Chapter 25: Master Bei Bei, You Must Accept Tai Long

"Soul power storage in a soul tool?"

This was more than just ahead of its time; it was a concept that transcended the very era itself!

Setting aside the fact that the three people present could not grasp it, even if they were to summon the master craftsman Lou Gao, Titan, and that drunkard who wields a hammer, they would likely all be wearing expressions of utter bewilderment.

"Exactly. Beibei thinks that when we cultivate, aside from increasing our soul power rank, much of our time is spent with our soul power constrained by our current level. We can't continue to absorb more until we've released what we already have to make room."

"Um... let me give you an example!"

Seeing the confusion in the eyes of the three people before her, Jiang Beibei had to explain in a way they could understand. She picked up a hollow piece of wood and led them to the side of a small stream.

"Think of this as a spirit master's body. Usually, our soul power is like these small pebbles. It looks full, but in reality, only the important parts, like our meridians, are filled."

"The spirit masters I understand to be stronger than their peers must be like this."

As she spoke, she picked up some smaller pebbles, filled most of the gaps in the wood, and then submerged the whole thing in the water until it was completely saturated before pulling it out.

"They use more refined soul power to fill the other parts of their bodies!"

Once Jiang Beibei finished explaining this theory, the three of them had a sudden realization, followed by stares of pure disbelief fixed upon her.

"Beibei, how did you come up with this?"

Liu Erlong suddenly felt that the obedient daughter before her was somewhat of a stranger. Although she taught her about spirit master knowledge every day, she had never considered this theory, let alone taught it.

There was only one possibility: Beibei had realized this entirely on her own through study!

A genius!

That was the only word in her mind that could describe her daughter's astounding wisdom.

Ordinary spirit masters generally store soul power in two places: the soul sea, commonly known as the Dantian, and the soul rings obtained every ten levels. The vastness of the soul sea directly affects the strength of a spirit master's soul power. When circulating soul power—whether absorbing or releasing it—it flows in and out through the soul sea. While it does "pass through" the meridians along the way, this process at most leaves behind a trace of residual soul power, which cannot be stored. Of course, widening the meridians is also one way for a spirit master to enhance their strength.

But what if, in addition to the soul sea and soul rings, a spirit master could carve out storage space in other parts of the body, such as the limbs or torso?

Wouldn't that mean they would have more soul power to use during combat? Their natural advantage would be far greater than that of an ordinary spirit master!

"Um... Mommy, I just thought of it while playing in the mud with Shuangshuang and the others. I don't know if it's even correct."

Jiang Beibei wouldn't tell them that after discovering she could absorb soul power without intentional cultivation, she had long ago secretly carved out spaces to store small amounts of soul power in her palms and soles. These were her reserves, to be used only in the most critical moments.

"Playing in the mud," indeed!

Her words made all three present feel a bit ashamed. Did this not imply that after all their years of cultivation, they were inferior to a little kid playing in the mud? That was a stinging insult!

"Ahem, Beibei, your idea is likely correct, though Mommy will have to find an opportunity to verify it. But what does this have to do with the auxiliary soul tool you mentioned earlier?"

With "outsiders" present, Liu Erlong couldn't verify it right away and had to steer the conversation back to soul tools. While Tai Nuo and his son were shocked by Jiang Beibei's theory, they were even more interested in soul tools—after all, the Strength Clan were all blacksmiths.

"Mommy, what I was thinking is: if there's a limit to how much soul power our bodies can store, and we can't increase our rank through further cultivation, wouldn't that excess soul power be wasted?"

"If we could use a soul tool to store that wasted power and draw upon it when needed, it would certainly be a huge help in battle!"

And this was just the beginning. If a mere "baby bottle" soul tool shocked them this much, what would happen if she unveiled the Ultimate Soldier Soul Master program? Would their jaws drop all the way to the God Realm?

"Beibei, Uncle Tai Nuo has never begged anyone in his life, but today is the first time."

Just as Jiang Beibei uttered this concept that broke through dimensions, Tai Nuo, who had been acting as an elder, suddenly squatted down, leaning in with a sheepish grin, his large face full of entreaty.

"Uncle Tai Nuo, what are you doing? You're scaring me!"

*Please don't kneel while you talk! I'm just a six-year-old girl, this is too creepy!*

Jiang Beibei was genuinely startled by his actions and instinctively hid behind Mother Erlong.

"Tai Nuo, what is the meaning of this?"

Liu Erlong was also speechless at Tai Nuo's performance art, reaching out to tug him and signaling him to speak properly.

"Beibei, Dean Liu, I implore you both to take in my good-for-nothing son!"

???

"Tai Long is already a student at my academy; what are you talking about?"

Liu Erlong frowned, truly unable to understand what this guy was trying to achieve with his bizarre behavior.

"No, no, no, Dean Liu, you misunderstand. I mean, I hope Tai Long... can follow Master Beibei to learn. Don't worry, you can have this brat sweep the floors, wipe the tables, or even sing and dance; I won't ask a single question!"

Master Beibei?

"Pfft!"

Mother and daughter both burst into laughter at Tai Nuo's new title. Beside them, the still-dazed Tai Long tilted his head at his father, wondering if the shock of his recent failure had been so great that it had affected his brain. Did this mean he was expected to take this girl, who was so much younger than him, as his master?

"You brat, kneel! From now on, you will do whatever Master Beibei tells you to do. If you dare to disobey her in the slightest, I'll break your legs!"

Huh?

"Dad, are you—"

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Before Tai Long could say anything more, his father pressed him to the ground, forcing his son to kowtow three times to Jiang Beibei before Liu Erlong could even react.

The apprenticeship rites on the Douluo Continent were not typically so complex; normally, a bow was more than enough. Who could have expected Tai Nuo to stage such a solemn scene?

For a moment, Jiang Beibei could only offer a speechless, bitter smile. But she quickly understood the underlying logic. Tai Long was already Mother Erlong's disciple; to "switch allegiances" in such a direct manner, even between mother and daughter, violated the customs of the continent. Therefore, Tai Nuo's intention, while framed as letting Tai Long follow her to learn, was actually a hope that his son could receive guidance from another excellent teacher.

"This..."

Liu Erlong was sensitive; it didn't take long for her to grasp Tai Nuo's meaning. It was just that the gorilla's entire series of actions was so abstract that she was left speechless.