Aromatic Silk Beauty!
Less than 200 meters away from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion is the Nine Treasures Pavilion, which was opened by the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect at the Shrek Academy.
Last semester, Ning Tian brought Dai Huabin here a few times, including when Teacher Mu Jin treated us to dinner, Ning Tian also invited Teacher Mu Jin to the Nine Treasures Pavilion.
At that moment, Dai Huabin followed Ning Tian into the first floor of the Nine Treasures Pavilion. After recognizing Ning Tian, the maid immediately led them to the reception room on the second floor.
The room wasn't large, but it was very clean, and a tea set was already laid out on the table.
The maid made tea and left, closing the door behind her.
Dai Huabin sat down in the chair, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
Ning Tian sat opposite her, her long golden hair tucked behind her ears, her fingers unconsciously twirling the teacup.
She was organizing her words.
Dai Huabin put down his teacup and, before Ning Tian could speak, took the initiative to say:
"Ning Tian, do you want to ask about the Martial Soul Evolution?"
Ning Tian stopped swirling the teacup in his hand.
She looked up at Dai Huabin for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.
"You're quite direct."
"There's no point in beating around the bush with you," Dai Huabin replied.
Ning Tian sighed and placed the teacup back on the table.
"A year ago, you had just entered the academy. The day you defeated me in the Soul Fighting Arena, you told me you wanted me to become your person."
"Back then, you said you were interested in the resources of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and I also felt that you were exceptionally talented and worth investing in."
Throughout the entire first semester, whatever you asked for, I got it for you. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect never gave you any discounts.
Dai Huabin listened and nodded. It was the same when he was a first-year student. Back then, Dai Huabin was eager to improve his level before going to the Far North, which did cause Ning Tian a lot of trouble.
Ning Tian glanced at Dai Huabin, and his tone softened.
"But when you came back this semester, the changes in you were truly astounding. Level 45, the fourth ring of the Ten Thousand Years Achievement, the Ultimate Ice, and you even have a Level 65 Soul Emperor by your side."
"The change is so drastic that I'm almost hesitant to try and establish a relationship with you anymore."
This statement was made very frankly, without any affectation.
Ning Tian is the young sect master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; someone who can sit in this position wouldn't be pretentious.
She was simply stating a fact: Dai Huabin's growth rate far exceeded her expectations, to the point that she began to worry about her and the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's importance in this cooperative relationship.
Last semester, she and Dai Huabin "needed each other".
This semester, it's become "she needs him more".
Once such an imbalance occurs in any business, the weaker party must reassess its own position.
Dai Huabin smiled helplessly after hearing this.
"It can't be that bad. We're classmates, after all. Although we're not as close as I am to Xiao Xiao, Dong'er, and Yajie, it's not like I'm not good enough for them."
Ning Tian's lips twitched slightly, and he inexplicably rolled his eyes.
"You've changed so much in the blink of an eye, how can I not worry? Last semester you told me you had talent and I had resources, it was a sure thing, but this semester you even gave me unlimited credit to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. What is the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect School's wealth compared to the Shrek Academy?"
"That's just you being unduly humble."
Dai Huabin shook his head.
"The Sea God Pavilion's unlimited credit line is a loan, not a gift. Once borrowed, it must be repaid, and the way to repay it is by serving the academy. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is different; you are allies, and allies operate on a mutually beneficial basis."
Ning Tian remained quiet for a while.
She pondered those words repeatedly in her mind.
Allies, mutual benefit.
These words relieved her.
Ning Tian composed himself, sat up straight, and smiled.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Huabin, do you really have a way to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
This is the real topic for tonight.
"Do you know about the Aromatic Silk Beauty?" Dai Huabin asked in return.
Ning Tian's pupils suddenly dilated, and his breathing became rapid in an instant.
"Are you referring to the Aromatic Silk Beauty that the Goddess of Nine Colors Ning Rongrong consumed ten thousand years ago?"
Dai Huabin nodded in agreement.
Yes, that's the one.
Ning Tian's heart suddenly raced.
Aromatic Silk Beauty.
This name holds a supreme position in the genealogy of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Ten thousand years ago, the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils emerged. Among them, the support-type Soul Master Ning Rongrong used this immortal Immortal Herb to evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
The upgrade from Seven Treasures to nine treasures is not just about adding two more enhancements, but a qualitative leap. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support capabilities are enough to double the entire team's combat power.
Ning Rongrong was thus fortunate enough to gain the favor of the Goddess of Nine Colors, and thus became a god at level 100.
However, Ning Rongrong had no children, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was not passed down because of Ning Rongrong.
For the past ten thousand years, although the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has maintained its name, no one has been able to evolve the Seven Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into a Nine Treasures Pagoda, or even an Eight Treasures Pagoda.
However, the Aromatic Silk Beauty is extremely rare.
That's the legendary Foundation of Godhood! No Soul Master on the continent has ever heard of the story of the Shrek Seven Devils ascending to godhood after consuming the immortal Immortal Herb ten thousand years ago, which boosted their aptitude.
But ten thousand years have passed, and no one in the Douluo Continent, including Sun Moon Continent, has found a second Immortal Herb.
Ning Tian was instilled with the idea from a young age that whoever finds the Aromatic Silk Beauty will be the benefactor of the entire Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Now, Dai Huabin has brought up this name in person.
Ning Tian unconsciously gripped the hem of her skirt. She forced herself to take a deep breath and calm herself down.
Dai Huabin didn't rush to continue.
He was thinking about something else.
Last time I went to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, my goal was to hunt Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring for Zhu Lu. I left in such a hurry that I didn't have time to get many things.
The preparations for the Infernal Delicate Apricot Blazing Gel, the Mysterious Ice Crystal of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, and the Ice and Fire Body Tempering were all put on hold.
I need to go again.
But that's a story for another time.
Dai Huabin snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Ning Tian as he continued speaking.
"Ten thousand years ago, the reason why the original Shrek Seven Devils were able to become gods was because of the immortal Immortal Herb. Each Immortal Herb was priceless, do you understand?"
Ning Tian listened intently to every single word.
She noticed a crucial detail.
Dai Huabin mentioned the Aromatic Silk Beauty, but he did not deny that he knew its whereabouts.
Ning Tian understands Dai Huabin.
This person never speaks carelessly.
Last semester he said, "If we cooperate, we're guaranteed to make a profit," and as it turns out, we really are.
He said, "My talent is worth your investment," but in reality, his talent wasn't just worth investing in, it was worth the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect going bankrupt to invest in.
Dai Huabin is a man of his word.
So the reason he specifically brought up the Aromatic Silk Beauty tonight was definitely not to chat with her about the botany of the Douluo Continent.
Ning Tian quickly went through the mental calculations.
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu have changed a lot over the summer.
Soul Power surges, Martial Soul Evolution, and Ultimate Ice awakens.
This level of transformation cannot be achieved through mere hard work alone.
The most reasonable explanation is that they consumed some kind of rare and precious herb, just like the original Shrek Seven Devils ten thousand years ago.