Ink Jade Divine Bamboo

Zhang Fei held the ink jade divine bamboo out to She Long and explained, "This bamboo is called ink jade divine bamboo. It's one of the immortal herbs, and it works wonders for Soul Masters with tool martial souls. Its medicinal power specifically tempers the martial soul, enhancing its toughness and sharpness while also greatly improving soul power and cultivation aptitude. Grandpa, your Snake Lance is a tool martial soul that favors sharpness and brute force. This ink jade divine bamboo is an excellent match for you."

He paused, then added, "Taking it isn't complicated. Just drink the bamboo juice, then use your Meditation Method to refine and absorb the entire plant."

"All right."

She Long took the ink jade divine bamboo and controlled it with his soul power, slowly drinking its juice one segment at a time.

The instant the medicinal power entered his stomach, She Long's brows drew together sharply.

He closed his eyes, rested his hands on his knees, and circulated his soul power with all his might.

Four hours slipped quietly past amid the sound of steady breathing.

The aura surrounding She Long suddenly surged.

An invisible wave of force exploded from his body, then his entire aura abruptly contracted again as he drew every last trace back into himself.

She Long slowly opened his eyes.

He looked down at his right hand, and with a thought, the Snake Lance materialized in his palm.

The long lance, once bluish-purple from end to end, had now turned a deep ink-jade color.

Its shaft had thickened, feeling heavier and steadier in his hand.

The blade was even sharper, its edge carrying an extremely thin sheen. A gentle flick sliced through the air before him.

She Long rose to his feet, gripping the ink-jade Snake Lance.

"The peak of level ninety-three... I'm just one step away from level ninety-four. And the changes to my martial soul... they're far greater than I imagined."

She Long's voice trembled. He casually swung the ink-jade Snake Lance, tracing a fierce arc through the air.

Its razor-sharp aura swept toward Zhang Fei, making him instinctively pull his head back.

Looking at the completely transformed ink-jade Snake Lance, Zhang Fei broke into a grin. "I told you ink jade divine bamboo was perfect for you. Grandpa, if you fight Dugu Bo again now, you could probably pin him to the ground and pound him."

"Hahaha!" She Long burst into laughter and reached out to ruffle Zhang Fei's hair. "Well done, brat. Even these old bones of mine got to bask in your good fortune."

Zhang Fei chuckled and buttered him up. "Not at all! It's only thanks to your divine might, Grandpa, that we managed to find such an opportunity."

"You certainly know how to talk, brat. All the trouble I took bringing you out here wasn't wasted." Zhang Fei's flattery left She Long thoroughly pleased. "Let's head back, then."

"Wait, Grandpa." Zhang Fei caught hold of She Long again.

"What is it now?"

"When we get back, how are we going to explain this to the Crown Prince?" Zhang Fei put away his playful grin, looking troubled.

She Long answered without hesitation, "Just tell him the truth."

Zhang Fei shook his head. "No. We can't tell him everything yet."

"Why not?" She Long looked puzzled.

Zhang Fei weighed his words before speaking. "If the Pope finds out about such an enormous opportunity, we'll definitely be ordered to hand it over. We'd lose out badly. We don't intend to betray Spirit Hall, but there are too many people and prying eyes there. We need to keep a few trump cards of our own."

She Long opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words, and looked conflicted. "Uh... well... what do you think we should do?"

Zhang Fei had already prepared their story and spoke unhurriedly. "If the Crown Prince asks, just say we accidentally ate two golden-yellow fruits in Sunset Forest, and then our martial souls evolved. As for the details, we won't know a thing, no matter what he asks."

He paused, then added, "In any case, we won't breathe a word about that treasure ground or the immortal herbs. We'll act as though they don't exist."

Zhang Fei considered it inwardly. Although Qian Renxue treated him well, this future Angel God was ultimately someone who let romance go to her head.

Until I'm sure I'm the one she's lovesick over, I still need to keep some trump cards firmly in my own hands.

Who knows whether she'll do something foolish in the future? Better wait a little longer. Immortal herbs are only for my own people.

She Long waved a hand impatiently. "Fine, fine. We'll do it your way. Anything else?"

"No, nothing else." Zhang Fei hurriedly shook his head.

Without another word, She Long scooped Zhang Fei up again, and the two flew toward Heaven Dou City.

Two hours later, they returned to the Crown Prince's Residence and headed straight for the study.

Xue Qinghe and Ci Xue were discussing something in the study. When they saw She Long and Zhang Fei return, both their brows shifted slightly without their realizing it.

They both sensed that the pair's auras were much stronger than before they had left.

The fluctuations of soul power coming from She Long were considerably more robust than before his departure, and his entire person radiated a keen, cutting aura.

Zhang Fei's changes were even more obvious. Not only had he grown much taller, but his appearance had also changed noticeably.

His eyes shone brightly, his skin gleamed like jade, and his features were sharply defined. His baby fat had vanished completely, and the bridge of his nose was straight.

Though his face was still clearly a child's, it already held some of a young man's striking bearing. One glance was enough to tell that he would grow into an exceptionally handsome young man.

Suspicions crowded Xue Qinghe's mind, but his expression betrayed nothing unusual.

He merely set down the document in his hand, curved his lips into a gentle smile, and asked casually, "Uncle She, how did the soul hunting go?"

She Long cupped his hands in salute, smiling. "Young Master, everything went smoothly. We found an eight-hundred-year-old Golden-Armored Dragon Lizard in Sunset Forest. After Little Fei successfully absorbed its soul ring, his soul power broke straight through to level twelve, and he gained an excellent enhancement soul skill."

A trace of approval flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes. "An eight-hundred-year soul ring. Very impressive. Little Fei's talent certainly hasn't disappointed us."

"That wasn't all." She Long continued with the story he and Zhang Fei had agreed upon. "We also stumbled across an unexpected opportunity in the forest."

Xue Qinghe paused briefly, looking interested. "Oh? What opportunity?"

She Long answered without hesitation, "We accidentally ate two unknown golden fruits in Sunset Forest. As a result, both my martial soul and Little Fei's mutated, and I broke through my soul power bottleneck as well."

As expected of an old hand, She Long managed his expression and words perfectly, leaving no visible flaws.

After hearing this, Xue Qinghe felt somewhat surprised, yet instinctively sensed that something was odd.

But he also knew that She Long was a veteran who had followed him for years and was utterly loyal to Spirit Hall. He could not possibly be concealing anything, nor did he have any reason to.

Besides, the natural treasures of this world truly came in countless strange forms. Even he would not dare claim to know them all.

Xue Qinghe nodded, his gentle gaze settling on Zhang Fei's face. With a faint smile, he asked affectionately, "Little Fei, could you release your martial soul and let me take a look?"

Zhang Fei naturally had no objections and grinned. "Of course."

He stepped back half a pace, closed his eyes, and willed it forth.

The phantom of a Golden Giant Dragon, more than a hundred feet long, abruptly rose behind Zhang Fei.

It had two horns, four legs, and five claws on each foot. As its golden, slit-pupiled eyes gazed down, they carried an ancient pressure that made everyone present involuntarily hold their breath.