Chapter 99: The Phoenix Joins the Sect

Flender looked at Tang San, who sighed helplessly and said, "If it has a good growing environment, it would take a hundred years. Otherwise, at least two to three hundred years! And that's just to take basic shape. To reach its peak medicinal effect, who knows how long it will take!" "One plant in one to three hundred years?" Flender immediately looked crestfallen. Such a precious immortal herb far surpassed soul bones in value, and with his limited wealth, there was no way he could afford it. In truth, with the help of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it wouldn't take nearly as long. After the last plant was plucked by Tianlin, he left behind the roots and seeds. It could regrow within a few decades. But Tianlin would never reveal this. The more precious something appeared, the greater the potential benefits. Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, was utterly dejected. He had just seen a glimmer of hope, only for it to be extinguished the next moment. At this moment, Tianlin gave Ning Rongrong a meaningful look. She understood and stepped forward, tugging on Tianlin's arm. "Brother Sword, Fatty is my classmate now. He's really pitiful. That herb is just sitting unused in our sect, so why not give it to him?" "No way. That herb is the sect's treasure. As the head of the Medicine Hall, I would never give away such a treasure to outsiders, not even if you, the future sect master, ordered it," Tianlin firmly refused. Ma Hongjun expressed his gratitude, "Rongrong, thank you for pleading for me, but Brother Tianlin is right. How could I dare to covet your sect's treasure?" Ning Rongrong glanced admiringly at Tianlin. As expected of my Brother Sword—he lies without even blinking. A sect's treasure? That was just casually picked from Grandpa Dugu's place, and there are plenty more where that came from. Tang San, however, understood Tianlin's reasoning. For example, back when he was in the Tang Sect, if anyone dared to ask for their sect's treasure, the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, they would instantly become the enemy of the entire sect. A sect's heirlooms were never given to outsiders. "Wait, outsiders!" Tang San suddenly thought of something. He walked over to Tianlin and said, "Brother Tainlin, you said the herb can't be given to outsiders. But what if Fatty joins your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Then he wouldn't be an outsider anymore, right?" Flender's eyes lit up. "Exactly! Young Master Tianlin, look, my disciple is extraordinarily talented and hasn't joined any sect yet. If, after graduation, I let him join your sect, wouldn't you consider giving him the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower?" Tianlin was delighted but pretended to hesitate. "If that's the case, it's not entirely impossible. But if Hongjun joins my sect, he will be subjected to the strictest training. After all, we can't give such a precious herb to a soul master with no future. Don't you agree?" Hearing this, Ma Hongjun's face fell. "Strictest training? Wouldn't that mean excruciating cultivation? Dean, honestly, I think keeping some evil fire within me isn't so bad. Being a free soul master sounds pretty nice." Flender slapped the back of Ma Hongjun's head in anger. "You useless brat! All you think about is freedom. Free soul masters may be free, but without protectors, how will you grow? Do you understand how powerful the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is? They have four Title Douluos! Now that they're willing to fully nurture you, how can you hesitate?" "Besides, among all the sects on the continent, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has the best reputation. If you join them after graduation, I can rest easy as your teacher," Flender said earnestly. "Fatty, do you think I'm pretty?" Ning Rongrong suddenly smiled and teased. "Pretty! Rongrong, are you planning to offer yourself to me? If that's the case, I won't hesitate. I'll join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect right away!" Ma Hongjun, who couldn't resist temptation, abandoned his earlier hesitation without a second thought. At that moment, a cold, ghostly blue sword pressed against Ma Hongjun's neck. Tianlin stood there smiling, but his smile sent chills down Ma Hongjun's spine. Swallowing nervously, Ma Hongjun stammered, "I-I was just joking. How could I not know that Rongrong is your girl, Brother Tianlin?" "She's not mine," Tianlin said lightly. "However, in my clan, there are many girls with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Their looks are only slightly inferior to Rongrong's. If you're willing, I can introduce you to one in the future." Ning Rongrong smiled. She wasn't lying this time. Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters always sought powerful partners. Ma Hongjun's martial soul was unique, and with the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower bestowed by Tianlin, his potential would be immense. He would be more than qualified to marry a direct descendant of the sect. Though he was a bit plump, looks weren't everything in the Douluo Continent. A future Titled Douluo could easily attract followers. If Ma Hongjun was sincere, his chances of winning over a direct descendant were quite high. "Really? Then I'll follow you from now on. You're my boss!" Ma Hongjun was completely convinced and no longer hesitated. "Welcome to the sect," Tianlin said with a smile. "The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower isn't with me right now. I'll give it to you next time you come to the sect. For now, take this." Tianlin pulled out a bottle of pills he'd prepared earlier. "This is the Ice Soul Pill. Whenever your evil fire flares up, take one. By my estimation, this should last you for more than six months." "Really? That's great! Thank you, Boss Tianlin. From now on, you're my lifelong boss, and my future is in your hands!" Ma Hongjun happily took the pills and swallowed one on the spot. He had been planning to visit a brothel tonight because his evil fire had been triggered by their earlier battle. After taking the Ice Soul Pill, a cold energy spread throughout his body. The desire caused by the evil fire was instantly suppressed. "It really works! Dean, my evil fire has been suppressed!" Ma Hongjun immediately shared the good news with his mentor, Flender. Flender nodded in satisfaction. "That's wonderful. The evil fire that has plagued you for years has finally been dealt with. As your teacher, I can finally rest easy." "Congratulations, Fatty!" Dai Mubai stepped forward to congratulate him. He knew how powerful Ma Hongjun's martial soul was. If it weren't for the interference of the evil fire, it would undoubtedly surpass his White Tiger martial soul. As a brother, he was genuinely happy for Ma Hongjun. Ma Hongjun grinned. "Hehe, Boss Dai, from now on, you're only my boss at the academy. Boss Tianlin is my lifelong boss, and Rongrong is my big sister!" "You're such a shameless opportunist, you fatso," Dai Mubai teased. Although the two brothers would part ways after graduation, their friendship seemed unshakable. With Ma Hongjun's problem resolved, Tianlin turned to Oscar. "Oscar, your martial soul is a sausage, an excellent food-type martial soul. As a support-type soul master, wouldn't you like to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? It's a paradise for support soul masters." "I'll pass. After graduation, I want to travel and see more of the world," Oscar declined. He had no intention of staying in the same place, especially not where he'd have to watch Tianlin and Ning Rongrong being close. That would only rub salt in his wounds. Tianlin could see through Oscar's thoughts and didn't push him further. However, he had his plans for Oscar.