Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum—an immortal herb capable of simultaneously strengthening the physical constitution and soul power.
After Dai Mubai consumed it and absorbed his fourth soul ring, his soul power reached Level 43. The soul ring had elevated his soul power to Level 41, while the immortal herb provided a further boost of two levels. The gap in soul power between a Soul Ancestor and a Soul Elder was significant, but not quite double; had a Soul Elder consumed it, it would likely have provided a four-level increase, and even more for a Great Soul Master.
This herb possessed the effect of "sending Qi to the four limbs and circulating blood through the eight channels," providing vital reinforcement to the meridians.
Dai Mubai did not possess the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. After absorption, the herb simply made his existing meridians tougher and wider. Zhao Liuyun, however, had previously consumed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, so his meridians were already exceptionally resilient. By taking this herb, he could trigger the immortal energy to specifically clear the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
"Disciple, do you intend to consume this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?" Dugu Bo glanced at him, discerning his student's thoughts. "The Ice and Fire herbs have already strengthened your body. Won't the medicinal power of this immortal herb conflict with them?"
Zhao Liuyun's soul power was neutral and balanced; it was neither vast and grand nor fierce and domineering, making it seemingly incompatible with this particular herb. In Dugu Bo's view, it wasn't as suitable as those two other herbs which purely increased soul power.
"Conflict is inevitable, but I value its strengthening of the meridians and limbs more," Zhao Liuyun mused for a moment, ultimately deciding to take it. The physical strengthening might conflict, but the excess medicinal power would then linger in his body, which he could use to clear the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum focused on the limbs, which could compensate for potential weaknesses in close-quarters combat. Focusing on the meridians would make them even tougher. While it was said that soul power of a neutral, vast, or fierce nature was most compatible, that statement didn't just refer to initial compatibility. Conversely, it meant that soul power like Zhao Liuyun's—neutral and balanced from practicing the Mysterious Heaven Skill—could become vast, grand, or fierce after absorbing the herb. Even if it didn't cause a qualitative change, it would add new characteristics to his soul power and enhance his talent for future cultivation.
Seeing that his disciple knew what he was doing, Dugu Bo said no more and turned toward the Snow Swan Kiss. He lightly tapped a leaf with his fingertip, retracted it swiftly, and closed his eyes to guide the intense poison generated by the agitation of the residual toxins in his body. For a single Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the outward manifestation was merely a boost in soul power; once his strength grew, he was confident he could keep his student safe. Immortal herbs were rare in the world, and no one knew about the Well of Ice and Fire, nor would they suspect there were other immortal herbs here.
Zhao Liuyun sat cross-legged. With a light stroke of a small knife, he easily plucked the entire chrysanthemum. He ate the pistil first, then swallowed the petals one by one, discarding the stem. Immediately after eating, he began to cultivate on the spot to refine the medicinal power. He followed the descriptions in the medical treatises strictly.
The energy contained within immortal herbs was relatively mild, yet Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum still carried a sense of wild, surging momentum. As soon as it entered his body, it brought a slight stinging and burning sensation, causing a minor sense of discomfort. However, this level of impact was far less than the heart-wrenching agony he had endured during the Ice and Fire body tempering.
As expected, his body, having been tempered by ice and fire, showed a degree of rejection toward the similar body-refining medicinal energy, making the absorption speed relatively slow. Because there was a specific focus, the energy for physical strengthening lingered in his body and was largely diverted to his limbs and meridians.
Circulating the Mysterious Heaven Skill, Zhao Liuyun focused his mind. Following the essentials of the meridian-clearing method, he guided the immortal herb's energy along specific paths within his meridians.
Clear the meridians! Clear the meridians!
He shouted inwardly, his conviction firm as the circulation of the Mysterious Heaven Skill gradually slowed. With every complete cycle, his soul power became a bit more concentrated. The power of the immortal herb merged into his soul power like a trickling stream, following the flow to strike at those hidden and stubborn blockages together.
Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum could forge an "Indestructible Vajra Body." At this moment, Zhao Liuyun felt as if he were being forged in a furnace, his body temperature rising steadily. Wherever the medicinal power passed, the meridians were widened and made more flexible, as if tempered by a hammer.
After a long time, more than half of the herb's power had been consumed. Under his persistent assault, a faint sound of something breaking suddenly echoed within him, as if some shackle had been completely shattered. Although the Eight Extraordinary Meridians were innate, they were naturally isolated from each other, connected only by imperceptible threads that soul power could hardly traverse.
But now, the first channel—the Thrusting Vessel—was open. A warm current surged from the Thrusting Vessel, quietly merging into his soul power, making his already dense soul power even more substantial. His cultivation talent rose accordingly.
Zhao Liuyun was excited but did not stop, immediately guiding the remaining medicinal power to strike at the second meridian. Regrettably, by the time the unsettled medicinal power was fully absorbed, he was still just short of clearing the second one. He could vaguely feel that the second of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians had loosened, as if it were on the verge of opening. It was just a tiny bit away.
I'll wait for the Soul Elder stage, he thought. With the help of a soul ring's power, it should be achievable.
As expected, his soul power reached Level 30. His previously neutral soul power now held a trace of domineering strength, and its density was greater than before. This was the manifestation of enhanced talent.
[Soul Power: Level 30 (49,200/11,000)]
Due to the lack of a soul ring, Zhao Liuyun was stuck at a bottleneck for the first time, with 38,200 points of Soul Master professional experience overflowing. His physical constitution had also improved significantly.
[Constitution: 53]
Because of the conflict in physical-related medicinal powers, aside from the all-attribute resistance of the Indestructible Vajra Body, more of the medicinal power was used for the focused strengthening of his limbs and the widening and reinforcement of his meridians. Even so, he had leaped from his previous peak of Level 49 to Level 53 in one go.
Zhao Liuyun could clearly feel his limbs becoming stronger and more powerful. Combined with the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step technique, it would now be easier to use leverage to climb mountains, facilitating his theft of the Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone.
This round of body tempering undoubtedly increased his cultivation talent significantly, but for now, he needed to hunt for a soul ring. After obtaining the ring, it would further increase his cultivation speed. Only then, through meditation, would he know the exact extent of the boost.
Dugu Bo was still in the midst of his poison-refining cultivation. Zhao Liuyun stood guard silently beside him. Regarding the choice for his third soul ring, Shi Nian had already informed him long ago; it would be a ring that could cause a qualitative change in his combat power. However, a nine-thousand-year soul beast was far beyond what he could handle alone; he needed his teacher's help.
After a short wait, Dugu Bo exhaled a thick white mist from his lips. His eyes snapped open, and the aura surrounding him seemed to have become even more solidified. Well, that was purely an illusion; Zhao Liuyun couldn't actually perceive the subtle changes in strength of a Titled Douluo.
"Teacher."
"You've reached Level 30?" Dugu Bo clearly noticed the progress in his disciple's soul power. Immortal herbs truly lived up to their name; the effects were extraordinary!
His own strength had also benefited immensely. Once he had completely consumed the Snow Swan Kiss, even a Level 96 Titled Douluo might not be beyond a fair fight.
"What kind of soul ring do you plan to hunt?" Dugu Bo asked proactively. Since the Soul Master had reached a bottleneck, hunting for a ring was a matter of urgency. "You've also taken Shi Nian as a teacher. He specializes in the spiritual path, so I assume he has already considered this."
The Well of Ice and Fire was in the center of the Sunset Forest; Dugu Bo knew the soul beasts here like the back of his hand.
Zhao Liuyun spoke with anticipation: "The Fear Dragon Wolf is the best choice. The Green-Scaled Bei or the Silly Salamander are second, followed by the Drum-String Illusion Shell or the Soul-Chiming Silver Bird."
The Fear Dragon Wolf wasn't originally the absolute best choice. However, Zhao Liuyun considered that he possessed the External Spirit Bone: Magic Dragon Silver Pupils. If he could use the power of the soul ring to purify his bloodline and evolve the dragon eyes into those of a pure-blooded Silver Dragon, the value would be entirely different. Thus, he moved this soul beast from the secondary tier, alongside the Green-Scaled Bei, to the top priority.
As a Titled Douluo helping his disciple hunt for a ring, Dugu Bo naturally aimed for the best.
"Fear Dragon Wolf—" He mused for a moment, and the area where that soul beast frequented appeared in his mind. He scooped up Zhao Liuyun, and like an arrow, his figure shot into the sky.
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