A glance at the intense sunlight outside the window, with some warm breezes flowing in, still made Bi Bidong feel a slight chill.
A desolation known as being utterly alone.
"Eighty-eighth level. It won't be long before I break through to the ninetieth level," Bi Bidong's voice carried a cold edge.
Her pearly teeth and crimson lips parted and closed, her eyes burning with the fire of vengeance!
"Qian Xunji..."
"Don't let me find an opportunity!" Bi Bidong hissed to herself. Just as she was about to lower her gaze and immerse herself in cultivation, two bottles came into her view.
Transparent bottles containing two types of Pills—one purplish-black, the other with gold and silver hues—lay quietly beside her.
Thirty Marrow Cleansing Pills and ten Bright Soul Nourishing Pills.
"That little brat... at least he didn't waste my efforts in preparing those medicinal herbs," Bi Bidong snorted lightly.
She casually stored the two bottles of Pills away and continued with her eyes closed in cultivation. The warm breeze blowing in seemed to have gained some warmth.
—
Saint Soul Winery.
Ye Tian didn't take any unnecessary detours, even breaking into a swift run. He had made plans with Qian Renxue and the others yesterday.
They would bring the items, and he would come with ample physical strength and Soul Power. Once arrived, they would get straight to business!
From the mountainside to the foot of the mountain, it was all downhill, making for rapid progress.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a series of short, brisk knocks sounded outside the private room.
Inside the room, Hu Liena, Qian Renxue, and the others turned their gazes toward the door.
"Ha ha..." Jin Yue'er immediately let out a delicate laugh. "It's Ye Tian!"
Before her words faded, Jin Yue'er, who had awakened her Martial Soul over a year and four months ago and already reached the fifteenth level, dashed forward in a flash.
She pulled the door open and, just catching a whiff of the Pill Fragrance, threw herself out without even looking, crashing into Ye Tian's embrace.
"Ugh... Yue'er, take it easy," Ye Tian grunted, his chest aching from the impact, and had no choice but to hold the girl tightly to ease the pain.
"Ha ha, come in, come in!" Jin Yue'er paid no mind, wrapping her arms around Ye Tian's waist and stepping backward, pulling him into the private room.
"Alright, Yue'er, let go of Ye Tian now. We have important matters to attend to!" Qian Renxue reminded her with a hint of exasperation, simultaneously giving Hu Liena's shoulder a light pat.
The little lass, who still had a year until her Spirit Awakening, immediately scurried over cheerfully to close the private room door.
Hu Liena turned her head, inhaling the pleasant Pill Fragrance, and nodded repeatedly in agreement with Qian Renxue, saying, "Yes, yes! Sister Yue'er, let go of Brother Ye Tian!"
"Hmph, I was just pulling him inside," Jin Yue'er promptly released Ye Tian, standing with her legs apart, hands on her hips, and made a playful face at Hu Liena. "Little kid~ Even if I let go, it's not your turn."
"..."
Hearing this, Hu Liena couldn't help but puff out her cheeks, glaring at Jin Yue'er indignantly.
Stinky Sister Yue'er! Why doesn't she dare to challenge Sister Xue?
Qian Renxue couldn't suppress a smile. "Alright, alright, let's focus on the task at hand. It's just a Spirit Awakening; it'll be over quickly. We shouldn't let the food get cold."
Ye Tian chuckled and playfully tugged at Jin Yue'er's sky-piercing braid a couple of times.
"Hey! Ye Tian, no sneak attacks!" Jin Yue'er covered her head, turning to glare at him.
But Ye Tian had already shifted his gaze to Xie Yue and Yan, who were standing ready and waiting.
"Are you both ready?"
"Don't worry, Brother Tian, we're all set! Ah..." Yan couldn't even finish his sentence before yawning involuntarily, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Xie Yue also appeared to have dark circles under his eyes, making Ye Tian chuckle in amusement.
"Was this really necessary from you two? It's just Martial Soul awakening - how could you lose sleep over it?"
"Mainly we were afraid of disappointing you, Brother Tian..." Xie Yue said sheepishly.
"That's not possible," Ye Tian responded with a confident smile before immediately making arrangements. "Stand over here, I'll begin right away."
"Mmhmm!" Xie Yue and Yan quickly scurried to stand before Ye Tian.
"Little Xue."
Hearing Ye Tian's call, Qian Renxue smiled and retrieved a leather pouch from her Soul Guidance Device, handing it over.
"Everything's inside."
"Perfect!" Ye Tian smoothly took the pouch and said lightly, "If their talents are decent enough, I might need to trouble you and Yue'er with something later."
"What is it?" Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Haha, I'll tell you later," Ye Tian teased, earning an exasperated eye-roll from her.
Surrounded by the group, Ye Tian bent down and took out six pitch-black round stones from the bag, arranging them into a hexagon on the ground. Finally, he retrieved a sparkling blue crystal ball before signaling Yan to stand within the Hexagram Array.
"Yan, don't worry. Just close your eyes and focus on sensing carefully."
"Don't worry, Brother Tian, I'll be fine," Yan nodded firmly from the center of the formation before closing his eyes.
Hu Liena and the other two girls stood beside Ye Tian as, under their and Xie Yue's watchful eyes, the Flawless Primordial Core Martial Soul adorned with two purple Thousand-Year Spirit Rings slowly emerged from Ye Tian's palm.
Rich Pill Fragrance wafted through the private room, making even Qian Renxue unconsciously take a few extra sniffs.
Without needing to move, Ye Tian held the blue crystal ball in his left hand while supporting the Pill Spirit with his right palm. Instantly, six milky white beams of light shot out from the Flawless Primordial Core Martial Soul, flowing into the six black stones respectively.
In that moment, a layer of golden radiance burst forth from the six stones, forming a pale golden light barrier that enveloped Yan completely.
The moment the golden light touched him, Yan seemed to shed all his nervousness, immediately becoming calm and standing there somewhat dazedly.
Under Xie Yue and Hu Liena's astonished gazes, golden light particles began floating up from the black stones on the ground, entering Yan's body.
Yan's body started trembling slightly as if he wanted to cry out but couldn't make a sound.
"Focus and communicate!" Ye Tian reminded softly.
Yan's trembling immediately ceased as the air seemed to grow scorching and heavy.
"Success!" Qian Renxue's face lit up with delight.
As her words fell, surging flames erupted behind Yan!
In the blink of an eye, a thick-bodied, half-human half-elemental rock form manifested! Burning flames formed a crown-like outline, with eyes like two incandescent fire cores radiating destructive temperatures. The main skeleton was composed of rock, with dark red magma rock covering the surface.
Massive claws formed from solidified lava extended from his arms, while his legs were replaced by continuously erupting magma-like flames.
The presence felt overwhelmingly oppressive.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue were pleasantly surprised - with such imposing presence, his talent must be quite remarkable.
"This is..." Surprise flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.
"Flame Lord!"
Ye Tian finished the sentence Qian Renxue hadn't completed.
His eyes showed a knowing expression as he smiled and explained, "Possessing dual fire and earth attributes, with the triple characteristics of extreme heat, powerful offense, and strong defense. The Flame Lord Martial Soul can trace its origins back to ancient times!"
"An ancient Martial Soul?"
Jin Yue'er's eyes shone with admiration and envy.
Wasn't the Flame Lord comparable to super Martial Souls like the Golden Alligator King?
"Ancient Martial Soul? Flame Lord?"
Yan opened his eyes in confusion, looking at the flaming rock elephant behind him... then gradually broke into a wide, brilliant smile.
"Haha... amazing! Brother Tian, I have an ancient Martial Soul!"
"Ah—!Before Yan could revel in his pride for long, Ye Tian brought him back to reality with a flick to the forehead.
"Alright, it's a good Martial Soul, but we don't know what level your Innate Soul Power is yet. Let's test it first."
Ye Tian smiled as he handed the blue crystal ball to Yan, his eyes filled with anticipation.
He had long known what Martial Souls these three would awaken.
Therefore, what he cared about now was their Innate Soul Power levels.