"A Martial Soul Domain!" Qian Xunji was astonished once again.
"You awakened your Martial Soul Domain while still a Soul Emperor. That puts you beyond the bounds of an ordinary top-tier Martial Soul." Qian Xunji calmed down and continued slowly, "Perhaps your new Martial Soul, the Netherworld Sky Spider, truly has reached the level of a God-Level Martial Soul."
Bibi Dong released her Martial Soul Possession. "But it's also true that I've lost the advantage of Twin Martial Souls. One less Martial Soul means nine fewer Soul Rings and nine fewer Soul Skills."
"At the same time, I can focus on cultivating one Martial Soul from now on and refining my Soul Skills."
Qian Xunji sat back down at his desk. "It's good that you can see your own shortcomings."
"Twin Martial Souls give you more Soul Rings and Soul Skills, and help you cultivate faster once you become a Titled Douluo. But you can't use both Martial Souls at once, and switching between them takes time."
"The advantage of a God-Level Martial Soul is that each of its Soul Skills will be stronger than those of Twin Martial Souls."
"All I can say is that every gain comes with a loss, and every choice means giving something up. As long as you don't let this leave you despondent, I won't blame you."
Bibi Dong let out a quiet breath. "As long as you don't blame me, Teacher, I won't lose heart over this. On the contrary, I'm very pleased with my Netherworld Sky Spider Martial Soul."
Qian Xunji nodded. "Since you've all taken some, did you bring back any Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
Yue Guan stepped forward. "Of course, Your Holiness."
He took out the Wishful Treasure Pouch and opened it. Wrapped in his Soul Power, several plants appeared before him.
Yue Guan explained, "These Immortal Herbs all strengthen one's foundations. Beyond that, each has different effects."
"Of course, I didn't pick the finest Immortal Herbs, such as the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and the Infernal Delicate Apricot. I left them at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to continue absorbing the spiritual energy there and growing."
"They need to be saved for Your Holiness's future children."
Qian Xunji nodded. "You did the right thing, Yue Guan. Even if I don't take any, the finest Immortal Herbs you mentioned should be saved for those who come after us."
Yue Guan smiled. "Your Holiness, I didn't pick the finest ones, but you could still take one of these lesser Immortal Herbs."
He pointed to the plants one by one, naming them and describing their effects.
"Blazing Sunflower Grass is fire-attributed. It can nourish a Martial Soul and increase affinity with fire. Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew enhances Mental Power and can aid the Angel Martial Soul's Divine Perception. Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid strengthens one's foundations, making it suitable for support Soul Masters whose innate cultivation is slow. Dragon Ganoderma Leaf and Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma both temper the body and can improve physical strength."
After hearing Yue Guan's explanation, Qian Xunji considered the options. He passed over the fire-attributed Blazing Sunflower Grass; the Angel Martial Soul was already a top-tier fire-attributed Martial Soul.
Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew's ability to enhance Mental Power interested him, but he soon thought of Lin Fan's damaged Mental Power.
After much consideration, he decided it would be better to save that plant for Lin Fan.
"Yue Guan, I'll take only the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma. Bishop Ling Yuan is Level 89. Save the Blazing Sunflower Grass for her. Perhaps it will help her reach Level 90 Soul Power and become a Titled Douluo."
Yue Guan looked doubtful. "Your Holiness, isn't taking only the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma a little too modest? Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew only enhances Mental Power, so it can be taken alongside another Immortal Herb. Why not take that as well?"
Yue Guan felt guilty. He had taken the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, a top-tier Immortal Herb, while Qian Xunji was settling for Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma, which did not even qualify as an Immortal Herb.
Qian Xunji rose and stopped Yue Guan before he could say more. "It's fine. Everything I do is for Spirit Hall's future. These things are precious, and I've already reached the limit of my potential. There's no need to spend too many resources on me."
Yue Guan asked anxiously, "Your Holiness, what about the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew and Dragon Ganoderma Leaf? Who will take them?"
"Lin Fan," Qian Xunji said at once.
Bibi Dong was startled. "You're giving them to Lin Fan?"
Yue Guan was puzzled too. "Your Holiness, it's not that I don't want to give them to him. But Lin Fan is an ordinary person. These two herbs may be weaker than the finest Immortal Herbs, but an ordinary person still couldn't withstand the medicinal power they contain."
"No." Qian Xunji explained, "The fact that Lin Fan could come to Douluo Continent means he isn't ordinary. We simply haven't discovered what he can do."
"Besides, a few days ago, Lin Fan suddenly coughed up blood and fell unconscious. His Mental Power was damaged. I suspect his Mental Power is too strong for his weak body to bear."
"What?" Bibi Dong asked urgently. "Teacher, what happened?"
Qian Xunji glanced at Bibi Dong before continuing. "So we'll give him the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew and Dragon Ganoderma Leaf. The first can repair his damaged Mental Power and strengthen it. The second can improve his constitution."
"Dong'er, as for how Lin Fan was hurt, he said he touched the lines in front of him. You remember him talking about those lines, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Bibi Dong said quickly. "But we all took what he said as a sign that his sight was returning."
"So, Teacher, touching those lines that day damaged his Mental Power?"
"That's what Blue Silver said," Qian Xunji replied. "Lin Fan himself thinks it's a lingering effect of his head injury. But Blue Silver and I both suspect that the lines he sees are a manifestation of some Mental Power ability. He forced himself to touch them, suffered a backlash, and coughed up blood."
Bibi Dong asked anxiously, "When will you give him the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew and Dragon Ganoderma Leaf?"
Yue Guan spoke up. "Saintess, even if his Mental Power is unusual, his body is still too weak. Even if he takes the Dragon Ganoderma Leaf first, he won't be able to withstand the medicinal power and Soul Power it contains. Someone with powerful Soul Power must help him refine it."
Qian Xunji stood. "I happen to have something to discuss with the Grand Worshipper. Yue Guan, prepare the dosages of those two Immortal Herbs. Gui Mei, go into the city and summon Bishop Ling Yuan."
"As for you, Dong'er, go see Lin Fan if you want to."
"Yes, Teacher."
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
Bibi Dong left the Pope's Palace, walking a little faster than usual.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei went to carry out their tasks, while she headed alone toward Lin Fan's residence.
Before long, she ran into Blue Silver. "Ah Yin, I heard Lin Fan coughed up blood. Is it serious?"
"He's all right," Blue Silver said. "He was unconscious for two days, but he should be much better today."
"Dong'er, it's my fault. I should have watched him more carefully."
"It's all right," Bibi Dong said. "Teacher told me some of what happened. No one could have seen this coming."
The two of them went inside together.
Lin Fan recognized the familiar rhythm of Bibi Dong's footsteps.
"Dong'er, you're back from hunting? You weren't hurt, were you?"
Bibi Dong sat beside him. "I'm fine. But the moment I got back, the Village Chief told me you managed to cough up blood while lying in bed. Aren't you a little too frail?"
"Uh..." Faced with Bibi Dong's teasing, Lin Fan had no idea how to answer.
Getting teased by a girl younger than me—how embarrassing!
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