Aromatic Silk Beauty and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda

"Yes, that's right. This is Aromatic Silk Beauty, an Immortal Herb that can evolve gemstone-type Martial Souls."

"From what I can tell, Aromatic Silk Beauty has a very high chance of evolving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The better the person's talent, the higher the chance. Whether it evolves into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda or the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, though, I can't say."

Mo An was certain of Aromatic Silk Beauty's effects. He would not say whether it would produce the Eight Treasure or Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda because he was unsure whether Ning Fengzhi would take it himself or give it to Ning Rongrong.

That was also why Mo An had said the better the talent, the higher the chance. He still hoped Ning Rongrong would take Aromatic Silk Beauty.

"Is that so?" Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment, then looked at his daughter, Ning Rongrong. "I'm getting on in years. Let Rongrong take it."

Ning Fengzhi made that decision because it was the best rational choice.

As he had said, he was already getting older. Even if Aromatic Silk Beauty evolved his Martial Soul—by some stroke of luck, all the way into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—he could never cultivate to the rank of Titled Douluo.

Besides, his Innate Soul Power had been only a little over level seven. Even if he took Aromatic Silk Beauty, he probably could not bring out its full potential.

Ning Rongrong was different. Rongrong's Innate Soul Power had been level nine. In recent years, no one in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's main family had shown better talent, and she was the youngest, with the greatest potential. Only she could make the most of Aromatic Silk Beauty.

Barring any accidents, Mo An would definitely become a Titled Douluo someday. Add a support-type Titled Douluo with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and the picture was so beautiful that Ning Fengzhi smiled just imagining it.

Ning Fengzhi did not suspect Mo An of lying to him. For one thing, Mo An himself was standing right there. For another, he had no grudge against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He had no reason to deceive Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo over something like this.

"All right. Since you've said so, Uncle Ning, let Rongrong take it."

Mo An handed Aromatic Silk Beauty to a still somewhat bewildered Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, you mustn't eat this flower. Gently inhale from its stamens to draw in its essence little by little. Then sit cross-legged and circulate your Soul Power to absorb it."

Ning Rongrong accepted the beautiful flower and looked uncertainly at her father and Grandpa Jian. Only after they nodded and urged her on did she follow Mo An's instructions, bring Aromatic Silk Beauty close, and gently inhale from its stamens.

As she did, fine wisps of golden energy entered her mouth. When the last wisp left Aromatic Silk Beauty, the flower withered before their eyes.

At her father's and Grandpa Jian's urging, Ning Rongrong began circulating the Seven Treasure Meditation Method to absorb the golden energy inside her. Golden light appeared around her, and a delicate fragrance drifted from her body.

Immortal Herbs really are extraordinary.

Sword Douluo, the strongest among them, watched Ning Rongrong constantly, afraid something might happen to his god-granddaughter. He was the first to notice the subtle changes taking place in Rongrong.

Ning Fengzhi was slightly weaker and did not detect those changes. He watched Ning Rongrong, wrapped in golden light, with a gaze full of hope and worry.

Mo An, who knew what the outcome would be, remained unruffled. He calmly watched Ning Rongrong, his future trusted helper, and waited for the final result.

Time passed, minute by minute. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared before Ning Rongrong, shrouded in the golden light radiating from her. As the light flowed, the pagoda's glow grew ever more dazzling, until no one could see what was happening.

A little over four hours later, the golden light around Ning Rongrong gradually faded. The pagoda that had been hidden within it appeared before Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Mo An.

Ning Fengzhi knew the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda better than anyone. Looking at the pagoda, now clearly much taller—no, it should be called the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—he froze.

As he stared at the nine-tiered pagoda Martial Soul, his breathing quickened. Evolving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was something countless generations of the sect's predecessors had worked toward for countless years without success.

And now, in his hands, on a warm, breezy afternoon, with no warning at all, that goal had been achieved.

Fate truly did make fools of people.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine! My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda really has nine tiers!"

Feeling the medicinal power inside her disappear, Ning Rongrong opened her eyes. She found her father, Grandpa Jian, and Mo An all staring at her Martial Soul. She looked at it too and counted its tiers one by one. Then, as she cried out in amazement, she turned to Mo An.

Born into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong knew very well what the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda meant to the sect. That was precisely why she was so astonished.

Coming back to his senses, Ning Fengzhi turned to Mo An. "Mo An, this favor means more to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect than I can say. Whatever you ask of me in the future, just say the word. I'll do my best to grant it."

"Uncle Ning, you've seen how remarkable Immortal Herbs are now, haven't you? To be honest, I also took an Immortal Herb from Senior Dugu's herb garden. It strengthened my body."

"I'd estimate my body is now about as strong as that of a Soul Master preparing to absorb a third Soul Ring."

"So I want a thousand-year First Soul Ring."

Mo An paid little heed to Ning Fengzhi's promise. As the leader of an entire sect, Ning Fengzhi could only make good on it if doing so did not harm the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Better, then, to steer the conversation back to a thousand-year First Soul Ring.

"A thousand-year First Soul Ring? Are you sure you can handle it?"

This time, Ning Fengzhi's question carried a measure of belief. He had just witnessed what an Immortal Herb could do. How could he not believe it?

His question was aimed more at the Soul Master theory he had studied for so many years. It was like someone who had always believed the sun revolved around the earth learning that the earth revolved around the sun.

"As long as nothing goes wrong, I can handle it. I'll have to trouble you, Grandpa Jian, to determine exactly how strong my body is, so we can settle on the right age for the Soul Ring."

Mo An knew that Soul Masters far more extraordinary than this would appear in later generations. He trusted that his judgment was sound.

"Uncle Jian, please test both Mo An's and Rongrong's physical strength."

Ning Fengzhi had been stunned so many times that he felt numb. Hearing the confidence in Mo An's voice, he asked Sword Douluo to test both Mo An and Ning Rongrong, so they could plan new Soul Ring ages for them.

Mo An's body had grown stronger after taking an Immortal Herb.

Rongrong had taken one too, so her body had likely grown stronger as well. Since they were testing Mo An, they might as well test her at the same time rather than do it all over again later.

No longer knowing how to describe what he felt, Sword Douluo stepped forward and released the pressure of his Soul Power to test Mo An's and Rongrong's physical strength.