Chapter 37 Return to Academy

"By the way, Grandpa, can you lend me your soul storage device that can store living things? I want to collect some immortal herbs for my teachers and two younger brothers," Li Luochen asked Dugu Bo.

Without a word, Dugu Bo handed over the Ruyi Treasure Bag to Li Luochen and then went back to pondering the soul core.

Li Luochen took the Ruyi Treasure Bag and began gathering the immortal herbs he needed, following the records from the Immortal Herb Record. He collected the Wind-Singing Hawkbill Flower, Powerful Diamond Fruit, Ninth-Grade Fire Dragon Ganoderma, Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng King, Eight-Petal Fairy Orchid, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Strange Velvet Chrysanthemum, Narcissus Jade Bone, Dragon Ganoderma Leaves, and Acacia Heartbreaking Red.

He planned to give these herbs to his teachers and younger brothers. He remembered that Dean Flender's soul power was close to reaching the level of Soul Douluo, and Uncle Erlong (his master's wife) was also nearing the level of Soul Saint. It was a good time for them to advance and then obtain spirit rings. With Dugu Bo around for support, there shouldn't be any issues.

After collecting everything, Li Luochen left the roots and seeds of the immortal herbs behind, allowing them to grow again. He then left the Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire with Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan. Outside, in the poisonous miasma, Dugu Bo reinforced the protection of the Yin-Yang Eyes with his new Green Phosphorus Mixed Poison.

"By the way, Grandpa, do you know if there is a 20,000-year-old earth-attributed dragon soul beast suitable for me in the Sunset Forest?"

Dugu Bo thought for a moment and then nodded in confirmation. "Yes, there is indeed an earth-attributed dragon species around 20,000 years old. I can't recall its exact name, but it's over 60 meters tall, as massive as a small mountain, with thick, earth-yellow scales that have an irregular shape. Its enormous head occupies almost a quarter of its body.

I've seen it defeat and kill a 60,000-year-old soul beast, carrying the corpse away in its mouth. It resides in the stone mountains southeast of the Sunset Forest. Even the White-Eyed Demonic Tiger King, one of the forest's overlords, dares not provoke it."

From Dugu Bo's description, Li Luochen confirmed that it was a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a king of the sub-dragon species. Its khaki-colored body was likely the result of a combination between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a descendant of a Mountain Dragon, making it a mutated Tyrannosaurus Rex with the bloodlines of both the Golden Dragon King and the Mountain Dragon. This spirit beast was a perfect fit for Li Luochen. To be safe, he planned to improve his mental strength and then call upon the dean, Uncle Erlong, and Grandpa Dugu to hunt the Tyrannosaurus Rex together. It was very likely that obtaining its spirit ring would grant him ultimate power.

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Tiandou City, Lanba Academy

After many days away, Li Luochen returned to the academy. He wondered if the dean had managed to get Uncle Erlong pregnant yet. Then he shook his head—why was he so concerned about their personal matters? It felt like he was more anxious about it than they were.

The guard at Lanba Academy recognized Li Luochen and let him in without question. He took Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo to the cabin behind Liu Erlong's residence.

At that moment, Flender and Liu Erlong weren't doing anything shameful. Flender was lying on a recliner with his eyes closed, while Liu Erlong was watering the flowers.

When Flender noticed someone approaching, he stood up, but before he could fully rise, a figure rushed at him.

"Hey, Dean!!" Li Luochen exclaimed as he picked up Flender. The dean was a mentor who had helped him a lot, often giving him special lessons. Most of his medical knowledge came from books borrowed from Flender.

"Haha, little guy, why are you so enthusiastic after just over a month?" Flender asked, pleased. Li Luochen was one of his most outstanding students, a native of Shrek Academy, and Flender was proud of him.

"It's been a while since I last saw you, Dean. Hello, Uncle Erlong!" Li Luochen greeted. Liu Erlong put down the kettle, walked over, and held Flender's arm with motherly affection.

"Um... Dean, should I call you Master's Wife?" Li Luochen asked with a mischievous smile.

"Yes, you can," Flender responded, looking at Liu Erlong with love in his eyes. "By the way, you came back with His Majesty Dugu. Is there something important?"

Flender and Liu Erlong had noticed Dugu Bo earlier, but since the last time Li Luochen introduced Dugu Yan and Dugu Bo to them, they had come to understand their relationship, and Dugu Bo was no longer seen as an enemy.

"Hehe, I'm here to give you both an opportunity. Dean, you're close to becoming a Soul Douluo, right? And Sister-in-law Erlong is almost at Soul Saint level, correct? I have some treasures that will help you quickly reach those bottlenecks and possibly even evolve your martial souls."

Li Luochen got straight to the point and took out the Ruyi Treasure Bag, presenting the Wind-Singing Hawkbill Flower and the Ninth-Grade Fire Dragon Ganoderma, two lesser immortal herbs. Before Flender could ask any questions, Li Luochen continued, cutting him off.

"Dean, this is the Wind-Singing Hawkbill Flower, a natural treasure for the Flying Eagle Martial Spirit. It might grant you wind attributes. When you take it, eat the pistil first, then the petals, but avoid the rhizome. After consuming it, refine it on the spot.

"Uncle Erlong, this is the Ninth-Grade Fire Dragon Ganoderma. It can strengthen your Red Dragon Martial Spirit and enhance your fire attributes. Just chew it thoroughly and swallow it."

Trusting Li Luochen completely, Flender and Liu Erlong exchanged glances and began to consume the herbs without hesitation.

"Grandpa, do you think there are any spirit beasts in the Sunset Forest that are suitable for the dean and Uncle Erlong?" Li Luochen asked Dugu Bo, once again seeking his help.

Dugu Bo held his chin thoughtfully before replying, "Yes, there's a 70,000-year-old Sky Eagle, one of the overlords of Sunset Forest, located in the southern jungle of the forest. As for a seventh soul ring for Uncle Erlong, there are a few options: a 45,000-year-old Red Flame Python or a 50,000-year-old Flaming Unicorn Dragon..."

It seemed the Sunset Forest was about to be plundered once again. One overlord, the Infinite Poisonous Python, had already fallen, and now more were destined to meet the same fate.

Li Luochen was surprised to learn that such powerful soul beasts existed in the Sunset Forest. He had thought the White-Eyed Demon Tiger King was already formidable, but these new discoveries were truly astounding.

He wondered if there were still any 100,000-year-old soul beasts lurking in the Sunset Forest. Given the intelligence of 100,000-year-old soul beasts, they could easily avoid detection if they chose to. The only Titled Douluo living in the Sunset Forest was Dugu Bo, and with Dugu Bo's mental state at the time, it would have been difficult for him to discover such a beast. However, now that Dugu Bo's martial soul had evolved and his soul power had increased significantly, he had become much stronger.

With his current strength, Dugu Bo could rival a Level 96 Super Douluo. Although he might not be able to defeat one, he could hold his own. It was important to note that Dugu Bo was still a Titled Douluo at the peak of Level 94, just shy of becoming a Super Douluo. The difference between a Super Douluo and a Titled Douluo was a qualitative leap.