God's Divine inheritor?
A god?
Dugu Yan was utterly confused.
Beside her, Dugu Bo trembled, his emerald eyes quivering slightly.
"Young... Young Mistress, have you received a god's inheritance?"
What Dugu Yan didn't understand, Dugu Bo certainly did.
As a 92nd-rank Title Douluo, while he never believed he could become a god himself—since there were many Title Douluos stronger and more talented than him—reaching 92nd rank was already an incredible stroke of luck. Moreover, in the ten-thousand-year history of Douluo Continent, not a single person had achieved godhood.
Yet now, he was standing before an actual god's successor—how could he not be shocked?
"Mmm, Senior Dugu, being a god's successor only means having the potential to become a god, not a certainty," Ning Rongrong explained, noticing how Dugu Bo's pupils had contracted like a shark's. "It just means one's talent has been recognized by a god."
"Even so, it's incredibly rare! Across the entire Douluo Continent—"
Dugu Bo was about to continue his awed rambling when he felt a slight tug on his sleeve. It was Dugu Yan.
"Grandfather, what is a god's successor?"
"I don't know much myself," Dugu Bo said, obliging his granddaughter's curiosity. "Gods are said to be beings at level 100. Legends say deities from the Divine Realm select talented individuals in Douluo Continent to inherit their divine positions."
"Such people are called god's trial successors."
"I once read similar records in the Heaven Dou Empire's library, but I always thought they were just myths."
"To think... to think..." Dugu Bo sighed deeply. "No wonder Sect Master Ning has kept the Young Mistress so closely guarded."
"Yan'er, you must bury the knowledge of the Young Mistress being a god's successor deep in your heart. Never speak of it to anyone, understand?" Dugu Bo solemnly warned his granddaughter.
"Yes, Dugu Yan understands."
Though unclear what exactly Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan were imagining, Ning Rongrong knew that as long as it defied logic, she could simply attribute it to "godly" matters—even if said god didn't actually exist.
Thus, neither Dugu Bo nor Dugu Yan pressed further about Ning Rongrong's self-condensed soul rings. Instead, they turned their attention to the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda floating in her palm.
"Rongrong, what's your current soul power rank?" Dugu Yan asked eagerly.
"Hmm, somewhere in the forties. Not quite fifty yet," Ning Rongrong replied. "My cultivation method differs from yours, so it's hard to precisely define my level based on internal energy."
"I... I see." Though happy for her, a trace of melancholy flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes.
"Sister Yan Yan, Senior Dugu's herb garden contains immortal herbs that can safely boost your soul power without side effects."
"They might not evolve your spirit, but they can definitely enhance your physique and talent!"
"R-Really?"
Seeing Dugu Yan's hopeful expression, Ning Rongrong nodded seriously.
The trio approached the immortal herb Ning Rongrong had indicated.
"This crystalline-looking plant is what will improve Yan'er's talent?" Dugu Bo asked cautiously. "There are no side effects?"
While his granddaughter's talent wasn't top-tier, any side effects could ruin her future.
"Don't worry, Senior Dugu," Ning Rongrong assured. "I wouldn't gamble with Sister Yan Yan's future."
"After evolving to the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, my appraisal abilities have improved further."
"This immortal herb is called the Jade Velvet Bone Chrysanthemum. It nourishes muscles and bones while clearing meridians."
"Though it may not evolve her spirit, it can safely enhance her talent without drawbacks."
"Even if the talent improvement is minor, it will still refine Sister Yan Yan's physique."
"How should I consume it?" Dugu Yan's gaze was resolute.
The Jade Velvet Bone Chrysanthemum resembled crystalline grass, its pristine petals and leaves appearing immaculate.
"Eat the petals first, then absorb the stamen. You must use soul power to circulate its energy," Ning Rongrong instructed calmly.
Immortal herbs earned their name because—unless completely incompatible with one's attributes—they would benefit anyone who consumed them.
Dugu Yan's body, like Dugu Bo's, had been eroded by the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's poison. Though she had recovered, even after medicinal baths, returning to the level of a normal soul master of her rank would take considerable time. Hence, Ning Rongrong had chosen the Jade Velvet Bone Chrysanthemum for her.
In the original story, Tang San gave this herb to Zhu Zhuqing, boosting her soul power by seven levels. Ning Rongrong wondered how much Dugu Yan would improve.
Though the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda enhanced her ability to discern medicinal properties, she still lacked knowledge on proper harvesting techniques. Thus, she followed Tang San's methods from the original plot.
Otherwise, during Dugu Bo's negotiations with Ning Fengzhi, she would have spent a fortune to acquire the Qiluo Tulip directly. Wasn't the main concern that Dugu Bo might mishandle it during harvesting, causing its essence to dissipate?
As Dugu Yan began absorbing the herb's energy, Dugu Bo and Ning Rongrong stepped back.
"Senior, later I'd like to take three immortal herbs back for Father and the two elders."
"Of course. I owe my safety to Sect Master Ning, Elder Chen Xin, and Elder Gu Rong," Dugu Bo said. "Which three does the Young Mistress want?"
"Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Velvet Sky-Reaching Chrysanthemum, and Nine-Vein Purple Fungus." Ning Rongrong explained their effects and estimated benefits.
"I see." Dugu Bo nodded thoughtfully. "So Elder Chen Xin and Gu Rong might gain one rank, while Sect Master Ning could potentially achieve the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda?"
"Grandpa Bone might reach 96th rank, but Grandpa Sword likely won't immediately advance to 97th. As for Father... the Nine-Vein Purple Fungus has almost no chance of helping him attain the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda."
"The older one is, the less effective immortal herbs become."
"Generally, Title Douluos—especially those above 95th rank—have nearly exhausted their potential and only lack enlightenment."
"True." Dugu Bo sighed. "Gu Rong mentioned that breakthroughs above 95th rank aren't just about accumulating soul power."
"But Sect Master Ning can't reach the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda at all?"
"It's extremely difficult." Ning Rongrong sighed. "Upon achieving the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, I realized the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda has inherent flaws."
"The higher one's cultivation, the more apparent these flaws become."
"Even if Father consumed the Qiluo Tulip now, he'd only have a fifty percent chance of evolution."
"However, the Nine-Vein Purple Fungus could at least help him reach the Eight Treasure Glazed Pagoda level after all these years of stagnation."
After this exchange, both fell silent, watching Dugu Yan absorb the herb's energy.
After a while, Dugu Bo thought of something else.
"What about me? Could I..."