Blue Silver Grass Strategy (Douluo Dalu Fiction)

“What? Ling Xiaoshan isn't here?”

In the town of Beikou River, on the second floor of a street-side restaurant, Dugu Bo furrowed his brows, somewhat surprised. He had traveled thousands of miles only to find himself empty-handed due to a series of unfortunate coincidences.

“Dad, are we still going to that place called Shanhai Courtyard?”

Beside him, a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old looked up at Dugu Bo and asked softly.

Dugu Xin, twelve years old, possessed the martial soul "Jade Phosphor Serpent" and had an innate soul power of level seven. At present, he was a level 25 control-type Soul Master. Just like Dugu Bo, he had black hair and green eyes. His small face was fair and handsome, albeit with a somewhat delicate and soft appearance.

Hearing his son's question, Dugu Bo recalled the contents of nearby strangers' conversations, which mentioned that Lord/Lord Baron Ling Yi left the territory two days ago.

There was neither news of where he went nor when he would return—just idle chatter between two commoners.

Dugu Bo thought of this, turned to look at his son Dugu Xin, and said flatly, “Go, why not? I brought you out this time to let you see more of the world, rather than indulging in the illusory glory of your academy—"

“It's just a mere primary soul master academy. As my son, taking first place should be expected, no?”

“But you must know, even if I'm your father, on this Douluo Continent, I'm not considered an expert. The road you have to walk is still long—"

Just then, the restaurant's staff approached with a large tray; the dishes they had ordered arrived.

“Let's eat first. After we finish, we'll go to that Shanhai Courtyard to see if it truly lives up to what those kids said—” Dugu Bo said.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Xin nodded and replied, “Hmm. Dad, I have to say, this town we’re in right now feels different from other towns we've seen before—"

Naturally, it is different. Whether it's the planning and layout, the cleanliness, or the mental outlook of the people coming and going in the town, everything gives the impression of being decades, if not a century, ahead of the outside world.

‘Prosperity, harmony, cleanliness...’

The father and son turned their heads to look at the street scene outside the window, observing the sight that did not resemble what one would expect in the diminutive Duchy of Shuimu. Both thought the same thing.

An hour later, when Dugu Bo, accompanying his son Dugu Xin, traveled along the Blue Silver Domain's self-constructed road all the way to Shanhai Courtyard, they didn't even have to announce their arrival. They saw the middle gate swing wide open, and a stream of figures poured out in succession, lining up on both sides as a welcome.

“Senior Dugu~”

“Senior Dugu~”

“Senior Dugu~”

Four stalwart figures walked out from under the grand opened gate. Among them were Long Yin, Zhang Mufeng, and Qingqiu Xin, familiar faces. Though Dugu Bo didn’t recognize the fourth person, recalling information once mentioned by Ling Yi, a name surfaced in his mind: Zhang Lei.

Ling Yi's cousin, the steward of Shanhai Courtyard.

“Senior, it’s been a long time!”

Long Yin stepped forward to greet Dugu Bo and his son, his face filled with the joy of reunion after a long absence. He opened by greeting them, then grasped Zhang Lei's arm, continuing, “Let me introduce you. This is Yi’s cousin. While Yi is away, everything in the Blue Silver Domain and this vast Shanhai Courtyard has been managed by Brother Lei.”

“Junior Zhang Lei, I greet Senior Dugu!” Zhang Lei cupped his fists and bowed in a display of respect.

Dugu Bo’s emerald eyes swiftly discerned Zhang Lei’s nineteen-level spirit power, but what surprised him was that, in addition to the spirit power and the vigorous blood and qi similar to Long Yin and the others, Zhang Lei exuded a barely detectable aura of bloody ferocity.

Such an aura, Dugu Bo had only seen in those few soul masters who had battled on the front lines for many years. Not even the officer named Jiang Yuan, who had previously been with Ling Yi, possessed this bloody aura.

Dugu Bo had a rare moment of modesty as thoughts swirled in his mind. Without putting on any airs, he introduced his son, Dugu Xin, to Zhang Lei, Long Yin, and the others.

Through the conversation with Long Yin and the others, Dugu Bo learned the precise news about Ling Yi.

Indeed, two days ago, Ling Yi had left the 'Blue Silver Domain'.

At that time, a transfer order from 'Muzhi City' carried the official command from the [Shuimu Principality].

As a baron of [Shuimu Principality], and previously serving in the northern cold wind camp, Ling Yi, who even now maintains a nominal position in the principality's military headquarters, could not refuse an official command, whether in public or private.

The document was simple yet complex.

In simple terms, the suzerain of [Shuimu Principality], the [Heaven Dou Empire], had recently had minor frictions with the [Star Luo Empire], and seeing the escalation, ordered the affiliated kingdoms and principalities to send troops to the frontlines of the two empires to reinforce them.

There was only one statement: the renowned Baron Ling Yi, known as the 'Great Healer', was said to be worth eight thousand soldiers.

That statement was quite intriguing.

Yes, those who understand, understand.

Thus, Ling Yi immediately set off, with his first stop being 'Muzhi City'.

He intended to find out whether those words came from the higher-ups of the principality or beyond…

Simultaneously, adjustments to the burgeoning [Blacksmith Association: Shuimu Principality Branch] were necessary, slowing its pace slightly.

In a small place like [Shuimu Principality], if one eats more, someone else inevitably eats less.

Even though Ling Yi had tried his best to make the cake bigger, some edges and corners were always missed.

The one without oversight, considering every angle, isn't the wise person, but rather the author and the reader.

In Mu Zhi City, the headquarters of the Blacksmith Association.

Just a quarter of an hour ago, Ling Yi had walked out of the palace, with his face still carrying that permanent smile of his. He greeted each person he met, known or unknown, as he headed upstairs.

“Master... hmm? Jin Hua is here too? Long time no see—”

Ling Yi knocked on the door of Old Master Jin's room. After receiving a response, he entered, taking a glance at the two figures, one sitting and one standing inside, and greeted them aloud.

Jin Hua, the sixth child of Jin Lao's third son, Jiang Yuan's cousin, ten years old, with a martial spirit as the Jin family's "Iron Gauntlet."

Judging by his aura, has he reached the tenth level of soul power?

“Ah Yi has come—” “Hello, Uncle Ling Yi!”

Old Master Jin and Jin Hua both broke into genuine smiles when they saw Ling Yi and responded happily.

“Master.” Ling Yi first bowed respectfully to Old Master Jin, and straightened up under the old man's feigned displeasure, casting his gaze at Jin Hua, who was standing by the desk. He looked him up and down before smiling and asking, “Jin Hua, not at the academy studying? Have you reached the tenth level of soul power already? Are you here to ask Master to arrange a soul hunt for you?”

“This kid,” before Jin Hua had a chance to speak, Old Master Jin interrupted with dissatisfaction, saying, “He just broke through to the tenth level and couldn't wait to rush over here, saying he wants to go hunting for a spirit ring...”

“Ah Yi, you should talk to him. I've told him not to rush, to go home and hone it a bit more, but he just outright refuses!”

On the Douluo Continent, most soul masters, upon reaching the peak of their level, are eager to absorb a spirit ring to break through their current stage.

This is the most common choice for the majority of soul masters.

However, in families with a rich heritage of soul mastery, they often choose to pause briefly. In this time, they continue to accumulate soul power to stabilize their realm, using this power to nourish their bodies, making them physically stronger.

This way, when they eventually absorb a spirit ring, they can endure rings with higher age limits.

Therefore, the advice that Elder Jin gives to his grandson is a trick learned from their own family’s legacy, as well as from older established families of the duchy.

Ling Yi recalls that in the original work, both Yu Xiaogang and Tang Hao had, either through words or actions, advised Tang San, the protagonist, to remain at his ten-level gauge and continue cultivating his soul power and tempering his body.

But given he is the protagonist, his cultivation speed aligns with innate full soul power, even surpassing it.

Ling Yi did not persuade Jin Hua by following Elder Jin's words. Instead, he gave him a reassuring look and said to Elder Jin:

“Master, the method you mentioned of staying in one's current realm and strengthening oneself is generally suitable for innate geniuses with seven or eight levels of soul power, even those with nine levels or full soul power. For us with less talent, it might not yield enough.

”

“Think about it, a six-year-old child with innate full soul power reaches the first level as soon as their martial soul awakens. Naturally, it's worthwhile for them to pause and temper their physique.

”

“But since Jin Hua is already ten years old and has honed his physique over the years, absorbing a one- to two-hundred-year-old spirit ring should be no problem. Even a three-hundred-year-old spirit ring might be worth a try...

”

“Staying at the current stage won't bring a dramatic improvement in his physical quality shortly. This seems rather pointless—”

(End of Chapter)