After all, the Shrek Academy Team currently only had Dai Mubai as a Soul Ancestor.
Their overall strength was far too lacking.
Moreover, with the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall being such bitter enemies, whether Tang San could even participate in Spirit City's tournament was questionable.
Thus, the Shrek Academy Team was absolutely not within Ning Fengzhi's considerations.
"Rongrong's Shrek Academy Team is filled with geniuses and possesses considerable strength. Their soul duel in Suotuo City last time truly opened my eyes.
Rongrong can still train alongside the Shrek Academy Team through soul duels.
I have high hopes for Rongrong's growth!"
Dugu Shuo also voiced his clear approval of Ning Rongrong.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was exceptionally harmonious.
The implication was obvious—Dugu Shuo was satisfied with Ning Rongrong, while Ning Fengzhi was satisfied with Dugu Feng.
And Dugu Feng and Ning Rongrong were already quite close.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Dugu Family were destined to be bound together.
"This visit is because our family has obtained a treasure, which I intend to gift to Rongrong. Feng'er, take it out for Sect Master Ning and His Excellency to appraise!"
Dugu Shuo said to Dugu Feng, who was seated below.
Such a solemn attitude immediately piqued Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo's curiosity.
What kind of treasure hadn't the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School seen before?
Ning Fengzhi had laid eyes on treasures from across the entire continent.
But those worthy of being called "appraised" were absolutely few and far between.
"What gift?"
A voice came from outside the hall as Ning Rongrong bounded in, three steps at a time, with Bone Douluo following behind her.
"Greetings, Patriarch Dugu!"
Ning Rongrong's face flushed slightly—was this the legendary "meeting the parents"?
Wasn't this a bit too soon? Her heart pounded wildly.
She composed herself and bowed gracefully to Dugu Shuo, then curiously turned her gaze to Dugu Feng.
Dugu Feng didn't keep them in suspense. With a flick of his hand over the pouch at his waist,
a golden flash—the Splendid Tulip appeared.
The rich fragrance of tulips instantly filled the entire hall with an intoxicating aroma.
The immortal herb's roots and leaves resembled delicate vines, intricately woven, cradling the golden tulip bloom at its peak.
The radiant golden flower exuded an air of opulence and regal elegance.
As the flower swayed, it seemed to pulse with an extraordinary energy.
Ning Rongrong took one look and immediately fell in love. "So beautiful!"
Even though Ning Fengzhi and the others didn't yet know the herb's effects, the rich fragrance and peculiar energy alone told them this was no ordinary item.
They all looked at Dugu Feng, waiting for his explanation.
"This herb is what I call an Immortal Herb, born from the essence of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon. Its name is the Splendid Tulip.
It possesses a unique effect—it can evolve a Martial Soul!"
Dugu Feng stated its function outright.
"Nephew, Martial Soul evolution? Truly?"
Ning Fengzhi was astonished.
His Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Martial Soul was in desperate need of evolution.
Stuck perpetually at the 79th rank, unable to even reach Soul Douluo—evolution was exactly what they needed!
"Of course, no falsehood. With Rongrong's talent, consuming this Immortal Herb will not only greatly advance her Soul Power but also evolve her Martial Soul!"
Dugu Feng declared confidently.
"Will there be any side effects? To my knowledge, the Spirit Master World does have some violent methods or herbs to boost Soul Power.
But most damage the foundation of the Soul Master!"
Bone Douluo voiced his concern.
Dugu Feng's description was so perfect that it made him somewhat incredulous.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo also watched with concern.
"If I weren't absolutely certain, how would I dare let Rongrong consume it!" Dugu Feng said calmly.
"Exactly, what's there to worry about? Hurry up and tell me how to take it!" Ning Rongrong snatched the Splendid Tulip from his hands.
Her attitude pleased Dugu Feng. "Gently inhale the stamen, slowly drawing the essence of the Immortal Herb into your body. Then circulate your Soul Power to distribute the medicinal effects throughout your entire system."
"Rongrong, begin the absorption!" Ning Fengzhi urged eagerly.
The Gem Spirit possessed strong treasure-identification properties. Based on the Martial Soul's reaction, this Immortal Herb was at least harmless. If it could truly promote Martial Soul evolution, the gains would be enormous.
Without hesitation, Ning Rongrong raised the herb before her face, focusing on the golden stamen at the tulip's center. The swaying stamen emitted sparkling golden light that made her heart tremble.
It was too dazzling.
Her rosy lips approached and gently inhaled as the stamen transformed into radiant energy entering her body. The entire Splendid Tulip instantly turned to ashes, scattering in the air.
This miraculous sight left Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo utterly stunned. A single inhalation reducing the entire flower to ashes—this was beyond extraordinary!
Immediately, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit manifested, hovering serenely before her. Three Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—circled the pagoda in constant shimmer. Simultaneously, intense golden light radiated from Ning Rongrong's body, carrying the tulip's strong fragrance like flowing treasure radiance.
All this light was eventually absorbed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, making it even more resplendent and eye-catching. Ning Rongrong stood motionless like a celestial maiden descended to earth, breathtakingly magnificent.
This spectacle lasted several hours, yet none of the powerful Soul Masters present showed the slightest impatience. The longer it continued, the greater Ning Rongrong's gains would be.
Beneath the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the golden light grew increasingly dense, nurturing unimaginable changes. Ning Rongrong's power advanced by leaps and bounds, a progression that made Ning Fengzhi's heart race.
"Uncle Bone, Rongrong's original Soul Power Level was thirty-five, right? She's already gained three levels in this short time!" Ning Fengzhi could only marvel repeatedly. They had never witnessed such rapid advancement.
"Thirty-nine now! I think Rongrong is about to reach Soul Ancestor!" Bone Douluo's deep-set eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.
"Brother Dugu, no words can express our gratitude. Even if Rongrong's Martial Soul doesn't evolve, the benefits she's gained today are already tremendous!" Ning Fengzhi excitedly thanked Dugu Shuo.
"You flatter me, Sect Leader Ning. Only someone like Rongrong is worthy of such an Immortal Herb," Dugu Shuo replied with a faint smile.
"Fengzhi... Nine layers!" "It evolved! It truly evolved!" Two stammering voices suddenly cried out.
Ning Fengzhi immediately turned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. What he saw sent his blood surging.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight... nine layers!" His voice trembled uncontrollably. This was the goal of his entire lifetime—the evolution of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—achieved right before his eyes.
"Brother Dugu, do you have more of these Immortal Herbs? For our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, this is nothing short of divine vegetation!" Ning Fengzhi grasped Dugu Shuo's hands in excitement.
Dugu Shuo was momentarily stunned by this.
Ning Fengzhi, who was always gentle and composed, had this side to him?
"Ahem, Sect Leader Ning, the Immortal Herb possesses the power to defy the natural order, and there are never two of the same kind!"
There might be other Immortal Herbs, but this Splendid Tulip truly was the only one of its kind.
Dugu Shuo wasn't lying about that.
(End of Chapter)