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 defense of an agility-type fighter, and increase your shadow damage."

Lu Chuan placed the dark-purple Immortal Herb in Zhu Zhuqing's hand.

It felt faintly cool to the touch, and a subtle, shadowy aura seeped through her fingertips into her body.

"I want you to stand with me at the pinnacle of the world."

Zhu Zhuqing cradled the herb, her fingers tightening slightly. She looked up at Lu Chuan with tenderness in her eyes, her heart beating a little faster.

He didn't want to turn her into a pretty ornament or keep her like a bird in a gilded cage.

He wanted her to keep pace with him.

The thought made Zhu Zhuqing's nose sting. She pushed down the emotions surging inside her, and resolve filled her eyes.

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

A faint smile touched Lu Chuan's face. He reached out and gently patted her shoulder.

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

"First, tear off the leaves and hold them in your mouth until they slowly dissolve. Let the liquid trickle down your throat. Don't swallow it in big gulps.

"The roots and stem hold the most potent medicine. Put them in your palm and use your Soul Power to rub and crush them bit by bit into a dark-purple paste. Swallow it slowly in three portions."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly, her eyes brimming with determination.

She sat cross-legged on the bed and began taking the herb as Lu Chuan had instructed.

Seeing that she had begun refining it, Lu Chuan gently closed the bedroom door and stepped out.

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

Dugu Bo looked surprised. His gaze dipped.

"That fast? Is something wrong with you?"

Lu Chuan's face darkened.

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

"No! Hey! That's not necessary!"

The moment Lu Chuan finished speaking, the contract took effect. Dugu Bo lost 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~"

His cracked voice belted out the song, wildly off-key.

Dugu Bo's aged face turned scarlet with embarrassment.

Ye Lingling still held her teacup. At the sight, she pressed her lips together, barely holding back a laugh.

Lu Chuan walked around him with a look of distaste and stopped across from 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 all the drops in a jade bowl, then drink them in small sips over several rounds."

A gentle, soothing aura spread from the herb. Ye Lingling kept her eyes on it as she listened carefully, committing every step to memory.

"Thank you."

She had never been talkative. Besides, she had already pledged herself to Lu Chuan, so there was little more to say.

She began taking the herb as instructed.

Dugu Bo watched with naked envy, but he was still singing and couldn't say a word.

Three or four hours passed.

Only then did Ye Lingling slowly open her eyes.

The herb before her had crumbled into 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 brushed her hand over the Jade Moon Begonia floating before her.

A clear tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

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

Her parents' tragedy would never have to happen again...

A tissue appeared before her eyes.

She froze, then looked up at Lu Chuan through reddened eyes.

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

Once she had calmed down a little,

Lu Chuan asked,

"Lingling, what's your Martial Soul like now?"

"My Martial Soul's healing ability has grown stronger. It can also remove harmful conditions like poison and burns, and even heal mental trauma.

"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, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

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

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

Lu Chuan nodded in satisfaction.

"That's starting to resemble Ultimate Life. Keep working hard. I'll need your help in plenty of places."

"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 smiling, undisguised joy shining in her dark eyes.

"You startled me. When did you get here, Zhu Qing?"

"When Lingling started crying."

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

She looked up at him, warmth in her eyes, and said softly,

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

Lu Chuan had noticed the change in her too.

Her aura was now so contained that she could stand in a crowd and perfectly conceal both her Soul Power and her presence, becoming truly silent and nearly impossible to detect.

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

They would have to make another trip to the Battle Through the Heavens World.

By his reckoning, the factions in the Jia Ma Imperial Capital should be setting out for Wutan City around now.

When the time came, he would take Zhu Qing and Dugu Bo along. Dugu Bo could make sure their presence was felt.

He would show them what made Poison Douluo so fearsome. One breath of his snake venom could kill a whole crowd.

Lu Chuan set the thought aside and looked at the two women, his expression turning serious.

"Zhu Qing, Lingling, don't rush to absorb any Spirit Rings for now."

"With a Cultivation Method, you won't be bound by a Soul Master's level limits. In battle, you can use Dou Techniques instead of Spirit Ring abilities."

"Once your cultivation rises, you can absorb ten-thousand-year Spirit Rings—or even Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded without hesitation. Brother Lu's advice wouldn't steer her 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 Dou Emperor, Dou Zong, or even 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. Think of it as an investment in you both. If you're too weak, you won't be much help to me.

"Take Dugu Bo. He's coming with me to another place 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 only copied manuals. Only you two can cultivate from them, so it won't cost me anything."