Chapter 5

"Big brother."

"I told you, you don't have to call me that."

"Then what should I call you? Uncle? But you look so young, big brother."

"I'm already a Million-Year Soul Beast..."

"That still isn't old, big brother."

Lan Changsheng pressed a hand to his forehead helplessly. "Suit yourself."

Ah Yin, who had grown a little larger, wiggled her branches as though proclaiming her victory. "Is Blue Silver Imperial Emperor Grass a higher rank than the Blue Silver Emperor? Ever since you came, all the Blue Silver Grass around here only says good morning and good night to you."

"In terms of bloodline alone, yes."

"Then is there any way I can evolve into Blue Silver Imperial Emperor Grass?" Ah Yin asked excitedly.

Lan Changsheng fell silent for a while, only speaking after organizing his words. "In terms of evolution alone, it's impossible. Just as you could only appear after the previous Blue Silver Emperor died completely, the same goes for me. Unless I die, no new Blue Silver Imperial Emperor Grass will appear, even if you cultivate for a million years."

"I don't want you to die, big brother. Then I won't become Blue Silver Imperial Emperor Grass!" There was clear urgency in Ah Yin's voice.

Lan Changsheng gently stroked Ah Yin's drifting willow branches. "Don't worry. Our Blue Silver lineage has the most tenacious vitality. In terms of fighting strength alone, there are only a handful of beings on this continent who could threaten me. I won't fall so easily."

Only then did Ah Yin relax, her entire trunk slowly settling down.

But Lan Changsheng changed tack. "You're different, though. You're still too weak, and your abilities lean toward support. Let me help you evolve an ability."

As he spoke, a drop of blood essence gleaming with golden light emerged from the Blue Silver Emperor Pattern between his brows. Guided by Lan Changsheng, it dripped onto Ah Yin.

"Big brother, what's this for?" Ah Yin twisted her body, but although she possessed intelligence, she still couldn't move from her spot.

"This drop of blood can help your bloodline evolve a little. Even if you're killed someday, you'll be able to turn into a seed and be reborn."

"It's that powerful? Then will the reborn me still be me?"

Lan Changsheng smiled but didn't answer. This drop of blood would do more than help Ah Yin's bloodline evolve. It was also a mark. If he, the Blue Silver Imperial Emperor Grass, fell, its legacy would find Ah Yin and make her the next Blue Silver Imperial Emperor Grass.

As for Ah Yin's question, rebirth was hardly that simple. This merely gave her a way out. Protecting her soul from destruction was already difficult enough. As for her memories...

"I'll find you and get to know you all over again."

"Big brother, what are you saying?"

"Nothing. Just focus on absorbing it."

"All right, Xiao San's bloodline awakening has entered a stable phase. I won't need to keep watching him from now on." After carefully sensing his condition, Lan Changsheng told Tang Hao, "I'm going to find those two Titled Douluos."

After all, he had already received the system's mission notification.

He needed to finish dealing with these matters quickly and begin preparing for the First Trial of his Divine Trial.

Tang Hao said with some concern, "Don't you need to rest first? Those two aren't easy to deal with, especially when they're together."

Lan Changsheng stroked the surrounding Blue Silver Grass, which had already grown over a meter tall. "It's fine. I only served as a guide. These Blue Silver Grass plants did most of the work.

Besides, I've already found a way to deal with those two Titled Douluos."

Hearing this, Tang Hao cupped his fist in salute. "Brother, don't worry. I'll take good care of Xiao San."

"Just keep him out of mortal danger. Having a Titled Douluo like you constantly by his side won't help his growth. Besides, you need peace and quiet to recover from your injuries. Let's do this." Lan Changsheng paused, then waved at a nearby Blue Silver Grass plant. "Sorry for the trouble, but please stay with this nephew of mine and tell me when he's in danger."

The Blue Silver Grass nodded in a very human manner. Then, with Lan Changsheng's help, it turned into a very inconspicuous ring.

He tossed the ring to Tang Hao. "Give it to Xiao San when he wakes up."

"Yes."

With a flash of light, Lan Changsheng vanished.

"Ah, this brother-in-law of mine really is incredible."

Having already confirmed Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo's whereabouts with the system, Lan Changsheng soon used Teleportation to arrive outside Spirit City.

The towering city walls, the resplendent gates, and the endless streams of people and caravans passing through them all displayed the might of Spirit City, or rather, Spirit Hall.

As a Million-Year Soul Beast, Lan Changsheng naturally knew about Spirit Hall. It was the main reason humans had been able to grow powerful.

Every year, Spirit Hall sent people across the continent to perform free Martial Soul Awakenings for children of the appropriate age, breaking the great clans' monopoly over Martial Souls on the continent. It also paid monthly allowances to registered Soul Masters. Though the amount wasn't large, it guaranteed that so many Soul Masters of common birth could cultivate without worry.

He greatly admired whoever had introduced such reforms. If possible, he didn't want to become enemies with Spirit Hall either.

But whenever he thought of how only a remnant of Ah Yin's soul remained, and the pain of parting with her, Lan Changsheng's chest felt like a blocked volcano. Some things had to be done.

"System, those two Titled Douluos are in this city, right?"

[Yes. Both of them are in the private courtyard Spirit Hall prepared for them.]

After sensing the direction indicated by the system, Lan Changsheng used Teleportation to arrive at that courtyard.

The moment he appeared, he heard the two drinking outside the little courtyard.

Lan Changsheng made no deliberate attempt to hide his presence, because he had come for revenge!

"Old Ghost, look how big my chrysanthemum is!"

"Big? What use is being big? Completing His Holiness the Pope's mission is what matters."

"Ah, speaking of His Holiness, he really hasn't had it easy. He's suffered through half his life, yet he still devotes himself to governing and making Spirit Hall flourish. We must support His Holiness well!"

"As if you need to tell me. When we went on that mission with the Pope last time, our Martial Soul Fusion Skill still took too long to activate. Let's practice it again later."

"All right... who's out there!"

The two instantly sobered up. Chrysanthemum Douluo's Martial Soul, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, instantly appeared behind him. The entire Martial Soul spun, sending petal after petal shooting rapidly beyond the courtyard gate.

Meanwhile, Ghost Douluo quietly retreated into a patch of shade. His shadow curled, and he vanished from the spot, becoming a dark shadow that raced along the shadows beneath the wall toward the courtyard gate at a speed invisible to the naked eye.

He was even faster than Chrysanthemum Douluo's attack, reaching the courtyard gate first.

A Netherworld Ghost Claw swept forward. With a boom, the courtyard wall collapsed first, while the ghost claw continued charging forward without losing a fraction of its power.

But then a clang rang out, like metal striking metal.

Several Blue Silver Grass plants precisely blocked the Netherworld Ghost Claw. When Ghost Douluo's strike failed, he immediately retreated!

He once again turned into a shadow and fled.

Chrysanthemum Douluo's flying petal blades followed close behind, only to be completely blocked by those same Blue Silver Grass plants.

Ghost Douluo reappeared beside Chrysanthemum Douluo. Both wore solemn expressions as they watched the figure fiddling with the flowers and grass!