Douluo: Martial Soul Research Diary

Chapter 10 Ning Fengzhi's Test
"What did he do with those 50 gold soul coins?"

Standing atop the tower, Ning Fengzhi asked Steward Ning a question.

"They've been sent out. Some were sent to Holy Soul Village, and some to Notting City," Steward Ning replied.

Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction upon hearing his report.

"It seems I didn't misjudge him!"

"Sect Leader Ning has such discerning eyes that he was able to discover such a fine gem with such a good character."

Hearing his compliment, Ning Fengzhi laughed twice, clearly pleased by Han Tao's actions.

"In just over three years, I went from level 1 to level 12 in soul power, with an increase of nearly 3 levels of soul power per year."

"Rongrong's cultivation speed is nothing more than this!"

"Looking at his physique, this growth curve clearly does not conform to the pattern of Blue Silver Grass. You should have noticed this."

Ning Fengzhi was referring to the pat the driver gave Han Tao on the shoulder.

Based on some micro-level data, Ning Fengzhi came to a startling conclusion: Han Tao might not be a genius.

Manager Ning congratulated from the side, saying, "It seems that our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has welcomed another valiant general."

"His temperament has been assessed sufficiently. Let's find a suitable time to teach him the distraction control method!"

Ning Fengzhi said calmly, "The Distraction Control Technique is one of the core skills of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Logically speaking, it is impossible to easily teach it to outsiders."

Therefore, this instruction was Ning Fengzhi's fourth test of Han Tao.

The first test was a question posed in front of the mountain gate.

The second test involved communication between the drivers.
The third test was Han Tao's handling of the Gold Soul Coins.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has a very large external influence. After investigation, they naturally learned about Han Tao's actions at the Notting City Soul Master Academy, including his attitude towards teachers, the principal, and classmates, and presented it all to Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi knew that Han Tao owed Old Jack and Xiao Chenyu a lot of money, so he deliberately raised the gold soul coin salary to 50 to see how Han Tao would handle it.

If Han Tao doesn't use the money he gets to repay his debts, then he won't face the next stage of the test.

The fourth test, in which the secret technique of distraction control was taught to Han Tao, was essentially an exchange.

If Han Tao voluntarily hands over the method he has for improving his physique to the sect, then he will pass the test; otherwise...
While it's not necessary to kill him to keep it a secret, it also means he'll never be able to enter the core.

The sect leader still has many bargaining chips in his hand.

After receiving his salary, Han Tao thought it over and sent the gold soul coins out.

Although he didn't think Ning Fengzhi would value him, he wouldn't gamble on that one in ten thousand chance.

If there is an optimal strategy, then choose the optimal strategy, just like subjectively choosing a soul skill.

When unsure whether something is useful, simply assume it is "yes" as the answer.

After completing the three-circle meditation, Han Tao arrived at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's book collection pavilion. In many novels, this is the place where one can obtain extraordinary cultivation techniques.

Han Tao was no exception; he also wanted to see if he could obtain any miraculous cultivation techniques.

"You can read, right?"

Before he could even enter, Han Tao was stopped by the temple elder.

He took out a board, wrote a few words on it casually, and asked Han Tao to read them aloud.

"Youth", "Mathematics", "Ideal"

After a simple test, the elder did not make things difficult for Han Tao and let him in.

What comes into view is an elaborate and enormous bookshelf.

Han Tao casually picked up a book; the cover read "A Few Things About Imperial Customs".

Seeing Han Tao take out the book, the elder's eyes showed some disdain, and he spoke sarcastically:

"This book has the most borrowers, so we put it at the front."

Han Tao exclaimed, "Good heavens!" He casually glanced at the offensive and disturbing pictures and text, then quickly shoved the book back onto the shelf. Seeing Han Tao put it away, the elder handed him a catalog for reviewing the books.

Then he returned to his original spot, opened a book, and started reading.

If Han Tao returned to the front, he would find that the book the elder was reading was "A Few Things About Imperial Customs" - Revised Edition.

The book review catalog has several sections, with the top section listing Martial Soul, Level, and Soul Rings.

Following the guidance of the catalog, Han Tao arrived at the bookshelf in the Martial Soul area, and soon he discovered a book that surprised him.

Estimated Combat Power Levels for Each Martial Soul Grade

Soon, Han Tao found his martial spirit, which had a rather vague description.

Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass (No Soul Rings)

Soul Power: Level 10; Combat Power: 2-4
Soul Power: Level 20; Combat Power: 5-8
"There's no data on level 30, so there must be no precedent for breaking through level 30. Let's look at the others."

Han Tao turned to the page about the Haotian Hammer.

Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer (No Soul Rings)

Soul Power: Level 10; Combat Power: 9-11
Soul Power: Level 20; Combat Power: 26-29
Soul Power: Level 30; Combat Power: 51-55
Soul Power: Level 40; Combat Power: 84-89
"If I'm not mistaken, the growth coefficient of the Haotian Hammer is 0.8, and it doubles every 10 levels."

"According to the attribute growth pattern, when Blue Silver Grass reaches level 50, its combat power panel will reach (26-32), matching the level 20 Haotian Hammer."

Han Tao's physical strength has reached 8.1, barely enough to touch the floor of the Clear Sky Hammer, but his soul power and mental strength are still a mess, and there is no way to solve them for the time being.

"The training techniques from my past life are becoming less and less effective; I guess I need to think of a solution."

Push-ups and squats are exercises that overcome gravity, but as physical strength increases, the effectiveness of these exercises decreases rapidly.

"The simplest way is to add weight, but the effects of exercising while wearing weighted equipment are not comprehensive."

"If only there were a gravity field, that would be great. If not, there are alternatives. It seems there's a Soul Master in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School whose Soul Skill is related to gravity?"

After returning the books, Han Tao found Manager Ning and explained his purpose.

"Manager Ning, I've encountered some problems in my cultivation and might need your help."

Manager Ning was taken aback, gave Han Tao a subtle look, and coldly replied, "Oh?"

"Here's the thing, I've noticed that the effects of my recent training are getting weaker and weaker, so I'd like to find a Soul Master who can increase gravity to improve my physique."

Hearing Han Tao's words, Manager Ning raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

"Do you have a way to improve your physical fitness?"

"Everyone knows that exercise can improve physical fitness, but it is easy to get injured during exercise, which can cause irreversible damage to the body."

Manager Ning did not interrupt Han Tao's story.

"Therefore, exercise, dietary supplements, and treatment are complementary and indispensable."

Manager Ning waved his hand, saying that what Han Tao said was common sense and had no special significance.

He thought that Han Tao was just brushing him off; children's theories are always naive and ridiculous, but understandable.

“We know all of this, and we have tested it in detail. We even invited the best nine-star Begonia Soul Masters. In the end, we found that this method would greatly affect growth potential, so it is meaningless.”

Han Tao's heart skipped a beat; what Manager Ning said had startled him for a moment.

But the truth becomes clearer through debate, and regardless of whether his theory is correct or not, he will continue to speak out and talk about it.

"There are many types of healing soul skills, and different healing soul skills will produce different effects. But in addition to the healing effect, there is a more core attribute: the depth of healing."

"The soul power of the begonia flower can quickly repair the skin and muscles of living beings, but it cannot reach the microscopic level or the meridians, which is what you call potential."

As he was speaking, Han Tao's voice suddenly stopped.

At that moment, Steward Ning grabbed his collar and, carrying him, flew towards the sect leader's room.

(End of this chapter)