Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum Douluo shook his head, gazing at the golden chrysanthemum with a tenderness usually reserved for one's own child.

"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is a peerless immortal herb; there is only this one in the entire world. I truly cannot bear to part with it. Once consumed, it is gone, and there will never be another in this world. I wish to keep it, to look at it every day—that would be enough."

Gu Qingshan watched Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression, remaining silent for a moment.

He understood this sentiment.

For someone obsessed with flowers, encountering the most perfect bloom in existence, the first instinct is not to consume it, but to preserve it forever.

However, understanding is one thing; reality is another.

"Elder Chrysanthemum." Gu Qingshan closed the jade box and looked into Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes. "Martial Soul Hall is not invincible. In the future, we may face fatal crises. You and I must increase our strength rapidly."

Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression shifted slightly.

"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum shares the same origin as your Martial Soul and is a perfect match. If you consume it, you will surely break through your current level."

Chrysanthemum Douluo fell silent.

He pondered Gu Qingshan's words.

Martial Soul Hall is not invincible? What did that mean?

In the current continent, there were very few Title Douluo known to the public, and the majority resided within Martial Soul Hall.

Martial Soul Hall was anchored by Pope Bibi Dong, supported by several Title Douluo such as Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, not to mention the absurdly powerful old monsters in the Worship Hall.

Every one of those elders was at least level 95, with some reaching the level of a peerless Title Douluo at level 98, or even a Limit Douluo at level 99.

Such strength was an overwhelming force across the continent.

Where could a crisis possibly come from?

Chrysanthemum Douluo glanced at Gu Qingshan again.

He recalled the events of the past few days.

Gu Qingshan had seen through Dugu Bo's poison at a glance, knew the location and effects of the immortal herbs, understood how to use the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass to temper the body, and knew the secrets of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

These were things a six-year-old child should not have known.

This young master was far too mysterious!

Gu Qingshan was the personal disciple of Bibi Dong; it was not impossible for him to become the next Pope of Martial Soul Hall.

If he and Gui Mei could align themselves with Gu Qingshan while he was still growing, becoming his earliest foundation, the future rewards would be immeasurable.

Chrysanthemum Douluo's gaze fell upon the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in the jade box, then shifted to the Nether Other Shore Flower in the other.

If he consumed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and Gui Mei consumed the Nether Other Shore Flower, both would break through their levels.

Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, the Polar Static Domain, would see its power skyrocket.

Even now, it could threaten a Super Douluo; if they broke through another level, perhaps even those below the Limit Douluo would have to tread carefully.

At that point, he and Gui Mei would be a force that no one could afford to ignore.

And if this force stood behind Gu Qingshan...

Chrysanthemum Douluo raised his head to look at Gu Qingshan.

The expression on his heavily powdered face shifted from hesitation to resolve.

"Very well, I shall consume it now."

The moment it touched his lips, golden light erupted from within his body, staining the surrounding air a brilliant gold.

His Martial Soul, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, manifested automatically, rotating slowly behind him.

Golden medicinal power surged into the Martial Soul; the phantom of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum became more solid, its petals fuller, and its stamen brighter.

The level 95 bottleneck that had plagued him for years shattered instantly, only stopping once he reached the peak of level 96.

Chrysanthemum Douluo stood in place, eyes closed, feeling the surging power within his body.

His aura was significantly stronger than before; he felt like a blade that had been reforged, his edge razor-sharp.

He opened his eyes, looked at his hands, and could not suppress the curve of his lips.

"Level 96... peak." His voice drifted slightly. "Young Master Qingshan, I have reached the peak of level 96."

"Congratulations, Elder Chrysanthemum." Gu Qingshan smiled.

Recovering from his excitement, Chrysanthemum Douluo crouched down, picked up the jade box containing the Nether Other Shore Flower, and held it with both hands, presenting it to Gu Qingshan.

"Young Master Qingshan." His voice had returned to calm, but it carried a new sense of gravity. "I hope you will reserve this Nether Other Shore Flower for Elder Ghost. This immortal herb is a perfect match for his Martial Soul. Once consumed, his strength will surely increase significantly as well."

"The two of us will assist you with all our might, Young Master Qingshan."

The words were spoken softly, but Gu Qingshan felt their weight.

This was a vow—the vow of a Title Douluo.

No, the vow of two Title Douluo.

"Very well, I agree."

Bibi Dong gazed at the flower before her, uncharacteristically lost in thought.

It was housed in a jade box, its entire body glistening white with petals as thin as cicada wings. The plant was only the size of a palm, appearing as pristine as a green lotus or white lotus root.

"Gu Qingshan, what is this?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the flower.

"Teacher, this is the immortal herb." Gu Qingshan walked to the table and pointed at the white flower in the jade box. "This immortal herb is called Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone; it has the effect of nourishing tendons, strengthening bones, and clearing the eight extraordinary meridians."

Bibi Dong nodded, her expression remaining unchanged.

Nourishing tendons, strengthening bones, and clearing the eight extraordinary meridians.

It sounded impressive, but for a powerhouse of her level, these effects were merely icing on the cake.

Her tendons, bones, and meridians had already been tempered to their absolute limit during the process of her divine trials; ordinary treasures of heaven and earth could not provide much benefit.

Just as she was about to speak, Gu Qingshan added another sentence.

"It also has the effect of beautifying and nourishing the skin."

Bibi Dong's fingers paused.

"Beautifying and nourishing the skin?" Her eyes lit up.

"Yes, the medicinal power of this Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone is enough to restore a woman in her forties or fifties to the skin condition of a twenty-year-old."

The office fell silent for a moment.

Bibi Dong was forty-four years old this year.

As a level ninety-eight peerless Douluo, her aging process was far slower than that of an ordinary person.

At forty-four, she looked to be in her early thirties; her skin remained fair and firm, her figure remained graceful, and she still turned every head when walking down the street.

However, soul power delaying aging was not the same as eternal youth. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes grew more numerous each year, and the collagen in her cheeks diminished with every passing season.

These changes were infinitesimal, invisible to the average person, but she could feel them herself.

"Very well, Gu Qingshan, you have a thoughtful heart. Your teacher will accept this immortal herb."

"Teacher, there is a specific method to consuming this immortal herb. You cannot eat it directly; it requires a particular approach."

"What approach?"

"When consuming it, you must eat only the petals and finally suck on the stamen. You must use your soul power to stimulate the absorption, and you must remain calm and composed throughout the process."

As Bibi Dong listened, a flash of complex emotion crossed her purple eyes.

"You even know this?"

Gu Qingshan smiled. "I read it in a book."

Bibi Dong did not ask further.

Following the method Gu Qingshan described, she began to consume the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone.