Night Trial of an Adultery Case, Unease in the Ye Family Mother and Daughter

After reading the three letters.

Lin Hai carefully put away the first two, then crumpled up the last one and tossed it out the window, shattering it.

His fingers brushed across his ring, and he took out a Spirit Ring Pill that shimmered with an unusual glow.

Was the secret of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul truly as I expected?

His goal was to capture the instant the Martial Soul formed and shattered, attempting to glimpse the root of the Nine Heart Begonia's harsh inheritance restrictions.

The hope was slim, but that was precisely what interested him.

Swallow—refine—Martial Soul formed—0.01 seconds—Martial Soul shattered—

Everything proceeded naturally, as familiar as ever...

Just as expected—he felt absolutely nothing.

Though he had expected it, Lin Hai could not help but sigh.

Yet at the instant Lin Hai's Martial Soul formed, the hearts of two Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Masters far away in Heaven Dou City suddenly clenched in pain!

An extremely brief yet incomparably clear sensation of nearing death instantly enveloped them—and lasted for an entire... instant.

Within Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Ye Lingling, who had been training, suddenly froze. Cold sweat instantly soaked her back.

That palpitation made her vaguely see once more the cactus from last night's nightmare, relentlessly pursuing her with every spike glinting coldly...

Within the Ye Family's inner residence.

Ye Yunyao, who had been watering the flowers and plants, also felt a violent jolt in her heart. The watering can fell to the ground.

She was filled with uncertainty.

"Spirit Masters have always possessed robust constitutions. How could this happen?"

She immediately held her breath and focused, circulating Soul Power through her body as she carefully examined herself from her toes to the tips of her hair, yet found nothing.

In the end, she could only suppress that inexplicable palpitation.

Lin Hai was utterly unaware of this. He knew even less that one of his experiments had nearly cost the life of one of the Ye Family mother and daughter—

Instead, the proud Demon God Martial Soul had saved them at the crucial moment.

He no longer dwelled on his own perception and decided to try another method.

There were plenty of death-row prisoners and fallen Spirit Masters along the way south.

Traveling swiftly, Lin Hai arrived at Tar City, intending to enter the city and rest for the night.

His target was clear—the dungeon.

The facts proved that Spirit Hall handled Evil Spirit Masters rather well.

Death-row prisoners were still more convenient...

That night, deep within Tar City's dungeon.

Lin Hai locked onto a death-row prisoner so ugly it was shocking.

With a slight twitch of his fingers, Dream Weaver silently activated and dragged the man into an Illusion Realm.

Within the Illusion Realm, the Hall of Asura appeared.

Dressed in the imposing robes of a judge, Lin Hai sat high above the hall and spoke in a voice like a great bell.

"Who stands below? What crime did you commit to warrant the death penalty?"

The death-row prisoner prostrated himself on the ground, trembling.

"R-Reporting to my lord... I... I committed adultery with a married woman..."

Lin Hai raised an eyebrow.

"Adultery? To my knowledge, Heaven Dou law does not impose death for such a crime."

The prisoner lowered his head even further.

"Y-Yes... I wanted to stay with that woman forever, so we plotted together and killed her... her husband, who sold pancakes..."

What a familiar plot...

Lin Hai sneered.

"Oh? Could it have been... poisoning?"

The prisoner repeatedly banged his head against the floor.

"My lord is wise! It was indeed poison... Since you already know, my lord, why question me further..."

Lin Hai looked at the prisoner.

"Who gave you the nerve?!"

The prisoner nearly lost his soul in fright.

"I deserve death! Ask whatever you wish, my lord! I will tell you everything I know!"

Lin Hai leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying unconcealed curiosity.

"The case is already clear. The motive is reasonable, and the facts are evident."

"Only one matter leaves this official utterly baffled. Can you resolve my confusion?"

The prisoner replied in terror, "Please speak, my lord!"

Lin Hai stared at the man's face, a visage seemingly crafted by ghosts and gods.

"With that... appearance of yours, how exactly did that woman take a liking to you?"

The prisoner hurriedly answered.

"Though I am untalented, I am a rank twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster!"

Lin Hai remained unmoved.

"Is that all?"

The prisoner quickly added.

"I have some family assets! If she followed me, she would no longer need to rise early and work late, kneading dough and making pancakes!"

Lin Hai's gaze swept over his face as he slowly shook his head.

"In this official's view... I fear that still would not be enough."

The prisoner blurted out.

"My skills in bed..."

"Enough, enough, enough!" Lin Hai hurriedly stopped him. Veins seemed to throb at his temples as he dared not think any further.

"...Fine! Since you are an honest man, this official shall grant you a great fortune today!"

As soon as he spoke, a Jade Bottle was tossed before the prisoner.

"Take the Elixir Pill inside and refine it on the spot!"

How could the prisoner dare disobey? With trembling hands, he poured out the Elixir Pill and was about to respectfully return the Jade Bottle.

Lin Hai's eyelid twitched, and he immediately stopped him.

"Keep it as a memento..."

Inside and outside the Illusion Realm, the prisoner obediently swallowed the Elixir Pill and began refining it.

Within the dungeon, Lin Hai stepped back several paces and watched intently.

About ten minutes later.

"Boom—!!!"

A dull, thunderous explosion rang out!

The prisoner's body burst apart in an instant like an overinflated balloon!

Flesh and blood sprayed everywhere, splattering the walls of the cell! The Illusion Realm also shattered with a resounding crash!

Though Lin Hai was standing far away, he had nearly been splashed with blood. He stared in astonishment at the mess before him.

"What the hell?! When I blow up a Martial Soul, you blow up your body?! Showing off your skills in bed, are you?!"

His brows furrowed tightly as uncertainty filled him.

"That shouldn't be possible... How many clinical trials have I done with these Martial Spirit Pills..."

"Could it be the Nine Heart Begonia's rule restriction? 'Good currency drives out bad'? Those Ye Family mother and daughter... they aren't in trouble, are they?"

His gaze fell upon the glaring crimson mess, and Lin Hai muttered to himself.

"This way of dying... was at least swift and clean. See? I didn't lie to you, did I? This fortune... truly was no small thing..."

With that, his figure flashed and sank into the earth beneath his feet, vanishing without a trace.

At the very moment the prisoner's body exploded.

Heaven Dou City, the Ye Family residence.

Ye Yunyao and Ye Lingling were quietly eating at the table. Without any warning—

"Mm—"

"Ah—"

They both groaned at the same time. It felt as though an invisible hand had fiercely clenched their hearts, and agonizing pain struck them!

They both clutched their chests, their faces turning pale!

Then, both sensed that something was wrong with the other. They abruptly looked up, their eyes meeting as they cried out in shock.

"Ling Ling?! You too...?"

"Mom! What happened to you...?"

Their gazes met over the hands each held against their chests.

In that instant, the truth became self-evident.

Ye Yunyao forcibly suppressed the palpitation in her heart, her voice trembling slightly.

"Ling Ling, tell Mom, five days ago in the morning... did you feel the same thing you just felt?"

Ye Lingling's little face was pale as she nodded firmly.

"Yes! Mom, I was training at the academy then... and suddenly felt a pain, just like before! You too..."

Ye Yunyao's expression turned grave as she slowly nodded.

"Yes... also five days ago, in the morning."

Mother and daughter quickly compared every detail, from the timing to the sensation. Everything matched perfectly.

Yet the clearer it became, the more bewildered they were.

This causeless, synchronized palpitation was like a sharp sword hanging above their heads. Their hearts had already been fearful over the Martial Soul inheritance issue, and now another heavy shadow had been added.

When it rained, it poured. This strange and ominous feeling filled them with even deeper worry and unease about the future of their bloodline and Martial Souls.