Immortal Herbs for Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu

"In the original story, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower gave thirty-first-level Ma Hongjun a five-level increase in Soul Power. Father is already level eighty-one now. I wonder how much of an increase it will bring him?"

Huo Lei put away the Wishful Treasure Pouch, then sat cross-legged beside his father and began meditating.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the glass window into the room, illuminating the faces of Huo Lei and his father, Huo Feng.

Huo Lei sat quietly on the sofa, watching his father cultivate without blinking.

Huo Feng was still seated cross-legged on the floor, though his hands were now empty. His eyes slowly opened, a sharp glint flashing through his fiery red pupils as a joyful smile spread across his face.

"Dad! How do you feel?"

Huo Lei hurriedly rose and went over to ask his father.

"After one night, I finally finished refining the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. My body feels incredibly refreshed, and my Soul Power has risen by one level, reaching level eighty-two."

Huo Feng stood up, stretched lazily, and moved his body, producing a series of crisp cracking sounds.

"The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower actually raised Father from level eighty-one by a full level. That's terrifying. As expected of an immortal-grade herb. Then why did Ma Hongjun only gain five levels after refining it when he was in his thirties? Was the quality of Ma Hongjun's Martial Soul too poor? Or did he have too much evil fire? Everyone is different. Maybe compatibility varies from person to person!"

The doubt in Huo Lei's heart flashed by in an instant. He then smiled and flattered him, "Congratulations, Father. I believe you will surely become a Titled Douluo before long."

"Becoming a Titled Douluo is not so easy. But with the Soul Bone Senior Jin Shan gave me and the herb you gave me, my confidence has greatly increased."

Huo Feng happily patted Huo Lei on the shoulder, his eyes filled with relief and pride.

"Xiao Lei, do you have any more herbs like this? If you have any extra, give some to your brother and sister."

Huo Feng looked at Huo Lei tentatively.

"Dad, this is a precious herb. I only obtained one of this kind. But don't worry, I prepared other herbs for Brother and Sister. They'll each get one."

As soon as Huo Lei finished speaking, Huo Feng instantly became consumed with self-reproach. He said guiltily, "Why didn't you say so sooner? There was only one of something so precious—you should have used it yourself. You have Twin Martial Souls. You're the future hope of Blazing Fire Academy."

"Dad, you don't need to blame yourself. The quality of my Flame Martial Soul is already quite good, so whether it improves or not won't make much difference. Besides, the Flame Martial Soul is meant to be cultivated as my secondary Martial Soul. In the future, I'll definitely focus on the Lightning Martial Soul."

Huo Lei explained and comforted him.

Just as I expected. Good thing I didn't say it was an immortal-grade herb from the start. Otherwise, Father definitely would have asked all sorts of questions and might even have refused to refine it.

Huo Lei secretly rejoiced.

"Dad, go take care of the academy's affairs! Come to my room after dark. I'll call Brother and Sister over then so they can absorb their herbs together, and you can stand guard for us."

Huo Lei smiled brightly as he instructed his father.

"Alright! No problem."

Huo Feng smiled kindly, nodded, and turned to leave.

"I wonder whether Teacher has returned yet. I should go check his room first. If he's back, I'll give him an immortal herb and ask about Dugu Bo while I'm at it."

After thinking for a moment, Huo Lei turned and left the room.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Teacher, are you back?"

"Teacher~"

Huo Lei stood outside Jin Shan's door and called softly.

There was no response from inside.

"Looks like Teacher hasn't returned yet. Forget it, I'll go find Lin Yin and get some breakfast. I can also tell Brother and Sister about tonight."

Huo Lei muttered to himself before turning away.

Night fell like water.

At this moment, all of Huo Lei's family had gathered in his room.

"Xiao Lei, why did you call us here tonight? We asked you during the day, but you wouldn't tell us."

Curiosity and faint resentment showed on Huo Wu's pretty face.

"Sister Huo Wu, Brother Wushuang, I found some herbs while training with Teacher Jin Shan. They can help with cultivation, so I specifically called you here to give each of you one. Our father refined one last night, and his strength has already reached level eighty-two."

Huo Lei looked smugly at his father on the sofa.

Huo Feng caught Huo Lei's look and understood. "Xiao Lei is right! Those herbs are indeed very helpful. Even though I'm already a Soul Douluo, I benefited greatly from one. I'm sure you'll gain even more after refining and absorbing them."

Huo Lei's mysterious words during the day, coupled with Huo Feng's assistance, left the already curious siblings Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu itching with anticipation.

"Oh, then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and take them out!"

Huo Wu stamped her feet impatiently and even looked ready to reach out and grab Huo Lei.

"I'm taking them out! I'm taking them out! Sister Huo Wu, don't hit me! I'm ticklish."

Seeing Huo Wu's outstretched hands reminded Huo Lei of how this older sister often tickled him when they were children. His instinctive reaction was to immediately beg for mercy.

Huo Lei hurriedly took out the Wishful Treasure Pouch and retrieved a crystalline white herb. It looked as immaculate as a white lotus root, untouched by dust. He handed it to Huo Wu and smiled. "This flower is called Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. It nourishes the tendons and strengthens the bones, opening the flow through the seven channels and eight meridians. It suits you better, Sister. When taking it, eat only the petals, then suck the stamen last to absorb its effects. You'll need to use Soul Power to guide it. Sister, remember—you must remain calm to absorb its essence."

"Thank you, Little Brother."

Huo Wu accepted the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone and went to sit in a corner.

Huo Lei's gaze shifted to Huo Wushuang, who was staring eagerly at him.

"Brother, I'll get yours right away."

Huo Lei gave an apologetic smile. Using both spiritual perception and Soul Power, he floated a purple-leaved, blue-flowered herb out of the Wishful Treasure Pouch. The herb was over a foot long, its purple leaves covered in white spots that emitted specks of fluorescence like stars in the sky. Several branches spread from the top of its main stalk, blooming with many tiny blue flowers like little spirits. Its faint fragrance refreshed the mind with a single breath.

Huo Lei walked over to Huo Wushuang. "Brother Wushuang, I call this herb Purple Leaf Star Dream Flower. Its effect is to enhance spiritual power. Both the flowers and leaves can be consumed. After swallowing and absorbing it, it will refresh the mind and greatly benefit the soul. Its only shortcoming is that it does not noticeably improve Soul Power. Do you want it?"

Huo Wushuang's eyes gleamed as he nodded repeatedly. "I do!"

"Thank you, Little Brother!"

Huo Wushuang excitedly accepted the Purple Leaf Star Dream Flower and likewise found a corner to sit down and refine it.

Huo Lei took a white jade box from the Wishful Treasure Pouch. The moment he removed the jade box, he put the Wishful Treasure Pouch away. The instant the box opened, a wondrous fragrance filled the entire room. The rich orchid scent cleared the mind and soothed the heart. Even Huo Feng, sitting nearby, felt his spirits rise and could not help taking a deep breath.

Inside the jade box lay an eight-petaled orchid. Its petals trembled faintly as though shivering, and its entire body was snowy white and crystalline, giving it an aloof, otherworldly air.

Huo Lei was well acquainted with the original Douluo story. Back then, Tang San had taken out this very white jade box and given it to Oscar. Inside was the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Tang San had once explained that this item required gold tools and jade containers. As long as it was kept in a jade vessel, it would not wither for a thousand years or fade for a hundred generations.

Huo Lei had noticed it the first time he examined the pouch and had already chosen it. The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid had the gentlest medicinal properties, was easy to absorb, and suited his needs well. It could strengthen one's foundation, nourish one's vitality, and expel impurities from the body. Its effects would also last a long time; the original story mentioned that they could continue until level seventy. More importantly, the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid and Aromatic Silk Beauty had an inseparable, mutually attractive connection. He had already arranged herbs for his future partner.

Huo Lei put away the jade box, held the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, and looked at his father. "Dad, sorry for the trouble! I'm going to begin absorbing and refining it together with Brother and Sister."

Huo Feng smiled kindly and nodded. "With me here, don't worry."