Ink Jade Divine Bamboo

Zhang Fei brought the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo before She Long and introduced it. "This bamboo is called Ink Jade Divine Bamboo. It is one of the immortal-grade herbs and has extraordinary effects on Soul Masters with tool Martial Souls. Its medicinal power specifically tempers the Martial Soul, enhancing the toughness and sharpness of tool Martial Souls. At the same time, it can greatly increase soul power and cultivation aptitude. Grandpa, your Serpent Spear is a tool Martial Soul, and your path is one of sharpness and fierce power. This Ink Jade Divine Bamboo is exceptionally compatible with you."

He paused, then added, "The method of taking it is simple. Drink the bamboo sap directly, then circulate your meditation technique and refine the entire plant."

"Alright."

She Long accepted the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo and used his soul power to slowly consume the bamboo sap, section by section.

The instant the medicinal power entered his stomach, She Long's brow abruptly furrowed.

He closed his eyes, placed both hands on his knees, and circulated his soul power with all his strength.

Two hours quietly passed amid the sound of steady breathing.

The aura around She Long suddenly surged.

An invisible blast of air exploded from within him. Immediately afterward, all of his aura sharply withdrew, completely absorbed back into his body.

She Long slowly opened his eyes.

He lowered his head to look at his right hand. With a thought, the Serpent Spear materialized in his palm.

The spear, once entirely bluish-purple, had now turned a deep ink-jade color.

Its shaft was a full size thicker than before, and it felt heavier and steadier in his grip.

The spearhead had become even sharper. A thin sheen glimmered along its edge, and with the slightest sway, it sliced through the air before it.

She Long rose to his feet, gripping the Black Jade Serpent Spear.

"Peak Rank 93... I'm only one step away from Rank 94. And this Martial Soul's transformation... it's far greater than I imagined."

She Long's voice trembled. He casually swung the Black Jade Serpent Spear in his hand, carving a fierce arc through the air.

That sharp aura rushed straight at Zhang Fei, making him instinctively draw his neck back.

Zhang Fei looked at the completely renewed Black Jade Serpent Spear and broke into a grin. "See? I told you the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo suited you perfectly. If you fight Dugu Bo again now, you'll probably be able to pin him to the ground and pound him."

"Hahaha!" She Long laughed three times at that, then raised a hand and rubbed Zhang Fei's head. "Not bad, kid. These old bones of mine have benefited thanks to you too."

Zhang Fei chuckled and flattered him. "No, no, it's all thanks to Grandpa's mighty power that we were able to obtain such an opportunity."

"You sure know how to talk, kid. My hard work bringing you all this way wasn't for nothing." She Long was greatly pleased by Zhang Fei's flattery. "Then let's head back."

"Wait a moment, Grandpa." Zhang Fei grabbed She Long again.

"What is it now?"

"After we return, how should we explain this to the Crown Prince?" Zhang Fei put away his playful expression and revealed a troubled look.

She Long replied without thinking, "Just tell her the truth."

Zhang Fei shook his head. "No, we can't reveal everything yet."

"Why not?" She Long looked puzzled.

After carefully considering his words, Zhang Fei said, "If the Pope learns of such a great opportunity, she'll definitely demand that we hand it over. Wouldn't that be a huge loss? Although we have no intention of betraying Spirit Hall, there are too many people and too many eyes within Spirit Hall. We need some trump cards of our own as well."

She Long opened his mouth, but for a moment, he did not know what to say. He looked conflicted. "Uh... this... then what do you think we should do?"

Zhang Fei had long prepared his explanation and answered calmly, "If the Crown Prince asks, we'll say that we accidentally ate two golden fruits in Sunset Forest, and then our Martial Souls evolved. As for the details, we know nothing."

He paused, then added, "Anyway, we won't mention the treasure ground or the immortal herbs at all. We'll act as if they never existed."

Zhang Fei calculated silently. Qian Renxue treated him well enough, but this future Angel God was ultimately lovesick.

Before he confirmed that the object of her lovesickness wasn't him, he still had to keep some trump cards in his own hands.

Who knew when she might do something foolish in the future? Better wait a little longer. The immortal herbs could only be given to his own people.

She Long waved a hand and said impatiently, "Fine, fine. We'll do it your way. Anything else?"

"No, nothing." Zhang Fei quickly shook his head.

She Long said no more. He scooped Zhang Fei up again, and the two flew toward Heaven Dou City.

An hour later, the two returned to the Crown Prince's Residence and headed straight for the study.

Xue Qinghe and Ci Xue were discussing something in the study. When they saw She Long and Zhang Fei return, both their brows twitched slightly without conscious thought.

They could both sense that the two had become considerably stronger than before they left.

The fluctuations of soul power around She Long were far more robust than before his departure, and his entire body emitted a sharp aura.

Zhang Fei's changes were even more obvious. Not only had he grown much taller, but his appearance had also visibly changed.

His eyes shone brightly, his skin was smooth as jade, and his features had become more defined. His baby fat had completely disappeared, and his nose bridge stood straight.

Though he still had the face of a child, he already possessed some of a young man's handsome bearing. It was obvious that he would grow into an exceedingly handsome youth.

Xue Qinghe was filled with doubts, but not the slightest hint of it showed on her face.

She merely set down the document in her hand, a gentle curve appearing at the corners of her lips as she casually asked, "Uncle She, how did the soul hunt go this time?"

She Long clasped his hands in salute, smiling as he replied, "Reporting to Young Master, everything went smoothly. We found an eight-hundred-year Golden-armored Dragon Lizard in Sunset Forest. After Xiao Fei successfully absorbed it, his soul power directly broke through to Rank 12, and he also gained a very good enhancement soul skill."

A trace of approval flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes. "An eight-hundred-year soul ring is quite impressive. Xiao Fei's talent truly has not disappointed me."

"Not only that." Following the explanation he had discussed with Zhang Fei, She Long continued, "We also encountered a small unexpected opportunity in the forest."

Xue Qinghe was slightly taken aback, then revealed an interested expression. "Oh? What opportunity?"

She Long answered without hesitation, "We accidentally ate two unknown golden fruits in Sunset Forest. As a result, both Xiao Fei's and my Martial Souls mutated, and I also broke through my soul power bottleneck."

She Long truly was an old hand. His expression and words were perfectly measured, leaving no trace of a flaw.

Although Xue Qinghe felt somewhat surprised after hearing this, she instinctively sensed that something was amiss.

But she also knew that She Long had followed her for many years and was utterly loyal to Spirit Hall. There was no way he would hide anything from her, nor was there any need for him to do so.

Besides, the world was full of strange and wondrous natural treasures. She could not claim to know them all.

Xue Qinghe nodded. Her gentle gaze fell upon Zhang Fei's face, and with a faint smile on her lips, she asked affectionately, "Xiao Fei, can you release your Martial Soul and let me have a look?"

Naturally, Zhang Fei had no objection. He grinned. "Of course."

He took half a step back, closed his eyes, and willed it into being.

A phantom of a golden giant dragon over thirty meters long suddenly rose behind Zhang Fei.

With two horns, four legs, and five claws, its golden vertical pupils looked down with an ancient pressure that made everyone present unconsciously hold their breath.