Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum

At the Purple-Gold Yaoguang Chrysanthemum's words, Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong exchanged a meaningful glance. Qian Xunji could barely hold back his laughter.

What a coincidence.

When Yue Guan heard the Purple-Gold Yaoguang Chrysanthemum's request, he looked pleadingly at Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong. Qian Xunji nodded.

"Of course! I'll protect the Chrysanthemum Forest for you," Yue Guan said with a bow.

"Ah, human. I hope you keep your promise."

With that, golden light surged from the Purple-Gold Yaoguang Chrysanthemum and instantly illuminated the entire Chrysanthemum Forest. Countless Purple-Gold Yaoguang Chrysanthemums swayed gently around their king, offering their blessings.

Golden light rose from Yue Guan's body as well, while a red Spirit Ring flickered in and out of sight.

Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong watched with mixed emotions. They had never expected Yue Guan to receive the same treatment as Tang Hao and Tang San.

After an unknown length of time, Yue Guan finally completed the sacrifice.

He looked elated. "Your Holiness, Eighth Worshipper, I've reached rank ninety-four!"

"What are your spirit abilities?"

"My spirit abilities..." At Qian Xunji's question, Yue Guan immediately examined them. What he found gave him a shock.

"Your Holiness, Eighth Worshipper, my first ability is Chrysanthemums Wither, Petals Scatter, and Fallen Flowers Break the Heart. My second ability is Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum..."

"It lets me summon two edible Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemums, but they have only one-tenth the effect of the real thing. I can produce them only once every eight days, and each person gets a significant benefit only the first time they take one. The effect drops sharply the second time."

"What?!" Qian Xunji blurted out. Even Bibi Dong looked incredulous.

"You're saying you can summon a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum that someone can eat?!"

"Yes, Lord Eighth Worshipper," Yue Guan answered, trembling.

"Try your ninth spirit ability."

"Ninth Spirit Ability: Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum!"

Dazzling golden light burst around Yue Guan, and a golden chrysanthemum slowly took shape before him. Once it had fully formed, he seized it and, panting, presented it to the two of them.

Producing the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemums had consumed nearly ninety percent of his Soul Power.

Qian Xunji took the two Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemums and offered them to Bibi Dong. She shook her head.

"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum isn't suited to my martial soul."

Qian Xunji nodded. He stopped insisting and swallowed one. The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was supremely yang and unyielding, while the Six-Winged Angel martial soul possessed the three attributes of ultimate light, ultimate holiness, and ultimate flame. They were well matched.

For Qian Xunji, who had reached rank ninety-six, absorbing a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum with only one-tenth of its usual potency took little time.

He moved around a little and felt his Soul Power grow steadier and more consolidated. His body, though, had improved the most. His bones kept popping and cracking.

Qian Xunji was surprised that even one-tenth of the herb's potency could improve his body, however slightly. Besides, taking multiple immortal herbs usually weakened their effects because their medicinal properties clashed. Given that he had already taken three, this result exceeded his expectations.

"Not bad. You haven't disappointed me or wasted the immortal herb and hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring. From now on, your most important task is producing immortal herbs." Qian Xunji patted Yue Guan on the shoulder.

"Yes, Your Eminence, Eighth Worshipper." Yue Guan saw nothing wrong with it. He had received so much that he could never repay it. Even if using his ninth spirit ability consumed most of his Soul Power each time, he would only need a couple of extra days to rest.

Loyal!

"We should head back. I suspect plenty of people outside want to see me now. No, they want to see you." Qian Xunji raised an eyebrow at Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong merely rolled her eyes and said nothing.

"Your Eminence, what about this forest...? Should I come back regularly to protect it?" Yue Guan asked hesitantly.

He wanted to stay here. He had promised to care for the remaining Purple-Gold Yaoguang Chrysanthemums, and the forest suited his martial soul and his cultivation.

But he could not spend the whole year here for those reasons. That would let down Spirit Hall after everything it had done for him.

"No need. I'll have Xiao Tian and Ming Zhong guard this place from now on. You should continue helping the Pope handle her affairs."

"Yes." Yue Guan breathed a sigh of relief. This way, he could serve Spirit Hall and keep his promise.

But why did the Eighth Worshipper choose Xiao Tian and Ming Zhong? He could not figure it out.

Formerly the Clear Sky Sect; now Spirit Hall's Former Clear Sky Sect Scenic Area.

The Sword and Bone Douluo arrived first with Ning Fengzhi.

The moment Ning Fengzhi reached the Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate, a sense of foreboding struck him. The sect's signboard was gone.

There was no damage or sign of fighting nearby, but a faint smell of blood lingered. Not a single person guarded the vast mountain gate.

The three of them hesitated in alarm. Could Spirit Hall have wiped out the Clear Sky Sect in just two days?

Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath.

"Uncle Sword, please go in and investigate."

Sword Douluo nodded and prepared to fly into the Clear Sky Sect. But the instant he rose, he slashed his sword behind him.

Gu Rong and Chen Xin moved in perfect sync, striking behind them almost simultaneously.

After the attack, they shielded Ning Fengzhi.

Boom!

An explosion rang out.

"As expected of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's guardian Douluo. Your reputation is well deserved. But isn't it a little rude to attack before we've even met?"

The Sword and Bone Douluo's sudden attack had startled Ning Fengzhi, but the voice helped him understand what had happened. He steadied himself.

Before him stood two tall, powerfully built middle-aged men who looked almost identical, each holding a staff. Ning Fengzhi maintained his usual refined manner and asked:

"I am Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I came at the Clear Sky Sect's invitation. May I ask who you are?"

"Qiangu Qian Jun, known as Qian Jun. Sixth Worshipper of Spirit Hall."

"Qiangu Jiang Mo, known as Jiang Mo. Seventh Worshipper of Spirit Hall."

"So it's Seniors Qian Jun and Jiang Mo. Forgive the offense."

Ning Fengzhi's heart sank at their answer. Though the Qiangu Family had long lived in seclusion, he was the master of one of the Upper Three Sects and knew something about them.

The Qiangu Family's inherited martial soul was the Coiling Dragon Staff, a top-tier weapon martial soul nearly as formidable as the Clear Sky Hammer.

These two had made names for themselves on the continent when Ning Fengzhi was young, only to vanish soon afterward. He had never met them.

He had never expected both men to join Spirit Hall and become its Worshippers.

"Sect Master Ning, don't go in. This isn't the Clear Sky Sect anymore. It's Spirit Hall's Former Clear Sky Sect Ruins Scenic Area. You'll need to buy a ticket to enter," Jiang Mo said with a teasing smile.

As far as he was concerned, the Sword and Bone Douluo were only rank ninety-three, while he and his brother Qian Jun were both rank ninety-six Titled Douluo. They also had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Even with Ning Fengzhi's support, the brothers could take all three of them.