Chapter 204: Giving Ye Lingling the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid
Bibi Dong's expression softened. How could she not understand Hu Liena's thoughts?
Her own words—that Dugu Feng was Hu Liena's nemesis—must have wounded her proud disciple's heart.
Coupled with the crushing defeat in the finals, this was what drove her to decide on journeying to the City of Slaughter.
"Absorb this soul bone first."
Bibi Dong took out a white head bone. "This one is no worse than the Wisdom Head Bone of Spiritual Condensation, and it suits you well."
"Teacher, I can't accept this. Losing the match was my failure. Your forgiveness alone already makes me uneasy. If I absorb such a precious soul bone…"
Hu Liena longed deeply for a soul bone. Twice before, she had come so close—only to lose her external soul bone to an evil Soul Master, and then the championship prize to the Gemstone Academy.
This was her third time being so near.
Yet guilt still lingered in her heart.
"Absorb it. Only after doing so will you stand a better chance of surviving the City of Slaughter. It's not as simple as you imagine. You must return alive."
Bibi Dong's voice was firm yet gentle.
Hu Liena's eyes turned red as tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Though an orphan, to her, Bibi Dong's care was no different from that of a mother.
She nodded resolutely. At this moment, words were meaningless—she wanted only to live through the Slaughter Path and repay her teacher.
Hu Liena sat cross-legged, began absorbing the soul bone under Bibi Dong's gaze, while the latter's eyes turned toward the horizon outside Spirit City.
The Heaven Dou Empire's convoy had left. The Soul Master Tournament was over.
And with it, they had taken away three of her soul bones.
"Dugu Clan, enjoy your moment of pride while it lasts!
And you, Tang Hao—did you think that by keeping Tang San from participating in the tournament, I would forget you?
Just wait. Your days are numbered."
Dugu Feng posed a significant threat, but even if he matured fully, he would amount to no more than another Dugu Bo.
Tang San, though—his twin spirits would one day make him the next Tang Chen, a far greater danger than the Dugu family.
Not to mention the Clear Sky Sect still had multiple Titled Douluo.
Bibi Dong was patient. She had long been accumulating power so that, when she finally struck, she would turn all of Douluo Continent upside down.
Half a month later, Heaven Dou City was bursting with celebration.
The entire city hung with lanterns, drowned in joy.
Emperor Xue Ye had even commissioned a massive parade float—ten meters high and six meters wide.
It awaited the returning convoy miles outside the city, ready to carry the Gemstone Academy's Soul Masters through the streets in triumphal procession.
Dugu Feng stood among the crowd, watching the float.
At the very top stood Ning Rongrong, along with Zhang Jingyang, Little Snake, and the others.
Such grand displays were not his style, so he refrained from joining.
Ning Rongrong, as the most popular Soul Master of the team, was expected to appear and bask in the celebration—and she enjoyed the attention.
Little Snake, however, looked painfully uncomfortable, waving stiffly at the crowd. He was representing the Dugu family, pushed there entirely by Dugu Feng's insistence.
"Little Snake, you're a father now. Your little one will be proud of you."
Dugu Feng smirked quietly.
He slipped away through the throngs toward the Ye residence.
"Senior Sister."
"You came!"
Ye Lingling greeted him happily, ushering him inside.
Once they reached the sitting room, Dugu Feng took out a jade box from his storage soul tool and handed it to her.
"Inside is an immortal herb. It can greatly enhance your soul power and cultivation talent."
Ye Lingling's eyes widened behind her veil.
Increase her talent? Elevate her soul power?
She accepted it eagerly and opened the box.
At once, an otherworldly fragrance filled the entire room—similar to that of orchids, yet purer, calming the mind and refreshing the spirit.
Ye Lingling inhaled deeply, her energy revitalized.
Inside the box lay an eight-petaled orchid, the petals pure white and ethereal in beauty.
"This immortal herb is called the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid," Dugu Feng explained. "Its medicinal nature is gentle and rich. It strengthens your foundation, purifies your body of impurities, enhances the cultivation talent of auxiliary-type Soul Masters, and increases training speed."
"So miraculous!" Ye Lingling gasped in disbelief.
Dugu Feng smiled and sat down beside her.
"Such herbs are precious and must stay secret. Absorb it now—chew and swallow directly."
Ye Lingling nodded quickly, trusting him completely.
She sat down on the nearby sofa, removed her veil, and revealed her stunning face.
She glanced at Dugu Feng once, then quickly turned away and focused on the flower, swallowing its petals and buds one by one.
Immediately, she released her Nine Heart Begonia and began meditating.
As the medicinal power spread within her, a subtle floral fragrance unique to the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid emanated from her body.
A faint white glow flickered around her form, wrapping her in waves of soothing energy.
The herb's effect was mild and balanced; her outward transformation wasn't dramatic, but the aura around her became dreamlike and almost divine.
Already beautiful, she now seemed ethereal.
Dugu Feng smiled faintly as he stood guard beside her.
His four-colored Venom Mist blanketed the entire room, concealing their presence completely, ensuring no strong individuals could sense the herb's appearance.
The mist could even block spiritual detection—anyone trying to probe inside would have to break through it, creating enough disturbance for Dugu Feng to notice immediately.
Satisfied, he immersed himself in quietly practicing his newly enhanced spiritual power.
His mind and poisons merged fluidly, forming intricate shapes that swirled around him.
Time passed swiftly. After several hours, Dugu Feng opened his eyes to find Ye Lingling finished with her meditation, brimming with excitement.
"My soul power increased by five entire levels—I'm already at level forty-seven!"
She covered her mouth in shock.
The improvement far exceeded her imagination.
"This is only the beginning. Most of the herb's energy still lies dormant within you—it will sustain your cultivation all the way to Soul Sage," Dugu Feng said calmly.
Ye Lingling's astonishment gave way to solemn gratitude. "This gift is too precious. Thank you, Dugu Feng."
Had it been Ning Rongrong, she might have thrown herself into his arms and kissed him, but Ye Lingling's reserved nature allowed only a sincere word of thanks.
Her feelings, however, ran far deeper than her words.
"Senior Sister, stay in the mansion and continue cultivating for now. I'll be entering seclusion myself to break through to Soul King. Once I succeed, I'll come find you again."
Dugu Feng accepted her gratitude with a slight nod and turned to leave swiftly, eager to resume his own cultivation.
His decisive departure left Ye Lingling feeling both relieved and slightly disappointed.
She had thought something might happen between them.
If Dugu Feng had taken the initiative, she wouldn't have refused.
"With his intelligence, he must already know how I feel.
He can suppress all desires for the sake of cultivation.
It must be Ning Rongrong who keeps clinging to him," she murmured wistfully to herself.
(END CHAPTER)
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