Taking the Immortal Herbs, Transforming Their Martial Souls

"Zhu Qing, this Nether Shadow Illusion Grass is for you.

It can nourish your Nether Civet Martial Soul, strengthen your concealment and explosive power, make up for the weak defenses of an agility attack specialist, and enhance the damage of your shadow attacks."

Lu Chuan handed the dark-purple Immortal Herb to Zhu Zhuqing.

The herb felt slightly cool to the touch. A faint, shadowy aura seeped through her fingertips and into her body.

"I hope you'll stand beside me at the pinnacle of this world."

Zhu Zhuqing cradled the herb, her fingers tightening slightly. She looked up at Lu Chuan, her beautiful eyes soft with affection, and her heart beat a little faster.

He hadn't intended to turn her into a pretty ornament, nor to keep her like a caged canary.

He wanted her to keep pace with him.

At the thought, Zhu Zhuqing's nose stung. She pushed down the emotions surging in her chest, and resolve filled her eyes.

"I will. Even if it kills me, I'll do it!"

Lu Chuan smiled faintly at her and gave her shoulder a gentle pat.

"I believe you. Now, here's how to take the herb.

First, tear off the leaves and let them slowly dissolve in your mouth. Allow the liquid to trickle down your throat; don't swallow it in big gulps.

The roots and stem hold the most potent medicine. Place them in your palm and use your Soul Power to slowly grind them into a dark-purple paste. Swallow it gradually in three portions."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly, her eyes blazing with determination.

Then she sat cross-legged on the bed and began taking the herb as he had instructed.

Once she was ready to refine it, Lu Chuan quietly closed the bedroom door and stepped outside.

In the courtyard, he spotted Dugu Bo and Ye Lingling drinking tea at the stone table.

Dugu Bo looked surprised. His gaze flicked downward.

"Done already? Is something wrong with you?"

Lu Chuan's face darkened.

"Dugu Bo, sing while spinning in place on one leg!"

"Wait! Hey! There's no need!"

The contract took effect the instant the words left Lu Chuan's mouth. Dugu Bo lost all control of his body.

He could only balance on one leg with the other raised, hopping and spinning like a one-legged toad.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star~"

He belted it out in a voice like a broken gong, missing every note.

Dugu Bo's aged face flushed scarlet with humiliation.

Ye Lingling still held her teacup. At the sight, she pressed her lips together, barely managing not to laugh.

Lu Chuan gave Dugu Bo a disdainful look, walked around him, and stopped opposite Ye Lingling.

He took out an Immortal Herb with frost-colored blossoms and petals patterned like rippling water.

"This is Moon Dew Fragrance. It can remove the curse on your Martial Soul and take it to a higher level.

To take it, place the whole herb in front of you and draw out your Soul Power to envelop it.

Drops of milky-white medicinal dew will then form.

Collect every drop in a jade bowl, then drink it in small sips over several rounds."

A gentle, soothing aura spread from the herb. Ye Lingling gazed at it, listening closely and committing every step to memory.

"Thank you."

She had always been a woman of few words. Besides, she had already sold herself into Lu Chuan's service; there was even less need to say more.

She began taking the herb as instructed.

Dugu Bo watched with burning envy, but he was still singing and couldn't speak.

Three or four hours passed.

Only then did Ye Lingling slowly open her eyes.

The herb before her had crumbled to dust and vanished.

She immediately summoned her Nine-Hearted Begonia Martial Soul.

"It's gone... The shackles on my Martial Soul are really gone."

Ye Lingling murmured as she gently stroked the Jade Moon Begonia floating before her.

A tear slid down her cheek.

The shackles of fate that had bound the Nine-Hearted Begonia for so many years had finally shattered.

Her parents' tragedy would not repeat itself...

A tissue appeared before her eyes.

She paused, then lifted her still-reddened eyes to Lu Chuan, who was offering it to her.

After a moment's hesitation, she took it and gently wiped away her tears.

Once she had calmed down a little,

Lu Chuan asked,

"Lingling, what has your Martial Soul become?"

"Not only is its healing ability stronger, it can also remove harmful conditions like poison and burns, and even heal wounds to the mind.

And I have a feeling that as my Soul Power grows, I might even be able to regrow severed limbs!"

Ye Lingling gazed at the glowing Nine-Hearted Begonia before her, excitement unmistakable in her voice.

Before, the Nine-Hearted Begonia could heal external and internal injuries, but it could do nothing about poison or severed limbs.

Now it was different. It could provide support in almost any situation!

Lu Chuan nodded in satisfaction.

"It's beginning to show a hint of Ultimate Life. Keep at it. I'll need you in many places ahead."

"Yes, Young Master. I'll follow your instructions."

Just then, a small hand settled on his shoulder.

Lu Chuan jumped and turned his head.

Zhu Zhuqing stood there, her eyes curved in a smile, her dark gaze brimming with joy.

"You startled me! Zhu Qing, when did you get here?"

"When Lingling was crying."

Zhu Zhuqing sat beside Lu Chuan and affectionately took his hand, interlacing their fingers.

She looked up at him, her eyes gentle, and said softly,

"I've finished refining the herb. My Soul Power rose a full seven levels. I'm level thirty-three now, and my concealment has improved tremendously."

Lu Chuan had noticed the change in her too.

Her aura was now so restrained that, in a crowd, she could perfectly conceal both her Soul Power and her presence. She had truly become soundless and traceless, without shadow or form.

And although Zhu Qing had already reached level thirty-three and passed the Dou Zhe Realm, a Dou Qi Vortex had yet to form within her.

He would have to return to the Battle Through the Heavens World.

Judging by the time, the factions in the Jia Ma Imperial Capital had probably set out for Wutan City by now.

When he went, he would take Zhu Qing and Dugu Bo. Dugu Bo could help overawe them.

Let them see how terrifying Poison Douluo could be. One breath of snake venom, and bodies would fall in droves.

He pulled his thoughts back, looked at the two women beside him, and spoke solemnly.

"Zhu Qing, Lingling, don't rush to absorb Spirit Rings from now on."

"By cultivating with a Cultivation Method, you won't be bound by the level limits placed on Soul Masters. You can use Dou Techniques in place of Spirit Ring abilities in battle."

"Once your cultivation is high enough, you can absorb Spirit Rings that are ten thousand years old—or even a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded without hesitation. Brother Lu's advice couldn't be wrong.

Ever since she had seen the cultivation system of the Battle Through the Heavens World, she had stopped limiting her sights to Douluo Continent.

She wanted to reach the heights of a Dou Emperor, a Dou Zong, perhaps even a Dou Zun!

Ye Lingling, however, hesitated.

"Young Master, this Cultivation Method... I can't afford it..."

Lu Chuan waved a hand dismissively.

"You work for me, so consider it an investment in you. If you're too weak, you won't be much help to me.

Dugu Bo, for instance, has to accompany me somewhere on business in a few days. If he's too weak, I'm the one who'll lose face.

Besides, what I'm giving you are just copied manuals. Only you can cultivate from them, so it costs me nothing."