I Want to Test the Medicine

"Uncle She, have someone prepare hot water for a bath. Also, bring over one of our Death Servants at the Soul Grandmaster level."

"Yes."

Xue Qinghe sat in his chair, turning the Porcelain Bottle over in his hand as he considered how to deal with Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan was a merchant. He certainly wouldn't do business with Xue Qinghe alone unless Xue Qinghe could buy everything he had to sell.

But that would take an enormous number of Spirit Bones. Xue Qinghe's authority alone would never satisfy Lu Chuan's appetite.

What a headache...

Still, there was an upside. He could let other factions test whether Lu Chuan truly was invincible, as he claimed.

If it was a lie, Xue Qinghe could send Uncle She to rescue him and win him over.

If it was true, whichever faction made a move would suffer heavy losses, while Spirit Hall reaped the benefits either way.

Once he had thought it through, the gloom in Xue Qinghe's heart lifted, and his expression eased.

Before long,

a huge Bath Barrel stood ready in the Secret Chamber's bathroom, warm steam rising gently from its surface.

Qian Renxue had returned to her original appearance. Her skin was fair and delicate, translucent as jade, and her dazzling golden hair fell over her shoulders. She carried herself with sacred, noble grace.

She pulled the stopper from the Porcelain Bottle and shook a single drop of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid into the hot water.

The clear water instantly turned deep green, and a potent, pure medicinal energy spread through the room.

Qian Renxue drew a light breath, surprise in her eyes. "The Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid really is extraordinary. Just one drop holds this much power."

Then a slender figure was brought in.

She was a girl of only fourteen, with delicate features, a graceful figure, and a steady, focused presence.

The moment her gaze fell on Qian Renxue, fervor blazed in her eyes.

The girl knelt on one knee and saluted solemnly, her voice filled with heartfelt reverence:

"Young Master!"

Qian Renxue turned toward her and nodded slightly.

"What is your cultivation level now?"

"This subordinate is a level twenty-four Soul Grandmaster. I would brave fire and water for you, Young Master, even at the cost of my life!"

"I've seen your loyalty." Qian Renxue spoke calmly, but her words held a powerful allure. "Today, I'm granting you an immense opportunity. Seize it, and you may one day reach the realm of Titled Douluo."

She pointed to the Bath Barrel.

"Take off your clothes, get in, and cultivate."

"Yes!"

The girl did not hesitate. Setting aside all embarrassment, she swiftly undressed, stepped into the steaming Bath Barrel, and sat upright.

In the next instant, fierce, pure medicinal energy rushed through her entire body. An intense, swelling pain swept over her, and she cried out despite herself:

"Aah!!"

The sudden scream made Qian Renxue's heart jolt.

She collected herself and looked at the girl's pain-twisted face in the Bath Barrel. Her expression darkened at once.

Her fingers tightened, gouging a deep mark into the hard wooden side of the barrel.

Damn it! Qian Renxue cursed inwardly. That crooked merchant never said it would hurt this much!

If even a fourteen-year-old Soul Grandmaster was in this much pain, a younger child would never endure it, much less cultivate!

Meanwhile, one thought filled the girl's mind: I can't disappoint the Young Master.

She gritted her teeth and held on, then began cultivating her Soul Power.

Two and a half hours later, the medicinal liquid in the Bath Barrel had finally been fully absorbed.

All strength drained from her body, the girl let her head hang against the rim and gasped for breath.

"Young Master, I... made it through."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly. "Good. Tell me how you feel now."

"My Soul Power feels more refined. I can hold more of it, too, and my cultivation speed has improved a little."

"Good. Thank you for your effort. Get some rest."

Qian Renxue then left the bathroom under the girl's grateful gaze.

Back in her room, she sat down with a hint of delight, turning the small Porcelain Bottle of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid between her fingers.

That crooked merchant was telling the truth! Everything he has is worth more than its price!

Then I can buy that High Black Rank Cultivation Method too!

As for the rule that only one person can cultivate it and it can't be passed on—heh. How would he know if I shared it in secret?

I'll record the Cultivation Method and send it back to the Worship Hall as a family Cultivation Method for the Angel Lineage.

We can practice it quietly at first. After a few hundred or a thousand years, once he's dead, we can practice it openly—and as much as we want!

Brimming with excitement, Qian Renxue lay down in bed. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and finally got up to review official documents.

Elsewhere, in the Guest Room,

Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing were playing a Little Game.

"Brother Lu, are you done yet? My hand is sore."

"Can't help it. You're the one who made it swell. A little faster."

Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together and activated Martial Soul Possession. In retaliation, she sped up until her right hand became a blur.

"Hiss... I'm close..."

Zhu Zhuqing quickly dodged the spray, but it still caught her face. She shot him a resentful look and pulled out a tissue to wipe it away.

Lu Chuan let out a long breath and reached over to pinch her pretty, slightly chubby cheek.

"There. That stuff's good for your skin."

He took out two Dou Techniques.

Yellow Rank Intermediate: "Rending Claw Strike":

Soul Power flowed through the Meridians in the arms. The five fingers curled into claws, gathering energy at their tips to form a sharp claw force. Its tricky strikes excelled at tearing flesh and rending armor.

Yellow Rank Advanced: "Gale Step":

Soul Power flowed through specific Meridians into the legs, wreathing the feet in pale green wind. For a short time, it greatly increased running speed, leaving afterimages in its wake.

"One is a claw-attack Dou Technique, and the other is for movement. Both suit your Martial Soul. Focus on mastering these two first."

"Thank you."

Zhu Zhuqing happily took the two Dou Techniques and began leafing through them.

Lu Chuan drew her into his arms from behind, wrapped his hands around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder as he watched her study.

"No rush. These are just transitional Dou Techniques. They'll be useful early on, but they won't keep up as you grow stronger. Think of them as practice for learning Dou Techniques."

"Mm. I'll work hard. I won't hold you back like I did today."

The earnest look on Zhu Zhuqing's face was so adorable that Lu Chuan couldn't resist kissing her.

"All right, it's late. You can read more tomorrow. Let's sleep."

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing handed the Dou Techniques back to Lu Chuan for safekeeping.

Then she curled up in his arms, and they fell asleep holding each other.

The night passed quietly.

The next day,

Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing had just finished their specially prepared breakfast

when Xue Qinghe arrived right on time.

"Hahaha! Good morning, Brother Lu Chuan. I had someone test the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid last night. What you sold me really was worth the price."

Lu Chuan took a sip of freshly squeezed juice and smiled.

"Would I sell you junk? So what brings you here now?"

Xue Qinghe pulled up a chair beside Lu Chuan and took out an exquisite wooden box.

"Brother Lu Chuan, here's a fifty-four-thousand-year Left Arm Bone and four thousand gold coins in exchange for the High Black Rank Cultivation Method, the Flame Scripture, and four Self-Created Soul Skills."