Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum

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

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

The soul power within his body surged like a rushing river, circulating through his meridians in an endless loop; each rotation solidified his cultivation by a fraction.

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

Perhaps within these next few days, he would naturally step across the threshold into level 27.

Just as he focused his mind, preparing to strike at that thin barrier with all his might, a figure appeared in the room without the slightest warning.

It was a hunched, plainly dressed old man who seemed to have been standing there from the very beginning, blending perfectly into the surrounding shadows.

He did not make a single sound, yet he naturally pulled Xia Ming out of his meditation.

Xia Ming snapped his eyes open, and when he saw the face of the visitor, his heart gave a violent jolt:

"Teacher? Why have you come?"

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

A gentle smile hung on Mu En's face as he walked slowly to the chair by the table and sat down.

"Ever since you all left Shrek City, I have been following behind."

His tone was calm, carrying a hint of nostalgia, "Heaven Dou City—it has truly been a long time since I last visited."

Xia Ming hurriedly rose and stood respectfully to the side.

Mu En's gaze fell upon him, a flash of satisfaction crossing his eyes, before he shifted the topic:

"Speaking of which, I must thank you for those words of yours a few days ago.

After hearing them, this old bag of bones was moved, so I made a trip deep into the Sunset Forest."

Could it be...?

Xia Ming's pupils constricted, a thought flashing through his mind like lightning.

"I found it." Mu En's voice remained gentle, yet it stirred up stormy waves in Xia Ming's heart, "That treasure land truly exists."

Before Xia Ming could ask, Mu En took an object from his robes.

It was a massive chrysanthemum, colored a magnificent purple.

Strangely, every petal of the flower looked fuzzy and exceptionally cute.

The entire chrysanthemum was seamless, yet not a hint of fragrance overflowed from it.

The stamen in the center rose more than half a foot above the petals, its tip shimmering with a faint golden luster.

"This item is called the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."

Mu En handed the immortal herb to Xia Ming, his voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable certainty, "Observing the nature of your martial soul, this immortal herb should be the most compatible one for you."

Xia Ming took it with both hands, feeling the vast and gentle energy contained within the herb, his excitement impossible to suppress.

He naturally recognized this immortal herb.

Ten thousand years ago, Dai Mubai of the original Shrek Seven Devils had forged his Vajra Indestructible Body only after consuming this very flower.

For him, this was truly the most perfect stroke of fortune!

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

Mu En waved his hand and instructed in detail:

"First eat the Sky Chrysanthemum stamen, then consume the petals one by one; do not eat the root.

Once finished, immediately begin cultivating on the spot to dissolve the medicinal power and break through your bottleneck."

"This disciple understands."

Xia Ming said no more and immediately followed the instructions, consuming the immortal herb.

In an instant, a surge of vast medicinal power erupted within his body, rushing through his entire being like a spring tide.

Unlike the violent impact felt when absorbing a soul ring, this power, while immense, carried a vitality that nourished all things.

Wherever it passed, the speed of his soul power circulation rose sharply, the walls of his meridians were gently widened, and even his bones emitted a faint, subtle hum.

Xia Ming immediately gathered his focus, sat cross-legged, and guided this massive medicinal power to circulate through his body while striking at his bottleneck.

He knew this was a monumental opportunity; he had to seize every bit of the medicinal effect and could not afford to waste a single drop.

Time slipped away quietly during his cultivation.

Outside the window, the sky began to brighten as the morning light emerged.

Yan Shaozhe woke up early out of habit and arrived at Xia Ming's door, preparing to wake him up.

Just as his fingers touched the door panel, he keenly sensed the steady and profound fluctuations of soul power within the room.

"That child is cultivating."

He gently pushed open the door and, sure enough, saw Xia Ming sitting upright on the floor, his body wreathed in swirling soul power, clearly at a critical juncture.

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

"Old—"

Yan Shaozhe nearly cried out in alarm, but a soft yet irresistible force sealed his voice, leaving him with no choice but to widen his eyes in astonishment.

Mu En turned his head, gestured for him to be silent, and transmitted his voice:

"Quiet, do not disturb your junior brother. Let us go outside to speak."

The two quietly retreated from the room and gently pulled the door shut.

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

"Teacher, why are you here? Should you not be at the academy..."

"I have always been here." Mu En glanced at him, his tone indifferent, yet it made Yan Shaozhe instantly understand much.

"Let us not speak of this for now.

According to what Xia Ming described, I went deep into the Sunset Forest and found that legendary Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."

"The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?!" Yan Shaozhe's pupils constricted. "Does this treasure land truly exist?"

"Not only does it exist, but it is indeed home to many rare immortal herbs."

Mu En nodded, a trace of gratification flashing in his eyes. "The harvest from this trip was quite bountiful."

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

"They are no longer a major concern." Mu En smiled slightly, his expression carrying a long-lost sense of ease.

"A suitable immortal herb has dissolved most of the hidden injuries accumulated within my body.

As for the remainder, with my own cultivation to slowly regulate it, I will be fully recovered in a year or so."

The old wounds that had plagued his teacher for nearly a century were finally showing the dawn of a complete cure!

Yan Shaozhe was overjoyed, his excitement evident on his face: "That is wonderful! This is truly a blessing for our Shrek!"

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

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

Yan Shaozhe received it solemnly with both hands, feeling the pure and overbearing fire-attribute energy within, and understood at once.

This was the key to solving the problem of the evil fire in Ma Xiaotao's martial soul!

"Then, as for leading the team..." Yan Shaozhe hesitated.

"I shall take over temporarily." Mu En's tone was gentle yet brooked no argument.

"Hurry back. That child, Ma Xiaotao, cannot afford any more delays."

"Yes, Teacher!" Yan Shaozhe said no more. He bowed respectfully, his figure transforming into a streak of light that vanished in an instant at the end of the corridor.

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

"Lexuan, inform the other team members that Shaozhe has returned to the academy for urgent matters, and I will be taking over as team leader for the time being.

Xia Ming is at a critical stage of cultivation; do not disturb him."

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

She sensed that familiar and vast mental fluctuation and was surprised, but immediately responded respectfully:

"Yes, Lexuan understands."