Chapter 116: Comprehensive Advancement (Part 2)
The young girl sat gracefully with a slender frame, her golden curls reminiscent of the legendary Golden Fleece in Greek mythology.
"Master, is there something you need from me?" Qianqian's clear, soft voice filled the quiet chamber. Ye Wen, who had been busy with various tasks, looked up, struck by how much she had grown. At only twelve years old, Qianqian had already become a poised young lady. Time had flown, and what began as a small country academy had flourished into Douluo Continent's premier institution.
"Take a seat, Qianqian. Let me explain why I called you here," Ye Wen said with a warm smile.
Trusting him implicitly, Qianqian sat properly across from her master. Ye Wen took out a jade vial with interwoven streaks of gold and crimson. Qianqian's eyes sparkled in recognition, as she had noticed that her senior brothers and sisters had recently experienced tremendous power growth and looked healthier than ever. She had a hunch that this vial might be the reason.
"This is the extracted essence from the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, a potent herb that brings great benefits to fire based bird type soul masters," Ye Wen explained, setting the bottle before her.
Over the years, Ye Wen had been gathering information on legendary herbs across the continent and compiled everything he knew about mystical plants for his core disciples. Even though Qianqian and Lanlan weren't official disciples, he had always considered them family and was more than willing to include them in these benefits.
Qianqian's expression showed astonishment, though she was modest about her cultivation level and had worked hard in other ways to make up for it.
"Master, this is too precious," she said hesitantly. "Maybe it should be reserved for future disciples who have better potential than I do."
Ye Wen felt a twinge of sympathy. The scars of a difficult childhood left Qianqian with a lingering sense of inferiority, like a shadow that clung to her. He softened his tone, reassuring her, "This was prepared just for you, Qianqian. There's no need to hold back; more of this essence will be available every year. Besides, you've been progressing far too slowly, even slower than Lanlan, who's notorious for her laziness. How could I call myself a respectable teacher if you don't advance? Now, drink it all in one go I'll keep watch over you."
Encouraged by his gentle insistence, Qianqian took the precious essence, which was enough to drive any fire aligned bird type soul master mad with envy. Gathering her courage, she opened the vial and drank the contents in one swallow.
The scent of the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was rich and fragrant, but the taste was intensely bitter. She grimaced, feeling an immediate, fiery burn that spread from her throat.
"Just chug it down don't think about the taste," Ye Wen urged. Braving the intense discomfort, Qianqian finished the essence, her skin soon turning from its natural pink tone to a deep red, like a boiled shrimp.
"Focus on your dantian and refine the energy with all your might! Today is the day you transform!" Ye Wen's voice was clear and guiding as Qianqian devoted all her attention to refining the potent energy now coursing through her.
Pressing his hands gently against her back, Ye Wen channeled his soul power to aid her in refining the powerful herb. Such soul power sharing was usually possible only among soul masters with the same elemental affinity or by those with neutral elemental control.
He recalled Tang San's daring use of the Seven in One Fusion technique during the Soul Master Tournament in the original story. With the combined power of the Shrek Seven, Tang San had briefly reached a level that allowed him to advance to level seventy. That reckless move had made little sense to Ye Wen until he realized that Tang San's advanced cultivation technique and the innate absorption properties of Blue Silver Grass allowed him to succeed. Any other soul master, even with a Haotian Hammer, would have suffered severe internal injuries attempting something similar.
The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower essence Ye Wen had given Qianqian was actually a double dose. The previous year, he had held off on giving it to her because she was under twelve and hadn't yet obtained her first soul ring. Administering such a powerful essence without proper preparation would have been risky.
Qianqian's martial spirit, which she had named "Wings of Light," was, in Ye Wen's opinion, better suited to a name like "Fallen Angel" due to its incomplete form it consisted of only one wing. However, its quality was surprisingly high. After securing a three hundred year old Brightwing Butterfly, Qianqian had acquired her first soul skill, Light's Prayer, a supportive skill that calmed minds and could heal minor injuries. Its low energy consumption had proven useful for assisting her senior disciples during meditation, increasing their efficiency.
As Qianqian refined the essence, her skin turned dark, and a foul odor filled the chamber.
"Ah, I forgot about the herb's purifying properties," Ye Wen muttered. Just like the Ninefold Purple Ganoderma, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was also capable of expelling bodily impurities. But he couldn't leave now he had to keep assisting her with the refining process. Holding his breath, he maintained focus, ensuring that Qianqian's body could handle the surge of energy. Due to her naturally limited soul power pathways, he had to be extra careful to avoid causing her any internal injuries.
Two hours passed. Suddenly, a brilliant glow filled the dim chamber as a fiery blaze ignited on Qianqian's skin, scorching away the impurities, which crumbled into hardened black flakes that scattered across the floor.
Behind her, a pair of blazing wings of light took shape. Qianqian gently fluttered them, and with a flash, the two wings split into four.
"Her innate talent has been fully restored, and her martial spirit has evolved," Ye Wen observed with satisfaction. "I knew that her martial spirit had a latent light attribute and a hint of fire, but the doubled Phoenix Sunflower essence has amplified it far beyond expectations."
Thanks to his close proximity, Ye Wen could sense her new soul power level clearly. Under the influence of the doubled essence, Qianqian had reached approximately level twenty seven, though without her second soul ring, it would currently only register as level twenty.
Yet her transformation was not yet complete. The four golden wings detached from Qianqian's back, forming the image of a serene, angelic figure hovering in midair, her eyes filled with compassion and love.
End of Chapter
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