6000-Year Jade Blood Heaven Spirit Vine, Nine Nine Heart Begonias! Target: Sea God's Examination!

"What Soul Beast was it?"

Han Yu asked.

"A Jade Blood Heaven Spirit Vine."

Gu Rong smiled faintly.

"It was hidden deeply, within a concealed crack in a canyon.

Judging by the vine's thickness and color, it had just over six thousand years of cultivation. Its vitality was immense, perfectly matching your requirements.

To find it, I nearly turned all of Sunset Forest upside down."

"A Jade Blood Heaven Spirit Vine?"

Han Yu's eyes lit up as he turned to Ye Lingling.

"Not bad luck. Not only is this thing incredibly tenacious, it also carries a powerful meaning of endless vitality. It's most suitable for you right now."

Ye Lingling took a deep breath, her eyes brimming with anticipation.

"I'll leave it to the sect master!"

"Come on, Grandpa. Take us there."

Han Yu said decisively.

Gu Rong waved a hand, and the power of space surged again.

"Hold tight. I'll take you there directly!"

As the spatial rift closed again, the three of them had arrived at the bottom of a dark, damp canyon crevice.

Ahead of them, sprawled across a steep stone wall, was a thick vine entirely emerald green, with faint red light flowing through the veins of its leaves. It radiated rich life energy.

"That's it."

Gu Rong pointed ahead.

"Han Yu, do you want it alive or dead?"

"Just leave it with one breath."

Han Yu replied calmly.

"Lingling, get ready."

"Yes!"

Gu Rong snorted coldly, and the terrifying pressure of a Titled Douluo erupted instantly.

The Jade Blood Heaven Spirit Vine sensed danger and had been about to lash out, but it froze in midair.

A massive skeletal hand that appeared from thin air gripped it tightly, causing it to wither at once.

"Girl, make your move."

With a casual flick, Gu Rong tossed the dying vine before Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling did not hesitate. Soul Power gathered in her hand, and one strike ended its life.

A deep purple Spirit Ring slowly rose above the vine.

"Absorb it immediately."

Han Yu said in a low voice.

"The medicinal power of the Immortal Herb still remains in your body. Use the immense vitality of this Spirit Ring to break through the rule-bound limitation of the Nine Heart Begonia in one stroke!"

"Lingling understands!"

Ye Lingling sat down cross-legged, drawing the purple Spirit Ring around herself before closing her eyes to begin absorbing it.

Time passed second by second.

The canyon was silent. Only the medicinal power of the Immortal Herb and the purple glow of the Spirit Ring continued to intertwine and flicker around Ye Lingling.

After an unknown amount of time, an intensely fragrant aroma, far richer than before, suddenly burst forth from her body.

The Nine Heart Begonia, which had originally possessed only one flower, split into a second, then a third amid dazzling light...

Until nine delicate, vibrant begonia flowers surrounded her body!

Ye Lingling slowly opened her eyes, which were filled with wild joy and disbelief.

"Did it work?"

Han Yu raised an eyebrow.

"It worked!

Sect Master, I succeeded!"

Ye Lingling's voice trembled with excitement as she immediately dropped to one knee.

"The curse of the Nine Heart Begonia being passed down through a single line has been broken!

And..."

"And what?"

Gu Rong was interested as well.

"And my fourth soul skill is no longer merely an area-of-effect group healing skill."

Ye Lingling took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed her excitement as she reported.

"My fourth soul skill is called Jade Blood Vitality. Besides instantly recovering severe injuries, it can also grant the target an extremely powerful vitality shield for a short time.

As long as the shield remains unbroken, physical strength and Soul Power will recover without end!"

"What an overbearing support skill."

Gu Rong nodded in praise.

Han Yu smiled with satisfaction.

"Not bad. My efforts weren't wasted. Get up."

"Thank you, Sect Master, for the grace of giving me new life!

From now on, Lingling's life belongs to the Ling Tian Sect!"

Ye Lingling kowtowed solemnly before rising to her feet.

"Enough. We're from the same sect; there's no need for such empty formalities."

Han Yu turned to Gu Rong.

"Grandpa, let's go. It's time to head back.

Next, we'll see whether the Heaven Dou Imperial Family can deliver the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud on time."

Gu Rong chuckled, his withered hand tearing through the void again.

"Let's go. Back to the sect."

The black hole emerged once more, and the three entered one after another.

As light and shadow shifted, the three had returned to the main hall of the Ling Tian Sect.

Outside the hall, Dugu Bo sensed the spatial disturbance and immediately pushed open the doors, striding forward.

"Sect Master, Bone Douluo, you're back. This girl... Hiss, what dense life energy!"

Dugu Bo's gaze swept over Ye Lingling, and a trace of shock flashed through his eyes.

"Lingling's Martial Soul has evolved."

Han Yu casually explained, walking straight to the seat of honor and sitting down. His fingers began tapping the tabletop out of habit again.

"While I was gone, was there any movement from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family?"

Dugu Bo suppressed his surprise, his expression turning solemn as he replied respectfully.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, not long after you left, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe sent a trusted aide to deliver a visiting card.

He said that upon hearing of the founding of the Ling Tian Sect, he wished to pay a personal visit tomorrow and, incidentally... discuss matters concerning the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."

"A personal visit?"

Han Yu's movements paused, and a mocking smile curled at his lips.

"It seems our 'Crown Prince' can no longer sit still. She wants to use delivering the item as an excuse to probe the depths of my Ling Tian Sect."

Gu Rong found a seat nearby and sat down, frowning slightly.

"Han Yu, Qian Renxue is, after all, from Spirit Hall. The Spirit Hall Titled Douluos Pufferfish and Snake Lance are likely with her as well.

Since she is coming personally, should we make some preparations in advance?"

"Don't worry, Grandpa. There's no need to be nervous."

Han Yu picked up the freshly replaced hot tea on the table and blew away the foam.

"She is currently wearing Xue Qinghe's face. She fears exposing her identity even more than we do.

As long as she has not taken control of the entire Heaven Dou Empire, she won't dare tear all pretenses apart with me openly."

Han Yu had previously told Gu Rong and Dugu Bo about Qian Renxue's identity.

At this point, Han Yu looked up at Dugu Bo.

"Go send a reply.

Tell the people of the East Palace that the Ling Tian Sect will throw open its main gates tomorrow and await His Highness the Crown Prince's arrival at any time."

"This subordinate understands. I'll see to it at once."

Dugu Bo accepted the order, turned, and strode out of the hall.

Han Yu then turned his gaze to Ye Lingling, who stood below.

"Lingling, you've just absorbed a Spirit Ring, and your Martial Soul has evolved. Go into seclusion first and stabilize your cultivation.

When Xue Qinghe comes tomorrow, accompany me to receive the guest."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Ye Lingling gave a respectful bow before turning and leaving.

Only Han Yu and Gu Rong remained in the vast main hall.

Gu Rong watched Han Yu's composed, calculating manner, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Han Yu, once you obtain the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, what do you plan to do?

Are you truly going to Sea God Island?"

"Of course I am."

Han Yu set down his teacup and gazed deeply beyond the hall.

"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is merely the key to the door.

If the Ling Tian Sect is to truly stand above the two great empires and Spirit Hall, I must obtain that opportunity on Sea God Island."

Han Yu was confident in his own talent.

Perhaps not the Sea God's Nine Trials, but beginning the Sea God's Examination was certainly guaranteed.

At that time, he could also greatly increase his own strength through the Sea God's Examination.