Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum

Night fell, and the top-floor suite of the Heaven Soul Royal Hotel was tranquil.

Xia Ming sat cross-legged on the soft bed, immersed in meditative cultivation.

Soul Power surged through his body like a rushing river, circulating endlessly through his meridians. Each cycle made his cultivation a little more solid.

He could clearly feel that he had reached the peak of Rank 26.

Perhaps within the next few days, he would naturally cross the threshold into Rank 27.

Just as he focused his mind and prepared to make a full-force attempt at breaking through that thin barrier,

an extra figure appeared in the room without warning.

It was a hunched old man dressed simply, as though he had been standing there from the beginning, merged into the surrounding shadows.

He made no sound at all, yet he naturally woke Xia Ming from his meditation.

Xia Ming abruptly opened his eyes. When he saw the visitor's face clearly, his heart lurched.

"Teacher? Why are you here?"

The visitor was none other than Mu En, Master of the Sea God Pavilion and the Dragon God Douluo.

A gentle smile rested on Mu En's face as he slowly walked over and sat in the chair beside the table.

"I have been following behind ever since you left Shrek City."

His tone was calm, carrying a trace of nostalgia. "It has been a very long time since I last came to Heaven Dou City."

Xia Ming hurriedly rose and stood respectfully to one side.

Mu En's gaze fell on him, and a hint of satisfaction flashed through his eyes before he changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, I should thank you for what you said a few days ago.

After hearing it, this old bag of bones was persuaded by you, so I made a trip into the depths of Sunset Forest."

Could it be...?

Xia Ming's pupils contracted slightly as a thought flashed through his mind like lightning.

"I found it." Mu En's voice remained gentle, yet it stirred towering waves in Xia Ming's heart.

"That treasured place truly exists."

Before Xia Ming could ask anything, Mu En had already taken an item from his robes.

It was an enormous chrysanthemum, a gorgeous shade of purple.

Strangely, every single petal looked fluffy and exceptionally adorable.

The entire chrysanthemum seemed to be one flawless whole, yet it gave off no fragrance whatsoever.

Its central stamen rose more than half a foot above the petals, its tip gleaming with a faint golden radiance.

"This is called the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."

Mu En handed the immortal herb to Xia Ming. His voice was gentle, yet carried unquestionable certainty.

"Judging from the nature of your Martial Soul, this immortal herb should be the most suitable one for you."

Xia Ming received it with both hands. Feeling the vast yet gentle energy contained within the immortal herb, he could barely suppress his excitement.

Of course, he recognized this immortal herb.

Ten thousand years ago, Dai Mubai of the first generation of the Shrek Seven Devils had consumed this herb to forge his Vajra Indestructible Body.

For him, this was truly an unmatched stroke of fortune!

"Thank you for this generous gift, Teacher!" Xia Ming bowed deeply.

Mu En waved a hand and instructed him in detail.

"Eat the Sky-Reaching stamen first, then consume the petals one by one. Do not eat the stem.

After you finish, immediately begin cultivating where you are. Refine the medicinal power and break through your bottleneck."

"This disciple understands."

Xia Ming said no more. He immediately followed the instructions and consumed the immortal herb.

In an instant, vast medicinal power erupted within his body, sweeping through him like a spring tide.

Unlike the violent impact of absorbing a Soul Ring, this power was immense but filled with the vitality that nourished all living things.

Wherever it passed, the circulation of his Soul Power suddenly accelerated. The walls of his meridians were gently broadened, and even his bones gave off faint, subtle hums.

Xia Ming immediately gathered his thoughts, sat cross-legged, and guided the immense medicinal power through a full cycle within his body while attacking his bottleneck.

He knew this was an enormous opportunity. He had to seize every bit of medicinal potency and could not waste even the slightest amount.

Time quietly passed amid cultivation.

Outside the window, the sky gradually brightened as the first light of dawn appeared.

Yan Shaozhe habitually rose early and came to Xia Ming's door, preparing to wake him.

The moment his fingers touched the door, he keenly sensed the steady, profound fluctuations of Soul Power within.

"That child is cultivating."

He gently pushed open the door and indeed saw Xia Ming seated on the floor, Soul Power swirling around him. He was clearly at a critical juncture.

What shocked him even more was that a hunched figure stood quietly beside Xia Ming, watching over the cultivating youth like a guardian.

"Eld—"

Yan Shaozhe nearly cried out in alarm, but a gentle yet irresistible force sealed his voice away. He could only widen his eyes in astonishment.

Mu En turned his head, made a silencing gesture at him, and transmitted his voice.

"Quiet. Do not disturb your junior disciple. Let us talk outside."

The two quietly left the room and gently closed the door behind them.

As soon as they reached the corridor, Yan Shaozhe impatiently asked in a low voice,

"Teacher, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the academy...?"

"I have been here all along." Mu En glanced at him. His tone was calm, yet Yan Shaozhe instantly understood much more.

"We will not discuss that for now.

Following Xia Ming's account, I made a trip to the depths of Sunset Forest and found the legendary Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."

"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?!" Yan Shaozhe's pupils shrank sharply. "That treasured place really exists?"

"Not only does it exist, but quite a few rare immortal herbs truly grow there."

Mu En nodded, a trace of gratification flashing through his eyes. "This trip was highly rewarding."

Yan Shaozhe suddenly remembered something and anxiously looked at Mu En. "Teacher, then your injuries...?"

"They are no longer a serious concern." Mu En smiled faintly, and his smile carried a long-lost ease.

"One suitable immortal herb resolved most of the hidden injuries that had accumulated in my body.

As for the remainder, with my own cultivation slowly regulating them, I will fully recover within a year or so."

The old injury that had plagued his teacher for nearly a century had actually seen the dawn of a complete cure!

Yan Shaozhe was overjoyed, unable to conceal his excitement. "Wonderful! Heaven truly favors Shrek!"

"Shao Zhe." Mu En took another immortal herb from his robes.

"This is the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Leave immediately and return to the academy to give this herb to Xiaotao."

Yan Shaozhe solemnly accepted it with both hands. Feeling the pure yet domineering fire-attribute energy within, he understood.

This was the key to resolving Ma Xiaotao's Martial Soul evil-fire problem!

"What about leading the team...?" Yan Shaozhe hesitated.

"I will take over temporarily." Mu En's tone was gentle yet unquestionable.

"Hurry back. Xiaotao cannot afford any delay."

"Yes, Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe said no more. After respectfully bowing, he transformed into a streak of light and vanished down the corridor in an instant.

Mu En watched him leave, then transmitted his voice to Zhang Lexuan in a nearby room.

"Lexuan, inform the other team members that Shao Zhe has urgent business and has returned to the academy ahead of schedule. I will temporarily take over as team leader from here on.

Xia Ming is at a critical stage of cultivation, so there is no need to disturb him."

"Elder Mu?" Zhang Lexuan was jolted awake from meditation.

She sensed that familiar, vast spiritual fluctuation and was surprised, but she immediately responded respectfully.

"Yes, Lexuan understands."