Hearing that Qian Renxue was going on a Soul Hunt, Jin Yue'er's eyes shone with longing.
Tugging at Jin E's golden Coronet Robe, she whispered softly:
"Grandfather, when can Yue'er awaken her Martial Soul?"
"This..."
A trace of difficulty appeared on Jin E's face.
Qian Daoliu walked over at that moment, smiling kindly as he comforted her:
"Don't be impatient, little Yue'er. There's still over half a year to go. When the time comes, if your health has improved, this old man will personally awaken your Martial Soul for you."
"Really? Grand Elder Qian..."
A flicker of delight sparked in Jin Yue'er's somewhat lifeless large eyes.
"Of course! My grandfather always keeps his word!"
Qian Renxue declared confidently.
"Haha... That's wonderful! Thank you, Grand Elder!"
Jin Yue'er beamed with joy, her voice crisp and respectful as she expressed her gratitude.
Qian Daoliu helplessly ruffled Qian Renxue's beautiful hair,
then nodded toward Jin Yue'er.
The prerequisite for him to personally awaken a Martial Soul was having a sufficiently healthy body.
Otherwise,
without Jin E's consent, Qian Daoliu wouldn't intervene regardless.
Jin Yue'er turned to Golden Crocodile Douluo, excitement bubbling in her voice: "Grandfather, did you hear that? Yue'er can awaken her Martial Soul too."
"I heard, of course I heard."
Golden Crocodile Douluo wore a smile, though his heart ached faintly. He lifted his granddaughter and praised: "My Jin E's granddaughter is sure to become a powerful Soul Master."
"Haha..."
Jin Yue'er's bell-like laughter brought a smile to Qian Renxue's face as well, tinged with a hint of envy. Soon after, she looked expectantly at Qian Daoliu...
Her grandfather always seemed so serious, never having lifted her that high before.
"..."
Qian Daoliu met his granddaughter's gaze, momentarily stunned.
He failed to grasp the expectation in Qian Renxue's eyes, instead intending to send her away.
"Xiao Xue, take Yue'er back to rest properly now. Prepare yourself to absorb the Whale Jelly—we depart for Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow morning."
"O...kay..."
The light in Qian Renxue's eyes dimmed rapidly as she responded flatly.
She raised her gaze and called to Jin Yue'er:
"Yue'er, let's go. I'll carry you on my back."
"Mm, mm."
Jin Yue'er's feet touched the ground,
then she nimbly climbed onto Qian Renxue's already prepared back, chiming cheerfully: "Sister Xue, once Yue'er awakens her Martial Soul, it'll be my turn to carry you."
"Sounds good."
Qian Renxue agreed with a smile.
"..."
Golden Crocodile Douluo stood beside Qian Daoliu, watching the two children depart.
"Elder Brother, do you think Yue'er can pull through?"
"Fortune favors the destined."
Qian Daoliu replied helplessly, reaching out to clasp Jin E's shoulder.
"Sigh~ Let's hope so."
Golden Crocodile Douluo heaved a long sigh, fierce hatred blazing in his eyes.
"Those damned fallen ones!""
"Jin E, from now on, I'll use my Soul Power to nourish Yue'er's meridians."
Qian Daoliu clasped his hands behind his back,
this being the only thing he could do.
Jin Yue'er's condition was far too unique—it wasn't merely a matter of a frail constitution.
When Jin E's son and daughter-in-law met their tragic end, his daughter-in-law was less than nine months pregnant. Had she not desperately protected the child in her dying moments, and had Jin E not arrived in time to decisively extract the infant,
Jin Yue'er would likely have perished in the womb, following her parents to the grave.
Though saved...
However, Jin Yue'er suffered from an innate deficiency and had been invaded by extremely sinister soul power, leaving her eight extraordinary meridians exceptionally fragile.
Even ordinary tonics were beyond her reach—even the slightest trace of soul power could endanger her life.
The so-called "nourishing the body" merely involved soaking her surface in soul power, which might alleviate symptoms but could never cure the root cause.
Awakening a Martial Soul
For ordinary people, it was a fate-determining moment, a carp leaping over the dragon gate.
But for Jin Yue'er, it was a death warrant!
"Thank you, elder brother."
Golden Crocodile Douluo expressed his gratitude.
He knew that while the Six-Winged Angel's soul power was intense, it also possessed a gentle, healing aspect. It would be far more effective than his own soul power.
But that was all.
——
Thump—thump, thump!
Inside Wisteria Residence.
After bathing, Ye Tian knocked on Bi Bi Dong's door again, but there was no response for a long time.
Carrying a food box,
Ye Tian had no choice but to call out helplessly:
"Teacher, do you want some food?"
With a bang.
In just a few breaths, the door opened from within.
Before seeing her, her voice was heard first.
"Yes!"
Bi Bi Dong peeked out through the crack of the door.
Her wine-red hair was damp, her purple eyes seemed washed by morning dew, her cheeks had a healthy flush, and after bathing, she had transformed from coldly elegant to delicately beautiful, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on Ye Tian, calm and unreadable.
Seeing this,
Ye Tian couldn't help but pause,
not out of lust, but because he had never seen Bi Bi Dong so serene before.
Tranquil as still water, without a trace of hatred or killing intent.
"Where's the food?"
Bi Bi Dong's brows furrowed slightly.
If not for Ye Tian's clear gaze, he would have been pierced through by her Spider Lance long ago.
"Ah, here, here."
Ye Tian handed the food box to Bi Bi Dong.
"By the way, Teacher, I used your name to have someone fetch some jars, hourglasses, and the like. Just letting you know."
"Fine, I understand."
Bi Bi Dong's anger had subsided, and she paid no mind to such trivial matters, instead asking:
"Are you free this afternoon?"
"No."
Ye Tian shook his head.
"I need to organize the genetic laws for Elder Chrysanthemum."
"Genetic laws?"
Bi Bi Dong raised an eyebrow.
She didn't understand, nor did she care to. She had no interest in plants or flowers now—only in cultivation and revenge.
"What about tonight?"
"Yes."
"Remember to come to my room, and bring dinner."
"Alright, Teacher!"
Ye Tian nodded in agreement—it was just cultivating on a different bed.
As he finished speaking,
Bi Bi Dong stood in place, her phoenix eyes narrowing as she observed Ye Tian's pale face, reminding him: "Cultivation requires balance between tension and relaxation. See you tonight."
"Thank you for your concern, Teacher. I'll be careful."
"Snap!"
Before Ye Tian could finish,
Bi Bi Dong closed the door.
Ye Tian rolled his eyes helplessly at the door panel, then turned and returned to his room.
The environment was quite pleasant.
The desk was right next to the windowsill; by propping open the window, one could sit there and see the verdant banana leaves, various green plants, and red flowers.
Ye Tian took out paper and pen, sitting by the window.
His first task was to summon his Martial Soul and create a Marrow Cleansing Pill, draining all the soul power he had accumulated on the way.
Then, he took out an hourglass and placed it on the desk.
Ye Tian understood that while the muscle and marrow cleansing effects of the Marrow Cleansing Pill were weak, they were still traceable. Though cultivation speed might be hard to gauge, the recovery rate of soul power—a crucial indicator—was much easier to record.
With everything prepared,
Ye Tian began writing the genetic laws.
Verbal explanations are too troublesome; conveying information through text and images is far more efficient.
When Soul Power was fully replenished,
Ye Tian made a mark on the hourglass, then exhausted all the Soul Power in his body. He placed six Marrow Cleansing Pills into a jar and consumed the other ten.
Exhaust, reset the hourglass, and continue writing.
He repeated this process.