Douluo: Divine Dragon Pattern Staff

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Though Li Luochen had a carefree attitude, the impending arrival of Tang San instilled in him a sense of urgency for his cultivation.

After all, they were both transmigrants. While he couldn't match Tang San's exceptional setup, as an unyielding warrior spirit, why shouldn't he challenge Tang San to see who was stronger?

Thus began a long period of intense cultivation. Li Luochen found that at this stage of soul master cultivation, progress was relatively fast—about three months to break through a level.

In a year, he could likely advance by four or five levels, and within two years, he would reach the bottleneck of a two-ring Great Soul Master.

Taking advantage of the rapid cultivation speed at this stage, Li Luochen didn't neglect his medical studies. Flender, being a decent person, went out of his way to contact some Spirit Healing-type soul masters he knew and borrowed books on medicine for Li Luochen to study.

After about a year of cultivation, Li Luochen's spirit power reached the peak of level 16.

At just over seven years old, he estimated that he might break through to the rank of Great Soul Master before turning eight. To think that Mu En, the Dragon God Douluo from later generations, became a Great Soul Master at eight—it was truly astonishing.

Though Mu En possessed the super Beast Martial Soul, the Holy Light Dragon, which grew stronger with each advancement, Li Luochen didn't feel inferior. He guessed that the limit for his first soul ring absorption was around five hundred years.

The 420-year-old Wind Azure Dragon, being a dragon-type soul beast, had immense and powerful energy. If it had been something like Lonely Bamboo, Li Luochen believed he could have absorbed a soul ring of over five hundred years without issue.

However, the Wind Azure Dragon's enhancement was undoubtedly greater than Lonely Bamboo's. The word "dragon" engraved on his Dragon Pattern Staff made it clear that absorbing dragon-type soul beasts was the most suitable choice.

Given his current physical condition, he guessed that absorbing an 800- or 900-year-old soul ring for his second soul ring wouldn't be a problem. However, aiming for a thousand-year soul ring—especially from a dragon-type soul beast—would be significantly more challenging.

Unfortunately, he was only a Tool Soul Master, and his physical body was far weaker than that of a Beast Soul Master. Unless he acquired a piece of spirit bone to enhance his physique or consumed Whale Glue to strengthen his body, he would remain at a disadvantage.

The former option was out of the question—spirit bones were rare and hard to come by. As for Whale Glue, it occasionally appeared at auctions. In this era, its only known use was as an aphrodisiac for the wealthy.

No one realized its true potential: when absorbed properly, it could enhance physical strength and allow one to exceed their limits when absorbing soul rings.

Though its actual benefits were unknown, the nobility loved purchasing Whale Glue for its aphrodisiac effects. With Li Luochen's financial situation, there was no way he could compete with them.

The teachers at the academy, though strong in cultivation, were not well-off. Despite being around the ranks of Spirit Kings or Spirit Emperors, and with Principal Flender on the verge of becoming a Spirit Sage—a true threshold into the realm of power—the academy was still dirt poor.

The teachers were struggling too, relying on the meager registration fees from students to scrape by. Something had to be done. Li Luochen decided to visit Flender at his meditation spot.

*Knock, knock.* Li Luochen politely knocked on the door.

"Principal, are you in?"

"Come in."

Flender sat in his seat, his face clouded with worry. The academy's budget was running low again. As the principal, he was responsible for providing resources to nurture these prodigies. Though he couldn't provide simulated training environments, he wanted to at least ensure proper medicinal baths and diet—but even that was proving difficult.

"Principal, judging by your troubled expression, is the academy facing another funding shortage? I have an idea that might help us make some money."

Li Luochen immediately saw through Flender's concerns about finances.

"Oh? What brilliant idea do you have, kid?"

Flender's eyes lit up momentarily but then dimmed again. What kind of plan could a child possibly come up with?

"Principal, call Teacher Shao Xin over. This plan involves him."

"Call Old Shao over? Could it be…"

Flender's merchant instincts kicked in after hearing Li Luochen's words. He quickly summoned Shao Xin.

Not long after, Shao Xin arrived. Shao Xin was currently a Food System Tool Spirit Emperor with a spirit power level of 62. He was the youngest teacher at Shrek Academy.

It was worth noting that cultivating in the Food System was incredibly difficult, yet Shao Xin excelled. Based on the current state of the continent, he ranked among the top ten in the Food System, and those stronger than him were mostly much older.

"Xiao Chen, what did Big Brother Flender call me over for? Did he say you have a solution to the academy's funding problem?"

Shao Xin looked at Li Luochen, sensing that he was being set up for something.

"It's like this, Teacher Shao Xin. Your Food System cultivation is quite advanced. Your soul skills must be very potent, right?"

"Hah! Aside from other abilities, my Food System skills are top-notch. My candies for recovery, enhancement, and healing are incredibly effective!"

Shao Xin patted his large belly proudly.

"So, Teacher Shao, how long can your candies retain their effects?"

Li Luochen asked a critical question.

"My candies can last for about a month. After that, they won't disappear, but their effects will fade."

Shao Xin didn't know what Li Luochen was thinking, but he had a nagging feeling that he was being schemed against.

"Hehe, Principal, look at how effective Teacher Shao's soul skills are. Why don't we take his candies to auction? We could sell them at the auctions near the Hunting Soul Forest.

As a Food System Spirit Emperor, Teacher Shao's creations are highly sought-after. Tasting food crafted by a Tool Spirit Emperor like Teacher Shao is a rare privilege. This could be the start of our fortune!

It'll just require a bit more effort from Teacher Shao."

Li Luochen's words opened a new window of opportunity for Flender, who now looked mischievously at Shao Xin, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Old Shao, you see, the academy's funds are tight. How about making a small sacrifice for the sake of these little prodigies?"

"Big Brother Flender… um… fine."

Shao Xin reluctantly agreed. For the sake of enriching the academy's funds and improving the students' resources, he silently shouldered the burden.

"Delicious candy beans, big candy beans, green candy beans, red candy beans! ×N"

Flender left the academy carrying bag after bag of candy beans, his lips nearly splitting into a grin. Meanwhile, Shao Xin looked somewhat drained from expending so much spirit power. Li Luochen helped him back to the teachers' dormitory.

The first step in generating income for the academy was complete. Now, the academy would have a sustainable source of funds. Once Li Luochen reached level 17, he planned to ask Principal Flender to take him to the auction in Suotuo City.

Hopefully, he'd be able to acquire some Whale Glue—to grow stronger, no matter the cost.

Around 8 PM that evening, Flender returned, generously distributing the long-overdue wages to the teachers.

"Here, Xiao Chen. This pair of storage-type soul-guidance bracelets is for you. Each has a five-cubic-meter storage space. Consider it a reward for your brilliant strategy."

Flender handed over a pair of purple storage bracelets to Li Luochen. These weren't cheap—clearly, Flender had made a hefty profit.

"Boss, what's gotten into you? Paying wages and giving Xiao Chen rewards? Are you dying and leaving behind your inheritance?"

Zhao Wuji eyed Flender suspiciously, feeling that today's Flender seemed unreal.

"You rascal Zhao! Keep mocking me, and I'll dock your pay…."

Flender then explained Li Luochen's money-making scheme. From now on, the academy would no longer face funding shortages—though it would mean extra work for Shao Xin.

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