"Thank you, Soul Master."
Upon hearing this, Jixiang was instantly overjoyed. He quickly kowtowed a few times and handed the Whale Glue in his hand to Shui Wuhen.
"Lord Soul Master, Whale Glue requires extremely high temperatures to melt. I used to cut off a small piece and it still took a very long time to dissolve," Jixiang reminded him.
Shui Wuhen said, "No problem. Heating it up is not difficult."
With that, Shui Wuhen snapped his fingers and summoned Articuno.
Seeing Articuno suddenly appear, Jixiang was not too surprised. He simply cast a curious glance at it.
Although Jixiang had seen Martial Souls before, most of those Soul Masters' Martial Souls were sea fish, sea snakes, or other sea soul beasts. A Martial Soul like Articuno was something he had never seen before.
"Articuno, help me melt this thing," Shui Wuhen said as he took out the piece of Whale Glue and used soul power to send it in front of Articuno.
Articuno blinked, then opened its mouth and spat out a strand of orange-yellow flames.
As a divine beast, Articuno actually had a very deep move pool. It could learn most techniques, including basic moves like Thunderbolt and Flamethrower.
However, because these moves were not its native attributes, they did not receive any enhancement, and their power was even inferior to its casual low-level ice skills. So Articuno had never used them before, and its proficiency was not high.
But even so, using it to melt a piece of Whale Glue was more than enough.
Very quickly, under the scorching flames, the somewhat blackened stone gradually softened and finally turned into a pool of yellow liquid.
Shui Wuhen took out a cup from his spatial soul tool, caught the liquid Whale Glue, and handed it to Jixiang.
"Drink it!"
Of course, Shui Wuhen would not test it himself. Setting aside the fact that everything came from this stranger's one-sided claim, even if it were true, with Shui Wuhen's current body far surpassing many Title Douluo, this Whale Glue—only at the thousand-year level and somewhat degraded—would not have much effect on him.
What he needed was to verify whether Jixiang's words were true. If this Whale Glue truly had the effect of enhancing physical constitution, then things would be much easier.
Jixiang looked at the cup floating in front of him and knew this was Shui Wuhen's test. If he refused to drink it, he would very likely be killed on the spot by an enraged Shui Wuhen.
So Jixiang gritted his teeth, grabbed the cup, and swallowed the jelly-like substance emitting a strange fragrance in one gulp.
In an instant, a warm current spread throughout his body. His skin turned red, and he collapsed to the ground, twisting in pain.
Clearly, even this thousand-year Whale Glue with its medicinal potency partially lost was not something an ordinary person like Jixiang could withstand.
"Am I going to die?"
Although his body was burning hot, Jixiang's heart sank. He knew very well that at this rate, he might very well explode and die.
At that moment, a cold energy suddenly entered his body. With this energy's arrival, the warm currents from the Whale Glue were immediately suppressed, stabilizing Jixiang's condition.
Outside, Articuno looked at this scene and curled its lips.
"Wuhen, do you really believe this kid's words?" it said.
"It doesn't cost anything to try. Maybe he didn't lie," Shui Wuhen smiled faintly, patting Articuno's head.
Although the Ice Soul Spirit Pill also had the effect of enhancing physical constitution and was much gentler in nature, it was condensed from the corpse of the Dream Devouring Ice Silkworm, and its quantity was limited.
Moreover, its main function was to increase cultivation. Using it purely to enhance physical strength was too wasteful.
But Whale Glue was different. Although it was niche, its supply was not small.
If necessary, Shui Wuhen could even hunt them himself. Although whale-type soul beasts were relatively rare and harder to find, the ocean was vast, and such soul beasts numbered in the tens of thousands. Obtaining Whale Glue was not difficult.
After a while, Jixiang finally fully absorbed the energy of the Whale Glue and regained consciousness.
At this moment, he only felt full of strength throughout his body. Aside from a thin layer of black residue on his skin, everything else was perfectly fine.
Shui Wuhen's eyes flashed as he observed this. Bone cleansing and marrow purification—this Whale Glue really is a good thing.
Then Shui Wuhen said, "You, throw a punch at me. Use all your strength."
There was actually no need for testing. From Jixiang's slightly strengthened body, Shui Wuhen already knew his physical strength had improved. He just needed to confirm how much.
Jixiang hesitated for a moment, but under Shui Wuhen's urging gaze, he gritted his teeth and threw a full-force punch.
"Pa~"
Jixiang's fist was stopped by a single finger from Shui Wuhen.
Shui Wuhen nodded slightly. "Not bad. Your strength has already surpassed most one-ring Soul Masters."
Jixiang was overjoyed upon hearing this. His body had actually become this strong?
Did that mean as long as he had more Whale Glue, even without soul power, he could still possess the strength of a Soul Master?
Suddenly, Shui Wuhen waved his hand, and a ring of water appeared out of thin air, wrapping around Jixiang.
A few seconds later, the water carrying the residue was used to irrigate a tree, while Jixiang and his clothes were completely clean and refreshed.
"What is your name?" Shui Wuhen asked.
"Jixiang," he replied.
"Jixiang. Originally, if you had only offered the sea chart, at most I would have helped your village hunt some soul beasts for food or given you some money. But since you offered the secret of Whale Glue and you also wish to become a Soul Master, I will help you once."
As he spoke, a pill appeared in Shui Wuhen's hand. It was icy blue with faint white stripes and emitted a faint cold aura—it was the Ice Soul Spirit Pill he had just refined.
"This pill is called the Ice Soul Spirit Pill. It is a special medicine I refined.
You were born with deficiencies. Even though Whale Glue greatly enhanced your physical constitution, it still did not allow you to awaken soul power.
The Ice Soul Spirit Pill can enhance soul power, physique, and spirit—it is a rare treasure that integrates essence, energy, and spirit. If even this cannot help you awaken soul power, then there is nothing I can do."
The energy of the Ice Soul Spirit Pill was even significant for Shui Wuhen now, let alone for someone who was not even a Soul Master.
According to his estimation, one Ice Soul Spirit Pill contained enough energy to raise a Soul Ancestor by one rank, with energy to spare.
For a mortal, the effects were something even he looked forward to.
"A pill?" Jixiang was shocked. This mysterious Soul Master actually knew alchemy?
Although the Douluo world was relatively undeveloped, pills did exist. However, like self-created soul skills, they were monopolized by a few forces and rarely circulated.
Jixiang had learned some medical knowledge from an incomplete medical text passed down by his parents, so he was aware of pills.
Soon, Jixiang stared eagerly at the Ice Soul Spirit Pill, his eyes burning with excitement.
After all, this was something that might allow him to step onto the path of a Soul Master—how could he not be excited?
Taking a deep breath, Jixiang carefully accepted the pill and swallowed it according to what he knew.
Instantly, a cold energy spread from his stomach throughout his body, even reaching his brain.
During this process, Jixiang could clearly feel his body being nourished continuously. His Silver Needle Martial Soul also began to take on a faint ice-blue color under this energy.
Very soon, the first trace of soul power appeared within his body. At that moment, many things suddenly emerged in his mind—his Martial Soul's innate meditation technique.
Previously, without soul power, the Martial Soul's meditation technique had not manifested. Now, with the help of the Ice Soul Spirit Pill, Jixiang broke through the restriction, and the instinctive method naturally appeared.
Seeing this, Articuno said in surprise, "He actually managed to produce soul power."
Shui Wuhen stroked his chin. Soul power has appeared—so as long as certain conditions are met, even mortals can become Soul Masters.
One must know that having soul power and not having soul power are completely different concepts.
Once there is soul power—even if it is only innate level 0.5—it can be cultivated. With enough resources, even Soul Grandmaster is possible.
Without soul power, one is just an ordinary person. The difference is like heaven and earth.
As the Ice Soul Spirit Pill continued to take effect, more and more soul power formed inside Jixiang, eventually filling more than half of his body.
After an unknown period, Jixiang exited meditation and immediately knelt down, kowtowing.
"Great benefactor, I cannot repay your kindness. If you allow it, I, Jixiang, am willing to follow you and serve you at your command."
"No need for that. I only tried it casually," Shui Wuhen shook his head. "How is your situation now?"
"Reporting to you, after consuming the Ice Soul Spirit Pill you gave me, my Martial Soul mutated from a Silver Needle into its current form."
As he spoke, Jixiang summoned his Martial Soul. It was now an ice-blue needle emitting cold air, faintly carrying the power to influence the spirit.
Shui Wuhen glanced at it and pondered. "Affected by the Ice Soul Spirit Pill, it has become ice attribute… and even carries spiritual properties."
"And… ninth-level soul power…"
After a moment of thought, Shui Wuhen said, "Your talent is acceptable. However, I usually do not accept attendants."
Attendants could handle miscellaneous tasks, but they were of little use to Shui Wuhen. His growth was too fast, and having attendants would only bring inconvenience.
Hearing this, Jixiang's eyes dimmed slightly.
However, Shui Wuhen continued, "But if you are willing, I can take you to a suitable force. With your current talent, you should do well there."
Naturally, the force he referred to was the Spirit Hall. Most forces in the Douluo world were closed and conservative. Among the Upper Three Sects, only the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was relatively open due to its support nature.
Thus, for most geniuses seeking better development, joining the Spirit Hall was almost the best choice.
Shui Wuhen did not need it, because his talent had already exceeded the limits of what the Spirit Hall could accommodate—their resources were insufficient for his growth.
Jixiang asked curiously, "May I ask which force you are referring to?"
"The Spirit Hall."
"The Spirit Hall?"
At these words, Jixiang's expression changed.
"Could it be that you are from the Spirit Hall, sir?"
Seeing Jixiang's reaction, Shui Wuhen found it strange. "What? If I were from the Spirit Hall, would that be a problem?"
"If you are from the Spirit Hall, I suggest you leave immediately. This area is the territory of Sea God Island, and Sea God Island has significant conflicts with the Spirit Hall—it may be dangerous for you," Jixiang said seriously.
Shui Wuhen paused slightly. "Tell me more in detail."
Jixiang, grateful for his benefactor, naturally told everything without reservation.
After hearing the explanation, Shui Wuhen finally understood.
So this so-called Sea God Island was actually the recorded Devil Island. At this moment, he finally realized where he was.
As for the Spirit Hall's past attack on Sea God Island, he had never heard of it—likely suppressed by the Spirit Hall to avoid embarrassment.
"Sea God Island actually has a Peerless Douluo?"
At this moment, Articuno suddenly spoke with a frown. "Wuhen, it looks like we need to be careful."
With their current strength, the seven Sacred Pillar Douluo mentioned by Jixiang were not worth worrying about—at most, they were Soul Douluo below rank 95.
But the High Priest of Sea God Island, Bo Saixi, was someone Articuno truly needed to be cautious of. A Peerless Douluo was the peak of human power.
Shui Wuhen patted Articuno's neck gently.
"Don't worry. We're not from the Spirit Hall. As long as the people of Sea God Island aren't foolish, they won't risk conflict with us."