"Your Excellency, Poison Douluo, I apologize on behalf of Uncle Bone and Han Yu for their behavior. Rest assured, I, Ning Fengzhi, will treat you just as I treat Uncle Sword and Uncle Bone. From now on, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be your and your granddaughter's refuge." Ning Fengzhi stepped forward to smooth things over, his manner refined and his tone sincere.
"I hope Sect Master Ning will keep his word." Dugu Bo clasped his hands in reply, then let out a string of sighs.
Han Yu's heart tightened as he looked at the resentful expression in Dugu Bo's eyes.
"Your Excellency, Poison Douluo, Han Yu was too rude just now. Why don't you accept this Soul Bone as an apology to your granddaughter?" Han Yu said, his voice tinged with remorse.
It was the arm Soul Bone Ning Fengzhi had given him when he first became a Soul Master. He had never absorbed it, claiming that its attributes didn't suit him. When he'd tried to return it, Ning Fengzhi had simply waved a hand and told him to do as he pleased.
Now it had finally come in handy.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone in Han Yu's hand.
He'd heard that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was rich, but he'd never imagined they were this rich. Han Yu had only held him hostage for a moment, and they were already giving him a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone.
If word got out, people would probably line up, begging Han Yu to hold them hostage.
Dugu Bo came back to himself. The resentment in his heart had eased somewhat, but he still held Han Yu's character in contempt. He accepted the Soul Bone without hesitation, gave a soft snort, and turned away.
A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone in exchange for a Titled Douluo—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had made a killing. Dugu Bo stowed the Soul Bone away without the slightest qualm, his expression softening a little.
"Hahaha, I'm back!" Gu Rong's laughter rang out before he appeared.
A black hole opened, and Gu Rong emerged, beaming, with an old book raised in his hand. Four large characters—Ye Family Secret Manual—were written on its cover.
"Take a look, everyone! These are all Immortal Herbs!" Gu Rong spread the book open before the group with no hesitation. He even called Dugu Bo over to look. The enthusiasm was so unfamiliar that Dugu Bo, who was used to being alone, didn't quite know how to react.
Gu Rong's voice trembled with excitement, and he spoke at a rapid clip. "This place is called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It's a natural secret realm with an extraordinary effect on plant growth, and it's where these heavenly herbs came into being.
"These Immortal Herbs each have different effects. Taking one can strengthen your foundation, cleanse your meridians and marrow, improve your cultivation talent, and increase your Soul Power."
"What!?" Chen Xin exclaimed in shock.
There were actually such heaven-defying treasures in the world—things that could even change a person's cultivation talent, something fixed from birth. They truly deserved to be called Immortal Herbs.
Dugu Bo was already regretting everything.
These herbs had such incredible effects, and he'd guarded this treasure mountain for all these years without ever realizing he should pick them.
Gu Rong's voice brimmed with excitement. Smiling, he said, "Look there. This Immortal Herb is called the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. It has earth attributes and contains a trace of earth dragon bloodline. It's best suited for Soul Masters with dragon-type Martial Souls. It might even promote Martial Soul Evolution."
Han Yu silently nodded.
This Immortal Herb really was the best choice for Gu Rong.
"Uncle Bone, then hurry and take the Earth Dragon Golden Melon," Ning Fengzhi said, having seen what Gu Rong was thinking.
"All right. You should all see if there are any Immortal Herbs suited to you, too." Gu Rong nodded readily and walked toward the herb that his Martial Soul yearned for.
Chen Xin remained motionless between Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo.
"Hmm? What kind of Immortal Herb is this? It's so beautiful." Ning Rongrong pointed to a page in the book, staring intently at the illustration.
The text beneath it read:
Lovesick Heartbreak Red, king of the Immortal Herbs.
It resembled a white peony, its delicate petals as fine as threads of blood, its roots sunk into a dark stone. It could bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bare bones.
Only someone with a true and devoted love for another could pluck it by sprinkling their heart's blood on the petals. The slightest stray thought would make it impossible to detach, even if the would-be picker vomited blood and died.
"The one you love..." Ning Rongrong murmured. She stole a glance at Han Yu beside her, and her heart inexplicably began to race. She was suddenly deeply interested in the herb.
If she could pluck it, would Han Yu understand how she felt? Would no one be able to take him away from her? Could they stay together forever?
One question after another surfaced in her mind. Ning Rongrong felt a little dizzy, but her gaze grew more and more determined, and she looked ready to give it a try.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi gazed at an Immortal Herb and asked curiously, "What's this one called? It smells wonderful."
Han Yu followed his gaze and twitched at the corner of his mouth.
The herb nearby had roots and leaves like hanging vines, with a golden tulip at its tip. The flower was enormous, its petals dazzling gold, as if they had been fashioned from pure gold.
It was the Aromatic Silk Beauty Immortal Herb, the one that would help Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul evolve into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. No wonder it smelled so wonderful.
"Hmm? The Aromatic Silk Beauty. It's elegant and luxurious. After taking it, you can absorb the essence of heaven and earth, along with the radiance of the sun and moon." Ning Fengzhi murmured thoughtfully.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was a treasure-type Martial Soul to begin with. According to the book's description, the Aromatic Silk Beauty seemed like it could complement it perfectly.
"Fengzhi, doesn't that mean you might be able to break through?" Chen Xin asked, pleasantly surprised.
"No. I'm too old. We can't waste this Immortal Herb. Let Rongrong have it. Hmm? Where is Rongrong?" Ning Fengzhi said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes as he turned to look for Ning Rongrong.
In the distance,
Ning Rongrong stood before the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, her gaze fixed on it, paying no attention to the voices behind her.
She crouched down and hugged the dark stone at its roots.
She took a deep breath, used her Soul Power to force her blood to surge, and spat a mouthful of scarlet heart's blood onto the petals.
In an instant, countless memories surged through her mind.
When she was little, amid a crowd of people who only flattered her, she had found Han Yu—the one person who truly treated her as a friend.
Only the days spent with Han Yu had made for a happy childhood.
Han Yu was like a guiding light in her life, leading her away from the dark crowd.
As time went by, she gradually developed feelings for Han Yu. Even knowing the gulf between their statuses, she had never looked down on him.
Later, Han Yu awakened Twin Martial Souls, and she was overjoyed. They could keep cultivating together.
Han Yu seemed to know everything. He understood so much about every subject, and often shared all sorts of wild ideas and theories with her. In battle, he seemed to learn everything without a teacher, and his Soul Power Level soared by leaps and bounds, amazing everyone.
She could only remain a Soul Saint, watching Han Yu's back as he went farther and farther away.
Han Yu was like the sun, so dazzling that she could see him and bask in his warmth.
Yet he was so far away, farther and farther with every passing moment. All she could do was reach out and watch him slip from her grasp.
Crack—
Her memories shattered like glass.
The beautiful memories quietly faded away. A tear slid from the corner of Ning Rongrong's eye and fell helplessly onto a petal.
"Rongrong, what's wrong?" Ning Fengzhi stepped forward, stroked Ning Rongrong's head, and held her in his arms. His voice was full of heartache.
"Dad, is my talent really that bad? Boohoo..." Ning Rongrong held her hands over her eyes, clenched them as she tried to wipe away her flowing tears, and began to sob softly.
"It's my fault. I couldn't find a way to overcome the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's flaw." Ning Fengzhi gritted his teeth and lifted his head to the sky, blinking again and again. His lips trembled as he forced out a few words.