Seeing Off Huo Wu and the Others

"Not bad, kid. You really managed to make it."

Huo Yan looked Lu Cheng up and down, then changed the subject.

"With that many medicinal herbs and Gold Soul Coins, you only refined a single pill?"

Jiede glanced at him. "The one Huo Wu took is a Greater Origin-Nourishing Pill. It requires a great deal of medicinal herbs, and a person can only take one in their lifetime.

"I'll refine another batch of Lesser Origin-Nourishing Pills later. They'll be enough for her to take for a while."

Huo Yan nodded and said nothing more.

Huo Wu tugged at Jiede's sleeve, unable to hide the eagerness in her eyes. "Can I absorb a Millennium Soul Ring now?"

Seeing Huo Wu's behavior, Feng Xiaotian scratched at his ears and cheeks, wanting to speak but hesitating.

"You can. Just choose a Soul Ring that's around 1,100 years old. Remember, absolutely do not exceed 1,200 years."

Jiede quietly pulled his hand free from Huo Wu's grasp, afraid she might suddenly plant a passionate kiss on him or something.

Huo Wu did not notice this. After thinking for a moment, she asked again:

"If I keep taking those Lesser Origin-Nourishing Pills you mentioned, can my third Soul Ring be a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"

The moment she said that, everyone's gaze immediately focused on her, especially Huo Wushuang and Feng Xiaotian.

One was level 26, while the other was level 29.

If their third rings were Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings...

Their breathing quickened involuntarily.

"You can think about it, but it's almost impossible to achieve." Jiede shook his head.

"Almost impossible doesn't mean impossible, right?" Huo Wu pressed.

This little girl always knew how to seize the key point.

Jiede thought for a moment and organized his words.

After all, he was not some unscrupulous doctor. He had to maintain professional ethics and provide after-sales service.

"The difference between a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and a Thousand-Year Soul Beast lies in the fact that the former has greater intelligence and powerful spiritual strength.

"If a Soul Master's spiritual strength is insufficient when absorbing a Soul Ring, they may suffer a spiritual assault from the Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. The consequences would be unimaginable, possibly even death.

"Even if your physical condition meets the standard, it still won't work if your spiritual strength is insufficient."

"A spiritual assault? What does that mean?" Huo Wu asked in confusion.

Huo Yan and Feng Wuhen exchanged a glance, and the latter explained:

"Under normal circumstances, Soul Masters only absorb Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings as their fifth rings.

"When a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast dies, it leaves behind a lingering spiritual remnant. As long as a Soul Master releases their spiritual strength to intimidate it, they can easily dispel the remnant's attack.

"But the spiritual strength of a three-ring Soul Elder is still far from sufficient.

"This is something that happens naturally with time. Ordinary academies generally do not teach it; only people like us, who have been through it, know about it.

"After all, no one ever considered absorbing a Soul Ring beyond their limit."

"If the third ring won't work, what about the fourth? There should be a chance then, right?"

Huo Wu refused to give up.

"If you have medicinal herbs that can strengthen spiritual power, then that would be another matter."

Jiede said, "If you come across such herbs in the future, remember to let me know. I can refine them into pills for you."

Medicinal herbs capable of strengthening spiritual power were extremely rare, arguably no less valuable than a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Bone.

Everyone fell silent for a while.

A moment later, Huo Yan broke the silence.

"A fourth Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring may be possible, but it would still be pointless without sufficient spiritual strength.

"Huo Wu, come with me and hunt your second Soul Ring first. We can discuss the medicinal herbs later."

"Alright."

Huo Wu had no choice but to let it go.

Huo Yan left with Huo Wu, while Jiede returned inside to continue refining pills.

Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and Feng Wuhen remained behind to wait.

Five days later, Huo Wu returned, having successfully obtained a 1,190-year Soul Ring.

Jiede placed the refined pills into porcelain bottles of different colors and handed them separately to Huo Wu and the other two, reminding them:

"Remember, take one pill each month according to the order of the bottle colors: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

"The three of you must not mix them up, and you absolutely must not give them to anyone else."

"Huh?"

Feng Xiaotian opened his mouth. The Feng Clan and the Huo Clan had contributed roughly the same amount of funds.

Yet the number of pills in Feng Xiaotian's hands was twice that of the Huo Clan's.

He had originally intended to give Huo Wu two bottles as a favor.

Jiede continued explaining.

"The pills I refined have different attributes. For example, Brother Feng's pills contain some wind-attributed medicinal herbs.

"Huo Wu's and Huo Wushuang's pills contain fire-attributed medicinal herbs.

"Also, Brother Huo's pills and Sister Huo Wu's pills must not be mixed either."

Huo Wu froze. "Mine and my brother's can't be mixed either?"

"Huo Wu's pills contain medicinal herbs beneficial to women, while Brother Huo's contain medicinal herbs beneficial to men.

"They're all relatively mild and healthy herbs, with no real side effects.

"So, you understand..."

Jiede's string of fancy maneuvers left Huo Yan utterly dumbfounded.

"Rest assured, all my pills are one-on-one custom-made products. They're absolutely professional and safe."

Jiede patted his chest in assurance.

"Good kid, you were guarding against us, weren't you?"

Feng Wuhen saw through Jiede's intentions. He did not want them giving the pills to others and exposing the secret.

Jiede smiled brightly, looking every bit like an obedient child.

Huo Yan glared at Jiede. "Don't worry. Those three don't even have enough for themselves. How could they possibly have extras to give away?"

"Jiede, are you really not considering transferring to another Soul Master academy? The junior academy you attend is too small and lacks resources..."

"No. I still have some personal matters to handle here. I'll consider it again after graduating in a few years."

Jiede cupped his hands. "Everyone, the mountains are high and the roads are long. Take care."

"Farewell!"

"Remember to keep in touch. And make sure to keep this secret..."

"Sigh..."

Jiede let out a sigh.

Over the past few days, they had gotten along well, adding quite a bit of joy to his life of arduous cultivation.

Tears glimmered in Jiede's eyes. He truly felt somewhat reluctant to part with them.

Lu Cheng sat in a nearby chair and teased, "I think what you can't bear to part with is the Gold Soul Coins in their pockets."

Jiede grinned and walked over to Lu Cheng, placing a handful of pills on the table.

"Senior Brother, keep these pills safe. Take one every day."

"You actually hid away some Origin-Nourishing Pills?"

"What are you talking about? Am I that kind of person? These are my first soul skill, Foundation-Building Pills."

"That's not right. Aren't your Foundation-Building Pills only meant to be taken by the Soul Master themself..."

Lu Cheng suddenly understood.

"Damn it, you brat. You hid it so well—you even fooled me."

"Senior Brother, every so often in the future, I'll give you some Foundation-Building Pills. We'll strive to make it possible for your fourth soul skill to absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring," Jiede said.

Lu Cheng was silent for a long time.

He knew very well that once he accepted Jiede's Foundation-Building Pills, it meant he would have to accompany him to the Soul Master Tournament in the future.

And he would have to put aside the affairs of the clinic for a while...

"Heh..."

Lu Cheng suddenly chuckled and shook his head. He was actually still agonizing over this issue.

Not only had Jiede perfectly inherited his father's medical skills, but he had also developed such heaven-defying pills.

Putting aside the clinic's affairs, no matter what, he had to lend him a hand.

"Alright, I can accompany you to the Soul Master Tournament."

Lu Cheng nodded in agreement, then asked:

"However, the path taken by your Mystic Core Martial Soul is different from that of ordinary people. You won't be able to compete in the arena then.

"What do you plan to do?

"Act as a behind-the-scenes advisor?"

Jiede smiled calmly. "Who said... I only have one Martial Soul?"

"What do you mean?"

Lu Cheng failed to react at first. He rubbed his chin and fell into thought.

A moment later, he abruptly stood up.

"What did you say?"