Ning Rongrong went off to train on her own, while Lan Yu went to rest. Only after getting a good night's sleep and restoring his energy could he work more effectively.
For the next stretch of time, Lan Yu did not leave Botanical Academy. He supervised the Botanical Academy Team's training while cultivating himself, until the Soul Master Tournament began.
However, Botanical Academy and Shrek Academy were not in the same division, so they would not encounter each other during the qualifiers.
Without Immortal Herbs, it was hard to say whether Shrek Academy, built upon Blue Tyrant Academy, could even make it through the qualifiers. After all, there were many powerful academies in the Heaven Dou City tournament.
Botanical Academy swept through its own division undefeated and advanced to the Promotion Tournament, which would be held in Heaven Dou City.
"After being away for so long, I really do miss home a little. Dad, Sword Grandpa, and Bone Grandpa will definitely be shocked when they see how strong I am now."
Ning Rongrong said excitedly as she looked at Heaven Dou City, now close at hand.
"Zhuqing, Lina, I invite you to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"I won't be going. I'm following Lord Sage."
Lina refused outright, but Ning Rongrong grabbed her hand and smiled. "It's fine. He'll definitely go too."
"That works. I'll pay the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a visit before the tournament begins."
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi was delighted to learn that Ning Rongrong had returned.
When he learned that Lan Yu had come as well, he treated the matter with even greater importance, coming out with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo to welcome them.
The moment Ning Rongrong saw Ning Fengzhi, she pounced on him.
"Dad!"
"Haha, Rongrong, why did you take so long to come back? I thought you'd forgotten all about your father."
"Dad, what are you talking about? Let me introduce them to you, Sword Grandpa, and Bone Grandpa. This is Lan Yu, this is Zhu Zhuqing, and this is Lina."
"Sect Master Ning, Sword Douluo, we meet again. Bone Douluo, this is our first meeting. Please take care of me."
"Hahaha, little brother, we meet again. Thank you for taking care of Rongrong these past days. Come, let's talk inside."
After arriving in the reception hall, Ning Rongrong could not wait to show Ning Fengzhi.
"Dad, look at my martial spirit."
Ning Rongrong summoned her martial spirit and revealed four Soul Rings: yellow, yellow, black, and black.
Ning Fengzhi was greatly surprised. "Four Soul Rings? Rongrong, you actually broke through level forty? How did you do it? Was this also a blessing from the Sage Lord of Fungi?"
"Yes, Rongrong, is your body all right? You mustn't drain the pond to catch the fish."
Bone Douluo asked with concern as well.
"Dad, Bone Grandpa, you're focusing on the wrong thing. Count how many levels my pagoda has."
Sword Douluo's gaze shifted to Ning Rongrong's pagoda, and in the next instant, he abruptly rose to his feet.
"Nine levels! It actually has nine levels! The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!"
"It really is nine levels! Rongrong, your martial spirit has broken through its shackles and evolved into the legendary Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda."
Ning Fengzhi was so delighted that he could not close his mouth.
"It's all thanks to Lan Yu. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn't have had such good fortune."
"Yes, yes, yes! Little Brother Lan Yu has rendered a tremendous service to my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
"Sect Master Ning, you are too kind. This is a blessing from the Sage Lord of Fungi."
"Hm? Rongrong, why is there a... mushroom living inside your pagoda?"
Bone Douluo noticed the Stretch Geo Fungus living in Ning Rongrong's pagoda.
"Bone Grandpa, that's my Spirit Spirit!"
"Spirit Spirit? What Spirit Spirit?"
"It can condense Soul Rings for me, assist me in battle, let me wield elemental power, and give me means of attack and defense."
Ning Fengzhi could no longer remain seated. He sprang to his feet.
"Rongrong! Say that again! Is all of this true?"
"Of course it's true, Dad. What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Of course there is a problem. Little Brother Lan Yu, this Spirit Spirit..."
"That's right, I made it. In the future, believers of the Sage Lord of Fungi may all receive a Fungus Spirit Spirit."
Ning Fengzhi suddenly turned serious.
"This will change the existing Soul Master system and affect the entire continent. Spirit Hall will definitely not allow you to do this unchecked."
"I understand Sect Master Ning's concerns. The Sage Lord of Fungi is not an exclusionary deity. We do not refuse to cooperate with other deities for mutual benefit.
"Of course, if they wish to wage war, we will not fear battle. Whether there will be war or peace depends on their choice.
"If it comes to that, Sect Master Ning, what choice will you make?"
Lan Yu threw the question back at Ning Fengzhi, leaving him momentarily unsure how to answer.
"Ahem. Rongrong, let Sword Grandpa test your current strength."
Sword Douluo spoke up and changed the subject. Lan Yu merely smiled faintly. They could evade the issue for now, but when the time came, they would still have to make a choice.
They then arrived at an open area. Sword Douluo stood there like a sharp sword and said to Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, begin!"
"All right, Sword Grandpa, be careful. The Nine Treasures turn forth their glaze: first, strength; second, speed; third, spirit; fourth, defense!"
After buffing herself, Ning Rongrong kicked off the ground and charged at Sword Douluo.
"Supporting herself? That speed is no weaker than an Agility Attack Soul Ancestor's! Fengzhi, did you all take the wrong path before?"
"No, Rongrong's physical constitution is simply too strong. Her body is even stronger than a Combat Spirit Master's body after martial spirit enhancement, which is why she can achieve such results."
"Was this also a blessing from that Sage Lord of Fungi? Then this deity is truly generous."
"Shh! Uncle Bone, do not casually comment on a deity."
Bone Douluo immediately shut his mouth.
Facing Ning Rongrong's attack, Sword Douluo merely raised a hand and blocked her punch.
"Hm? What tremendous strength!"
"Hehe! Sword Grandpa, you were careless!"
A stone spike suddenly rose from the ground and shot straight toward Sword Douluo's lower-body weak point.
Sword Douluo was startled as well and hurriedly dodged aside.
"Rongrong, isn't this move of yours a little too vicious?"
"I knew Sword Grandpa would definitely be able to dodge it."
"That's not right! How can you possess such an offensive method? Isn't this a Self-Created Soul Skill?"
"Does it count? My Spirit Spirit gave me control over the Geo Element. This can only be considered a basic operation."
Lan Yu spoke up at this moment. "Zhuqing, Lina, attack together as well. Please let Sword Douluo guide you too. What do you think, Sword Douluo?"
"Of course. Come at me with everything you have."
Sword Douluo grew more serious and summoned his martial spirit, the Seven Kill Sword.
Zhu Zhuqing and Lina used nearly identical moves, charging at Sword Douluo from the left and right in an instant.
Sword Douluo casually swung out two arcs of sword qi, but barriers appeared around the two women. Though the barriers were easily shattered by the sword qi, Zhu Zhuqing and Lina had already rushed before Sword Douluo.
"Fourth Spirit Ability: Cross Gale Slash!"
"First Spirit Ability: Tempest Kick!"
"Spirit Sword Protection!"
Sword Douluo easily blocked their attacks. In the next instant, the two women retreated far away, widening the distance from Sword Douluo as they searched for another chance to attack.
Ning Rongrong darted in to attack, perfectly seizing the opening when Sword Douluo withdrew his move.
Before you continue