Qian Daoliu's heart finally settled back into place, and he was just about to say something...
Then he saw Qian Renxue pick up a magnificent, regal Golden Tulip.
Qian Daoliu: "Wait, Xue'er, you..."
Dugu Bo's eyes widened. "You're eating another one?"
Dugu Yan exclaimed, "Sister Qian, aren't you going to rest a little?"
Qian Renxue chewed twice and swallowed it.
Qian Renxue: Evil God, this one tastes pretty good. A bit like jelly, sweet and melting right in my mouth.
Cheng Ran: Girl, I never knew you were such a foodie. You're supposed to refine this Immortal Herb slowly, but you just inhaled it like a storm. So tasty it made you stamp your little feet, huh? Too hasty. Never mind, you've already eaten it. It should probably be fine.
As the medicinal power entered her body, a gentle yet immense force surged within her, spreading from her dantian throughout her body.
Her Angel Martial Soul released itself automatically, its original six golden wings shining ever brighter.
A pillar of golden light rose with it, bathing the entire valley in gold.
Qian Daoliu's eyes widened. "Th-this is Martial Soul Evolution? Impossible! An Angel Martial Soul's form is fixed upon awakening. How could it..."
Dugu Bo instinctively stepped back, his pupils contracting. "There's actually an Immortal Herb that can induce Martial Soul Evolution?"
"Holy shit!" Dugu Yan watched dumbly. Alas, she had read too few books, leaving her with only "holy shit" to carry her through the world.
Under everyone's astonished gazes, the Angel Martial Soul's original six wings began to change. Their gold gradually faded, replaced by an even more dazzling platinum.
Then Qian Renxue let out a muffled groan, and light blazed behind her.
Eight platinum wings spread fully behind her, every feather flowing with sacred radiance, as though the Angel God had descended to earth.
Golden light shot into the sky, and holy radiance enveloped the surroundings.
Throughout Sunset Forest, countless Soul Beasts lay trembling on the ground, as if facing an ancient deity.
Eight Wings Angel!
The ultimate form of the Angel Martial Soul!
Tears streamed down Qian Daoliu's aged face. "Eight wings! The ultimate form of the Angel Martial Soul! Xue'er's Martial Soul has evolved! No one in the Angel Clan's line of succession has ever evolved to eight wings at this stage. This is unprecedented!"
Dugu Bo stood rooted to the spot, his mouth hanging open.
He was a level 92 Titled Douluo, widely experienced and knowledgeable.
Yet this was his first time seeing with his own eyes the Eight Wings Angel, a Martial Soul form that existed only in ancient texts and legends.
He drew a deep breath, and the final trace of hesitation in his heart vanished completely.
A fifteen-year-old girl, the Young Master of Spirit Hall, an inheritor of the Angel Martial Soul, an Eight Wings Angel, with a level 99 Peerless Douluo at her side.
Accepting Qian Renxue's offer to recruit him might very well be the wisest decision he had ever made.
Dugu Yan trembled. "Grandpa, what a terrifying Martial Soul. I feel like I can't stop myself from kneeling. This pressure is even more frightening than when you release your Martial Soul."
Dugu Bo lowered his voice, his tone solemn. "Yanyan, you'd better cling tightly to this powerful backer's leg!"
Dugu Yan nodded vigorously.
Meanwhile, driven by the Immortal Herb's medicinal power, Qian Renxue's Soul Power skyrocketed, only stopping at level 50 because she had not absorbed a Soul Ring.
Qian Renxue was beside herself with joy as she spoke in her mind: Evil God, I-I feel so strong!
Cheng Ran: Calm down. Just the basics. No need to spam praise; everyone, stay seated.
The Immortal Herbs had been consumed, her Martial Soul had evolved, and the trip had ended in complete success.
After giving Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan instructions regarding their treatment, Qian Renxue prepared to leave the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"In two months," Qian Renxue told Dugu Bo, "I'll be near Nuoding Academy. Bring Miss Dugu Yan to see me then."
Dugu Bo nodded. "Rest assured, Young Master. I'll be there."
As they were about to part, Dugu Yan came up to Qian Renxue.
After the toxins had been removed, a healthy flush had returned to her face, but her long hair remained emerald green, as did her eyes.
In the Evil God's words, she was a Spirit Girl.
Dugu Yan bowed earnestly to Qian Renxue. "Sister Qian, thank you for saving me. If it weren't for you, I might have..."
"None of that." Qian Renxue smiled faintly. "Focus on recovering, and come see me with your grandpa in two months."
Dugu Yan nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude and admiration.
Just then, Cheng Ran suddenly spoke in her mind: Xiao Xue, ask something for me.
Qian Renxue: What is it?
Cheng Ran: Ask Dugu Yan whether she has a boyfriend.
Qian Renxue: ...Why are you asking that?
Cheng Ran: Just ask when I tell you to. How could a mere mortal like you understand the schemes of an Evil God such as myself?
Helpless, Qian Renxue casually asked Dugu Yan, "By the way, Sister Yan, how old are you this year? Is there anyone you like?"
Dugu Yan froze, then blushed. "Sister Qian, I'm eleven this year. There isn't anyone I like yet..."
Cheng Ran: Heh heh heh, she's only eleven right now, crisp and tender. Maybe she hasn't met that Yu something from Heaven Dou Royal Academy yet?
Yu what was it again? Never mind, it doesn't matter. Just another roadside nobody anyway.
Qian Renxue's voice carried a hint of displeasure: Evil God, why do you care whether she has a boyfriend? Are you going to meddle in her underage dating too?
Cheng Ran: No, a friend of mine just wanted to know.
Qian Renxue: *...*
Seeing Qian Renxue's speechless expression, Dugu Yan looked puzzled. "Sister Qian?"
"Nothing. I'll introduce you to a boyfriend someday." Qian Renxue collected her thoughts and smiled at Dugu Yan.
Before leaving, Qian Renxue suddenly remembered something. She returned to the depths of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and stopped before a large, pale pink flower.
The flower had no leaves, its stem was three feet long, and its enormous bloom measured a full foot across. Every petal was as clear and translucent as crystal.
Qian Renxue was puzzled: Evil God, this flower is so beautiful. Why aren't we picking it?
Cheng Ran: This one is called Lovesick Heartbreak Red, a divine specimen among Immortal-grade Herbs. It can automatically protect its master and conceal a Soul Beast's aura. It can even bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh on bare bones.
Qian Renxue: It's that powerful? Then we should pick it all the more!
Cheng Ran: We can't. Its conditions for being picked are extremely strict. You must think of the person you love with utter sincerity and devotion, then drip your heart's blood onto its petals. Only then will the flower come free. With even the slightest wavering in your heart, you can forget about picking it, even if you vomit blood until you die.
Qian Renxue: That strict?
Cheng Ran: Among us players, this flower had a nickname, "Lover's Grass," also known as "Test Grass." In my past life, so many single-dog players refused to believe it and controlled their characters to pick it, only to vomit blood until their HP hit zero without any success. Later, everyone discovered this thing had another use, more accurate than a paternity test.
Qian Renxue: All right.
Finally, Cheng Ran did not forget to remind Qian Renxue to erect a wooden sign at the entrance to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, with eight large characters carved on it-
"No Entry for Tang San and Dogs."
Qian Renxue: Evil God, is that really necessary?
Cheng Ran: When Tang San arrives and sees this sign, his mental state will collapse on the spot. It's called psychological warfare. Do you understand?
Qian Renxue: I suspect you simply enjoy making fools of humans.
Cheng Ran: You got me.
Meanwhile, in Holy Soul Village.
A six-year-old boy was squatting in the courtyard packing his belongings, preparing to head to Nuoding Academy in a month.
Suddenly, without any warning, he let out a loud sneeze.
"Achoo!"
The boy rubbed his nose, his brows furrowing as he cast a sharp gaze into the distance.
"Who is cursing me?"
He snorted coldly, a viciousness unsuited to his age appearing on his small face.
"This person has already chosen the path to death!"
This boy was none other than Tang San.
Of course, he had no idea that in Sunset Forest, a thousand miles away, someone had not only stripped his future Immortal Herb Treasury bare, but had also put up a sign at the entrance taking a jab at him.
Before you continue