Scar Healing Halo—Hundred-Year Soul Ring Formed

Scar Healing Halo—Hundred-Year Soul Ring Formed (Jiang Zhu absorbed a Hundred-Year Healing Rabbit soul ring and gained her First Soul Skill, "Scar Healing Halo")

Morning dew still clung to the leaves of the Soul Condensing Grass in the Medicine Hall, refracting specks of rainbow light. Jiang Zhu stood by the window, holding the sandalwood box her grandfather had handed her, her fingertips repeatedly stroking its cool surface. Her grandfather had made the box from Hundred-Year Darkwood in his youth; a faint medicinal fragrance still permeated its grain, subtly harmonizing with the aura of the Soul Core within.

"I refined it until the third watch last night and finally forced the Soul Devouring Poison to the Soul Core's surface." Elder Jiang Yun's voice carried a trace of exhaustion, but he could not conceal the excitement in his eyes. He lightly pressed a silver probe engraved with spirit grass patterns against the box. "Listen."

A faint buzzing sound came through the wooden box, like a stream surging beneath the ice in early spring. Jiang Zhu held her breath. The moment her fingertips touched the clasp, a familiar, gentle tremor rose from her dantian—it was her Martial Soul responding to the Soul Core's energy. She carefully lifted the lid. The Soul Core atop the silver velvet cloth instantly blossomed with a pale purple glow. Fine silver-green vine patterns on its surface gently rose and fell as though alive, perfectly matching the faint Martial Soul markings in her palm.

"This mutated Healing Rabbit was originally a spiritual creature from the depths of the Misty Forest. It only fell into a frenzy after accidentally consuming Soul Devouring Poison Grass abandoned by Spirit Hall." Elder Jiang Yun brushed his fingers over the rim of the box, his tone turning grave. "That boy Lin Che spent three full days in the Misty Forest to retrieve this Soul Core. I heard he even alerted the Thousand-Year Tree Demon guarding the spirit herbs. If his Azure Water Sword had not been able to draw upon the spiritual aura of the vegetation, then I fear..."

Before he could finish, a wisp of pale purple Soul Power suddenly rose from the Soul Core and flew straight toward Jiang Zhu's palm. She instinctively activated her Martial Soul. A white jade scepter appeared at once: its body was smooth as congealed cream and glowed softly, three rings of silver-green vine patterns coiled around it, each node set with a tiny white jade bead. A crystal the size of a pigeon's egg rested at the top, flowing with pink light. It was the Healing Scepter that had accompanied her for five years.

The crystal atop the scepter suddenly lit up. The vine patterns wrapped around that wisp of Soul Power like tendrils, drawing it slowly along their lines. The white jade beads began to hum crisply, as though singing an ancient ballad. Jiang Zhu staggered back half a step in alarm, but her grandfather gently held her shoulder. "Do not panic. For a Weapon Martial Soul to possess such spirituality is an opportunity that comes once in a hundred years. On the day this scepter awakened, it caused every spiritual plant in the Medicine Hall to bloom. Now that it resonates with this mutated Soul Core, it may awaken an even stronger talent."

The inner room had long been prepared. A Soul Gathering Mat woven from Hundred-Year Dragon Beard Grass lay in the center, every blade of grass on its surface glowing faint green. Six Formation Disks stood around it, engraved full of spirit grass runes secretly crafted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. This was one of only three remaining Spirit Gathering Meridian Protection Formations in the sect. Elder Jiang Yun placed a bottle of Spirit Spring Dew beside the mat. "This is Jade Marrow Spring, a sect treasure. If your Soul Power proves insufficient, drink one drop. Remember, the Martial Soul must lead the soul ring fusion. Your will need only guide it—you must not attempt to forcefully control it."

Jiang Zhu sat down cross-legged, placed the Soul Core on her knees, and gently gripped the Healing Scepter with both hands. The warmth of the white jade spread through her fingertips. As if sensing her nervousness, the vine patterns slowly curled around her wrists, sending over a soothing warmth. She closed her eyes and sank into meditation according to the method her grandfather had taught her. Soul Power flowed from her dantian like a stream, entering the Soul Core along the scepter's vine patterns.

With a soft crack, the vine patterns on the Soul Core's surface suddenly lit up, then shattered into pale purple motes that filled the sky. Like a swarm of bees, they circled the Healing Scepter. The crystal at the top erupted with dazzling pink light and drew every mote inside. Jiang Zhu could clearly feel the energy circulating through the scepter. Each time it passed through a vine pattern, its color deepened; each time it flowed through a white jade bead, the bead let out a crisp hum.

"Three rings... four rings..." Elder Jiang Yun's voice was filled with amazement. The vine patterns on the scepter were growing at a visible rate, and faint golden light glowed at the junction between the third and fourth rings. "Ordinary Weapon Martial Souls can at most have their markings change color upon absorbing a soul ring. Yet your scepter can grow Spirit Veins on its own. This is comparable to a precursor of the Clear Sky Sect's True Spirit Body of Weapon Soul!"

Pale purple energy poured through the scepter into her dantian, intertwining with Jiang Zhu's own Soul Power to form a warm current that steadily struck against the barrier of Rank Eight Soul Power. She felt as though she stood in a valley covered in spiritual herbs, the fragrance of grass and plants entwining around her nose. The white jade body of the scepter grew ever warmer, while the pink light from its top crystal penetrated her skin and formed a translucent shield all over her.

Then the mutation suddenly struck.

An extremely thin thread of black-purple poison suddenly burst from deep within the Soul Core fragments. Like a venomous snake, it pierced the light shield and lunged straight at Jiang Zhu's Sea of Consciousness! It was the core remnant of the Soul Devouring Poison, wrapped in the Soul Core's healing energy for an entire night. Now, taking advantage of the fusion, it erupted in backlash. Jiang Zhu felt as though countless poisoned needles were stabbing into her brain. Images flashed before her eyes of the mutated Healing Rabbit rolling and struggling in the Misty Forest. The poison spread through her Sea of Consciousness, and even the fingers gripping her scepter began to go numb.

"Hold your mind!" Elder Jiang Yun's voice exploded like thunder. He instantly summoned his own Martial Soul—a translucent Glazed Begonia. As its petals drifted down, all six Formation Disks erupted with golden light. "Use the scepter's Spirit Veins to bind it! Have you forgotten the method recorded in the Medicine Hall's ancient texts—using spirit to counter poison?"

Jiang Zhu gritted her teeth and gathered her will through the agonizing pain. She remembered what her grandfather had taught her from the Herbal Martial Soul Record: "For a healing tool, Spirit Veins are its foundation. It may contain the spirit of all things, and it may also transform the poison of all things." She poured her entire mind into the scepter, imagining the vine patterns turning into chains. In an instant, the Healing Scepter's silver-green vine patterns erupted with dazzling light, winding up her arm and into her Sea of Consciousness, firmly binding that thread of poison.

Even more astonishingly, the white jade beads on the vine patterns began to seep crystalline droplets, every one gleaming like a pearl. When the droplets fell on the poison thread, the black-purple color melted away like ice and snow beneath the warm sun, transforming into wisps of pure Soul Power that the crystal absorbed. The stabbing pain in Jiang Zhu's Sea of Consciousness gradually faded, while the warm current in her dantian surged ever more fiercely. With a boom, it broke through the barrier of Rank Eight Soul Power, charged toward Rank Ten Soul Power, and manifested a Hundred-Year Soul Ring!

"Spirit Healing Marrow!" Elder Jiang Yun strode forward, his eyes filled with shock. "The ancient records say only top-tier healing Martial Souls like the Nine-Heart Begonia can condense it. It can cure a hundred poisons and nourish the Meridians! Your scepter is actually a hidden top-tier Martial Soul!"

Jiang Zhu slowly opened her eyes. The Healing Scepter had completed its transformation: the silver-green vine patterns had extended to five rings, every white jade bead shone with a lustrous glow, and the pink light of the top crystal now contained a pale purple sheen. Fine vine shoots had even sprouted from the scepter's tail, lightly brushing against her hem. A pale purple soul ring rose from the scepter, circled her body once, then hovered beneath her feet. The glow of the Hundred-Year Soul Ring intertwined with the scepter's light, casting layers upon layers of spirit herb patterns across the Soul Gathering Mat.

"Quick, try your Soul Skill!" Elder Jiang Yun said eagerly.

Jiang Zhu tightened her grip on the scepter and willed it into action. The soul ring beneath her feet flared brightly. Pale purple Soul Power flowed along the vine patterns into the crystal, then transformed into dozens of pink motes that gathered in the air into a translucent halo. She instinctively pointed it toward the table, where a Soul Condensing Grass broken by a disciple that morning lay. Fluid seeped from its broken stem, and its leaves had yellowed. It was already near death.

The halo drifted down slowly, enveloping the spiritual herb. Within three breaths, a miracle quietly unfolded. The broken stem reconnected, the yellowed leaves regained an emerald green, and tiny new shoots emerged from the break. The plant, which had originally possessed only three leaves, even grew another. More remarkably, several withered Miasma Clearing Grasses nearby were affected as well, their leaves gradually unfurling.

"Spirit Plant Resonance!" Elder Jiang Yun picked up the Soul Condensing Grass and inspected it closely, unable to hide his excitement. "The First Soul Skill of an ordinary Healing Scepter is usually nothing more than single-target healing. Yet your Scar Healing Halo can spread to spiritual plants. It will likely be of great use in the sect's herb gardens!"

Jiang Zhu then directed the halo toward her own wrist. The shallow scratch she had received while handling poisonous herbs the day before had yet to fade. The moment the halo touched it, the wound vanished completely, leaving her skin smooth as before. A warm current coursed through her Meridians. More than half the fatigue from absorbing the soul ring dissipated, and nearly a tenth of her Soul Power was restored.

"It even nourishes Soul Power!" Elder Jiang Yun clapped his hands in praise. "For a Hundred-Year Soul Ring to nurture three effects, this Soul Core's level of mutation far exceeds my expectations."

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the Medicine Hall, accompanied by the soft clink of porcelain. Lin Che pushed open the door, grass leaves still clinging to his shoulder and a wooden box in his arms. "Elder Jiang Yun, Junior Sister Jiang Zhu, Grandpa Gu said that after absorbing a soul ring, you need..." His words suddenly stopped as his gaze was firmly captured by the sight in the inner room.

The pale purple soul ring beneath Jiang Zhu's feet glowed softly. The Healing Scepter in her hand flowed with pink-purple light, while the halo drifted dreamily in midair. The fragrance of plants mixed with the faint scent of Soul Power rushed toward him. Lin Che stared in a daze until the wind stirred his sleeve cuff, reminding him of what he held. "These are Meridian Protection Pills Grandpa Gu made using Spirit Rhyme Bamboo juice and Thousand-Year Poria. There are three bottles in total. He said taking them in the morning and evening will stabilize your Meridians."

"Senior Brother Lin Che." Jiang Zhu's cheeks reddened slightly as she instinctively guided a mote of light toward him. The moment it neared Lin Che, it gained a pale golden edge and fell onto his sleeve cuff like a star. Grass stains and mud from his sword practice clung there, but the mote touched them and the grime vanished at once, restoring the cuff to spotless white. Warmth also seeped through the cloth into his skin, easing the soreness from his days of travel.

"This..." Lin Che raised his hand in surprise and stroked his sleeve cuff, then looked toward Jiang Zhu's scepter. "Why did the light mote change color?"

Elder Jiang Yun explained with a smile, "This is the Bond Resonance of the Healing Scepter. The Martial Souls of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are naturally skilled at forming connections between companions. You and Jiang Zhu have known each other since childhood, so your Martial Souls have long formed a hidden response. When using Soul Skills on someone close to you, the effect is enhanced by thirty percent, and it can precisely sense the other person's injuries and fatigue."

Hearing this, the tips of Lin Che's ears turned faintly red. He set down the wooden box and took out a cloth bag from his robes. "These are Soul Condensing Flowers from the Misty Forest. I saw that their aura matched your scepter, so I picked a few. They may be useful as medicinal catalysts." When he opened the bag, pale purple petals released a delicate fragrance. The instant they touched the Healing Scepter, the crystal at its top brightened.

Jiang Zhu accepted the cloth bag, but her fingertips accidentally brushed Lin Che's hand. Both of them pulled back at once, blushes rising on their faces. Seeing this, Elder Jiang Yun smiled and turned to collect the Formation Disks. "You youngsters talk. I'll report the discovery of the Spirit Healing Marrow to the sect. Perhaps I can apply for a larger spirit herb allotment for the Medicine Hall."

Afternoon sunlight passed through the window lattice and fell upon the white jade body of the Healing Scepter, scattering fine rays of light. Jiang Zhu stroked the vine patterns as she watched Lin Che help organize the medicine cabinets, suddenly recalling what her grandfather had said the previous night. "Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is renowned for its support Martial Souls, healing Soul Masters are the sect's foundation. Back then, when Senior Sword Douluo was severely injured, how could he have recovered so quickly without the aid of a top-tier healing Soul Master?"

"What are you thinking about?" Lin Che handed her a cup of warm water. "Grandpa Gu said you've just broken through, so you shouldn't expend too much Soul Power."

"I'm thinking about how to practice this Soul Skill." Jiang Zhu raised the scepter, a mote of light flowing at her fingertips. "Grandfather said it can revive spiritual plants. Maybe I can try it in the herb garden tomorrow."

Just then, crisp footsteps sounded outside the Medicine Hall. Ning Rongrong ran in, lifting her skirts, with two maids following behind her. "Junior Sister Jiang Zhu! I heard from the servants that you awakened a new Soul Skill. Let me see it!" She leaned close to the scepter, her large eyes sparkling. "This crystal is so beautiful. It shines brighter than any gemstone I've ever seen!"

"Miss Rongrong." Jiang Zhu smiled and activated her Soul Skill, causing a small halo to appear in her palm.

Ning Rongrong let out a cry and instinctively released the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. "Can my Martial Soul amplify your Soul Skill? Let's try it!" The first level of the pagoda lit up, and a pale golden glow enveloped the Healing Scepter. A miracle occurred—the halo, originally only half a ring, instantly expanded, and the number of light motes doubled. Even the fragrance of grass and plants in the air grew richer.

"It really works!" Ning Rongrong clapped excitedly. "When we form a team in the future, I'll amplify you, and you can heal everyone. We'll definitely be stronger than other support Soul Masters!"

Jiang Zhu looked at the hovering halo, warmth welling up in her heart. She suddenly understood that the "foundation" her grandfather spoke of referred not only to healing ability, but also to the bonds between companions. Like the support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, the protection of the Azure Water Sword, and the bond of the Healing Scepter—only when these powers intertwined did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect reveal its true strength.

Over the following days, Jiang Zhu began practicing the Scar Healing Halo in the Medicine Hall.

On the first morning, Uncle Li, who managed the herb garden, hurried over carrying a pot of withered Purple Rhyme Grass. "Miss Jiang Zhu, this herb is the main ingredient for refining Heart Protection Pills. I don't know why it suddenly withered last night. Can you save it?" Jiang Zhu waved her scepter, and the halo enveloped the plant. In less than half the time it took an incense stick to burn, the withered leaves regained their green color, and the petals bloomed once more. Uncle Li was so excited that he repeatedly bowed. "Your Soul Skill is miraculous! If this Purple Rhyme Grass were gone, the Heart Protection Pills would be out of supply this month!"

The news quickly spread through the sect. On the second day, disciples from the sword practice grounds deliberately took a detour to the Medicine Hall. "Junior Sister Jiang Zhu, could you take a look at this old injury?" One disciple had an old sword wound on his arm that ached whenever it rained. Jiang Zhu activated the halo, and pale golden light motes seeped into the wound. The disciple cried out at once, "It doesn't hurt anymore! It really doesn't hurt!"

By the third day, even Zhang the cook, who handled the sect's meals, came carrying a pot of yellowed Clear Heart Grass. "This herb can clear internal heat. It's best for the disciples to drink after sword practice, but I simply can't keep it alive." Jiang Zhu's halo fell over it, and the Clear Heart Grass quickly regained its vitality. Zhang smiled so broadly that she could barely close her mouth. "I'll take care of your meals from now on. Just tell me whatever you want to eat!"

Jiang Zhu did not become complacent because of this. Every evening, she practiced her Soul Skill in the Medicine Hall courtyard. At first, she could only gather half a halo, but later she could control three at once. At first, she could only heal shallow wounds, but later she could repair moderate Meridian injuries. The Healing Scepter's vine patterns also grew from five rings to seven. The pink-purple glow around its top crystal grew increasingly rich, while the shoot at its tail grew to the length of a finger joint and even bloomed into a tiny white flower.

Lin Che came every day to practice with her. Sometimes, he brought freshly picked spiritual herbs. Sometimes, he helped her test the range of her Soul Skill. Most of the time, he simply sat on a stone bench watching her, the Azure Water Sword resting at his side as he occasionally helped block drifting leaves from falling on her.

One evening, after finishing her Soul Skill practice, Jiang Zhu wiped the dew from her scepter. The setting sun edged the crystal in gold, and she suddenly recalled the news her grandfather had brought after reporting to the sect. "The Sect Master says your Healing Scepter has the potential to become the sect's signature healing Martial Soul. Once your Soul Power reaches Rank Twenty, Senior Sword Douluo will personally guide you in using your Soul Skills."

"What are you thinking about?" Lin Che handed her a handkerchief. "Your crystal has become a little brighter again."

Jiang Zhu looked up. Sword practice continued in the West Courtyard, while the Sword Qi of the Azure Water Sword and the grassy fragrance of the Healing Scepter blended in the evening breeze. She gripped the scepter and brushed her fingertips over the tiny white flower at its tail, then suddenly smiled. "I'm thinking that with me here, no one will ever have to delay their cultivation because of injuries again."

Lin Che looked at the light in her eyes and smiled as well. "Then I'll have to train hard with my sword and become your protector in the future."

The evening wind passed through the Medicine Hall courtyard, stirring the copper bells beneath the eaves. The pink light of the Healing Scepter and the azure light of the Azure Water Sword complemented each other, casting interwoven shadows across the ground. Jiang Zhu knew that her path as a Soul Master had only just begun. This Healing Scepter, this Scar Healing Halo, and the companions by her side would accompany her across Douluo Continent as she wrote a legend belonging to a healing Soul Master.