Su Yan sat in the gazebo on the island at his home, the setting sun bathing the area in orange light.
2B and Nihilister sat across from him, while Pod floated to one side.
"So, are you going to begin, or just sit there looking serious?" Nihilister asked impatiently.
"I just needed a moment to work out what I was going to say."
"You've been thinking for, like, ten minutes already."
"Fine. I'll just come out and say it. It's not like anyone will overhear us here anyway."
Su Yan unconsciously touched his soul tool. Ah Yin wouldn't be a problem either.
"My original plan for coming here was to contact a Titled Douluo named Dugu Bo. He and his family line are currently—"
Su Yan paused for a moment and corrected himself.
"Were suffering from a slow, deadly poisoning caused by their own Martial Soul."
"That seems pretty pathetic for someone supposedly at the top of this world's food chain," Nihilister snarked.
"Regardless, that man had access to a property that would have been extremely useful to me: a garden filled with immortal herbs that could improve my talent by leaps and bounds."
He let out a sigh.
"But we arrived too late, and Tang San has already taken that opportunity."
The silence lingered until 2B spoke up.
"How did you know about these things? How do you know about this Titled Douluo's problems and his garden?"
Su Yan considered her questions for a few seconds, then decided to come clean.
"Much of the world we're currently in resembles a story I read in my previous life. So I know a few of its secrets. But something I didn't properly consider was that the story never contained us. I believe things have already changed since I started living here, and my so-called knowledge of the future is no longer as certain as I imagined it to be. That's without accounting for the things I forget or misremember."
2B nodded seriously and sat up even straighter.
"What else can you tell us? What else do you remember?"
Su Yan spent the next few hours pouring out everything he could remember about the plot, including the theories and extrapolations he thought might be relevant.
He hesitated when he reached Xiao Wu but reluctantly shared her soul beast identity as well.
2B and Pod remained quiet throughout, and even Nihilister stopped interrupting him.
By the time he finished, night had settled over the garden. Night-Luminous Pearls traced the paths through the surrounding greenery, while beneath the lake's surface, more glimmered softly, their light wavering with the water.
"So, what do you make of all this?"
"It's a shitshow."
Nihilister folded her arms and huffed out a deep breath.
"From what you've said, this whole continent will be embroiled in a war of unification within a few years."
"Yes. At least, that's what I remember from the plot. Whether that timeline holds is another matter."
She smirked.
"Honestly, it sounds like it could be fun."
"Nihilister—"
She waved him off.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'm not strong enough to participate at that level yet."
"Even if you were fully functional and had access to your Heretic transformation, I wouldn't be comfortable with you simply taking part."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"And why is that?"
"The war spans the entire continent. Both sides fielded Titled Douluo, and even people at that level died. They have Spirit Avatars, powerful soul skills, and allies fighting alongside them. You might be able to beat one, but what happens when three or four come at you together? Or someone far stronger than the one you defeated? Having your transformation back wouldn't mean you could safely throw yourself into that."
She still seemed unconvinced.
He tried again, choosing his words more carefully.
"Look, I'm not trying to belittle you. I'm trying to be cautious about what we're facing. You could be perfectly fine, but I don't want to take that risk. As we are now, I'm not confident we can survive what's coming."
"And what exactly are you planning to do about all this, then? You keep saying I'm not strong enough."
"The plan was to get stronger, restore you to your peak and summon more companions. The ultimate goal is godhood. That's still a long way off, but it would open a lot of doors."
"And if your next ring strengthens me again, all the better," Nihilister said.
He paused, considering how much he could actually conclude from that.
"I have a theory about that. I believe the age of the soul ring may affect the size of the increase. Though, admittedly, there isn't really a proper way to test it. I'm not going to absorb an older ring and then a younger one just to test that theory. But from now on, I'll aim for the limits of what I can bear."
Su Yan rested his hands flat on the table.
"Even if that comes with some risks."
Nihilister leaned forward, her attention settling fully on him.
"I like that conviction. But tell me, how exactly do you plan to do that? And don't just tell me you'll train harder. We both know determination will only get you so far. How do you plan to obtain older rings? Because, from what that Lin woman said, there's a limit."
"I will need to improve what my body can endure. Those limits aren't absolute—even my second soul ring was probably above the usual second-ring limit, even though I can't tell its exact age. Once a ring reaches ten thousand years, there are spiritual limits as well. That part, I'm much less sure how to handle."
"A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body," 2B suddenly said.
"What?" Su Yan asked.
"It's something I found while exploring old data terminals in the city ruins. Your mention of spiritual limits brought that phrase back to mind."
Su Yan considered the phrase.
Could spiritual development be linked to something like that? There was merit in the quote, though the specifics could wait.
"Thank you, 2B. That saying has given me some ideas I could try."
Pod floated forward.
"Please submit any theories and tests for evaluation before proceeding."
Su Yan had almost forgotten that Pod had been appointed his overseer in these matters.
"My ideas are still tentative. I will do so later."
Nihilister tapped the table, catching the others' attention.
"And how are you going to strengthen your body?"
Su Yan took the whale glue from his storage soul tool and set it on the table.
"With this. It has an effect beyond what's advertised. It can also fortify and strengthen the body, eventually allowing someone to absorb much older soul rings. From what I remember of the story, the effects are quite substantial."
"So, the people here have been using it wrong the whole time?"
"Not exactly. It still has its advertised effects, but the body strengthening is what we want. It should just mean I'll have to endure the other effects."
Nihilister shifted in her seat.
"You seem to have a decent plan, but I want to add something."
"What is it?"
She grinned maliciously.
"You're joining us for combat exercises."
Su Yan shuddered.
"I… I don't think that's a good idea."
"Of course it is. Nothing beats live combat exercises for whipping you into shape, and with what you've told us, you'll be needing them."
Su Yan looked towards 2B for help.
"I agree with her," 2B said. "Combat exercises would do you some good. You helped during the Ruan incident, but your combat awareness still needs work."
"But you two are so much stronger than me. It wouldn't be good training at all. I can just go to the Spirit Arena. I'll get combat practice, and you two can bet on the matches again. Just like back in Stonegate."
"Oh, don't get me wrong. You'll be doing that as well. But against us, you'll be fighting opponents far beyond your level in a safe-ish situation. Think how quickly you could improve."
"Yeah, if I don't die first."
"I'll keep things light, don't you worry. Besides, are you saying you don't trust me or 2B to hold back?"
"Gah, fine."
Su Yan dropped his head onto the stone table.
"Anything you ladies want to add or ask?" he said, his voice slightly muffled.
"That boy you mentioned. Tang San."
Su Yan looked up towards 2B.
"You said he's the protagonist of that story, correct?"
"Yup."
"Why do you seem so set on going against him?"
Su Yan's expression grew somewhat melancholic.
"Honestly, in the beginning, before all this became real, I was just pissed off at how he acted. Constantly taking the moral high ground and twisting black and white. I hated it so much when I read the story.
"But after arriving here, while I was right about him in some regards, I was wrong in others. There was a point when I became so engrossed in living my own life that I think I would've been fine staying out of his way."
He fell quiet for a moment, remembering the bindings tightening even after the match had been called.
"Then he attempted to kill me, and I saw the darkness beneath that mask again. All the negatives came rushing back to the forefront, and boy, did I hate what I saw. So, someday, I'll stop him. Kill him if I have to. I don't want the future he puts into motion to happen."
"What, specifically, are you trying to prevent?"
"The near extinction of the soul beast race. Tang San's manipulations throughout this world's future."
Su Yan's thoughts drifted to the story of Douluo Dalu 2—to Huo Yuhao and the fate of the soul beasts in that sequel and Douluo Dalu 3.
"Wait, isn't his mother a soul beast as well? Why would he want to cause the near extinction of the soul beast race?" Nihilister asked.
"Ah Yin eventually recultivates into a human. For some reason, the soul beasts who do that seem to forget their origins rather quickly. And he doesn't single-handedly cause their near extinction, but many of his future actions will damage the race in one way or another, pushing them step by step towards oblivion."
The group fell silent.
Su Yan lowered his head back onto the cool stone of the table.
If he were being truthful, venting all of this had been rather nice.
But by now, he felt emotionally drained.
"Su Yan, tell me something," Nihilister said. "Back in the cave where we found the brat's mother…"
Su Yan lifted his head from the table to find Nihilister watching him.
"You didn't intend for her to be a hostage, did you?"
"No, I didn't. It was just an excuse I knew would stay your hand. Admittedly, the lie and the truth aren't particularly far apart, though."
"You're soft."
"Yup."
"Weak."
"Yup."
"Infuriating."
"I do try."
She scoffed and stood.
"But I don't hate it. Were it not for you being so soft, I doubt I'd be here today.
"Have a good night, you three."
She was already leaving the gazebo before either of them could reply.
"Huh. Never thought I'd hear her talking like that," Su Yan murmured.
Not long afterwards, Su Yan and 2B also bid each other good night. Pod followed 2B back to her room, while Su Yan went to his.
Once inside, he took Ah Yin out of the storage soul tool again and placed her near the window, right where the morning sunlight would fall. Then he collapsed into bed, quickly succumbing to the sweet pull of slumber.
Darkness cloaked the room, its stillness broken only by Su Yan's soft breathing and the minute movements of a potted plant.
The next morning began with Nihilister enthusiastically dragging him out of bed, far earlier than she usually got up. After a light breakfast, she led him to the training area.
Nihilister gave him little respite, sending him tumbling back and forth. She controlled her strength, but the bruises, welts and bumps steadily accumulated. As she put it, pain would teach him faster.
When she caught him actively healing himself with the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Soul Bone, her grin widened. With him able to mend those injuries himself, she evidently saw room to push him harder.
2B, on the other hand, was much gentler. Each time she caught him out of position or hesitating, she delivered a quick strike with the flat of her sword.
The blows stung but left no lasting damage. Even so, Su Yan realised that whenever she came at him with a blade, instinctive fear still made him hesitate. Knowing she would hold back did little to stop that initial reaction.
Towards the end, he managed to step clear of one strike before fear could delay him. Her follow-up promptly caught him on the shoulder, but at least he had avoided the first.
Training continued until lunchtime. Feeling too battered to cook, Su Yan suggested eating out, and neither woman objected.
By the time they returned, he was ready to finally put the whale glue to use.
They gathered in his room, where Nihilister resumed her full Nikke form. She held a piece of hundred-year whale glue in her palm and gave Su Yan a questioning look.
"So, just keep heating this thing until it softens?"
"I believe so."
"You sure it won't just burn up?"
"I don't know how much heat it'll need. That's why we're starting with a hundred-year piece. If we ruin it, we still have another."
She stared at the lump in her hand, then slowly brought one of her dragon-headed appendages closer. The metal began to glow a dull red, radiating heat towards the whale glue.
Su Yan could immediately feel the room growing warmer.
2B watched quietly from the side while Pod moved closer, its optics fixed on the whale glue as it recorded each minute change.
Nihilister gradually increased the heat, watching for any response. For a while, the lump remained stubbornly unchanged.
Then it suddenly sagged in her palm.
Its hardened surface softened into a sticky, pliable mass, stretching like warm taffy as it began to slip between her fingers.
Nihilister quickly drew the heated appendage away and brought her free hand underneath the drooping glue. Before any could reach the floor, she caught it and folded it back over itself, working the sticky mass between her palms like bread dough.
"Now what?"
Su Yan moved closer as Nihilister held it out towards him.
"I think I just need to eat the whole thing."
She brought her hand closer to his face, and he hurriedly backed away.
"Not all at once. Pretty sure I'd choke."
He reached out and pinched off a small piece, rolling it between his fingers as it cooled. A rich fragrance rose from it, making it seem quite appetising.
He popped it into his mouth and began to chew.
A strong fishy taste flooded his mouth. It was like chewing fish-liver-oil-flavoured taffy.
Worse, it clung stubbornly to his teeth. He spent several uncomfortable moments working it loose with his tongue before finally managing to swallow.
A few seconds later, warmth began to radiate from deep within his body, spreading outwards through his limbs. At first, it felt rather like putting on a warm coat.
He pinched another small piece from Nihilister's hand and swallowed it without chewing this time. The warmth intensified.
He continued until the entire piece was gone. By then, he felt as though he were sitting beside a furnace.
His face flushed, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.
A wave of dizziness made him stumble towards his bed. He sat down and steadied himself, grateful that the position also helped conceal the more embarrassing side effects.
"So, how is it?" Nihilister asked.
Su Yan raised a shaky hand.
"Not great. Need to focus."
He closed his eyes and began circulating his soul power through the familiar cultivation route, trying to maintain its steady rhythm despite the heat.
His whole body felt hot and unusually sensitive. Every small change in the room seemed to catch his attention, and having 2B and Nihilister nearby did little to help his concentration.
He tried to shut out the distractions and keep his soul power moving.
After about an hour, the heat finally began to recede from his limbs. The relief felt almost cold by comparison, spreading gradually towards his core—the reverse of how it had begun.
When the last of that oppressive heat faded, he let himself fall backwards onto the bed.
He lay panting, sweat slicking his forehead. Gradually, his breathing steadied.
"Observation: All elevated physiological responses are subsiding," Pod announced.
Su Yan spent the next few minutes just lying there before he moved again.
2B was now sitting at the table with Nihilister, cups of tea in front of them.
"Finally got yourself back together, then," Nihilister said, draining the rest of her tea.
She stood and walked towards Su Yan.
"How do you feel? Any noticeable effects?"
Su Yan stood and flexed his arms, clenching and relaxing his hands.
"I think it's had an effect. I feel a bit stronger, but I can't say by how much."
His muscles felt pleasantly sore, as though he had just finished a full-body workout. He prodded his upper arm.
"I also think I'm tougher, but I'm not sure how to test that."
"Allow me."
Nihilister delivered a short punch to his stomach.
The breath rushed out of him. His knees buckled, and he folded onto the floor with a small, quiet whine.
2B stepped towards him but stopped when Nihilister gave her a meaningful glance.
"Why…? What was that for?"
Nihilister stood above him, her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Partly helping, partly revenge. And you're definitely tougher than you were this morning."
Su Yan looked up.
"Revenge?"
"Yup. I seem to recall a certain someone telling me a few years back that I should keep him informed. Something about stopping situations from spiralling." She tilted her head. "Even called us partners."
Her smile thinned.
"And now I find out my partner's been keeping so much to himself. I think that deserves a punch."
"You got plenty of punches in this morning."
"That was training. Besides, they weren't satisfying enough."
She folded her arms.
"You wanted me to keep you informed? Then return the damn favour."
Her gaze flicked briefly towards 2B.
"We'll keep you informed. You do the same for us."
Su Yan activated the soul bone's healing ability. As the pain receded, he pushed himself back to his feet.
"You're right. I should have told you. But next time, could you just say it?"
"No. I prefer this way."
Over the next few days, they settled into a similar training routine, though Su Yan left a couple of days between each whale-glue session.
The sensation was simply too uncomfortable to face any sooner.
By the time he finished the initial batch, a full week had passed.
As he prepared to head out with 2B to look for more, his thoughts drifted to Xiao Wu.
He had expected her to visit by now, but there had been neither hide nor hair of her.
He wondered what was keeping her.