The cocoon of light broke open, turning into pure life-giving energy that flowed into the girl's body.
The girl's body slowly rose, buoyed by the surging energy.
She opened her eyes, a crystalline light flowing through them. Her pure, aloof face gained an even more ethereal, immortal air.
Her skin was like flawless, unblemished jade. She slowly cupped her jade hands before her, and a begonia as pure as the bright moon bloomed in her palms.
The begonia bloomed with twelve tiers of petals, crystal-clear and shimmering with holy radiance.
A sacred presence spread through the Pope's Hall.
[Development target: Ye Qingxian Martial Soul: Twelve-Grade Holy Light Begonia Soul Power: level 40!]
"My Soul Power actually rose two levels at once!"
Delighted, Ye Qingxian looked up at Qian Xunji on the throne, only to find His Holiness the Pope watching her with a dark expression.
"Your Holiness!"
"That's all it takes to impress you?
The Twelve-Grade Holy Light Lotus should have raised your Soul Power by at least five levels.
But that's secondary. What really deserves attention is your Martial Soul."
Qian Xunji asked, "Tell me what changes your Martial Soul has undergone."
"Yes, Your Holiness.
My Martial Soul's healing ability has grown stronger. It's no longer limited to physical injuries; it can also repair damage to Martial Souls and the spirit.
And the Nine Heart Begonia has gained a sacred attribute. Its Soul Skills are no longer limited to healing, either.
Most importantly, I can feel that the shackles on inheriting the Nine Heart Begonia are gone."
Ye Qingxian was thrilled. Now she could have babies for His Holiness without any worries.
At the thought, Ye Qingxian blushed and shyly lowered her head.
Qian Xunji: ??? What the hell are you blushing for?
"Absorb the Soul Bone too. Once you're done, you should be able to absorb a Soul Ring at least twenty thousand years old for your fourth ring."
"Twenty thousand years? For my fourth ring?"
Ye Qingxian's beautiful eyes widened into circles. "Can I really do that?"
Qian Xunji fell silent. After a long while, he finally replied, "In this world, there are only things you haven't seen, not things that are impossible!"
"Oh~"
Ye Qingxian took out the Yin Yang Fish Torso Bone, a Soul Bone produced by a two-hundred-thousand-year-old Deep Sea Yin Yang Fish.
A few years ago, when Qian Xunji had been looking for overseas continents in his spare time, he had killed it along the way.
Yin Yang Fish was just a name. Its shape had nothing in common with a fish, and its abilities... were a far cry from yin and yang.
This kind of Soul Beast had a special ability: it could convert completely opposing forces into one another.
For example, extreme cold and extreme heat, Life Qi and Death Qi, sacred and evil.
This Soul Bone most likely contained that ability of the Yin Yang Fish.
That was why he had given it to Ye Qingxian. If she could obtain a Soul Skill that converted the powers of life and death, she would no longer be merely a support-type Soul Master.
Absorbing the Soul Bone proved particularly grueling. A two-hundred-thousand-year-old Soul Bone was still too powerful for Ye Qingxian.
But with Qian Xunji there, the process was painful, yet the outcome was naturally never in doubt.
"Thank you, Your Holiness!"
Ye Qingxian was drenched in fragrant sweat, her face flushed, but she could scarcely hide her excitement.
A two-hundred-thousand-year-old Soul Bone had improved her far too much.
Most importantly, the Soul Skills contained in this Soul Bone were simply too powerful.
"Tell me about the Soul Bone's Soul Skills."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
A lovely smile graced Ye Qingxian's face. "This Soul Bone gave me two powerful Soul Skills.
I call the first Soul Skill Life and Death Conversion. It can reverse the effects of my Soul Skills, turning healing into reverse healing, something like drawing out life force.
I call the second Soul Skill Star Shift. It can change the direction of an enemy's attack, using their own force against them."
As Ye Qingxian spoke, her eyes shone like stars.
Beside her, Ah Yin pursed her lips, her face full of envy.
This Soul Bone was actually better suited to her.
She could possess a virtually endless supply of life force. Paired with this Soul Bone, she would truly be invincible.
"Not bad. It's getting late. Go get some rest.
In a couple of days, I'll take you to hunt for your fourth Soul Ring."
As Qian Xunji spoke, two beautiful, intellectual-looking female Soul Masters entered from outside the Pope's Hall.
"Take them to rest.
And teach Ah Yin how to be a good personal maid."
"Yes!"
The two female Soul Masters respectfully accepted their orders and led Ye Qingxian and Ah Yin away.
...Beneath the heavenly screen...
"Bedtime, bedtime. I've got something to dream about tonight."
"So what's a personal maid for?"
"Personal maid is the formal term. In private, aren't they all called bedchamber maids?"
"So she's a bedchamber maid! I thought she was... Waaaah!"
In a small border city, Tang Hao furiously smashed up a Spirit Hall Branch.
"Ah Yin, my Ah Yin!
Qian Xunji, damn you! Damn you!!!!"
Tang Hao was nearly mad with hatred. He swung the Clear Sky Hammer high into the sky, but could not harm the heavenly screen in the slightest.
Shrek.
Tang San sat cross-legged on his bed, sneering inwardly.
The former Pope? Just a man blinded by lust.
If I encountered a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast, I'd kill it and take its bone first.
As for whether the Soul Ring would go to waste?
Only what's in my hand is truly mine.
If that Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor dropped a Soul Bone, it would surely be a perfect match for me.
On another small bed in the same room, Grandmaster had already tucked himself under the covers. "Xiao San, you must never take a risk like that.
The energy impact from a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring is extremely powerful. A level-forty Soul Master could never withstand it.
Just wait and see. That Ye Qingxian will surely be killed because of Qian Xunji."
"Yes, Teacher. I know what I'm doing."
Tang San did not argue, but he did not take Grandmaster's words to heart, either.
At some point, Grandmaster's words had ceased to be ironclad rules to Tang San and had lost their authority.
But Qian Xunji on the heavenly screen-would someone that powerful put his own fiancée at risk?
...Heavenly screen timeline...
Qian Xunji gave Ye Qingxian three days to adjust to and master her new Martial Soul and Soul Bone.
During those three days, he also made arrangements for the Pope's grand wedding, to be celebrated across the entire continent.
Spirit Hall Branches all across Douluo Continent were decked out with lanterns and decorations.
Gold-embossed invitations were sent to all the major powers.
The whole of Spirit City came alive. Countless Soul Masters took it upon themselves to clean the streets. Ten miles of wedding finery? That was far too modest.
The entire city was dressed in red, and a bright red carpet stretched fifty kilometers beyond the city!
Ye Qingxian knew better than anyone what the changes in Spirit City were for.
But she did not resist in the slightest. Instead, she felt honored and fortunate.
"Three days, and I still haven't woken from this dream."
Ye Qingxian rested her rosy cheek in her hand, with Ah Yin and Ling Yuan Douluo following behind her.
A level-ninety-one Titled Douluo had been sent to be her personal bodyguard. Ye Qingxian had never imagined she could receive such an honor.
Ah Yin was also well behaved. She had originally fallen into despair, but after being taught the duties of a personal maid, she felt she could still salvage the situation.
As for shame?
She was a Soul Beast! How long had it been since she first came to the human world?
She hadn't even learned what shame was yet, all right?
On the surface, Ah Yin remained gentle and reserved, but inwardly, she had already begun brewing a bloodline contract plan.
As long as she received the Pope's favor, her vast life force would surely allow her to bear a child with powerful talent.
When that happened, even if she was a Soul Beast, could he really kill the mother of his child?
Besides, Ah Yin strongly suspected that Qian Xunji had already set his sights on her.
That was perfect.
Star Dou Great Forest.
A twenty-thousand-year-old Holy Light Spirit Crane accidentally ran into the bottom of Qian Xunji's foot and fell unconscious, landing, as luck would have it, right on the sharp blade in Ye Qingxian's hand.
...Beneath the heavenly screen...
"Xiao San, watch closely. Though the Holy Light Spirit Crane Soul Beast isn't very aggressive, it is an extremely rare, top-grade Soul Beast with powerful life force and immunity to all poisons.
If that Ye Qingxian absorbs this Soul Ring without her body exploding and killing her, I'll eat it!"
Yu Xiaogang pointed at a pile of dog shit by the roadside, brimming with confidence.