Upon waking, Ning Fengzhi first sensed the change in his soul power. The soul power that had been constrained by the limitations of his martial spirit for many years had once again strengthened, reaching level eighty. This level indicated that his martial spirit had truly evolved.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight... Haha... Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda... Hahaha..."
Summoning his martial spirit and counting the layers on the pagoda, Ning Fengzhi laughed excitedly. After so many years, his Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial spirit had finally evolved; he was no longer trapped at the Soul Sage level.
"Shouldn't it be the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?!" At that moment, Cheng Xin approached with Ning Rongrong in his arms, looking puzzled. He clearly remembered Xu Yang saying that celestial herbs could evolve the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Uncle Sword, don't worry. I can feel that the Eight-petal Celestial Orchid has only consumed a small portion of its power. When I absorb the eighth soul ring, with its power, I should be able to evolve my martial spirit into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Ning Fengzhi smiled confidently, feeling that the medicinal power of the Eight-petal Celestial Orchid was still being continuously absorbed by his body. When he fully absorbed it, it would be time for his martial spirit to evolve once again.
"Alright then! Once that brat Xu Yang and Qing'er finish absorbing their herbs, I'll take you all to hunt for soul rings!" Cheng Xin nodded and then stepped back to continue playing with Ning Rongrong alongside Gu Rong.
Madam Ning was not just a pretty face; according to the rules of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, a spouse must be a powerful battle soul master. Thus, her strength surpassed even Ning Fengzhi's—she was an eighty-fourth-level Soul Douluo. Had she not given birth three times over the years, she might have already broken through to Title Douluo.
Yes, Ning Rongrong had two older brothers; however, their talents were not high. They were born with only five levels of innate soul power and had reached only around thirty levels by their teenage years. Therefore, they assisted Ning Fengzhi in managing sect affairs.
Xu Yang had a good relationship with these two brothers; one could say that the successors of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School were well-mannered in their dealings. However, due to their aptitude issues, these two were destined not to inherit Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School—hence Ning Rongrong's birth.
Before long, Madam Ning finished absorbing the Shuidian Yujin Bone and happily called out to Ning Fengzhi: "Fengzhi! My soul power has reached eighty-seven levels! I feel I can reach Title Douluo!"
At this point in time, they were still in the Douluo timeline where there hadn't been significant breakthroughs in researching Title Douluo-level soul cores as there would be thousands of years later. Most breakthroughs relied on personal potential or luck without absolute confidence.
Now Madam Ning possessed such confidence; she believed she could definitely reach Title Douluo.
This confidence came from absorbing the Shuidian Yujin Bone.
After another two hours passed, Xu Yang finished absorbing the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower; it turned to ash completely within him. Upon opening his eyes, he immediately sensed a foul odor and instinctively retched.
But in the next second, he realized that the force came from within himself—his soul power surged and blasted away the black mud covering him.
Then he noticed a coolness beneath him.
Realizing what had happened, Xu Yang quickly took out a set of clothes from his storage ring and put them on without hesitation before casually walking over to a corner. He knew everyone had been waiting for him to finish absorbing his herb; now they had all witnessed him naked—this was indeed somewhat embarrassing.
It was fine since they were all men; however, there was also Madam Ning present!
As for Ning Rongrong—she was just a little kid and could be ignored.
Of course, he only felt slightly embarrassed; as someone who had navigated modern life for many years, he had thick skin.
In the room, everyone began to stifle their laughter; especially Cheng Xin and Gu Rong—they laughed heartily as their voices echoed throughout the hall.
Hearing this laughter made Xu Yang decide not to pretend anymore. He walked to the center of the hall and stood confidently without any shame about being previously naked.
"Alright! Today is a joyous occasion; stop messing around!" At this moment, Ning Fengzhi stepped up to help Xu Yang out of his predicament before continuing: "Yang'er! What level is your soul power now?!"
Xu Yang felt the fluctuations emanating from within him due to his completely solidified Solar Martial Spirit and softly replied: "My soul power has increased by seven levels and has now reached thirty!"
In the original work, Ma Hongjun's Soul Master had absorbed Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and increased by five levels of soul power; Xu Yang felt that increasing by seven levels was reasonable.
"Then will you choose the Sun Sacred Beetle for your third ring?"
"That's right!" Xu Yang nodded.
"Once your cultivation is solidified, I'll have Haiyan take you to Sunset Forest..." Ning Fengzhi began arranging plans.
"Um! However, Teacher, Uncle Ning might not be able to go. Before I entered the room, I gave him a nine-grade purple ganoderma. If he absorbs it now, his soul power will probably reach eighty levels too; he'll likely need to accompany you in hunting for soul rings." Xu Yang scratched his head awkwardly as he declined Ning Fengzhi's arrangement.
Regarding Xu Yang giving Uncle Ning celestial herbs without permission, Ning Fengzhi didn't say much but nodded instead. After all these years, most of his time had been spent teaching and caring for Xu Yang; their relationship was very close.
After pondering briefly, Ning Fengzhi turned to look at his wife: "Qing'er! This time it will be up to you to accompany Yang'er in hunting for soul rings!"
"Alright! I'll take Yang'er hunting!" Madam Ning stepped forward and gently ruffled Xu Yang's hair.
Thus this hunting expedition split into two teams: one team consisting of Ning Fengzhi, Cheng Xin, and Ning Haiyan would head to Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for an eighth soul ring from a soul beast at least seventy thousand years old. The Sunset Forest contained too few corresponding age soul beasts—it would be difficult to find suitable ones there.
The other team consisted of Madam Ning and Xu Yang heading into Sunset Forest to hunt for Sun Sacred Beetles. Compared to aimlessly searching in Star Dou Great Forest, it would be better to find ready targets in Sunset Forest.
Originally thinking about finding a Soul Sage within their sect to assist Xu Yang in hunting for martial spirits during this expedition—but considering this sudden enhancement from absorbing celestial herbs made it better if they kept things discreet. Thus he let Madam Ning—who hadn't moved much lately—help out instead.
As for little troublemaker Ning Rongrong—she would be left under Gu Rong's care while staying at Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.
Xu Yang wasted no time returning to the specially created environment for him within Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School designed for absorbing Solar Flowers.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground and summoning forth his Solar Martial Spirit before him allowed him to sense changes within himself. Externally there weren't many changes; it still resembled a sun—but where there used to be crimson flames surrounding it now glowed golden flames instead. As soon as his martial spirit appeared, temperatures around him began rising sharply.
Even the surrounding solar flowers no longer faced towards the sun above but turned their blossoms towards his Solar Martial Spirit—as if paying homage.
Moreover, Xu Yang could feel that his martial spirit could now retract and release flames and light at will—especially light—which he hadn't been able to do before.
Now his Solar Martial Spirit truly resembled an actual sun.
(End of Chapter)