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"Hu… Senior Sister Hu? How did you find out Teacher accepted me as a disciple?" Ye Lan forced his gaze away from Hu Liena's deliberately tempting figure and asked.
Hu Liena covered her mouth, giggling. "Teacher told me last night! I was so excited I couldn't sleep for ages!"
"How do I look? Senior Sister did my makeup—am I pretty!?" She spread her arms and spun once, showing off her outfit.
Her simple white dress swung as she turned, revealing a lively, youthful leg. Ye Lan only glanced and was already struck by Hu Liena's pure, fresh styling.
Before he could admire her any longer, he tossed out a curt, "Looks good," and hurriedly waved to someone else.
Only after Hu Liena finished her turn did she notice Ye Lan rushing toward Qian Renxue. She stamped her foot in fury and chased after him.
When Qian Renxue saw him leaving the fox-girl behind and hurrying toward her, a little of her irritation melted away.
Ye Lan produced a lunchbox from his palm—golden soul-light flickering—and handed it to Qian Renxue. "Xue, this one's for you."
She received it with both hands; her smile could no longer be hidden. Seeing her so pleased, Ye Lan breathed easier—if she knew he'd glanced at Hu Liena a few times, he'd be in trouble.
Hu Liena looked at the lunchbox, puppy-eyed. "Junior Brother, Senior Sister's hungry too~"
Qian Renxue's gaze immediately snapped to Ye Lan; the look was a silent threat.
Feeling the murderous stare, Ye Lan hurriedly said, "There's another lunchbox—this one's for Teacher."
Hu Liena pouted. "Then forget it. If Teacher found out I ate the first box you prepared for her, she'd split me in two."
"Senior Sister, share some with me~" Hu Liena coaxed.
Qian Renxue clutched the lunchbox to her chest. "Don't call me 'junior sister'—call me 'senior sister'!"
"Me call you senior sister looking like that? No way!" Hu Liena puffed up and shoved her hands on her hips.
Qian Renxue sneered at Hu Liena's pretensions. "Not as big as Dugu Yan's—so what?"
She grabbed Ye Lan's arm and marched toward the Pope's Hall, muttering, "Ye Lan, don't stare around! You'll get an infection in your eye!"
Hu Liena stared after their retreating backs, sighing with envy. Actually, having Xue become Teacher's disciple would be good—Teacher might smile more.
"Wait, Senior Sister!!" Hu Liena called, running after them.
Soon the three arrived at the Pope's Hall main chamber. Bibi Dong sat properly on the Golden Throne, handling affairs.
Hu Liena bounded forward excitedly. "Teacher, aren't you tired? Let me rub your shoulders."
She ran around behind Bibi Dong and started massaging. Bibi Dong relaxed into the touch; she didn't refuse.
When Bibi Dong looked up and saw Ye Lan and Qian Renxue, she smiled warmly. "Xue, Xiao Lan—you're here too?"
"Greetings, Teacher," Ye Lan nodded.
Qian Renxue only gave a small nod, silent.
Ye Lan produced another lunchbox from his soul device and placed it before Bibi Dong. "Teacher, I made this for you."
Bibi Dong's heart warmed at the sight of the delicate lunchbox. Apart from Hu Liena, no one had shown her such care in a long time.
She accepted it and began talking with them about the current situation across Douluo Continent.
"You three must cultivate diligently in the coming period. Although Xiao Lan and Xue won the Continental Advanced Academy Elite Tournament, the real victor is the Beast School. The Wan Shou Sect's influence now grows tremendously; many soul masters are already planning to go to the Xingluo Empire to seek perfect spirit ring ratios."
"The soul masters of the Xingluo Empire have been doing the same. The Xingluo royal household now has close ties with the Wan Shou Sect. Wan Shou may well replace Haotian Sect as a protectorate sect."
"As for the 'soul-spirit system,' we still lack a full understanding. But with your talents, even without that system, becoming a Title Douluo is within reach."
"Na'er, in a while you should go with Xieyue and Yan to the Death Gorge—what do you think?"
Hu Liena looked at Bibi Dong and Ye Lan with reluctance, pouting. "Teacher—why go to Death Gorge? Wouldn't I be with Junior Brother? He's the continent's top theorist, a scholar! I'll follow Junior Brother to train with him~"
Bibi Dong watched the affection in Hu Liena's eyes and her pupils stirred. Na'er has fallen too?
Qian Renxue moved to shield Ye Lan with her hand, quickly saying, "No, no—Ye Lan's practice time is limited. Teaching you would distract him from training!"
Hu Liena laughed. "I don't buy that~ I heard Junior Brother in the academy is called the 'sleeping fiend.' With his talent, he probably needs only a few hours' practice a day!"
Ye Lan scratched his head in embarrassment. Am I that famous?
Thinking of training, Ye Lan asked, "Xue, how is your soul power compression progressing?"
"Almost! Ye Lan, you said there'd be a surprise when the compression finished—what is it?"
Bibi Dong looked puzzled. Soul power compression?
Ye Lan explained, "That's what I wanted to tell you. If Xue can double the density of her soul power, she can cultivate a soul core."
Bibi Dong blinked. "Xiao Lan, what's a soul core?"
Ye Lan didn't hold back. "It's a gift I prepared for Spirit Hall. As the name suggests, a soul core is a core condensed from soul power."
"On our continent, to advance from Soul Saint to Soul Ro (魂罗), one needs to transform the body's soul power from a corporeal state into a liquid. To go from Soul Ro to Title Douluo, you must convert that liquid into a solid."
"Converting soul power from liquid to solid is extremely difficult. Most lack that talent; unless one is an extraordinary soul master, they get stuck at the Soul Douluo stage. The rarity of Title Douluos is because of this difficulty."
Bibi Dong nodded, curious. "So Xiao Lan, does the soul core help with changing the state of soul power?"
Ye Lan smiled. "Yes. A soul core not only makes advancing to Title Douluo easier, but a soul master with a soul core has greater soul power reserves than one without."
"Using a soul core also increases the rate at which one can absorb soul power."
Qian Renxue's eyes brightened. "Ye Lan, is this your surprise?"
Ye Lan nodded. "There are three dantian—the upper, middle, and lower. In theory, each person can condense three soul cores. In practice, forming two is extraordinarily rare."
"Xiao Lan, how does one form a soul core? Can I still form one?" Bibi Dong asked eagerly.
"With your power, Teacher, you can definitely form the 'Yin-Yang Balanced Dual Soul Cores.' Two years ago I taught the method to Grandpa Dugu Bo."
"Using this method, he condensed the 'Ultimate Poison Soul Core' and improved by a rank."
Bibi Dong suddenly understood. "No wonder lately Lord Ju has been saying poison-type Douluos have grown much stronger. It was because of Xiao Lan's soul core method."
Her gaze toward Ye Lan grew hotter; this was the true continent's top theory master. Yu Xiaogang was nothing in comparison—she had been blind before.
Qian Renxue looked at Ye Lan with worship, not noticing Bibi Dong's burning stare.
Ye Lan pretended not to notice and continued, "To form a soul core, you must first use soul power in the dantian to form a vortex. Then you continually absorb soul power into that vortex and compress the soul power inside it until a core forms."
"The first soul core is usually the core of soul power. The second is the core of spirit force. Having both—the soul-power core and the spirit core—is called the Yin-Yang Balanced Dual Soul Core."
"When the two cores' energies blend and collide, they recombine, purify, and condense the soul power, making it possess both elemental and spirit-force characteristics. With the soul cores inside, one can further compress the body's soul power."
Bibi Dong reviewed Ye Lan's method in her mind and immediately saw its brilliance.
If she condensed Yin-Yang Balanced Dual Soul Cores, she would gain two extra reservoirs of soul power. In battle she could draw on those cores to absorb soul power—her recovery would outpace those without them. Her released soul techniques would carry spirit-force properties, increasing hit rate and adding a terrifying presence.
Hu Liena piped up, "Junior Brother, so the hardest step is forming the soul-power vortex?"
"Exactly. The most difficult part of condensing a soul core is forming the soul vortex."
"Normally, to condense a soul core you either need top-tier materials containing soul or elemental power, or you must grind at it day after day for years."
"But after training with my 'Soul Power Limit Augmentation Method,' the toughest step becomes the soul-power compression instead."
"Normally only those at the Soul Douluo stage could condense cores. Xue's talent is different—her soul power can support forming a core even at the Soul Saint stage."
"'Soul Power Limit Augmentation Method'—what is that?" Bibi Dong asked, puzzled.
Ye Lan glanced at Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong and smiled. "It's a cultivation technique I invented. I've already taught it to Xue. Xue—now you teach Teacher."
He wouldn't miss a chance to mend the relationship between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong.
Qian Renxue stammered, bashful. "Ye Lan, what about you?"
"I? In a few days I'm accompanying Lingling to visit her family—the Ye household of the Nine-Heart Begonia."
"Teacher, Senior Sister, learn the Limit Augmentation Method from Xue while I'm gone. When I return I'll compile the soul core method into a book. From then on, any Soul Douluo or Title Douluo of Spirit Hall may consult it!" Ye Lan declared.
Bibi Dong approved enthusiastically. Ye Lan would be Spirit Hall's lucky star.
She had accepted him as a disciple mainly to give him better protection. If anyone dared threaten him, she—his master—would intervene. She would not interfere with his cultivation; after all, she was no match for him in spirit theory.
She hadn't expected that within two days of accepting Ye Lan as her disciple, he would give her such a gift. Her gaze toward him burned even hotter. A saint's son should be like this.
"Xiao Lan, travel safely. Silver Wolf will accompany you to the Ye household. When you return I'll have a surprise for you as well," Bibi Dong said.
Ye Lan nodded. "Teacher, you and Xue learn the Limit Augmentation Method well."
He turned to the flustered Qian Renxue and smiled, "Xue—good luck!"
Watching his departing back, Qian Renxue cursed inwardly, Damn Ye Lan! Doesn't he see how odd the relationship between me and Bibi Dong is?!
Seeing Qian Renxue flustered, Hu Liena looped her arm through hers. "Senior Sister, what is this Limit Augmentation Method?"
Hu Liena knew that to win Ye Lan's heart she'd have to get past Qian Renxue first.
Relieved at the question, Qian Renxue began to explain the Limit Augmentation Method. Bibi Dong wisely gave them space—she knew repairing their relationship wouldn't happen overnight and she didn't quite know how to face Xue yet.
After listening, both were once again astonished at Ye Lan's imaginative genius. Only one who could invent such a miraculous method deserved the title of the continent's top theory master.
Half a month later, Ye Lan and Ye Lingling rode by carriage through Fasno Province of the Heaven Dou Empire and arrived in the Hagen-Das Kingdom's Xilu City.
After the guards courteously let them through, Ye Lan didn't stroll the city with Lingling. Fame for the Heaven Dou Team ran high across the empire; if fans recognized them, the city would swarm with people desperate to see the "Green Emperor's" Nine-Heart Begonia.
The carriage soon arrived at a quiet courtyard district. Though Lingling's family home sat away from the center, crowds thinned the yard—rows of people stood in orderly lines, and every so often a few came out smiling while others entered.
Lingling explained as they watched the lines: "These are soul masters and ordinary people who came to my home for treatment. Patients first go to the front hall where doctors diagnose them. Most are cured with normal treatment; only the difficult cases are brought to the rear hall."
"My mother treats patients in the rear hall. Thankfully she's a Soul Douluo—otherwise she couldn't handle this many patients."
"Madam, you work so hard. Soul Douluos in the Heaven Dou Empire are nobility, yet they won't help common soul masters and civilians like she does," Ye Lan murmured.
Lingling smiled. "It's the Ye family tradition of the Nine-Heart Begonia. From ancient times, good medical ethics and reputation allowed our single-line inheritance to continue."
Ye Lan put an arm around Lingling's waist. "From now on it will be the Nine-Sacred Begonia!"
She leaned on him, savoring his embrace.
They stepped down from the carriage. Two rows of patients looked curiously at the veiled woman resembling a holy healer and the blond man wearing a black mask beside her.
Lingling's palm materialized a Nine-Heart Sacred Begonia seedling. She whispered: "Nine-Heart Sacred Begonia—Form Four: Universal Healing."
A golden soul light shimmered from the blossom; countless white petals drifted over the crowd. People felt familiar warmth as pain and illness eased rapidly.
Realizing they had been healed, they knelt and bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Holy Healer!"
They truly believed Lingling was the Saint Healer Ye Rouyi.
Lingling waved them away with a smile. The crowd scrambled to their feet and began tossing copper, silver, and gold soul coins toward the front hall, expressing boundless gratitude to the "holy healer."
The Ye household servants noticed the commotion and, seeing the miss and the masked guest, cried out joyfully, "Our young miss and her husband have returned! Don't collect fees—today's treatments are free!"
They ushered Lingling and Ye Lan into the inner courtyard.
Inside, the garden revealed many little scenes: pavilions, tiny hills, ponds, and flowers—each spot built for relaxation and cultivating the spirit.
After a short walk, the servants led them to the rear garden where Aunt Ye Rouyi sat. She wore a purple veil and sipped tea.
Ye Lan removed his mask, smoothed his collar, and took Lingling's hand as they approached. From her seat, Ye Rouyi looked up and brightened. "Lingling!!"
"Is this the Ye Lan you've spoken of so many years?" she asked with delight.
Lingling flung herself into her aunt's arms, bashful. "Mother!!"
"Greetings, Aunt Ye. I am Ye Lan," he bowed politely.
Ye Rouyi examined him closely and nodded in approval. No wonder Lingling had so many admirers—seeing Ye Lan made her understand why her daughter was so devoted.
Even if Lingling's Nine-Heart Begonia hadn't evolved into the Sacred Begonia, Ye Rouyi would still approve—Ye Lan was the continent's top theorist scholar.
She was even more pleased at the thought of Ye Lan as a future son-in-law. Only she worried—Lingling was gentle; could she stand out among so many girls?
She had sensed Ye Lan's soul power earlier—refined and pure, without impurity. Using the family's medical tradition and decades of experience, she judged Ye Lan to be unconsummated. No wonder Lingling had remained chaste when they met these past years.
At first she'd suspected Ye Lan preferred other women. Realizing he was truly self-disciplined, Ye Rouyi approved even more. She trusted Lingling in such a man's care.
She glanced at the bounty of dishes on the table and chuckled inwardly. Lingling, don't blame your mother—this is all for your good. With your and Ye Lan's temperaments, who knows how long before you have grandchildren?
Ye Rouyi called for them to help with serving. "Lingling, Xiao Lan—come help bring out the dishes!"
"Yes, Mother!" they both answered, wiping sweat from their brows as they carried plates out of the kitchen.
As Ye Lan ate, he praised, "Mother, you've worked hard—try this."
She fed him samples and urged Lingling to eat her favorite cold soup. Ye Lan didn't refuse and kept eating whatever she served.
Watching them, Ye Rouyi nodded with satisfaction.
Between bites, Ye Lan asked, "Mother, where's Father?"
(End of Chapter)