Nine Heart Begonia

"Awoo!"

All the Nether Wolf pack howled at the sky before charging toward Gu Qingshan, their black forms spreading across the Vale like a dark, surging torrent.

Gu Qingshan stood his ground, not moving an inch.

In less than three breaths, the twenty Nether Wolf beasts reached him. They leaped in unison, jaws agape, fangs aiming straight for Gu Qingshan's throat and limbs.

On the surface of the dark gold shield, the thorn patterns suddenly flared with a deep crimson light, and a terrifying force rebounded from the shield's face.

The Nether Wolf pack didn't even have time to let out a whimper; their bodies were struck as if by an invisible giant hammer, exploding mid-air.

Black blood, shattered bones, and torn viscera carpeted the ground before Gu Qingshan.

The entire process took less than five breaths.

Twenty Nether Wolf beasts, all dead. They had all been killed by the recoil damage the moment they struck the Thorn Shield.

Gu Qingshan turned around to look at Bibi Dong and Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"How was that?"

Bibi Dong was silent for a moment, then she smiled.

"Very good. Excellent."

Chrysanthemum Douluo stood behind Bibi Dong, looking at the carnage of Nether Wolf corpses, his expression shifting from shock to numbness.

This child would one day be the sharpest sword of the Martial Soul Hall, or perhaps, its most impenetrable shield.

The effect of Taunt was even better than Gu Qingshan had anticipated.

Forced attacks, clouded judgment, and a complete disregard for the disparity in strength.

Combined with the recoil of the Thorn Shield, this skill was simply an invincible combination.

"Stop the carriage."

Bibi Dong opened her eyes and looked at Gu Qingshan, a hint of confusion in her purple pupils.

"What is it?"

"Teacher, there is a situation outside," Gu Qingshan said, already lifting the carriage curtain and jumping down.

They had already left the Star Dou Great Forest. Ahead lay a town, bustling with chaotic, restless crowds.

On the street, several figures were locked in a struggle.

Three men were surrounding a young girl.

The leader, a man of about thirty, was fat and greasy-faced, his small eyes squinted into slits as he reached out with a smirk to grab the girl's arm.

The other two men stood on either side, blocking the girl's escape route, clearly acting as accomplices.

The girl was about six or seven years old, roughly Gu Qingshan's age. She wore a pale green dress, her hair tied back with a silver ribbon, revealing a delicate face like a porcelain doll—truly adorable.

She had been grabbed by the wrist by the fat man and was struggling desperately, but her strength was too meager to break free.

Her lips trembled and her eyes welled with tears, but she stubbornly refused to cry.

"Little sister, don't be afraid. Uncle isn't a bad person."

The fat man's smile bloomed like a chrysanthemum, his oily laughter audible from two hundred paces away.

"It's so dangerous for you to be out here in the wilderness all by yourself. Why don't you come with Uncle to see some goldfish, and then I'll take you home, hmm?"

"Let go of me! My mother is at the inn just ahead; she'll be here to find me any second!"

The girl's voice trembled with fear.

"Oh? The inn? That's perfect, Uncle is staying at that inn too. Let's go together," the fat man's eyes lit up.

As he spoke, he tugged hard on the girl, pulling her toward a luxurious carriage parked by the roadside.

Gu Qingshan stood where he was, taking the Blue Silver Leaf out of his mouth, folding it neatly, and tucking it back into his pocket.

"Teacher, I'm going to handle this."

Bibi Dong watched that small back, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.

"Hey, let that girl go!"

The fat man turned his head, frowning at the child who didn't know his place.

"Kid, this is none of your business. Get lost," he waved his hand impatiently.

Gu Qingshan sighed.

He hated people like this the most.

"Let her go," Gu Qingshan's voice rang out again.

"Kid, I suggest you stop meddling, otherwise... Ah!"

Gu Qingshan kicked him squarely in the knee.

"Crack!"

The fatty collapsed onto the ground with a boom, clutching his knees, his face twisted in agony.

"Ah, my leg! My leg! Kill this little bastard for me!"

The other two men finally reacted and summoned their spirits. Both were Soul Grand Masters; one possessed the Iron-Back Wolf, while the other had the Rock Giant.

"First Soul Skill, Wolf Claw Rending Kill!"

"First Soul Skill, Rock Heavy Strike!"

The two attacks landed on Gu Qingshan, yet the men were instantly sent flying, falling silent immediately.

Seeing this, the fatty was scared out of his wits and begged desperately for mercy.

"Don't... don't kill me... I beg you... don't kill me... I have money... I'll give you money... whatever amount you want..."

"I'll send you to join your two friends. Don't be nervous; feeling dizzy is perfectly normal."

Bang!

Having dealt with the three thugs, Gu Qingshan turned around to look at the girl behind him.

The girl gazed at Gu Qingshan, her emerald eyes filled with shock and gratitude.

A boy around her own age had appeared at her most helpless moment, shattering a villain's knee with a single kick and sending two grown men flying without even lifting a hand.

In her six-year-old worldview, he was no different from the heroes in stories.

"Y-you're so amazing, thank you." Her voice was soft, tinged with a hint of timidity.

Gu Qingshan smiled, took the folded Blue Silver Leaf from his pocket, and tucked it back into his mouth.

"Are you alright?"

The girl shook her head, then nodded, then shook her head again. Her little face scrunched up, looking both pitiful and adorable.

"What is your name?"

"Big brother, my name is Ye Lingling."

Ye Lingling?

Gu Qingshan's heart skipped a beat.

Nine Heart Begonia, a support-type spirit, known as the "Flower of Immortality."

Its healing effect was the strongest among all spirits, rumored to be able to pull anyone back from the gates of death as long as they still had a single breath left.

However, the Nine Heart Begonia had a fatal flaw.

Inheritance restrictions.

There could only be one successor per generation, meaning at most, only two Nine Heart Begonia spirits could exist in the world at any given time.

Furthermore, inheritors of the Nine Heart Begonia typically did not live long.

Gu Qingshan chewed on the Blue Silver Leaf, his mind racing.

Ye Lingling was the Nine Heart Begonia; she would become a top-tier healing support in the future.

His Thorn Shield was for defense and counter-damage; the two of them working together—one defending, one healing—would be a match made in heaven.

Besides, Ye Lingling was so beautiful; she was as exquisite as a porcelain doll at just six years old. What would she be like when she grew up?

Moreover, the flaw of the Nine Heart Begonia could be solved.

Immortal herbs.

"Come on, I'll take you to find your mother."

"Teacher, her name is Ye Lingling. She got separated from her mother. Let's take her to find her mother first." Gu Qingshan led Ye Lingling back.

Bibi Dong looked down at Ye Lingling, a flicker of light passing through her purple eyes.

"Nine Heart Begonia," she said softly, her tone certain.

Ye Lingling's body trembled slightly, and she instinctively hid behind Gu Qingshan.

Gu Qingshan patted the back of her hand, signaling her not to be afraid.

"Teacher, you should head back to Martial Soul City first. Elder Chrysanthemum and I can take Lingling to find her mother."

Bibi Dong glanced at him, her expression clearly saying, "Do you think I don't know what you're planning?"

But she didn't expose him; she was well aware of the value of the Nine Heart Begonia and was happy to let it happen.

"Elder Chrysanthemum." She turned her head toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"This subordinate understands. I will escort Young Master Qingshan and this little girl to find her family safely." Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed slightly.

Bibi Dong nodded and stepped into the carriage with her long legs.