Yang Wudi

"Pinky swear. No lying!" Ning Rongrong sniffled, then smiled through her tears.

"I won't lie to you. All right, go back and cultivate. I need to enter seclusion and push for level thirty as well."

After bidding Ning Rongrong farewell, Gu En headed straight back to his private chamber.

Inside the chamber sat a box carved from Ten-Thousand-Year Frost Jade.

When he opened it, he found a dark purple, gelatinous substance that gave off a faintly fishy smell yet contained astonishing energy—Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue.

On the present-day Douluo Continent, most people still regarded this stuff as a cheap, even somewhat "indecent," tonic, believing it was good for nothing beyond aphrodisiac effects and removing body odor.

But two years ago, under the pretext of "ancient records," Gu En had told Ning Fengzhi of whale glue's true use—when consumed after being heated at high temperatures, it could greatly strengthen a soul master's physical resilience.

He had also told Ning Fengzhi the secret to raising the upper limit for absorbing soul rings.

That night, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong had tested it personally, and the results had left them utterly shocked.

Thanks to that secret, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had quietly monopolized nearly eighty percent of all ten-thousand-year whale glue across the continent over the past two years.

As a reward, Ning Fengzhi had not only given Gu En the sect's highest-ranking medal, but had also allowed him unlimited use of these strategic resources.

"Level twenty-nine at the peak. It's time."

Gu En took a deep breath. Rather than using charcoal, he directly activated the Blood Dragon Martial Soul within his body.

Threads of dark crimson Blood Dragon vitality seeped from his palm, instantly enveloping the chunk of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue.

As the temperature rose, the originally hard whale glue rapidly melted, turning into a bowl of thick liquid as red as a ruby.

Gu En did not hesitate. Tilting back his head, he drained it in one gulp.

"Boom—!"

An incomparably violent surge of heat exploded in his abdomen, like a wild horse breaking free of its reins as it rampaged madly through his meridians.

"Hmph!"

Gu En let out a muffled groan. The skin across his body instantly turned crimson, and wisps of white smoke even rose from his pores.

The energy within the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue was too powerful. An ordinary Great Soul Master would likely have exploded and died by now.

But Gu En was different.

The phantom of a Bone Dragon emerged behind him, and spatial power firmly protected his internal organs.

Meanwhile, the Blood Dragon markings in his left palm flashed madly, greedily devouring the life essence within the whale glue and converting it into pure physical strength.

His bones crackled as their structure became denser. His blood surged and roared as his vitality grew increasingly vigorous.

One hour, then two...

It was not until the moon stood high overhead that the heat waves within the chamber gradually subsided.

Gu En opened his eyes, and two sharp glints flashed through the darkness like lightning.

He lightly clenched his fist, and a faint explosion sounded in the air.

"Level thirty."

It was not merely a breakthrough in level. He could feel that after being tempered by the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue, his physical body was now likely strong enough to withstand a ten-thousand-year soul ring!

Gu En walked out of the chamber. With a flicker, he vanished from where he stood.

The next second, he appeared in the quiet courtyard where Gu Rong lived.

Gu Rong was seated on a stone bench, pouring himself a drink. When he saw Gu En appear, he first froze, then his eyes burst with wild joy. "En'er, you broke through?"

"Grandfather, I've reached level thirty." Gu En walked before Gu Rong and gave a slight bow.

"Good! Good! Good!" Gu Rong said "good" three times in a row, so excited that even his voice trembled.

"Level thirty at ten years old—the ancestors of our Gu family must be sending up smoke from their graves! Come on, let's find your Uncle Ning and that old bastard right now to discuss your third soul ring!"

"Grandfather, wait a moment." Gu En stopped the hurried Gu Rong.

"What is it?"

Gu En shook his head, his gaze clear.

"A ten-thousand-year soul ring is not merely a test of the physical body. There is also the 'soul shock.'

"Although my body is strong now, my spiritual power is still insufficient to completely ignore the impact of a ten-thousand-year soul beast's resentment at the moment of death.

"So I need to resolve the issue of spiritual power first."

"Oh? What do you plan to do?"

"I want to meet someone—the patriarch of the Po Clan, Yang Wudi."

Gu En paused, then began to explain.

Gu Rong pondered for a moment.

"The Po Clan... Ever since the Clear Sky Sect withdrew from the world, life has not been easy for their four great clans."

Several days later, within the Heaven Dou Empire, in the territory of the Po Clan.

Compared to the extravagance of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Po Clan's residence seemed somewhat bleak and deserted. A rich scent of medicinal herbs permeated the air.

"Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has come with his grandson to pay a visit to Clan Chief Yang."

Gu Rong's voice was not loud, yet it clearly spread throughout the entire residence.

A moment later, a tall, stern-faced black-haired elder strode out. With every step he took, a faint but sharp intent of the Soul-Breaking Spear radiated from his body.

"Bone Douluo's visit is truly a rare honor."

Yang Wudi's voice was firm and forceful. Though his manners were impeccable, his eyes held the proud aloofness of someone who kept others at arm's length.

Gu Rong laughed heartily and pointed at Gu En beside him.

"Yang Wudi, quit pulling that sour face. This isn't sect business today. My grandson has a keen interest in medicinal herbs. He heard that you are the continent's greatest apothecary, so he came specifically to seek your guidance."

Yang Wudi looked at Gu En, one eyebrow lifting slightly. Clearly, he did not believe it.

Seeing this, Gu En could only step forward and calmly offer the salute of a junior.

"This junior once read records of the Serene Fragrance Silk Immortal Herb in a fragmentary scroll. Has Senior Yang ever heard of it?"

"What did you say?!"

The sharp gleam in Yang Wudi's formerly indifferent eyes erupted at once. He flashed directly before Gu En, his breathing turning noticeably heavier.

"You have seen records of the Serene Fragrance Silk Immortal Herb? Quickly, tell me—what else did that fragmentary scroll say?"

The Serene Fragrance Silk Immortal Herb was a divine treasure that apothecaries dreamed of obtaining. It was said to counter all poisons and was also a supreme treasure capable of enhancing medicinal effects.

Gu En smiled faintly. He knew he had seized Yang Wudi's weakness.

"The fragmentary scroll said that this flower's fragrance could neutralize all toxins, and that the growth rate of medicinal herbs around it would increase severalfold."

Gu En paused before continuing.

"Furthermore, there were vague descriptions of immortal herbs such as the Strange Velvet Sky-Piercing Chrysanthemum and the Star Anise Mysterious Ice Grass..."

Yang Wudi listened as though entranced. Only after a long while did he let out a deep sigh. The way he looked at Gu En had completely changed.

His former indifference had become the appreciation of a kindred spirit.

"Good! What a brilliant young talent!"

Yang Wudi laughed loudly, then turned aside and made an inviting gesture.

"Bone Douluo, young friend Gu En, please come in! Let us sit down and discuss this in detail."

After entering the chamber, Yang Wudi personally poured tea for the two of them, his tone becoming much gentler.

"Young friend Gu En, to be honest, this old man has spent his entire life studying medicinal principles. I have long yearned for the immortal herbs you mentioned."

"Your words today have truly cleared away the clouds and mist before this old man."