Ye Lingling, a Beauty to Inspire Pity: Can You Mutate the Nine Heart Begonia?

The following morning.

Outside the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Dugu Yan had changed into a neat academy uniform. Walking half a step behind Han Yu, she pointed at the imposing gates ahead and said,

"Sect Master, that's Heaven Dou Royal Academy up ahead."

Han Yu raised his eyes and swept his gaze over the magnificent academy gates and the picturesque greenery surrounding them before commenting blandly,

"The environment is decent.

"Unfortunately, the air of extravagance is too heavy. It lacks some of the bloodlust and sternness a Soul Master ought to possess."

"The Sect Master has hit the nail on the head."

Dugu Yan nodded in deep agreement.

"Most of the students here are noble brats just muddling through their days. Hardly any of them are truly willing to endure hardship in cultivation.

"In the entire academy, only our Imperial Fighting Team is barely worth looking at."

Han Yu merely smiled without commenting.

"Let's go.

"Where is that good sister of yours with the Nine Heart Begonia usually at this time?"

After thinking briefly, Dugu Yan answered,

"Lingling is solitary by nature and doesn't like mingling with those noble students.

"Apart from the team's mandatory joint training, she basically stays in the Mimicry Training Area on the academy's Back Mountain."

"At this time, she must be there."

"Lead the way. We'll go straight to the Back Mountain."

The two crossed the academy, deliberately avoiding the crowded main paths, and soon arrived at the quiet Back Mountain.

Within a Mimicry Training Area surrounded by a sea of flowers, a black-haired girl in a black dress sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, her temperament as cool and tranquil as water.

Hearing footsteps, the girl slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze fell upon Dugu Yan, and a ripple flickered through her cool eyes.

"Yanyan?

"You came back after taking leave."

Then, she keenly sensed something and froze slightly.

"Your aura... has changed.

"The Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison in your body..."

"It's completely cured!"

Dugu Yan hurried forward, unable to suppress the joy on her face.

"Lingling, not only have all my toxins been purged, but I've also broken through the level-forty bottleneck and even obtained my fourth soul ring!"

A trace of undisguised shock flashed through Ye Lingling's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and said sincerely,

"Congratulations, Yanyan.

"Your grandfather must be very happy."

"Of course!"

Dugu Yan smiled as she took Ye Lingling's hand, then turned sideways and respectfully introduced Han Yu behind her.

"Lingling, let me introduce you.

"This is Han Yu, Young Master Han."

"The poison in my body, as well as my rapid breakthrough, were all thanks to Young Master Han!"

Only then did Ye Lingling shift her gaze to Han Yu.

Looking at the young man before her, who appeared to be even slightly younger than she was.

Yet he possessed a deep, composed aura.

Ye Lingling frowned slightly.

"Young Master Han?"

Ye Lingling gave a polite nod.

"Thank you for saving Yanyan.

"But... Yanyan didn't bring you here merely to thank me, did she?"

A hint of approval flashed in Han Yu's eyes.

This girl was not only exceptionally gifted, but also sharp-minded.

He stepped forward. Without beating around the bush, he spoke directly.

"As expected of the inheritor of the Nine Heart Begonia. You truly are clever."

"I did come here for something today. Or rather, I came specifically for you."

Ye Lingling's gaze instantly turned wary, and her cool voice gained a trace of distance.

"For me?

"Young Master Han, I don't believe I know you.

"If you're here to recruit me, then please leave. I have no intention of joining any faction."

"Don't be so quick to refuse."

Han Yu's expression remained unchanged, his tone still calm and confident.

"I know the Nine Heart Begonia lineage is passed down through a single heir, and its inheritors have remained neutral throughout the generations.

"But that is only because the factions of the past had nothing that could move you."

Ye Lingling raised a delicate brow, seeming to find that somewhat amusing.

"Oh?

"Then what does Young Master Han think he can offer?"

Han Yu looked directly into Ye Lingling's eyes and said each word distinctly.

"I can break the Martial Soul curse of the Nine Heart Begonia: 'one lineage, with only two Soul Masters able to exist at the same time.'"

"I can allow you, and even your family, to completely escape this fate."

The moment those words fell, Ye Lingling stiffened. Her formerly cool face was instantly filled with unbelievable shock.

"Impossible!"

Ye Lingling drew a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the violent turmoil in her heart, though her voice still trembled slightly.

"The limitation of the Nine Heart Begonia is a law of its Martial Soul origin. It is a curse bestowed by the gods!

"Even Titled Douluo are helpless against it.

"You... what gives you the right to make such a boast?"

Han Yu chuckled and pointed at Dugu Yan beside him.

"A Titled Douluo truly cannot do it.

"Just as Poison Douluo could not cure the Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison within himself or Yanyan."

"But I did."

Dugu Yan immediately stepped forward and clasped Ye Lingling's hand in return, her tone incomparably sincere.

"Lingling, the Sect Master is telling the truth.

"My grandfather has not only been completely purged of toxins, but his cultivation has also advanced further.

"The Sect Master's methods are beyond what ordinary people could ever imagine.

"If anyone in this world can help your family break free of its fate, it can only be the Sect Master!"

At last, a crack appeared in Ye Lingling's mental defenses.

She bit her lower lip and stared fixedly at Han Yu.

"You... can really do it?

"What price do you need me to pay?"

"It's very simple."

Han Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable dominance.

"Join the Ling Tian Sect and pledge loyalty to me.

"In return, I will grant you a fortuitous opportunity. Not only will it break the curse of the Nine Heart Begonia, it may even cause your Martial Soul to evolve."

"Martial Soul Evolution?!"

Ye Lingling murmured to herself, intense struggle and hope flashing through her eyes.

The fate of the Nine Heart Begonia weighed upon the hearts of every generation of the Ye Family.

She understood better than anyone the pain of helplessly watching one's relatives die for the sake of preserving the lineage.

After a moment, Ye Lingling took a deep breath. A trace of determination appeared in her cool eyes.

"Fine!

"As long as you can truly break the curse of the Nine Heart Begonia and free the Ye Family from this suffering,

"I, Ye Lingling, and even the entire Nine Heart Begonia family, will follow your lead from this day onward!"

Han Yu nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good. You have made a wise choice."

Han Yu smiled slightly and began to explain.

"The rules of the Nine Heart Begonia are indeed overbearing, but ultimately, they restrict the Martial Soul known as the 'Nine Heart Begonia' itself."

"What if your Martial Soul is no longer a pure Nine Heart Begonia?"

Ye Lingling frowned slightly in confusion.

"A Martial Soul mutation?

"How could that possibly be controlled by human hands?"

"Ordinary people naturally cannot do it, but I have a way."

Han Yu's tone was certain.

"I know of an extremely rare plant-type soul beast. With several specific medicinal herbs as supplementary aids,

"as long as you absorb its soul ring, it can guide your Martial Soul into undergoing a beneficial mutation."

"Once your Martial Soul changes, the so-called rule that 'only two Soul Masters can exist during the same period' will naturally collapse on its own."

After listening, doubt flashed through Ye Lingling's eyes, but she still nodded.

"This method does sound somewhat reasonable...

"But my Soul Power is only at level thirty-five. To cultivate to level forty and absorb my fourth soul ring will likely take another year or two.

"This matter can only be verified then."