents and third aunt back home.

It's known that, in terms of talent, his sixth brother, Kang Zhao, stands out among the young generation of their family, having a congenital soul power of level six!

Now, at only sixteen years old, he's already a level 28 two-ring Grandmaster, the most promising candidate to surpass their elder brother, Kang Zhan, a Soul Sect, and become the family's first Soul King!

In the "Shuimu Principality," what does being a Soul King mean?

Five years ago, Song Yao, one of the five generals of the "Shuimu Duchy" and the controller of the Cold Wind Camp, was a level 69 Soul Emperor and remains level 69 even today!

Lacking the inheritance of a high-end system, the "Shuimu Duchy" finds that even with sufficient innate soul power, it's not necessarily convertible into strength.

Shallow waters can't raise true dragons!

In the heart of the bustling city, conversations accompanied the rhythmic clanging of the blacksmiths' hammers. The sounds resonated through the air, creating a symphony of industrious toil.

"Have you heard? The Rhinoceros Dragon has been spotted near the borderlands," one of the craftsmen remarked, his eyes alight with curiosity and fear.

"Yes," replied another, wiping sweat from his brow. "They say it's massive, its scales shining like cold iron. Many have gone to challenge it, but few return."

At the mention of the beast, a murmur of apprehension spread among the gathered workers. The Rhinoceros Dragon was a creature of legend, its strength unmatched, instilling both dread and fascination.

In a shadowed alley nearby, Ah Feng listened intently to the conversation, his mind racing with possibilities. He had heard tales of the dragon's potential power, a force that might help him achieve his ambitions.

"Perhaps..." he mused aloud, "if I could harness such power, I might change my fate."

With a determined glint in his eye, he melted back into the crowd, his path set.

Elsewhere in the city, Ling Yi, still hailed as a hero for his previous deeds, sat quietly in a dim corner of a bustling tavern. He pondered the recent news of the Rhinoceros Dragon, considering its implications for the principality.

A Hua, seated opposite, broke the silence. "Everyone is talking about the dragon," she said, swirling her drink. "Do you think it poses a real threat? Or is it just tales to frighten children?"

Ling Yi gave a cursory nod. "Real enough, I suppose. But it's not the dragon itself that concerns me—it’s what it attracts," he replied, his mind already weaving through potential scenarios.

A Hua tilted her head, curiosity evident in her gaze. "You mean the challengers?"

"Yes," Ling Yi confirmed. "The bravest—or perhaps the most foolish—will seek it out. Imagine if someone were to tame it."

The thought hung in the air between them, weighty with possibility.

(End of Chapter)