Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

Yu Yuanzhen's expression softened with satisfaction as he instructed, "Dugu Bo only has one granddaughter. Make sure Tianheng puts in the effort and doesn't act as coldly as he does within the sect."

The third elder nodded in agreement.

The first elder and Yu Luomian observed coldly from the sidelines. They favored Tianheng's cousin, their grandson or nephew Yu Tianxin, to become the young master of the sect. Unfortunately, both were only eight-ring Soul Douluos, so their opinions carried little weight.

---

Within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi had ordered disciples to experiment with the theory of martial soul evolution and was delighted with the results.

As a support-oriented sect, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect welcomed all kinds of talented soul masters, regardless of their martial soul. Anyone could receive training under their guidance.

For instance, Sword Dao Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong had both reached the Title Douluo level with the sect's support.

Their inclusive and relatively relaxed management style attracted many soul masters to join, making them the second most popular choice after the Spirit Hall. Among the top three sects, they boasted the largest number of lower-tier members.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect also divided its members into inner and outer circles, but this distinction was purely based on talent. The inner circle included other types of martial souls, while the outer circle included some Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial souls. Members worked together in teams, forming close bonds over time.

Upon verifying the theory of martial soul evolution, the sect immediately began re-planning the selection of spirit beasts for their disciples' soul rings.

Even if just one percent of the disciples successfully evolved their martial souls, the sect's overall strength would take a small leap forward.

Inside the main hall, Ning Fengzhi wore a smile of pleasant surprise. Despite his experience and composure, even he needed time to adjust to such an unexpected stroke of luck.

A Soul Sage elder reported, "Master, all disciples who've recently reached their bottleneck have already been re-planned for future soul rings. We estimate that it will take about half a month to complete hunting for all the required spirit beasts."

"The reason for the delay is mainly due to the limited variety of spirit beasts we've cultivated at the foot of the mountain. About one-third of the disciples will need to search for spirit beasts in the Sunset Forest."

The Soul Sage elder paused before continuing, "One disciple has a rather unique martial soul—his right arm. He started with innate soul power level three and managed to reach level ten in just three years."

"After discussions, the teachers couldn't determine whether an arm martial soul could evolve. However, according to the theory in Oak's paper, body-based martial souls can undergo secondary awakenings. But the paper only briefly mentioned this, leaving us unsure how to proceed."

"Three levels gained in seven years?"

Ning Fengzhi grew interested. "Oak's paper stated that body-based martial souls, since they transform the soul master's body into the martial soul, generally have low innate soul power. Even something as seemingly useless as hair can qualify as a high-tier martial soul."

"Moreover, body-based martial souls can undergo secondary or even tertiary awakenings. Based on the importance of the body part, they are categorized into three tiers: bronze, silver, and gold."

"A silver awakening rivals a top-tier martial soul, while a successful gold-level awakening places it just below super martial souls in potential."

The elder nodded. "That's precisely why the teachers hesitated to choose a spirit beast for him."

After all, high-tier martial souls were rare in the soul master world. Even if there were differences in innate soul power, it only affected cultivation speed slightly. Those with high-tier martial souls almost always reached the Soul Emperor or Soul Sage stage, while super martial souls nearly guaranteed progression to Soul Sage or Soul Douluo.

Such a promising candidate couldn't be decided upon lightly.

Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment before speaking. "An arm martial soul is important to the body, but losing it wouldn't threaten life, so it should be considered an ordinary body-based martial soul."

Encountering the concept of body-based martial souls for the first time, Ning Fengzhi couldn't yet fully grasp it. He instructed, "Return for now. Increase the supply of Bone-Fortifying ointment for the child and follow Mr. Oak's methods for physical training."

"As for soul ring selection, start by choosing spirit beasts with strong forelimbs and let the child decide. Everything should prioritize stability."

"Yes, Master." The elder acknowledged and left the hall.

Ning Fengzhi sat in thought for a moment before heading to the side hall, where Ning Rongrong's room was located. He knocked on the door.

"Rongrong, are you in?"

Silence filled the room.

Ning Fengzhi continued knocking. "Dad isn't here to nag you about training."

"Come in, Dad," came her crisp voice.

Ning Fengzhi pushed open the door to see his daughter sitting on the bed, wearing a sweet smile. "Dad, sit down. Let me pour you some water."

Ning Rongrong hopped off the bed, her short legs moving quickly beneath her pristine princess dress, and ran to the center of the room to pour water from a soul-guided bottle.

The cool, clear spring water sparkled, its sound soothing.

Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but smile, letting go of her truancy today. Sitting at the table, he asked:

"Rongrong, earlier you said your friend jokingly claimed to be Mr. Oak. Is that true?"

Young Ning Rongrong, still a cute pink-haired girl, widened her eyes innocently. "Dad, you didn't actually believe him, did you? He loves to joke around and say nonsense. And… he even called me his little wife!"

Little Rongrong blushed inwardly, feeling shy despite being a mischievous tomboy among her peers.

Ning Fengzhi watched his daughter's flushed face, his expression shifting subtly.

Had he known the boy's age or name, he would've long since tracked him down for a stern lesson. Unfortunately, the boy was too cautious, likely aware of keeping his identity hidden.

Ning Fengzhi mentally snorted but kept his face neutral.

"Dad isn't foolish enough to believe a child's words. But nothing comes out of thin air. Could this boy's claim to be Oak indicate that he knows Oak personally?"

Ning Fengzhi wouldn't have thought of this connection normally, but upon reading the mention of ultimate earth in the Spirit Hall Newspaper, he couldn't help but think of the mysterious boy his daughter often chatted with.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect regarded Ning Rongrong, with her innate level nine soul power, as their future heir. Naturally, they wouldn't allow her to handle unknown items carelessly.

Ning Fengzhi had sent people to analyze the communication soul-guided device she used. Its structure was entirely different from the soul tools in their sect's collection. It required lightning-attribute soul power to charge, and shockingly, it could communicate with someone hundreds of kilometers away.

This powerful functionality immediately made Ning Fengzhi think of its immense strategic value for intelligence transmission. Such a remarkable soul tool suggested that the boy who possessed it must have significant influence.

Thus, Ning Fengzhi naturally connected the dots to the equally enigmatic and origin-unknown Oak.

Ning Rongrong frowned in thought, her adorable face adopting a serious expression. Under her father's expectant gaze, she shook her head. "I don't know."

She giggled mischievously. "But I can just ask him, right?"

Ning Rongrong picked up the communicator, ready to contact Gu La.

Ning Fengzhi's eyes flickered. The value of Oak was undeniable, but he was well aware that other factions understood this too. Just as the Spirit Hall had spies within his ranks, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect undoubtedly harbored informants from other powers.

Even if they found Oak, the sect couldn't bring him in privately without drawing the ire of all major forces.

"Wait, Rongrong. Do me a favor."

Ning Fengzhi stopped Ning Rongrong and said, "Ask your friend how to cultivate an arm martial soul and how body-based martial souls undergo secondary awakenings."

This was a test. Whether or not the person on the other end of the communication device was Oak, knowing how to cultivate body-based martial souls would prove a connection to him.

Even if they couldn't locate the person, having the soul-guided device as a means of contact would give the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect a significant advantage over other factions.

"Alright, Dad."

Ning Rongrong obediently agreed. She had always been wise in navigating relationships, acting sweet and compliant in front of elders. This was why Sword and Bone Douluo doted on her so much.

------------------------------------------------------

40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)