Azure Luan Douluo Breaks Through to Rank Ninety-Eight

Azure Luan Douluo was even more shocked.

He had not expected Xiao Yu to give away such a precious Immortal Herb.

Such clear rewards and punishments were indeed far superior to Bibi Dong.

He had previously inquired about Yue Guan and Gui Mei. The two had worked themselves to the bone without receiving any benefits, not even a Spirit Bone.

Aside from the two Spirit Bones Gui Mei possessed himself, Yue Guan did not have a single one.

"Zhu Zhuyun, don't think about other things. Just focus on doing your duty."

Zhu Zhuyun answered, "Understood, Your Highness."

Sigh, His Highness is telling me not to overthink things and to work properly, but I can't do that. If I don't show some loyalty... besides, my body isn't any smaller than those other young girls'.

Since His Highness had said so, he must have had his reasons. She could only put her mind at ease and do as she was told.

Afterward, Jiang Qingyu said a few more words before dismissing Zhu Zhuyun.

Once Zhu Zhuyun had left, the second floor of the teahouse returned to silence.

Su Yu drained the tea in his cup and turned his gaze outside. Only after watching Zhu Zhuyun's figure disappear around the street corner did he slowly withdraw his gaze.

Azure Luan Douluo rose from the neighboring table and sat across from Su Yu, the shock from earlier still lingering on his face.

"Xiao Yu, you gave away a treasure like Water-Jade Skin Immortal Bone just like that. Isn't that a bit too generous?"

"She was worth the price."

Su Yu leaned back in his chair.

"In half a year, she turned the Zhu Family and Dai Family upside down while keeping the situation from collapsing. With that kind of capability and resolve, she deserves an Immortal Herb. Besides..."

Su Yu paused, a meaningful curve rising at the corner of his lips. "The stronger she is, the fewer objections there will be when she inherits the throne."

Azure Luan Douluo nodded, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.

He had spent so many years in Spirit Hall and had seen Bibi Dong's methods of reward and punishment countless times, yet he had never seen anyone like Su Yu, who could win people over so effortlessly.

One Immortal Herb in exchange for a completely loyal pawn—no matter how he calculated it, it was not a loss.

"What next?" Azure Luan Douluo asked.

"Back to Crown Prince Manor." Su Yu stood and placed a gold coin beneath the teacup. "I also prepared one for you, Third Grandpa Azure Luan."

Azure Luan Douluo froze, then his pupils suddenly contracted.

He opened his mouth, but his throat tightened slightly. "What did you say?"

Su Yu did not repeat himself. He turned and headed downstairs.

Azure Luan Douluo stood stunned for a moment before hurriedly following him.

After returning to Crown Prince Manor, Su Yu headed straight into the inner courtyard and took another Immortal Herb from his Soul Tool.

This one differed from the previous herb. Its entire body glowed with a faint golden radiance, shaped like a bird spreading its wings. Wind patterns flowed faintly along the edges of its leaves, and the moment it appeared, a breeze arose from nowhere in the courtyard.

"This is the Windfeather Immortal Orchid. It should help you, Third Grandpa, break through to rank ninety-eight." Su Yu handed it over.

Azure Luan Douluo accepted it with both hands. Those hands, which had always been as steady as mountains, trembled faintly.

Rank ninety-seven had been the barrier that trapped him for years. He had feared that he would never advance another step in this life, yet now, with this Immortal Herb before him, he found himself unable to speak for a moment.

After a long while, he said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yu, once I finish absorbing it, I'll take you to hunt Spirit Beasts."

Afterward, Azure Luan Douluo entered his room to begin secluded cultivation.

At that time, Qian Renxue had just finished her work and returned to Crown Prince Manor.

"Xiao Yu, where is Third Grandpa?"

Qian Renxue noticed that Azure Luan Douluo was absent.

Su Yu said, "I gave Third Grandpa an Immortal Herb. He's gone into seclusion to make a breakthrough."

"That Immortal Herb can help a Titled Douluo break through?" Qian Renxue was slightly surprised. Although she had already experienced the tremendous benefits of Immortal Herbs, she still had not expected one to help Azure Luan Douluo, who had been stuck at rank ninety-seven for years, advance further.

"Of course. Don't underestimate them. Besides, Sister Xue'er has experienced their effects herself." Su Yu smiled.

"If it really succeeds, then Sister Xue'er truly underestimated it."

Qian Renxue asked again.

"What did Zhu Zhuyun come here for?"

Su Yu told Qian Renxue everything that had happened.

Upon hearing it, Qian Renxue looked somewhat surprised. "I didn't expect Zhu Zhuyun to handle things so efficiently. When the time comes, we siblings can directly bring Bibi Dong down completely. She has sat in the position of Pope for so many years; it is time for her to step down."

Su Yu asked, "Do you hate Bibi Dong that much?"

"Hate?"

"More than hate. She never acted like a mother at all."

Qian Renxue was instantly angered.

"How about I let Sister experience fatherly love?"

Su Yu teased.

"You!" Qian Renxue glared at him and let out an irritated cry before beginning to scold Su Yu.

And so, Azure Luan Douluo remained in seclusion for a full seven days.

On the morning of the eighth day, a vast surge of Soul Power swept outward like a hurricane.

The trees in the courtyard bent in unison. Su Yu was drinking tea in the courtyard when he looked up and saw Azure Luan Douluo stride out. Golden wind patterns shimmered around him, brilliance restrained in his eyes, and his aura was far deeper than it had been seven days ago.

Rank ninety-eight.

Azure Luan Douluo clenched his fist and felt the surging Soul Power within him. Though his expression remained calm, the excitement in his eyes was impossible to conceal.

The bottleneck that had trapped him for years had been broken in a single stroke. He seemed to have become ten years younger, carrying the bearing of a grandmaster with every gesture.

"Congratulations, Third Grandpa Azure Luan." Su Yu smiled.

Azure Luan Douluo walked up to him. "Xiao Yu, no words can express my gratitude. I never thought Azure Luan Douluo would have the chance to break through to rank ninety-eight."

Because his ninth soul ring was not one hundred thousand years old, his upper limit had been somewhat locked in place.

Su Yu waved his hand. "It's nothing. Get ready—we're going to Star Dou Great Forest."

Azure Luan Douluo nodded.

Then the two set off.

Star Dou Great Forest lay at the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, stretching for thousands of miles.

The moment they entered the forest's outskirts, the light abruptly dimmed.

Su Yu walked ahead while Azure Luan Douluo followed half a step behind, his spiritual senses fully spread as he vigilantly watched their surroundings.

Next, they would search Star Dou Great Forest for a suitable Spirit Beast.

For five consecutive days, Jiang Qingyu traveled with Azure Luan Douluo through the tangled, intricate woods of Star Dou Great Forest.

The damp mist between the trees lingered year-round. The two carefully searched for traces along the way and investigated lingering Soul Power fluctuations, yet repeatedly came up empty-handed.

Days of travel left them physically and mentally exhausted, while the thick layer of decaying leaves beneath their feet rustled with every step.

Azure Luan Douluo's brows were tightly furrowed. He continually released his spiritual power to widen his search range, yet still failed to catch any trace of their target, and a hint of impatience appeared on his face.

Jiang Qingyu did not give up easily.

Not until the afternoon of the fifth day, after they rounded a cluster of massive ancient trees with tangled roots, did the aura in the valley ahead abruptly change.

A unique yet familiar energy slowly drifted toward them.

The two stopped and exchanged a glance. They suppressed their presence and carefully pushed aside the vines blocking their path.

In the open area at the center of the valley, they finally saw the figure they had searched for so long.

The hardship of the past days had finally paid off. The tension within them eased slightly as they focused their minds, stayed on guard, and slowly advanced.

"We finally found it. Now, watch me suppress it."

Just as Azure Luan Douluo was about to make his move, a sound suddenly came from the bushes nearby, directly frightening the Spirit Beast away.

"Who is it?!"