The immortal herb, glowing blood-red and shaped like a rooster's comb, was taken out by Qian Renxue.
The crimson-gold veins on its leaves shimmered faintly.
Amidst the scorching aura, Ling Yuan could clearly feel the fire element dancing in the air.
Just by looking at this herb, her soul—and even her martial spirit—urged her to consume it immediately.
This was a desire stemming from the depths of her bloodline. There was no doubt: this immortal herb would have a tremendous effect on Ling Yuan.
"Big Sis Ling Yuan, you can't chew this flower. Swallow it whole.
After taking it, guide the soul power to circulate it. It might be painful, but you must endure it. Don't give up halfway."
Ling Yuan took the Phoenix Sunflower and shot Lin Feng a teasing glance.
"Have you mistaken me for being so gentle that you forgot I'm a Soul Douluo?
You think I'd be scared of a little pain like this? Don't underestimate me."
Lin Feng chuckled sheepishly,"I'm just worried about you."
"Hmph."
After exchanging a nod with Qian Renxue, Ling Yuan sat cross-legged on the ground and began absorbing the herb.
Nearby, Chrysanthemum Douluo idly patted Ghost Douluo on the shoulder.
"Old Ghost, don't you think what we're doing now is really boring?
With Ci Tun and She Long around, scouting for information and guarding the Crown Prince's residence isn't even our job.
Our young master always has us doing this sort of thing… it's kind of frustrating."
Ghost Douluo didn't even glance over, calmly replying,"We'll return to Spirit Hall soon. Just bear with it a bit longer."
Chrysanthemum Douluo glanced toward the chamber, his tone low:
"Hey, do you think Ling Yuan and Young Master Lin Feng might have… something going on?
I mean, he's just handing out immortal herbs to her, and now we're even standing guard while she refines it."
Ghost Douluo opened his eyes and gave him a deadpan look:"What do you think? Besides, it's none of my business. You'll get your own herb too—once Lin Feng talks to the Grand Worshipper back home.
Why so jealous?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo glared,"Jealous? Who's jealous? I'm just making logical deductions here! They're getting along so well, almost better than we do!
Also, if anyone's jealous, it's you for not getting a herb yet. Don't worry, I've got a good relationship with Lin Feng. I'll put in a word for you."
Ghost Douluo closed his eyes again:"Childish."
"Pfft."
—
As the medicinal power of the immortal herb entered her body, Ling Yuan's skin flushed uncontrollably.
Sweat oozed out and soaked through her clothes.
The already-thin fabric could no longer conceal her figure beneath.
Her dark hair was now slightly damp, and strands clung to her cheeks, adding a delicate charm.
Her chest heaved—full and rounded, more developed than the still-growing Qian Renxue.
With her lips slightly parted, she exhaled hot breaths and let out soft, almost musical moans, tugging at Lin Feng's heartstrings.
Qian Renxue frowned:"Why is this happening? Is sweating like this normal while absorbing this herb?"
Lin Feng coughed lightly, his expression a bit awkward.
"Probably."
But his eyes never left Ling Yuan.
"Hm?"
Qian Renxue narrowed her almond eyes and forcefully turned Lin Feng's head to face her instead, questioning:
"Is it that nice to look at, hmm?"
"It is quite nice," Lin Feng replied solemnly.
Seeing how serious he looked, Qian Renxue was fuming.
Ever since she made Ling Yuan's situation clear, Lin Feng had become increasingly brazen.
"No more looking!"
She forced Lin Feng's gaze back with a hint of threat.
Her delicate face puffed up, and her lips pouted.
Heh.
Seeing her expression, Lin Feng laughed softly.
"Alright, alright, I won't look at Ling Yuan. I'll look at you instead."
He teasingly brushed her nose.
Qian Renxue twisted his waist with a sharp pinch.
"Hiss—"
Though it didn't really hurt, Lin Feng feigned pain, grimacing and winking at her.
"Pfft."
Qian Renxue shook her head and pulled him down to sit on the sofa.
Glancing at Ling Yuan, still immersed in the herb's absorption, she asked,"Xiao Feng, do you think her martial spirit will evolve after absorbing the herb?"
Lin Feng stroked his chin and nodded slightly:"Most likely. Her martial spirit is already a fire-attributed bird, and it carries a trace of Phoenix blood.
The Phoenix Sunflower contains pure Phoenix essence and shares the same origin. It's the most suitable herb for her.
If it didn't cause a martial spirit evolution, that would be the real surprise."
Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully. So the familiar feeling she got when she absorbed her angelic soul bone must've also been due to their shared origin?
"Mhm—"
Lin Feng propped up his chin, looking at her with interest.
"W-What?"
Qian Renxue looked away from his gaze, her voice soft.
"I've noticed… you're looking even more beautiful lately."
She rolled her eyes at him.
"You just noticed now? Are you saying I wasn't pretty before?"
Lin Feng lay back on the sofa, speaking calmly:
"Of course not. From the moment I saw you in the library, I knew you were stunning beyond compare."
"Heh, so you're saying you fell for me at first sight?"
Qian Renxue giggled, twirling his hair around her finger.
"Something like that."
She knocked him on the head.
"Then why were you so cold back then? I remember clearly—I had to be the one to start the conversation."
Lin Feng gently held her soft hand.
"Obviously, I just wanted to get your attention."
"Hah, I knew it. You're no blockhead. You're way too sly."
"Looks like Ling Yuan is about done."
The two of them turned to look.
Sure enough, Ling Yuan had opened her eyes.
She exhaled a breath of warm, fragrant air, joy lighting up her eyes.
Lin Feng and Qian Renxue exchanged a glance and approached.
"How do you feel?"
Behind Ling Yuan, her martial spirit emerged.
What was once a blazing firebird now manifested in a more solid, elegant form.
Its proportions were more harmonious. Its red feathers had turned golden-red.
Feathers shaped like a crown appeared on its forehead. Its beak was still sharp, but more refined.
Its eyes had become dazzling, sapphire-blue and lively.
Ling Yuan beamed:"As expected of an immortal herb created by the heavens and earth. My soul power increased by three ranks, and my martial spirit has evolved into a true Fire Phoenix!"
Three ranks at the Soul Douluo level—that was no small feat. Even Ma Hongjun in the original story only gained five ranks at the Soul Elder level.
But the Phoenix Sunflower clearly had a much stronger effect. Ma Hongjun's spirit was only a mutated chicken with a sliver of Phoenix blood.
Ling Yuan's Firebird spirit was inherently purer. Her transformation was on a completely different level.
She subconsciously stood up.
"Ah—!"
Panicking, she quickly covered herself, her cheeks reddening again just as the previous flush had faded.
The tight clothes clung to her soft, pale skin, leaving little to the imagination.
Lin Feng nodded as if pondering something, eyes never straying:
"Ling Yuan's gotten even more beautiful."
Maybe it was due to the Phoenix Sunflower's pure yang energy burning away impurities—it had given her an even more graceful figure.
Ling Yuan instinctively glanced down and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.
Did they… get bigger?
With an annoyed pout, she nudged Lin Feng in the shoulder. Qian Renxue grabbed her by the arm.
"Come on, Sister Ling Yuan. Don't pay attention to him. Let's go bathe."
Ling Yuan shot Lin Feng an apologetic look before being dragged toward the bathroom.
Lin Feng grinned.He still wanted to get a better look at her martial spirit transformation.
T/N: For up to fifteen chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle