The Strange Velvet Sky-reaching Chrysanthemum
At this moment, two items were placed before Yang Xiong , a jade box and a lead box.
According to Lin Gong, in order to absorb a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, one's martial soul must evolve again, or their physical fitness must improve drastically.
Yang Xiong opened the jade box. Inside lay a huge chrysanthemum, its petals a magnificent purple, each one soft and furry to the touch, without emitting any fragrance. The flower was perfectly whole, with a pistil that rose more than half a foot above the petals, its tip glowing faintly with golden light.
This was the Strange Velvet Sky-reaching Chrysanthemum , Yang Xiong's favorite among all immortal herbs.
It was one of the finest immortal herbs, capable of energizing the limbs, clearing the eight meridians, and forging an indestructible body.
Among all the immortal herbs, this one matched his martial soul best.
In the past, he hadn't used it because he had taken the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, but now, six years had passed since his Ice and Fire Body Tempering, so there should no longer be any conflict between the herbs.
Without hesitation, Yang Xiong consumed the pistil, then quickly ate all the petals.
Once swallowed, a unique energy rushed through his entire body. This energy seemed to have a metallic attribute, rapidly striking every piece of skin and bone.
Even his meridians were affected, becoming much thicker.
Under the medicinal power of the chrysanthemum, his whole body felt as though it was swelling, his limbs increasing in size by a whole circle.
His bones cracked audibly as golden energy poured into them, even reaching the marrow.
Unlike the pain of previous body temperings, this time he felt indescribably comfortable, as though he was cleansing and reforging his very essence.
After an unknown amount of time, Yang Xiong felt the medicine had been fully absorbed. His body was filled with power, his meridians completely unblocked.
When he summoned his martial soul, his body turned blood-red as before, but the white demonic patterns on his skin had turned golden.
If they had looked eerie before, now they radiated dominance and ferocity, exuding an overwhelming aura.
Without delay, Yang Xiong took out the head spirit bone from the lead box.
Originally, he had planned to only absorb spirit bones of at least hundred-thousand-year quality for all six positions, but realizing he might never encounter that many, he decided to absorb this one early.
This was an eighty-five-thousand-year Blue Silver King head spirit bone , a rare life-attribute bone, perfectly compatible with his martial soul.
Once absorbed, his eyes became incredibly clear, able to perceive the slightest details, as if nothing in the world could escape his sight.
He felt his spiritual power had reached the level of a Titled Douluo, able to withstand even a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast's spiritual assault.
The absorption of both the chrysanthemum and the spirit bone took five days, but he felt both his body and spirit had undergone a complete transformation.
When Yang Xiong followed Lin Gong back to Cloud Mist Mountain, the place had changed dramatically.
The four great families were stationed in the four directions of the mountain, new buildings had been constructed, and the Yu Clan had added many defensive installations.
The Body Sect's academy was thriving, full of disciples training hard.
When Yang Xiong entered the main hall, everyone was surprised.
Yang Wudi looked embarrassed. "Sect Master, you're finally back. Didn't expect you to be gone for three years. Seems your progress wasn't bad."
Yang Xiong smiled. "Elders, I've been cultivating outside these three years. Thank you for your hard work."
Yang Wudi replied, "Not much hardship , these years I've been refining medicine and cultivating. Life here is much better than back with the Po Clan."
Yang Xiong answered, "No need for formalities. Since we're all part of the Body Sect, I'll consider everyone's family and future."
The elders reported on the sect's growth: disciples advancing rapidly, elders gaining strength , Lin Gong and Dragon Duke at level 91, Yang Wudi at 86, Niu Gao at 88, Bai He at 85.
The academy now had over 300 students, including clan members, other body martial soul users, and recruited civilians. It functioned as primary, intermediate, and advanced soul master academies all in one, with a strong emphasis on physical training.
The elders approved of Yang Xiong's training philosophy.
The Po Clan's medicinal business, supported by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, now spanned the continent, with higher-quality products and prices.
The Yu Clan worked on construction, turning Cloud Mist Mountain into a fortress.
The Min Clan set up an information network covering hundreds of miles, alerting them to any changes immediately.
Dragon Duke focused on education, and the academy was flourishing.
Yang Wudi suddenly sniffed the air. "Sect Master, besides the killing intent from the City of Slaughter, you seem to have a special scent I've smelled before."
Yang Xiong chuckled. "Your nose is sharp, Elder Yang."
Yang Wudi replied, "I've spent my life with medicines. Your scent is similar to Chrysanthemum Douluo's. Did you eat the Strange Velvet Sky-reaching Chrysanthemum?"
Yang Xiong admitted, "Yes, I was lucky to get one recently."
Yang Wudi sighed in relief. "Good thing you got it, otherwise that pervert from Spirit Hall would have it."
Yang Xiong smirked. "Don't worry. I'll take his life sooner or later."
Niu Gao then suggested, "Sect Master, the Elephant Armored Sect is still weak from their loss four years ago. Should we move against them?"
Yang Xiong thought. "They will be destroyed eventually, but I don't want Spirit Hall's attention yet. If there's a chance, we'll act quietly."
Bai He reported that the Elephant Armored Sect had been low-key, but Huyan Li had just broken through to Soul King, likely seeking a ten-thousand-year ring in Sunset Forest.
Yang Xiong planned to go there as well for his sixth ring, bringing the five elders and Sword Douluo for support.
The others were shocked at the force being assembled just for a sixth ring, but Yang Xiong explained his target was a very powerful beast.
He instructed them to prepare and keep their movements secret.
After the meeting, Yang Wudi dragged Yang Xiong to the alchemy room, took a drop of his blood, and was surprised at his physical condition.
Yang Xiong then took out the Ten-headed Blazing Sun Snake's core. "Elder Yang, could this help a top fire-attribute beast break through to a hundred-thousand years?"
Yang Wudi examined it with excitement, confirming its immense potential but warning it was too powerful for ordinary beasts , only the very best could withstand it, possibly breaking their bloodline limits.
Yang Xiong was relieved. Even if the Sunset Forest didn't have a hundred-thousand-year beast, he could still get one.