Ning Fengzhi's heart leapt with joy when he saw the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower on the table. Like everyone else, he had consumed Immortal Herbs before and naturally knew how much benefit this plant could bring to a Soul Master.
For the past two years, Sword Douluo had been stuck at level ninety-seven, just a hair's breadth away from crossing the threshold into level ninety-eight. Sword Douluo's talent and insight were certainly not lacking, but he always said that after level ninety-five, a Soul Master had to rely on their own comprehension.
Li Xun felt that if it were level ninety-nine, the ultimate level, external forces would probably have little effect. But for level ninety-eight, he thought it was still worth a try.
Sometimes, what's needed is just a strong push.
It could be a life-or-death battle, or it could be a miracle from great effort. If it were simply a matter of comprehension to break through, Li Xun didn't think someone like Sword Douluo would be stuck at this level.
But life-or-death battles carried great risks, and there were few who could match Sword Douluo, most of whom were in Spirit Hall. So the only option left was to try using the energy from the Immortal Herb.
"Fengzhi, you called for me?" Sword Douluo soon rushed back from outside.
"It wasn't me who called you, it was Xiao Xun who brought you something good." Ning Fengzhi smiled, pointing to the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower on the table.
Sword Douluo was stunned. At their level of cultivation, if not photographic memory, it was close to it.
Seeing the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, he immediately recalled that this herb was one of the two Li Xun had allocated to Yang Wudi when distributing the Immortal Herbs. But after Li Xun had put it away, everyone had forgotten about it. He originally thought it had been consumed, but didn't expect it to still exist.
Sword Douluo slowly walked to the table, picked up the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, and carefully observed the energy hidden within the Immortal Herb.
After a long while, he sighed: "Xiao Xun, at my level, it's no longer just about external forces for advancement. Comprehension is still needed, and moreover, this Immortal Herb is extremely yang in nature, which doesn't suit my disposition."
Li Xun had anticipated Sword Douluo would say this, so he expressed his own view, pointing at the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower: "Sword Grandpa, sometimes when faced with an insurmountable obstacle, we need a miracle from great effort. This Immortal Herb would be of no use if left with me, so why not give it a try?"
"Although this Immortal Herb is best suited for fire-attribute Soul Masters, it also has the effect of purging impurities from the Martial Soul. Even if its inherent energy is of no use to you, I think it will still have some effect."
Hearing this, Sword Douluo hesitated, afraid of wasting such a precious Immortal Herb.
Dugu Bo quickly persuaded from the side: "Sword Enshrinement, you really shouldn't underestimate the boost these external items can give to those at our level. Do you remember that Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Pill I took? You've personally experienced the effects of Immortal Herbs too."
Sword Douluo looked at everyone, no longer hesitating. Following Li Xun's method, he held the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower in his hand and slowly guided the stored energy into his body.
Pain, heat, he felt the potency of this Immortal Herb was far more intense than the Narcissus Jade Bone from before. As the medicinal properties flowed through his body, Sword Douluo felt as if his Seven Kill Sword and his body were on a forge.
It had been many years since he had experienced such pain, and large beads of sweat continuously formed on Sword Douluo's forehead.
Li Xun thought for a moment, then quickly moved behind Dugu Bo. He still remembered the scene from his childhood when Sword Douluo had broken through.
Even Ning Fengzhi became a bit restless. Seeing his beloved disciple's small movement, he also quickly stood up.
Suddenly, a surge of profound Soul Power burst out from Sword Douluo's body. The furniture and decorations in the room instantly turned to debris and scattered.
Hum—
A sword cry rang out, and the Seven Kill Sword suddenly erupted with a sky-piercing Sword Intent. This Sword Intent was bitterly cold, but gradually it felt different from what Li Xun and the others had sensed before - less bone-chillingly cold, and more fiercely domineering.
Sword Douluo's aura also continued to rise. A powerful pressure, with him at the center, instantly enveloped half the district near the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in Heavenly Dou City.
This street was very close to the imperial palace, inhabited by either nobles or high officials. Noticing this situation, they quickly sent people to investigate.
Even the guards at the palace gates were somewhat affected, and in great alarm, they repeatedly reported upwards.
But this was just the aura Sword Douluo was unconsciously emitting. At such a distance, it was impossible to imagine the true terror of a level ninety-eight Title Douluo.
Dugu Bo had the most right to speak on this, as he was at the closest distance, with two people hiding behind him, forcing him to face it head-on.
But fortunately, this pressure wasn't intentionally targeting him.
After an unknown amount of time had passed.
Sword Douluo's aura suddenly retracted, and he slowly opened his eyes. Feeling the profound power within his body, he revealed a smile.
"Congratulations, Sword Grandpa, on reaching level ninety-eight," Li Xun said, stepping out from behind Dugu Bo.
"It's all thanks to your Immortal Herb," Sword Douluo said with deep emotion, unable to suppress his smile.
He had originally thought it would take him several years or even a decade of comprehension, but he didn't expect Li Xun to forcefully push him up with an Immortal Herb.
Although he was no longer young and had long passed the golden period for cultivation, it wasn't impossible that he might glimpse the scenery of a Limit Douluo in his lifetime.
At this moment, Bone Douluo also rushed over from outside. When he learned that Sword Douluo had reached level ninety-eight, he felt as if the sky was falling.
The two had always been in open rivalry and secret competition. He had once mocked Sword Douluo, saying he would break through to level ninety-seven in just a few years and then surpass him in one go. He never expected the other to break through to level ninety-eight today.
"Xiao Xun, hasn't Grandpa Bone treated you well too?" Bone Douluo lamented.
"Grandpa Bone, isn't the situation urgent now? Next time I have something good, I'll definitely save it for you first," Li Xun quickly consoled him.
Then he recounted the situation the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was about to face.
Hearing about the serious matter, Bone Douluo also became serious: "Should we keep the news of Old Sword Man breaking through to level ninety-eight secret, or should we spread it around? The situation hasn't escalated yet, and there aren't many people on the continent who have felt the pressure of a level ninety-eight Title Douluo."
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment, then looked at Li Xun: "Xiao Xun, tell us your thoughts first."
Knowing his teacher was testing him, Li Xun analyzed the pros and cons: "I think it's better to make it public. After all, letting people know is the best deterrent."
"Although this might cause Spirit Hall to be even more wary of us, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
Ning Fengzhi nodded: "That aligns with my thoughts."
"What about Chrysanthemum?" Dugu Bo suddenly spoke up.
"Poison Enshrined, you should proceed according to the original plan. Chrysanthemum Douluo and you have had a long-standing grudge, so if there's friction between you, no one can find fault," Li Xun replied.
With Sword Douluo's breakthrough, Ning Fengzhi also felt much more confident: "Xiao Xun, next you'll need to visit Qian Renxue again, to hear her thoughts."
Although Ning Fengzhi was nominally Qian Renxue's teacher, the age difference and status limitations often prevented him from speaking freely on many matters.
But Li Xun's status and age were different. If calculated by the average age of Soul Masters, they could barely be considered a generation apart.
Qian Renxue was very busy. As an ambitious ruler, she personally handled almost everything. This resulted in her official documents being interspersed with a large number of internal conflicts among her officials and some disaster reports.
However, she didn't feel annoyed by these matters. Instead, she dealt with each one very carefully.
After looking at a report about recent earthquake damage to civilians in Balak Province, Qian Renxue picked up her brush and began writing disaster relief measures. Then she rubbed her wrist and buried her head in work again.
When Li Xun was led into the imperial study by an attendant, he saw Qian Renxue bent over her desk, writing furiously.
"I hope I'm not disturbing Your Majesty?" Li Xun coughed lightly.
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