. Sword Douluo seems unwilling to act as matchmaker, remaining silent in the background and not offering any assistance.
"It's our first meeting, and I'm unprepared. I happened to obtain four immortal herbs, which I'm giving to Rongrong and the three elders."
"Oh, what are immortal herbs?" Sword Douluo asked at this moment.
Ma Hongjun smiled and said, "Immortal herbs are the finest among medicines, their preciousness and rarity are no less than that of a 100,000-year-old soul beast or a titled Douluo among soul masters.
Such things should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear of them in the mortal world?"
"You make it sound so precious, quickly take it out and let us see!" Sword Douluo urged.
Ma Hongjun took out the first box from his belt. Under
everyone's gaze, he slowly opened the lid, and golden light shone out.
This was a very strange immortal herb. The roots and leaves below were like vines, densely combed, but the top was a golden tulip. The
rich tulip scent immediately spread, the rich fragrance giving people a magnificent feeling, refreshing the mind and body.
"This celestial herb is called the Qiluo Tulip, elegant and luxurious. Consuming it allows one to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon .
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is a treasure-type martial soul, complementing this flower.
This flower cannot be ingested; one must gently inhale its essence through the stamen, slowly absorbing it into the body, and then cultivate soul power to allow the medicinal effects to spread throughout the body.
This one is for Rongrong; Rongrong, you absorb it first."
Ning Rongrong happily accepted the Qiluo Tulip from Ma Hongjun, then sat cross-legged in the hall, absorbing it according to Ma Hongjun's instructions.
With Sword Douluo and others protecting her, there was no need to worry about being disturbed.
Ma Hongjun took out a second box.
The box opened, revealing a verdant light, with verdant lotus leaves on the outside and a pale yellow orchid in the center. The rich fragrance of the orchid immediately overwhelmed the previous tulip.
"This celestial product is the Jade Petal Lotus Orchid, similar to Rongrong's Qiluo Tulip, and is also very suitable for support-type Soul Masters. The
Qiluo Tulip is undoubtedly the most suitable for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul, but unfortunately, there's only one Qiluo Tulip.
This celestial product also gently absorbs the stamen, but the outer lotus leaves need to be swallowed.
This celestial product has a mild and mellow medicinal property, easily absorbed, but it takes a long time. It can strengthen the foundation and remove impurities from the body.
This one is for Uncle Ning."
Ning Fengzhi took the Jade Petal Lotus Orchid from Ma Hongjun, but upon hearing that absorption takes a long time, he didn't rush to absorb it, continuing to watch Ma Hongjun's next offering.
This was their first time encountering a celestial product, so they weren't particularly shocked. Even if Ma Hongjun described it as miraculous, they needed to witness it firsthand to believe in its effects.
Ma Hongjun took out the third box. This time, no light shone forth. Inside was a pale purple celestial herb, its top like a lid—a Ganoderma lucidum. The Ganoderma lucidum was entirely purple, with a jade-like stem below, bearing nine leaves.
"This is a Grade Nine Dragon Fungus, considered top-grade among immortal herbs. It has the effects of strengthening the foundation, nourishing the vital energy, and enhancing one's abilities.
This herb needs to be boiled down to extract its essence, and the broth should be consumed.
This one is for Grandpa Bone."
Bone Douluo accepted it indifferently, without any expression, as if he were just going through the motions, accepting the gift only out of courtesy.
Ma Hongjun smiled slightly and didn't say much, continuing to take out the fourth box.
"This last immortal herb is for Grandpa Sword, but I'll open it after Rongrong has absorbed it, otherwise it might affect her." Ma Hongjun looked at Ning Rongrong, who was radiating seven-colored light and calmly absorbing the Qiluo Tulip, and said.
"You mean, if this box is opened, the contents can still affect Rongrong?" Sword Douluo asked curiously and eagerly.
This was finally his turn, but he still had to wait.
"You'll know when you open it."
Ma Hongjun said leisurely, keeping him in suspense.
"Hey, kid.
When did you learn so much? You even know about herbs?"
"I don't, but my brother does. I asked him to find all this stuff for me.
Like that Tang San from last time, you know him."
Not long after, the light around Ning Rongrong faded, and she stood up.
Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong in astonishment. With their discerning eyes, they could see that Ning Rongrong's soul power had increased significantly, and she looked subtly different, though they couldn't quite put their finger on it.
"My soul power has increased by six levels!"
Ning Rongrong exclaimed in delight.
"How is that possible?"
Gu Tianlong behind her looked incredulous.
"What a miraculous immortal item."
Ning Rongrong seemed to sense something, slowly raising her left hand to summon her martial soul.
Ning Rongrong held the Glazed Pagoda in her left hand, counting the layers one by one with her right.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,
eight,
nine!"
"This, the Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!" Ning Fengzhi was also taken aback.
"I didn't expect the legend to be true. Our Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda really does have nine levels.
It truly deserves to be called a Celestial Item; this is a creation of heaven!"
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo hurriedly looked at the Celestial Item in their hands. At this moment, they suddenly realized that the item in their hands was unusually heavy.
The effects of the Qiluo Tulip were comparable to a 100,000-year soul ring, especially for their support-type abilities.
Bone Douluo's expression also became eager, unlike his previous indifference.
"Hongjun, quickly open the box given to me and take a look."
Ma Hongjun pulled Ning Rongrong behind him.
"You guys take some precautions."
Having witnessed the effects Ning Rongrong had just demonstrated, the group took Ma Hongjun's words seriously.
Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo stood in front of Ning Fengzhi, and Gu Tianlong also stood behind the two.
Ma Hongjun held up the box with one hand and opened it with the other.
A dazzling blue light flashed, and streaks of blue sword energy shot out from the box.
A cyan sword aura slashed past, forming an energy barrier in front of Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo. The sword aura vanished upon hitting it,
seemingly having no effect.
However, the pillars nearby were already deeply marked by the cyan sword aura.
At this moment, the four of them could clearly see what was inside the box.
It was a cyan plant with only three leaves.
The sword aura disappeared momentarily, without releasing any more, but the cyan light it emitted carried a strong sharpness, giving off a faint stinging sensation.
This plant, similar to a mimosa, would react when startled; the sword aura it had just witnessed was its reaction.
The one most affected was undoubtedly Sword Douluo. As a swordsman himself, he understood that although the sword aura wasn't very strong, it already possessed a certain Daoist essence. This was sword aura emitted by a plant!
"I don't recognize this immortal herb either. When I found it, I named it Three-Leaf Sword Grass.
I don't know its specific effects or how to use it, but I think it should suit you, Grandpa Sword.
You can keep it with you and study it slowly. Immortal herbs have spirits; as long as you take care of it, it will give you its due reward."
Even Tang San didn't recognize this immortal herb. When he was searching for immortal herbs, he touched it and was injured by its sword energy.
"Hong Jun, are there any more of these immortal herbs?" Bone Douluo asked, very kindly and politely.
The other four also looked expectantly.
"I understand what you mean, but as I've already said, this kind of celestial herb is like a 100,000-year-old soul beast; its rarity is unimaginable.
Tang San and I have already used several due to special circumstances. We only gathered four this time, and there are very few left, which we plan to save for our brothers and sisters.
Besides, this celestial herb possesses a spirit; absorbing too much is actually bad. They are all rare treasures, and if you're not careful, it could even lead to a backlash, making it a losing proposition.
Finding these four suitable for you is already very lucky.
Forcing the absorption of unsuitable celestial herbs is like taking a deadly poison."
Ma Hongjun's explanation dispelled everyone's doubts. These people were broad-minded and believed Ma Hongjun's words. After all, such a precious treasure couldn't possibly be as common as Blue Silver Grass.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be called a celestial herb.
"Hongjun, herbs like these are generally used when you're young to build your body and cultivate your vital energy. We're all old now, and I'm afraid we'll waste such a good celestial herb," Sword Douluo said, looking slightly aged.
Sword Douluo's concerns were not without merit. As people age, their bodies are already sculpted, making fundamental changes difficult. Therefore, most methods of using herbs to temper the body are employed in youth, like the medicinal baths Ma Hongjun and others take during their training.
This method is unlikely to be effective for Sword Douluo and his peers at their age; of course, it might have some effect, but it would be negligible.
"That makes sense, but it's still a celestial item. Even if you don't experience the same benefits as Rongrong, it won't be too bad."
"Celestial items are too rare; it's too wasteful for an old man like us to absorb them."
"Then you..."
"Leave them for the younger generation!"
(End of Chapter)