Ning Tianchen said calmly, "With innate spirit power at level eight, according to mainstream soul master theories on the continent, you have a high probability of breaking through to become a Title Douluo. Therefore, for your current situation, healing your injuries and relying on your own cultivation should be enough to make a breakthrough."
"Is that so?" Zhang Erhe was somewhat perplexed.
Ning Tianchen didn't offer further explanation.
If the other party couldn't even trust him on this matter, there was no point in trying to win him over.
"This is a Tianshan Snow Lotus, a sacred medicine for healing wounds. Take it and absorb its essence," Ning Tianchen said as he retrieved the herb from his soul-guided device and handed it to Zhang Erhe.
Zhang Erhe knew he lacked understanding of soul power theory but trusted that Ning Tianchen wouldn't harm him. He thanked him and accepted the herb.
The Tianshan Snow Lotus wasn't considered an immortal herb. It was originally just an ordinary snow lotus. However, under the influence of the spiritual energy from immortal herbs, it had transformed from a high-grade medicinal plant into a spiritual herb second only to immortal herbs.
"Go to the detached courtyard at No. 203 Zhongshan Street in the eastern part of the city. You'll stay there temporarily. First, absorb the herb to heal your wounds, and someone will come to find you later."
This detached courtyard had once been Dugu Bo's small residence in the city, gifted to him by Prince Xue Xing.
However, after Dugu Bo joined the Seven Treasures Academy, he was given a small estate within the academy. Additionally, Ke Jie, in the name of the academy, gifted him a mansion near the academy.
Now, Dugu Bo no longer visited the detached courtyard in the eastern part of the city. Using it as a temporary base for Zhang Erhe was a reasonable choice.
Of course, Ning Tianchen wasn't overstepping his bounds. The courtyard was too far from the Seven Treasures Academy. Since Dugu Bo now had a new residence and was too lazy to manage the old one, he simply transferred ownership of it to Ning Tianchen.
After discussing some minor details, the two parted ways.
When Ning Tianchen walked back into the academy through the main gate, the gatekeeper who had previously stopped him couldn't help but rub his eyes.
"Didn't Senior Tianchen already return? Why is he coming back from outside again?"
Seeing him, Ning Tianchen smiled and offered no explanation.
Another student reminded, "Who cares where he went out from? As long as he didn't leave the academy through us, we're not at fault."
---
That night, Ning Tianchen sought out Dugu Bo.
Zhang Erhe was essentially a lone wolf. Even if he managed to advance to Soul Douluo, it was unlikely anyone would help him hunt for his eighth spirit ring.
After explaining Zhang Erhe's situation, Dugu Bo couldn't help but ask, "What if this information is fake?"
"The source of this information shouldn't be fabricated," Ning Tianchen said confidently.
Neither Xue Qinghe nor Qian Renxue liked engaging in frivolous matters. Moreover, Ning Tianchen had access to intelligence channels from both the Tian Dou Imperial Family and the Spirit Hall—there was no need to fabricate anything here.
"Xue Qinghe isn't someone who falsifies things," Dugu Bo muttered.
On the surface, he was aligned with Prince Xue Xing, but they didn't have a deep relationship—it was more about repaying favors.
Because of this, he had interacted with many people in the Tian Dou Empire's official circles. Among them, he respected Xue Qinghe's character.
"So, you want me to help him hunt for spirit rings and break through to Soul Douluo?" Dugu Bo's lips twitched slightly, seemingly reluctant.
Ning Tianchen had no other choice.
Jian Dao Chen Xin, the sect's guardian Douluo, couldn't leave the sect casually to hunt souls for an outsider.
Ke Jie needed to oversee their training and had no free time either.
After much thought, the only person around Ning Tianchen who could assist Zhang Erhe was Dugu Bo.
"Old man, how about you put in a little effort? In the future, I'll take care of you in your old age," Ning Tianchen asked tentatively.
Dugu Bo retorted, "I have Yan Yan to take care of me. Do I need you to take care of my retirement? However, this is a one-time thing—don't expect me to do it again. If you want me to help outsiders in the future, you'll need to offer something truly tempting."
"Of course, the reward won't be lacking," Ning Tianchen chuckled and quickly retrieved a crystal bottle from his soul-guided device.
Inside the bottle was an unknown liquid, with a pale yellow solid floating in the middle.
"What's this?" Dugu Bo could tell that the solid inside the bottle was what Ning Tianchen intended to give him.
Instinctively, he opened the cap, intending to take it out for inspection.
"Don't touch it," Ning Tianchen slapped his hand away and warned, "Never use your hands or any part of your skin to directly touch this thing."
Could it be a highly toxic substance?
Dugu Bo instinctively assumed so.
He sniffed cautiously after opening the bottle, but nothing seemed to volatilize.
Could it be a contact-based poison?
"Don't guess anymore. This substance is called white phosphorus. Once it comes into contact with the skin, it spontaneously combusts, releasing heat intense enough to melt the skin and bones of a Title Douluo."
A Title Douluo could withstand high temperatures, but only if they formed a protective barrier with their spirit power. Direct contact with such extreme heat would result in their demise.
"Is it really that powerful?" Dugu Bo was somewhat skeptical.
This substance had been developed by Ning Tianchen specifically to strengthen the sect's defenses.
If the Spirit Hall's soul masters attacked, a rain of white phosphorus would severely wound the enemy.
Against high-level soul masters, the effect of white phosphorus might not be as devastating, but against low-level soul masters, it was enough to burn them to ashes.
Because of Ning Tianchen's intervention, Ning Fengzhi hadn't approached Tang San, and thus the sect hadn't obtained any of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons. Therefore, the responsibility of strengthening the sect's defenses fell squarely on Ning Tianchen's shoulders.
This substance had been researched by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for several years, and only recently had they produced such a refined product.
"You just need to know that this is a powerful weapon of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Using it unexpectedly in battle can buy you a lot of time."
If Ning Tianchen remembered correctly, it wouldn't be long before Dugu Bo sought revenge against Yue Guan.
Handing over the white phosphorus now would also increase his chances of success.
Ning Tianchen took out a small piece of white phosphorus, wiped off the residual liquid with a cloth, and casually tossed it onto the open ground of the estate.
Leaning down, he exhaled a few breaths of warm air onto the white phosphorus. In an instant, the pale yellow solid ignited spontaneously, emitting a bright light and waves of intense heat.
Dugu Bo, with his extensive knowledge, immediately guessed the reason. "This substance has an extremely low ignition point. Even body temperature is enough to cause it to ignite spontaneously. I never expected it to release such intense heat after burning."
"But, kid, what if it encounters water? Won't it be extinguished?"
Ning Tianchen had anticipated this question. Using his spirit power, he wrapped the white phosphorus and threw it directly into a nearby bucket of water.
Even underwater, the white phosphorus continued to burn without showing any signs of being extinguished.
Dugu Bo was shocked. If it landed on his skin, the only way to resolve the crisis would be to tear off the entire chunk of flesh.
But if it landed on someone unknowingly, even a Title Douluo would panic.
"Old man, the power of this substance is terrifying. If it becomes widespread, it will become a nightmare for countless people. So, you absolutely cannot reveal its existence," Ning Tianchen warned seriously.
"You little brat, do you think I'm a three-year-old child who needs such reminders!" Dugu Bo laughed and scolded.
Such a wonderful item—he naturally accepted it with pleasure.
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