Thank you to our new Patrons: Dog Jay, Christopher Gärtner, Jose cabrera atzin, Luke Matthews, allen pellissery and mark74497! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to Chapter 195: Why Target Us? on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
Patrons, don't forget to vote for the next novel to be released!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"What a tragic story, Tianchen Brother. Let's not do this." Ning Rongrong clutched his hand, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Ning Tianchen placed her hand on his chest. "Rongrong, I swear I will never betray you in this life."
Having received the reassurance she desired, Ning Rongrong quickly reverted to her usual mischievous self. "Tianchen Brother, this immortal herb doesn't look particularly special."
The unclaimed Yearning Heartbroken Red appeared as an ordinary white flower about the size of a palm, resembling a peony. It lacked leaves, and its roots were connected to a large, jet-black stone that was astonishingly heavy. The white petals bore a few striking streaks of crimson, vivid as blood, evoking a sense of awe.
"Rongrong, use your blood to drip onto it while recalling our memories together. Make sure you don't have any distracting thoughts, or you'll suffer a backlash."
This was essentially a test of their love—if she experienced backlash, things would get quite amusing.
Ning Rongrong carefully bit her fingertip and let a drop of blood fall onto the flower.
In her mind, she continuously recalled her past with Ning Tianchen.
The first time they met, Ning Tianchen had made her laugh uncontrollably with a simple little magic trick.
Later, they both awakened their martial souls together.
About five minutes later…
The top of the Yearning Heartbroken Red bloomed into a dazzling, vibrant flower, exuding a golden-red glow.
"Tianchen Brother, I did it!" Ning Rongrong approached him, her face brimming with happiness.
Ning Tianchen spoke gently. "Rongrong, the Yearning Heartbroken Red is one of the finest flowers—it has the power to bring the dead back to life and regenerate flesh and bone. If you absorb it, it will boost your soul power by at least ten levels."
Ning Rongrong hugged the immortal herb tightly, unwilling to part with it. "Tianchen Brother, this is the token of our love. I don't want to absorb it."
Ten levels of soul power could be cultivated over time, but there was only one Heartbreak Crimson—she couldn't bear to absorb it.
Hearing this, Ning Tianchen chuckled softly and handed her the Cinnabar Snow Lotus he had prepared earlier.
"Rongrong, I absorbed half of the Beautiful Silk Tulip's medicinal energy, so your soul power didn't increase much. Take this Cinnabar Snow Lotus and absorb it."
"Alright." Ning Rongrong accepted the herb happily, her face glowing with bliss.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
The Yu Die sisters and Oscar were the first to complete their absorption of the immortal herbs. Their soul power levels had reached Level 40.
After absorbing their soul rings, the Yu Die sisters' soul power would increase further, while Oscar barely scraped by at Level 40.
Soon after, Feng Xiaotian also completed his absorption, his soul power level rising by five levels to reach Level 46.
When Ning Tianchen arrived and learned of everyone's progress, he couldn't help but smile. "It seems the immortal herbs have been very helpful to you all. I suggest you spend the next few days cultivating to adapt to your increased soul power before hunting for soul rings later."
A sudden surge in soul power required soul masters to spend time adjusting to their new state.
No one objected to his suggestion.
After waiting a moment longer, Chen Huayu burst out of the secluded room, brimming with excitement.
His gains were significant—his soul power had broken through to Level 30, and even his martial soul had evolved.
His original Black Bear martial soul had evolved into a Gigantic Rock Black Bear.
"You've made great progress. After absorbing a soul ring, participating in Soul Ancestor-level soul battles shouldn't be a problem," Feng Xiaotian remarked with a laugh.
After settling Dugu Bo, Ke Jie came over and, upon seeing everyone's condition, couldn't help but ask, "What's going on? Why have your soul power levels skyrocketed like this?"
"Haha, Teacher, it's all thanks to the immortal herbs Tianchen brought us," Feng Xiaotian explained with a grin.
Ke Jie was a scholar specializing in martial souls but knew nothing about immortal herbs.
After Ning Tianchen's explanation, he finally understood.
Immortal herbs were a type of heavenly treasure. For Ning Tianchen and Dugu Bo to encounter such an opportunity was truly remarkable luck.
After some thought, Ning Tianchen retrieved a nine-grade Purple Ganoderma from his soul-guiding tool.
Though it was of lesser quality compared to true immortal herbs, it could still enhance the innate talent of older soul masters, making it extremely valuable to Ke Jie.
"You should keep it for yourselves to absorb," Ke Jie declined politely.
At his age, he had little room for advancement. Rather than waste the herb on himself, it was better to leave it for the younger generation.
While they were speaking, Zhu Zhuqing also completed her absorption of the immortal herb.
Her Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul had evolved into a Shadow Cat Demon.
This marked a complete severance of her ties with the Zhu family of Star Luo.
"Tianchen, thank you," Zhu Zhuqing said with a bow.
"No need to be polite—we're all classmates."
As he spoke, Ning Tianchen turned his gaze to Ke Jie. "Elder Ke, this item can enhance your innate talent, but it cannot guarantee that its medicinal energy will allow you to break through to become a Title Douluo. However, you don't need to worry—with improved talent, you'll be able to cultivate up to the level of a Title Douluo."
Becoming a Title Douluo was the dream of every soul master on the continent.
Now, with the dream within reach, even the usually composed Ke Jie couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"Tianchen, words cannot express my gratitude. I will forever remember your kindness," Ke Jie said solemnly as he accepted the immortal herb.
In terms of contributions, the sect's other two peak Soul Douluos surpassed him. Giving the herb to someone already nearing the end of their life would have been a waste.
Ning Tianchen knew that Ning Fengzhi desperately wanted to recruit another Title Douluo for the sect. He had promised not to let Dugu Bo join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, so helping Ke Jie advance would put an end to Ning Fengzhi's hopes for Dugu Bo.
---
Inside a carriage traveling along the main road…
Dai Mubai, who had been cultivating inside the carriage, suddenly felt a sharp pang in his heart.
"Boss Dai, what's wrong?" Tang San asked with concern.
Dai Mubai clutched his chest and took two minutes to recover. "I don't know why, but my heart suddenly felt a sharp pain. But it's fine now."
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling as though he had lost something, yet he couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Tang San, an expert in poisons and skilled in medicine, immediately examined Dai Mubai.
After a moment, he said, "Boss Dai must be overexerted. Rest well for a while, and you won't experience sudden heart pain again."
Flender lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out. "We still have a few more days of travel to Tiandou City. Everyone, hang in there. Once we arrive, there will be plenty of time to rest."
---
Later that evening, after finishing her cultivation, Dugu Yan arrived at Seven Treasures Academy.
Since the members of the Seven Treasures Team were currently adapting to their newly boosted strength, the team's upcoming soul battles had been temporarily canceled. This gave Ning Tianchen time to personally greet Dugu Yan at the entrance.
"Long time no see," Ning Tianchen waved at her.
Dugu Yan had mixed feelings about him and responded indifferently. "Where's Grandfather? Take me to see him."
Ning Tianchen nodded slightly and led her into the academy.
On the way, he said, "Your grandfather is now a specially appointed teacher at Seven Treasures Academy. What do you think? Do you want to come over?"
He didn't expect her to agree—it was just a casual question.
"Stop talking nonsense!" Dugu Yan muttered, giving him a light scolding.
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.