There is less than a month left until the biannual meeting of the four single-element families.
In the Star Luo Empire, the family heads from the Yu, Po, and Min clans, leading a few of their people, have set out for the journey to Sky Dou City in the Heaven Dou Empire.
As for the host clan, the Titan Clan, led by its head Titan, is still in Gengxin City.
At the Smithing Association, on the fifth floor, in the No. 1 Forging Room:
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
A series of coughs sounded.
The smoke dissipated, revealing three people covered in soot.
"Damn it, the last one failed. It was so close!"
"Enough with the complaints. If I hadn't separated the ultra-concentrated gunpowder in time, all three of us would already be dead."
"It's a pity, but fortunately, we still managed to make one successfully."
Saying this, Tang San took out something.
It was a golden lotus, as if a red gemstone was embedded within it. It was dazzling and looked like a beautifully crafted piece of art.
As soon as it appeared, the three people's eyes were immediately drawn to it.
Luo Gao, mesmerized by the golden lotus, said, "I can hardly believe it. If I hadn't seen the power of the ultra-concentrated gunpowder with my own eyes, I would never have believed that this small lotus could be an unparalleled hidden weapon."
Upon hearing this, Tang San replied, "Elder Luo, didn't you know? The more beautiful something is in nature, the more dangerous it is."
"The Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus is so beautiful, and the hidden killing intent within it is naturally extraordinary."
Tang San's mood was fairly good at the moment.
Though the second Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus failed at the last moment due to a mistake, which made what should have been perfect end up somewhat unsatisfactory, they still managed to successfully create one.
"Elder Titan, I believe that after the other three clans see the power of the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, they will not refuse to join our Tang Sect."
As Tang San said this, he noticed Titan's face change upon hearing it. Titan suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "Oh no, we've spent over three months here. There's less than a month until the Four Clan Gathering."
"Master, and that fat idiot, stop dawdling! Hurry up and pack, we need to rush! We might still make it in time."
Saying this, Titan, seeing that the other two hadn't reacted, hurriedly put away the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, then with his left arm wrapped around Tang San, and his right arm swinging Luo Gao, he ran out.
"Only level 25?"
Lin Rong sensed that Ma Hongjun's soul power level hadn't reached the expected level.
Ma Hongjun's second soul ring came from a Red Sun Bird, which had a cultivation level just over 800 years, and should have contributed at least two levels of soul power.
Before absorbing the Phoenix Chicken Crown Sunflower, Ma Hongjun's soul power had reached the peak of level 17, which could be counted as level 18.
This meant that, excluding the two levels contributed by the soul ring, the Phoenix Chicken Crown Sunflower only helped Ma Hongjun raise his soul power by five levels.
Although in the original story, after Ma Hongjun absorbed the Phoenix Chicken Crown Sunflower, his soul power also increased by five levels, the increase from level 31 to level 36 was a much larger amount compared to Ma Hongjun's current five-level increase.
Could it be because Ma Hongjun absorbed the Phoenix Chicken Crown Sunflower five years earlier than in the original story?
As a result, more of its medicinal effect might have gone into improving his qualifications rather than his soul power.
"My lord?" Ma Hongjun noticed Lin Rong's odd expression and asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"
"It's nothing." Lin Rong glanced at Ma Hongjun and solemnly instructed, "Hongjun, focus on cultivating next. Strive to break through to level 30 as soon as possible. When you do, I have an important task for you."
Ma Hongjun didn't quite understand but answered obediently, "Yes, my lord. I will work hard to cultivate."
He was just over eight years old and already a level 25 Soul Master, so he was confident that he would break through to level 30 by the age of nine. Hence, his tone was full of confidence.
Seeing this, Lin Rong nodded in satisfaction and then looked toward Xu Pan, instructing, "Captain Xu, in the coming days, learn more about military strategy and the various basic things to keep in mind in an army, understood?"
Xu Pan, still immersed in the joy of his breakthrough to Soul Emperor, had originally been at level 58, but after absorbing the Nine-Grade Purple Jade, he successfully broke through to level 60.
Thus, after receiving permission, Xu Pan took three teams of guards to the Sunset Forest to obtain his sixth soul ring, as well as Ma Hongjun's second one.
At this moment, when Lin Rong called him out, Xu Pan immediately responded, "Yes! I understand, my lord!"
After answering, Xu Pan began to ponder what the Duke's instructions meant. Military strategy... army...
The two words echoed in his mind, and his gaze briefly shifted to Ma Hongjun. He seemed to have a vague understanding.
"Alright, you're dismissed. You're no longer needed here," Lin Rong waved them off, rubbing his temples as he sat back down.
After absorbing the Qiluo Tulip and Eight-Petal Xianlan, the old butler's soul power hadn't reached the expected level of 90 but was stuck at the peak of 89.
Although Lin Rong had anticipated this, he still felt a little disappointed.
Without breaking through with the aid of the celestial-grade herbs, breaking through with the residual medicinal power would likely take another six months.
Just thinking about waiting for another six months to gain a Title Douluo's combat strength made him feel frustrated.
Six months... That would be enough for him to break through to level 30.
Lin Rong was now seven years and eight months old, with a soul power level of 27.
He had innate meridians open, and after the breakthrough from "Heart Empty, Body Self-Transformation," his cultivation speed had improved once again.
The external soul bone, the Heart of the Banyan Tree, had the skill "Life Rhythm," which increased Lin Rong's total soul power by 50%. However, it also slowed his cultivation speed.
The "Heart Empty, Body Self-Transformation" breakthrough had countered this slowdown, essentially nullifying its effects.
Thus, Lin Rong's current cultivation speed was that of a person with absolute talent—someone whose meridians were open from birth.
In the hall, besides Lin Rong, there was no one else.
He had grown accustomed to the old butler being around, so now that he was absent, it felt a bit strange.
The old butler, feeling that he hadn't made a breakthrough to level 90 in one go and had let down the young master's expectations, had surprisingly put down the affairs of the Duke's residence and entered closed-door cultivation.
"Forget it. Those in high positions must get used to solitude."
"Time to cultivate. The sooner I break through to level 30, the sooner I can see the fully-formed Nine-Tailed Banyan Dragon."