Falling Devil at Level 96, Yue Guan at Level 90

Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Yue Guan did not rush to absorb the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Instead, he carefully stored it in his Soul Tool.

Then, he wandered among the Immortal Herbs, his face filled with fascination and fervor.

At times, he bent down to gently stroke them; at others, he leaned close to inhale their fragrance, closing his eyes in blissful absorption.

Su Mo and the other two did not disturb him. They merely chatted idly as they quietly waited for Falling Devil Douluo to finish refining the herb.

After a long while, a powerful wave of Soul Power surged up from nearby.

Su Mo and the other two stopped talking and rose to look over.

Yue Guan also hurried to their side.

At Falling Devil Douluo's location, the light around him suddenly drew in. He abruptly opened his eyes and sprang to his feet.

He clenched his fists, sensing the surging power within him, unable to conceal the wild joy on his face.

"So this is Level 96..." he murmured. "Compared to Level 95, it is simply worlds apart."

Falling Devil was, after all, a Titled Douluo who had cultivated for many years. His temperament had long been tempered into calmness and resilience. He took a deep breath and quickly suppressed his turbulent emotions.

With a flash, he arrived before Su Mo. Without another word, he clasped his fists and bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness, for granting me this Immortal Herb. I, Falling Devil, will never forget this kindness!"

Su Mo hurriedly said, "Elder Falling Devil, there is no need for this. You have cultivated diligently for many years and already accumulated a deep foundation. The Immortal Herb merely gave you a push."

Falling Devil straightened and shook his head. "No, I know my own limits. Without this opportunity, Level 96 would have been the utmost I could achieve in this life.

"The Ink Jade Divine Bamboo bestowed by Your Highness not only greatly increased my strength, but also gave me the possibility of reaching an even higher realm.

"I will certainly remember this kindness in my heart. Should Your Highness ever have need of me, I would not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!"

His expression was resolute, every word sincere.

At that moment, Golden Crocodile Douluo slowly spoke. "Enough. We are all our own people, so why be so formal?

"Falling Devil, you are now Level 96 and have met the Worship Hall's requirements. From this day onward, you are an Elder Worshipper."

Falling Devil hurriedly nodded. "Yes, Elder Golden Crocodile."

Golden Crocodile waved a hand. "The Worship Hall does not care for such empty formalities. We rank ourselves by strength and address one another as brothers. Once you enter the Worship Hall, you are one of us. From now on, just call this old man Second Brother."

Falling Devil was slightly startled, then nodded heavily. "Yes, Second Brother!"

Golden Crocodile gave a faint nod, accepting it.

At that moment, Yue Guan clasped his fists. "Congratulations, Elder Falling Devil, on your great increase in strength and your entry into the ranks of the Worshippers!"

Falling Devil nodded and returned the gesture.

Su Mo looked at Yue Guan and said, "Bishop Yue Guan, you should refine your Immortal Herb as soon as possible as well.

"I know you may be reluctant to part with it, but the earlier an Immortal Herb is refined, the better its effects will be. Only by turning it into your own strength can you truly do it justice."

At his words, a trace of hesitation flashed across Yue Guan's face.

The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was a supreme treasure he had dreamed of obtaining. Now that it was finally in his hands, he wanted nothing more than to hold it day and night and admire it. How could he bear to refine it?

But His Highness was right.

Besides, the Immortal Herbs were limited in number, while Spirit Hall had countless Spirit Masters. Yet His Highness had bestowed one upon him. He could not possibly betray such faith.

Yue Guan nodded heavily. "This subordinate will begin absorbing it at once."

He turned and walked to an open patch of ground, took out the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and sat cross-legged.

He lowered his head to gaze at the Immortal Herb in his palm, gently stroked it several times, then began absorbing and refining it.

A soft halo slowly enveloped his entire body.

Time quietly passed.

After a long while, the light around Yue Guan receded, and a powerful aura erupted from him. His Soul Power had broken through to Level 90.

Yue Guan opened his eyes. Feeling the transformative changes within his body, his frame trembled slightly with excitement.

Level 90. He, Yue Guan, had finally stepped one foot into the ranks of the Titled Douluo!

Overwhelmed by emotion, he quickly came before Su Mo and dropped to one knee. "Thank you, Your Highness, for granting me a new life!"

"Rise." Su Mo raised a hand in a gesture of support.

Yue Guan stood, though his excitement remained undiminished.

"Oh, right. There is no rush for your ninth Spirit Ring." Su Mo instructed, "Once I finish refining the Immortal Herbs, we will head to the Star Dou Great Forest together to hunt one. With Grandpa Golden Crocodile helping us then, you will be able to obtain a Spirit Ring with a higher cultivation age."

The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Yue Guan had consumed was nearly a perfect match for him, greatly improving his talent. The cultivation age of his ninth Spirit Ring would determine his future limit.

Given Yue Guan's current talent, along with his loyalty, Su Mo would naturally help him raise that limit as much as possible.

If there was an opportunity, even a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring was possible.

"This subordinate will follow all of Your Highness's arrangements!" Yue Guan answered excitedly.

He had originally been worried about his ninth Spirit Ring. Within Spirit Hall, the only person who could fully assist him in hunting a high-level Spirit Ring was his friend Gui Mei.

But even if the two of them joined forces, they were still far inferior to a Golden Crocodile Douluo.

With Golden Crocodile Douluo overseeing things, not only would it be safer, but they would also have a chance to kill a Soul Beast with an even higher cultivation age.

Su Mo nodded slightly and added, "You should have noticed as well that this place not only accelerates plant growth, but also produces medicinal herbs of far greater quality than those outside.

"So from now on, you will be stationed here and cultivate more rare medicinal herbs to supply Spirit Hall's future needs."

Yue Guan hurriedly replied, "Yes. This subordinate will certainly devote himself fully and not fail Your Highness's trust."

"Oh, right. Your Soul Tool should be able to store living things, correct?" Su Mo suddenly asked.

"It can." Yue Guan nodded.

"I will borrow it for now."

"Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I will take the things inside out first."

Yue Guan swiftly removed the flowers and plants he had painstakingly cultivated, along with his simple luggage, then presented the Soul Tool with both hands.

A Soul Tool was a Spirit Master's private possession. Yue Guan's actions clearly showed his trust and loyalty toward Su Mo.

Su Mo accepted the Soul Tool, then turned to Falling Devil Douluo and said:

"Elder Falling Devil, I am about to enter secluded cultivation wholeheartedly. After I emerge, I will continue traveling for a time, and I do not know when I will return to Spirit City.

"Later, I will gather all the remaining Immortal Herbs and tell you the effects and precautions for each one. I must trouble you to take them back and deliver them to my teacher, so he can distribute them and raise Spirit Hall's overall strength."

After a pause, his expression became more solemn. "Also, I must trouble you to inform my teacher about the follow-up arrangements for coordinating with Spirit Hall here and have him make the necessary preparations.

"Sunset Forest lies within the Heaven Dou Empire and is even near the outskirts of Heaven Dou Imperial City. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family will never willingly hand this place over to Spirit Hall.

"Therefore, we can only act in secret, and we cannot send too many people here, lest we alert the enemy and expose this place."

Falling Devil Douluo nodded. "Understood. Your Highness may cultivate without concern."

"Good. I will gather the Immortal Herbs first." Su Mo nodded.

"I'll go too." Bibi Dong, who had remained quiet all this time, spoke up.

"Let's go." Su Mo took Bibi Dong's hand and began gathering the Immortal Herbs.

He carefully placed the Immortal Herbs into jade boxes he had prepared beforehand, then stored them in Yue Guan's Soul Tool.

Soon, apart from the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew that he kept for himself to enhance his spiritual power, all the other Immortal Herbs had been gathered.

Afterward, Su Mo detailed the effects and methods of consumption for every Immortal Herb to Falling Devil Douluo, while also giving him a few simple reminders.

"Your Highness, I will take my leave first."

Falling Devil left the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well with Yue Guan's Soul Tool.

After exchanging a few words with the remaining people, Su Mo turned and returned to the spring, submerging himself in its waters once more to begin cultivating.

Bibi Dong and Golden Crocodile also began cultivating on their own.

Yue Guan, meanwhile, devoted himself entirely to cultivating medicinal herbs.

He even cleared several open patches of ground and planted all the exotic flowers and strange grasses he had cultivated for many years.