Absorbing Immortal Herbs, Qian Xunji's Misery

Looking at the peerless immortal-grade treasures scattered across the mountains, radiating spiritual light, Qian Xunzong suppressed the wild joy in his heart. He turned to Yun Yan, who was still immersed in shock, and leisurely began assigning the real work.

"Stop spacing out and get to work. Pick a batch of the highest-quality spirit plants suited to the formation. Prioritize filling every gap in the academy's Mimicry Training Grounds. Remember to choose more top-tier ones that can serve as formation cores. Take the grounds straight to max configuration."

Yun Yan instantly came back to his senses, hurriedly composing himself as he lightly tapped the air with the Cloud-Pattern Formation Brush. Pale cyan formation patterns swept across the entire herb field, precisely selecting several spirit plants of exceptional quality. Each one brimmed with dense spiritual energy and full roots; any single plant could crush precious herbs cultivated in the outside world for hundreds or thousands of years.

"My lord, this batch of spirit plants is enough to support the operation of three Linked Spirit-Gathering Formations, with some left over. There will be no need to worry about future site maintenance or replenishing spiritual energy." Yun Yan swiftly gathered and sorted the plants, his movements skilled and efficient.

Qian Xunzong nodded slightly and waved his hand, displaying his lavish nature in full.

"Don't rush. Pick a few immortal-grade herbs suited to everyone as well. They've traveled so far to protect me; they deserve some benefits."

The moment those words fell, everyone present perked up.

"Holy shit!!!"

Yue Guan's eyes widened bigger than bells. He had just been driven mad by the immortal herbs covering the ground, but now he directly transformed into a dedicated product inspector. Rubbing his hands together, he eagerly stepped forward, afraid someone else would snatch the immortal herb he had his eye on.

After all, when it came to flowers, grasses, and immortal plants, he considered himself third at most—no one dared claim second.

That was because Yun Yan stood above him. The latter merely smiled and said nothing.

With Yue Guan's precise assistance, they quickly selected the immortal herbs by category. Gui Mei received the Nether Spirit Orchid, which could nourish sinister Soul Power, stabilize the foundation of his Martial Soul, and enhance his concealment and killing abilities. Yue Guan received the Velvet Sky-Piercing Chrysanthemum, which could replenish the origin of his Martial Soul and grant him an indestructible body. As a killing-focused Titled Douluo, Shen Ye selected a Blazing Sun Immortal Peony to balance his murderous aura and strengthen his foundation.

The three of them wasted no words. They sat cross-legged on the spot and began absorbing the medicinal power of the immortal-grade herbs. Pure, dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth instantly swept around their bodies. Their cultivation auras steadily rose, while their very foundations underwent rapid transformation.

After taking care of his subordinates, Qian Xunzong did not forget his relatives. He had Yun Yan carefully select several top-tier immortal herbs kept in reserve: a Primordial Holy Light Lotus suited to Qian Xichen, a Sun-Chasing Divine Fruit that matched Qian Daoliu's attributes, and a Scarlet Flame Glazed Flower possessing dual ultimate light and fire attributes, specially reserved for Qian Xunji.

They also selected suitable immortal-grade herbs for Spirit Hall's other six worshippers.

Yun Yan found an herb that could increase the density of Soul Power for himself. After all, setting up large-scale formations consumed a great deal of Soul Power.

Having finished all that, Qian Xunzong's gaze landed on the crystal-clear Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew in the distance, surrounded by mist. A glint flashed through his eyes.

This immortal herb specialized in treating weak souls and insufficient spiritual power. It was a supreme treasure for enhancing spiritual sense. His physical body and Soul Power already far surpassed those of his peers, but spiritual power alone was difficult to cultivate. This was perfect for making up for that weakness.

"Come on, time to eat some grass!"

Qian Xunzong raised his hand and plucked the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. It was slightly cool upon entering his mouth, and its gentle medicinal power instantly flowed down his throat and throughout his body before rushing into his mind. A vast, pure energy of spiritual sense exploded with a bang, and his originally immature, weak spiritual power began surging madly as if it had been launched on a rocket.

His spiritual sense, which had barely reached the Soul Elder level, shattered through one bottleneck after another—Soul Ancestor, Soul King, Soul Emperor... finally stabilizing firmly at the Soul Douluo level!

In an instant, every rustle of wind and grass throughout the valley, the traces of soul beasts within a hundred li, and even the subtle circulation of everyone's Soul Power all appeared clearly within his perception. The range of his spiritual sense expanded dozens of times over, and his mind became increasingly clear and lucid.

Feeling the transformation of his soul, Qian Xunzong nodded in satisfaction. This haul had been absolutely worth it.

He then composed himself and calmly gave an order to the air.

"All Embroidered Uniform Guards, conceal yourselves. Establish a barrier and guard the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well strictly. No living being is allowed to trespass. From now on, this place is Spirit Hall's exclusive treasury of immortal-grade treasures. Anyone who enters without permission is to be suppressed immediately, without reporting first."

Dozens of black-clad figures quietly lurked in the darkness, their auras completely merging with the mountains, forest, and void as they sealed the entire valley layer by layer, hidden yet imposing.

Once every arrangement had been made, everyone finished cultivating, their auras having advanced. Qian Xunzong put away the immortal herbs intended for his family and the worshippers, then led the group aboard the Cloudstep Light-Carriage and set off back toward Spirit City.

They sped all the way, and in less than half an hour, the divine carriage landed steadily in Spirit Hall's plaza.

Qian Xunzong dismissed the others and had Yun Yan immediately take the spirit plants to the construction site to prepare for repairs.

He himself tucked away two top-tier immortal herbs and leisurely headed toward the Papal Palace.

At that moment, inside the Papal Palace, Qian Daoliu was staring at a mountain of documents with a headache, his brows tightly furrowed and his face utterly lifeless.

Reports from sects across the land, resource allocations, personnel schedules within the hall, and follow-up matters for construction projects—dense official documents filled the entire table, making his scalp go numb.

As a descendant of the Angel God and the Pope of Spirit Hall, his strength was unmatched in the region. Yet he especially hated dealing with such trivial, complicated worldly affairs. Facing piles of paperwork every day left him exhausted in both body and mind.

Beside him, Qian Xunji had his legs crossed, cracking sunflower seeds as he slacked off and watched the show. Seeing his father's miserable expression, he secretly held back a laugh.

Just as Qian Daoliu was about to be driven mad by government affairs, a cheerful young voice rang out.

"Dad, big bro, look what good stuff I brought back!"

Qian Xunzong strode into the hall and raised two top-tier immortal herbs shining with spiritual light and shrouded in immortal aura. Dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth instantly filled the entire Papal Palace.

Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji raised their heads at the same time, their gazes immediately drawn to the immortal herbs, their faces filled with surprise. Having lived for most of their lives, it was their first time seeing treasures with such pure spiritual energy and such heaven-defying quality.

"What are these?" Qian Daoliu immediately put down the document in his hand. The weariness in his eyes vanished, replaced by intense curiosity.

"Top-tier immortal herbs I found in a secret realm in Sunset Forest. They specialize in treating stalled cultivation and insufficient foundations."

Qian Xunzong generously handed over the Sun-Chasing Divine Fruit. "Dad, this Sun-Chasing Divine Fruit is for you. It'll strengthen your foundation and help push your realm into a breakthrough."

He then tossed the Scarlet Flame Glazed Flower to Qian Xunji.

"Big bro, this one is yours. It has dual ultimate light and fire attributes, perfectly suited to your Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. Absorb it properly. You definitely won't lose out."

"I've already absorbed mine, so don't worry!"

The two had long been tempted beyond endurance by the immense spiritual energy of the immortal herbs. Once they heard that Qian Xunzong had already absorbed one himself, they immediately sat cross-legged on the spot and closed their eyes to refine the medicinal power.

In an instant, two torrents of incomparably pure spiritual energy swept through the hall. Golden and crimson light intertwined around Qian Xunji's body, while the phantom of his originally pure white Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul quietly emerged. Layer upon layer of gilded holy flames ignited along the edges of its wings, shedding their original elegance and gaining an overbearing, blazing pressure.

Moments later, a thunderous boom erupted!

Qian Xunji, originally a twelve-year-old level forty-two Soul Ancestor, saw his Soul Power soar—level forty-three, forty-four, forty-five! He steadily broke through to level forty-five Soul Ancestor!

Even more astonishingly, his Martial Soul completed its transformation, evolving from the Six-Winged Angel into the Seraphim!

The Seraphim Martial Soul possessed the dual effects of holy flame burning and light enhancement. It was balanced in offense and defense, carried greater pressure, and could utterly crush opponents of the same rank. Its future growth potential had directly doubled!

The instant Qian Xunji opened his eyes, holy flames circulated around his body and his aura became overwhelmingly powerful. He was so elated that he could not help throwing back his head and laughing.

"Hahaha! I broke through! And my Martial Soul evolved too! From now on, I'm a genius too!"

Meanwhile, Qian Daoliu's situation was even more outrageous.

He had long stood at the peak of level ninety-seven, only a thin barrier away from becoming a level ninety-eight Super Douluo. His accumulated foundation over the years was incomparably deep.

Once the Sun-Chasing Divine Fruit's ultimate medicinal power entered his body, it instantly washed through his meridians and bones, purified the origin of his Soul Power, and made countless obscure insights into realms and cultivation principles crystal clear.

Vast Soul Power surged through his body, while the nine Soul Rings around him pulsed violently. The entire Papal Palace became shrouded in sacred golden light.

Though he did not immediately break through to level ninety-eight, his state of mind, insights, and foundation were all complete. The bottleneck had completely loosened, and he needed only one opportunity to break through naturally. His combat strength had risen by another large margin as well.

After a long while, Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was deep and dignified, his aura even more transcendent, and his entire body felt clear and comfortable. The cultivation bottleneck that had plagued him for years had been swept away.

He turned to look at Qian Xunji, who was still wildly celebrating and showing off, then glanced at the mountain of headache-inducing government documents on the table. In an instant, inspiration struck, and an extraordinarily "brilliant" idea quietly came to life.

His eldest son's Martial Soul had now evolved, his cultivation had soared, and his talent had advanced by leaps and bounds. The boy had already grown up—it was time for him to share his father's burdens!

Qian Daoliu gave two light coughs, instantly assuming the imposing demeanor of both a stern father and the Pope. His expression turned solemn as he spoke earnestly.

"Ji'er, now that your Martial Soul has evolved, your cultivation has greatly improved, and your talent has become one of the finest in the world, your character and sense of responsibility should grow accordingly."

Qian Xunji, who had been immersed in the joy of growing stronger, froze with a stiff smile. An inexplicable panic rose in his heart, along with a faint sense of foreboding.

Before he could make an excuse, Qian Daoliu waved his hand. In one smooth motion, he pushed the entire table's worth of documents, official papers, and schedule files directly in front of Qian Xunji, piling them up high.

"Your father has labored over the Papal Palace's affairs for many years and is exhausted in body and mind. Now that I am on the verge of a breakthrough in my insights, I need to enter seclusion, stabilize my realm, and break through to level ninety-eight."

"For the next few days, Spirit Hall's daily administration, personnel scheduling, resource coordination, and communications with all parties will be entirely entrusted to you. Your talent is outstanding and your temperament is steady. You will surely be able to ease your father's burdens and oversee Spirit Hall properly!"

His words were righteous and high-sounding, perfectly illustrating what it meant to dump the responsibility and delegate power.

Qian Xunji looked at the official documents piled into a small mountain before him. The ecstatic joy vanished completely from his face. His pupils shook as he stood there dumbfounded, almost crying.

"Dad???"

So my getting stronger and evolving my Martial Soul was all so I could come back and work through this mess?!

The joy of having just broken through to level forty-five and evolved his Martial Soul was instantly washed away by the overwhelming government affairs. His happiness dropped straight to zero, leaving only the crushing blow of wage-slave life.

Qian Daoliu completely ignored his son's breakdown. He nodded with a gratified expression, as if he could already see his successor flourishing. His tone was gentle yet impossible to refuse.

"I have faith in you. Work hard, and do not disappoint your father's expectations."

"Come on, you've got this!"

With that, he turned and flicked his sleeve as he left. His steps were light and his entire body relaxed; he practically wished he could sprout wings and fly into seclusion immediately, escaping the bitter sea of government work for good.

Qian Xunzong, who had watched the whole show from the side, was holding back laughter so hard that his shoulders shook violently. He nearly burst out laughing on the spot.

As expected of you, Father Qian Daoliu! Your whole thing is making your son work once he gets stronger, then tossing him the burden without the slightest mercy!

Inside the vast Papal Palace, only the pitiful Qian Xunji remained, alone before the mess covering the table. He stood frozen in place, his face utterly lifeless.

He looked at the bright sunlight outside the window, then at the complicated documents in his hands. Tears nearly fell on the spot.

He had thought that with his younger brother's heaven-defying talent, he could completely slack off and avoid inheriting the family business. Yet after all those twists and turns, he was still the one who ended up working!

This Martial Soul evolution and level increase were nothing but landing himself a super wage-slave position. What a total loss!