Chapter 94: The Rhinoceros Earth Dragon
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After agreeing on the employment fee, Ling Yi watched as Le Qing, who seemed much lighter, led his people away. He then turned to look at Kang Zhan, who was as calm as ever.
Kang Zhan gave a thumbs up to Ling Yi, praising with a smile, "Mr. Ling is truly kind-hearted. Not only did you accept this heavily depreciated 'Soul Measuring Crystal,' but you also provided them with an easy way to earn money…"
It was important to note that the 'Soul Measuring Crystal' Le Qing brought was of the lowest grade, capable of detecting soul power up to level ten. If soul power exceeding level ten was injected, the crystal ball would burst.
Even as a soul conductor, such a 'Soul Measuring Crystal' that could only function within a limited range would sell for a maximum of 300 to 500 gold soul coins, depending on the quality of the crystal.
Not to mention, the one Le Qing and his group purchased was not new but had changed hands several times, making its price even lower.
Currently, on the Douluo Continent, the 'Soul Measuring Crystal' was one of the few soul conductors that could be manufactured.
This rare skill was precisely in the hands of the [Soul Temple].
This was one of the reasons why the [Soul Temple] could bear the responsibility of the soul awakening ceremony for almost all the commoners on the Douluo Continent.
Each soul division would be equipped with several 'Soul Measuring Crystals,' including blue ones for testing soul power up to level ten and white ones for testing up to level thirty.
In a small city's soul division, there might even be a yellow 'Soul Measuring Crystal' for testing soul power up to level fifty, catering to the needs of soul masters.
Ling Yi was well aware of this. He had previously purchased a white-level 'Soul Measuring Crystal' from the main soul division in Wood Plant City through the [Blacksmith Association Shuimu Principality Branch], spending 1,200 gold soul coins.
To be honest, Ling Yi had always intended to buy more, but one was sufficient for normal use. Buying too many would attract attention.
Ling Yi chose to hold back for the time being. Given his previous lack of strength, his primary task was cultivation, and researching soul conductors had to take a back seat.
If not for the fact that forging was a crucial part of his public image and network maintenance, and that it also benefited his physical training and mastery of strength, Ling Yi would not have spent so much time and effort on it.
"Mr. Kang, you flatter me," Ling Yi smiled humbly, waving his hand and pushing the brocade box containing the crystal ball to Zhang Mufeng, indicating for him to take it, while saying, "It's just a matter of mutual benefit. Whether it's this 'Soul Measuring Crystal' or hiring them, I truly need both."
Apart from the research on the 'Soul Measuring Crystal' soul conductor, in a little over two months, it would be his cousin Zhang Miao's sixth birthday, and Ling Yi could conduct her soul awakening then.
Although the blue 'Soul Measuring Crystal' could only test soul power up to level ten, it was relatively more friendly for those with low innate soul power.
For those with innate soul power below level one, the blue 'Soul Measuring Crystal' would still show some light, whereas a white 'Soul Measuring Crystal' capable of accommodating level thirty soul power might show a light so weak as to be almost negligible.
Without further discussion about Le Qing and his team, Kang Zhan quickly turned the conversation to the purpose of his visit.
Similarly, it was to pay the medical fees for the teammates and brothers Ling Yi had previously treated.
Kang Zhan beckoned to his companions behind him, and three young men each brought forward a box, placing them on the square table between Ling Yi and Kang Zhan.
Two of the three boxes were wooden, similar to the brocade box Le Qing used to store the 'Soul Measuring Crystal.'
The middle one, however, was a black metal box with blue and white patterns.
From Ling Yi's perspective, it was likely made of 'Frost Pattern Cold Iron.'
'Frost Pattern Cold Iron' was one of the twenty-three types of cold iron, with its largest origin being in the southeastern region of the Far North on the Douluo Continent, close to the [Waterwood Principality].
Although it ranked last in hardness and toughness among the twenty-three types of cold iron, its natural patterns were quite beautiful, making it very popular among the nobility of the Douluo Continent.
If this were in the [Star Luo Empire] to the south, this box alone could be exchanged for two or three blue 'Soul Measuring Crystals' like the one Le Qing brought.
As Ling Yi examined the material of the metal box, Kang Zhan reached out and opened the two wooden brocade boxes on either side, revealing their contents.
One contained a claw about a foot long, slightly curved, brownish and translucent, resembling an unpolished dagger.
The other contained a stack of scales, each about seven to eight centimeters in diameter, similar to the palm of a human hand, dark and lusterless, like coal buried underground.
People often say that a single scale or claw can hardly reveal the whole picture. With just these two, Ling Yi was unsure what kind of soul beast they came from.
However, when Kang Zhan opened the middle 'Frost Pattern Cold Iron' box, revealing its contents, Ling Yi's eyes lit up with genuine interest.
This was not an act but genuine curiosity. In everyday life, there was no need to wear a mask all the time; it was enough to control one's words and expressions when necessary.
"This is… the Spinal Marrow Pearl of the 'Rhinoceros Earth Dragon'?"
Ling Yi stared intently at the oval pearl in the 'Frost Pattern Cold Iron' box, which resembled a smooth, white jade, and asked with some surprise.
Due to the characteristics of 'Frost Pattern Cold Iron,' the box emitted a cold aura. Upon opening, a white mist swirled around the pearl, making it look even more exquisite.
"Mr. Ling, you have a keen eye!" Kang Zhan praised again.
He then looked proud and nodded, saying, "Yes! It is indeed the Spinal Marrow Pearl of the 'Rhinoceros Earth Dragon'—"
The 'Rhinoceros Earth Dragon' resembled a rhinoceros, with a faint trace of dragon blood, possessing earth, stone, and metal attributes. It was incredibly strong, with formidable defenses and endurance, making it extremely difficult to hunt.
Its Spinal Marrow Pearl, produced in the spine, took a century to form. When worn by ordinary people, it could strengthen the body. For soul masters, it could be ground into powder and consumed, greatly enhancing their physical strength, whether in defense, endurance, or power.
According to Ling Yi's knowledge, on the Douluo Continent, an auxiliary soul master had once consumed a thousand-year-old 'Rhinoceros Earth Dragon' Spinal Marrow Pearl, increasing their strength by five hundred pounds!
Ling Yi, mimicking Kang Zhan, also gave a thumbs up. "Impressive! Judging by the size of this Spinal Marrow Pearl, the 'Rhinoceros Earth Dragon' must have been at least seven hundred years old, right?"
Kang Zhan smiled proudly. "Eight hundred years~"
"Wow~" Ling Yi raised an eyebrow and congratulated him with a smile. "It seems your group has gained a soul master-level expert—"
An eight-hundred-year-old 'Rhinoceros Earth Dragon' soul ring was not like Ling Yi's eight-hundred-year-old 'Nelumbo·Blue Silver Grass'; not everyone could absorb it beyond the limit and use it as their second soul ring.
According to the current state of the Douluo Continent, this would likely be used as a third soul ring to advance to the soul master level.
"Little Four~" Kang Zhan waved to his side.
The young man who had been holding the 'Frost Pattern Cold Iron' box stepped forward and bowed to Ling Yi. "Thank you, Mr. Ling, for saving my sixth brother, Kang Yao. I am deeply grateful!"
If not for Ling Yi's intervention, his sixth brother, Kang Zhao, would be as good as gone.
In that case, he wouldn't know how to face his parents and aunt back home.
After all, his sixth brother, Kang Zhao, was the most talented among the younger generation of the family, with innate soul power of level six!
At just sixteen, he was already a twenty-eight-level, two-ringed great soul master, with the greatest potential to surpass his eldest brother, Kang Zhan, the soul master, and become the first soul king in the family!
In the [Waterwood Principality], what did a soul king mean?
One of the five generals of the [Waterwood Principality], the commander of the Cold Wind Camp, Marquis Song Yao of Snow Pine, was a sixty-ninth-level soul emperor five years ago and remains so today!
The [Waterwood Principality], lacking a high-level lineage, could not necessarily convert innate soul power into strength, even if it was sufficiently high.
Shallow waters cannot nurture a true dragon!
Thank you to the readers [Eastern Anbao Hualin Qing Ling Shilao, Yu Chid Meng Yan, Shu You 20220318140017601, Northwest Wind Chief, Taichu Muzhu, Hakugyokurou, 2424 Niuniu, Li Zhishu, Xihuan Juzi] for your monthly votes, and to [Eastern Anbao Hualin Qing Ling Shilao, Shu You 20210710163426684, Sa Fandersa, Zunzun Fengren] for your support. Thank you all for your recommendations and continued reading! (*^▽^*)
(End of Chapter)