Jin Shan Breaks Through, Huo Lei Consumes the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King

The immortal herb's top spread out like a canopy. It resembled a lingzhi mushroom, entirely purple in color, with an emerald-like stalk beneath it and nine leaves growing from it.

Huo Lei put away the Wishful Treasure Pouch and walked up to Jin Shan with the immortal herb in his hands. "Teacher, for now, I'll call it Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma. Ganoderma has always been regarded as something precious. This Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma feels very mild, and it has nine leaves, so it definitely isn't ordinary. I'm giving it to you, Teacher. I hope it brings you good fortune and helps you break through to rank ninety-five sooner, becoming a Super Douluo."

Huo Lei appealed to his teacher with both emotion and reason. His face was filled with sincerity, and his words carried thoughtfulness and gratitude, perfectly expressing his feelings.

Before Jin Shan could speak, Huo Lei had already plucked the ganoderma from its stalk and held it out before him.

"It's rare for you to have such filial devotion. Your teacher was somewhat out of sorts just now."

Feeling Huo Lei's eager gaze, Jin Shan sighed inwardly. With a trace of gratification, he accepted the ganoderma. Sensing the energy fluctuations it gave off, he directly placed it in his mouth, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it.

"Teacher, refine and absorb it. This disciple won't disturb you."

After saying that, Huo Lei turned and left, closing the door for his teacher as he went.

After leaving, Huo Lei went to Lin Yin's residence. The two ate some breakfast in the academy cafeteria, took a stroll around the academy, and then returned to their respective residences.

Back in his room, Huo Lei dropped onto the sofa, leaned back, and stared at the ceiling as he muttered to himself, "Now that everyone in the family has received an immortal herb, aside from those with conflicting attributes or those that can't be consumed and absorbed, there are only five left: Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King, and Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.

"As for that seven-colored chrysanthemum, I have no idea what immortal herb it is. It wasn't mentioned in the original Douluo novel either. I'd better store that unknown immortal herb for now. It won't spoil inside the Wishful Treasure Pouch anyway."

"No one is suitable for Lovesick Heartbreak Red right now. Everyone's single. Aromatic Silk Beauty can be saved for my future lover. That leaves Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King, and Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.

"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament will be held in about half a year. I'm only rank forty-five now, and my strength is still far from enough. I have to consume another immortal herb. Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew improves spiritual power and eyesight, but it does little for Soul Power. I can only choose between Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King."

"It was troubling when I didn't have any, and it's troubling now that I do. Sigh! What a pain."

Huo Lei let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

Time passed second by second, and the sun traveled from the east to the west.

"Ha ha ha!"

"Brat, open the door!"

Jin Shan's booming laughter came from outside, waking Huo Lei from the sofa.

"Did that old man refine and absorb the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma that quickly?"

Huo Lei rubbed his eyes and glanced outside, only to find that the sky had already darkened.

"Brat, what are you doing? Dreaming about marrying a wife? Open the door!"

"Ha ha ha!"

Jin Shan urged him again from outside.

"This old man... I'm coming!"

Huo Lei called back through the door, rose to his feet, and walked over.

The moment Huo Lei opened the door, Jin Shan scooped him up before he could say anything and rushed into the room.

Huo Lei was shocked. "Teacher, what are you doing? Put me down!"

"Ha ha ha!"

"Brat, your teacher broke through! Your teacher broke through!"

Jin Shan carried Huo Lei around in circles inside the room.

"Congratulations, Teacher! Could you put this disciple down first?"

Huo Lei pleaded.

"Ha ha ha!"

"Sorry, your teacher was too excited. Brat, that herb you gave me really is good stuff!"

Jin Shan hurriedly let go and set Huo Lei down, looking at him with a broad smile.

"Teacher, you scared me half to death. This disciple thought you'd gone crazy!"

Huo Lei patted his still-heaving chest.

"This time, I truly have to thank you, little fellow. A problem that had troubled me for ten years has finally been solved. After absorbing the herb's energy, combined with my accumulated cultivation over the years, my Soul Power has now reached the peak of rank ninety-five. I'm just one step away from joining the ranks of rank ninety-six Super Douluos."

"Ha ha ha!"

Jin Shan spoke happily as he sat down on the sofa.

"Congratulations on becoming a Super Douluo, Teacher! This is a truly memorable day. Let's go to a grand hotel, Teacher. This disciple will treat you to a celebration."

Huo Lei rattled on enthusiastically and spoke with great generosity.

"That's the spirit! You brat are exactly to my taste. Let's go! Your teacher will treat you."

Jin Shan slapped his thigh, rose from the sofa, grabbed Huo Lei, and pulled him out of the room.

Two hours later, Huo Lei returned to his residence from the hotel. He poured himself a glass of water from the table and gulped it down in one go. Then he sat on the sofa and began to think.

"Teacher is Blazing Fire Academy's greatest trump card, and also my greatest support. His martial soul, the Vajra Tiger King, excels most in defense. Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum can not only strengthen the body, but after consuming it, one can cultivate an indestructible vajra body. It suits him perfectly. However, judging by Teacher's Soul Ring configuration, his future upper limit will probably stop at the peak of rank ninety-seven at most. Reaching rank ninety-eight is likely impossible. To be safe, I should keep Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in reserve for Teacher."

Huo Lei stretched out his right hand and retrieved the Wishful Treasure Pouch. From it, he took out a completely golden ginseng plant. It was the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King, which could consolidate one's foundation, nourish one's vitality, increase Soul Power, and establish one's cultivation base.

Huo Lei put away the Wishful Treasure Pouch, sat cross-legged, and examined the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King in his hand as its glow flowed across its surface. He muttered, "I hope you can give me satisfying results."

Following Ji Xiang's method of consumption from the original novel, Huo Lei carefully pierced the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King's skin with his fingernail, then immediately brought his mouth close and gently sucked. Very quickly, the ginseng's body shriveled up, while its essence turned into liquid and flowed into his stomach. Huo Lei did not discard the ginseng skin, instead putting it away directly.

In an instant, Huo Lei's face began to redden, and his entire body felt feverish. This was the effect of the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King taking hold. He did not dare to be careless and hurriedly circulated his Soul Power through the meridians throughout his body.

Before long, thick steam surrounded Huo Lei's body. Large beads of sweat appeared on his face, and his red clothes gradually became soaked through. His breathing also grew somewhat heavier than usual.

As time passed, Huo Lei's condition stabilized. The steam around his body gradually dissipated, and his breathing returned to normal.

The next morning, excited laughter rang out within the room. "Ha ha ha... As expected of the Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King. It didn't disappoint me. I rose five full ranks in a single night. I've finally reached rank fifty." The one who had awakened from cultivation was Huo Lei.

After his excitement faded, Huo Lei felt sticky all over, as if his body were covered in filth. He hurried into the bathroom, took a hot bath, and changed into clean clothes. He always kept several sets of clothing in his storage ring, so this was never a concern.

Huo Lei took out the Sleeve Arrow he had put away before bathing and strapped it back onto his right arm. As he tied it on, he muttered, "Can't forget something that saves my life."

Once everything was ready, the corners of Huo Lei's lips curled upward. "First, I'll share the good news with Father. Then I'll prepare to set out for the Star Dou Great Forest and add a fifth Soul Ring to my Flame martial soul. At the same time, I'll try my luck and see if I can get a Soul Bone for Lin Yin. I should keep the promise I made to her."