The Fishing Rod's Tremor and the Immortal Herb's Phantom

In the valley, the evening breeze blew gently, accompanied by the rhythmic chirping of insects.

Everything was as serene as a painting.

However.

The very moment Li Hao sank his consciousness into his sea of energy to connect with his Martial Soul.

Hum—!

The Karma Fishing Rod, which he treated as the core of his Martial Soul, emitted an unprecedented, violent tremor of longing without any warning!

This vibration was far more intense and urgent than when he had sensed Ning Rongrong before!

It was not crying for help.

It was... summoning!

A summons originating from the bloodline, from destiny, one that could not be resisted!

In the ethereal void.

Li Hao's consciousness was pulled by an invisible force.

Before his eyes, the tranquil valley vanished.

A phantom of a plant, illusory yet incredibly vivid, slowly bloomed within his perceived world.

It was a strange, immortal herb.

With nine petals in full bloom, its colors were magnificent.

The extreme fragrance seemed to pierce straight through the soul.

"This is..."

Li Hao's mind shook violently.

Before he could react, a terrifying suction force erupted from the depths of his Martial Soul!

The soul power within his body, which had already reached the level of a Soul Ancestor, surged uncontrollably toward the core of his fishing rod Martial Soul like a floodgate bursting open!

A trace of weakness began to spread through his limbs and bones.

[Yo, Host, you've hit the jackpot.]

The system's gloating notification sounded right on cue.

[Detected the aura of the top-tier immortal herb "Aromatic Silk Beauty," which is resonating strongly with the Host's Martial Soul.]

[This immortal herb is on the verge of death, its spirit about to dissipate. Will you consume soul power to perform an ultra-long-distance "Karma Fishing"?]

Karma Fishing?

Before Li Hao could ponder the meaning of this new term, a fragrance of extreme richness began to drift from his body.

This scent seemed to possess life, carrying an irresistible magic.

"Papa!"

Xiao Wu, who was chasing a Shadow-Devouring Butterfly not far away, suddenly froze.

She sniffed hard with her delicate little nose, her large, watery eyes instantly filled with shock and longing.

It was an instinctive urge for evolution and transformation, originating from the deepest depths of her bloodline!

She turned into a pink blur and lunged to Li Hao's side in an instant.

"So fragrant... Papa, what is this smell? I... I really want to eat it!"

Before the words had even faded.

Swish!

A cold and arrogant figure appeared silently on Li Hao's other side.

It was Medusa.

She had just been on the island in the middle of the lake, attempting to analyze the energy rules of this world, but the moment that fragrance drifted over, her unchanging queenly aura completely shattered!

Her emerald snake eyes were locked tightly onto Li Hao, burning with a possessiveness and ambition more intense than ever before.

As a former Dou Emperor, she knew better than anyone what such a heaven-and-earth treasure capable of making the soul tremble truly meant!

It was an opportunity to ascend to the heavens in a single step!

"Master!"

Her form of address had changed; it was no longer the warning-laden use of his name.

"What is this? No matter what, we must obtain it!"

Immediately following, the shadows behind Li Hao twisted.

Zhu Zhuqing's figure emerged from the darkness.

She did not speak.

But those golden cat eyes, usually frozen in ice, were now startlingly bright, locked unblinkingly onto Li Hao.

She could feel her Hell Spirit Cat bloodline screaming in a frenzy, consumed by a ravenous craving!

Three scorching gazes, brimming with anticipation, focused on Li Hao simultaneously.

Li Hao: "..."

He felt his back instantly drenched in a cold sweat.

The highest realm of social anxiety is not being watched by a crowd.

It is being surrounded by three family members with off-the-charts combat power, all harboring ulterior motives, staring at you with eyes that say you are dead if you do not agree.

He wanted to run.

But the soul power within his body was still being frantically drained by the fishing rod, leaving his legs feeling weak.

Fishing for unknown treasures of heaven and earth carried immense risks.

Heaven knows what kind of trouble it might stir up.

If he were to fish up a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast guarding a celestial herb, the consequences would be catastrophic.

His social anxiety instincts urged him to cut off his soul power immediately and abandon this hot potato.

However...

The suction of his Martial Soul continued to intensify.

It felt like a ferocious beast that had gone three days and nights without food, finally seeing its dream meal; it would not rest until it had swallowed it whole.

If he did not respond in time, this backlash could even cause irreversible damage to the origin of his Martial Soul!

[Friendly reminder: This celestial herb is on the verge of death. If not fished, its spirituality will dissipate completely within three days.]

[If the fishing is successful, it is not only a massive opportunity but also a chance to trigger a brand-new bond...]

The system paused, adding in a tone filled with temptation.

[Well, a new Soul Beast Girl, you know what I mean, Host.]

Li Hao felt his head buzz.

A new... Soul Beast Girl?

He subconsciously glanced at the three beside him.

Xiao Wu was hugging his arm, looking at him pitifully, practically having the words "I want to eat it" written on her face.

Medusa's stance was even clearer; she had already begun to analyze: "Master, the source of this aura is extremely far away from us and very weak, which means its condition is poor. This is exactly our chance!"

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, but she had moved from behind Li Hao to stand before him, shoulder-to-shoulder with Medusa.

She looked up, and for the first time, a clear emotion called "request" appeared in those golden vertical pupils.

They were all waiting.

Waiting for him to bring them this heaven-sent opportunity.

Li Hao's heart, which had wanted to escape, wavered.

What was his original intention in establishing this Paradise?

Was it not to give these poor Soul Beast Girls a home, so they could live securely, no longer hunted by the outside world, no longer living in fear?

Now, an opportunity that could make them stronger and completely change their destinies was right before his eyes.

Although it might bring trouble.

Although it might shatter his life as a salted fish.

But...

He looked at Xiao Wu's innocent longing.

He looked at Medusa's burning ambition.

He looked at Zhu Zhuqing's silent plea.

These were all his family.

For the sake of family, what was a little risk?

That damned, deep-seated instinct to protect his own once again gained the upper hand.

"Damn it."

Li Hao cursed under his breath, not knowing if he was cursing himself or this troublesome Martial Soul.

He abandoned all resistance.

He closed his eyes and sank all his focus into his Martial Soul.

He no longer suppressed the suction; instead, he actively poured all the remaining soul power in his body, without reservation, into that Karma Fishing Rod!

"Fish!"

Li Hao let out a roar in the depths of his heart.

"No matter what you are, get over here!"

Hum—!

Deep within his consciousness, the golden thread of karma connected to the phantom of the celestial herb tightened to its limit!

As if at the other end of a distant space-time, an incredibly heavy anchor had been violently yanked.