Hidden Edge, Consuming the Mystic Water Pill

The joy on Yi Hongchen's face gradually gave way to deep contemplation.

Outstanding talent was certainly a tremendous blessing, but if the Body Sect caught wind of it and came calling, the Hongchen family might not fear them, yet being forced to respond in haste would inevitably put them at a disadvantage.

Liu Yueming saw through Yi Hongchen's thoughts and offered her own opinion. "Your father is right. Once one martial soul has been cultivated to a certain level, it can in turn support the cultivation of the other. That is the advantage of twin martial souls."

Her gaze upon Yan Hongchen was gentle yet solemn. "As for what we announce to the outside world, we will say that you have only one martial soul. Keep your innate soul power at Rank Nine. Learn to hide your edge—this is a lesson Mother must teach you. Little Yan, do you understand the deeper meaning?"

Yi Hongchen found this deeply agreeable. Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's talents had already been praised to the skies, especially Xiao Hongchen, who was arrogant through and through. Even as his father, Yi Hongchen had to temper the boy's temperament from time to time.

As for Meng Hongchen, his daughter cared far too much about looks and liked handsome, attractive men with distinctive qualities. He needed to keep an eye on her too, lest some men who were golden on the outside and rotten within tried to sweet-talk his daughter.

Yan Hongchen had always been the least troublesome child, but the necessary preparations still had to be made, and the things that needed to be said still had to be said. Otherwise, it would be too late for regrets.

At that thought, Yi Hongchen's shoulders seemed to grow heavier. As a father, if his own strength was not enough to hold up the sky, how could he protect his young eagles and let them soar safely?

But pressure brought motivation. He and Liu Yueming had not yet reached the pinnacle. The two of them could continue cultivating, becoming Soul Douluo, Titled Douluo, Super Douluo...

Liu Yueming caught sight of Yi Hongchen's tightly furrowed brow, then watched it relax again. She understood at once. How could she not understand that pressure?

Strength was the hardest truth in the world of soul masters.

Although giving birth to three children had delayed her cultivation, she had never abandoned her training as a soul master. Only by continuing upward could she fight side by side with her husband and children.

Yan Hongchen raised his eyes to Yi Hongchen and Liu Yueming. Seeing the mingled worry and joy between their brows, as well as the deep love and faint concern in their expressions—almost entirely undisguised—he felt deeply moved.

Not wanting to add to their worries, he steered the conversation toward something more practical and said lightly, "Mm, I'll remember it all."

Then he changed the subject. "But... with the fluctuations of my soul power as they are now, I'm afraid they can't be hidden from anyone who deliberately investigates, can they?"

At his words, a gentle smile spread across Liu Yueming's lips, as though a spring breeze had swept away some of her concern. "You needn't worry about that. Mother has already prepared for it."

As she spoke, she took a jade bottle from her robes. Its surface was warm and lustrous, with faint flowing light flickering beneath it. "This is a Mystic Water Pill. It is especially suited for water-attributed soul masters, strengthening one's foundation, replenishing vitality, and refining soul power."

"Little Yan's first martial soul is also connected to the water attribute, so this pill should have an excellent effect on you."

"Originally, I was worried that your innate soul power would be low, and that taking this might help somewhat. But now, it seems there will be no need to pay attention to any special circumstances once we go out later."

A crisp, cool aura, like melting snow from a mountain peak, spread through the air, mixed with the vibrant life force of vegetation. A cherry-sized pill rolled from the mouth of the bottle into Liu Yueming's palm.

It was a clear, deep blue throughout, with a faint layer of milky-white vapor curling around its surface in slow motion.

"Refining a Mystic Water Pill is extremely difficult," Liu Yueming explained softly, a trace of cherishing in her eyes.

"It requires the essence blood of more than ten kinds of water-attributed soul beasts as a catalyst, supplemented by dozens of water-attributed plants, before it can be harmonized and refined into a pill."

"It is mild in nature, and the effect is best when taken before Rank Twenty. After that, its benefits become ordinary. Its main function is to cleanse impurities from the meridians, with the miraculous effect of washing the tendons and cleansing the marrow."

"For those blessed with exceptional talent, it is even more of a boon, strengthening their foundation. The Sun Moon Empire excels at alchemy, and after improvements, its effects are somewhat better than those of the original three countries."

Hearing this, Yan Hongchen grew curious. He took the jade bottle from Liu Yueming, poured out the pill, and swallowed it in one smooth motion.

The pill dissolved the instant it entered his stomach. A warm, cool current slowly spread out, like an early spring stream flowing through his meridians and silently cleansing every part of his body.

His Phantom Water Spirit Toad martial soul trembled slightly, giving a joyful resonance. Yan Hongchen guided the water-attributed medicinal power through a full circulation. His meridians were nourished, while impurities within them were washed away and dispersed, seeping out through the surface of his skin.

Meanwhile, the surging essence of life dissolved into his blood along with the medicinal power. As it coursed through him, it strangely seemed to resonate with the steady beating heart in his chest.

Every heartbeat grew stronger, pumping the pill's effects into the most minute corners of his body. Gradually, gentle fluctuations of soul power began to radiate from Yan Hongchen.

A faint blue radiance spread outward. A thin mist seemed to drift over the surface of his body, carrying a subtle, elegant fragrance.

Beneath his skin, there were faint ripples like tiny streams. With each breath, wisps of air escaped from his pores, while the pale blue mist continuously seeped in through them, then surged back out again in an endless cycle.

As time passed, the water mist gradually faded in color, and its fragrance slowly dissipated. Yan Hongchen closed his eyes and focused, feeling as though he were immersed in a warm spring.

Yi Hongchen watched Yan Hongchen's changes without blinking, satisfaction appearing in his eyes. "He absorbed the medicinal power perfectly. This Mystic Water Pill was used at exactly the right time."

Liu Yueming nodded with a smile, her gaze soft. "I have already had hot bathwater and clean clothes prepared. Later, take Little Yan to wash himself thoroughly."

Hearing this, Yi Hongchen naturally took Liu Yueming's hand and said in a low voice, "Yueming, you always arrange everything so thoughtfully. But... your own health matters even more."

Liu Yueming clasped Yi Hongchen's hand in return, her palm warm, her tone firm yet gentle. "Yi, I understand how you feel. But I know the condition of my own body."

"Now that every one of our children is showing such promise, I must also have enough strength to remain at their side with you."

At this moment, the dark blue mist surrounding Yan Hongchen finally began to dissipate slowly. He let out a long breath of turbid air, which actually carried a trace of grayish-black, before opening his eyes.

The moment he looked down, Yan Hongchen froze. His exposed skin was covered in a greasy layer of black filth, giving off an indescribably foul, murky stench.

He could even feel that the same was true beneath his clothes. The smell rushed into his nostrils, making his stomach churn.

"Dad, Mom, what is this on me...?"

Liu Yueming and Yi Hongchen had long since circulated their soul power, setting up an invisible barrier around themselves to block out the odor.

Liu Yueming said warmly, "Don't panic. This is the tendon-washing and marrow-cleansing effect of the Mystic Water Pill. It has cleansed the impurities and turbid energy accumulated in your body over the years."

"From now on, your soul power will circulate faster, and your cultivation will yield twice the results for half the effort."

She turned to Yi Hongchen. "Quickly take Little Yan to bathe. He can hardly stand this smell himself."

Then she smiled at Yan Hongchen. "Once you are washed clean, you will be completely renewed. I'll go see where your grandfather and the others have gotten to."

Yi Hongchen nodded. He gently wrapped Yan Hongchen in soul power to isolate the filth, then hurried with him toward the bathroom where hot water had already been prepared.