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The immortal herb Ning Tianchen gave to Oscar was still the Eight Petal Fairy Orchid from his original timeline.
For Zhu Zhuqing, however, it wasn't the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone but the Shadow Black Soul Grass.
This immortal herb was of exceptional quality. If absorbed by Zhu Zhuqing, it would very likely cause her martial soul to evolve.
In the original timeline, Tang San had likely stored this immortal herb in his soul-guiding tool because he didn't want Zhu Zhuqing's martial soul to evolve.
After all, Zhu Zhuqing's relationship with Dai Mubai wasn't particularly stable. After her martial soul evolved, not only would their spirit fusion skill disappear, but the bond between them would also be severed, potentially causing Zhu Zhuqing to leave Dai Mubai.
But Ning Tianchen didn't have such concerns.
"Xiaotian, this Galeforce Grass is for you. I hope this immortal herb can make up for the gaps in your soul power cultivation over the years."
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but sigh.
If Feng Xiaotian hadn't been delayed by creating his own soul skills, his current soulpower level would at least be that of a Soul King. After absorbing this immortal herb, his cultivation might even approach the level of a Soul Emperor.
"Tianchen Brother, words cannot express my gratitude," Feng Xiaotian said earnestly, bowing as he accepted the immortal herb.
Ning Tianchen then turned his gaze toward the Yu Die sisters.
"As for you two, there are two options. One, I'll give you an immortal herb that will evolve your martial souls, but the cost will be losing your soul fusion skill. Two, you can keep your soul fusion skill and absorb an immortal herb that boosts soul power instead."
Upon hearing this, Yu Die couldn't help but smile. "You probably don't know this, but our martial souls are inherited from our mother. Our current spirit fusion skill is the final form of our martial souls. According to Mother, when we reach Level 70, our martial souls will undergo a metamorphosis and evolve into the Dazzling Enchanting Butterfly. So, we don't need to actively evolve our martial souls."
Ning Tianchen was speechless—he truly didn't know much about butterfly-type martial souls.
With that settled, he took out two immortal herbs.
These two herbs were intertwined, collectively known as the "Yin-Yang Symbiotic Stem," making them perfect for two people who shared a deep connection to absorb simultaneously.
"Rongrong, the immortal herb I'm giving you is quite special."
There was only one Beautiful Silk Tulip, and since he had already absorbed the Golden Dragon Fruit, he couldn't absorb another immortal herb so soon.
Still, he didn't want to miss the opportunity to evolve the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
This was a peculiar immortal herb. Its roots and leaves were like fine, intricate drapes of vines, while its top bore a golden tulip. The rich fragrance of the tulip immediately overshadowed the scents of the other herbs in the air.
"This is called the Beautiful Silk Tulip. Upon consuming it, it absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, as well as the radiance of the sun and moon. It's most suitable for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul."
The moment the immortal herb was revealed, both Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong were captivated by it.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul seemed to stir faintly, as if urging its owner to "consume it."
"Rongrong, we both have the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul. I'd like to absorb this immortal herb together with you."
Ning Rongrong didn't object. "Alright, let's absorb it together."
With that, she grabbed his hand and rushed toward the secluded room.
Ning Tianchen wouldn't absorb the medicinal properties of the herb himself—his goal was simply to use its power to evolve his martial soul.
However, a single herb evolving the martial souls of two people would inevitably exhaust its medicinal energy, meaning Ning Rongrong's soul power level likely wouldn't increase.
After some thought, Ning Tianchen retrieved another herb from his soul-guiding tool—the Cinnabar Snow Lotus. This herb had mild properties and could be used as a healing medicine. If consumed directly, it would temporarily boost soul power but wouldn't improve innate talent—it was a one-time effect.
With this herb as a supplement, Ning Rongrong's soul power level wouldn't fall behind.
Inside the secluded room, Ning Tianchen placed the Beautiful Silk Tulip between them and began refining it using their soul power.
---
Within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi heard the report from a disciple and couldn't help but smile faintly.
"Uncle Gu, Uncle Jian, Tianchen has brought Dugu Bo to Seven Treasures Academy. What do you think? Should we try to recruit him?"
Although Gu Rong didn't like Dugu Bo, having another Title Douluo-level powerhouse join the sect was something he couldn't refuse. "Fengzhi, I think we should recruit him. The old Poison Master has already come to Seven Treasures Academy, which shows he doesn't harbor any hostility toward the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. As long as we discuss terms, I doubt the old Poison Master would refuse."
Chen Xin remained silent, lost in thought.
"Uncle Jian, what's your opinion?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
Dugu Bo's personality was unpredictable, and Ning Fengzhi felt uncertain, so he decided to hear the opinions of the two elders.
After a long pause, Chen Xin finally spoke. "I believe we shouldn't attempt to recruit him."
"Hmph, Old Sword Man, you're deliberately opposing me," Gu Rong snorted softly.
Chen Xin shook his head and explained his reasoning. "Tianchen is also a disciple of our sect, and it was he who suggested making the old Poison Master a specially appointed teacher. If there were an opportunity to invite the old Poison Master into the sect, do you think Tianchen wouldn't have done so?"
From how Ning Tianchen had recruited two talented soul masters for the sect, it was clear that he had considered the sect's interests.
"If that's the case, the fact that he hasn't tried to recruit the old Poison Master or informed the sect about it is unusual in itself. Therefore, I believe allowing the old Poison Master to remain as a specially appointed teacher at Seven Treasures Academy is already the limit. Attempting to recruit him now might backfire."
To everyone's surprise, Gu Rong didn't refute Chen Xin's suggestion but instead agreed. "Old Sword Man has a point. Sect Leader, let's abandon this idea."
Ning Fengzhi desperately wanted to add another Title Douluo to the sect.
The impossibility of recruiting Dugu Bo left him feeling somewhat reluctant, but he had no choice but to accept it.
---
In the afternoon
Ning Rongrong and Ning Tianchen completed the absorption of the immortal herb.
"One, two, three… eight, nine."
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened as she stared at Ning Tianchen's martial soul in astonishment. "Tianchen Brother, your martial soul has actually evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
Ning Tianchen gently stroked her forehead. "Rongrong, count your own martial soul."
A moment later, Ning Rongrong's mouth dropped open, her face brimming with excitement. "Rongrong's martial soul has also evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul was a legendary existence within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Any disciple whose martial soul could evolve to this level was destined to become the sect leader, and the sect's name would change accordingly.
Overwhelmed with excitement, Ning Rongrong planted a kiss on his cheek, then lowered her head shyly. "Tianchen Brother, do you remember the sect's ancestral decree?"
One of the sect's decrees stated that if someone could cause a disciple's martial soul to evolve into the Eight Treasures or even the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, they would marry the person if they were of the opposite sex or become sworn siblings if they were of the same sex.
Ning Tianchen gazed at her tenderly. "Rongrong, we're already a couple. We're just too young to get married right now."
Ning Rongrong whispered softly, "Then Tianchen Brother must promise to marry Rongrong in the future. Let's pinky swear."
"Alright, alright, alright." His three consecutive affirmations were enough to prove Ning Tianchen's sincerity.
A moment later, he took out another immortal herb.
"By the way, this is called the Yearning Heartbroken Red. Legend has it—"
Ning Tianchen recounted the story behind this immortal herb to her.
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