"Rongrong, choosing a Level 80 Soul Sage to absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring forget the risks, wouldn't many sect members object?" Dugu Yan worried. "Wouldn't it be better to find a Level 90 Soul Douluo?"
"With two days, we might succeed."
Recruiting a Soul Douluo nearing Title Douluo status, persuading them to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, then granting them the hundred-thousand-year soul ring this would effectively add another Title Douluo to their ranks.
Other disciples would only rejoice at the sect's strengthened power.
But if given to a Soul Sage?
Holy shit, Sect Master! You'd rather give a hundred-thousand-year soul ring to a Soul Sage than reserve it for a Soul Douluo?
There would definitely be discontent.
"So, we just need to find a Soul Sage who can convince everyone, right?" Ning Rongrong countered.
"Girl, what exactly are you suggesting...?" Ning Fengzhi couldn't grasp her meaning.
"What about Pavilion Master Lou Gao?"
"Why him?" Ning Fengzhi was puzzled.
Lou Gao certainly had the prestige. He'd recently reached Level 80, and Ning Fengzhi had planned to help him acquire his eighth soul ring after this trip.
Lou Gao was currently developing a fifth-level fixed-mounted soul tool. His contributions over the years were undeniable.
But what if this invaluable talent died attempting to absorb the soul ring? Even if he survived, would the Evil Spirit Orca King's soul ring suit him?
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's bewildered expression, Ning Rongrong explained:
"Creating soul tools requires considerable strength. Compared to an unrelated Title Douluo, I'd prefer Pavilion Master Lou Gao to reach that level."
"That way, he won't be hindered by insufficient soul power when crafting advanced soul tools in the future."
Her words plunged the hall into contemplation.
Indeed, giving the soul ring to Lou Gao would better demonstrate the sect's vision. Given his skills and reputation, few would object.
Lou Gao's value rivaled Dugu Bo's. Even Dugu Bo's current medicine cauldron had been personally forged by Lou Gao.
Without the Divine Craftsman Lou Gao, Dugu Bo's alchemy wouldn't exist.
Moreover, as Ning Rongrong mentioned, certain high-level pills required specialized soul tool cauldrons with precise temperature control highlighting Lou Gao's irreplaceability.
The Bone Douluo voiced his concern: "Rongrong, have you considered what if Lou Gao fails? A hundred-thousand-year soul ring offers little practical difference for him compared to a ten-thousand-year one."
Lou Gao wasn't a battle soul master. His soul skills primarily assisted his blacksmithing.
"Let's first ask Pavilion Master Lou Gao's opinion," Ning Rongrong conceded slightly. "If he refuses, we'll reconsider."
"Besides, those hammer-wielding fools from the Clear Sky Sect manage both blacksmithing and fighting. If they can, why can't others?"
"Sect Master, I support this," Dugu Bo interjected. "Pavilion Master Lou Gao mentioned his soul power is increasingly insufficient for advanced soul tool crafting."
"He said that?" Ning Fengzhi began to respond when
BOOM!
The council hall trembled from a distant explosion.
"What was that?"
They rushed outside, scanning their surroundings until their gazes settled on a neighboring mountain.
As soul masters, their vision was impeccable.
"Isn't that the Soul Tool Pavilion? The training field? Why's it snowing there?" Dugu Yan stared in confusion.
"Soul power fluctuations," the Sword Douluo observed intently. "Likely a new soul tool prototype."
"Judging by the energy dispersion, its power could threaten Soul Emperors."
"Threaten Soul Emperors?!" The Bone Douluo was stunned. "In just a few years? Lou Gao created something this terrifying?"
"Let's investigate." The Sword Douluo carried Ning Fengzhi's group toward the Soul Tool Pavilion.
They soon landed at an enormous testing ground.
"It's horrible."
Dugu Bo surveyed the cratered landscape. It seemed Lou Gao would soon rightfully claim the titles of Divine Craftsman and Foremost Soul Tool Master.
At the field's edge, Lou Gao adjusted equipment beside a massive, sky-blue ballista-like soul tool that radiated chilling energy clearly recently fired.
The frozen debris in the distant crater confirmed this weapon's destructive capability.
Beside it stood Lou Gao's slender chief disciple, Si Long, also a Soul Sage.
"Pavilion Master Lou Gao! Apologies for interrupting!" Ning Fengzhi called as Lou Gao paused his work.
Lou Gao turned, his face lighting up.
"Sect Master! I've finally fully restored this soul tool!"
As Lou Gao proudly presented the ice-type ballista, Ning Fengzhi sighed internally every meeting with Lou Gao involved soul tool demonstrations.
"Pavilion Master, I came to fulfill our agreement to assist your soul ring hunt."
"Soul rings? I nearly forgot!" Lou Gao scratched his head, his ample frame jiggling.
"Could you wait one or two days, Sect Master? This fifth-level fixed-mounted soul tool needs final adjustments."
Hunting spirit beasts could take weeks far too long to preserve his inspiration.
"Of course." Ning Fengzhi smiled. He granted exceptional talents like Lou Gao ample freedom. Today's visit concerned soul ring absorption, but the decision ultimately rested with Lou Gao.
"Pavilion Master, can this soul tool truly threaten Soul Emperors?"
"Absolutely!" Lou Gao launched into an enthusiastic explanation.
"Actually, completing this fifth-level soul tool owes much to the Young Sect Master." He gestured to Ning Rongrong.
"I initially couldn't decipher the core formation's mysteries, but through persistent research, I succeeded!"
"Restoring this prototype proves it! By the Young Sect Master's standards, I'm now a fifth-level soul tool master!" Lou Gao declared proudly.
"So that's how it was..." Ning Rongrong murmured.
The icy, damaged soul tool retrieved from the Heavenly Dou treasury had borne fruit. Was that fragment actually a fifth-level fixed-mounted soul tool's core?
Judging by Lou Gao's confidence, he'd truly mastered fifth-level soul tool creation.
What splendid progress!
After casual conversation, Lou Gao dismissed his disciple.
With only trusted allies present, Ning Fengzhi explained the hundred-thousand-year soul ring situation.
Ning Rongrong summoned her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its crimson soul ring shimmering ominously.
Under Lou Gao's astonished gaze, she said, "We came to resolve the Evil Spirit Orca King's soul ring. The question is do you dare attempt it, Senior Lou Gao?"
"Have my eighth soul ring be hundred-thousand-year?" Lou Gao was first shocked, then puzzled. "Why choose me over others?"
"We hope you'll become a Title Douluo. Legends say hundred-thousand-year soul rings can enhance one's physique."
"Of course, this also reflects our personal wish that one day, you'll create ninth or tenth-level soul tools."