"Boss, are you alright?"
Although Gu Han looked like he had struck hard, he had only made sure they felt the pain—he hadn't actually injured anyone.
It wasn't until Gu Han had left the scene that the boys dared to get up from the floor, surrounding the chubby boy with concerned faces.
"I'm fine. That guy's from Spirit Hall. Stay away from him from now on."
Holding his swollen cheek, the chubby boy winced and waved his hand, warning his lackeys.
He was the classic type—bullying the weak, fearing the strong. He knew exactly who he could and couldn't mess with.
Before learning Gu Han's identity, he relied on his status as the city lord's grandson to throw his weight around. But once he realized Gu Han was backed by Spirit Hall, the desire for revenge vanished.
He might be arrogant, but he wasn't stupid. Judging by Gu Han's strength, his innate soul power had to be at least level 3 or 4. Spirit Hall in Northwind City would definitely value someone like him. If things escalated, it would be his own family who paid the price.
---
Gu Han, uninterested in the boy's inner thoughts, had already arrived at the Northwind Primary Spirit Master Academy's library.
Having lived two lifetimes, he deeply understood the importance of knowledge.
The current timeline was decades before Tang San's story would begin. That meant he had time—time to develop, and maybe even intercept some of Tang San's future opportunities.
While his mysterious manual greatly boosted his cultivation speed, immortal herbs could further improve his innate potential and make his training much easier.
But right now, those herbs were still far out of reach. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, where they grew, was hidden deep within the Sunset Forest, surrounded by soul beasts over ten thousand years old. Without sufficient strength, entering would be suicide.
As for forming alliances to obtain them—without strength to back him up, that would be like asking a tiger for its skin.
Strength must come from within.
Fortunately, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well wasn't going anywhere. At this point in time, even Dugu Bo probably hadn't found it. And even if he had, he likely had no idea what the herbs inside were truly worth.
For now, Gu Han only needed to focus on two things: getting stronger and gathering knowledge.
---
From that day on, no one dared challenge him again. Gu Han was more than happy to enjoy the peace. Day after day, his life seemed mundane to others—class, research, sword training, meditation.
Time passed. About a year later, Gu Han began to feel the bottleneck—the point where his soul power could no longer progress.
He had reached Level 10.
At Northwind Primary Spirit Master Academy, most students were still at the Soul Scholar stage. Only a few sixth-year students had reached Level 10 and become eligible for a soul ring.
True geniuses were rare on this continent, and most of them gathered in central academies. In remote places like this, anyone who reached Level 10 during primary schooling was considered outstanding.
So the fact that Gu Han advanced from Level 5 to 10 in just one year was already a remarkable feat.
Even more impressive was that Gu Han's cultivation method made his soul power significantly more refined and dense than others at the same level.
He had once tested himself against several older students with similar levels, and the results proved it—his soul power was several times more solid than theirs.
This also meant that every level required more energy than average, making his progress even more noteworthy.
---
After school, Gu Han returned to the Spirit Hall sub-branch in Northwind City and sought out Bishop Markel.
"Grandpa Markel, I've been feeling a bottleneck in my soul power during meditation. I think I've reached Level 10. I'd like to confirm it."
The academy also had soul power testing facilities, but Gu Han trusted the Spirit Hall more.
"Haha! Xiao Han, you're back. Come with me."
At first, Markel had taken interest in Gu Han purely because he was a promising child with high innate talent.
But after a year of getting to know him, Markel had come to see Gu Han as his own grandson—a well-behaved, diligent, thoughtful, and determined young man.
Over the past year, he had cared for Gu Han sincerely.
Smiling warmly, he led Gu Han to the soul power testing room.
---
The room was spacious—over 200 square meters—with a large floor-to-ceiling window letting in bright sunlight. Embedded in the walls were five black stones the size of fists.
Etched into the center of the floor was the symbol of Spirit Hall: a vertical sword within a token-shaped crest—the lowest level insignia of the organization, yet still something countless people could only dream of attaining.
At the front of the room stood several white jade pedestals. Resting atop them were soul power testing crystals.
Markel picked up one of the crystals and handed it to Gu Han. "Here—place your hand on it and pour your soul power in."
Gu Han nodded, took the crystal ball, and expertly channeled his soul power.
Buzz—
The crystal instantly lit up with a rich blue glow.
Markel laughed with joy, even more thrilled than Gu Han himself.
"Haha! Congratulations, Xiao Han. You've broken through to Level 10. Once you obtain your first soul ring, you'll officially become a Soul Master."
"Thank you for the kind words, Grandpa Markel."
"Oh, by the way, since I often see you in the library, let me quiz you a little. Have you thought about what soul beast to hunt for your first soul ring?"
Markel had been paying close attention to Gu Han's progress over the year, and now his curiosity was piqued. Stroking his beard, he asked with a smile.
Gu Han nodded. "Yes, Grandpa Markel, I've already got a target in mind."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Gu Han took a moment to organize his thoughts before replying:
"My Martial Soul, the Frostblade Sword, is an ice-attribute tool-type. So it makes sense to find a soul beast with the same attribute to strengthen it. Ideally, I'd like to obtain a soul skill that boosts all attributes."
"A soul skill with all-around enhancement would be incredibly valuable for my future growth."
"Based on the research I've done this past year, I found that a soul beast called the Ice Crystal Porcupine would be a perfect match."
"It's an ice-attribute beast with needle-like spines on its back that resemble fine swords. It can release ice crystal sword energy. Even a hundred-year Ice Crystal Porcupine can give a Soul Elder a hard time."
Gu Han understood how important percentage-based boosts were later in the game. While they might not show much impact at lower levels, they made a huge difference at higher ranks.
If two Titled Douluo of equal level fought, and one had a percentage-based enhancement while the other didn't—the outcome would be lopsided. That percentage buff could easily tip the scales.
---
"But considering how rare Ice Crystal Porcupines are, I've prepared a backup plan," Gu Han added.
"Oh? What's the alternative?"
"The Snowfield Ice Wolf—also an ice-attribute beast, known for its strong offensive power and armor-piercing capabilities. It's got excellent compatibility with my Martial Soul."
"Hmm, not bad at all."
Markel nodded in approval, clearly pleased.
"The Ice Crystal Porcupines you mentioned—there were actually two spotted in the Soul Hunting Forest near Northwind City last year. One was under a hundred years old, but the other had already reached 390 years of age. It's probably at 400 years by now."
"So far, neither has been hunted. Given your physical condition, you might be able to take on the older one."
As bishop of the local Spirit Hall branch, Markel knew the soul beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest like the back of his hand. When Gu Han brought up Ice Crystal Porcupines, it immediately reminded him of this opportunity.
Unlike ordinary teachers, a bishop knew far more about soul beast growth and the relationship between soul ring age limits and a Soul Master's physical strength.
The first four rings rely heavily on the body's endurance, while later ten-thousand-year rings require strong spiritual power.
Markel wasn't worried about Gu Han's physique. The boy trained his body daily and had even asked for medicinal herbs to take herbal baths.
By now, Gu Han's body was strong enough to handle the absorption of a 400-year soul ring without issue.