"Senior Dugu..."
As soon as she entered the room, before Ye Qinshui could speak, Dugu Bo raised his hand to stop her, nodding with a light smile.
"Alright, no need for formalities. You should quickly administer the antidote to the Ye Family Head. This cannot be delayed."
"Yes! Qinshui thanks you, Senior."
Ye Qinshui nodded heavily and, leading Ye Lengleng, quickly approached the bedside.
"Grandpa~"
Seeing Ye Renxin lying motionless on the bed, Ye Lengleng's already reddened eyes seemed to swell slightly, as if further stimulated.
"Lengleng, don't cry. Your grandpa will wake up soon."
Ye Qinshui comforted her softly.
Not daring to delay, she immediately pried open Ye Renxin's mouth and placed the fiery red antidote into his oral cavity.
Yet the fiery red pill showed no reaction.
His dry mouth and tongue prevented the pill from descending.
Dugu Bo timely handed her a cup of warm tea from beside them, smiling as he said, "Pour some tea in. It should take effect soon."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Ye Qinshui expressed her gratitude once more and carefully poured the tea into Ye Renxin's mouth.
The fiery red pill visibly began to dissolve slowly.
In just a few breaths, the pill transformed into a scalding, bright medicinal liquid that flowed gently down Ye Renxin's throat.
Only then did Ye Qinshui release her hold.
Ye Lengleng anxiously grasped Ye Renxin's sleeve, looking up at Ye Qinshui with sorrowful eyes. "Mother, why hasn't Grandpa woken up yet?"
"Haha~ Little girl, don't be impatient. Let this old man take a look."
Dugu Bo couldn't help but chuckle as he ruffled Ye Lengleng's beautiful hair, then reached out to take Ye Renxin's wrist, beginning his examination.
Knowing Dugu Bo's capabilities, Ye Qinshui withdrew the hand she had just extended.
Even though her Ye family ran a medical clinic, medicine and poison had never been separate since ancient times. Dugu Bo, a Soul Douluo-level expert, surely possessed medical skills superior to her own!
"Grandpa Dugu, how is it? When will Grandpa wake up?"
Ye Lengleng simply couldn't wait.
Dugu Bo released Ye Renxin's wrist, reassuring her, "Very soon. The Ye Family Head's pulse is already showing signs of recovery, his body temperature is gradually rising, and even the color in his face is visibly improving, isn't it?"
Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Ye Qinshui and Ye Lengleng finally noticed the faint traces of color returning to Ye Renxin's ashen face.
"Grandpa~ Wake up quickly. Lengleng isn't angry with you anymore~ Grandpa."
Ye Lengleng shook Ye Renxin's arm.
Under Ye Qinshui's tense gaze, those tightly closed eyes finally twitched slightly.
"Father!"
Ye Qinshui called out.
"Mm——"
A low groan escaped Ye Renxin's lips as his almond-shaped eyes, tinged with a hint of weariness, slowly opened.
His gaze wandered around the room, momentarily disoriented.
"Grandpa!"
"Father!"
Only the urgent calls from the two, one older and one younger, jolted Ye Renxin fully awake.
Overwhelmed with joy, Ye Qinshui wept as she leaned into Ye Renxin's embrace. "Father, it worked! The curse our Ye family has borne can finally be broken!"
"Grandfather, you've finally woken up."
Ye Lengleng leaned against Ye Renxin's shoulder, clutching his apricot-colored hair tightly, refusing to let go.
"Lengleng's Martial Soul has evolved—it has evolved into the Nine-heart Sacred Begonia. Lengleng is now a level ten quasi-Soul Master."
"Qinshui... Lengleng..."
Ye Renxin's consciousness finally pulled free from the endless darkness and silence.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Since he had managed to wake up again, it meant the method of the Spirit Hall's Holy Son had worked!
"Haha!"
Just as Ye Renxin was about to say something, the hearty laughter of his old friend rang in his ears.
"Old friend, now that you've woken up, I won't disturb your family reunion any longer. If there's any progress regarding the Longevity Pavilion, I'll come find you again."
Dugu Bo tactfully prepared to take his leave.
At this moment, Ye Renxin didn't press him to stay.
"I've troubled the Dugu family head during this time. Please forgive me for not being able to see you off."
"Haha, no trouble at all. In the future, this little girl Lengleng can keep my granddaughter Yan Yan company. I believe they'll become good friends."
With a loud laugh, Dugu Bo vanished from the room.
He should also write a reply to Ye Tian, who was far away in Spirit Hall City, and inform him of the situation with the Ye family.
After Dugu Bo left, only the soft sobs of mother and daughter remained in the room.
With a gentle, loving expression, Ye Renxin softly comforted them, "Alright, both of you, stop crying now. Qinshui, you're not a child anymore. On such a joyous day, don't let tears ruin your face."
"Father, who says only children can cry?"
Ye Qinshui slowly raised her head, wiping the tears from her face, her voice tinged with grievance. This period had truly worn her out with worry.
"Father, how are you feeling?"
"Aside from feeling weak and lacking strength, there's nothing seriously wrong for now."
Ye Renxin shook his head with a smile.
He knew his own body well.
The effects of the Eternal Night Frostbloom on him were undoubtedly severe. If he couldn't recuperate in time, his cultivation would likely be stuck at the Soul Sage level for the rest of his life.
However, Ye Renxin wasn't worried about this.
Since the Spirit Hall's Holy Son could produce a Pill capable of evolving a Martial Soul, he surely had other miraculous medicines as well.
"It's good that Grandfather is alright."
Ye Lengleng finally rubbed away all her tears and sniffles on Ye Renxin's shoulder.
"It was Grandfather's fault, making Lengleng worry."
Ye Renxin affectionately reached out and pinched Ye Lengleng's tender cheek.
"Then Grandfather must be punished by spending three whole days with Lengleng."
Ye Lengleng pouted, clutching Ye Renxin's clothes, her expression leaving no room for negotiation.
"Haha~ Good, very good!"
"Pfft—"
Ye Qinshui, kneeling by the bedside, finally let out a laugh.
The blazing sun hung overhead...
At the peak of the Central Divine Mountain in Spirit Hall City.
Qian Renxue paced around the courtyard, looking left and right, but she still couldn't spot her good friend Jin Yue'er anywhere. Her delicate brows couldn't help but furrow.
"Where has Yue'er gone off to again?"
"Could she have gone to the Hall of Worship to spar with Xie Yue and Yan?"
Qian Renxue looked strangely toward the direction of the Hall of Worship.
For some reason, she felt a slight heaviness on top of her head.
Qian Renxue was certain it wasn't because the sun had settled on the mountain peak.
Hum!
Just as Qian Renxue was puzzling over Jin Yue'er's whereabouts...
Inside a private room at the Holy Soul Winery.
The undulations of Soul Power at the Soul Venerable level continuously rippled within.
Ye Tian sat by the table, sipping fragrant tea.
He watched as that multicolored Spirit Bone gradually merged with Jin Yue'er.
Until the Spirit Bone disappeared completely.
Until a radiant, multicolored light bloomed from beneath Jin Yue'er's scalp.
Jin Yue'er, who had just recently broken through to level thirty-three, immediately began to ascend further. In the blink of an eye, she had reached the level of a thirty-fifth-rank Soul Venerable.
Witnessing this scene, Ye Tian couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
High-quality Soul Rings and Spirit Bones indeed provided immense benefits for a Soul Master's cultivation.
"Hmm?"
What puzzled Ye Tian was that, in his view, Jin Yue'er had clearly finished absorbing this head Spirit Bone, yet the girl sitting cross-legged on the table still hadn't opened her eyes.
After a moment of silence, Ye Tian ultimately couldn't restrain himself. He stood up, grasped Jin Yue'er's shoulders, leaned in close, and cautiously asked, "Yue'er, how are you feeling?"
"??!"
In the next instant.
Jin Yue'er opened her eyes.
Ye Tian did not receive a response from Jin Yue'er. Instead, he was somewhat startled by her eyes, which had changed from a pale gold to a bright purple.
These violet, phoenix-like eyes held an oddly familiar feeling.
Under Ye Tian's gaze, Jin Yue'er's face actually began to transform, shifting into a form that left Ye Tian stunned. It wasn't until the girl opposite him pressed her pink lips against his that Ye Tian widened his eyes and reacted.
Just as he was about to pull back.
The familiar girl before him voluntarily released his lips and giggled playfully.
"Haha~"
At this moment, even Jin Yue'er's voice was no different from Qian Renxue's!
Yes!
The familiar, beautiful face that appeared before Ye Tian was precisely Qian Renxue's face!
Delicate eyebrows, a graceful head, skin like congealed fat, bright eyes that sparkled with charm.
This was clearly a transformation achieved by Jin Yue'er using her Soul Bone Skill.
With Qian Renxue's face, Jin Yue'er had already wrapped her arms around Ye Tian's neck. She pursed her pink lips and asked with a playful smile, "Ye Tian, will you like me a little more like this?"
That brilliant smile, which had never appeared on Qian Renxue's face, momentarily dazzled Ye Tian.
However, no matter how similar their appearances might be, the manner of speech and demeanor between the two girls were not something that could be imitated in a short while.
Jin Yue'er's casual smile...
Made Ye Tian feel nothing but stimulation, with no sense of immersion whatsoever.
Without any courtesy, he raised his hand.
Slap!
Ye Tian's hand landed squarely on Jin Yue'er's face.
"Ouch!"
Jin Yue'er covered her nose, uncontrollably leaning backward.
Her purple eyes gazed at Ye Tian with resentment.
"Ugh, again! You're going to flatten my nose sooner or later."
"Who told you to keep taking advantage of me?"
Ye Tian wiped his mouth, speaking with annoyance.
"How am I taking advantage of you? It was clearly Sister Xue taking advantage of you... Haha."
Jin Yue'er spoke to herself, unable to hold back her laughter.
She lowered her hands and looked at Ye Tian expectantly.
"So? You still haven't answered my question. With Sister Xue's face, will you like me more?"
"Isn't it better to just be yourself?"
Ye Tian gently shook his head.
"If you could be stronger and a bit sharper, perhaps then."
"Tch~"
Jin Yue'er pouted, clenched her fist, and waved it, declaring, "I will become the Golden Crocodile Douluo sooner or later!"
"Then I'll be looking forward to it."
Ye Tian couldn't help but smile, downed the hot tea in his cup, and then decided not to linger.
"Alright, since you've already absorbed this Spirit Bone, let's part ways for now. The sun is about to set outside."
"Okay! See you in three days! Thank you for giving me the Spirit Bone."
As soon as the words fell.
Jin Yue'er, wearing Qian Renxue's face, lunged toward Ye Tian.
"Ah! Damn it!"
"Haha!"
Jin Yue'er wrapped herself around Ye Tian like an octopus, laughing wildly, "Ye Tian, would you feel more excited if I wore the Pope's face?"
"If you're not afraid of getting your butt spanked, you can try!"
Ye Tian threatened sternly.
"Huh? You'd dare hit me even if I wore the Pope's face? How audacious..."
Slap! Slap!
"Ah—it hurts!"
Before Jin Yue'er could finish speaking, Ye Tian's hands struck left and right, landing on her soft, perky buttocks.
"Impressive."
Bang!
Ye Tian slammed the private room door shut heavily, unable to hold back a cold snort.
"Hmph! Not to mention you're just wearing Bibi Dong's face, even if she were really in front of me, I'd dare give her a good spanking... truly ridiculous."
Ye Tian clapped his hands.
Without looking back, he left the Holy Soul Winery.
Inside the private room, Jin Yue'er curled up on the table, clutching her burning buttocks.
Still wearing Qian Renxue's face.
Her face flushed crimson, gritting her silver teeth as she complained incessantly.
"Stinky Ye Tian, dead Ye Tian, hitting my butt so hard... one day, I'll make you taste my Death Coil!"
"Hehe~"
After angrily finishing her rant, Jin Yue'er couldn't help but let out a flushed, mocking laugh.
She wriggled on the table like a caterpillar.
The 43,000-year-old head Spirit Bone had given her mental strength and physical constitution a considerable boost.
By the time she reached level 40.
Her physical constitution would likely already be at the Soul King level, and her mental strength might also be quite good...
Perhaps she could even attempt to absorb a ten-thousand-year fourth ring?
When Ye Tian stepped out of the Holy Soul Winery.
The setting sun had already reached the halfway point on the mountainside.
Without any hesitation, Ye Tian decided to return to Wisteria Residence. Bibi Dong had probably already learned of Qian Renxue's choice.
Thinking of this matter.
Ye Tian felt a headache coming on.
Shouldn't cultivation be his top priority now? As his teacher, why couldn't Bibi Dong understand that?
Was it really necessary to go through such trouble to send Qian Renxue away?
Even if they really wanted to compete, couldn't they wait until it was time to "consume"?
Besides...
Ye Tian thought it would actually be quite nice if they could avoid competing altogether.
"Sigh~ Forget it, separation might not be a bad thing."
Ye Tian sighed helplessly.
If Qian Renxue could gain enough influence within the Heaven Dou royal family, with the cooperation of Longevity Pavilion and Spirit Hall.
She might be able to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire like a sieve...
He wondered how Qian Renxue carried out the Nation Theft Plan in the original story. Having spent nearly twenty years entrenched in the Heaven Dou Empire, she didn't even seem to have a decent lackey—what a failure.
Who in their right mind attempts a palace coup without military power?
Of course, there were exceptions, such as the Xuanwu Gate shooting incident that Ye Tian knew about, and some other formidable figures.
But no matter how little military power one had, they still needed their own troops, right?
Qian Renxue's palace coup relied entirely on personnel assigned by the Spirit Hall.
After serving as crown prince for so many years.
She hadn't even managed to bribe a single gate guard—truly full of flaws.
Now, with the aid of the Zombie Pill.
I hope Qian Renxue can be smarter. It's not just sitting on the throne that makes one the master of the Heaven Dou Empire; true mastery lies in controlling the military and the power of war!
By the time Ye Tian returned to Wisteria Residence.
The last traces of sunset still lingered on the horizon.
Seeing the cooking smoke rising from Wisteria Residence, Ye Tian smiled lightly and walked into the kitchen.
Inside, he saw flying knives and spatulas.
He couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.
In Ye Tian's line of sight.
Hu Liena was merely wearing an apron, standing by the stove, even casually cracking melon seeds.
To her left, a kitchen knife danced through the air.
In front of her, a spatula twirled.
At her feet were bundles of dried shrubs, which occasionally floated up on their own and were tossed into the roaring flames.
Ye Tian couldn't help but chuckle. "I originally wanted to come help in the kitchen, but it seems I overthought it."
Hearing this, Hu Liena immediately turned around, her face lighting up with joy.
"Senior Brother, you're back."
"Yes, I'm back. It seems your Split Mind Control training is going well."
Ye Tian nodded, offering praise.
Hu Liena humbly shook her head.
"Not at all. I can only handle simple tasks simultaneously, and this is probably what Senior Brother often calls 'practice makes perfect.' It's nothing special."
"Haha~ Perhaps so."
Ye Tian smiled, thinking of the parting three days later, and reminded her in advance, "By the way, Nana, in three days, come with me to see off Xue'er and Yue'er."
"Sure! Huh?"
Hu Liena had just agreed when she sensed something amiss and asked in confusion, "Senior Brother, is Sister Xue going on a long trip?"
"You could say that. After this, meeting them will become much harder. It might take months, or even over half a year, to see them again."
Ye Tian nodded gently and, to prevent Hu Liena from asking further questions.
Voluntarily explained, "Xue'er and Yue'er have been sent by the teacher to carry out a secret mission."
"I see~"
Hu Liena nodded slightly. With these few close friends about to depart, she didn't know how to feel, but she couldn't deny a faint sense of secret delight rising in her heart.
Looking at Ye Tian, she happily agreed.
"Senior Brother, don't worry. When the day comes, Nana will call my brother and Yan to join us."
"Alright!"