The soul ring absorption process went very smoothly.
Looking at the purple soul ring circling around the Innate Treasure Pearl in his hand, Lin Feng seemed lost in thought.
This soul ring had granted him an offensive soul skill.
"Second Soul Skill: Earthfire Surge."
Fwoosh—
Crimson flames burst out from Lin Feng, spreading rapidly in all directions.
Accompanied by a wave of scorching heat, the flames instantly expanded to cover a hundred square meters.
With a sizzling sound, the Blue Silver Grass on the ground was gradually burned to ash.
As the fire elements danced nimbly in the air, Lin Feng willed the earthfire to gather toward his hand.
Finally, the flames condensed into a tangible fireball, with even more violent energy surging within it.
Chrysanthemum Douluo looked surprised."A secondary application of the soul skill?Kid, is your second soul skill really that easy to master?"
Lin Feng threw the fireball. The surging energy exploded against a tree trunk thick enough for two people to embrace.
"Boom!"
The tree collapsed with a loud crash, making Chrysanthemum Douluo raise an eyebrow. Clicking his tongue, he said:"And you still claim to be a support-type soul master?This kind of power would be considered top-tier even among power attack specialists."
Lin Feng smiled slightly, clearly very satisfied with his second soul skill.
After all, who wouldn't want real combat power? Why settle for just being a support-type soul master?
"Xiaofeng, do you have any more of that immortal herb?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo asked bashfully, looking like a cat drooling over a treat it couldn't reach.
"Grandpa Ju, let's return to the base first. Among the herbs I gathered, there's one especially suited for you."
"Really!?Hurry, hurry, show it to me!"
Lin Feng chuckled and said:"Grandpa Ju, let's head back first. I want to hand over some herbs to Xue'er.As for this one, you can hold on to it first."
As he spoke, he handed a jade box to Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo took it with trembling hands and swallowed hard.
"This is... Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum! An immortal herb, it really is!"
He carefully placed the jade box down, his gaze full of infatuation and awe.
For a moment, a trace of greed flashed in his eyes—but it quickly vanished. He handed the box back to Lin Feng with a sigh:
"An immortal treasure like this... just seeing it is a great fortune for me.Kid, you'd better turn this in to the Grand Worshiper. It would serve best as a part of Spirit Hall's foundation."
Lin Feng smiled as he took it back:"Don't worry, Grandpa Ju. I'll ask Xue'er to request it for you."
Chrysanthemum Douluo grinned:"Well, if you can really secure it for me, then whatever troubles you face in the future, just count on me.Even if you want to marry that Dugu Yan girl, I'll back you all the way!"
Lin Feng's face darkened."Grandpa Ju, please don't joke like that."
"Hahaha."
They returned to the base shortly afterward.
By the time they reached the courtyard, it was nearly evening.
Qian Renxue was listening to Snake Lance Douluo's report, occasionally nodding.
Seeing Lin Feng and Chrysanthemum Douluo return, she waved her hand to dismiss Snake Lance.
Snake Lance Douluo paused, shook his head helplessly, and left to reorganize his report in writing.
He had just been getting into the flow—being interrupted now meant he had to write the whole thing out. Couldn't even save ink anymore.With a resentful glance at Lin Feng, he walked into the study.
"Xiaofeng, how did it go? Did you settle that Dugu Bo issue?Is he willing to join Spirit Hall? If he slighted you in any way, just tell me. I'll make sure you get justice!"
Qian Renxue smiled brightly.
Lin Feng felt a warm feeling in his heart.To have a childhood friend who always thought of him—how could anyone else understand such happiness?
Off to the side, Ling Yuan's eyes lit up. She suddenly appeared at Lin Feng's side, reaching for his hand in surprise:
"Xiaofeng, you broke through level 20?! What happened?!"
"Hm?"
Qian Renxue also stopped smiling. Her brows furrowed as she hurried over.
She was anxious. He had only been out half a day—what could cause such a massive jump in spirit power?
Aside from dark arts or damaging forbidden techniques, she couldn't think of any other method.
With that thought, her expression sharpened. Her eyes turned accusatory toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Ling Yuan also stared daggers at him.
"Why are they blaming me?!" Chrysanthemum Douluo quickly clarified:"It's not what you think! It was the immortal herbs! The herbs!"
"Immortal herbs?"
Ling Yuan and Qian Renxue both looked confused.
Chrysanthemum Douluo hurried to explain everything.
Who can understand this pain? He thought.These two women have terrifying glares. My old pal Ghost Douluo is so much more gentle and refined.
After the explanation, both women were stunned.
"Such divine items actually exist? They can help evolve martial spirits and create top-tier foundations?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo pulled out his family's treasured botanical compendium:"Exactly! All recorded in ancient texts. These immortal herbs are once-in-a-thousand-year treasures, only attainable by those with great fortune.Their effects and capabilities are beyond imagination.Even ordinary people with no cultivation could potentially awaken martial spirits through them.Dugu Bo's medicine garden might be one of the three great sacred grounds, judging by the abundance of such herbs!"
Qian Renxue smiled faintly:"Then Xiaofeng, can you pick one for me?"
Ling Yuan also looked at him with hopeful eyes.
Lin Feng chuckled:"Let's talk inside."
Once inside, Lin Feng revealed five or six immortal herbs, each radiating its own divine glow.
Even with special containment devices, their fragrance still filled the room.
The three of them fell silent.
Especially Chrysanthemum Douluo—his eyes lost focus. Only someone who knew the true value of immortal herbs would understand how frightening this scene was.
He knew of a sect that had guarded a single low-grade immortal herb as its sacred treasure for generations.
And yet, the ones in front of him now were far superior.
"Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Fragrant Delicate Immortal, Golden Thread Delicate Fragrance, Autumn Dew with Far-Reaching Gaze..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo murmured the names unconsciously. He slapped his face hard until it hurt and turned red before calming down.
Once he confirmed he wasn't dreaming, he shouted like a madman:
"No! I need to find that old poison freak! He must have more immortal herbs!I have to see the three sacred grounds with my own eyes!"
"Grandpa Ju! Stop!"
Qian Renxue snapped out of it just in time to stop him.
She was already scheming.
"Young master, you've seen my herb compendium—you know how rare these are.Such a place should be claimed by Spirit Hall!"
Qian Renxue glanced at Lin Feng and shook her head:"No need. Since Xiaofeng already took the herbs, there's no need to go back.Besides, Dugu Bo is now one of ours. We can negotiate about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well later."
Qian Renxue didn't care about any three-year agreement.You've joined Spirit Hall—think you can leave? Dream on.
Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated but realized Lin Feng was not the kind to let good things slip away, so he agreed.
"These herbs will be safeguarded by Xiaofeng and me for now. When we return to Spirit Hall, we'll present them to my grandfather.Any objections?"
"None, ma'am."
"Alright, everyone disperse. Clear your minds. Don't speak of what you shouldn't, don't ask what you shouldn't."
"Yes."
Once they had all left, Qian Renxue beckoned to Lin Feng:
"Xiaofeng, come with me. Let's eat first. I want to hear all about Dugu Bo—especially his granddaughter. I'm very interested."
Lin Feng: ...You're even jealous of a kid now?
At the table, Lin Feng took out a white flower attached to a piece of black obsidian and handed it to Qian Renxue.
"Xiaoxue, this is a gift for you."
Qian Renxue happily accepted it and asked softly:"Is this also an immortal herb?"
Lin Feng nodded gently:"Yes. It has a tragic and beautiful story—and a very beautiful name."
"Lovesick Heartbreak Red."