"And this one is also a top-grade Immortal Herb, called the eight-petal immortal orchid. Its medicinal nature is gentle and mellow, able to consolidate the Foundation and dispel Impurities, especially suited to make up for the slow cultivation speed of support system Spirit Masters; its effects will last until the seventieth Spirit Power Level."
"The qiluo tulip alone can make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolve. I'm only offering this Immortal Herb because of my friendship with School Master Ning and Ning Rongrong."
After explaining the herb's effects, Yu Yan very deliberately stated his reason for offering it—naturally to make sure they could not refuse the favor.
"Then thank you, young friend Yu Yan. In the future, if you ever need help, come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and find me."
Ning Fengzhi, who had caught the implication in Yu Yan's words, showed no offense; he accepted the goodwill with a smile and gave a promise in return.
Once those words were spoken, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong looked at Yu Yan with noticeably gentler eyes.
"If I ever need anything, I'll certainly come calling."
After this tacit exchange of favors with Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yan took the herbs indoors and processed them to make them suitable for absorption.
The qiluo tulip's essence lay in its stamens, while the eight-petal immortal orchid's potency was evenly diffused throughout. The method Yu Yan had learned was to use a special technique to temporarily house the tulip's essence within the orchid.
He brought the prepared herbs to Ning Rongrong and handed them over. "Swallow directly and circulate your spirit power to absorb slowly."
"Okay—thanks, Brother Yu."
Ning Rongrong accepted them carefully, swallowed the herbs in a few bites, and began circulating the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's Meditation Technique to absorb the two Immortal Herbs.
Golden light burst forth first, enveloping her.
Wisps of white mist drifted from her skin, mingling with the golden glow as if they were one.
Time passed; her spirit power Rank changed first. In the blink of an eye she rose from Rank 32 to Rank 40—only one spirit ring away from becoming a Spirit Ancestor.
"Yu Yan, is it really safe for Rongrong's Rank to jump so drastically?"
Sword Douluo, the first to sense the leap, demanded an answer.
"Rest assured, Sword Douluo; the qiluo tulip and eight-petal immortal orchid are both consolidating, Foundation-building treasures. They won't harm her Foundation—you can check for yourself later."
Yu Yan answered unhurriedly; if the herbs left her spirit power unstable, they wouldn't deserve the name 'immortal'.
More than three hours later, the golden light around Ning Rongrong dimmed, and the white mist dissipated into nothing.
"Rongrong, summon your Spirit and let's see."
Seeing her open her eyes, Ning Fengzhi urged her at once to call forth her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"A-all right."
Collecting herself, Ning Rongrong raised her hand and summoned her Spirit.
"One, two, three… seven, eight—nine!!!"
Ning Fengzhi counted carefully from the first story upward; at the eighth his voice rose sharply, and when the ninth appeared undisguised joy spread across his usually composed face.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—no, now the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—stood before him, glittering in all its splendor.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda he had pursued so long now manifested in all its radiant glory.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo each laid a hand on Ning Rongrong to confirm her spirit power was not the least bit hollow but, if anything, unusually solid.
"Worthy of the name 'Immortal Herb'!"
After exchanging glances, Bone Douluo murmured the praise and Sword Douluo gave an approving nod.
Only after inspecting her spirit power did they turn their attention to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda meant everything to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School; Yu Yan understood their momentary loss of composure and tactfully stepped aside, making no interruption.
Dugu Bo edged closer and quietly asked, "Yu Yan Kid, tell me straight—are there any Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well suited for me?"
"You already asked when Dugu Yan took hers, and I answered then. Besides, I helped you break through to level 93."
Yu Yan wasn't lying; at present the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well held nothing suitable for Dugu Bo.
"Really none?" Dugu Bo pressed one last time.
"Of course it's true—why would I lie to you, with the relationship we have?"
"I believe you. If you ever find an herb or Spirit Pill that can help my Spirit evolve, remember to bring it to me—if my Jade Phosphor Serpent advances a bit more I might finally throw off the poison's shackles."
Having pocketed a huge favor, Yu Yan could hardly refuse. "Fine—if I find an elixir that can evolve your Spirit, I'll bring it to you."
Just then Xiao Wu whispered, "Yu Yan, have you noticed the way Ning Rongrong's looking at you?"
Turning from Dugu Bo, Yu Yan caught Ning Rongrong's complicated gaze; the emotions in it were too tangled for him to read.
After a split-second's thought he leaned to Xiao Wu and whispered back, "What do you think that look means?"
"You really don't know?"
"Too complicated—I can't tell."
"Truly?"
"Of course. You've known me for years; you can see that."
Before Xiao Wu could reply, Ning Fengzhi turned to them.
"Once again, many thanks, young friend Yu Yan."
To Yu Yan it had been a fair transaction; to Ning Fengzhi it was anything but.
"If you truly wish to express gratitude, Sect Master Ning, then set out at once to hunt Spirit Beasts—that would be thanks enough for me."
Yu Yan gently pressed him, eager to begin the hunt for spirit rings.
Once he possessed his Martial Soul True Body, Yu Yan planned to dive the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well again and retrieve the mysterious energy-laden bone he had spotted on his last descent.