Chapter 44: Gu Rong Breaks Through to Level 90: From Now On, I'll Fight Wherever the Sect Master Points!
But seeing Dugu Bo beside him, who had been completely reborn with explosively increased strength,
and then looking at Yu Jingcheng's steady, unshakable, and confident demeanor, the scales in Gu Rong's heart tipped completely.
The desperate situation of being hunted by the Spirit Hall, coupled with the extreme temptation of breaking through to become a Titled Douluo...
This wasn't even a choice!
"Good!"
Without a second thought, Gu Rong immediately dropped heavily to one knee, lowering his proud head, and declared in a resonant voice:
"Your subordinate, Gu Rong, pays his respects to the Sect Master!"
"From this day forward, I am willing to serve the Sect Master with the utmost loyalty, braving all dangers and hardships without hesitation!"
"Good! Senior Gu, please rise quickly."
Ecstatic internally, Yu Jingcheng maintained a calm and composed demeanor on the surface, reaching out to help Gu Rong up.
Bone Douluo's allegiance was secured; he finally had a second Titled-level combatant under his command!
Without the slightest delay, Yu Jingcheng flicked his wrist and retrieved the ink jade divine bamboo.
Instantly, an extremely tenacious and profound aura spread through the air.
It was a section of bamboo, pitch-black as ink, as if carved from the finest black jade, translucent yet emanating an ancient, unyielding, and resilient Yin energy.
Around its joints, faint streams of black light swirled, as if even the surrounding space was about to be pierced by its extreme solidity.
Gu Rong's eyes instantly went wide.
He could even clearly feel his long-dormant Bone Dragon Martial Soul within him,
now emitting waves of intensely longing dragon roars, as if it had encountered its destined, once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity.
"This... this aura..."
Gu Rong stared fixedly at that section of ink jade divine bamboo, his breathing rapid, his eyes nearly bulging out.
With his discernment and perception, how could he not judge that
this was absolutely a supreme Heaven And Earth Treasure capable of cleansing his marrow, refining his foundation, and shattering the shackles of the 90th level!
"This object is called the ink jade divine bamboo, a transcendent Immortal Herb that seizes the creation of heaven and earth,
The ultimate tenacity and Yin-soft energy contained within it are a perfect match for your Bone Dragon Martial Soul."
Yu Jingcheng smiled slightly and casually handed this priceless Immortal Herb to Gu Rong.
"Senior Gu, since you have joined my sect, this is my welcoming gift to you.
Please sit cross-legged right here and refine it. Elder Dugu and I will act as your Protectors here, ensuring no one disturbs your Breakthrough."
Gu Rong instinctively took the ink jade divine bamboo with both hands, but he froze in place, as if struck by lightning.
Just... like that? Given?
This kind of peerless Immortal Herb, which could stir up a bloody storm in the Soul Master World and make countless Titled Douluo fight tooth and nail for it,
was just handed over to him so casually, so matter-of-factly?
Gu Rong looked at Yu Jingcheng with utter disbelief in his eyes.
For decades, as a Loose Cultivator struggling in the Soul Master World, he had experienced countless deceptions, betrayals, and schemes.
He was aloof and proud by nature, but he also deeply understood that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
In his original expectations, even if he swore a solemn oath to join Yu Jingcheng's ranks,
the other party would inevitably subject him to numerous tests and trials first,
even sending him on several extremely dangerous missions as a "pledge of allegiance," before slowly bestowing some resources.
He had even prepared himself for long-term suppression and testing.
But he never, ever expected that Yu Jingcheng wouldn't hesitate in the slightest!
No probing, no intimidation, not even making him sign some binding contract,
directly stuffing this Immortal Herb, which could elevate him to the heavens in one step, right into his arms!
What kind of boldness was this? What kind of trust was this!
An indescribable warmth suddenly washed over Gu Rong's heart, which had long been as cold and desolate as dead wood.
"Sect Master..."
Gu Rong's hands trembled slightly as he tightly gripped that section of ink jade divine bamboo, his eyes unconsciously turning slightly red.
A scholar will die for one who appreciates him!
He took a deep breath, refraining from any more empty, fancy words, and instead bowed deeply to Yu Jingcheng once more.
This time, it was no longer a compromise born of desperation, but genuine admiration and gratitude from the depths of his Soul.
"The Sect Master's grace in bestowing this treasure, Gu Rong will never forget it, even to the end of my days!
If I can Breakthrough today, this old life of mine will be entirely at the Sect Master's disposal from now on!"
With that, Gu Rong turned without hesitation, found a flat, open spot, sat down cross-legged,
swallowed the ink jade divine bamboo in one gulp, closed his eyes, and began to channel the immense medicinal power of the Immortal Herb with all his might.
Watching this scene from the side, Dugu Bo's lips curled into a faint smile.
He understood the mindset of proud, solitary Loose Cultivators like Gu Rong all too well. Yu Jingcheng's unreserved act of generosity had thoroughly won over this old bone's heart.
"The Sect Master employs excellent tactics."
Using sound transmission, Dugu Bo praised Yu Jingcheng.
Then, poisonous mist churned around him as he consciously spread out to stand guard, acting as a Protector for Gu Rong.
Yu Jingcheng stood to the side with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes full of satisfaction.
Bone Douluo had taken his place.
Time passed minute by minute, second by second.
The originally cold, gloomy aura emanating from Gu Rong's body began to undergo a qualitative transformation.
The vast medicinal power of the ink jade divine bamboo transformed into wisps of extremely pure black Qi, coursing through his limbs and bones.
"Roar—"
A low, majestic dragon roar emanated from within Gu Rong's body.
In the Void Realm behind him, the faint silhouette of a massive Bone Dragon flickered.
The originally pale, rough bones now, under the baptism of the medicinal power, faintly gleamed with a layer of black luster, as warm and unyielding as ink jade.
Though it was still a Bone Dragon, its essence had changed.
Crack!
It was as if some invisible shackle was instantly shattered.
A formidable pressure far surpassing the Soul Douluo level erupted from Gu Rong like a storm, sweeping outwards in all directions.
The surrounding grass and trees bowed under this pressure, and even Dugu Bo, standing guard nearby, couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.
Level 90!
Not only that, Yu Jingcheng keenly sensed that the Soul Power fluctuations within Gu Rong's body were still incredibly abundant.
If not for the lack of a Ninth Soul Ring,
the sheer residual medicinal power of this ink jade divine bamboo alone would likely be enough to push Gu Rong's Soul Power directly to level 91, or even level 92.
Whether it's a total increase of one level or two levels,
for Gu Rong, it was an extremely good outcome.
Whoosh—
Gu Rong's eyes snapped open.
Feeling the surging Soul Power within his body, now several times stronger than before,
Gu Rong's withered hands trembled violently with excitement.
He had Broken Through!
He had truly Broken Through to that supreme Realm countless Soul Masters dream of but never reach in their entire lives.
From today onward, he was no longer that Loose Cultivator Soul Douluo hunted by the Spirit Hall like a stray dog. Once he obtained a Soul Ring, he would be a true Titled Douluo!
Gu Rong abruptly stood up, not even bothering to brush off the dirt on his clothes, and strode over to Yu Jingcheng.
He lowered his head, his face filled with fervor, and saluted with clasped hands, saying gratefully:
"Thank you, Sect Master, for bestowing such a Heaven And Earth Treasure.
"Not only did I manage to Break Through to level 90, but my Martial Soul has also undergone a transformation!"
Gu Rong suddenly lifted his head, his face etched with determination and absolute loyalty, and declared resoundingly:
"From this day forward, this old life of Gu Rong's belongs to the Sect Master!
"Wherever the Sect Master's sword points, even if it's a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, even if it's the The Pope's Palace of the Spirit Hall,
this subordinate will surely become the Sect Master's most unbreakable bone shield and sharpest bone spear, daring ten thousand deaths without hesitation!"
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