The luncheon had been a success. The food was great, the conversation better, and both the hosts and guests genuinely enjoyed themselves. Ning Bowen, in particular, took the opportunity to catch up with Ning Tian and Chen Junting, soaking in all the stories they'd brought back from nearly a year at Shrek Academy.
Of course, some stories stood out more than others—like the part where Ning Tian referred to Mu En, the quiet man who stayed downstairs in the dorms, simply as "the dorm manager."
Ning Bowen had to press his lips tight to stop himself from bursting out laughing. That "dorm manager" could level cities if he felt like it.(TLN:Mf is OP)
After regaining his composure, he gave Chen Junting and the others a stern warning: "That man—no matter what role he's playing—must always be treated with the highest respect. Don't joke around. And definitely don't act rudely."
Once the banquet ended and Huo Yuhao's group was shown to their rooms, Chen Junting and Ning Tian stayed behind. They headed to the Sect Master's estate, where Ning Bowen, Ye Xuanji, and Zhiyong were waiting.
That was when they shared the real reason for their visit—Dugu Xin's map.
Ning Bowen took the aged scroll with both hands, his fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. "Is this... is this the treasure land where the Qiluo Immortal Herb is said to grow?"
As he carefully unrolled it, the name echoed in his mind:
Qiluo Immortal Herb.
Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
The dream of their sect. A legend passed down for ten thousand years.
And now, maybe... just maybe... within reach.
Ye Xuanji and Zhiyong leaned over as the map was spread across the table. Their eyes flicked over every line, every curve, trying to absorb it all.
Only Chen Junting and Ning Tian stayed calm—they'd already had their moment of awe.
"Hmm… this location…" Ning Bowen's excitement dimmed slightly, his brows knitting together. "Isn't this the Sunset Forest?"
Ye Xuanji nodded. "Yes. It's almost abandoned now. The forest was rich in soul beasts long ago, but over time, it became a miasma-filled wasteland. Only low-tier beasts survive in the outer perimeter."
"Junting, are you sure this is where the treasure land is?"
Chen Junting shrugged. "It's what the map says. But here's something else: Ning Rongrong's ancestors recorded that Tang San, before retrieving the immortal herbs, stayed with Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. Dugu Xin is Dugu Bo's direct descendant. So it checks out."
Ye Xuanji stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Then it's probably real."
Before Zhiyong could weigh in, Ning Bowen tapped the map sharply. "It makes sense now. The transformation of the forest wasn't natural. Someone's been hiding this place. Maybe even protecting it."
Zhiyong narrowed his eyes. "A hidden force?"
The thought made his killing intent stir—but it faded just as quickly. Because if someone had been guarding the land all this time, they'd be unimaginably strong. It wouldn't be easy to just walk in and take the goods.
Still, if they weren't stronger than the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect?
Then all bets were off.
"We're going, regardless," Ning Bowen said firmly. His voice left no room for argument. "This is the best chance we've had in ten thousand years. We're not letting it go."
His gaze swept across the map, landing on a set of drawn trails and floral markers. Green phosphorus flowers, seven... nine... scattered across the valley. The trail was uneven, drawn in stages—it had clearly been explored over generations.
"This path here—?"
Chen Junting leaned in. "Dugu Xin told me this was carved out by his ancestors. They pushed deeper and deeper, generation by generation, before the poison overtook them. But if the Dugu family never found evidence of someone occupying the area, then we might be the first to reach the core."
Ning Bowen relaxed slightly. "An unclaimed treasure land… That changes everything."
He turned to Ye Xuanji. "Call back all the Supreme Elders. We go together."
Ye Xuanji didn't reply. He simply vanished.
Ning Bowen then looked at Zhiyong. "Tell the Soul Guidance Research Institute to prepare cold-type soul tools. Anything we have—use it. Anything we don't—make it fast. We'll need them in bulk."
Zhiyong nodded and moved to leave.
He didn't get far.
A voice called from just outside the door. "Elder Zhiyong? Is the Sect Master available?"
Zhiyong raised a brow. "Huo Yuhao? What are you doing here?"
There was a shuffle of boots, and Huo Yuhao replied nervously, "I… I need to speak to the Sect Master."
Ning Bowen looked at the other two. They were just as confused.
"Yuhao, come in," he called.
Zhiyong looked at the nervous boy and said, almost kindly, "Relax, kid. If the Sect Master's inviting you in, then you've already passed the hard part. Straighten up."
Yuhao nodded and entered—barely hiding the beads of sweat forming on his brow.
Inside his head:
"Brother Tianmeng, why'd you bail on me?!"
"That's not fair!"
Tianmeng's voice echoed back, sheepish. "That guy's soul pressure nearly froze me solid. He's as scary as the Titan Snow Demon King!"
Yuhao blinked. "Wait. Who?"
"One of the Three Kings of the Far North! Not important right now—just focus on the plan!"
The plan.Right.
It had all started when Tianmeng Ice Silkworm revealed something... unplanned. Something he hadn't even meant to keep secret:
Huo Yuhao had a second martial soul.
The two had agreed—if he wanted the full support of the sect and a chance to awaken his Ice Jade Scorpion spirit properly, they'd need help. Big help.
Which meant telling the truth.
Mostly.
So here he was, standing in front of the Sect Master himself.
"I… I have a second martial soul," he said.
Dead silence.
Ning Bowen looked at Chen Junting and Ning Tian. They were both trying—and failing—to hide their shock.
"Second twin martial soul in one week?" Bowen blinked. "You've got to be kidding."
Chen Junting grinned. "Wait. You're the 'ice attribute student' Ma Xiaotao mentioned, aren't you? Yuhao, you sly dog."
Yuhao bowed deeply, almost folding in half. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to lie. My second spirit wasn't fully awakened before. But now… it's ready. And if I don't do something soon, it could backlash. I need help."
Ning Bowen leaned forward, curious. "Tell me everything."
Yuhao explained: the unique nature of his second martial soul. That it would adapt to whatever soul beast he used as its first ring. That he wanted to use the Ice Jade Scorpion—to gain the ultimate ice attribute.
Ning Bowen blinked again. "You want to hunt an Ice Jade Scorpion?"
Yuhao nodded. "In the Far North."
Silence again. Then—
"Good," said Ning Bowen.
Yuhao blinked. "Wait—really?"
"Of course. If you succeed, you'll have a martial soul with the ultimate ice attribute. That's no small feat." Ning Bowen smiled. "The sect will arrange for a Supreme Elder to accompany you. But… it'll take a few days. We've got a major operation coming up."
"That's more than enough, Uncle Ning. Thank you!"
With another deep bow, Yuhao left the room, smiling wide.
As the door shut, Bowen leaned back in his chair and chuckled.
"Seems that kid's full of surprises too."
"Everyone's got secrets," Junting added casually.
Bowen raised an eyebrow. "Even you?"
Ning Tian's eyes sparkled. "Brother Junting, are you keeping secrets from me?"
Junting gave her a teasing pat on the head. "You're the one faking innocence."
Then, he raised his hand and summoned the Seven Killing Sword.
With smooth, practiced motions, he traced glowing lines through the air. They shimmered, spun, and locked into a delicate, complex lattice.
An array.
Not just any array—this one pulsed with life energy. It drew the natural elements to it like a living thing.
Ning Bowen's mouth fell open. His mind spun through possible applications.
"This is…"
Junting smiled. "It's based on soul guide array theory. I call it: Formation."
Ning Tian squeezed his arm, proud and glowing.
Bowen grinned wide. "I see now. Shrek taught you well… but your foundation is ours."
And in that moment, in the hall of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, three generations of talent stood united—with one foot in the past and both eyes locked on the future.
-------
(End of Chapter)
-------
Lacking stones currently??