Is This Growing Martial Souls? No, It's Growing Connections! (Happy New Year, Wishing You Prosperity)

Sacred Heart Healing instantly healed all non-poison-related injuries on the target and removed negative conditions.

The casting range of this soul skill was limited to Lu Duzhou's current Three Mu of Land. Beyond that range, it could not heal ordinary people.

However, Soul Masters whose Martial Souls were planted in the land could receive Lu Duzhou's healing regardless of distance.

In other words, even if Lu Duzhou was far away in Heaven Dou City, he could still use this skill on Tang San in Notting City!

Originally, Soul Masters who planted their Martial Souls in his land could only receive two benefits: increased Cultivation Speed and an unlimited supply of Soul Power.

Now, there was a third benefit: injuries could heal instantly.

With these three benefits stacked together, what Plant Soul Master could possibly remain unmoved?!

Was Lu Duzhou growing Martial Souls in this patch of land?

No, he was growing connections!

When he fought others in the future, he could release all sorts of Martial Souls. Anyone who wanted to clash with him would have to consider whether they could afford to offend every Plant Martial Soul within.

Four days later, the group of five arrived at Plant Academy in a luxurious carriage.

The moment she saw Lu Duzhou, Aimi ran all the way into his arms.

"Xiao Zhou Gege!"

Aimi clung to Lu Duzhou like a koala.

Although Lu Duzhou had not actually spent much time with her, the connection between their Martial Souls made her somewhat dependent on him.

Lu Duzhou supported her with one hand while stroking her head with the other.

"Aimi, Gege brought you a gift. You'll definitely like it."

"Really?!"

Aimi looked thrilled. Without even caring what the gift was, she planted a kiss on Lu Duzhou's cheek.

"Xiao Zhou Gege is the best!"

Dugu Yan stepped forward and waved at Aimi.

"Hello, Aimi. I'm Dugu Yan. You can call me Yanyan Jie."

"Yanyan Jie!"

Aimi called out to her, then shyly tucked herself into Lu Duzhou's arms.

She clearly was not used to speaking with strangers.

Dugu Yan then pulled Ye Lingling over and introduced her to Aimi.

After Ailin exchanged pleasantries with Dugu Bo, Lu Duzhou took Aimi and followed Ailin to a secluded place with no one around.

Aimi stared at the flower Lu Duzhou took out, her eyes filled with delight.

"Wow! It's so pretty!"

It was an Eight-Petal Orchid, snow-white and translucent from petal to petal, with an aloof, otherworldly grace.

"Thank you, Xiao Zhou Gege. I'll make sure to preserve this gift!"

Lu Duzhou smiled.

"Aimi, this flower isn't for you to keep. You wouldn't be able to grow it anyway."

He looked at Ailin and spoke seriously.

"Dean Grandma, what I'm about to say is even more important than Whale Rubber. You absolutely must not spread it around."

Ailin said in surprise,

"This orchid is actually so precious? All right, I'll keep it secret."

Hearing that, Aimi covered her mouth with both hands and said in a muffled voice,

"Me too!"

Only then did Lu Duzhou explain,

"There is a special kind of Soul Beast in this world. They find it difficult to take human form, but after growing for ten thousand years and absorbing vast amounts of Soul Power, they gain all sorts of miraculous effects when consumed. What they all have in common is that they can improve one's talent and even allow a Martial Soul to evolve and transform."

"They are known as Immortal Herbs, or immortals herbs for short."

"I did Dugu Mianxia a great favor this time, and he gave me several Immortal Herbs. This is one of them."

"The Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid has gentle yet rich medicinal properties. It strengthens one's foundation, nourishes one's vitality, expels impurities from the body, and significantly increases a Soul Master's Cultivation Speed. Its effects can last all the way until the Soul Sage level at Rank 70."

"As long as she eats it, Xiao Aimi's Soul Power will immediately increase substantially, and her future cultivation will take half the effort for twice the result."

After listening to Lu Duzhou, Ailin could not help but exclaim,

"There's actually such a heaven-defying treasure in this world!"

"Dugu Mianxia was actually willing to give you something like this!"

"And you're actually willing to let Aimi take it?!"

Three consecutive sentences, each with an "actually," were enough to reveal just how shocked and astonished she was.

Lu Duzhou smiled.

"As for why Grandfather Dugu was willing to give it to me, that concerns his privacy. Without his permission, I cannot tell anyone."

"Aimi is my Fourth Sister. Of course I have to think of her."

Lu Duzhou did not mention anything about repayment from Ailin.

That reason alone was enough.

Xiao Aimi could not help rushing over and hugging his waist.

"Xiao Zhou Gege, you're so good to me!"

"When Aimi grows up and becomes strong, I'll definitely protect you and never let anyone hurt you!"

Lu Duzhou stroked her chestnut-colored hair and said gently,

"Gege believes in Aimi."

"Come, I'll teach you how to take it."

Aimi had obtained her first Soul Ring a year ago and was now at Rank 14 Soul Power.

After taking the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, her Soul Power rose directly to Rank 20.

She jumped around excitedly.

"I'm Rank 20! I can become a Two-Ring Soul Grand Master soon! This is amazing!"

Ailin was delighted as well. Her Soul Power had risen by six ranks at once. As expected of an Immortal Herb.

"There's no rush to obtain your Second Soul Ring. Once we get enough Whale Rubber, Grandma will let you obtain a Thousand-Year Second Ring just like your Xiao Zhou Gege."

That made Aimi even happier.

Although she was only eight years old, she had a clear understanding of Soul Ring quality from growing up in such a large family.

A Thousand-Year Second Ring meant formidable strength.

With strength, she could protect Xiao Zhou Gege!

The next day, the convoy left Pano City and headed toward Vast Sea City.

After entering Fasnuo Province, one carriage split off and traveled to Notting City.

"Ge! You were gone for so long again!"

Xiao Wu hugged Lu Duzhou's arm and leaned her whole body against him, her voice full of coquettish affection.

Lu Duzhou smiled.

"I accomplished a lot this time. I brought you all some extremely precious gifts!"

"The Whale Rubber experiment succeeded. I obtained a Thousand-Year Second Ring. Next, I need to acquire more high-year Whale Rubber so that all of you can obtain better Soul Rings too."

He looked at Tang San and said,

"Xiao San, go to the Blacksmith Shop first. When you return, I'll give you your gift separately."

Tang San saw Lu Duzhou's look and understood that some matters might concern his Twin Martial Souls. He immediately nodded and left.

After he was gone, Lu Duzhou carried Xiao Wu into the room.

Xiao Wu's face flushed red, and she looked shy and awkward.

"Ge, wh-what are you doing?"

Lu Duzhou shut the door, his expression suddenly turning serious.

"Xiao Wu, when I went to Sunset Forest this time, I met a Title Douluo named Dugu Bo."

"Through information about Whale Rubber and a few secrets, I reached three agreements with him. One of them was for Tang San to become that Title Douluo's student."

"Sooner or later, Tang San will meet him, and you will meet him too. So your identity issue must be resolved."

The shyness vanished from Xiao Wu's face, replaced by panic.

"Ge, wh-what should I do?"

Lu Duzhou stepped forward, took her hand, and said gently,

"Don't worry. I traded several Immortal Herbs from that Title Douluo. One of them is called Lovesick Heartbreak Red. As long as you can make it Recognize Master and carry it with you, it can conceal your aura. Even a Title Douluo won't be able to discover you."

As he spoke, he took out the Lovesick Heartbreak Red growing on the Wujue Stone.

At just one glance, Xiao Wu was captivated by the flower.