Chrysanthemum Douluo Arrives

Seeing Lin Huai obediently listen, Qian Daoliu continued his explanation.

"Although few people on the continent take these things seriously anymore,"

"As your comprehension deepens, these abilities are equivalent to possessing an additional Martial Soul."

Qian Daoliu stroked the sword he had manifested through his power.

He looked into the distance, his tone drifting and contemplative.

"The previous Sword Douluo, the father of the current one, challenged me when he was at level ninety-eight."

"I fought him to a standstill without even using a single Soul Skill."

"He was a man suited for the sword; during our battle, he broke through into the realm of the Sword Domain."

Qian Daoliu released his signature nine soul rings: eight black and one red.

"It is a pity he lacked a hundred-thousand-year soul ring; otherwise, he could have broken through to level ninety-nine right then and there."

"He forced me to use my full strength, but he also sustained fatal injuries."

Lin Huai looked into Qian Daoliu's earnest eyes.

"Rest assured, Teacher, I will not be lazy in my comprehension of these techniques."

"I also feel that our current way of breaking through by absorbing soul rings and gaining skills from them,"

"This method of cultivation is twisted; it stifles human initiative and severely weakens one's creativity."

Qian Daoliu looked at Lin Huai with great gratification.

"That is indeed the case. To have such an insight at your age is truly exceptional."

He retracted his Martial Soul and swung the sword formed of soul power casually.

A streak of sword energy shot straight into the sky, shattering several white clouds.

"However, these are generally insights only attained by Titled Douluos."

"After all, a Titled Douluo without a Self-Created Soul Skill can still easily crush a Soul Douluo who possesses one."

"Therefore, you must not only cultivate your soul power but also hone your blade techniques."

Lin Huai understood Qian Daoliu's admonition, Knowing he was expected to double his efforts, advancing his soul power and blade techniques in tandem.

Lin Huai did not offer further explanation and immediately began practicing basic blade techniques.

"Teacher, I will work hard."

"Please help me check if there are any issues with these basics first."

"Afterward, I will integrate that sword technique into my own blade style."

Lin Huai spent the entire day continuously strengthening his basic blade techniques, And under Qian Daoliu's guidance, he managed to make his basic moves look somewhat respectable.

During this time, Dugu Yan returned, though her gem-like eyes still held a hint of moisture.

After resting, Lin Huai took up his blade once more.

He closed his eyes, and in his mind, he saw Malenia using the 'Waterfowl Dance'—a series of attacks that were chaotic yet elegant.

Leaping on one foot like a waterbird, striking with the swiftness of a predator, she perfectly integrated the imagery of the waterbird into her fierce blade work.

He slowly wiped the image of Malenia from his mind.

This is not what I am looking for. However, one can see the fluidity of the Flowing Water Sword Technique, continuous like flowing water, endless and ever-renewing.

The fragments of the Flowing Water Swordsman surfaced in his mind again, holding a curved blade that looked like several droplets joined together.

The opening was silent; the blade sliced through the first layer of obstructing air, and his entire body rotated with it.

This opening move, like a dance step, was as light as a droplet splashing onto a calm lake. Then, a continuous stream of slashes poured forth. Before one wave ended, the next had already quietly followed.

The sword dance and the imagery of 'flowing water' merged perfectly at this moment; each attack connected seamlessly to the next, like a mountain stream winding around boulders, never ceasing.

Lin Huai's figure also began to twist slowly, following the swordsman.

At first, he stumbled, appearing somewhat awkward and unrefined.

As time passed, Lin Huai's movements began to grow elegant, taking on a sense of endless continuity.

Lin Huai stood still, looking at the blade in his hand, lost in thought.

Dugu Yan also snapped out of the trance caused by the dance-like blade technique and looked at Dugu Bo: "Grandfather, what was that Lin Huai just did?"

Dugu Bo's expression was stiff: "You cannot understand it yet; just think of it as a Self-Created Soul Skill."

Unlike Dugu Bo's disbelief, Qian Daoliu only felt astonishment.

After these two days together, Qian Daoliu had already seen that Lin Huai's talent was outstanding, but he had not expected him to grasp 'Micro-Perception' so quickly.

Lin Huai dissipated his Prosthetic Blade and looked at Qian Daoliu with a face full of confusion.

"Teacher, I feel that I have already achieved 'Micro-Perception,' but just now, when I wanted to swing my blade, I felt a sense of obstruction. What is going on?"

Qian Daoliu looked at that ignorant expression with a face full of smiles.

"You have indeed just entered the realm of 'Micro-Perception,' but there is one point you have yet to notice."

"You have only just begun practicing basic blade techniques, and you are not yet familiar with them. That is why you are experiencing a sense of obstruction."

"You must be the first person to achieve Micro-Perception before practicing the basics."

Dugu Bo watched the suddenly enlightened Lin Huai, feeling extremely envious of Qian Daoliu for taking in a disciple with such talent.

"Yan-yan, do you want to practice with a weapon?"

Dugu Yan pointed at herself with a bewildered expression.

"I... do I have to as well?"

Dugu Bo withdrew his thoughts of imitation.

"Forget it, our Martial Souls are not suited for using weapons."

"Great Protector—"

"Are you inside?"

An extremely feminine voice drifted in from outside the valley.

Qian Daoliu vanished in an instant.

Judging by this peculiar voice, it seemed Chrysanthemum Douluo had arrived.

A moment later.

Appearing alongside Qian Daoliu was an enchanting figure dressed in a red robe with gold patterns.

His skin was as delicate as an infant's, and he possessed a bewitching appearance.

He was truly a sight that could "make fish sink and geese fall, birds hide and flowers blush."

It was a pity there was an Adam's apple at his throat.

If Lin Huai hadn't known long ago that Chrysanthemum Douluo was a man, he would certainly have assumed he was a woman with an Adam's apple.

"Wow!"

"This big sister is so pretty!"

Although Dugu Yan's voice was quite soft, everyone present still heard her.

"Hahaha..."

"The little girl is also very cute, much more pleasing to the eye than your grandfather."

Upon hearing Dugu Yan's praise, Yue Guan accepted it directly and even took a jab at Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo's old face darkened.

"Enough, Yue Guan. Put aside your grievances with Dugu Bo for now."

"First, take a look at these herbs and see which ones you recognize and know the specific effects of."

Led by Qian Daoliu, Chrysanthemum Douluo walked toward the immortal herbs.

"Immortal herbs!"

He exclaimed in surprise.

"And there are so many of them!"

His open mouth trembled slightly.

He reached out, wanting to touch the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum before him.

"Ahem..."

Qian Daoliu coughed, signaling for Yue Guan to provide an explanation.

Yue Guan snapped back to reality and took a deep breath.

"Great Protector, these herbs are extremely difficult to find, and their effects are heaven-defying. My family refers to them as 'immortal herbs'."

"Immortal herbs? That fits quite well."

Dugu Bo muttered to himself while looking at these immortal herbs.

Ignoring Dugu Bo, Yue Guan continued.

"If one consumes the right immortal herb, even with only innate level five soul power, one has the hope of stepping onto the threshold of a Title Douluo."

"Some can even cause a Martial Soul to undergo a beneficial mutation."

Yue Guan took a thick book out of his storage ring.

He handed it to Qian Daoliu.

"Great Protector, this book contains the usage effects and harvesting methods for most of the immortal herbs. If I encounter any not in the book, my own Martial Soul is also an immortal herb, so it will tell me their general effects."

"I hope the Great Protector will bestow this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum upon me; I can break through to level 96 within two years!"

As Chrysanthemum Douluo was asking Qian Daoliu for the immortal herb, Lin Huai held up a small white flower resembling a Peony, along with the pitch-black stone beneath its roots.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, don't you want this immortal herb?"

"Lovesick Heartbreak Red!"