"Little Xue, think it over carefully. Grandpa respects your choice."
Qian Daoliu said no more, ending the topic.
Yet, Qian Renxue felt conflicted inside.
"Grandpa, I understand. I'll think it through properly after I return."
"Mm, go on then~"
Qian Daoliu nodded.
————
Inside the Wisteria Residence, within Eternal Heaven.
Jin Yue'er was still sitting cross-legged opposite Ye Tian, staring eagerly at the Pill Jars that had appeared in his hands, her face showing confusion. "Ye Tian, didn't you already give me the Marrow Cleansing Pill and the Bright Soul Nourishing Pill earlier?"
"This is payment."
Ye Tian casually tossed the Marrow Cleansing Pill in his hand toward Jin Yue'er and explained:
"I want you to deliver a message to Xue Er."
"Deliver a message to Sister Xue?"
Jin Yue'er caught the Pill Jar, surprise in her eyes, which quickly turned to delight.
She nodded repeatedly.
"Okay, okay, what do you want me to say?"
As she spoke,
Jin Yue'er opened the medicine pot in her hand and began popping pills.
Her little face flushed red, and her body trembled slightly.
Ye Tian looked at her with disdain and said directly, "It's not complicated. I just want you to tell Xue Er that I'll be waiting for her at the usual place tomorrow morning. I have something I'd like to discuss with her."
"Huh?"
Jin Yue'er stuffed a handful of Marrow Cleansing Pills into her mouth and let out an excited squeal.
"Is it a date? Wow!"
"Date my foot!"
Ye Tian said irritably. Before he could retort, Jin Yue'er agreed.
"Haha, don't worry, I'll definitely pass the message to Sister Xue and make sure she arrives at the Saint Soul Winery on time!"
While popping pills, Jin Yue'er's pale golden eyes rolled around.
She had already planned
how she would find an opportunity to tag along tomorrow.
"..."
Ye Tian frowned as he looked at Jin Yue'er, feeling that this girl was utterly unreliable.
But on second thought,
no matter how unreliable Jin Yue'er was, she wouldn't cause trouble. At most, she'd just sneak a few extra bites out of Qian Renxue.
———————
In the blink of an eye.
After Ye Tian spent the night sleeping soundly and comfortably on Bi Bi Dong,
the next morning arrived.
At the location of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School,
a three-person team had already received orders and set off for the temporary residence of the Defense Clan,
prepared to discuss cooperation matters with them.
Soon after,
several more teams departed.
The construction of a landmark building was, of course, extremely costly.
Many materials,
such as stone and ancient wood, needed to be purchased.
Heaven Dou City.
The old residence of the Nine-Hearted Begonia Ye Family.
Early in the morning, Ye Renxin had already dressed and gotten up to receive an old friend.
Knock, knock!
Just as the morning sun rose, Ye Qinshui knocked on Ye Renxin's door.
"Father, can we begin now?"
"Haha!"
A hearty laugh came from inside the room.
"Qinshui, come in."
Creak!
The door opened. Ye Qinshui looked at the two people in the room, her expression calm and composed as she bowed respectfully to the dark green figure. "Qinshui pays her respects to Senior Dugu."
Dugu Bo held a cup of hot tea in his hand, a broad smile on his face. "Haha~ No need for formalities. From now on, our two families will share both honor and disgrace."
"Yes, I hope everything goes smoothly."
Ye Qinshui nodded slightly.
"Of course. I have full confidence in the Pill His Highness provided."
Dugu Bo declared with conviction.
He had arrived at the Ye family early, accompanying Ye Renxin for morning tea.
He was also there to bear witness.
After all, for such a matter,
he needed to see it with his own eyes to give His Highness, who was far away in Spirit Hall City, a clear and thorough report.
Ye Renxin set down the hot tea in his hand and instructed his daughter, "Girl, with the Dugu Family Head here, you can take Lingling for her Spirit Awakening without worry. Father will proceed now."
As he spoke,
Ye Renxin took out the Eternal Night Frost Brilliance Pill, about the size of a longan and gleaming silver, and placed it in the palm of his hand before dropping it into the cup.
In just an instant,
the Eternal Night Frostbloom dissolved into the warm tea. The emerald-green tea seemed to be covered with a layer of moonlit frost, turning silvery and radiant.
"Understood. Qinshui will take care of it."
Ye Qinshui glanced at Ye Renxin once more, her heart filled with worry as she turned to leave.
Even with Dugu Bo's repeated assurances,
facing the life and death of a loved one, Ye Qinshui could not remain calm.
Watching Ye Qinshui depart,
Ye Renxin raised the cup of warm tea now covered in frost and said to Dugu Bo with a smile, "Dugu Family Head, I must excuse myself for a moment. Let me toast you one more time."
"Don't worry, old friend. It won't be long."
Dugu Bo nodded with a smile, raising his own cup of warm tea to drink with Ye Renxin.
As the Eternal Night Frostbloom flowed down his throat
and settled in his abdomen,
Ye Renxin slowly closed his eyes, pursed his lips, and savored the sensation for a moment before sharing his thoughts with Dugu Bo with great interest.
"This Pill is truly marvelous."
"In just a moment, I feel my body temperature plummeting, as if even my blood is about to stop flowing."
Dugu Bo looked at Ye Renxin and immediately noticed that his complexion was visibly deteriorating, with even a pallor of death beginning to linger over his once ruddy face.
"Do you need help?"
Dugu Bo inquired.
"No need. I can manage."
Ye Renxin gave a faint smile, then slowly stood up, staggering over to the bedside.
He then lay down gently,
murmuring, "Dugu Family Head, if I do not wake from this sleep, I ask that you look after my Ye family."
Ye Renxin could no longer resist the feeling of death,
fear rising in his heart.
"If that truly happens, I will protect the Ye family for you."
Dugu Bo nodded.
Watching Ye Renxin lie motionless on the bed, his breathing becoming faint and imperceptible until it finally ceased,
Dugu Bo could not suppress his curiosity.
He quickly stood up, walked to the bedside, and placed his hand on Ye Renxin's wrist to check his pulse.
A look of astonishment appeared in his eyes.
"His pulse has truly vanished completely, and even his Soul Power is slowly dissipating!"
Dugu Bo slowly withdrew his hand.
Looking at the indentation left on Ye Renxin's wrist from the mere pressure of his fingers—even as it slowly faded—he could not help but feel shocked.
This Pill, in such a short time,
had caused a Soul Saint's body to wither, depleting both his vitality and blood essence...
It was no less potent than a deadly poison!
"..."
Under the eaves of the old mansion,
Ye Qinshui held Ye Lingling's small hand as they slowly made their way to the room for Spirit Awakening.
In any Soul Master family,
unless absolutely necessary, they would not rely on the free awakening benefits offered by the Spirit Hall.
If one's talent was mediocre, it might not matter much.
If one possessed exceptional talent, it would inevitably invite many troubles.
The most direct and brutal of these would be assassination attempts from rival families.
Ye Lingling allowed her mother to lead her forward, but her eyes looked back. Unable to hold back, she asked, "Mother, where is Grandpa? Lingling is awakening her Martial Soul, won't Grandpa come to see?"
Ye Qinshui replied softly, "Your grandfather is having tea with a guest right now. Mother can awaken it for you just the same."
"Alright~"
Ye Lingling pouted her little mouth and nodded somewhat reluctantly.
Soon,
the mother and daughter came to a stop.
Ye Qinshui took a key from her sleeve, unlocked the door before them, and led Ye Lingling into the sealed room.
Looking at the room's layout, Ye Lingling's eyes held a sense of wonder.
Even though there wasn't a single window,
the room was exceptionally bright inside.
The space appeared square and regular, with a thick carpet underfoot. In the center of the carpet lay six pitch-black stones. All the light in the room came from the ceiling of this secret chamber—a vibrant pink-and-white begonia flower, its misty white heart a dazzlingly bright night pearl.
Thud!
Ye Qinshui closed the door firmly behind her. Then she instructed, "Lingling, go stand in the center of those six stones. Later, you must concentrate fully; don't think about anything else. Once you've awakened your Martial Soul, you'll naturally get to see your grandfather."
"Mm!"
Ye Lingling nodded obediently and seriously.
She trotted quickly to the middle of the room, which was the center of the Hexagram Array. Standing there prettily, she urged,
"Mother, Lingling is ready."
As her words fell,
Ye Lingling took a deep breath, her two small hands clutching her white dress. Her sapphire-blue, gem-like eyes revealed nervousness but were also filled with anticipation.
"Mm~ Concentrate now."
Suppressing the worry in her heart, Ye Qinshui gritted her teeth lightly and summoned her Martial Soul. A pink-and-white Nine-Hearted Begonia hovered above her head. Beneath her feet were five Spirit Rings: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
Seeing the Martial Soul above Ye Qinshui's head,
a look of admiration blossomed in Ye Lingling's eyes, and the nervousness in her heart seemed to ease at that moment.
Ye Qinshui solemnly released a surge of Soul Power.
It landed within the Hexagram Array.
Then she closed her eyes.
Ye Qinshui understood that if the Eternal Night Frostbloom and the Fairy Tulip Pill proved ineffective, the Soul Power she had just released would essentially be Ye Renxin's death warrant.
Even without seeing blood,
her hands would still be stained with it.
And it would be the blood of her closest kin!
This was the curse borne by their Ye family of the Nine-Hearted Begonia!
If it failed,
she would become the next Ye Renxin!
In Ye Qinshui's view, the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, this so-called miracle among Martial Souls, was actually just a joke.
As Ye Qinshui's Soul Power flowed in,
the six black stones suddenly trembled, and faint golden specks of light seeped out from them, converging toward Ye Lingling's position at the center.
"How amazing!"
Ye Lingling watched the golden specks of light, letting them flow into her body.
Then she felt a sensation within,
her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly raised her hands, her gaze falling between her palms. A force on the verge of emerging gathered in her palms, bursting forth with a pink radiance.
Hum!
Within Ye Lingling's hands...
It was a pink begonia flower, composed of white and pink petals, with vibrant colors and graceful posture. The leaves and vines cascaded from the sides of Ye Lingling's palms, soft and supple in the breeze, swaying gently like delicate tassels.
Like a gentlewoman veiled by her flowing hair, full of tender affection and pitiable charm.
Ye Lingling gazed joyfully at the flower in her hand. Unable to contain herself, she looked up at Ye Qinshui and cheered excitedly, "Mother, Lingling succeeded! Lingling has awakened the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul."
"Very good."
Ye Qinshui's expression remained calm, yet her eyes couldn't help but redden slightly.
"Mother~"
Ye Lingling looked at her with confusion.
"Alright, Lingling, let's first check your Innate Soul Power."
Ye Qinshui sniffled softly, retrieved a blue crystal ball from her Soul Guidance Device, bent down, and placed it into Ye Lingling's arms.
"Mm~"
In no time at all.
The crystal ball in Ye Lingling's arms began to emit a relatively dazzling glow.
Seeing this, Ye Qinshui couldn't help but murmur softly.
"Innate Soul Power… seventh rank?"
"Huh? Lingling's Innate Soul Power is only seventh rank?"
Ye Lingling pouted her pink lips.
"Silly child, Innate Seventh Rank is already quite remarkable. You're a little genius~"
Ye Qinshui gently ruffled her daughter's hair.
Her eyes filled with conflict.
In the end, she decided to follow what she and Ye Renxin had agreed upon.
To tell Ye Lingling about the curse of the Nine Heart Begonia.
Otherwise,
if Lingling went to her grandfather later, filled with joy, only to find a lifeless body, how cruel that would be!
Moreover, as the inheritor of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul.
Ye Lingling should indeed learn of this matter at this very moment.
Ye Qinshui felt relief, admiration, and worry.
Relieved that when she awakened her Martial Soul, no one had died because of her.
Admiring her father, Ye Renxin.
Even after learning this cruel truth and having an elder die because of him, he had remained optimistic and kind-hearted.
Worried about Ye Renxin's life—
and even more worried about how her dear daughter would react upon learning this cruel truth.
Whether she would become disturbed.
Ye Renxin's original intention in deciding to reveal the truth of the curse to his granddaughter was indeed different from Ye Qinshui's. He simply felt that this might be a valuable opportunity for growth… For a Support-type Soul Master, maintaining a positive mindset at all times is essential to making the most accurate judgments.
Whether it's supporting teammates or ensuring one's own safety,
a stable mindset is of utmost importance!
"A little genius? Haha! That's wonderful!"
Ye Lingling giggled happily, cradling the crystal ball in both hands. "Mother, here's the ball back. Let's hurry and go find Grandfather."
Ye Qinshui lowered her gaze, looking at Ye Lingling with a complicated expression.
Instead of taking the crystal ball, she solemnly revealed the cruel curse.
"Lingling, did you know? Our Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul is a cursed Martial Soul. In this world, only two bearers can exist at the same time."
"Huh?"
Ye Lingling stared at Ye Qinshui in astonishment—this was something she had never heard before.
Before she could fully process it, she asked in confusion:
"Two bearers? But Mother, aren't there three bearers now?"
"..."
Ye Qinshui remained silent, simply gazing quietly at Ye Lingling.
Her eyes filled with pity.
"!!!"
Ye Lingling's expression suddenly changed, and she froze in place.
With a clatter!
The crystal ball in her hands fell directly onto the carpet beneath her feet.
She had been clever since childhood,
She had long been keenly aware that something was off about Ye Qinshui and Ye Renxin. Before, she didn't understand why. Now, she didn't want to understand.
So… so this was why Ye Renxin hadn't come to this room?!
"Mother! What's wrong with Grandpa?"
Ye Lingling's eyes brimmed with tears as she anxiously grabbed Ye Qinshui's sleeve, her voice already choked with sobs.
"Did Grandpa… did he die because I awakened my Martial Soul?"
"Under normal circumstances, yes."
Ye Qinshui nodded gravely.
"No… no, it can't be! Mother, I don't want to awaken my Martial Soul anymore!"
Tears streamed down Ye Lingling's face as she shook her head in panic.
"I don't want this Martial Soul anymore! Mother, please take me to see Grandpa!"
"I don't want to be a Soul Master anymore…"
Ye Qinshui looked at her tear-streaked daughter, her heart aching as she bent down, cupped the girl's tender face, and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her thumb, shaking her head softly.
"Lingling, it's too late now. This is the fate of our Ye family, passed down through generations."
"No! I want Grandpa… Mother…"
Ye Lingling was on the verge of wailing, immediately trying to pull Ye Qinshui to go find Ye Renxin.
"Lingling, wait!"
Ye Qinshui bent down and pulled Ye Lingling into her arms.
"We can't go to your grandfather yet."
"Why?!"
Ye Lingling wept, her face drenched in tears.
"Because right now, you're the only one who can save him."
"Me? What do I need to do?"
"With the help of the Dugu Family head, we've found a method that might allow both outcomes—for you to successfully awaken your Martial Soul and for your grandfather to continue living."
As Ye Qinshui spoke, Ye Lingling gradually calmed down, no longer struggling. Instead, she clung to this lifeline, her face filled with urgency.
"Mother, tell me quickly!"
"Mm."
Ye Qinshui nodded, releasing Ye Lingling.
Then, she took out an exquisite box and presented it before Ye Lingling's eyes.
Through her blurred, tear-filled gaze, Ye Lingling watched as Ye Qinshui slowly opened the box, revealing a pale golden pill.
"Lingling, this pill is called the Fairy Tulip Pill. Our Ye family obtained it from the Spirit Hall Saint Child. Right now, your grandfather has already taken another pill called Eternal Night Frostbloom and entered a state of absolute suspended animation. As long as you take this pill and undergo Spirit Evolution, we might be able to use an antidote to wake your grandfather up again."
"The Spirit Hall Saint Child?"
Ye Lingling was stunned, her mind reeling.
Finally, she understood what she had overheard before.
Ye Lingling sniffled, looked up at Ye Qinshui, and asked, "Mother, do I just swallow this pill directly?"
"Yes, just circulate your Soul Power to absorb it."
"I understand!"
Ye Lingling nodded firmly and, without another word, picked up the pale golden Fairy Tulip Pill and tossed it into her mouth.
She looked up at Ye Qinshui and promised, "Don't worry, Mother. I definitely won't let Grandpa down!"
"…"
Under Ye Qinshui's watchful gaze, Ye Lingling quickly sat down cross-legged. As the daughter of a long-standing Soul Master family, she naturally knew how to circulate her Soul Power and cultivate. It was as natural to her as eating or drinking, and she quickly grasped the method of channeling her Soul Power.
The sealed room was quiet.
Ye Qinshui hadn't gone anywhere, simply kneeling before Ye Lingling, silently keeping watch over her.
Her eyes were filled with anticipation.
Until afternoon...
————————
Under the blazing sun, in the familiar private room of Saint Soul Winery in Spirit Hall City.
Ye Tian and Qian Renxue were already in their places!
Snap!
The private room door closed.
Qian Renxue looked at the handsome young man who had already brewed hot tea in the room.
A charming smile unconsciously bloomed on her lovely face.
"Xiao Tian~ How rare, you actually took the initiative to invite me to meet."
"This isn't the first time."
Ye Tian gave Qian Renxue an exasperated glance, teasing with a smile:
"There will be plenty more opportunities in the future."
"..."
Hearing this,
Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback, her face showing a hint of unease.
But she quickly recovered her smiling expression, complaining:
"Future matters can be discussed later. Who knows if you're just making empty promises? Besides, every time you look for me, isn't it because you need something? It's never just because you want to see me. Hmph!"
"Uh..."
An awkward smile appeared on Ye Tian's face.
Qian Renxue briskly came to sit at the table, right across from Ye Tian.
Propping her chin with both hands, she playfully smiled:
"Alright~ I'm not deliberately giving you a hard time. So, what's the matter?"