Chapter 21 – Seizing the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng
After more than half a year of cultivation and stabilization, Ghost Douluo could feel his spiritual power growing stronger by the day. It was about time to prepare for his next hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
Yue Guan, meanwhile, had long since consumed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. After a year of refining its essence, he had fully absorbed the medicine's power, forging a body of diamond-like resilience—his defense had skyrocketed.
Even his martial soul had undergone evolution, transforming into a larger and sturdier version of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Its offensive power, too, had reached new heights.
"Old Ghost," Yue Guan chuckled, "if we don't head back soon, that old poison freak might really suffer."
Ghost Douluo nodded.
"I'm worried about him as well. We should deal with his problem as soon as possible. When it's time for my next soul ring hunt, he might even be of help."
He knew that Dugu Bo's poison had sunk too deep. That Nine-Grade LingZhi could ease the symptoms, but it wasn't enough to purge the venom completely—it wasn't a true immortal herb after all.
Still, curing him wasn't beyond their capability. Ghost Douluo was confident they could manage it.
Two names, however, came to his mind.
"Old Chrysanthemum, before we go back to Dugu Bo, we're heading to the Star Luo Empire to handle two matters."
"Star Luo Empire? What for?"
"Old White Bird has a five-thousand-year-old Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng in his possession. We're going to take it."
"Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng?!"
At that, Yue Guan's eyes widened in shock and excitement.
That ginseng was a natural eighth-grade treasure, known for its miraculous ability to regenerate flesh and blood.
"You mean that old white bird from the Speed Clan?" Yue Guan asked.
"Exactly," Ghost Douluo replied calmly.
He knew that Bai He—the so-called "Old White Bird"—was none other than Tang San's great-uncle.
To prevent the ginseng from falling into Tang San's hands, they had to seize it first.
Though Bai He was only an eight-ring Soul Douluo, his speed was unmatched. His martial soul, the Needle-Tailed Swift, was a pinnacle of agility—he walked the path of absolute speed and was praised as the fastest soul master on the continent.
"If this were before, catching that old white bird would've been a nightmare," Yue Guan smirked. "But now that you've mastered instant movement, it shouldn't be difficult."
Ghost Douluo nodded.
"No matter what, we must obtain the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng—before it has any chance of reaching Tang San."
Yue Guan gave a slight nod of agreement. He had long since learned to trust Ghost Douluo's instincts.
"And the second matter?"
"We're going to Gengxin City—to find the president of the Blacksmiths' Association, Lou Gao."
"The divine craftsman Lou Gao? Does he possess some special item as well?"
"No," Ghost Douluo said with a faint smile. "But his forging talent could one day become a threat to us. Let's discuss it on the way."
Ghost Douluo knew very well that Lou Gao, Tang Hao, and Tai Tan of the Strength Clan were known as the Three Great Master Craftsmen of the Douluo Continent.
Lou Gao, long stationed in the Metal Capital Gengxin City, had access to vast reserves of rare metals.
With his help, Tang Sect's terrifying hidden weapons—Peacock Plume, Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, Torrential Pear Blossom Needle, and more—could one day be recreated.
Each of those weapons had enough destructive power to kill even Title Douluo-level experts.
Lou Gao also shared a deep friendship with Tai Tan, and Tai Tan was fiercely loyal to Tang Hao.
That connection was a hidden danger—one that had to be eliminated before it grew into a problem.
---
Star Luo Empire.
On the outskirts of a city stood a cluster of aging, dilapidated buildings—this was the home of the Speed Clan.
Their architectural style was distinctive yet simple, bordering on poor.
The wide open plaza was paved with uneven stones, its rough texture telling of long years of wear.
In the center stood a towering flagpole, bearing a banner of a swift in flight—the proud emblem of the Speed Clan.
Around the plaza, rows of low wooden houses could be seen, their rooftops covered in plain tiles, weathered but clean.
The entire settlement gave off an air of humble perseverance—simple, yet unyielding.
The Needle-Tailed Swift was renowned for its astonishing speed—but it lacked power. Coupled with the clan leader Bai He's extreme pride, this left the Speed Clan with few means to earn a living. Their finances had steadily worsened over the years.
They lacked the money to purchase proper weapons or training resources and couldn't afford to develop new cultivation grounds. Barely surviving, they depended on aid from the Breaking Clan and the other two branches of the Four Great Clans.
---
On the training field, a group of young soul masters trained with all their strength.
Their movements were lightning-fast, bodies flickering across the grounds like fleeting shadows.
"Faster! Move faster!"
An elderly man with snow-white hair stood at the edge of the field, his voice sharp and commanding.
This was Bai He, the proud leader of the Speed Clan.
"Speed is the foundation of our Speed Clan! Only by becoming faster—faster than anyone else—can we survive in this cruel world!"
His words struck deep into the hearts of the young disciples. They pushed themselves harder, sprinting and weaving until the air was filled with streaks of blurred motion.
Most of them were lean, dressed in plain training clothes.
Though their lives were poor and their surroundings humble, the pride in their eyes shone like fire—born from their unshakable faith in their natural gift of speed.
Bai He watched them with solemn satisfaction… completely unaware that a storm of death was descending upon them.
---
High above the Speed Clan settlement, Yue Guan gazed down with a faint, complicated smile.
"Old Ghost, look at this place—they really are dirt poor."
Ghost Douluo nodded slightly.
"Indeed. That old white bird's pride keeps them isolated. Without the other clans' support, they would've starved long ago."
Yue Guan sighed.
"We both came from humble roots ourselves. It almost feels cruel to make a move against people like this."
Ghost Douluo's expression softened for a moment, then turned calm and cold again.
"Old Chrysanthemum, we only need the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng. There's no need to kill the younger generation—they pose no threat."
With that, their figures flickered and vanished from sight, reappearing in the skies above the Speed Clan.
---
Bai He suddenly felt two powerful soul power pressures descending from the heavens. His expression changed instantly as he looked up.
Two figures hovered in the sky.
One had an androgynous, almost ethereal beauty that blurred the line between man and woman.
The other's body was shrouded in black mist, his face completely hidden like a living phantom.
Bai He's pupils contracted sharply. He recognized them at once—Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, two of the Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo!
"Everyone, fall back!" he commanded.
In the next instant, Bai He released his martial soul—the Needle-Tailed Swift. His body blurred as he shot into the sky to confront them head-on.
Years ago, Spirit Hall had waged war against the Clear Sky Sect.
As one of the sect's affiliated clans, the Speed Clan had also been targeted.
Only their unmatched flight speed spared them from annihilation—their losses were far lighter than those of the other three clans.
Since then, the Speed Clan had regarded Spirit Hall as their sworn enemy.
Never did Bai He imagine that the two Title Douluo would appear here, of all places.
Even faced with two Titled Douluo, Bai He showed not a hint of fear.
"So it's the Spirit Hall's Ghost Elder and Chrysanthemum Elder. To what do I owe the honor of your visit to my clan?" he asked coldly.
Ghost Douluo's tone was icy.
"Old White Bird, we're no longer part of Spirit Hall. Let's not waste words. We came for one thing—the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng. If you don't wish to suffer, hand it over willingly."
"What?!"
Bai He's heart trembled.
The Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng was the Speed Clan's ancestral treasure, known only to each successive clan leader.
How could these two possibly know about it?
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said flatly, his eyes hard as steel.
Yue Guan snorted coldly.
"That's your attitude? Hmph. The Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng is wasted in your hands—nothing but a useless ornament. Such a divine treasure following the wrong master… what a pity."
His smile turned razor-sharp.
"If you refuse to hand it over, don't blame us for what happens next."
—
End of Chapter