Gift of Immortal Herbs

"You're all right!"

Lin Xue's eyes widened. "Older Brother, you had Yanyan call me back and specifically told her to bring Lingling. I thought you were hurt."

"Hmph, stupid Older Brother. You made me worry for nothing all the way back!"

Seeing his younger sister's puffed-up expression, Lin Jin's eyes flashed with amusement. He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"I didn't think it through and made Xiao Xue worry." His tone was gentle and soothing.

"To apologize, Older Brother prepared a little gift especially for you." As Lin Jin spoke, he took the carefully stored Sacred Radiance Sun Lotus Immortal Herb from his Soul Tool.

"Wow, what a beautiful lotus! Why is there fire in the middle?" Lin Xue's eyes lit up as she exclaimed in delight.

"Do you like it?"

"Mm, I do!" Lin Xue nodded firmly.

"Then shall we eat it?" Lin Jin gently guided her.

"Ah! We have to eat it?" Lin Xue looked at the exquisite Immortal Herb, where golden flames seemed to flow within the lotus heart, and reluctance immediately appeared on her little face. "It's so pretty..."

"Silly girl." Lin Jin laughed softly and patiently explained, "This Sacred Radiance Sun Lotus is no ordinary item. Its true value lies in the pure power of light and fire contained within it. Consuming it will nourish your Martial Soul and strengthen your foundation, which will be greatly beneficial to your future cultivation. No matter how beautiful it looks, that is only its outer appearance."

He paused, his voice carrying an unquestionable concern. "Older Brother sought this out especially for you because I hope it can lend you a hand. Doesn't Xiao Xue want to become stronger, so you can better protect yourself in the future, or even... protect Older Brother?"

Those final words struck the softest and most steadfast place in Lin Xue's heart. She immediately shook her head, her gaze becoming resolute. "I do! Xiao Xue will become really powerful. If anyone tries to bully Older Brother in the future, I'll beat them away!"

No longer hesitating, she reached out and accepted the Sacred Radiance Sun Lotus. It felt warm to the touch, as though she were holding a tiny ball of sunlight.

"Older Brother, how should I eat it?"

"Go back to your room, then consume it directly. Eat the petals and lotus heart together," Lin Jin instructed. "Older Brother will stand guard for you and guide the medicinal power. The process may feel somewhat scorching, but you must protect your mind, circulate your Soul Power, and absorb as much as you can."

"Mm!" Lin Xue nodded emphatically, looking at her older brother with complete trust.

Dugu Bo watched the two return to the room. Seeing such a warm scene, he secretly thought, I never expected the iron-blooded, merciless Lin Jin to possess such tenderness.

It seems that once he leaves Heaven Dou City, I must protect his younger sister well. Otherwise...

Dugu Bo did not continue the thought, but the chill that rose within him was entirely real.

He had not known Lin Jin for long, but with his experience, he could see what kind of person Lin Jin was.

If anything happened to Lin Xue while she was under his care, then given that brat's methods and temperament, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Even the deaths of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan would likely not be enough to vent his fury.

Because Dugu Bo could tell that Lin Xue was Lin Jin's shackles. Without Lin Xue, there would be nothing to restrain him.

A person without restraint was capable of anything. Just like himself—if not for Dugu Yan, Dugu Bo did not know what sort of things he might have done.

Back in Lin Xue's room, Lin Jin guided her as she consumed the Immortal Herb.

Just as Lin Jin had expected, the Immortal Herb turned into a warm current the instant it entered her mouth.

But immediately afterward, that warm current gradually became scorching, as though she had swallowed a tiny sun!

Pure, immense power of light and fire erupted within her body, washing through her meridians.

"Mm..." Lin Xue gave a muffled groan, and her little face instantly turned crimson.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from her brow as her body began to tremble slightly.

Though that power was pure, it was still far too strong for her current Soul Power.

"Focus your mind, guide your Soul Power, and follow my lead." Lin Jin's steady voice rang beside her ear.

At the same time, a warm palm pressed against her back, helping her refine the medicinal power faster and get through the most difficult stage.

The burning sensation remained, but under Lin Jin's guidance, it was no longer unbearable for Lin Xue, and the tension between her brows eased.

Having passed that difficult stage, she only needed time to absorb the medicinal power. Lin Jin therefore rose and left the room.

When he arrived in the courtyard outside, he gave Ye Lingling a slight smile. "My apologies, Miss Ye. I kept you waiting."

"Big Brother Lin." Ye Lingling rose and responded politely. "Is there anything I can do to help Xiao Xue?"

From the moment she arrived until now, Ye Lingling had only grown more puzzled.

"There's no need. I called you here because I wanted to thank you." Lin Jin then slowly explained, "I served in the Northern Border, and I know that you have been with Xiao Xue since the junior Soul Master Academy. Thank you very much for taking care of her all these years."

"So I called you here because I specially prepared a gift for you."

As he spoke, Lin Jin once again took out an Immortal Herb he had prepared beforehand: the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid.

Ye Lingling looked at the eight-petaled orchid in Lin Jin's hand. It was snow-white all over and crystal clear, while a refined, soothing fragrance spread through the air, calming one's mind at the slightest breath.

A trace of natural fondness for beautiful things flashed through her eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by her usual coolness and principles.

She gently shook her head, her voice soft yet firm. "Big Brother Lin, thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept this. Xiao Xue and I are friends. It is only natural for us to accompany and support each other. It cannot be said that either of us took care of the other, much less that it deserves such a valuable gift."

Lin Jin was not surprised by her refusal and continued, "Big Brother Lin knows that your Martial Soul is the Nine Heart Begonia. You have only one soul skill, and as your Soul Rings increase, that soul skill becomes more effective."

"This flower is called the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid. Its greatest effect is that it makes up for the slow cultivation speed of Support System Soul Masters. Its medicinal properties are mild and rich. It can strengthen one's foundation, remove impurities from the body, and subtly accelerate the condensation of Soul Power."

"Most importantly, when you use your soul skill, it can reduce your Soul Power consumption to a certain extent. Its effects are also mild and long-lasting, enough to support your steady cultivation all the way to the rank of a level-seventy Soul Sage."

"Besides, I'm someone who clearly distinguishes love from hate. Xiao Xue's friends are my friends. You have treated her sincerely all these years, and I remember it all. Moreover, you already call me Big Brother Lin. Consider this Immortal Herb a meeting gift from an older brother to his younger sister's friend. Please accept it."

Seeing Ye Lingling fall silent, Dugu Yan moved to her side and said, "Oh, this flower suits you perfectly. Just accept it. I've eaten one too, and Xiao Xue is eating one right now. Out of the three of us, you're the only one who hasn't."

Dugu Bo also said at that moment, "Lingling, I've known you for a long time as well. This brat has plenty of these flowers, so just accept it."

With the Grandfather and Granddaughter pair persuading her, the burden in Ye Lingling's heart and her reasons for refusing were dispelled to the greatest extent.

After a moment of silence, Ye Lingling took a deep breath. A faint yet genuine warmth bloomed across her cool face.

She extended both hands and solemnly accepted the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid. Her voice was soft, yet firm:

"Big Brother Lin... in that case, Lingling will accept it despite not deserving it. Lingling will remember this kindness in her heart."

"You're welcome."