Around the Ice and Fire Dual Profound Eyes, the flower gardens were filled with countless exotic flowers and strange herbs, competing in a dazzling display of beauty.
Su Cheng and Dugu Bo chatted while searching and picking various treasures from the garden. Su Cheng casually explained the uses of some immortal herbs.
"The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, a top-notch herb! Its gentle and mellow nature makes it easy to absorb. It can strengthen the foundation, remove impurities from the body, and will be perfect for your granddaughter's foundational cultivation in the future.
"The Moonshadow Flower, a top-grade spiritual herb! Consuming it can soothe the soul and purify spiritual power, making it ideal for breakthroughs during cultivation.
"The Purple Gold Dragon Bone Grass, an immortal-grade herb capable of purifying bloodlines. I speculate that this herb would be extremely effective for beast martial souls, possibly even promoting the upgrading of martial souls. You could try consuming it in the future; who knows, it might unlock even greater potential."
Although he had consumed quite a few spiritual herbs while concocting antidotes and attribute potions, the place still thrived with prosperity, showing little change from before.
Compared to the countless years of accumulated spiritual energy around the Ice and Fire Dual Profound Eyes, the herbs Su Cheng used were still just a drop in the ocean. After all, even he couldn't identify all the herbs without spending time to discern their properties.
Soon, Su Cheng paused in front of a particular herb, looking somewhat hesitant.
Before this, he had already collected the Crimson Phoenix Sunflower, Crystal Swordgrass, Strange Fungus Heaven-reaching Chrysanthemum, and Narcissus Jade Skin and Bone, storing them in his soul tool.
Seeing this, Dugu Bo thought Su Cheng wanted another herb and stepped forward, saying, "Mr. Su, you can just take it directly. Whether it's one more or one less doesn't matter to me. My family won't be able to use them all for generations."
Having been immersed in this environment for days, Dugu Bo also gained some understanding of herbalism. He knew that the more potent the herb, the less should be used, as excess could be harmful rather than beneficial.
Su Cheng shook his head at the suggestion. "Since I said I only need four, I won't take more than that."
And so, they continued their harvest, with each herb adding to their journey's intrigue and the weight of destiny upon their shoulders. Little did they know, the adventure that awaited them would make this mere herb-picking expedition seem like child's play.
Before Su Cheng lay what appeared to be an ordinary white flower.
The flower, about the size of a palm and resembling a peony, had no leaves. Its roots connected to a large, jet-black stone, indicating its tremendous weight.
Yet, atop this seemingly unremarkable white flower lay several astonishing crimson streaks, giving off a heart-stopping sensation.
It was none other than the Immortal Grade Flower King, Heartbreak Crimson.
To pluck this flower, one must be deeply connected to their beloved, with sincerity and devotion. Only by spilling a drop of heartfelt blood onto the petals could it be harvested. If the intentions were insincere, even with unparalleled skills, it would remain unattainable.
Upon ingestion, it not only enhanced one's spiritual power but also comprehensively strengthened the user's foundation, with its pure and long-lasting effects virtually free of any hidden dangers.
In terms of efficacy, it stood at the pinnacle among all immortal herbs.
After a brief silence, Su Cheng looked at Dugu Bo and said, "I'll take this herb first. If it proves useful, I'll return the Crimson Phoenix Sunflower to you."
Knowing Su Cheng's character, Dugu Bo understood that when he said he didn't need more, he truly meant it. With a resigned smile, he replied, "As you wish."
...
A day later, Su Cheng, with a completely changed appearance, stood outside the Ice and Fire Dual Profound Eyes, bidding farewell to Dugu Bo.
"Mr. Su, are you already returning to the Soul City?" Dugu Bo asked in surprise.
"I have some matters to attend to first. I'll come back to visit you before returning to the Soul City," Su Cheng replied solemnly. "Brother Dugu, I hope you can pretend that I never left the Ice and Fire Dual Profound Eyes."
Dugu Bo was initially puzzled but then quickly understood.
No wonder this morning Su Cheng spent nearly two hours concocting various potions to alter his appearance. Originally, he thought it was for safety reasons, but now it seemed there were hidden actions he didn't want the Soul Hall to know about.
But now Su Cheng was their family's benefactor, and Dugu Bo's character was clear-cut when it came to debts of gratitude. Without hesitation, he nodded in agreement.
"No problem. Do you need me to accompany you?"
Su Cheng shook his head and smiled. "No need, Brother Dugu. I'll handle it on my own. Besides, I wouldn't want you to get caught up in any trouble."
"After all, you're a Title Douluo. It would be too conspicuous if we moved together."
"Alright then, I wish you all the best."
Dugu Bo didn't insist further. He knew that although Su Cheng's cultivation was not high, he had many tricks up his sleeve and would be fine.
With a final wave, Su Cheng turned and disappeared into the distance, leaving behind a curious and grateful Dugu Bo, wondering what adventures lay ahead for their enigmatic benefactor.
...
Several days later, at the gates of the Seven Treasure Lustrous Sect.
A middle-aged man with an ordinary face, seemingly devoid of any presence, was gazing up at the famous aura of the Top Three Sects.
This man was none other than Su Cheng.
After years of absence, he had finally returned to the place where he had grown up since childhood.
Unfortunately, before he could indulge in any nostalgia, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a merciless reprimand.
"Hey, uncle over there, this is private property, and outsiders are not allowed to linger."
The one speaking was a young disciple guarding the mountain.
Seeing Su Cheng as a soul master, the tone was not particularly harsh, but it was far from polite.
As one of the Top Three Sects, the arrogance of the disciples of the Seven Treasure Lustrous Sect was ingrained.
When he saw that Su Cheng didn't react much, he was about to approach and drive him away.
Without wasting words, Su Cheng directly took out an identity token from his soul tool and threw it over.
His voice came out hoarse and low.
"Do you recognize this token? Go directly to Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and he will come out to see me."
The mountain guard disciple took the token and looked down, suddenly taken aback.
This token was the Elder Token of the Seven Treasure Lustrous Sect, possessed only by Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
Without delay, the disciple hurried to report to the sect, not daring to question why this person possessed the Elder Token.
In truth, this token belonged to Chen Xin himself.
After he achieved the rank of Title Douluo, his identity was known far and wide, especially within the Seven Treasure Lustrous Sect, where his status was revered. It was even said that no one dared to challenge his authority. Naturally, he didn't need this token to prove his identity.
So when Su Cheng left, Chen Xin gave him the token for future use.
While Su Cheng waited outside the mountain, inside the most central residence of the Seven Treasure Lustrous Sect, it was a scene of tranquility and laughter.
Apart from Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong, there was also a delicate little girl running around, full of liveliness and mischief.
Though the girl was still young, soul masters tended to mature early, especially those with exceptional talent.
Ning Rongrong, at the age of about three, could already recognize people and even read and write.
As both Chen Xin and Gu Rong lacked biological children, they treated her like their own granddaughter.
Watching Ning Rongrong grow day by day, Chen Xin couldn't help but often think of his adopted son, imagining what his life might be like in the Soul City.
Occasionally, he would feel a pang of sorrow.
In his opinion, with Su Cheng's temperament and martial soul talent, even if his theoretical knowledge was rich and advanced, and his thoughts were intricate, in a place like the Soul Hall, where powerful individuals abounded, he would likely find it extremely challenging to make progress.