"I don't care!" Chrysanthemum Douluo suddenly raised his head, blazing desire burning within his golden eyes.
"That is the Sky Chrysanthemum! A supreme immortal herb of the same origin as my martial soul! Even if I have to pay any price, I must obtain it!"
"No! I don't want to kill it! I can't kill it!"
"I'm going to Heavenly Path Academy. I'm going to meet the Sky Chrysanthemum!"
...
Heavenly Path Academy. The voice of the Exquisite Silk Tulip abruptly cut off as the six figures transformed from immortal herbs all turned their gazes toward the sky.
The man transformed from the Sky Chrysanthemum, clad in golden robes, suddenly erupted with dazzling golden radiance around his body.
His already upright frame grew even more imposing, muscles carved like gold and stone, brimming with explosive power.
Feeling the surging soul power within his body, he slowly clenched his fists. Crisp cracking sounds echoed from his bones as a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.
"At last, it's my turn."
He chuckled softly, his voice ringing like metal striking metal.
"Fifteen percent enhancement to the Indestructible Vajra attribute, plus an additional thirty thousand years of cultivation. Now, even a Rank 98 Titled Douluo won't be able to injure me easily."
The elderly man transformed from the five-hundred-thousand-year immortal herb Ink Jade Divine Bamboo stroked his beard, satisfaction evident in his eyes.
"Very good. Your physical body was already comparable to vajra. With this reinforcement, you are more than capable of becoming the academy's strongest shield."
The other immortal herb transformations also showed subtle changes in expression.
"If we can all make it onto the ranking, then we will not have failed the headmaster's cultivation."
An immortal-grade medicinal herb transformed into a woman in green robes spoke softly, her tone carrying a trace of pride.
Li Tianyi stood beneath the pavilion, gazing at the radiant screen in the sky, a faint smile resting at the corner of his lips.
A look of awe flashed through Shui Bing'er's eyes as she glanced at the ferocious beasts transformed from immortal herbs standing nearby and murmured softly.
"A ferocious beast at the two-hundred-and-thirty-thousand-year level, capable of contending with a Rank 97 Titled Douluo. The Sky Chrysanthemum's strength is simply terrifying."
By the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Great Forest, Di Tian's draconic might surged violently, fury and shock filling his golden vertical pupils.
"Heavenly Path Academy again! Two immortal herbs turned into ferocious beasts. Just how many secrets does this human academy hide?"
Gu Yuena gazed at the light screen, the emotions in her eyes growing increasingly complex. "Immortal herbs transforming, breaking free from the conventional laws of soul beast cultivation, and possessing such powerful bodies and abilities… Heavenly Path Academy's methods of nurturing may be even more frightening than we imagined."
"No wonder it is an academy possessing a Creation-tier divine grade and two God King-level divine positions."
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion blinked its third vertical eye in curiosity as the power of the Eye of Destiny quietly activated, yet all it saw was a vast expanse of brilliant golden mist.
"I can't see it… This big golden chrysanthemum's future is blocked by fog."
It tilted its small head and spoke with confusion.
"It's ranked eighteenth at two hundred and thirty thousand years. Is it possible that Sister Zi Ji and the Three-Headed Big Red Dog won't even make the top twenty?"
Hearing this, Zi Ji could not help but smile bitterly. As the leader of the Hell Dragon King clan with true dragon bloodline, could she really not even make it into the top twenty?
...
Within the Black Forest, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger stared fixedly at the ranking in the sky, greed in its eyes nearly materializing.
"A ferocious beast at the two-hundred-and-thirty-thousand-year level… and that Exquisite Silk Tulip capable of controlling dreams… Heavenly Path Academy actually possesses such foundations?"
It licked its sharp fangs, calculations growing deeper within its mind. "The Three-Eyed Golden Lion of Star Dou and Heavenly Path's two immortal herbs are all priceless treasures. It seems this muddy water must be stirred properly."
"Only, this academy's strength is far too terrifying. That God King could probably erase me with a single glance. This won't be easy."
...
At Shrek Academy, Tang San suddenly rose to his feet. Blue Silver Grass grew wildly around him, excitement shimmering across its leaves.
"Sky Chrysanthemum! Another immortal herb!"
Blazing light erupted in his eyes as memories from ancient texts of his previous life surged through his mind.
"Seizing the creations of heaven and earth. Not only can it aid cultivation, it can even grow to such a realm itself. Heavenly Path Academy… I must go and see it for myself!"
"With my talent, even if I didn't make the ranking, I am still a rare twin martial soul wielder. If I seek to join Heavenly Path Academy, they may not necessarily reject me."
Thinking of this, a hint of anger surfaced within Tang San.
"If not for that damned Tang Chen occupying the Clear Sky Hammer slot, with my talent I would definitely have made the ranking!"
...
At this moment, within the medicinal garden of Heavenly Path Academy, the man in golden robes slowly closed his eyes, accepting the reward bestowed by the Golden Ranking.
A golden pillar of light descended from the heavens and merged into his body. The golden radiance around him grew ever more intense, faint, intricate golden patterns emerging across the surface of his bones. This was a sign of further reinforcement to the Indestructible Vajra attribute.
The surge of thirty thousand years of cultivation instantly pushed his soul power to the two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-year level, while his physical strength climbed to yet another tier.
He opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed through his golden pupils as he threw a punch forward.
The air detonated instantly, releasing a dull thunderous boom with faint signs of shaking heaven and earth itself.
Before the people of the continent could recover from the shock of the eighteenth-ranked rewards, the seventeenth rank appeared without warning.
[Soul Beast Ranking Seventeenth: Cockscomb Phoenix Aster]
[Age: 240,000 years]
[Affiliated Force: Heavenly Path Academy]
[Evaluation: An immortal-grade medicinal herb transformed in form, possessing the ultimate fire attribute. After being nurtured by Heavenly Path Academy, it evolved into a ferocious beast-level existence. If a powerful individual can capture it and consume it, their martial soul may transform into a supreme fire-path martial soul and eliminate negative martial soul effects, granting the potential for godhood. However, its combat strength is comparable to that of the Sky Chrysanthemum and is not something ordinary individuals can provoke.]
[Reward: Age increased by forty thousand years. Flame intensity increased by 15 percent.]
The information of the seventeenth-ranked soul beast spread across the continent like a thunderclap. Phrases such as "ultimate fire attribute," "martial soul transformation into a fire-path supreme," and "elimination of negative effects" instantly ignited the ambitions of all fire-attribute soul masters.
"If someone were to take down this Cockscomb Phoenix Aster, that would mean possessing the potential for godhood. Do you think anyone will take such a risk?"
"Hard to say. That's Heavenly Path Academy. Don't forget how many from Heavenly Path Academy appeared on the Martial Soul Ranking. It's already confirmed they have three gods. Who would dare provoke them?"
"Exactly. Offending such existences for the sake of godhood potential is simply not worth it, especially when the target itself rivals the absolute elites among Titled Douluo."
...
Offering Hall.
Lion Douluo stood proudly within the hall. Dark light flowed across his red armor as the phantom of a blazing lion erupted behind him.
Its mane billowed like raging flames, golden fire patterns coursing across the phantom's body, radiating the terrifying pressure of a Rank 97 Titled Douluo.
His gaze was locked tightly onto the name "Cockscomb Phoenix Aster" on the Soul Beast Ranking in the sky, especially the descriptions of "ultimate fire" and "eliminating negative martial soul effects." The greed in his eyes nearly condensed into tangible flames.
"Ultimate fire… it's actually ultimate fire!"
Lion Douluo's voice trembled with suppressed excitement as a ball of golden flames unconsciously gathered in his palm, crackling loudly as it burned.
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