Chapter 161: Yearning Heartbroken Red
Yang Potian gently told Ye Lingling, "Lingling, don't worry. I will give you the best things in this world, and I'll make sure you're the happiest woman alive."
Ye Lingling smiled brightly. "Potian, I believe in you—I know you'll make it happen."
Yang Potian looked fondly at her, then took out a jade box from his soul tool. "Lingling, you will be happy."
Ye Lingling was puzzled. "Potian, what is this?"
Yang Potian smiled softly. "Open it and see. This is my token of love for you."
She carefully opened the jade box. Inside lay a white flower, about the size of a hand and resembling a peony, without leaves or stems, attached to a large, pitch-black stone. The flower had streaks of intense red, as vivid as blood, evoking a sense of awe.
Ye Lingling covered her mouth in surprise, her face brimming with emotion. "Potian, is this… could it really be the legendary Yearning Heartbroken Red?"
Yang Potian nodded. "Yes, it's the Yearning Heartbroken Red, a divine treasure among celestial herbs. It's said to bring the dead back to life and heal even the most severe injuries. It will definitely cure the Nine-Heart Begonia curse on you."
Ye Lingling was overcome with emotion as she gazed at the flower, tears streaming down her face, her heart gripped with a mixture of joy and amazement.
Yang Potian quickly embraced her, allowing her to weep freely in his arms. Seeing her cry so hard pained him, yet he held her tenderly.
After a long while, Ye Lingling calmed down, her spirits lifted, and the perpetual worry in her eyes faded away.
Yang Potian gently released her. "Lingling, you have to personally pick this flower. You may already know the story behind it. You must clear your mind of all distractions and focus on your true love. Then, you need to drop a single drop of heart's blood on its petals. If you are not utterly sincere, it's said that you may cough blood and die before you even manage to pluck it."
Ye Lingling gazed blankly at Yang Potian. In this moment, she felt as though the Nine-Heart Begonia curse no longer bound her, nor did her family or worldly concerns. They were merely two people in love, committed to each other against all odds.
With that thought, a single drop of blood slipped from her lips and fell onto the Yearning Heartbroken Red, causing it to glow radiantly. The black stone at the flower's base began to crack, eventually crumbling to pieces.
The Yearning Heartbroken Red hovered before her as though it sensed her presence, as if they were somehow connected—like kin, or perhaps master and servant.
Ye Lingling looked at it, torn. "Potian, I… I can hardly bear to consume this flower. I feel like we have a connection."
Yang Potian gently touched her cheek. "Lingling, you do have a bond with it now. Feel it carefully; it's as if the flower itself has feelings."
Following his advice, Ye Lingling focused her senses on the Yearning Heartbroken Red. Unexpectedly, she felt an intense pull toward it. At the same time, her Nine-Heart Begonia spirit appeared on its own. The two flowers seemed to resonate with each other, like they were bound by fate. Then, the Yearning Heartbroken Red transformed into a stream of red light and merged into her Nine-Heart Begonia.
The Nine-Heart Begonia suddenly grew, enveloping her whole body like the petals of a flower. Gradually, the once pale-blue Begonia transformed, with new streaks of pure white and deep crimson. The three colors blended into a new, resplendent Nine-Heart Begonia, which radiated a red light of supreme nobility, as though it reigned supreme over all.
After a long time, the flower returned to her body, and Ye Lingling's aura underwent a dramatic transformation. Her spirit power and physical strength had grown significantly. Her gentle aura now carried a regal elegance that seemed almost unmatched.
As she opened her eyes, she hugged Yang Potian in excitement. "Potian, I did it! My Nine-Heart Begonia has evolved, and the curse on my spirit is completely gone."
"My spirit power has already reached level 50, but it feels like there's even more. Once I add a new spirit ring, my power should increase even more."
"And I discovered something new. Besides its healing ability, my martial spirit now has a defensive skill called Nine-Heart Divine Light Protection. This skill seems to grow stronger as my spirit power increases."
Yang Potian nodded. "With the Yearning Heartbroken Red, your spirit power has probably grown by at least five levels, maybe more. And it's freed you from the Nine-Heart Begonia's limitations. More importantly, it has greatly strengthened your body, enhancing your resilience. You should even be able to absorb a 20,000-year spirit ring now."
Ye Lingling nodded eagerly. "I feel it too. My body is so much stronger. I plan to return home in a few days and share this wonderful news with my grandfather. He has worried about our family's future all his life, and now he can finally rest easy."
"What about your fifth spirit ring? Would you like me to come with you to get it?"
She shook her head. "I'd rather wait a few days. I'll visit my grandfather first."
"That sounds good. Then we can go to Sunset Forest together. Niu Meng also needs his fifth spirit ring," Yang Potian said.
The two then embraced, sinking into a quiet moment together.
Meanwhile, in a secluded part of Heaven Dou City, things were not so calm. After Tang Hao's intense battle with Qianjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo, the Strength Clan's base had been destroyed, and the Speed Clan was also affected. Both clans had since relocated to Heaven Dou City, consolidating their remaining forces and establishing a new name—Tang Sect. However, the Tang Sect's situation was dire.
The Speed Clan's combat ability was limited, and their resources were modest. The Strength Clan, despite making a decent income from forging hidden weapons, suffered devastating losses in that battle, with even their base being razed to the ground. Their circumstances were now worse than when they had first left the Clear Sky Clan.
Inside a secret chamber of the Tang Sect, Tang Hao, Tang San, Bai He, and Titan gathered. Tang Hao was visibly weakened from his encounter with Spirit Hall. Facing seven powerful Titled Douluo, he'd even detonated one of his spirit rings to fight his way out. Though Tang Hao's power was formidable, he was gravely injured. Without his strong physique and high-level spirit bones, he would have perished on the spot.
Fortunately, Spirit Hall hadn't pursued them, allowing Bai He to lead Tang Hao and Tang San to safety. Even so, Tang Hao's injuries were severe.
After the battle, Bai He helped Tang Hao and Tang San escape. However, keeping Xiao Wu with them posed a dilemma. With her as a living 100,000-year spirit ring and spirit bone, countless enemies would pursue them. Even with Tang Hao's strength, he couldn't fend off so many threats.
In the end, Xiao Wu decided to go to Star Dou Forest, where Da Ming and Er Ming could provide her protection.
Following her departure, Bai He led Tang Hao and Tang San back to Heaven Dou City, where they hoped to avoid detection and regroup.
Seeking medical help, they approached Ye Renxin, the continent's leading healer and Nine-Heart Begonia spirit master, hoping he could alleviate Tang Hao's injuries.
Upon arrival, Ye Renxin examined Tang Hao with reluctance—he preferred to stay out of conflicts involving Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Clan—but his healer's nature compelled him to do his best. Despite his efforts, however, he eventually shook his head.
Tang Hao looked at Ye Renxin, his heart sinking. "Mr. Ye, what's the diagnosis? Is there any hope for a full recovery?"
Ye Renxin replied, "Your injuries are severe, Mr. Tang. They seem to date back fourteen years and have gone untreated, burrowing deep into your bones."
"During the recent clash, you aggravated your condition by recklessly detonating a spirit ring. I may be the continent's best healer, but as a Spirit Douluo, there are limits to what I can do. I can stabilize you for now and heal some of the minor damage, but the impact of detonating a spirit ring cannot be fully reversed with external treatment. Without reaching Titled Douluo level myself, I fear there's no one alive who can heal you completely."
Tang San stepped forward, his face tense. "Senior Ye, isn't there any way at all? If you can fully heal my father, I swear I'll repay you, no matter what it takes."
Ye Renxin responded calmly, "For a full recovery, only a Titled Douluo healer would suffice—none exist. Alternatively, a rare medicinal treasure might provide a chance."
Tang San pressed on, unwilling to give up. "Senior Ye, can you at least try harder? Isn't the Nine-Heart Begonia renowned as a miracle in the soul master world?"
Ye Renxin remained unmoved. "I used my full strength during the treatment. For now, your father's injuries have stabilized. So long as he avoids all-out combat, he'll survive."
"Besides," he continued, "the Nine-Heart Begonia's abilities are uniform across all spirit rings. My first and eighth spirit skills offer the same level of healing. Without a miraculous medicine, I'm afraid there's nothing more to be done."
Resigned, Tang Hao, Tang San, and Bai He left Ye Renxin's home.
As they departed, Tang San asked Tang Hao, "Dad, could the medicines from the Po Zhi Clan help? Yang Potian's strength comes from the Unrivaled Chrysanthemum, and the Po Zhi Clan is renowned for alchemy. Could they have a cure?"
Tang Hao shook his head, dispelling the idea. "Our relationship with the Po Zhi Clan is too strained. We nearly clashed the last time we met, and they would never help us willingly."
"In any case, the resources required for my recovery are no small matter. The Po Zhi Clan would never share such valuable treasures with me, nor forgive the suffering I caused them long ago."
Back in Spirit Hall, Yang Wudi and Niu Gao didn't help me. They've already chosen not to involve themselves in my feud with Spirit Hall."
(End of Chapter)