Taking the Immortal Herb, Breaking Through to Level Forty

"Once Ling Yuan Douluo refines the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, she's bound to have the potential to become a Peak Douluo. The only question is how far she'll go after that."

Qin Yu watched Ling Yuan Douluo for a while as flames poured from her body. Then he gathered his thoughts and considered which Immortal Herb to take himself.

Immortal Herbs could not be chosen at random. Only one suited to him would yield its full medicinal power.

"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. It'll strengthen my body again and make it as tough as diamond. That suits the fighting style of my Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon martial soul."

After some thought, Qin Yu decided to take the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

There were quite a few Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemums at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but only two were mature. One had grown for longer and had a stronger effect.

Naturally, Qin Yu chose the better one.

As for the other, he planned to give it to Chrysanthemum Douluo when he had the chance.

After all, it was thanks to the Flora Compendium that he knew about these Immortal Herbs, along with other medicinal and poisonous plants. He owed Chrysanthemum Douluo for that.

As for Bibi Dong, the two of them had already struck a deal. There was no need to give her an Immortal Herb.

Whoosh—

Just then, crimson flames flared across Ling Yuan Douluo's body, radiating terrifying heat.

Qin Yu watched and nodded to himself. This must be what they won't call an Ultimate Fire martial soul until ten thousand years from now.

"I broke through!"

Ling Yuan Douluo opened her eyes, delight flashing in them.

After refining the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's medicinal power, her Soul Power Level had reached ninety-five, and her Blazing Fire Spirit Kite martial soul had evolved.

Her flames had become far more fearsome.

Her potential had also risen considerably, and she had gained new insights into the levels ahead. It would not be long before she broke through to level ninety-six and became a Peak Douluo.

Beyond the changes to her martial soul and cultivation, Ling Yuan Douluo had grown noticeably more beautiful.

"Congratulations, Elder Ling Yuan." Qin Yu smiled.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Ling Yuan Douluo bowed to Qin Yu, her face full of respect.

"Think nothing of it." Qin Yu waved a hand and smiled. "This is the opportunity I promised you. You earned it."

"No."

Ling Yuan Douluo shook her head, her expression earnest. "Without Your Highness, I would never have received such a tremendous opportunity."

Now she truly regarded Qin Yu as her prince.

As long as Qin Yu did not ask her to do anything that harmed Spirit Hall's interests, she would carry out any other request.

Qin Yu nodded slightly and changed the subject. "Since your martial soul has evolved, Elder Ling Yuan, it deserves a new name."

"Please name it, Your Highness."

"How about... Extreme Fire Spirit Kite?" Qin Yu had no wish to make it too elaborate, so he drew the name directly from "Ultimate Fire."

"Yes."

Ling Yuan Douluo smiled and nodded. Then she changed the subject. "Your Highness, you can call me by my given name from now on."

Qin Yu nodded without saying anything more.

Ling Yuan Douluo was an orphan who had grown up alone under Spirit Hall's care. Ling Yuan was her given name.

"Ling Yuan, I need to take an Immortal Herb too. I'll leave you to guard me," Qin Yu said.

"You can count on me, Your Highness!"

Ling Yuan Douluo nodded firmly and immediately began watching the surrounding area for miles around.

With Ling Yuan Douluo guarding him, Qin Yu could take the Immortal Herb without worry.

He took out the older Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, ate its central stamen first, then its petals one by one, discarding the stalk and roots.

Then Qin Yu sat cross-legged and began refining the herb's medicinal power.

Roar—

His Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon martial soul possessed him on its own, and a faint golden glow spread over his skin.

His dark-purple scales were shifting toward a more regal purple-gold. It was a sign that his diamond-hard body and martial soul were merging.

Gradually, Qin Yu's Soul Power Level began to rise at astonishing speed.

Level thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine... It climbed all the way to forty before the fluctuations in his Soul Power stopped.

That did not mean his Soul Power had stopped growing. Once Qin Yu acquired a Soul Ring, his level could rise further still.

"His Highness really is extraordinary," Ling Yuan murmured as she watched. An unfamiliar look crossed her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

Yet some feelings could not be pushed down by force. The more she tried, the faster they grew.

In truth, Ling Yuan had realized it herself.

Oh...

Ling Yuan sighed inwardly. She knew she was hoping for too much.

Meanwhile, Qin Yu finished refining the herb and slowly opened his eyes. A glint of gold flashed through his purple irises.

Ling Yuan immediately hid her feelings and asked, "How do you feel, Your Highness?"

"Good. I gained a lot."

Qin Yu stood, withdrew his martial soul, and stretched. Sharp cracks popped throughout his body.

His physical strength had risen another level.

Even without Martial Soul Possession, his strength could rival that of a strength-type Soul King. With his martial soul possessing him, he should be able to match a Soul Sage.

In a contest of raw strength, at least.

"Let's rest for today."

Qin Yu smiled. "We'll set out tomorrow for the Star Dou Forest and find me a suitable Fourth Soul Ring."

The sun was setting. Its last rays streamed through the window and fell across Qin Yu, lending his smile a charm all its own.

For a moment, Ling Yuan could only stare.

Qin Yu was handsome to begin with, and quite a few female Soul Masters in Spirit Hall had secretly fallen for him. None had dared pursue him because of the gap in their status.

She had never thought much of it before. Now she understood how those women felt.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Yu looked puzzled when Ling Yuan did not answer.

"...Nothing." Ling Yuan shook her head. A trace of embarrassment passed through her eyes, though she hid it well. "Please rest for a while, Your Highness. I'll prepare dinner."

"All right."

Qin Yu nodded and did not refuse.

Ling Yuan Douluo left. Qin Yu walked to the window and gazed at the sunset in the distance, his thoughts wandering.

A few days later.

The Star Dou Forest.

As the largest Soul Beast forest on the Douluo Continent, it ranked first in the number, variety, and strength of its Soul Beasts.

To outsiders, the Star Dou Forest was divided into three main regions: the outer region, the Mixed Zone, and the core region.

In truth, the Land of Great Peril lay deep within the core region. It was the Star Dou Forest's true heart.

At that moment, beneath a strange lake at the center of the Land of Great Peril, a pair of noble, mysterious purple eyes opened in the endless darkness.

Whoosh—

Black light flickered at the entrance to a faintly lit passage, and a tall, middle-aged man stepped out.

His face was stern, and his golden eyes held an imposing authority. A single gold streak ran through his long black hair.

"Greetings, Master!"

The man knelt before the purple eyes in the darkness, lowering his head slightly. His voice was respectful.

"Di Tian."

A cool, commanding voice came from the darkness, carrying a hint of pressure. "That child has returned. Bring him here."

"Yes, Master!"

Di Tian answered at once.

He took his leave, and his presence swiftly vanished.

In the darkness, the purple eyes slowly closed. All was still once more.