After Zhu Zhuqing finished speaking, she spat out a mouthful of blood onto the blossom of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red without the slightest hesitation.
The moment Zhu Zhuqing's blood stained the white blossom, it became even more bewitchingly beautiful.
The white body of the blossom possessed a quiet elegance, while that splash of red added a touch of passion to its serene grace.
After Zhu Zhuqing's blood landed on it, the blossom shook violently, stopping several times.
In the end, however, it fell.
As the white blossom fell, the look in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she gazed at Zhao Su changed once again.
She reached out to catch the drifting blossom, then brought it to her nose and gently inhaled its fragrance.
Once Zhu Zhuqing caught the white blossom with its splash of red, the entire flower became even more radiant.
"Eat it. It'll be a great help to your cultivation!"
"I'll eat it later."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the blossom and replied casually.
"All right, then!"
Zhao Su did not force Zhu Zhuqing. Instead, he turned to Ning Rongrong and handed her another immortal herb. "I promised I would help you complete the evolution of your Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Eat this Aromatic Silk Beauty, and barring any surprises, it should evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"Really?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes immediately lit up as she stared at the Aromatic Silk Beauty in Zhao Su's hand.
"You'll know once you eat it. Pay close attention to the process of evolution. Understanding it will benefit you too."
"Thank you, Big Brother Su!" Ning Rongrong suddenly stepped forward and kissed Zhao Su on the cheek, taking the Aromatic Silk Beauty as she did.
"Honestly, you!"
Ning Rongrong's sudden action left even Zhao Su feeling somewhat helpless.
Still, he did not dwell on it. He turned to Grandmaster. "I said that even if I couldn't make your Luo Sanpao evolve, I would help you break through the level thirty barrier. This immortal herb may allow me to keep that promise."
Zhao Su held out another immortal herb to Grandmaster.
"Can it really help me break through level thirty?"
Grandmaster grew excited at those words. The reason he had never been able to break through level thirty was the defect in his martial soul.
But if there was a way to break through level thirty and shatter that barrier, perhaps he could still become powerful without having to remedy his martial soul's defect.
In fact, that had been Grandmaster's original reason for researching martial soul theory.
Only after trying every conceivable method without success had he changed direction and devoted himself to theoretical research.
"As I said, this is only a guess. We won't know whether it works until you eat it!"
"All right!"
Grandmaster took the immortal herb with trembling hands, eagerly sat down cross-legged, and ate it.
Beside Grandmaster, Liu Erlong's face was also filled with excitement, though a trace of worry lingered beneath it.
"Teacher Erlong, this one is for you!"
Zhao Su then handed Liu Erlong an immortal herb. This particular herb had not been picked near the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Instead, Zhao Su had exchanged energy points for it in the System Shop.
His aim was to help Liu Erlong raise her soul power level as quickly as possible and reach the rank of Titled Douluo.
"I don't really need one, do I?"
Liu Erlong looked at Flender, somewhat hesitant.
"Erlong, accept it. It's a kind gesture from Teacher Zhao!"
Flender spoke to Liu Erlong.
After all, in Flender's eyes, becoming stronger was the best way for Liu Erlong to protect herself.
"Then thank you, Teacher Zhao."
Liu Erlong thanked Zhao Su and accepted the immortal herb.
"Dean Flender, this one is for you."
"Thank you!"
Flender accepted it without refusing.
By now, everyone had received an immortal herb. Apart from Zhu Zhuqing, who had not eaten the Lovesick Heartbreak Red blossom,
everyone else had already entered a state of contemplation.
"Are you really not going to eat it? Not only will it strengthen your constitution, it'll also raise your soul power level considerably."
"No. I want to keep it."
Holding the white blossom in her hand, Zhu Zhuqing shook her head firmly.
"All right, then. Eat this immortal herb instead!"
Zhao Su took out another immortal herb and continued, "Though this herb isn't as potent as the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, it's still better than nothing!"
"No need. I can become strong through my own cultivation!"
Zhu Zhuqing did not accept the other immortal herb Zhao Su offered her.
"Mm, all right. Then you can have it."
Zhao Su nodded, then turned to Zhang Ying beside him.
"I don't want it either. If she doesn't want it, neither do I."
Zhang Ying glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and spoke with haughty pride.
"Honestly, I have no idea what's going through your heads."
Zhao Su shook his head helplessly, then ate it himself, though an immortal herb like this no longer had much effect on him.
Still, as he had said, it was better than nothing.
After roughly two hours, everyone woke one after another. Of them all, Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong had undergone the greatest changes.
Ning Rongrong's martial soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, had officially evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
It was no longer restricted to absorbing only seven soul rings.
Meanwhile, the impurities in Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix had been completely expelled. Its flames were much purer, and its phoenix form had become more distinct.
"Xiaogang, you broke through?"
Just then, a startled cry drew everyone's attention.
Yu Xiaogang now looked somewhat younger, and his expressionless, corpse-like face had gained the suppleness a human face ought to possess.
"That's right. I broke through!"
As he spoke, Grandmaster summoned his martial soul, Luo Sanpao, who had also undergone a considerable change.
Though his appearance had not changed much, he no longer looked so dull and foolish, and there was far more spirit in him.
Most importantly, his aura had changed dramatically.
"That's wonderful."
At the sight, Liu Erlong was so overcome with excitement that tears spilled from her eyes. She understood that his martial soul's mutation and the defect that prevented him from breaking through level thirty had been the greatest knot in his heart.
"Congratulations, Grandmaster. Now that you've broken through level thirty, your martial soul's defect will no longer hold you back. How high you ultimately reach will depend on you."
"Yes. Thank you!"
For once, Grandmaster's face was no longer stiff, and a little expression showed through.
Since the Shrek Seven Devils' soul power levels far exceeded those of ordinary students, there was no question of them falling behind in their studies.
The seven of them were therefore given a few days off to do whatever they wanted.
They only had to return before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
That very day, Grandmaster, Liu Erlong, and Flender left the academy to search for a suitable third soul ring for Grandmaster.
Liu Erlong and Flender had both reached level seventy-nine as well. Perhaps, while searching for Grandmaster's soul ring, they might also reach level eighty and become Soul Douluos.
Thus, they left the entire academy in Vice Dean Zhao Wuji's care and departed Heaven Dou City.
With both Shadow Douluo Zhang Ying and Zhao Su at the academy, there would not be any problems anyway.
Before you continue