Chapter 12: Nine Heart Begonia — Ye Qingyu
On a countryside road outside Heaven Dou Royal Academy, a carriage creaked forward under the setting sun, its shadow stretched long across the ground…
Back at the plaza at the foot of the academy—
after Dugu Bo and the others left, three elderly men appeared where they had just been standing.
All three wore identical black robes, embroidered with intricate golden patterns, giving them an air of nobility.
The one in the center was tall but somewhat thin.
The one on his left looked rather comical—about four feet tall, and just as wide. From afar, he resembled a rolling ball.
The third looked normal, but when his eyes opened and closed, a sharp glint of intelligence flashed within them.
If Dugu Bo were here, he would recognize them instantly—
they were the three education committee elders of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Although the academy's nominal head was Emperor Xue Ye, he was too busy governing the empire to manage it personally.
So in reality, the academy was controlled by these three.
The one in the center: Meng Shenji, Chief Committee Member
Martial Soul: Black Demon
Level 84 Control System Soul Douluo
The round one: Bai Baoshan, Second Seat
Martial Soul: Heavenly Star Furnace
Level 82 Defense System Soul Douluo
The last: Zhilin, Third Seat
Martial Soul: Heavenly Green Vine
Level 81 Control System Soul Douluo
Meng Shenji stared at the ground, his eyes filled with shock.
"There's still residual aura… exactly the same as what I once felt from the Clear Sky Douluo. It's definitely a 100,000-year soul ring."
Bai Baoshan added:
"I didn't expect Dugu Bo not only to break through to Titled Douluo—but to also possess a 100,000-year soul ring…"
Zhilin frowned slightly.
"Wasn't it said that even if Dugu Bo reached Titled Douluo, he'd be among the weakest?"
"But the aura he gave off didn't feel any weaker than those two Super Douluo from Spirit Hall."
Meng Shenji spoke slowly:
"That 100,000-year soul ring must come from an extremely powerful soul beast."
"Even without considering its soul skills, the ring itself greatly enhances the soul master's body."
Even among 100,000-year soul rings, there were differences.
Some were far stronger than others.
"And…"
Meng Shenji's gaze deepened.
"If he has a 100,000-year soul ring, then he most likely also has a 100,000-year soul bone."
Such treasures drastically strengthened a soul master's body.
At this point—
even without using his martial soul, Dugu Bo could likely overwhelm all three of them.
Before his breakthrough, defeating the three together would have taken effort.
But now—
things were different.
Bai Baoshan scratched his head.
"It's impossible for Dugu Bo to have killed a 100,000-year soul beast alone. Who helped him? Wasn't he supposed to be a loner with no friends?"
"Enough," Meng Shenji cut him off.
"That's not something we should investigate."
"Think instead—why did he deliberately release his aura here for us to sense?"
His gaze drifted toward the road below, thoughtful.
Meanwhile—
inside the carriage, Dugu Bo also glanced back toward the mountain.
Yes—
he had intentionally let them sense his aura.
But not to show off.
Soon, he might consume the immortal herbs to detoxify himself.
At that time, he could lose most of his soul power.
And he had made many enemies over the years.
If news of his weakened state spread, they would surely come for him.
So—
by displaying his strength now, he could later ask the three committee members to look after Dugu Yan.
That way, things would be much easier.
The Nine Heart Begonia Clan
The Nine Heart Begonia was an extremely unique martial soul.
It had only one ability:
Healing.
No matter how many soul rings it possessed, it only had a single soul skill.
But that skill—
was terrifying.
It could heal all targets within range.
The degree of healing could be controlled at will.
The higher the soul master's level, the stronger the effect.
At the Titled Douluo level—
it could practically bring someone back from the brink of death.
Though it couldn't truly revive the dead—
as long as a person still had a breath left, they could be saved.
Because of its nature—
only one inheritor per generation existed.
At most, two Nine Heart Begonia users could exist at the same time.
Only when one died would a new one appear.
In this generation—
besides Ye Lingling, the other inheritor was her mother:
Ye Qingyu.
Though their clan wasn't powerful, its long history secured it a place within Heaven Dou City.
Ye Lingling's home was located near the outskirts of the city.
The residence wasn't particularly large.
A redwood gate stood at the entrance, flanked by delicate floral stone carvings.
Above it hung a plaque with four elegant characters:
"Nine Heart Begonia."
This was the clan's residence.
At this moment—
a group of unwelcome visitors stood outside the gate.
At the front was a man whose appearance could only be described as overwhelming.
His body was massive—like a small mountain.
Over 2.5 meters tall, dark-skinned, with eyes like bronze bells.
His hair and beard were white, making him look over seventy years old.
Behind him stood several equally large young men.
The giant old man glared at the guards and spoke in a booming voice:
"Where is your mistress? Why hasn't she come out to receive guests?"
"Am I, the Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Sect, not worthy of her personal greeting?"
This man—
was Hu Yanzhen, Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Sect.
The guard trembled under the pressure of an 80+ level Soul Douluo.
"I… I… my lady—"
"Dafu, step back."
At that moment, a woman walked out from the residence, relieving the guard.
She wore a simple white dress, with a purple sash accentuating her slender waist.
Her long purple hair was tied up neatly.
Her gentle and refined appearance made her seem like a noble lady from a scholarly family.
She was—
Ye Qingyu, Ye Lingling's mother.