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"Immortal herbs? Impossible. The Tang Sect cannot accept such an outrageous demand."
At the negotiation table, Tang Long firmly rejected the condition proposed by Leng Yaozhu. Even he had only heard rumors of immortal herbs within the Tang Sect, but due to his lack of aptitude and incompatible attributes, he had never seen them himself. For outsiders, obtaining immortal herbs would be even more difficult.
Moreover, what they were offering wasn't even an exclusive formula.
"Manager Tang, don't rush. Perhaps you should consult with your sect's upper management. As you said before, cooperation leads to mutual benefit."
With his powerful backing, Gu La spoke nonchalantly, as if he didn't care much about the immortal herbs. However… being rejected only fueled his desire. If the Tang Sect remained uncooperative, before leaving this timeline, he'd make sure to wreak havoc on all their immortal herbs.
Leng Yaozhu chimed in supportively. "The Tang Sect controls several small hidden worlds. Are they really lacking in high-grade medicinal herbs? Offer one immortal herb, and we'll give you the version of the formula that uses soul beast materials instead."
After all, with a few more years of experimentation, the Tang Sect could likely replicate a similar formula anyway.
Tang Long looked troubled, his fingers tapping out an anxious rhythm on the rosewood table. Finally, under Leng Yaozhu's piercing gaze, sweat dripped from his forehead. "I need to consult my superiors."
Gu La smiled and gestured gracefully. "Please, go ahead."
Tang Long left his seat and used soul power to create a shield around himself. Even a Limit Douluo couldn't eavesdrop without disturbing the protective aura.
"…That's the situation. They also proposed… Alright, I understand."
Not long after, Tang Long returned to the negotiation table.
"The immortal herbs are too precious to trade directly, but we can offer you a chance. If you gain recognition from the immortal herbs themselves, you'll have the opportunity to take one."
Tang Long appeared serious, but in truth, he had just learned from the deputy sect leader that less than a century had passed since the Tang Sect last harvested immortal herbs. Even members of the Tang Sect couldn't gain recognition, let alone someone like Gu La. No matter how talented he was, the ferocious beasts guarding the herbs wouldn't acknowledge him. This meant the Tang Sect could essentially get away with giving nothing.
"Just a chance? That's still entirely up to you."
Leng Yaozhu wasn't satisfied.
Tang Long explained, "Lady Phoenix Douluo should know that the Tang Sect doesn't have full control over the immortal herbs. Offering even one chance is already a gesture of goodwill toward you and the Spirit Transmission Pagoda."
Gu La put on a confident expression. "Teacher, I trust my abilities, but for just one chance, the Tang Sect needs to provide an additional resource—rare metals."
Tang Long agreed reluctantly. "Fine."
And so, the negotiations concluded to everyone's satisfaction. Both sides believed they had come out ahead. As for who would truly laugh last, only time would tell.
"The formula has been transmitted back. It will take an hour to verify. Would your disciple like to attempt obtaining the immortal herb now?"
Tang Long extended the invitation. The earlier they interacted with the immortal herbs, the smaller the chance of actually taking one…
"That works. Lead the way."
Leng Yaozhu trusted Gu La. Even the Golden Ancient Tree couldn't resist Gu La's martial soul. The immortal herbs might not be able to match the presence of a superior existence tied to the origin of all plants.
Meanwhile, three hundred meters underground at the Tang Sect headquarters, blue soul-guided runes flowed across the walls of a secret chamber.
Zang Xin, the deputy hall master of the Douluo Hall, slowly opened his eyes. The spatial ripples in his pupils hadn't yet faded, resembling shards of broken glass. He flicked his finger, and the diamond-shaped communicator floating in front of him instantly turned off.
"They want immortal herbs… Is it a coincidence or part of a premeditated plan…"
After careful consideration, Zang Xin concluded that it was unlikely Leng Yaozhu was colluding with Qiangu Dongfeng. It was probably just a coincidence.
"Well then, let's see what kind of confidence you have to claim the immortal herbs."
A Titled Douluo equipped with battle armor could travel faster than a soul-guided train. Gu La's group quickly flew to Shrek City, where the Tang Sect headquarters was located.
This magnificent city, with over ten thousand years of history, represented the pinnacle of technology and economic strength on the current Douluo Continent. It housed the highest concentration of powerful soul masters, and multiple faction headquarters were located within its borders.
Outside the protective dome of Shrek City, two streaks of light pierced through the clouds.
Behind Leng Yaozhu, her crimson battle armor spewed streams of flame-like particles, while golden-red soul power protected Gu La.
He gazed down in awe at this ancient city. The entire metropolis resembled a soul-guided matrix embedded in the earth. Countless soul-guided trains crisscrossed along transparent tracks hundreds of meters above the ground, while below, clusters of ancient architecture maintained their traditional flying-eave designs.
When they landed in front of the Shining Tang Sect building, Gu La's pupils suddenly contracted. A gray-robed elder stood at the entrance, his mere presence causing slight distortions in the surrounding space.
Upon recognizing the elder as Zang Xin, the deputy hall master of the Douluo Hall, Leng Yaozhu's pupils contracted. She hadn't expected him to appear.
This man was a demi-god who had reached the plane's limits, the cornerstone of the Tang Sect's stability, and a former assassin god.
What Leng Yaozhu didn't know was that the Ice and Fire Twin Eye was of utmost importance, and only the strongest few in the Tang Sect knew its location. With few people available now, Zang Xin truly had to step in.
"Greetings, Senior Zang Xin," Leng Yaozhu bowed respectfully, followed by Gu La and Tang Long.
"Mm."
Zang Xin gave a faint smile. "Ah, little Leng. Back when you and Yun Ming were children, it feels like just yesterday. Now you're already a Limit Douluo. Time flies."
"Nonsense, Senior. As a demigod, your lifespan is practically endless."
Leng Yaozhu's tone carried a hint of envy. Her own breakthrough seemed far off.
"Haha, enough idle talk. So this is your disciple, eh? He does seem extraordinary. Take him to the hidden realm yourself—you can rest assured."
Zang Xin sensed the dense natural (Grass) aura and traces of leaking magma energy emanating from Gu La, guessing that this was the source of his confidence.
"In that case, I leave it to you, Senior." Leng Yaozhu stepped aside.
Zang Xin nodded, then grabbed Gu La. Soul power covered Gu La's eyes as the elder tore through space, vanishing from Shrek City.
After passing through twelve layers of spatial barriers, when the sensation of weightlessness disappeared, Gu La caught the scent of an ethereal fragrance in the air. Beneath his feet, the soil became soft and moist, and the soul power blocking his vision dissipated. Before him stretched a primeval forest teeming with countless plants and flowers.
He found himself standing at the boundary between two strange springs—one boiling red magma, the other frozen blue marrow. The steam from their intersection swirled in the air.
Zang Xin watched Gu La closely. "You must possess twin martial souls. You may try to approach the Infernal Delicate Apricot. You have ten minutes to gain its recognition."
Gu La's research could enhance the strength of soul masters and aid in resisting the Abyss invasion. Therefore, Zang Xin was willing to give him a chance. Otherwise, even if Qiangu Zhangting came, he wouldn't part with a single immortal herb.
As for factional rivalries, at his level, he no longer cared much about such things. Moreover, he believed Gu La's chances of success were slim.
At that moment, Gu La stood beside the misty hot spring, seemingly sensing the arrival of visitors. Suddenly, countless immortal herbs sprang to life.
The petals of the Infernal Delicate Apricot transformed into a fiery phoenix circling overhead. The leaves of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass condensed into an icy crystal throne, and the roots of the Black Jade Divine Bamboo wove a bamboo shoot array on the ground…
"Humans! The agreed time is still far off. You've violated our pact!"
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