Douluo: Let me loot an airdrop first.

Chapter 16: A Different Douluo Continent, Those Hidden Gems!

"Phew...it's finally over." Watching Xiao Chenyu and the others flee in a panic, Ning Yuanshan let out a long sigh, then slumped softly into Xiao Wu's arms as she came forward to support him. This wasn't Ning Yuanshan intentionally taking advantage of her. At this moment, Xiao Wu was just a little kid. Ning Yuanshan had the soul of an adult. Even if he liked this kind of little sister, his thought would be, "I'll have a daughter in the future." How could he possibly have romantic feelings for her? He wasn't a pervert.

Ning Yuanshan had just returned from the Soul Hunting Forest, and the journey had been tiring. Moreover, how could he not summon his newly acquired frying pan to show it off? He had been driving his martial spirit around and smashing things, which had already consumed a lot of his soul power. He had also fought two battles, so his body was indeed exhausted.

"If only I could reach level 20, once I get this thing, I'd be an all-around Soul Master, capable of both combat and healing. Next battle wouldn't be as humiliating as this one." Ning Yuanshan looked at the unlocked second card slot; the gray icon was clearly the "adrenaline" from PUBG.

Time flies, and years pass quickly. With Ning Yuanshan's soul power increasing, not to mention the distant future, he could at least walk sideways at Notting Academy. That group fight was just a small episode during his studies, and Ning Yuanshan didn't take it to heart. Xiao Chenyu hadn't caused Tang San any trouble in the later stages of the original story, so he figured it wasn't a big deal.

Having spent most of his previous life in school, Ning Yuanshan never imagined that he would still have access to education after transmigrating to another world. Continuing to uphold the spirit of his previous life—"from the moment he opened his eyes until the lights went out"—Ning Yuanshan not only selectively studied the academy's courses during his time at school, but also read all the books in the academy library that had been compiled by Master Qi.

The reason why the primary Soul Master Academy is based on an academic year system is because the main learning task in the primary academy is theoretical knowledge, which involves reading, writing, and recognizing characters.

Practical training isn't that important for kids who haven't even obtained spirit rings yet. For students like Tang San and Ning Yuanshan, who have already acquired spirit rings, they only need to complete enough training hours to graduate smoothly; they've already taken a significant step ahead of their peers in obtaining spirit rings…

Ning Yuanshan's family wasn't wealthy in his previous life, but his parents never allowed him to earn living expenses after school. The same applies in this life; rather than wasting time earning money, he'd rather focus on cultivation or leisure, knowing there will be plenty of opportunities to make money in the future. Unlike Tang San, who could make hidden weapons, hone his martial arts skills, and earn a little money through blacksmithing, Ning Yuanshan didn't understand this.

As instructed by Elder Qi, Ning Yuanshan's main task after advancing to the Soul Master level was to study medicine. This was also the first time Elder Qi had encountered a Martial Soul like Ning Yuanshan's that could predict subsequent Soul Skills. Although he was shocked, he still gave him full trust and specially designed a private tutoring course for Ning Yuanshan's "Adrenaline" Soul Skill.

Ning Yuanshan absorbed knowledge from Master Qi and all the other teachers like a sponge, working harder than anyone else throughout his six years at the academy. Having lived two lives, he possessed the mind of an adult, giving him greater composure than the other students who were still like children. His past life's experiences, from elementary school to the grueling work life, also endured his exceptional resilience.

Hard work and perseverance are qualities that teachers appreciate most, so Mr. Qi taught him everything he knew, treating him like a disciple.

Seasons change, years pass by. Graduation is just around the corner. Having experienced so many graduation seasons in his previous life, Ning Yuanshan still feels a lump in his throat today.

"Xiao Ning, do you know why I didn't take you as my disciple like a master?" Old Master Qi's face was calm, but there was an undisguised reluctance in his eyes.

Seeing Ning Yuanshan shake his head, a surge of emotions welled up in Elder Qi's eyes. He continued, "My cultivation is limited, and I cannot guide you much. However, your talent and diligence determine that you will have a broader future. I am eager to realize my theoretical achievements, but if I were to take you as my disciple, it would inevitably limit your future development..."

Ning Yuanshan was overwhelmed with emotions, yet he was utterly unable to express them. In the Douluo World, every Soul Master could only have one master in their lifetime. This world placed great importance on the promise of "choosing sides." Just as in the original story, the Peerless Dragon and Snake Clan and the Power Clan forced Tang San to join them, and once Tang San agreed, he could never betray them for the rest of his life.

Unlike Tang San, who possesses extraordinary skills and can continue cultivating on his own without guidance, Ning Yuanshan also lacks a Title Douluo as a backer. Therefore, he needs to carefully consider whether to become a disciple or join a faction.

"I have read your paper," said Old Qi, taking out a thick stack of manuscript paper from deep within the bookcase. The cover prominently displayed the words "A Brief Analysis of the Important Role of Martial Soul Talent in the Development of Productivity in Douluo Continent."

"The old man truly wants to take you as his last disciple. You are the most talented child I've seen in all these years. Not only do you always have unconventional views, but what's even more commendable is your equality in treating everyone, your willingness to explore the potential of low-level Soul Masters' Soul Power, and even to find alternative ways to utilize the useless Martial Souls of mortals. You can understand and support my ridiculous research. With your help, I believe that one day we can change the landscape of Douluo Continent..."

Old Qi's eyes were full of pride. "I often say, 'There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.' I believe that any soul master and any martial soul can be put to good use! But Xiao Ning, you are born with full soul power, and your martial soul is a novel one that has never been seen before in the entire Douluo Continent. Your future journey is to the stars and the sea, and the concepts and research you put forward in your thesis should have been explored by us mediocre old men. Over the years, I have taken you to the fields for investigation and to the grassroots to teach ordinary people with no soul power how to use their martial souls, which has actually delayed your cultivation..."

Seeing Ning Yuanshan about to retort, Elder Qi, fearing Ning Yuanshan would be distracted, quickly added, "In the Douluo Continent, improving one's own cultivation is the only true path. Without strength, no matter how brilliant your theoretical research is, it won't be valued." At this point, Elder Qi chuckled self-deprecatingly, "If Yu Xiaogang hadn't been from the Blue Dot Tyrannosaurus Rex family and had the prestige of being an acquaintance of Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, could he have become a 'Master' with his few cobbled-together theoretical achievements?"

In the world of Soul Masters, people compete fiercely for wealth and fame. However, because he could not make any progress in his cultivation, Elder Qi devoted himself to improving the living environment of ordinary people and liberating productivity. He advocated valuing craftsmen and wanted to reproduce the glory of the Soul Guidance Device era. He hoped to replace Martial Soul cultivation with the use of Soul Guidance Devices, thereby breaking the constraints of the Martial Soul bloodline theory.

Ning Yuanshan opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent. Old Qi was right; Ning Yuanshan agreed with his ideals, but he himself probably couldn't dedicate himself to this cause. Old Qi wanted to bring Soul Masters down from their pedestal; his research direction was unorthodox and fraught with difficulties in the Douluo Continent. That path wasn't what Ning Yuanshan wanted to follow, and becoming his disciple was even more impossible.

"Back then, in order to research soul tools, Xiao Gang, a few friends and I explored an ancient ruin and obtained many treasures there... I'll give this ring to you."

As they were talking, Elder Qi opened his palm and revealed a silver ring. "I call this the 'Storage Ring.' It can be considered a top-tier soul tool. Its function is storage, with a storage space of about twenty cubic meters. In addition, it can also emit energy waves to attack enemies." Elder Qi gently stroked the ring and continued, "I am the weakest, so this ring that can generate shockwaves with soul power was given to me, while Xiao Gang took a belt with a storage space of twenty-four cubic meters."

"I hope it will be helpful to you in your future cultivation. There is also a book in the ring, which is a compilation of anecdotes passed down from our Qi family. The contents cover mountains and rivers, exotic flowers and rare treasures..."

Old Qi rambled on and on, telling Ning Yuanshan many things, his eyes welling up with tears as he spoke. The lonely old man had finally met a young man willing to listen to his ramblings, but time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, he was alone again.

Ning Yuanshan also felt a lump in his throat. Because of Old Jack and Old Qi, Ning Yuanshan's connection with the Douluo World was becoming closer and closer. This connection was not only a resonance with the natives of the Douluo World, but also a recognition of him by the world's will. Ning Yuanshan obviously did not realize at this time that the efficiency of his martial soul cultivation was slowly improving, and his soul power level was also slightly loosening.

Ning Yuanshan's upbringing instilled in him a deep admiration for Elder Qi, along with a degree of pity. Yu Xiaogang was a laughingstock in the Soul Master world, his theories highly controversial. But Elder Qi's wild ideas left no trace even within the Soul Master community, despite his considerable prestige among the common people, and despite being a distinguished guest in Gengxin City…

Ordinary people have no voice in the Douluo Continent.

After a long silence, Ning Yuanshan suddenly recalled Zhang Zai's famous words from his previous life: "To establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations." He murmured to himself, then bowed deeply to his teacher.

Although Elder Qi did not formally accept Ning Yuanshan as his disciple, the two already had a master-disciple relationship. The old man firmly believed in his theoretical direction, but he also knew that it was nothing but a utopia. Douluo Continent was ultimately a world that valued bloodlines and where ordinary people found it difficult to break through social classes.

Ning Yuanshan came from an ordinary background, but due to a mutation, he had the opportunity to transcend social classes. There are many Soul Masters in the Douluo Continent with backgrounds like Ning Yuanshan, yet many of them would betray their social class. Elder Qi could understand their choices and would not criticize them, which is why he refused to accept Ning Yuanshan as his disciple.

But this time, "Xiao Ning seems different..." Looking at the figure kneeling deeply before him, Old Qi's wrinkled, aged face broke into a smile. He smiled so brightly that tears streamed down his face and fell to the ground...