Could Your Ancient Tree of Life Resolve the Nine Heart Begonia's Flaw?

At dusk, the lingering glow of the setting sun spilled across the tree-lined paths of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, stretching the pair's shadows long.

Li Changqing and Na'er walked side by side on their way back to the dormitories.

Students passed by all around them. Some discussed the day's lessons, while others arranged to eat at the cafeteria together. The air was full of youthful energy.

Na'er walked beside him, her silver hair shimmering faintly beneath the sunset. A trace of curiosity lingered in her amethyst-like eyes.

She turned to the boy beside her and asked timidly, "Brother Qing, why did Sister Lingling ask to see you?"

With his hands in his pockets, Li Changqing answered casually, "It was nothing much. She just asked me to visit her home."

Na'er blinked in confusion when she heard that. "Visit her home? What for?"

Li Changqing shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned. "No idea. She didn't say anything specific. But judging by how she acted, it probably isn't that simple."

Na'er asked again, "Then did you agree? And when are you going?"

Li Changqing nodded. "I agreed. Tomorrow, I'll take Sister Xixi and storm their doorstep."

The words "storm their doorstep" sounded as casual coming from him as children playing house.

Yet Na'er's eyes immediately lit up.

Curious and expectant, she asked, "Can you take me too? I want to go as well."

Li Changqing smiled at her, then reached out and ruffled her hair. "Of course. It's not like it's a big deal."

As they spoke, the two arrived before the dormitory courtyard gate. Li Changqing pushed it open and walked inside.

The moment he entered, he saw Bo Saixi seated on a stone bench in the courtyard, one leg crossed over the other. She held a cup of clear tea in her hand and drank leisurely.

The sunset's lingering rays fell over her, draping her in a golden glow and making her appear elegant and composed.

Li Changqing walked over, sat across from her, and asked, "Sister Xixi, why did Qian Daoliu come looking for you? Was it really just to catch up?"

Bo Saixi glanced at him and asked in return, "What else would it be? Besides, I had nothing much to say to him. I came back not long after."

Li Changqing did not quite know how to respond.

He could tell that Bo Saixi did not seem eager to discuss Qian Daoliu, so he changed the subject and told her about Ye Lingling asking him to visit her home.

After hearing him out, Bo Saixi furrowed her delicate brows. "What matter could the Ye Clan possibly have that requires you to solve it?"

Li Changqing shook his head. "How would I know? I don't think she knows either, so I'll have to ask her mother."

Bo Saixi fell silent for a moment, her fingers lightly tapping the tabletop as though she were considering something.

Then she raised her head and asked, "Does the Ye Clan have some sort of legend? Or perhaps rumors about some problem?"

Li Changqing thought for a moment before asking, "Does the flaw of the Nine Heart Begonia martial soul count?"

Bo Saixi became interested. She set down her teacup and asked, "What flaw?"

Li Changqing organized his thoughts and explained slowly, "The Nine Heart Begonia is the Ye Clan's inherited martial soul, and it is also an extremely powerful support-type martial soul. However, it has one fatal flaw: it possesses only one ability—group healing. Although its healing is incredibly powerful, even arguably the strongest healing-type martial soul on the entire continent, it cannot provide any other form of support, such as speed enhancement, strength enhancement, Soul Power enhancement, and so on. By comparison, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda can not only heal, but also provide all-around enhancements. That is why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda has always held a firm edge over the Nine Heart Begonia, securely occupying the throne of the continent's strongest support-type martial soul."

"Beyond that, the Nine Heart Begonia has an even deadlier flaw. Its inheritance is extremely difficult. Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters are incredibly rare—at most, only two can exist on the entire continent at the same time. Only after an existing Nine Heart Begonia Soul Master dies can a new one be born. This scarce method of inheritance has kept the Ye Clan from ever growing strong enough to contend with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

After hearing this, Bo Saixi nodded thoughtfully.

She considered it, then asked, "Could your Ancient Tree of Life solve this problem?"

Li Changqing shook his head. "I don't know. I've never tried it, so how would I know whether it can?"

The corners of Bo Saixi's lips curved upward into a meaningful smile. "If that is truly the case, then Heaven Dou City will become rather interesting in the future."

Li Changqing naturally understood what Bo Saixi meant.

It was nothing more than a struggle for status between the Nine Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

The greatest reason the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had been able to firmly maintain its position as the number one support-type martial soul under heaven was that there were simply too few Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters—at most two could exist at once.

On top of that, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had the backing of two super Douluo and the Heaven Dou royal family. Even if the Ye Clan truly harbored such ambitions, they could never compete.

But if Li Changqing's Ancient Tree of Life could resolve the Nine Heart Begonia's flaws—

For example, by increasing the number of Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters, or by allowing the Nine Heart Begonia to gain more support abilities, then the Ye Clan would have the means to challenge the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

At that time, the power structure of Heaven Dou City would inevitably undergo enormous changes.

And perhaps that was why Ye Wanqing had insisted that Ye Lingling invite Li Changqing to her home.

Seeing Bo Saixi's eager-for-a-show expression, Li Changqing could not help rolling his eyes. "Sister Xixi, don't just sit there enjoying the show. When we go to the Ye Clan tomorrow, you have to come with me."

Bo Saixi lifted her teacup and took an unhurried sip before saying, "Don't worry, I'll definitely go. I also want to see what the Ye Clan's head actually wants, and what exactly happened to their ancestors. Why would an ordinary mortal martial soul have such an outrageous restriction?"

As the Sea God's representative in the mortal world, she had seen many martial souls, including ones that were rare in number.

But a case like the Nine Heart Begonia, one innately limited to only two wielders, was something she had never seen before—indeed, something she had never even heard of.

By the time Ye Lingling returned to Ye Mansion, the sky had completely darkened.

The estate was brightly lit, while maids and servants hurried back and forth preparing dinner.

She passed through the corridor and went straight to her mother's study.

Ye Wanqing sat behind her desk with a book in her hands.

Yet her gaze was unfocused, making it clear that her thoughts were not on the book.

Hearing footsteps, she raised her head and saw her daughter enter. She quickly put down the book and asked, "Lingling, how did it go? Did he agree?"

Ye Lingling nodded. "Yes, he agreed. He said he'll come tomorrow."

For a moment, Ye Wanqing froze. Then an uncontrollable look of excitement appeared on her face.

She abruptly rose to her feet and said "Good" several times in a row. Her voice trembled with excitement and joy, as though a massive stone that had weighed upon her heart for years had finally shifted.

Ye Wanqing spoke repeatedly, her eyes shining. "Wonderful! Lingling, you did very well!"

Although Ye Lingling still had some doubts as she watched her mother's excited reaction—

Seeing her mother so happy, she could not help letting out a sigh of relief.

She was about to ask something when Ye Wanqing suddenly turned around and hurried toward the inner courtyard, her steps rushed as she went off to do something unknown.

Ye Lingling stood where she was, watching her mother's retreating figure vanish into the inner courtyard. A thoughtful look flashed through her eyes.

Meanwhile, at the East Palace.

It was late at night, yet the East Palace remained brightly lit.

The guards outside stood ramrod straight, vigilantly watching the surrounding activity.

Just then, a figure silently appeared...