Does a Tear Mole Count as a Soul Bone?

"We did it!" Xiao Wu cheered.

Yan Zu breathed a sigh of relief and handed Ye Lingling a nourishing pill and some water, "Sister Lingling, you've done very well. For the next seven days, you need to slowly adapt to your new physique and solidify your foundation. After seven days, we'll proceed to the second step."

Ye Lingling smiled weakly, took the pill, and swallowed it, saying softly, "Thank you—thank you everyone." She knew that without Yan Zu's assistance and Little Jade's auspicious aura, she definitely wouldn't have been able to withstand such a powerful medicinal tempering.

Everyone rushed forward, offering water and snacks, their concern evident in their words. Ye Lingling felt the warmth of her companions, a warm current welling up in her heart, and her originally pale face regained some color.

Over the next week, Ye Lingling followed Yan Zu's instructions and engaged in gentle cultivation and conditioning to consolidate the benefits of the Ice and Fire Body Tempering.

She could clearly feel that her meridians were wider and stronger, her Soul Power was circulating more smoothly, and her physical strength and ability to withstand Soul Power had undergone a qualitative leap.

Seven days later, the second step begins.

"The ' Life-Creation Pill ' stabilizes the foundation and nourishes the Martial Soul Origin." Yan Zu handed the second pill to Ye Lingling.

This time, the process was much gentler. The elixir transformed into pure and abundant life energy, nourishing Ye Lingling's entire body like spring rain, especially her Martial Soul Origin. Ye Lingling felt a comfortable pulsation emanating from her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, as if it had been parched for a long time and now receiving sweet rain. She greedily absorbed this energy, and the petals seemed even more vibrant, her life force even richer. Her Soul Power was also steadily increasing, reaching the bottleneck of level 40!

Seven days later, the third step.

"The Universe Mind-Calming Pill Nourishes the Spirit, Enlightens the Mind, and Helps One Seek One's True Nature."

This pill primarily affects the soul and spirit. After taking it, Ye Lingling felt her mind become clear, and some obscure points in her previous cultivation suddenly became clear. Her spiritual power became more refined and sharp. Her control over her Soul Power and her grasp of the timing of treatment seemed to have reached a new level.

Finally, three days later, the most crucial step arrived.

Yan Zu took out the most precious "Universe Creation Pill". As soon as the pill was taken out, the entire quiet room was filled with a refreshing fragrance. The surface of the pill was shimmering with light, as if there were hidden runes of the Great Dao.

"Sister Lingling, this is the Universe Creation Pill," said Yan Zu, his tone extremely solemn. "It has the effect of transforming one's body, stimulating potential, and promoting the healthy evolution of one's Martial Soul." He continued, "Take it, concentrate all your thoughts on your Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, and guide the medicinal power to break through that shackle of inheritance! Don't be afraid, Little Jade, everyone, and I will do everything we can to help you!"

Looking at the magical pill and then at the encouraging and expectant eyes of her companions, Ye Lingling felt a surge of courage. She nodded emphatically, took the pill, and swallowed it.

The pill melted instantly upon entering the mouth, transforming into a warm current that swept through the entire body in an instant! Unlike the previous pills, this medicinal power was gentle yet overwhelming, carrying a profound aura of the transformation of creation.

Ye Lingling immediately focused her mind on her Martial Soul. In her spiritual world, the Nine Heart Begonia seemed to sense something and swayed excitedly. The medicinal power surged into her Martial Soul like a tide, beginning to change and strengthen its fundamental structure from the smallest details!

"Buzz----"

In reality, the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul automatically appeared above Ye Lingling's head. The originally pure white begonia flower with only nine petals now shone brightly! The petals became thicker and more translucent at a speed visible to the naked eye, with faint golden patterns appearing at the edges. Most astonishingly, at the center of the nine petals, a point of dazzling golden light began to be formed, and the phantom of the flower's stamen appeared and disappeared!

Ye Lingling felt as if her soul was undergoing a sublimation along with her Martial Soul. The invisible shackles that had bound the Ye family for countless generations shattered with a "crackling" sound under the impact of the Creation Pill's power and her own unwavering will!

After an unknown amount of time, the light in the quiet room reached its peak, and then slowly receded.

Ye Lingling slowly opened her eyes. Her temperament had undergone a subtle change; she had lost some of her aloofness and distance, and gained more gentleness and peace. Her eyes were clearer and deeper, as if they contained endless vitality.

With a thought, her Martial Soul reappeared.

A brand new begonia flower floated in her palm. It still had nine pure white main petals, but each one was as clear as jade, shimmering with a faint golden halo, its life force several times more abundant and pure! And at the center of the nine main petals, there was a small, exquisite, golden stamen! Although this stamen looked very young, its very existence represented the breaking of shackles, the beginning of evolution!

The Nine Heart Begonia has evolved into the Sacred Heart Begonia! Although it is not yet fully stable, the path has been opened!

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling's Soul Power continued to increase, but because she had not acquired Soul Ring, she was temporarily stuck at level 40!

Moreover, she sensed that although the Sacred Heart Begonia was still primarily focused on healing abilities, it had already developed other Soul Skill that were mainly based on healing.

At this moment, in Yan Zu's mind:

[Ding! Sign-in for the key event successfully! "Break the Nine Heart Begonia family's destiny," triggering a rare hidden reward!]

[Congratulations, host! You have gained: +1 more invites to the Training Grounds!]

[Congratulations, host, you have obtained: External Soul Bone - Exiled Immortal Tear Mole]

Immediately following, a very faint, teardrop-shaped golden line appeared below Yan Zu's left eye.

However, everyone's attention is currently focused on Lingling, and they haven't noticed the changes in Yan Zu.

"We did it! Elder Sister Lingling did it!" Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu hugged each other, jumping and laughing.

A genuine smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's usually aloof face.

Dugu Yan and Oscar exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with satisfaction.

Liu Erlong clapped his hands in admiration. "A miracle, truly a miracle! Breaking the limits of inheritance, Martial Soul Evolution — Yan Zu, you have created a miracle once again!"

Looking at the delighted Ye Lingling and the excited crowd, Yan Zu felt a sense of accomplishment. He walked up to Ye Lingling and...

He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Sister Lingling. Sacred Heart Begonia, your future is bright. However, the evolution is not yet fully stable. You will need to spend a lot of time familiarizing yourself with and consolidating your skills, and find a suitable Fourth Soul Ring, in order to truly unleash the full potential of your evolved Martial Soul."

Ye Lingling stood up, looked at Yan Zu, and then at every concerned face around her. Her eyes instantly reddened. Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something, but she choked up and couldn't make a sound. The pressure, grievances, and uncertainty about the future over the years, as well as the ecstasy and hope of being reborn at this moment, surged into her heart like a tide.

She suddenly threw herself into Yan Zu's arms and remained there for Jiujiu. Her shoulders trembled slightly from suppressed sobs.

"Yan Zu ----thank you----really----thank you----" She finally choked out a complete sentence, her voice filled with unprecedented emotional turmoil.

Then, she turned to her companions and bowed deeply as well. "Thank you everyone—thank you for always believing in me—for staying with me—"

Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu rushed forward to help her up. Ning Rongrong's eyes also reddened. "Sister Lingling, what are you saying! We're partners!"

Xiao Wu nodded vigorously. "That's right! Your crabapple blossoms will definitely bloom exceptionally beautifully in the future!"

Ye Lingling raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears, and revealed an incredibly radiant smile, as if all her burdens had been lifted. Everyone who saw the unprecedented brilliance in her eyes smiled from the bottom of their hearts.

Ye Lingling's Martial Soul Evolution into the Sacred Heart Begonia. While everyone was happy for her, they also knew that the acquisition of the next Soul Ring was crucial, as it would determine how much power her evolved Martial Soul could unleash.

After returning to his dormitory, Yan Zu finally had time to look at the reward he had just received: [External Soul Bone - Exiled Immortal Tear Mole]

Divine Mercy: When he releases a healing or protective Soul Skill, the beauty mark under his eye emits a faint glow, adding a layer of "Mental Comfort" to the skill effect, greatly reducing negative emotions such as fear and panic among teammates.

Heart Bewitchment: Can be actively activated to briefly (1-2 seconds) cause a single target to experience a "mental sway" when their gaze meets yours, making them instinctively hesitate in attacking or defending (the effect is reduced against those with strong will).

Revival: Consumes all Soul Power to force out a true "Tear of Revival" from the beauty mark. Revival death count cannot exceed 10.

[Minutes of the Dead. After use, the beauty mark will be hidden for three months, during which all functions will be unavailable.]

Yan Zu was surprised. "A beauty mark under the eye counts as Soul Bone?"

Yan Zu brought out a mirror and looked at himself.

The beauty mark under the eye is located about a finger's width directly below the left corner of the eye. It is teardrop-shaped and about half the size of a grain of rice in length. Its outline is not a harsh line, but a golden halo that gradually fades from the inside out, with a hazy edge like the morning mist.

This beauty mark under her eye naturally softened Yan Zu's otherwise slightly sharp features, giving her an indescribable gentleness.

This "tear" seems to be a mark left by the gods out of pity for humanity. Gazing at it, one feels a gentle pull on the soul, a sense of awe, and a longing for boundless tenderness and closeness.

That evening, Ye Lingling bid farewell to everyone and returned alone to the Ye family courtyard located in the west of Heaven Dou City.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the flagstone path. Ye Lingling pushed open the courtyard gate, her steps much lighter than usual.

Passing through the front hall, one could see that the lights in the main room were still on, and a slender figure was sitting by the window, flipping through something by the light.

"Mother." Ye Lingling pushed open the door and entered.

Ye Qinghe looked up, saw her daughter, and a hint of tenderness flashed in her eyes. "Lingling, you're back? Why are you so late today?"

Ye Lingling sat down beside her mother, not answering immediately, but simply looking at her quietly. Ye Qinghe noticed her daughter's unusual expression, put down her book, and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Is something wrong at the academy?"

Ye Lingling gently shook her head, took a deep breath, and then slowly extended her right hand.

A brand new crabapple blossom blooms in the palm of your hand. The nine pure white main petals are as clear as jade, with a faint golden halo flowing around their edges, and in the center of the petals, a small and exquisite golden stamen is radiating a soft light. A powerful sense of life permeates the air, making the whole room feel as if it is bathed in a spring breeze.

Ye Qinghe was stunned.

She stared blankly at the begonia flower in her daughter's palm, at the golden stamen that had never appeared before, and felt the pure vitality that far surpassed that of the Nine Heart Begonia. The book in her hand fell to the table with a "thud," but she didn't even notice.

"Lingling ----this----this is----" Her voice trembled.

Tears welled up in Ye Lingling's eyes, but she tried her best to maintain a smile, "Mother, my Martial Soul Evolution. The Nine Heart Begonia has become the Sacred Heart Begonia."

Ye Qinghe reached out, her hand trembling as she tried to touch the crabapple blossom. The moment her fingertips touched the petals, a warm and powerful life force surged into her body, washing away all the weariness and worries of the past years.

"It's true... it's really true..." Ye Qinghe murmured, tears finally streaming down her face.

She pulled her daughter into her arms, holding her so tightly, as if afraid it was all a dream.

It's been twelve years.

Ever since her father sacrificed himself to make room for his granddaughter's awakening, she has worried about her daughter's fate every single day for the past twelve years.

The cruel fate of the Nine Heart Begonia, with only two surviving in its generation, hung over her like a sword of Damocles, keeping her awake at night. She feared that one day, Lingling would also face such a difficult choice: she feared that the tragedy of the Ye family would be repeated in this only daughter.

But now----

"Lingling ---- Lingling ----" Ye Qinghe called her daughter's name again and again, tears soaking Ye Lingling's shoulder.

After a long while, Ye Qinghe finally calmed down a bit. She released her daughter, cupped her face in her hands, and looked at her carefully.

She was still the same daughter, but her eyes held a newfound radiance—the ease of being relieved of a heavy burden, the brightness of seeing hope.

"Lingling, tell your mother quickly, what exactly happened?" Ye Qinghe asked anxiously, holding her daughter's hand.

Ye Lingling then recounted the events of the past few days, selecting the ones she could tell—how Yan Zu had accidentally obtained a miraculous medicine, how it helped her endure the excruciating pain of transformation, how her companions had protected her day and night, and how, ultimately, through a series of fortuitous events, her Martial Soul broke free from the shackles that had plagued the Ye family for generations.

She spoke casually, glossing over many details, but Ye Qinghe was an extremely intelligent person. From the undisguised gleam in her daughter's eyes and the gentle smile that unconsciously spread across her lips when she mentioned "Yan Zu," she had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.

"How... how did he do that?" Ye Qinghe's voice trembled slightly.

Ye Lingling shook her head and said softly, "Mother, I can't say the specifics. But you just need to know that without A-Zu, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Ye Qinghe was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

That smile held relief, contentment, and a hint of indescribable emotion.

"Alright, Mother won't ask." She gently held her daughter's hand. "As long as you're alright, Mother is fine with everything."

Ye Lingling murmured, "A-Zu is a very good captain—and a very good person too."

Ye Qinghe was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Lingling, tomorrow morning, take your mother to the academy. Your mother wants to personally speak with Yan Zu."

Thanks."

Ye Lingling was slightly taken aback. "Mother, you----"

"It's only right." Ye Qinghe held her daughter's hand, her gaze firm. "Such a great favor, how could I, Ye Qinghe, not thank you in person?

Ye Lingling thought for a moment, then nodded gently. "Okay."