Seeing Tang San's excited expression, Lin Mu smiled inwardly. He walked over slowly, patted the boy's shoulder, and said, "Little San, since you're so familiar with these herbs, tell me about their uses."
"Master, you plan to use them to refine medicine?" Tang San turned to look at his master, his eyes shining with anticipation. After witnessing the effects of the previous Soul Power Pills and Body Tempering Pills, he had absolute faith in Lin Mu's alchemy. Anyone else might have squandered the miraculous effects of these immortal-grade herbs, but in his master's hands, the results would likely surpass all expectations.
"That's right," Lin Mu nodded slightly.
Receiving confirmation, Tang San immediately strode toward the various plants, introducing them to Lin Mu as if they were his own treasures. "Master, look, this is the Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb. It is the nemesis of all poisons, capable of neutralizing virtually any toxin. And these are the Eight-Cornered Mystic Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot Delicate Grass; they grow in extremely cold and extremely hot environments, respectively. Their properties are mutually antagonistic, making it fatal to consume them at the same time for most, as the raw energy is simply too volatile for an ordinary body to withstand."
He then pointed to a crystal-clear herb resembling a rooster's comb. "This is the Mysterious Treasure Sky-Piercing Chrysanthemum. When consumed, it circulates Qi throughout the limbs and opens the eight meridians, allowing one to cultivate an indestructible body. And that one, the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, has gentle, mellow properties. It strengthens the foundation, nourishes vital energy, and expels impurities, it's the most suitable assistant for rapid cultivation."
Under Tang San's guidance, Lin Mu identified nearly every rare plant in the herb garden. He inquired deeply about their specific medicinal properties to ensure that no essence would be wasted during the alchemical process.
Watching the master and disciple discuss his life's work as if they were dividing up spoils, Dugu Bo's expression grew increasingly complex. It was clear that this duo was far from ordinary; they might truly have been the ones to resolve his family's lineage curse, yet he had traded that opportunity for a life of servitude.
Before beginning the refinement, Lin Mu sent Dugu Bo away. Tang San was tasked with collecting the necessary herbs, while Lin Mu prepared the furnace and his flames. They started with non-immortal grade herbs as a practice run. Once their proficiency peaked, they would move on to the immortal-grade treasures. With the Qilin Fire, Lin Mu was confident he could unlock the full potential of these herbs, perhaps even fusing them to achieve effects beyond their individual limits.
Nearby, Xiao Wu had recovered from her earlier fear and was once again skipping happily through the valley.
A few days later, in Martial Soul City. Inside the magnificent and solemn hall of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, Bibi Dong sat upon her throne. Wearing a purple-gold crown and holding her scepter, her exquisitely beautiful face remained expressionless, exuding a cold, unapproachable majesty.
Below the high platform, a man in golden armor knelt on one knee, it was Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan.
"Your Holiness, a battle at the Title Douluo level recently took place within the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. One participant was the old poisoner, Dugu Bo," Yue Guan reported respectfully. "According to reliable sources, his opponent possessed only the cultivation of a Soul Saint. Through unknown methods, he managed to decisively defeat Dugu Bo."
Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes, a hint of contempt in her voice. "The Poison Douluo? Aside from his troublesome poison, his individual strength has always been negligible." She paused, her fingertips tapping the scepter. "However, to defeat a Title Douluo as a Soul Saint... regardless of the method, such strength cannot be underestimated."
The report made her think of one man: the Haotian Douluo, Tang Hao. Back then, Tang Hao had just entered the ranks of Title Douluo when he severely injured the former Pope and fought his way through the Sect's finest. The shadow of the Clear Sky Hammer still lingered in her heart. If this new person could defeat Dugu Bo at the Soul Saint level, his potential might even surpass Tang Hao's.
"Your Holiness," Yue Guan continued, "this Soul Saint is extremely young, seemingly only in his twenties."
"His twenties?" Bibi Dong's pupils constricted. This meant his cultivation speed was faster than her own. Where did such a monster come from? Could he be the inheritor of a god?
"He recently joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy under the recommendation of Xue Qinghe," Yue Guan added. "He is currently the leader of the Royal Fighting Team."
At the mention of Xue Qinghe, a complex flash of pain, resentment, and guilt crossed Bibi Dong's eyes. After a moment, she looked back at Yue Guan. "This person is a variable. He must not be allowed to be fully subdued by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. We must recruit him into the Spirit Hall. Yue Guan, I entrust this to you."
"Your subordinate obeys," Yue Guan replied with a cold smile. He relished the thought of subduing a genius who had shamed the Poison Douluo.
Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy, a loud bang echoed as Zhao Wuji kicked open a door.
"Old Zhao, are you trying to scare me to death?!" Flander shouted irritably from inside.
"Boss, something massive has happened in Heaven Dou City!" Zhao Wuji panted, ignoring the complaints. "A Soul Saint in his twenties has defeated the Poison Douluo!"
Flander stared at him in disbelief. "Are you bragging? I'm a Level 78 Soul Saint, and I know the gap. A Title Douluo could crush me with a thought."
"Boss, I'm serious," Zhao Wuji said solemnly. "I suspect this young Soul Saint is the same person I encountered in the Star Dou Great Forest!"
He had spent the last month replaying that encounter in his mind. As a power-type Soul Saint, he had been utterly powerless against that man, even after using his Martial Soul True Body.
"Old Zhao," Flander said, waving a hand dismissively. "Regardless of who he is, your grudge is settled. Don't let it haunt you. If you have time to worry about that, think of a way to make us some money, we're almost starving here."