Ye Wanqing examined Ling Yuan with playful scrutiny. "Well then, my dear friend, it seems nothing compares to Xiaofeng in your heart—not even a natural 15th-level soul power can surprise you anymore."
"Of course, what could possibly compare to Xiaofeng?" Ling Yuan retorted without hesitation.
With an exasperated sigh, Ye Wanqing waved her hand dismissively. "Fine, no point talking to you. Traitor, running off alone and leaving me single. Hmph!"
Ling Yuan chuckled inwardly. Feeling lonely? Then hurry up and find someone yourself.
Lin Feng, however, remained deep in thought since hearing the bishop's report. While the facts no longer surprised him, their implications demanded consideration.
By the laws of Douluo Continent, 10th-level innate soul power represented the absolute limit. Even Tang San had only reached this threshold after cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill to its bottleneck before adding soul rings for further advancement. This was the unbreakable rule.
Had Dugu Yan not consumed the Earth Dragon Golden Melon after awakening her martial soul, such a breakthrough would have been impossible. To Lin Feng's knowledge, only three individuals had ever surpassed 10th-level innate soul power: Qian Renxue, Le Zhengyu from Douluo 3, and the Underworld Emperor. All shared one common trait—the potential to ascend as deities.
In other words, any soul master exceeding this limit must have connections to the gods.
Lin Feng's gaze drifted skyward with a resigned sigh. Well, what must come will come. I just hope Gu Yuena remains undiscovered.
"Let's go see Lingling first," he suggested.
Qian Renxue's interest was piqued. As someone with natural 20th-level soul power, she had long considered herself peerless. Now, to encounter another who broke the conventional limits—and a girl she'd previously met no less—how could she not be fascinated?
Bypassing the reception hall, the quartet headed straight for the rear courtyard. Along the way, Ye Wanqing pulled Ling Yuan aside, whispering conspiratorially, "So... does it really hurt as much as the stories say? Those romance novels always describe—"
"Want to know?" Ling Yuan's cheeks flushed as she shot her friend an embarrassed glare. "Find yourself a man and try it. You're certainly old enough."
"Not happening..." Ye Wanqing muttered.
"Uncle, Auntie," Lin Feng greeted respectfully as they arrived.
Madame Ye's eyes lit up at their approach. "Xiaofeng! Come in, come in. Lingling, our guests are here."
The trio turned to see a slender figure emerge—a testament to Douluo World's miraculous growth rates. In just one year since her martial soul awakening, Ye Lingling had transformed from a chubby-cheeked child into an elegant young girl.
Her azure hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back. Large, crystalline eyes—the same striking blue—shone with unnatural clarity, framed by long, curling lashes that seemed to speak volumes. An air of detached coolness surrounded her, though her expression softened noticeably at the sight of Lin Feng and Qian Renxue.
"Hmm... Maybe some changes would be good," Lin Feng mused. "If she becomes as emotionally distant as in the original timeline, that might be going too far."
Tugging at Lin Feng's sleeve, Lingling peered up with wide, expectant eyes. "Big Brother, why won't Mother let me cultivate? It's been a whole year already."
Qian Renxue found the girl's mannerisms endearing. Kneeling to meet her eye level, she gently ruffled Lingling's hair. "Starting today, you can begin proper training, right?" She glanced questioningly at Madame Ye, who nodded confirmation.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Lingling's face brightened as she extended her palm. A shimmering blue-gold flower materialized—radically different from the "Miracle of Martial Souls," the Nine-Heart Begonia.
Where the Nine-Heart Begonia displayed soft pink and white petals, Lingling's Sacred Heart Begonia glowed with celestial blues and golds. Each petal seemed carved from starlight and sea pearls, layer upon layer of breathtaking craftsmanship radiating vitality and mystery.
"So beautiful!" Qian Renxue couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
Madame Ye smiled proudly. "Lingling's martial soul is called the Sacred Heart Begonia. While sharing the Nine-Heart Begonia's extraordinary healing capabilities, it possesses something more—Purification."
"Purification?" Lin Feng's eyebrows rose.
"Indeed," Madame Ye confirmed. "The Sacred Heart Begonia can cleanse all negative energies—poisons, miasmas, even spiritual wounds. Unlike its counterpart that excels in instant recovery, this variant proves invaluable in prolonged battles or against specialized foes."
"An innate ability then?" Lin Feng deduced.
"Precisely. And as the test showed, Lingling truly has natural 15th-level soul power. When the crystal ball displayed the result, both her father and I were stunned. No support-type martial soul has ever manifested full innate soul power, let alone surpassed it so dramatically."
Lingling smiled shyly. "Brother, want to see what my Begonia can do?"
"By all means."
As the Sacred Heart Begonia unfurled its radiance, a soothing blue-gold luminescence filled the courtyard. The light carried spring's warmth and autumn's crispness, washing away fatigue and dark thoughts alike.
"Incredible!" Lin Feng marveled as mental clarity flooded his consciousness like clear mountain streams.
Qian Renxue nodded emphatically. "This ability could turn battles singlehandedly. Lingling, with proper training, you'll become the greatest support-type soul master of our age."
"Thank you, Sister Xue!"
Lin Feng stroked his chin thoughtfully before producing a jade case from his belt. "Lingling, this is whale glue—it strengthens the body to withstand higher-year soul rings. With this, a thousand-year second ring becomes trivial." He winked. "But today, I have another gift for you."
Madame Ye covered her mouth in shock. "A thousand-year second ring? I thought whale glue only..." She coughed awkwardly, realizing her misunderstanding. Given Lin Feng's theories' track record, she shouldn't have doubted.
Probably tried it herself before, Lin Feng mused amusedly before explaining, "Between the immortal herbs she's consumed and the whale glue's effects, plus the soul vein condensation I'll assist with later, a thousand-year ring will be child's play."
Lingling tilted her head curiously. "Another flower gift?"
With a mysterious smile, Lin Feng opened the case to reveal a peculiar stone—the Live Gold. As the lid lifted, waves of vibrant life energy rippled outward. Remarkably, Lingling's Sacred Heart Begonia reacted autonomously, drawing her toward the treasure in primal attraction.
Meanwhile, beyond Douluo Star, amidst swirling mists of a celestial realm, a green-robed figure stirred. Delicate fingers wove clouds into a viewing portal as ethereal whispers filled the air:
"Douluo Continent... Life Gold? A lost fragment, or perhaps that very piece..." The Goddess of Life's eyes narrowed as her divine gaze pierced the veil. "Ye Lingling... First blessed by immortal herbs under my watch, and now this? But what's—"
Her breath caught as she bolted upright from her lifewood hammock, emerald eyes widening in disbelief at the vision before her:
"The soul rings... They're vanishing? How—"