Nine-Hearted Begonia

The shadow removed his hood, revealing an anxious face. It was Zhang Fei's grandfather, She Long.

The weight hanging over Zhang Fei's heart finally lifted. As his taut nerves relaxed, intense pain swept through his body like a tidal wave.

He opened his mouth, but darkness flooded his vision, and he passed out completely.

He did not know how much time had passed.

Within his hazy consciousness, he vaguely heard someone calling his name.

The voice trembled noticeably, calling again and again.

"Xiaofei! Wake up! Xiaofei!"

Zhang Fei struggled to open his eyes.

The first thing he saw was Xue Qinghe's face, close at hand.

"Your Highness..." Zhang Fei moved his lips. "...I'm fine..."

Seeing that he had awakened, some of the worry in Xue Qinghe's eyes finally faded, and the weight in her heart eased slightly.

She Long, standing nearby, said, "Young Master, Xiaofei's constitution is highly unusual. Those toxins have no effect on him. I've already stabilized his internal injuries. Only his external wounds remain, and we'll need to summon a healing Soul Master."

"Alright." Xue Qinghe took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the surging killing intent within her. When she turned back to Zhang Fei, her gaze softened. "Xiaofei, get some rest. I'll be back soon."

As she lowered her eyes to look at the wounds covering Zhang Fei's body, the fury in her eyes seemed ready to burn everything to ashes.

It was killing intent in its purest form.

"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan..."

"I swear that I will make your entire clan vanish from this continent."

Zhang Fei nodded weakly. As he watched her departing figure, an inexplicable warmth rose in his heart.

He closed his eyes again.

As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Zhang Fei naturally knew how that clan would end.

In the original story, Spirit Hall launched the Soul Hunting Operation, annihilating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Thousands of people, from top to bottom, were drowned in blood overnight. Not even chickens or dogs were spared.

Even their clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen, died miserably beneath the combined assault of several Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall, leaving not even bones behind.

Now that he was experiencing it firsthand and thinking it over carefully, Zhang Fei felt they had it coming.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was the classic case of having none of the Clear Sky Sect's strength while suffering from all of its arrogance.

The Clear Sky Sect had been arrogant back then too, and Tang Hao had even smashed Spirit Hall's Pope to death with his hammer.

But the Clear Sky Sect actually had the strength to back it up!

Within their sect was Tang Chen, an Ultimate Douluo whose death or survival remained unknown, keeping Spirit Hall's Grand Worshipper Qian Daoliu from acting rashly.

Outside, there was Tang Hao, the "egg-smashing brat," who could crush a Titled Douluo with every swing of his hammer.

And hidden within their sect were six or seven elders at the Titled Douluo level, their foundations unfathomably deep.

After charging in recklessly, they patted their asses and retreated into the mountains, sealing off the sect and living in seclusion. It might have been underhanded, but Spirit Hall truly could do nothing to them but glare helplessly.

But what did the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have?

Nothing.

Their clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen, was level ninety-five. It looked impressive, but among Titled Douluo, he was merely average.

Other than him, there were only a handful of experts in the sect worth mentioning. In terms of foundations, they could not compare to the Clear Sky Sect; in terms of wealth, they could not compare to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; and in terms of brains... they were left eight streets behind.

Yet these people were still arrogant beyond measure.

They had nothing, but damn, they were arrogant! Never mind what they were arrogant about—they were arrogant!

If I don't wipe you out, then who should I wipe out? It was only a matter of time.

Zhang Fei sneered inwardly, only to tug at his wounds and grimace in pain.

Half an hour later, an old man and a young girl arrived at the Crown Prince's Residence.

The old man appeared to be around sixty. His face was refined and gaunt, and his plain white robe was spotless. His entire person radiated a gentle, tranquil aura. He was Ye Renxin, the head of the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan.

Behind him stood a girl of around twelve. She had a slender figure and wore a light purple dress. A thin white veil covered her face, revealing only a pair of autumn-water eyes that were cool and distant.

She was Ye Lingling, the owner of the Nine-Hearted Begonia martial soul. She possessed level-seven Innate Soul Power and was now a level-twenty-three Soul Grandmaster.

"Clan Leader Ye, thank you for your trouble." Xue Qinghe spoke respectfully.

Ye Renxin smiled gently. "Your Highness is too polite. The Ye Family has enjoyed the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's protection for many years. It is merely my duty. How could it be worth mentioning?"

Then he turned to his granddaughter and said softly, "Lingling, greet His Highness."

Ye Lingling gave a slight bow, her voice cool and pleasant. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Xue Qinghe nodded without exchanging further pleasantries and turned sideways to lead the way. "Please, follow me."

Xue Qinghe brought them to Zhang Fei's room. She Long and Ci Xue had already withdrawn.

Hearing the commotion, Zhang Fei opened his eyes as well.

Xue Qinghe looked at Ye Renxin. "Clan Leader Ye, I'm counting on you."

Ye Renxin nodded and slowly walked to the bedside, sweeping his gaze over Zhang Fei's wounds.

Then he stepped back half a pace as seven Soul Rings slowly rose beneath his feet.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.

A seven-ringed Soul Sage!

He raised both hands, palms facing each other. A mass of pink light condensed and bloomed between them. The glow grew increasingly brilliant until it finally transformed into a crystal-clear begonia flower.

Its nine petals layered over one another, each one translucent like jade. It radiated a gentle pink halo and carried an indescribable vitality that made the air throughout the room feel fresh.

It was the Nine-Hearted Begonia. Every one of the Nine-Hearted Begonia's Soul Skills was for healing; the higher the Soul Ring's age, the stronger its healing effects.

Ye Renxin's black fifth Soul Ring lit up.

The Nine-Hearted Begonia suddenly expanded. Countless petals drifted from its pistil and fluttered down over Zhang Fei's body.

The instant the petals touched his skin, they transformed into streams of warm light and seeped into his wounds.

Zhang Fei felt as though a warm current had enveloped his entire body. It was like soaking in a hot spring at the perfect temperature, every pore cheering with delight.

The wounds across his body began healing at a visible rate.

In less than a moment, the cuts left by the poisoned blades had already scabbed over and fallen away, revealing tender new skin beneath. Not a single scar remained.

Even the meridians injured by a Soul Emperor's palm strike rapidly recovered under the nourishment of that immense life force, and his Soul Power flowed freely once more.

Zhang Fei could not help drawing in a sharp breath. "This... this is incredible!"

He rolled his shoulder. The tearing pain had vanished completely, as though his severe injuries from earlier had been nothing but an illusion.

The Nine-Hearted Begonia truly deserves its reputation as the world's number-one healing martial soul, Zhang Fei praised inwardly.

If he could have a healing Soul Master like this at his side in the future, would he not be able to charge at the front without any reservations?

Thinking of this, Zhang Fei could not help looking toward Ye Lingling, his gaze somewhat fervent.

Ye Lingling sensed Zhang Fei's stare. Then she saw his handsome face and his bare upper body, exposed during treatment, the lean lines of his muscles radiating a powerful masculine charm.

Her cheeks beneath the veil warmed slightly. A trace of panic flashed through those cool eyes, and she quickly lowered her gaze.

Xue Qinghe had been quite happy to see Zhang Fei fully recovered, as though a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.

But then she saw this brat staring endlessly at Ye Lingling, his eyes practically shining.

An inexplicable flame shot up from the depths of her heart.