Chapter 90: Scheming for Immortal Herbs, Reunion with the Little Angel
Yue Guan studied the violet flower, nodding with deep approval.
"Indeed, this suits the boy's "soul" martial soul perfectly. At the very least, he'll gain a soul skill capable of confusing an enemy's mind."
"Then let's go with this one."
Since the target had been chosen, Lin Beiya didn't intend to waste time. Training Ming Xin in actual combat was far too early—he'd handle the killing blow himself.
He extended his right index finger, continuously releasing a miniature Starlight Extinction.
The Soul-Forgetting Flower's three grown petals were instantly pierced and scattered across the ground. The now-bare flower stalk trembled uncontrollably, as if shaking in fear.
Lin Beiya then pulled out a delicate dagger and handed it to Ming Xin.
"Go on. The Soul-Forgetting Flower relies entirely on its petals to attack. Without them, it can't harm you."
"Yes, Lord Beiya."
Ming Xin gulped hard as he accepted the dagger. Fortunately, his first soul ring did not require killing an animal-type soul beast—there would be no bloody scene. Striking a plant required far less mental preparation.
Resolve filled his eyes. Taking several firm steps forward, he swung the dagger down and severed the flower stalk.
With the fall of the half-grown fourth petal, a faint yellow soul ring slowly formed above the remains of the flower.
"Sit cross-legged, release your martial soul, and use your soul power to guide the ring."
"Yes, Sir."
Ming Xin followed Lin Beiya's instructions with absolute seriousness. The ghostly green soul emerged behind him once more.
Wails and shrill cries echoed faintly.
Drawn by his soul power, the yellow soul ring slowly descended and settled onto the ghostly green soul.
Now comes the waiting period. Lin Beiya expanded his spiritual senses and kept watch over their surroundings.
A three-hundred-fifty-year soul ring wasn't particularly difficult for a nine-year-old with good talent. After one hour, Ming Xin successfully completed the absorption.
Excited beyond measure, Ming Xin leaped to his feet, shouting:
"Lord Beiya! Lord Yue Guan! I succeeded!"
"We saw. Now test your new soul skill."
"Yes!"
Ming Xin suppressed his excitement, once again communing with his martial soul. The faint yellow soul ring hovered gently around the ghostly green soul behind him.
Lin Beiya examined the eerie martial soul with interest.
"Try it on me."
"Yes, Lord Beiya."
The soul ring lit up. Ming Xin's ghostly green soul and physical body opened their eyes simultaneously—four purple pupils locked onto Lin Beiya, radiating oppressive force.
"First Soul Skill: Soul Seizure."
Lin Beiya frowned slightly. A faint trembling stirred deep within his consciousness—as though an invisible hand had grabbed his soul and tried to pull it into oblivion.
But such an attack was far too weak to affect him. With a small effort, he broke free.
Still, what posed no threat to him would be devastating to soul masters of the same rank as Ming Xin. And as Ming Xin's spiritual power continued to grow in the future, this skill's potency would become truly terrifying.
"Not bad at all. This is a powerful control-type skill. Anyone with weaker spiritual power will fall completely under your mercy."
"Train diligently once we return. Compared to your peers, you've already lost nearly three years—you need to catch up."
"Yes. I won't be lazy!"
Lin Beiya tested Ming Xin's soul power again, using the crystal sphere. Rank 13—acceptable, though slightly on the low end for someone born with innate full soul power. Still, Ming Xin had not missed the golden age of cultivation entirely; there was room to make up for it.
With the soul hunt complete, the three returned to the soul-hunting town.
"Uncle Ju, tomorrow you'll take Ming Xin back to meet Elder Ghost."
"Oh? Heading to Heaven Dou City again?" Yue Guan asked with a knowing look.
"Of course. There are a few people I need to see."
Yue Guan immediately assumed Lin Beiya was going to meet a lover and said nothing more. After all, even Bibi Dong hadn't scolded him last time—surely it would be fine again.
Little did he know, Lin Beiya's journey had more than one purpose: delivering the Gold Cloth to Qian Renxue was only the beginning.
"You go, then. Leave the boy to me. But return quickly—the Pope won't be easy to appease if you delay."
"Relax. Once I'm done, I'll head back—no more than half a month."
"Good."
The next day, they split into two groups: Yue Guan led Ming Xin toward Spirit Hall, while Lin Beiya headed north toward Heaven Dou City.
He intended to plan out his move on the immortal herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. As for Dugu Yan, the Gold Cloth should be sufficient to suppress her poison. And if not, he could propose extracting the poison into a soul bone.
If all else failed and Dugu Bo tried to attack him, Lin Beiya could rely on his rapid, continuous telekinesis teleportation to escape. Moreover, he now had the Yomotsu Hirasaka as a safe passage, so the time to acquire the Immortal Herbs was ripe.
Relying on the flying ability provided by Telekinesis, Lin Beiya reached Heaven Dou City in just one day.
He grabbed a meal, waited for nightfall, and finally approached the gates of the Prince's Mansion.
Just as he prepared to break in using telekinesis, a round-bellied familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
"I wondered who it was. Turns out it's you, kid."
"Senior Porcupinefish, long time no see."
Porcupinefish Douluo nodded and turned toward the mansion interior.
"You're here to see the young lady, aren't you? I'll go announce you."
"No need, Senior. I'll find Xue'er myself."
"Oh? And just how will you get inside? There are guards and attendants everywhere. Don't ruin the young lady's plans."
"Don't worry. I won't."
Lin Beiya flashed a confident smile—and vanished.
By the time the stunned Porcupinefish Douluo activated his spiritual senses, Lin Beiya had already slipped into Qian Renxue's room without a trace.
"What speed is that...? This kid..."
Porcupinefish Douluo couldn't help but feel relieved that Lin Beiya belonged to their side. Otherwise, the boy could assassinate Qian Renxue right under their noses.
Inside the quiet, pitch-black bedroom, Lin Beiya located the sleeping figure almost immediately.
Seeing the little angel still wearing her Xue Qinghe disguise even while sleeping, he felt a pang of heartache.
This burden was never hers to bear…
Though Qian Renxue was a light sleeper, Lin Beiya's frighteningly refined control over his senses and body allowed him to approach without a sound.
He originally planned to wake her normally—but his eyes flickered with mischief.
He activated Praesepe Underworld Waves, pulling her soul into the Yomotsu Hirasaka a split second before she awakened.
"Who?!"
"W-Where is this?!"
Her soul-form trembled as she looked at the barren, desolate landscape around her, panic filling her eyes.
As she searched frantically, Lin Beiya silently stepped behind her and covered her eyes with his hand.
"Guess who?"
Her soul shuddered—but the instant she recognized his voice, her fear evaporated.
A smile bloomed for a split second, only to twist into fury.
"You bastard! You're teasing me again!"
Her soul-form whirled and kicked at Lin Beiya, but he caught her easily.
"Hahaha—don't be mad, Xue'er! This is the power of my new Gold Cloth. Pretty impressive, right?"
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End of Chapter