Chapter 65: Return to Kamikaze

"Cultivation is just like that. There is nothing magical about it."

Mo Hui replied indifferently, not caring at all.

Aside from a very few enhancement methods, such as immortal herbs or divine trials, the vast majority of people had to accumulate their soul power bit by bit in this manner. Therefore, Mo Hui did not feel anything was wrong with it—at least not in the Douluo world.

Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes and said, "How boring. I really don't understand what you are trying to achieve by working so hard to raise your soul power."

If one had to undergo grueling cultivation before a rank breakthrough and grueling cultivation after a rank breakthrough, wouldn't the rank breakthrough itself be meaningless?

Mo Hui answered, "There are many reasons, but the most important one is for my own safety."

"For your own safety?"

Ning Rongrong asked with some confusion.

"Yes."

Mo Hui nodded and then said, "I have a premonition that the Douluo Continent will soon fall into turmoil. Therefore, to prevent myself from meeting an unexpected end, I must attain enough strength to protect myself before that happens. You would do well to work a bit harder yourself, lest something really happens and you live to regret it."

"You are simply worrying over nothing."

Hearing this reason, Ning Rongrong was somewhat speechless. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the upper three sects, second only to the Clear Sky Sect, with two peak Douluo—Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo—guarding it, not to mention her father, who was the greatest support-type soul master in the world. What could possibly go wrong?

After a moment of silence, Ning Rongrong abruptly changed the subject and asked, "Have you ever heard of Shrek Academy?"

"I have," Mo Hui replied.

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong's eyes immediately lit up, and she eagerly pursued the question, "What do you think of this academy?"

"An irregular academy with mediocre teaching staff, severely insufficient resources, and bizarre enrollment requirements."

Mo Hui evaluated without a moment's hesitation.

Then, Mo Hui glanced at Ning Rongrong and said, "Unless under special circumstances, I would not advise anyone to go to that academy. Those who truly need it cannot get in, and those who can get in probably don't need it."

After listening to Mo Hui's words, a thoughtful look appeared in Ning Rongrong's eyes.

A moment later, just as Ning Rongrong was about to speak and converse further with Mo Hui, she discovered that he had already re-entered a state of meditation.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong stamped her foot in anger, but she had no good solution. Feeling the cold wind blowing around her, she had no choice but to slink away in defeat.

Several more days passed. The academy teachers had basically recovered from their injuries, and it was time for Mo Hui to leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Sect Master Ning, thank you for your care over the past few days. My junior strength is low, and I have nothing precious to offer, so I can only entrust this item to you."

Before leaving, Mo Hui went to Ning Fengzhi's study, took out a jade box from his soul guide, and pushed it across the table toward Ning Fengzhi.

Relying on the black card from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Mo Hui had managed to acquire a soul guide capable of storing living creatures. Now, he no longer needed to tie immortal herbs directly to his body.

Ning Fengzhi opened the box gifted by Mo Hui and discovered inside was a flower of bizarre appearance. Its roots, stems, and leaves resembled intertwined vines, yet the crowning top was a golden tulip.

Without needing the treasure-appraisal ability of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ning Fengzhi could already determine that this item was exceptionally precious. Not only did the Tulip of Crysanthemum emit a faint glow, but the moment he opened the jade box, a rich fragrance rushed directly to his nose, instantly filling the entire room.

"Mo Hui, this is..."

Ning Fengzhi looked at Mo Hui, asking with some curiosity.

Mo Hui explained, "This item is called the Tulip of Crysanthemum. It is an extremely precious medicinal herb I happened to stumble upon; one could even say there is only this single stalk in the entire world. As far as I know, its effect is that upon consumption, it can increase a vast amount of soul power, nourish the martial soul, and has a probability of inducing a benign transformation in the martial soul to a certain extent."

"It can nourish the martial soul and has a probability of inducing a benign transformation in the martial soul to a certain extent? Mo Hui, are your words true?"

Upon hearing what Mo Hui said, Ning Fengzhi could no longer contain himself. He stood up abruptly in agitation, staring intently at Mo Hui as he asked.

Mo Hui nodded and said, "As far as I know, that is the case. However, I am not entirely certain of the correct way to consume it. Still, I imagine that with the capabilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you should be able to figure out how to properly utilize this Tulip of Crysanthemum."

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been willing to dispatch their Sect Master and Sword Douluo for his sake. Although Mo Hui ultimately did not escape due to the sect's rescue, this favor was still owed.

Coupled with the various investments made by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Mo Hui could think of nothing else to repay them with besides the Tulip of Crysanthemum.

However, to prevent the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from going mad with ambition and doing something foolish, Mo Hui had also left himself a safeguard: he had hidden the seeds of the Tulip of Crysanthemum. If the other party still wished to steadily produce soul masters with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, they could not afford to touch him.

After all, at Mo Hui's current speed, no one on the Douluo Continent could catch him if he chose to run. If they turned hostile against Mo Hui, he could easily find a place to hide, meaning the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would not only fail to obtain the seeds, but would also have to face Mo Hui's future retaliation.

Yet this was merely the worst-case hypothesis. If things were to develop in that direction, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be far too foolish. Ning Fengzhi was a shrewd businessman and would never commit such a stupid act, especially since their current relationship was still quite favorable.

"Hoo~ I will send people to search for information regarding this Tulip of Crysanthemum. If the effects prove true, Mo Hui, you will have been of immense help!"

Hearing Mo Hui finish, Ning Fengzhi calmed his emotions and then spoke to Mo Hui with gratitude.

Although their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possessed extremely formidable support capabilities, their inability to break through to the Spirit Douluo realm had always been their greatest heartache. If this Tulip of Crysanthemum could truly cause a martial soul to undergo a benign transformation—even if it merely allowed them to absorb an eighth soul ring—Mo Hui would be the greatest benefactor of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Sect Master Ning flatters me. You were willing to risk offending Douluo Dugu Bo to save me, and I have engraved that kindness in my heart. If this Tulip of Crysanthemum proves truly useful, that would naturally be for the best."

Mo Hui smiled faintly, bade farewell to Ning Fengzhi, and walked out of the study.

After Mo Hui left, an emaciated elder tore through the void and appeared behind Ning Fengzhi.

This emaciated elder was none other than the other peak Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Bone Douluo Gu Rong.

Gu Rong walked to Ning Fengzhi's side, looked skeptically at the Tulip of Crysanthemum in the jade box before Ning Fengzhi, and said, "Is the efficacy of this thing really as exaggerated as that kid claims? Could that kid have gotten it wrong?"

"Whether he got it wrong or not, we will know once we test it ourselves. If this thing is real, then our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will gain the possibility of evolving our martial soul into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."

Ning Fengzhi looked at the jade box in his hands, smiling as he replied to Gu Rong.

Immediately afterward, Ning Fengzhi continued, "Besides, even without the effect of evolving the martial soul, this Tulip of Crysanthemum is definitely an exceptionally fine treasure. That kid has put his heart into this."

Hearing this, Bone Douluo Gu Rong also nodded. That was true; judging solely by its appearance, he could tell this tulip was extraordinary.

Meanwhile, Mo Hui and his group had already set off under the escort of Sword Douluo Chen Xin, beginning their journey toward the Kamikaze Academy.