A full hour passed before Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong completely understood the purpose of Gu Xuan's return with Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
First and foremost, he had returned to deliver gifts—Immortal Herbs that possessed the miraculous creative power of Heaven and Earth.
Because the Breaking Clan had joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Gu Xuan had been studying alchemy under Yang Wudi, both Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong had developed a general understanding of Immortal Herbs. To summarize: these things were even rarer than soul bones.
Yet, at least thirty such stalks had been discovered in Dugu Bo's medicinal garden. Although Dugu Bo hadn't recognized them or realized his garden was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—one of the world's three great treasure basins—the items did, after all, originate from him.
Even though it was Gu Xuan who discovered their utility, Dugu Bo still deserved credit. Thus came the matter of Gu Xuan asking Ning Fengzhi for a soul bone.
Truth be told, for a businessman like Ning Fengzhi, trading a 35,000-year-old right arm bone for a pile of Immortal Herbs whose value hadn't yet been proven wasn't a logical bargain. As a merchant—and a rather calculating one at that—Ning Fengzhi naturally sought to maximize profits.
However, once Gu Xuan explicitly stated the value of the Immortal Herbs and revealed his Rank 36 soul power, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were left stunned on the spot.
How long has it been since Gu Xuan broke through to the Soul Elder realm? Barely over a month. His soul power had originally been Rank 33, yet he had managed to increase it by three ranks in such a short time. What kind of heaven-defying cultivation speed was this?
Furthermore, Gu Xuan's soul power was incredibly thick and solid without a trace of superficiality. At Rank 36, the intensity of his soul power was nearly on par with a Rank 40 Soul Ancestor.
Gu Xuan then demonstrated his physical fitness. One must know that an ordinary soul master trying to endure the direct pressure of a higher-ranked soul master can usually only withstand pressure up to two-thirds of their own level. Those who can match their own rank are as rare as phoenix feathers, and they are almost exclusively Soul Masters with a Beast Martial Soul, whose physical bodies are naturally tougher than those of Soul Masters with a Tool Martial Soul.
Yet, under Gu Rong's personal test, the Rank 36 Gu Xuan actually withstood the soul power pressure of a Rank 55 master. What did this prove? It proved that Gu Xuan's physical fitness alone was comparable to a genius Power Attack Type soul master with a Beast Martial Soul at Rank 55 with an optimal soul ring configuration.
Gu Xuan's physique had been strong before because he prioritized physical training from a young age, and the boost from the Whale Glue had allowed his third soul ring to reach three thousand years—and a top-tier Dragon-type ring at that. But even so, it was nowhere near as ridiculous as it was now.
Only the powerful truly understand how closely physical fitness is linked to soul power potential. A Rank 36 Soul Elder possessing the physique of a Rank 55 Soul King? Did that mean Gu Xuan could attempt to absorb a ten-thousand-year ring for his fourth soul ring?
While Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi were used to Gu Xuan absorbing rings beyond his level, the prospect of a ten-thousand-year ring at Rank 40 was something they would need to discuss carefully. Unlike century or thousand-year rings, ten-thousand-year rings require more than just physical durability to absorb.
Faced with such clear evidence from Gu Xuan, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong couldn't help but marvel at the heaven-defying effects of the Immortal Herbs. Setting aside Gu Xuan's innate talent, even an ordinary person consuming an Immortal Herb could potentially change their destiny.
Adding in Gu Xuan's current relationship with Dugu Yan, Ning Fengzhi hesitated no longer and directly gifted the Sea Viper Right Arm Bone to her. Dugu Yan was overjoyed upon receiving the soul bone, and Dugu Bo's face was equally flushed with excitement. From this moment, the two families were truly bonded.
"Uncle Dugu, Xiao Xuan and Yan Yan are still young. It's too early for marriage. How about this: let's have them get engaged first, and then hold the wedding once they come of age. What do you think?"
Due to the exchange of the 35,000-year-old soul bone and the Immortal Herbs, the way the two men addressed each other had become much closer. Of course, the most important factor was the relationship between the two youngsters.
In truth, Ning Fengzhi had previously hoped to match Ning Rongrong with Gu Xuan. But seeing the current situation, he was forced to pivot. After all, a union between Gu Xuan and Dugu Yan would also bring Dugu Bo into their fold; no matter how one looked at it, it wasn't a losing deal.
The only downside was having to find a new suitable match for Ning Rongrong. Dugu Yan, as the granddaughter of a Titled Douluo, could never be a concubine, and Ning Rongrong certainly wouldn't take a secondary position either, as Ning Fengzhi was grooming her to be the next Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
But that was a concern for the future. For now, the most important task was to tie Dugu Bo firmly to the clan. With his only granddaughter married into the family, where else would the old man go for his retirement? Ning Fengzhi wasn't in a rush, though; he didn't want to appear too greedy. With the bond between the children established, he only needed to stay close to Dugu Bo, and everything would fall into place naturally when the time was right.
Dugu Bo nodded in agreement. It was indeed too early for marriage. They were soul masters; wasting time and talent on having babies during their golden years of cultivation would be a waste. Children could be had anytime, but the golden window for cultivation, once gone, was gone forever.
Dugu Yan sat beside her grandfather, her face red with embarrassment, unable to lift her head. How could they talk about such things right in front of her?
Once these matters were settled, Gu Xuan returned to the main topic. He hadn't just returned for the soul bone; he was here to give Immortal Herbs to Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi.
The earlier one consumed an Immortal Herb, the better. Since he didn't know how long he would be staying at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he wanted to arrange everything now. This would allow the clan to improve steadily in his absence, ensuring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's growth rhythm wasn't delayed.
Gu Xuan looked at Gu Rong, took out a brocade box, and handed it to him. "Grandpa, this is the Immortal Herb I selected for you: the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."
"This is a neutral Immortal Herb. When consumed, the energy travels to the four limbs and the blood flows through the eight extraordinary meridians. It can forge a Vajra Indestructible Body."
"Vajra Indestructible Body?" Gu Rong was slightly surprised.
Gu Xuan chuckled. "That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but this herb matches your Martial Soul perfectly. Your soul power is also neutral, vast and profound, yet fierce and overbearing."
"With this, your future cultivation will yield twice the result with half the effort. Furthermore, its effects are continuous and should provide an even greater boost over time. It also has the effect of solidifying one's foundation and cleansing one's roots. Taking it has only benefits and no drawbacks."
"However, don't be in a rush to take it. I'll meet with the teacher later and have him refine some auxiliary pills to go with it. That way, we can maximize the herb's efficacy. It might even allow you to make another breakthrough."
Listening to Gu Xuan, Gu Rong no longer doubted the miraculous nature of the Immortal Herbs; the living example was standing right before him. He took the box solemnly, filled with gratitude for his beloved grandson.
Given his natural talent, reaching Rank 96 was already his limit, and the chances of going further were slim. But hearing about the wonders of the Immortal Herbs, he realized he might be able to advance a bit further on the path of a Titled Douluo.
(End of Chapter)
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