Mu En raised his palm slightly, and the floating Soul Bone turned into a streak of light before silently disappearing into his storage Soul Tool.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, an immortal herb appeared before everyone—a flower entirely golden, its petals as translucent as glazed crystal.
Aromatic Silk Beauty!
Ning Yunche's breathing abruptly stopped. His hands trembled slightly as he carefully reached out and accepted the immortal herb.
Even his fingertips felt a little cold, as though he were holding not a plant, but the future of the entire Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
A wish cherished for ten thousand years had finally been fulfilled today!
"Uncle Long." Ning Yunche took a deep breath. "Go invite Tian'er and all the elders to the council hall."
Wu Long froze for a moment. His gaze fell upon the immortal herb as he hesitated. "Sect Master, won't you consume it yourself?"
"I am already nearly sixty. Even if my Martial Soul evolves, I will likely never break through to become a Title Douluo in this lifetime."
Ning Yunche shook his head, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.
"But Tian'er is different. She is only seven years old, and she possesses Innate Full Soul Power. Her talent is extraordinary.
"If she can obtain this immortal herb, she will certainly reach nine rings in the future and lead the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect back to its peak!"
Wu Long fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
It was not that he opposed the decision. He was simply somewhat emotional.
He had watched Ning Tian grow up since she was little, and her talent truly was astonishing.
Moreover, his own granddaughter, Wu Feng, was inseparable from her. Naturally, he also hoped Ning Tian would have a better future.
"I'll go at once." Wu Long turned and left.
After he was gone, Ning Yunche turned toward Mu En and gave him a deep bow. "Your Excellency, I intend to have my daughter consume this immortal herb.
"She will surely attend Shrek Academy in the future. I hope you will look after her."
Mu En nodded faintly, his gaze gentle. "If her talent is sufficient, Shrek will naturally do its utmost to nurture her."
Gratitude flashed through Ning Yunche's eyes. He then said solemnly, "Please come to the hall with me, Your Excellency, and witness the birth of the second Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master in our sect's ten-thousand-year history!"
By the time they arrived at the hall, dozens of people had already gathered there.
Aside from a little girl who looked six or seven years old, everyone else appeared to be at least forty or fifty, with quite a few elderly people whose hair had already turned white.
These people were most of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's current elders: seven-ring Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Masters, as well as battle Soul Masters at Soul Douluo rank or above recruited by the sect.
Their expressions were solemn, their eyes burning as they stared at the center of the hall, as though awaiting the arrival of a miracle.
"Tian'er, come here." Ning Yunche beckoned and called softly.
Ning Tian obediently stepped forward.
Though young, she carried herself with composure. Her clear eyes held an intelligence far beyond her age.
"This is Aromatic Silk Beauty." Ning Yunche handed the immortal herb to her, his expression incomparably solemn.
"Remember, do not swallow it directly. Gently inhale the flower's stamen and draw its essence into your body. Then circulate your Soul Power and let the medicinal strength flow through your entire body."
Ning Tian accepted the immortal herb, excitement flashing through her eyes.
As the direct heir of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, she naturally understood what this immortal herb represented.
She took a deep breath, sat down cross-legged, and began slowly absorbing the herb's medicinal power according to her father's instructions.
"Absorbing an immortal herb will take at least several hours." Ning Yunche spoke as he turned to Xia Ming and the other two.
"I have arranged guest rooms. If you wish, you may go rest first."
Mu En and Zhang Lexuan both shook their heads, declining his offer. Only Xia Ming accepted and chose to head for the guest room.
He had absorbed the medicinal power of immortal herbs himself, so he naturally knew how long the process took.
Without three or four hours, it would be impossible to absorb it completely. Clearly, he had no desire to remain in this hall for that long.
In Xia Ming's view, it would be better to cultivate for three hours first, then return when the time was about right.
Ning Yunche nodded in agreement. After watching Xia Ming leave, his gaze returned to his daughter, his eyes filled with anticipation.
As for the other elders, there was naturally no way they would leave midway at such a time.
This was a wish that had lasted ten thousand years!
They all stood there with excited expressions, waiting for the final moment to arrive.
Yet Xia Ming, who had left, did not successfully reach the guest room right away.
He had only gone a short distance from the hall when a fiery-red figure suddenly darted out from behind a corridor pillar, blocking his path.
It was a girl who looked seven or eight years old. Her red hair was as flamboyant as blazing flames, and her eyes held undisguised provocation.
With her hands on her hips and chin raised, she spoke in a crisp yet aggressive voice.
"You're the genius from Shrek Academy my grandpa mentioned?"
Xia Ming nodded slightly and smiled. "If nothing unexpected happens, then that should be me."
"And you are...?"
"My name is Wu Feng. Remember that name!"
The girl raised a hand and pointed at him, her tone almost a warning.
"Stay away from the Young Mistress from now on!"
The next moment, she activated Martial Soul Possession.
A dense wave of heat surged from her body, accompanied by a faint dragon's roar.
A layer of pale red luster rippled over her skin. Starting from the left side of her face, fine dragon scales began to cover her body. The scales extended down her neck, over her shoulder, and all the way across her entire left arm and hand.
"I'm the same age as you, so don't say I'm bullying you!"
She gave a sharp shout, and the yellow Soul Ring beneath her feet lit up.
First Soul Skill, Dragon Fire!
A thick layer of red flame erupted from within her body, surrounding her in a range of roughly one foot. Every attack she launched afterward would carry the scorching heat of Dragon Fire.
Immediately afterward, Wu Feng charged toward Xia Ming!
Her little face was filled with confidence. As the possessor of the top-tier beast Martial Soul, the Red Dragon, and someone with Innate Rank Eight Soul Power, she had extraordinary talent.
There were very few people her age who could be her match.
At least among her generation in the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, she was the strongest.
Yet in the face of her fierce, determined attack—
Xia Ming seemed to let out a scornful laugh. He shook his head and did not even release his Martial Soul. He merely casually extended one hand and caught her fist.
"How is that possible?" Wu Feng's pupils suddenly contracted. The force of her full-speed charge vanished like a stone sinking into the sea.
She gritted her teeth and retreated. Her dragon scales trembled faintly, and a trace of seriousness finally appeared in her eyes.
Though hot-tempered, she was not foolish.
From that brief exchange alone, she could already see a hint of the gap between herself and the person before her.
However, Wu Feng recalled the implications behind what her grandfather had said to her earlier.
He wanted the Young Mistress to become as close to this person as possible.
But this was a boy!
At that thought, Wu Feng's expression darkened.
I have to win! Otherwise, the Young Mistress will be taken away by him.
The stubborn flames in her eyes ignited once more.
Gritting her teeth, she erupted with Soul Power again. Dragon flames rose as she lunged forward with her entire body!
Yet she saw him merely shake his head slightly.
The next instant, Wu Feng only saw Xia Ming's figure flash before he vanished from where he stood. When he reappeared, he was already directly in front of her.
Boom—!
A heavy, powerful punch struck her body.
Wu Feng flew backward and crashed heavily onto the ground.
Her Dragon Fire scattered, and her scales rapidly receded. She curled into herself, unable to stand for a moment.
Wu Long, who had rushed over after hearing the commotion, happened to witness this scene.
He appeared before the two of them, his brows tightly furrowed as he asked Wu Feng, "What happened?"
Wu Feng lowered her head and bit her lip without saying a word.
Wu Long's heart sank as he immediately guessed most of what had occurred.
Thus, he turned to Xia Ming with a pleasant expression.
"May I ask what exactly happened here?"
Xia Ming then recounted everything that had just happened to Wu Long, including how she had provoked him for no reason at all.
The more Wu Long listened, the deeper his frown became.
After Xia Ming finished, Wu Long took a deep breath and bowed solemnly.
"I have failed to discipline her properly. Rest assured, young friend, I will punish her strictly and give Shrek an explanation."
Then, his gaze turned to his granddaughter. "Come with me. You were far too presumptuous today!"
Hearing the anger in her grandfather's voice, Wu Feng shuddered and did not dare say anything more.
Her body had already recovered somewhat. Xia Ming had held back just now; otherwise, she would not have had another chance to stand.
Thus, she unsteadily got to her feet and followed her grandfather away.
Before leaving, she glanced back at Xia Ming, her expression complicated.
There was defiance, fear, and a trace of emotion that was difficult to put into words.
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