The Temptation of Martial Soul Evolution

"Then Mother will give it a try."

Bibi Dong lowered her gaze to the black scroll in her hands. All hesitation vanished from her eyes as she sat down cross-legged in the center of the secret chamber.

She laid the scroll flat across her knees, closed her eyes, and carefully began to mobilize her spiritual power according to the method of the first turn of the Nine-Turn Soul Cleansing Art.

Qian Renyuan did not disturb her. He merely walked over and sat beside her.

As the technique circulated, the power of the Nine-Turn Soul Cleansing Art turned into specks of starlight. Following her will, it sank all the way down to the depths of her soul, first forming an invisible barrier around the origin of her soul before illuminating a patch of deeply hidden dark-purple mist.

It was the Rakshasa Evil Intent that had lurked in the depths of her soul for many years.

Bibi Dong held her breath and focused. Following the technique's instructions, she controlled her spiritual power into threads and slowly approached the dark-purple mist.

The instant the two forces came into contact, the previously quiet dark-purple mist suddenly churned.

"Kill him! Tear him apart! Destroy this technique!"

The shrill voice exploded in Bibi Dong's mind, trying to stir up the resentment that had accumulated in her heart for years.

Pain instantly covered Bibi Dong's exquisite face. Her brows drew together tightly, and her hands resting on her knees clenched.

Yet she did not stop circulating the technique.

The Nine-Turn Soul Cleansing Art firmly protected the origin of her soul, preventing those frenzied whispers from directly controlling her mind as they had before.

Bibi Dong gritted her teeth and endured the tearing pain from deep within her soul. She controlled the threads of spiritual power, wrapping them bit by bit around a wisp of evil intent at the outermost layer of the dark-purple mist.

The struggle had only just begun when a thin sheen of sweat appeared on her smooth forehead. The Rakshasa Evil Intent had been rooted within her for years; even stripping away the outermost wisp proved far more difficult than she had anticipated.

Qian Renyuan, who had been guarding her side, noticed Bibi Dong's hurried breathing. His gaze sharpened as he slowly raised his left hand.

A mass of black light surged from his palm, and the Black Lotus silently emerged.

The Black Lotus hovered quietly before her brow, its petals slightly unfurling like a ferocious beast opening its maw as it waited for its stripped prey.

At last—

"Ugh..." Bibi Dong let out a muffled groan.

A thin wisp of dark-purple aura was drawn from between her brows.

The moment that wisp of evil intent left Bibi Dong's body, it twisted like a living creature, trying to burrow back into her soul.

Buzz!

The Black Lotus gave a faint tremble, and the evil intent was instantly sucked into its core and refined in an instant.

The cold, sinister aura churning through the secret chamber dispersed with it.

Bibi Dong's tense body relaxed, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Her face was still somewhat pale, but her gaze was far clearer than before she began cultivating. "It really works..."

Bibi Dong looked down at the black scroll on her knees, unable to suppress the delight in her voice.

"The first turn has only just begun."

With a turn of his hand, Qian Renyuan put away the Black Lotus. He reminded her gently, "Mother, there is no need to rush. Rome was not built in a day. First use the technique to stabilize the origin of your soul, then slowly strip away the evil intent bit by bit. That will be safest for your soul."

Bibi Dong looked deeply at him, then nodded lightly. She reached out, pulled Qian Renyuan into her arms, and held him tightly.

"Thank you, Yuan'er." She rested her chin on her son's head, her voice soft.

Qian Renyuan quietly leaned against his mother's embrace and replied softly, "I am your son. This is what I should do."

A moment later, Bibi Dong released Qian Renyuan and carefully tucked the Nine-Turn Soul Cleansing Art close against her body.

"Mother will calm herself and cultivate slowly. I will never let that evil intent influence me again." She stroked Qian Renyuan's cheek. "You have endured a tiring journey. Go back to your chambers and rest first. Once Mother has fully mastered the first turn, I will show you."

Qian Renyuan nodded, rose to take his leave, and left the secret chamber to Bibi Dong.

The next morning.

At the highest point of Spirit City, the Worship Hall bathed in the morning light.

Qian Renyuan climbed the long flight of steps into the great hall. The soul masters stationed along the way all bowed in salute.

At the end of the hall, a massive statue of the Six-Winged Angel stood silently.

Qian Daoliu stood beneath the statue in golden robes, his hands clasped behind his back. Hearing footsteps behind him, he did not turn around and merely said calmly, "You're here."

"Grandfather." Qian Renyuan stepped forward.

Qian Daoliu turned around, his gaze lingering on Qian Renyuan for a moment. He beckoned. "Stand before the Angel statue. Let this old man see whether your heart has gone wild after leaving, and whether you have neglected your cultivation."

Qian Renyuan did as instructed and walked before the Angel statue.

Qian Daoliu raised his hand, and a strand of gentle golden Soul Power landed on Qian Renyuan's shoulder before slowly traveling through his body.

This power merely inspected his bones, physique, and Soul Power foundation. It did not forcibly probe his Martial Soul or soul.

Qian Renyuan did not resist either, allowing the golden Soul Power to make a full circuit through his body.

A moment later, the satisfaction in Qian Daoliu's eyes grew stronger and stronger.

"Not bad, very good! Your Soul Power is much more solid than when you left Spirit City, without the slightest trace of instability. Your body is also far tougher than those of your peers. It seems that your trip to Notting City did not blind you with the dazzling world outside."

He had originally worried that no matter how gifted his grandson was, he was only six years old. Once free from supervision, he would inevitably become playful and slack off. Now, it seemed his worries had been entirely unnecessary. This boy's self-discipline was simply frightening.

"How did Jiangmo perform while accompanying you on this trip?" Qian Daoliu asked casually.

"He fulfilled his duties. He was fairly competent." Qian Renyuan gave an impartial assessment.

Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and laughed heartily. For Jiangmo Douluo to receive the word "competent" from this grandson of his, whose standards were sky-high, was enough to show that Jiangmo Douluo had handled matters diligently and had not failed his trust.

"Since you have returned, stay in the Worship Hall for a while."

"This old man will personally teach you how to use the Angel Martial Soul, then select several combat techniques suitable for you from the Worship Hall's secret collection."

But Qian Renyuan shook his head. "Yuan'er appreciates Grandfather's kindness, but I do not intend to remain in Spirit City for the time being."

The smile on Qian Daoliu's face paused slightly, and his brows furrowed. "You have only been back for one day. Where are you planning to run off to now?"

"Sunset Forest."

Upon hearing those words, a piece of intelligence immediately flashed through Qian Daoliu's mind. His eyes flickered slightly. "Poison Douluo Dugu Bo's territory?"

"Correct." Qian Renyuan turned around, his gaze passing through the great hall toward the distant horizon, filled with the confidence of someone in control of everything.

"Dugu Bo guards an Herb Garden deep within Sunset Forest. Many top-grade herbs that have long gone extinct elsewhere grow there. Some of them can even improve a soul master's foundation and cause their Martial Soul to evolve."

At the words Martial Soul Evolution, Qian Daoliu's pupils abruptly contracted.

At his level, he understood only too clearly the weight those words carried. Herbs capable of improving one's foundation were already priceless treasures. If they could truly make a Martial Soul evolve, their value would be enough to drive the Upper Three Sects completely mad.

But Qian Daoliu had lived for more than a hundred years and seen every kind of storm. At a glance, he saw through the ambition behind Qian Renyuan's words.

"Little fellow, what you have your eye on is probably more than just that Herb Garden, isn't it?"