"Indeed, it's a level 7 soul tool."
Speaking of his proud creation, Lou Gao's beard twitched with excitement. "The Zi Zhenzhu is a composite level 7 soul tool, but calling it a level 8 soul tool wouldn't be an exaggeration."
Lou Gao led Ning Rongrong and the others to the main control panel in the cockpit.
The control panel operated via soul power, similar to the Dragon Abyss Boat in the original story, but its attributes—speed, attack, defense, and more—far surpassed the original blueprint.
Lou Gao's hand caressed the relatively simple control panel, his weathered arm trembling slightly, his expression showing excitement, like a child showing off a prized creation to an adult.
After a brief pause, Lou Gao's voice rang out again.
"The Zi Zhenzhu's defense can withstand a full-strength strike from an early-stage Soul Douluo. Destroying its protective shield would require two direct hits."
"The Zi Zhenzhu has two modes: surface and deep-sea."
"It has incredible speed, making consecutive attacks unlikely."
"Furthermore…"
Lou Gao's finger rested on a button marked with a skull.
"This button is the Zi Zhenzhu's main cannon, a level 7 fixed soul tool."
"I don't need to explain its power. I'm sure the Young Sect Leader understands," Lou Gao said, turning to the thoughtful Ning Rongrong.
"Senior Lou Gao, fixed soul tools aren't very accurate. Isn't using one as the main cannon a bit troublesome?"
"Hahaha!" Lou Gao laughed, his wrinkled face blooming with a smile. "Of course not. The ship's port and starboard sides each have a level 7 long-range soul tool."
"I see…"
The main cannon was for dealing with large, tough, and bulky soul beasts.
After all, the ocean, especially the deep sea, was full of medium to large soul beasts. The two soul tools on either side were for handling regular or extremely fast soul beasts.
"Pavilion Master Lou Gao, what's the diving depth of the Zi Zhenzhu?"
The Zi Zhenzhu seemed less like a ship and more like a submarine.
"11,034 meters," Zi Zhenzhu answered before Lou Gao could. "I once took the Zi Zhenzhu below 10,000 meters. It's pitch black down there."
"At around 11,000 meters, the Zi Zhenzhu issues a warning. Staying there for more than a day would likely be too much, even for this warship."
"Over 10,000 meters!" Ning Rongrong was puzzled.
Could a Soul Douluo-level defense Zi Zhenzhu dive that deep?
Seeing her confusion, Lou Gao explained, "I used a method similar to how deep-sea fish breathe, adjusting the pressure in spaces outside the main cockpit and control panels."
"The cockpit and control panels are built with composite steel provided by the Sect Leader, capable of withstanding 10,000 meters of pressure."
"I see…" Ning Rongrong's surprise faded.
Indeed, it wasn't that the people of Douluo Continent lacked technology; they lacked imagination!
Think of the battle armors and Death God soul tools in the original story—terrifying creations.
And was 10,000 meters really that deep?
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's diameter was about 200 to 250 meters. That's roughly the thickness of 40 Deep Sea Demonic Whale Kings stacked together. Put that way, the number doesn't seem so big, does it?
After learning about the Zi Zhenzhu's impressive capabilities, Ning Rongrong's face lit up with an expression of "With such a powerful soul tool, I have nothing to worry about."
Then, her gaze turned to Zi Zhenzhu and Wang Quan Fugui.
Zi Zhenzhu's Martial Soul was the Sea Viper, with abilities leaning toward water and poison.
Wang Quan Fugui's Martial Soul was the King's Authority Sword, with sharp, aggressive attacks similar to the Seven Kills Sword but distinct from Sword Douluo's. He followed a more orthodox, straightforward attack style.
"Zi Zhenzhu, Wang Quan Fugui."
"Do you have any thoughts on the soul beasts you want to hunt?"
Zi Zhenzhu and Wang Quan Fugui exchanged a glance. Zi Zhenzhu spoke first, "I'm already level 69 and have thought about soul beasts. With the soul beast encyclopedia from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I've roughly decided which type to hunt."
"I want to hunt a Deep Sea Viper with a cultivation of about 50,000 years. It's a snake species living between 3,000 and 5,000 meters."
"Alright, if you've made your choice, we'll go with that," Ning Rongrong nodded.
Generally, it's best to choose a soul ring aligned with your Martial Soul's type.
You wouldn't, like a certain unnamed master, follow unscientific theories and attach a poison attribute to life-oriented Blue Silver Grass, would you?
And that infamous "Blue Silver Entanglement" resonating through the heavens?
Isn't that just something Blue Silver Grass naturally does?
Did it even need to be learned?
"What about you, Wang Quan Fugui? Have you considered?"
Compared to Zi Zhenzhu, choosing a soul beast for Wang Quan Fugui was trickier.
Zi Zhenzhu, as a sea Soul Master, could find plenty of suitable soul beasts in the ocean for her soul ring. But Wang Quan Fugui was a land Soul Master.
Though it's not that the ocean lacked suitable soul beasts—just as the Star Dou Great Forest produced the Dark Devilgod Tiger with evil god attributes—there were occasionally soul beasts in the ocean whose attack styles weren't water-based.
"If you haven't decided, we can go to the Star Dou Great Forest later to hunt."
Ning Rongrong respected Title Douluo. The ninth soul ring was critical for a Soul Master. Adding one carelessly could lead to regret.
She wasn't Qian Renxue, willing to sacrifice a Title Douluo's life to win over Tang San.
Wasn't that just being a traitor?
As expected, the Spirit Hall was filthy rich.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect couldn't compare. Just a slightly wealthy workshop—how could it match the continent's holy land of Soul Masters?
"I have an idea, but I'm not sure if it's suitable."
"Forget the Star Dou Great Forest!"
Wang Quan Fugui sighed. With such a vast ocean, there had to be suitable soul beasts. He came to Vast Sea City to protect Ning Yun's safety. Leaving would be inappropriate.
"The soul beast I have in mind is the Striped Swordfish. Its straightforward attack style isn't heavily tied to the ocean. I think it's very suitable for my ninth soul ring."
"The Striped Swordfish lives mainly between 4,000 and 7,000 meters."
"Striped Swordfish, huh?"
Ning Rongrong nodded thoughtfully.
As the name suggested, the Striped Swordfish had a very "sword-like" attack style.
Though it lived in the ocean, it stood out among water-manipulating fish soul beasts.
Swordfish soul beasts leaned toward agility-attack types, but not entirely.
In any case, their attack power was strong.
"Alright," Ning Rongrong said after some thought. "If you encounter one and feel it's not suitable, just tell me. I'll ask Father to send someone else to accompany you to the Star Dou Great Forest."
"Thank you, Young Sect Leader," Wang Quan Fugui said with genuine gratitude.
Without Ning Rongrong unblocking his meridians, breaking through to Title Douluo would have been nearly impossible.
The gap between level 88 and 90 was only two levels, but countless Soul Douluo were stuck at level 89.
After finalizing the plan, the Zi Zhenzhu began transforming.
It entered "deep-sea dive" mode.
It rapidly submerged from the surface.