By the time the Lu Chen Trio returned to the Ice Fire Two Elements Spring, seven days had passed.
Lu Chen looked at the dazzling Immortal Herbs in the Ice Fire Two Elements Spring, then finally turned his gaze to Dugu Bo, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Senior Dugu, if I remember correctly, you still owe me Three Things!"
Dugu Bo nodded. "Go on. What are you scheming now, you brat? I gave you my word, and I won't go back on it."
Lu Chen smiled faintly. "I want to make two pills for my friends, and I'll need to use the Immortal Herbs here. You won't stop me, will you?"
Dugu Bo waved a hand. "The Ice Fire Two Elements Spring will belong to you and Yan Yan sooner or later. Take whatever Immortal Herbs you want."
But Lu Chen didn't move.
His gaze was fixed on the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch at Dugu Bo's waist. He reached out his right hand, palm up, and held it in front of Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo instinctively pressed a hand against the pouch at his waist. "What? Don't you already have a Storage Soul Tool?"
"To bring out the full effect of the pills I'm making, I need to add Soul Master Essence Blood during the process."
Lu Chen changed tack and flattered him. "You know my Storage Soul Tool is just an ordinary one. It can only store inanimate objects. But your Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch is different. It can hold living things and keep medicinal herbs fresh."
"At least you've got a good eye, brat!"
Dugu Bo listened to Lu Chen's flattery with a satisfied expression.
He immediately untied the Hundred Treasures Pouch from his waist and was about to hand it over.
But halfway through, his hand suddenly froze in midair. "How do you know what the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch can do?"
Quick as a flash, Lu Chen feared Dugu Bo might change his mind. Before Dugu Bo could pull his hand back, Lu Chen hooked the pouch with his fingertips and snatched it, swiftly fastening it around his own waist in one smooth motion.
Dugu Bo glanced at Dugu Yan, his expression making it perfectly clear: You let it slip, didn't you?
Dugu Yan hunched her shoulders and shifted her gaze from side to side. Pointing at the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch on Lu Chen's waist, she said,
"Grandpa, don't you think the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch looks better on Lu Chen?"
Looking at his granddaughter, Dugu Bo let out a quiet sigh.
His granddaughter had changed. Now, all she could see was Lu Chen, and he was starting to feel like an unwanted old bachelor.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan threw herself into Dugu Bo's arms and asked sweetly, "Grandpa, you're not mad, are you?"
Dugu Bo affectionately stroked the top of her head and said warmly, "How could Grandpa be mad at Yan Yan?
"I just feel like Yan Yan's all grown up, and I can't keep her by my side anymore."
Dugu Yan snuggled against him. "I knew you were the best, Grandpa!"
"Hahaha!"
Looking at his granddaughter, Dugu Bo burst into hearty laughter.
Lu Chen smiled at Dugu Bo and thought to himself, When the time comes, I'll give you another opportunity. That'll repay you for giving me the medicine a second time!
Then he turned and walked into the Ice Fire Two Elements Spring.
Lu Chen looked over the familiar Immortal Herbs and finally stopped in front of a white, crystalline herb.
It was the Water Immortal Jade Muscle Bone. It was pure white as jade all over, shaped like a green lotus just beginning to bloom. A fine, jade-like sheen shimmered across its petals and stems.
Lu Chen placed the Water Immortal Jade Muscle Bone in the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch, then went over to an Immortal Herb shaped like an epiphyllum.
The herb stood about three feet tall, its entire body wrapped in a lustrous sheen like ice crystals. Its petals were a translucent moon-white, with the faintest pale-blue glow along their edges. Its stem was like carved green jade, covered by a layer of silver gauze as thin as a cicada's wing.
With a gentle quiver, seven slender silver filaments emerged from the flower's heart. Each one held a tiny golden bead at its tip, glimmering like a miniature star.
"Moon Tide Clear Radiance Epiphyllum..." Lu Chen murmured the herb's name.
This Immortal Herb only grew at night. Its cultivation speed was half that of other Immortal Herbs, and it contained pure Moonlight Power.
Lu Chen put the herb away, already making plans in his mind: using these two Immortal Herbs as the main ingredients, he could balance them with other Spirit Grass from the Ice Fire Two Elements Spring.
That would let him make a Moon Nether Spirit Quenching Pill, which should help the Nether Civet Martial Soul undergo a mutation.
As for Xiao Wu, Lu Chen chose only a few herbs that could promote Soul Power growth and purify her Soul Power.
Xiao Wu had taken human form from the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Soft Bone Rabbit. Her Martial Soul naturally possessed the quality of a "super Martial Soul," making it difficult to evolve a second time through Medicinal Power.
Rather than pursue a "mutation," it was better to help her strengthen the foundation of her Soul Power.
Once Lu Chen had finished, he returned to Dugu Bo.
Seeing that he had taken only a few Immortal Herbs, Dugu Bo asked, "You're only taking these?"
"That's enough!"
Lu Chen continued, "Senior Dugu, the third thing is that while I'm studying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I don't want anyone disturbing me or my friends."
Dugu Bo replied calmly, "Don't worry. I agree."
Lu Chen nodded, finally at ease. With Dugu Bo's promise, he could cultivate in peace for a while.
"Please take me back to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Senior Dugu."
After all, walking back to the academy from Sunset Forest would take him quite a while.
By the time the two arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, night had completely fallen.
Lu Chen gently opened the door.
Lu Chen gently pushed open the dormitory door. As soon as he entered the living room, a pink figure bounded toward him like a Little White Rabbit, accompanied by an excited cry. "Lu Chen! You're finally back!"
Xiao Wu wrapped both arms tightly around Lu Chen's neck. Her long legs instinctively wound around his waist, and she rubbed her cheek against his neck.
Lu Chen held Xiao Wu by her rounded, pert bottom. His tone was helpless but gentle as he teased, "You haven't gotten into any trouble while I was gone, have you?"
Xiao Wu smiled mischievously. "Not at all! I've been so good. I've been cultivating with Zhuqing every day! Ask her if you don't believe me!"
Zhu Zhuqing slowly walked over to Lu Chen, her dark eyes full of tenderness. "You're finally back."
"Yeah, I'm back."
Lu Chen nodded and set Xiao Wu down on the sofa.
Then, under the two girls' curious gazes, he told them about what had happened during that time.
When Zhu Zhuqing heard that Lu Chen had become a Soul King, she asked worriedly, "Lu Chen, won't those herbs have any Side Effects?"
Lu Chen explained, "The pills I made are a perfect match for me. They won't have any lasting side effects."
Lu Chen gently brushed Xiao Wu's nose with his fingertip, a smile in his eyes. "I also prepared gifts for you."
Lu Chen took the two girls out into the courtyard. He drew a drop of Essence Blood from each of them, and before their astonished eyes, one purple and one white pill gradually took shape.
The purple one was the Purple Essence Soul Condensing Pill. Its body was a deep, mysterious purple, coated in a translucent Ice-Moist Crystal Film, with dark-purple Pill Markings evenly distributed across its surface.
A rich surge of Soul Power could be felt from up close. It was an excellent pill for purifying Xiao Wu's Soul Power.
The white pill was the Moon Nether Spirit Quenching Pill. It was as pale as moonlight, with delicate epiphyllum patterns on its surface and Silver-White Filaments along their edges. A soft white glow enveloped the pill, as if Moonlight Power could be seen flowing within it.
Lu Chen handed one pill each to Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu cradled the pill, her eyes shining like stars. She rose onto her toes and quickly pecked Lu Chen on the cheek.
Her cheeks flushed pink. She turned and bounced back to her room. "I'm going to absorb it right now! Once I break through, I'll be able to help you fight!"
Zhu Zhuqing held the Moon Nether Spirit Quenching Pill in her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly.
For a moment, she was at a loss for words. She looked at Lu Chen, her feelings complicated. There was surprise, gratitude, and joy hidden deep within.
Lu Chen spoke gently. "This pill should help your Nether Civet Martial Soul complete its mutation. Go absorb it quickly, before you miss the best time."
Zhu Zhuqing looked up at his gentle gaze. At last, a faint smile curved her lips, and she said softly, "Thank you, Lu Chen."
"What's there to thank me for?"
Lu Chen ruffled Zhuqing's hair. "Zhuqing, you look even prettier when you smile!"
His words made Zhuqing's little face turn bright red, the flush reaching all the way to her ears. Clutching the pill, she turned and hurried back to her room.
After closing the door, she looked at the gleaming white pill. Starlight seemed to shimmer in her beautiful eyes, and she couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
Before you continue