"Dad, take the immortal-grade herb first. Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma is the finest of all ganoderma, and it has dragon attributes. It might even trigger Martial Soul Evolution and help you break through to the Soul Douluo level."
"All right, I'll take it first, then."
Without any further hesitation, Yang Zhentian sat down and took out the Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma. Its entire stalk measured a foot long, while its cap spanned a foot and a half. Of course, the two had already divided up the Dragon Ganoderma Leaves beside it, each receiving several dozen.
Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma was the finest of all ganoderma, said to grow bathed in dragon blood. An ordinary Soul Master who consumed it could greatly strengthen their physique and even their bloodline, inheriting part of the dragon race's bloodline. In some cases, it could even mutate their Martial Soul. It was extremely suitable for Yang Zhentian, a Soul Saint. It could even be called a supreme immortal herb.
With a solemn expression, his father swallowed the Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma bite by bite. Before long, he had swallowed the whole thing.
His father's presence gradually grew stronger, and his Soul Power began to rise. All the meridians in his body seemed to be changing as well. There was even something different about his presence, and his skin was undergoing a transformation.
Only after a full five hours did his father finish absorbing the Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma.
By then, his father's presence was immensely powerful. He looked as though he had undergone body tempering, his body seeming to carry a hint of crystalline translucence. Yang Podi could not help wondering, Could Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma really grow bathed in dragon blood? Even Dad's body seems to have gained a trace of dragon attributes.
"Dad, how do you feel?"
Yang Zhentian struggled to contain his excitement. "I feel wonderful. My Soul Power has already broken through to rank eighty, and my body seems to have an endless supply of strength. My Soul Breaking Spear also seems to be showing signs of evolution. It's a bit of a pity. If I'd taken the Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma before becoming a Soul King, my Martial Soul would definitely have evolved."
"Dad, this Nine-Grade Dragon Ganoderma really is good. Since we're in Sunset Forest, why don't we hunt for a Soul Ring before going home?"
Hearing this, Yang Zhentian shook his head. "With my body's current condition, I could probably absorb a seventy- to eighty-thousand-year Soul Ring. I can't defeat a Soul Beast of that level alone. I'm afraid we'll have to ask both your grandfathers to help."
Yang Podi could not help giving his father a disdainful look. When Tang San reached rank eighty, he could defeat the hundred-thousand-year Evil Orca King, yet his own father was rank eighty and could not even defeat an eighty-thousand-year Soul Beast. The gap was rather large. Thankfully, he had not followed the family's cultivation path.
"Then have you decided to take this Nine-Leaf Sword Grass? You should know it's no ordinary herb. Taking the ninth leaf, in particular, could be rather dangerous."
"Dad, don't worry. I'll definitely be fine. If something really does go wrong, won't you be right beside me?"
All nine leaves of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass were as sharp as swords. According to legend, they could easily cut down all things.
Unlike other plants, which grew in clumps with very little space between them, there were no other plants within a full meter of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, leaving it looking rather lonely.
This was because Nine-Leaf Sword Grass naturally possessed invisible Geng Metal Qi that could shred the surrounding plants. Once it grew its ninth leaf, its Sword Qi reached its peak, and ordinary people could not even approach it.
Although Yang Podi had already reached the Soul Grandmaster realm, he still could not pick it on his own.
Yang Zhentian channeled Soul Power into both hands, holding a jade knife in his right. Nine-Leaf Sword Grass possessed supreme Geng Metal attributes and could not be allowed to touch any iron implement.
After fumbling around for a while, his father finally managed to pick the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass.
"Son, hurry and absorb it. Remember to be careful and stay within your limits."
Hearing this, Yang Podi nodded, then looked down at the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass in his hand. Now that it had been picked, it no longer gave off such a fierce presence.
Taking Nine-Leaf Sword Grass was very simple: one merely had to consume its nine sword-shaped leaves in order, from bottom to top. However, the process would involve some pain, and could even be considered somewhat dangerous.
When he swallowed the first leaf, it felt as though an invisible strand of Sword Qi had entered his body and begun slicing his skin. Traces of blood began seeping through his skin all over.
An hour later, his skin had completely adapted to the cutting, and he had finished absorbing the first leaf.
Yang Podi began absorbing the second leaf. Now it felt as though countless tiny strands of Sword Qi were slicing through his blood, making all of it boil.
Another hour passed before his boiling blood slowly settled, and he finished absorbing the second leaf.
Next came the third leaf, which affected every muscle throughout his body.
After that came his bones, internal organs, bone marrow, heart, and brain.
As he absorbed the leaves one by one, each took longer than the last.
While absorbing the eighth leaf, his entire brain felt as though it were engulfed in sword light. His brain matter and eyes endured tremendous pain, and traces of blood even flowed from his seven orifices. His eyes, in particular, were almost covered in blood.
The eighth leaf took a full five hours to absorb. Once he finished, his eyes seemed to hold wisps of sword light, and his entire being had taken on a keen edge.
As Yang Podi tremblingly picked up the ninth leaf, his father's voice reached his ears. "Son, don't force yourself. This last leaf may be extremely difficult to absorb. There's no need to absorb it now."
Yang Podi ignored his father's voice and put the last leaf straight into his mouth. I've finally made it to the last step. How could I give up halfway?
When the ninth leaf entered his mouth, Yang Podi's entire body felt as though it were submerged in a sea of swords. Countless rays of sword light stabbed into him. All his earlier suffering seemed to return, but the sword light was even more dangerous and fierce.
Clearly, the ninth leaf corresponded to his soul.
Yang Podi gritted his teeth, carefully sensing the damage each ray of sword light inflicted on him and feeling every measure of pain. As though honed by countless rays of sword light, he gradually became fiercer, more formidable, and sharper, as if he himself were a sword-or a spear.
The last leaf took an entire day to absorb.
A day later, Yang Podi felt as though his entire body were a sword, an unparalleled treasured sword, an unparalleled fine spear. The effects of all nine leaves had fused together, the nine returning to one in a seamless, natural whole.
When Yang Podi opened his eyes, a ray of sword light-or rather, a spear gleam-seemed to shoot from them, striking the surrounding rock wall and leaving a smooth cut.
"It worked! Dad, I finally absorbed it!"
Yang Zhentian's face was also filled with excitement. Now that his son had fully absorbed the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, his future prospects were limitless.
"Son, how do you feel now?"
Yang Podi ignored his father's question. Instead, he summoned his Martial Soul, the Soul Breaking Spear, and thrust it straight ahead. A spear gleam shot from its tip into the rock wall, leaving a large hole.
He then swung the Soul Breaking Spear hard, sending something resembling Sword Qi flying from its blade. A mirror-smooth cut instantly appeared in the rock wall. After he used it several times in succession, the wall was riddled with pits and gouges.
Yang Podi kept swinging the Soul Breaking Spear in his hands, then suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. His body tipped forward despite himself.
Seeing this, his father, Yang Zhentian, swiftly flew to his side and caught him before he fell.
"Dad, what's happening to me? Why do I feel so exhausted?"
Yang Zhentian shook his head. "Son, you're only a Soul Grandmaster right now. Your Soul Power and spiritual power are both relatively low, so you can't use it too many times yet. Eat this Dragon Ganoderma Leaf and recover first. You can work on the specifics slowly as you cultivate."
Yang Podi nodded, took the Dragon Ganoderma Leaf from his father's hand, and began recovering.