Refining the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum
Dugu Yan looked so utterly untroubled about selling off her grandfather's fields that Lu Yang, standing beside her, could not help bursting into laughter.
Hearing him laugh, Dugu Yan turned and glared at him. "You little brat, are you laughing at me?"
"No, no. I just thought you were generous, Sister Yanzi!" Lu Yang gave Dugu Yan a thumbs-up, looking thoroughly impressed.
"Hmph, I knew you were up to no good. But I'm in a good mood today, so I'll allow you to pick one too." Dugu Yan raised her chin slightly, wearing an expression that said, I'm feeling generous today, so here's a little charity.
"Yanzi, isn't this a little inappropriate? This is your grandfather's medicinal garden. Are you really letting them pick whatever they like?" Unlike Ye Lingling and Lu Yang, Ye Qingling felt this was not quite right, so she spoke up to remind her.
"Aunt Qingling, Lingling and I grew up together. We're sisters for life. Besides, wasn't it the Ye Family's compendium that helped ease Grandpa's and my problems this time? I think even Grandpa would agree with what I'm doing, so don't worry," Dugu Yan said earnestly.
Hearing this, Ye Qingling nodded gently. The Ye Family and the Dugu Family were indeed on good terms. However, the Ye Family had always kept a low profile because of the issue with their martial soul's inheritance, while Dugu Bo presented himself to the outside world as an eccentric old man. Thus, very few people actually knew about the relationship between the two families.
Only after receiving Ye Qingling's approval did Ye Lingling begin studying the immortal herbs beside the lake, considering which one to pick. Lu Yang watched beside her for a while, then raised his hand and pointed at the aromatic silk beauty. "Senior Sister, how about choosing that one?"
"Is that... aromatic silk beauty?" Ye Lingling asked uncertainly.
She had only read the Immortal Herb Compendium once, and her memories of it were not particularly clear. Hearing Lu Yang recommend that plant, Ye Lingling tried to recall the description of aromatic silk beauty.
"Aromatic silk beauty is known as the king of immortal herbs. It has a graceful, magnificent appearance and incomparably powerful effects. Your martial soul has its own shackles, Senior Sister. If you take this king of immortal herbs, perhaps it could help you break free of them," Lu Yang said.
Before Ye Lingling could react, Ye Qingling and Dugu Yan both turned to look at him.
"Lingling, that's the one. I'll pick it for you right now." Dugu Yan was eager, clearly aware of the harsh conditions governing the inheritance of the nine heart begonia martial soul.
"Yanzi, be careful..." Seeing this, Ye Qingling had no time to reassure her daughter. She hurriedly explained the precautions Dugu Yan needed to take when harvesting the immortal herb.
Following Ye Qingling's instructions, Dugu Yan carefully picked the aromatic silk beauty and held it out to Ye Lingling.
Ye Lingling looked hesitantly at the immortal herb, then turned to her mother, Ye Qingling. Clearly, she wanted Ye Qingling to take it instead.
"Why are you looking at me?" Ye Qingling asked helplessly. "Your father has been dead for so long. Surely you're not hoping your mother will remarry?"
"Mm..." Ye Lingling was so floored by Ye Qingling's words that she had no idea how to respond.
"The future inheritance of the nine heart begonia rests with you, so you should take it yourself. As long as you can break free of your martial soul's shackles and never have to endure the pain of losing a loved one again, I'll be satisfied." Ye Qingling stroked Ye Lingling's head, her voice tender.
"That's right, Lingling. Listen to Aunt Qingling and take it."
"Exactly, Senior Sister. Hurry up and take it. Break free of your martial soul's shackles."
Persuaded by Lu Yang and the other two, Ye Lingling nodded gently. Following Ye Qingling's instructions, she took the aromatic silk beauty and began refining it.
Once Ye Lingling entered a meditative state, Dugu Yan turned to Lu Yang. "Your turn. Which one do you want?"
"That one, the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum!" Lu Yang did not stand on ceremony. Hadn't obtaining an immortal herb been the whole point of all his planning? Since Dugu Yan had given him the opportunity, he certainly would not turn it down.
"If you've chosen one, go pick it yourself. Were you expecting me to pick it for you? In your dreams!" Dugu Yan curled her lip and waved him away.
Lu Yang smiled and walked over. He had memorized the method for harvesting the immortal herb while reading the compendium. After carefully picking the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum, he immediately began consuming and refining it according to the recorded method.
As soon as he placed the petals of the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum into his mouth, the pure energy contained within the immortal herb surged into his meridians. Wherever it flowed, a faint swelling ache made Lu Yang frown slightly.
However, his body was already being nourished by the energy spilling from the Sun God's divine seat, which came with the Winged Dragon of Ra martial soul. He was far stronger than soul masters of the same level, so refining the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum proved somewhat easier than he had expected.
The process was rather slow, however, taking far longer than Dugu Bo and Ye Lingling had needed to refine their immortal herbs.
It was not until late that night that Lu Yang finished refining all the medicinal potency of the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum. He emerged from meditation, opened his eyes, and summoned his martial soul the instant he stood up.
The moment Martial Soul Possession took effect and the Sun God Armor covered his entire body, Lu Yang felt power surging within him. His soul power, which had previously circulated somewhat sluggishly, now flowed much more smoothly.
Feeling these changes, Lu Yang's face lit up with delight. His earlier conjecture had been correct: improving his physique could effectively alleviate problems such as the slow growth of soul power caused by an ultimate attribute.
"Little Yang, if you've finished absorbing it, hurry up and come over!" Just then, Dugu Yan's voice came from the top of the cliff.
Dugu Bo and the others, who had long since finished refining the medicinal potency of their immortal herbs, had already built a campfire up above and were waiting for Lu Yang to finish.
When Lu Yang climbed the cliff and reached the campfire, he was greeted by Ye Lingling's serene smile and the relaxed expression on Dugu Bo's face.
"How was it, little fellow? That divine medicine gave you some pretty good benefits, didn't it?" Dugu Bo was the first to speak.
He did not recognize the vast majority of the immortal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but how could he possibly not recognize the singular velvet sky chrysanthemum? It was the martial soul of his old adversary, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan. He had once even considered picking it to tease Yue Guan.
"The effects were excellent. My soul power increased by about five levels, and the improvement to my physique was even greater," Lu Yang said.
"Five levels? What level is your soul power now?" Dugu Yan asked.
After taking the earth dragon golden melon, Dugu Yan's soul power had also increased. She did not want Lu Yang to catch up with her, so she was eager to ask.
"My soul power level is thirty-seven now. In less than a year, I should be able to break through to level forty and become a Soul Ancestor," Lu Yang said.