In the Sea God Pavilion, Elder Mu En opened his eyes slightly.
Leaning back in his recliner, he glanced at his disciple. "Shaozhe, why did you summon the Pavilion for a meeting this time?"
"Teacher, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tower has reappeared!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the elders around the room were shaken—every one of them understood what that meant.
"Nine Treasures Glazed Tower? The Aromatic Silk Beauty?" Mu En sat up straighter, his tone revealing rare surprise. "Is this news from the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect?"
"Yes…" Yan Shaozhe explained everything the sect had announced across the continent, then looked urgently at his teacher. "Do you think they might have more immortal herbs? Like the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, the one that helped Ma Hongjun's ancestor?"
"You're thinking of Xiaotao."
Mu En understood his disciple well. Yan Shaozhe wasn't just the Vice Pavilion Master—he had raised Ma Xiaotao himself. She wasn't just an immensely talented Spirit Emperor at level 67 by 18, second only to Zhang Lexuan—she was like a daughter to him.
"Teacher, her situation can't be delayed. Xiaotao is proud, but if we don't help her soon, we may lose her future. We've searched so long for something to suppress the Evil Fire Phoenix, and now there's finally a lead…"
"Senior Brother."
"Elder Mu."
"Teacher."
Even the elders who usually disagreed with Shaozhe—like Xian Lin'er and Qian Duoduo—spoke up in support. Everyone wanted to help Xiaotao.
Mu En sighed. Compared to the others, he had to be calm.
If the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect truly had such herbs, would they share them with Shrek Academy? He understood Ning Bowen's ambitions. If it were him, he wouldn't easily hand over something so rare. These herbs were legendary. Unless they really had found the same treasure ground Tang San once did, even having one was already a miracle.
But facing the unanimous request...
"Shaozhe, take the two Blazing Dragon soul bones—one 60,000 years, one 70,000 years—from the treasury," Mu En finally said. His gaze shifted to Xuan Zi, the laziest elder present. "And you, Xuan Zi, go with him. Besides the immortal herb, meet with Ning Bowen about matters involving the Sun and Moon Empire."
Mu En's eyes turned stern. Xuan Zi immediately sat up straight, setting aside his gourd and chicken leg.
"No matter what happens with the herb, that business is even more important. Don't screw it up. If you do, I'll personally beat you down for our senior brother!"
"Yes!"
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A few days later, back in the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, the center of attention—
Chen Junting sat cross-legged in his chamber, his Seven Killing Sword laid across his lap. The Juyuan formation beneath him shone with golden light, drawing spirit energy from heaven and earth, forming a thick cultivation field.
Buzz—
As his sword hummed, every sword in the room resonated in response.
The silver-white layer on the sword slowly faded, revealing its original blue-crystal-like blade. As soul power gathered back into his body, the Soul Gathering formation collapsed. Chen Junting opened his eyes, sharp as unsheathed blades.
He stood. With each step, his aura sharpened—like he himself had become a blade.
Arriving at the training grounds, he drew the Seven Killing Sword again. The silver-white blade shimmered—
Shua!
A single slash split the earth, leaving a deep groove. The wall behind cracked under the sword's force.
"This power... nearly at the level of ultimate gold."
Chen Junting sheathed the sword and slowly recovered his soul power. Thanks to the Golden Bone Immortal Herb, the Seven Killing Sword had undergone a major evolution. Combined with the three top-tier gold-attributed soul rings he'd already obtained, he was now just a step away from mastering the ultimate gold attribute.
Suddenly, a long roar shook the sky.
Chen Junting looked up to see six figures descending from the clouds. The aura each gave off was like a deep abyss—each one a supreme elder.
Ye Xuanji spotted Junting and descended to him.
"Master, congratulations on reaching level 98."
"Hahaha—" Ye Xuanji laughed heartily. "Not yet. The leap from 97 to 98 isn't easy. But I'm close. With a few more days, I'll make it. And maybe, with the Starluo Spirit Pearl, I might form a soul core and eventually step into level 99."
"But the real breakthrough wasn't my cultivation," he continued, drawing a sword of brilliant yellow. Stars glimmered across the blade.
"Your martial soul evolved!" Junting's eyes widened.
Indeed. The Starluo Spirit Pearl, which absorbed celestial energy, was perfectly compatible with the Star Saint Sword. No surprise that it had evolved.
"If the martial soul changed, the name should too," Junting said. "Master, how about Star God Sword?"
"Star God Sword it is." Ye Xuanji beamed.
He went on to explain that Elder Zhiyong had reached level 97 with help from the Ink Jade Divine Pearl, and Elder Baisheng was now on the brink as well. The others—Zhang Ming, Taiyu, and Qinglan—had each advanced a level, breaking into the ranks of high-level Title Douluo.
The elders wouldn't be going into closed-door cultivation just yet though—they had to prepare for… guests.
Junting, having no part in politics, went to visit Ning Tian.
As he approached her residence, a pulse of soul power greeted him.
He smiled. "Looks like she's finished absorbing it."
Inside, Ning Tian opened her eyes. Her aura was calm but noble, like a blooming goddess. The scent of tulip lingered around her.
"Brother Junting, I've gained six levels. I'm just one step from Soul Sect!"
"That's not the biggest news." Junting grinned. "Check your martial soul."
Ning Tian blinked, then summoned it.
As the yellow, yellow, purple rings rose, a glowing tower appeared in her hand—nine stories tall, shining in nine colors, #framed by tulip petals.
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tower!"
Even though they had expected it, the moment still stunned her. Ten thousand years later, it had finally returned to their sect.
"Brother Junting!"
Overcome with joy, she leapt into his arms. He caught her, holding her gently.
"Congratulations, Xiao Tian."
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(End of Chapter)
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