In the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City was the first stop for Qian Renxue, Ling Yuan, and Lin Feng on this journey.
Besides a casual tour, they had some task-like matters to handle.
"Long time no see, Wanqing."
Under Ye Wanqing's shocked gaze, Ling Yuan and Qian Renxue each held one of Lin Feng's hands as they slowly walked through the gates of the Nine-Heart Begonia family home.
"You… you… you all—she, and he…?"
Ling Yuan stepped forward and playfully pinched Ye Wanqing's cheek."It's pretty much what you're thinking."
Ye Wanqing's eyes widened. She pushed away Ling Yuan's mischievous hand and scolded slightly:"How can this be? You were clearly the first one here."
Qian Renxue smirked and winked at Ling Yuan."Actually, I was the one who came later."
What the…Ye Wanqing covered her mouth with a hand, wanting to say something but at a loss for words.
Clicking her tongue and shaking her head, she sighed:"Fine. As long as you're happy. You two really are something."
Ling Yuan took Ye Wanqing's hand and smiled:"Where's your sister? We came to see her."
"She's in the back garden with Lingling. Is there something important?"
Lin Feng nodded."We're here to fulfill the promise from last time."
Ye Wanqing's eyes lit up in realization, her voice turning excited:"So that means, Xiaofeng, you've made a breakthrough in your research?
I've been practicing some of those paths too—have you developed something new?"
"More or less."
"Then come on in!"
In the backyard, Mother Ye and Ye Lingling were having a quiet conversation at a stone table. Ye Lingling would occasionally nod with a blank, cute expression.
When she saw Lin Feng and the others arrive with Ye Wanqing, Mother Ye was briefly surprised but discreetly paused the conversation.
"Xiaofeng, Xiaoyuan, and this is…?"
Qian Renxue lifted her hand, showing her fingers interlaced with Lin Feng's."Just call me Xiaoxue. As for our relationship… you can probably tell."
Mother Ye froze for a moment, glanced at Ling Yuan—who stood back, chatting with Ye Wanqing—and nodded slightly.
She found it odd. Since Ling Yuan had already "conquered" him, how could she allow someone else to take the main position? The plan had clearly been to secure her place firmly.
Observing silently, she noticed that Lin Feng and Qian Renxue were close in age, and it clicked—Ah, so that's why.
They all sat down. Ling Yuan walked to Ye Lingling and gently hugged her.
"Lingling, it's been a while. Do you still remember me?"
Ye Lingling nodded:"Of course. You're Sister Ling Yuan. And that big brother—I've seen him before too."
Mother Ye chuckled:"You only met Xiaofeng once. After so long, you still remember him?"
Ye Lingling nodded seriously:"Of course. That big brother fed me a flower to eat.
It was really tasty, but after that, I couldn't find another flower that tasted the same, no matter how hard I looked."
Mother Ye was alarmed:"Lingling! When did you sneak off to eat flowers? What if you got sick? The one Xiaofeng gave you was special! Don't do that again!"
"Okaaay—"
Shaking her head helplessly, Mother Ye turned to the amused Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan:"Letting you see this side of us, how embarrassing. Now, tell me, what brings you all here today?"
Lin Feng took out the Innate Treasure Pearl:"We've come to fulfill the promise from a year ago."
Mother Ye's pupils contracted slightly. By now, the Spirit Hall had already publicized two cultivation paths. In her opinion, an individual's energy was limited.
Let alone creating cultivation methods like this—yet Lin Feng had continued researching for the sake of the Nine-Heart Begonia family.
What did this mean? It meant the Nine-Heart Begonia Martial Spirit held real importance in Lin Feng's heart. Considering his current status as a high-ranking figure in the Spirit Hall, this indicated that the Spirit Hall valued their family greatly.
Since their clan had already secretly joined the Spirit Hall, this support from above would make their future path far smoother.
Thinking of this, Mother Ye, letting her thoughts run a little wild, looked at Lin Feng with a softer gaze.
Even the disappointment she'd felt on Ling Yuan's behalf faded.
She smiled gently:"What do I need to do?"
"You experienced my soul skill before. My martial spirit can repair meridians.Not only that—it can also nurture them and realign your internal soul force pathways.
Before we begin, I'll need to place the Innate Treasure Pearl inside your body for a day to nourish it."
"When the time comes, your first soul ring will be absorbed into your body and transformed into a soul meridian."
Mother Ye took a deep breath, suppressing her astonishment:"If I'm right, this soul meridian is what you originally aimed to research. Those cultivation paths were just byproducts.
Absorbing a soul ring into the body and transforming it into a meridian—how did you even come up with such a concept? It's incredible."
Lin Feng smiled:"It's really thanks to my martial spirit. Without it, even with the idea, I couldn't have made it reality."
Mother Ye nodded:"There are countless martial spirits in the world. Some possess remarkable abilities.
Just like our Nine-Heart Begonia—it's unrivaled in healing.Your martial spirit is just as special, and you've used it on the right path."
"Shall we begin, then?"
Mother Ye nodded.
Lin Feng extended his right hand. The Innate Treasure Pearl floated toward her, entering her body. A gentle light began to spread, nourishing her body and meridians.
Ye Wanqing and Ye Lingling watched curiously. Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan stood guard, ensuring the process went smoothly.
"Brother Xiaofeng, will this take long?" Ye Lingling asked softly.
Lin Feng smiled warmly:"About a day. We'll stay and keep watch. Don't worry."
Ye Wanqing nodded:"That's good. We can catch up on everything that's happened these past years."
Qian Renxue said plainly:"Perfect time to understand each other better."
They all sat together, chatting comfortably—about battles, cultivation, and even small daily stories. The atmosphere was light and pleasant.
A day passed quickly.
The Innate Treasure Pearl inside Mother Ye began to glow brightly.Lin Feng focused intently, guiding her soul force through precise paths, gradually absorbing her first soul ring into her body, forming the soul meridian.
The complex process unfolded smoothly under Lin Feng's direction.
Mother Ye summoned her Nine-Heart Begonia spirit. The lowest yellow ring had vanished. Feeling the changes inside, she looked at Lin Feng with deep gratitude:"Xiaofeng, this soul meridian makes my soul power flow much smoother. It feels amazing. I think I can even grasp the essence of the Nine-Heart Begonia better now."
As she reflected, the shock grew—the benefits of the soul meridian far outstripped those of a standard path.Its synergy with her body felt like her soul ring had gained years of maturity.
Seeing her expression shift repeatedly, Lin Feng—who'd been holding back—finally asked the question that mattered most to him.
"I've said one of the public paths gives about a 5% boost in cultivation speed. How much would you say the soul meridian gives?"
Mother Ye sensed carefully:"Roughly… 10%?"
Lin Feng exchanged glances with Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan. They all nodded slightly.
So, the key truly was in his martial spirit. The Innate Treasure Pearl still held secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Ye Lingling tugged at Lin Feng's sleeve:"Brother Xiaofeng, do you have any more of those flowers?"
Lin Feng's mouth twitched. Didn't you refuse to eat it last time? Now you've searched the whole garden and still can't forget the taste?
He patted her little head:"Lingling, that flower was one of a kind. Once eaten, it's gone. Other flowers won't taste the same. Don't eat them, okay?"
"…Okay—"
Ye Lingling turned to Ye Wanqing:"Then can Brother Xiaofeng help me get my candy back?"
Ling Yuan bumped Ye Wanqing, speechless:"You're stealing snacks from Lingling again?"
Ye Wanqing blushed and mumbled:"I just like the way she reacts. I always return it afterward…"
She dumped a pile of colorful candy from her soul tool into Lingling's arms."See? I gave it back."
No one reminded her—but it was clear she wouldn't have returned them otherwise. That much? Was that just one day's worth?
"Now that this is done, we'll head off. I'll return to handle more soul meridian matters when I'm ready."
Mother Ye nodded deeply:"You can rest assured—I won't leak a word about the soul meridian."
She already felt its foundational laws reshaping her being. Mother Ye knew exactly what this power meant, and was ready to disappear from the public eye if necessary.
After all, soul meridian formation depended entirely on Lin Feng's Innate Treasure Pearl, and their family was already fully aligned with the Spirit Hall.
It likely wouldn't be long before their allegiance was formally declared—though perhaps the Spirit Hall would prefer they remain hidden for a while longer.
With Lingling about to awaken her martial spirit soon, disappearing now would hardly raise any eyebrows. Most people would take it in stride.
T/N: This chapter actually made me laugh.
T/N: For up to twelve chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle