The "deal" was struck, and Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were ready to leave.
However, Ning Rongrong remained rooted to the spot.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she gritted her teeth and asked, "Uncle Tang, can my father also use the opportunity for martial soul evolution?"
"Rongrong!" Ning Fengzhi reprimanded her sharply. "Is this something you should be asking? Apologize to your Uncle Tang at once!"
Even Gu Rong, who usually indulged Ning Rongrong, didn't defend her this time.
Compared to Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong was younger and more talented—clearly a better candidate for this rare opportunity.
Feeling wronged, Ning Rongrong lowered her head in silence, unwilling to speak.
Ning Fengzhi could only cast an apologetic glance at Tang Lan.
"It is indeed possible," Tang Lan confirmed. "The opportunity I'm talking about is an immortal herb called the Glorious Qiluo Tulip. Whether it's you or your father who consumes it, your martial soul will evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
A hint of doubt flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had the ability to seek out treasures, and he had encountered countless rare and exotic items.
Yet he had never heard of "immortal herbs" or the Glorious Qiluo Tulip.
Gu Rong, on the other hand, was far more direct.
"Xiao Lan, what do you mean by 'immortal herb'? This is the first time I've heard of such a thing."
Tang Lan smiled.
Since an opportunity had presented itself, it would be rude not to show off a little.
"Immortal herbs, formally known as Immortal Grade Medicinal Herbs, are distinct from ordinary herbs. They are spiritual plants nurtured under special conditions by the heavens and earth."
"This makes them extremely rare, so I never included them in the Tang Sect Encyclopedia."
"Each immortal herb possesses unique effects."
"For instance, this Glorious Qiluo Tulip absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon, and complements treasure-type martial souls like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"It can undoubtedly compensate for its shortcomings and allow it to evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Gu Rong nodded in realization.
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but sigh in admiration—
"Lan, your knowledge is truly remarkable! I feel utterly inadequate in comparison!"
At this moment,
Ning Rongrong suddenly stepped forward, as if wanting to say something.
"Rongrong!" Ning Fengzhi's tone sharpened. "If you don't want to go against me, your Sword Grandpa, and your Bone Grandpa's wishes, then come with me obediently!"
Ning Rongrong's face was filled with grievance as she turned to Gu Rong for help.
Unfortunately,
Even Gu Rong did not take her side this time.
"Rongrong, you need to understand the bigger picture," Gu Rong agreed. "Your martial soul evolving into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is what benefits the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan the most."
"Rongrong, I am already old. Even if my martial soul evolves, my future achievements will be limited," Ning Fengzhi said, his tone softening. "In the end, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will still be passed down to you."
Ning Rongrong clenched her teeth, lowered her head, and walked silently toward the door.
Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi signaled to Tang Lan before hurriedly following after her.
Tang Lan did not continue his cultivation. Instead, he walked outside,
Summoning the Divine Wind Boat and infusing it with his internal energy.
The Divine Wind Boat immediately expanded.
In just a few breaths,
It grew to twenty meters long and eight meters wide.
Boarding the Divine Wind Boat,
A crystal ball hung at the bow of the ship—one could control the vessel with thought by placing a hand on it.
But Tang Lan found that unnecessary.
His spiritual power spread out.
The Divine Wind Boat rose smoothly into the air and flew toward the sect's entrance.
Just then, he ran into Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo.
He waved for them to board.
"Old Poison, go ahead and supply your soul power," Tang Lan said bluntly.
Dugu Bo's eyes widened!
If not for Tang Lan's formidable background and the fact that he needed his help for detoxification,
Just this one command would have been enough to make him cripple the brat!
However, Dugu Yan had no such reservations.
With hands on her hips, she was about to start scolding him—
But Tang Lan casually pulled out a Purple Jade Venomous Python Right Arm Bone, tossing it lightly in his hand.
Dugu Yan's eyes instantly locked onto it!
The aura of this soul bone—
It was practically tailor-made for her!
And judging by its integrity, its age couldn't be low!
Before she could react further,
Tang Lan casually tossed the soul bone toward her.
Dugu Yan's eyes sparkled!
She reached out to grab it—
Only for Dugu Bo to snatch it mid-air.
He examined it cautiously and found no problems.
But he still stared at Tang Lan warily.
"You little monster, what are you up to?"
"I'm just compensating you with a ten-thousand-year soul bone," Tang Lan said nonchalantly. "We'll need it later when detoxifying."
Dugu Bo scrutinized Tang Lan with suspicion.
Was he really being this generous?
This was a ten-thousand-year soul bone!
And one that perfectly matched the Jade Phosphor Serpent!
Even as a Titled Douluo, he could use it himself.
And yet, the brat just handed it over?
"...You don't believe me? Fine, give it back," Tang Lan spread his palm.
Dugu Bo hesitated for a few seconds.
Then, he handed the soul bone to Dugu Yan.
"Yan'er, absorb it here."
Dugu Yan accepted the soul bone,
But she held back her excitement, frowning at Dugu Bo.
"Grandpa, what did he mean by 'compensating too much'? And what detoxification is he talking about?"
Dugu Bo patiently explained their deal.
Upon hearing it, Dugu Yan's first reaction was—
"Grandpa, is your herb garden really that valuable?"
"And recently, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has been buying soul bones at ten times the usual price… Don't tell me this one came from—"
Tang Lan nodded. He had no intention of hiding it.
—With how public Ning Fengzhi was about it, there was no point in secrecy.
"Aside from this one, there's also a sixty-thousand-year and a forty-thousand-year soul bone."
"And all it cost was one herb from your grandfather's garden—one he didn't even recognize."
Dugu Bo's withered face twitched violently!
Those herbs…
Were this valuable?!
His eyes flickered, as if weighing something.
Guarding a treasure mountain without realizing its worth, only to have outsiders take advantage of it…
How utterly frustrating!
Maybe he should—
Tang Lan smirked slightly, watching him with a knowing gaze.
He had no fear.
With his poison immunity, Tang Lan was fully confident he could take down Dugu Bo!
Even if Dugu Bo tried to raise the price or back out of the deal,
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was right there.
He could simply bring Tang Hao and forcefully harvest everything.
The only reason he chose to trade was for peace of mind.
Fortunately,
Dugu Bo didn't act rashly. In the end, he sighed heavily.
"I was blind to their worth… I had no fate to use those herbs."
"You've made out like a bandit, you little monster."
"Yan'er, go ahead and absorb the soul bone."
He placed his palm on the crystal ball and infused it with soul power.
The Divine Wind Boat turned into a blur, speeding toward the Sunset Forest.
Dugu Yan cast Tang Lan a complex look.
She had been to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well before.
She couldn't even get close to the herbs, let alone pick them.
Yet for Tang Lan…
He was already using them to make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan work for him.
It was just…
Tang Lan ignored her and yawned, strolling into the cabin—
Looking like he was on a vacation trip.
Two hours later.
The Divine Wind Boat arrived at Sunset Forest, and Tang Lan woke up on time.
At that moment—
Tang Hao emerged from the rear of the ship!
Dugu Bo's pupils shrank into pinpricks!
He had met Tang Hao before.
So…
The legendary Clear Sky Douluo had been here all along?
If he had made the wrong move earlier…
Dugu Bo cast a deep look at Tang Lan.
This kid…
Was ridiculously cunning!
He had deliberately revealed the herbs' value to bait him into a mistake?
Then Tang Hao could have intervened righteously and seized the moral high ground.
"You little monster," Dugu Bo muttered begrudgingly. "You're more poisonous than I am!"
At this, Tang Hao's brow furrowed.
What?!
Did this old snake just insult his son in front of him?!
Was he tired of living?!
His aura surged, standing firmly behind Tang Lan.
Dugu Bo's face tensed!
His snake-like eyes flickered uncertainly.
—Was this guy about to turn on him?!
Just as tension filled the air—
Tang Lan suddenly laughed.
"To be praised as 'poisonous' by Poison Douluo himself? What an honor."
"Alright, old poison, lead the way."
"You know this place best."
Tang Hao understood the signal and withdrew his aura.
Dugu Bo let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Yet he still huffed in irritation.
Wrapping his soul power around Dugu Yan, he flew toward the Sunset Forest.
Tang Lan and Tang Hao followed closely behind.
Immortal herbs!
The young master has come to harvest you all~