Inside an exquisite private room, Gu Xuan and Tang San sat opposite each other at a tea table. Gu Xuan was leisurely sipping a cup of fruit tea, enjoying the aroma.
"Xiao San, since you've come to find me, I assume you've given it some thought." Gu Xuan set down his cup and spoke softly.
Tang San nodded. "Big Brother Gu, I discussed it with my teacher. In the end, he agreed with your suggestion. He feels that this is indeed the most advantageous path for me at the moment."
Gu Xuan smiled faintly. "It seems the Grandmaster is indeed a man of great insight, able to see the crux of the matter."
Tang San wore a helpless expression. When he first brought this up to his teacher, Yu Xiaogang hadn't eaten or slept for three days. Eventually, he not only agreed but even muttered about wanting to meet Gu Xuan. For the first time, the Grandmaster felt his knowledge might be surpassed by a twenty-year-old—someone who seemingly knew more than he did, despite his decades of research. Even if Gu Xuan was from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the gap was humbling.
Tang San hesitated before speaking. "Big Brother Gu, I would like to purchase another Soul-Restoring Pill. Would that be possible?"
Gu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring? That isn't a problem a single Soul-Restoring Pill can solve."
Tang San was stunned again; Gu Xuan had read his mind perfectly. He intended to add four rings to the Clear Sky Hammer: three thousand-year rings and one ten-thousand-year ring.
Tang San nodded. "I want to try."
Gu Xuan replied earnestly. "Xiao San, there is a fundamental difference between a thousand-year ring and a ten-thousand-year one. I understand your ambition, but one must not aim too high too fast. With your current mental strength, attempting a ten-thousand-year ring could very likely result in your body exploding."
Tang San didn't argue, but he secretly believed his mental strength could just barely withstand the soul shock of a ten-thousand-year ring, provided he had a Soul-Restoring Pill to mend the prior backlash. A ten-thousand-year fourth ring wasn't an impossible dream if he chose a pure-strength type beast with weak spiritual defenses.
Gu Xuan fell into thought for a long time. "You are excellent, and it's good to have your own ideas. I won't persuade you further, but I will give you one piece of advice."
Tang San listened intently.
"If you want that fourth ring to be ten-thousand-year level, you need to absorb a soul bone first. Ideally, a ten-thousand-year-level one."
Tang San's face fell. He knew his father was the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent, but soul bones were incredibly rare. They weren't exactly items one could just pick up. "I've thought of that, and my teacher said the same. But soul bones are too rare; I have no way to get one on such short notice."
Gu Xuan went silent, his expression suggesting that if Tang San couldn't solve this, he was essentially seeking death. Tang San felt helpless; he knew his father's identity now, but he couldn't find the man. The Strength Clan had become his followers, but they didn't have soul bones lying around either.
After a long pause, Gu Xuan spoke slowly. "Xiao San, you have a bright future. But can you guarantee that your heart will never change?"
Tang San was confused. 'Never change? My heart? Regarding my revenge against Spirit Hall? Rebuilding the Tang Sect?'
"I am referring to our friendship," Gu Xuan clarified.
Tang San realized and answered firmly. "Big Brother Gu, what are you saying? Your help and friendship are things I will never forget. How could I ever forsake our bond?"
Gu Xuan nodded with satisfaction. "Good. A word spoken is a horse spurred. Since you've said so, I won't hide anything from you."
Tang San focused, sensing what was coming.
"The Clan does have soul bones in storage. However, with my current authority, I cannot simply mobilize them. I can mediate for you, but you must produce something that can move Uncle Ning—even if the value doesn't perfectly match a soul bone, I can at least speak on your behalf."
Tang San grew excited. Before, he had no path; now, he just needed enough leverage. If his chips were sufficient, a ten-thousand-year soul bone was within reach. His plan for the ten-thousand-year fourth ring for the Clear Sky Hammer would be secure.
He began to think. What could he offer Ning Fengzhi? The only thing was... hidden weapons. He had only sold basic ones to Gu Xuan before, and yet Gu Xuan had been thrilled. Clearly, they held great appeal for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"I have an idea," Gu Xuan suggested at the right moment. "Uncle Ning is very fond of your hidden weapons, but the batch we bought can only effectively kill a Soul Ancestor. If you can provide higher-grade designs, Uncle Ning will be much easier to talk to."
Tang San's brow twitched. It matched his guess, but he had a problem. "Big Brother Gu, I do have higher-grade designs, but I don't have the time to assemble them myself."
Gu Xuan's heart skipped a beat—this was exactly the opening he wanted.
"Xiao San, I understand. But you don't need to be so guarded. If you don't trust others, don't you trust me? You can hand over the part-manufacturing and assembly methods to me. We will produce a batch and then stop. I can sign a non-disclosure agreement. If we need more in the future, we will only do so with your permission."
"As for the most 'core' components, we can leave those to you entirely. This way, your sect's secrets are protected. If it doesn't involve the core secrets, you lose nothing. You'll get a massive fortune, I'll get the soul bone from Uncle Ning for you, and I'll throw in a Soul-Restoring Pill as a bonus."
Tang San hesitated. Gu Xuan made sense. In the Tang Sect, besides the top ten hidden weapons, others didn't necessarily require the sect master's personal touch. The true core was limited; the rest were just powerful tools. After a long silence, he agreed.
Gu Xuan smiled. His goal was achieved.
Giving Tang San a soul bone was a waste, but consider this: what if it was a ten-thousand-year Torso Bone? For current Tang San, it would be an incredible boost. But for the future Tang San, the most important soul bone slot on his body would be occupied. The torso bone provides the greatest attribute bonuses; even if Tang San later found a 100,000-year-old soul bone, if it wasn't for the torso slot, its potential impact would be permanently diminished.
This was Gu Xuan's plan: subtly eroding Tang San's late-game potential while appearing as his greatest benefactor.
(End of Chapter)
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