As noon approached, the outline of Heaven Dou City finally appeared on the horizon.
It was a magnificent city, the heart of the empire, with over a hundred guards stationed at its gates.
The strict security was Gu Feng's first impression.
Due to his parents' accident, Gu Rong had doted on Gu Feng to the extreme, never allowing him to leave Seven Treasure City even half a step since childhood.
Thus, this was Gu Feng's first time visiting Heaven Dou City.
Arriving at the city gates, the guards extended their hands: "Please show your identification. If you are from another country, please pay here for a temporary stay permit."
Fortunately, Gu Feng was prepared. He took out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School Token he had prepared in advance and handed it over.
Upon seeing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School emblem on the token, the guards' expressions instantly changed, a flash of fear in their eyes. They exchanged glances.
The lead guard swallowed hard and cautiously asked, "Young master, we apologize, but could you please release your spirit to prove your identity?"
It was no wonder they were so cautious; there had been too many outrageous incidents in the past.
Impersonation was a minor issue, but the fear was that someone might kill and steal the token. If it were traced back to them, they wouldn't have a good outcome.
Gu Feng frowned, and a terrifying Bone Dragon Spirit slowly materialized behind him, shrouded in eerie black mist, looking incredibly intimidating.
"Bone Dragon Spirit!"
Seeing this spirit, even the lead guard, no matter how foolish, understood the noble status of the person before him.
He quickly stepped aside: "Young master, please proceed this way."
Only after Gu Feng's figure disappeared through the city gates did the guards breathe a sigh of relief, exclaiming, "Thank goodness we didn't offend this young master."
After all, the Bone Dragon Spirit was the spirit of Bone Douluo, the protector of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Possessing this spirit and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School Token, the identity of the young man was clearly evident.
...
Gu Feng walked and stopped along the way, asking for directions, and soon found the residence of the Marquis of Healing Hearts.
It was an imposing mansion, with two stone lions standing majestically at the entrance.
"Knock, knock, knock."
With a hint of anticipation, Gu Feng gently knocked on the slightly aged door.
In no time, a series of hurried and light footsteps came from inside, and then the door was cautiously opened a crack.
A young, adorable little girl appeared behind the door. She was petite, most of her body hidden behind the door, revealing only a fair, small face.
Most striking was her neatly trimmed silver-white short hair, shimmering softly in the sunlight, making her extremely eye-catching.
She tilted her head slightly, her large, lively eyes full of vigilance, with a hint of barely noticeable nervousness, and asked in a soft, sweet voice, "You... what do you want?"
Gu Feng smiled warmly and asked gently, "Hello, little one, are your parents at home?"
Hearing this, the little girl shrank back with obvious wariness, countering, "Why do you ask?"
Realizing she might have misunderstood, Gu Feng explained, "I am a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. I came here to discuss something with your family."
With that, he quickly took out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School Token from his pocket and showed it to the little girl.
The little loli carefully examined the token, and only then did her hanging heart finally settle. She relaxed slightly and gestured for Gu Feng to enter.
As she led Gu Feng to the main hall, the little loli remained silent the entire way.
Casually, Gu Feng asked, "By the way, my name is Gu Feng. What's your name? And what's your martial spirit?"
"Ye Lingling. I don't have a martial spirit," the little loli replied without turning her head, her tone still as cold as ever.
"Ye Lingling…" Gu Feng silently repeated the name in his heart, then suddenly realized.
This indifferent little loli before him was actually the Ye Lingling from the original story, the one who possessed the top-tier healing martial spirit, the Nine Heart Begonia.
Wait, no martial spirit?
That couldn't be, right?
Gu Feng wanted to ask more, but when he met Ye Lingling's icy gaze, he decided against it.
Not long after, a quaint and elegant house came into view.
The small window in front of the house was slightly ajar, and through the narrow gap, one could vaguely see a voluptuous beauty inside, tending to a medicine pot with focused attention.
The beauty's face was pale and weak, giving off the impression of a sickly yet beautiful woman.
"We're here. I'll take my leave now," Ye Lingling said in a cool voice, then turned to walk into the adjacent house.
Just then, a gentle yet frail voice drifted over, "Lingling, come here for a moment. Help me with the medicine."
"Alright," Ye Lingling paused mid-step, then turned back into the house.
Ye Qingqiu wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead and looked up to see a young man still standing at the door. She couldn't help but show a surprised expression, "Oh! Lingling, why didn't you tell me you were bringing a friend home? I didn't prepare anything in advance."
Ye Lingling was about to explain, but when her eyes met her mother's long-lost smile, she swallowed her words and hesitated for a moment before ultimately saying nothing.
"Hello there, young one. What's your name?" Ye Qingqiu asked softly, a gentle smile on her lips.
"Auntie, hello. My name is Gu Feng," Gu Feng responded politely, giving a slight bow.
"Gu Feng…" Ye Qingqiu murmured softly, her eyes filled with admiration. "What a lovely and unique name."
With that, her gaze turned to Ye Lingling, her eyes brimming with relief as she muttered to herself, "That's wonderful. Our Lingling has finally made a friend. She's no longer alone. It seems I can rest a little easier now…"
As she spoke, a look of relief flashed in her eyes, as if a heavy stone that had long weighed on her heart had finally been lifted.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Ye Lingling's delicate eyes had already filled with tears. She buried her head deeply, trying to hide her emotions.
Gu Feng, sensing the unusual atmosphere, pointed to the bowl of medicine on the table, which emitted a strong odor, and asked, "Auntie, may I ask… are you feeling unwell?"
Ye Qingqiu gently waved her hand, "It's nothing, just some old ailments. No need to worry."
Then, she looked Gu Feng up and down and asked leisurely, "Judging by your appearance, you don't seem like an ordinary child. Which family's disciple are you? I've lived in Tiandou City for many years, and I don't recall any family with the surname Gu."
Her implication was clear—she wanted Gu Feng to reveal his background.
After all, when your child suddenly befriends a stranger, it's only natural to want to vet them thoroughly.
Moreover, with the Nine Heart Begonia on the verge of a generational shift, her time was running short...
Gu Feng summoned his Bone Dragon Spirit and replied methodically, "I am Gu Feng, and my grandfather is Bone Douluo Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. I've come here uninvited to ask you, Auntie, if you know of any medicine that can heal the soul?"
When Ye Qingqiu learned that the young man before her was the grandson of the renowned Bone Douluo, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.
After listening, Ye Qingqiu's initially gentle expression suddenly shifted, and she couldn't help but sigh softly, "Someone in your family has suffered soul damage? That's truly a difficult situation. Injuries to the soul have always been the hardest to heal."
Just as Gu Feng thought this trip would end in vain,
Ye Qingqiu's tone shifted, "But it's a coincidence. I still have the last bit of the Spring of Life left, passed down from my ancestors."
"If you're truly in urgent need, I can give it to you. However, I have one condition—you must promise me something. What do you think?"
Ye Qingqiu's gaze fixed intently on Gu Feng, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation.
Gu Feng fell into deep thought.
At this point, it seemed there was no other way to obtain a cure for the soul.
Thus, Gu Feng nodded firmly, "Alright, Auntie, please tell me."
Hearing this, Ye Qingqiu's eyes shifted between Gu Feng and Ye Lingling. After a long silence, she finally spoke, "You must have heard of the curse that plagues our Nine Heart Begonia clan, haven't you?"
Gu Feng nodded. He was indeed aware of the curse of the Nine Heart Begonia.
Though the Nine Heart Begonia was hailed as the strongest auxiliary-type Spirit, each generation could only have one successor, with a maximum of two successors alive at any given time.
Thus, the Nine Heart Begonia was also known as the Spirit cursed by the God of Death.
"Lingling's grandfather left home a long time ago, and we've had no news of him since. We don't even know if he's still alive. If he is, then there would still be two successors of the Nine Heart Begonia in this world."
"And my health is the worst..."
Ye Qingqiu paused slightly, a trace of resolve flashing in her eyes, "So, to ensure Lingling can awaken her Spirit smoothly and not be overly affected by the curse, I've decided..."
She didn't continue, but the implication was clear.
Ye Lingling's eyes instantly reddened, her voice choked with sobs, "Mom, I don't want you to leave me! I don't want to awaken the Nine Heart Begonia anymore. I just want you!"
Ye Qingqiu gently pulled Ye Lingling into her arms, softly stroking her hair as she whispered soothingly,
"Lingling, don't cry. Didn't you always say when you were little that you loved Mom's Spirit the most?"
"Now, Mom is passing this power on to you. Once you awaken it, you'll become the most remarkable Healing Spirit Master on the Douluo Continent. Then, you'll be able to protect so many people."
"Do you remember the promise we made when you were little?"
Ye Lingling was momentarily stunned, a scene flashing through her mind.
...
"What does Lingling want to be when she grows up?"
When she was still very young, Ye Lingling had been cradled gently in her mother's arms, gazing out at the azure sky as she giggled.
"Lingling wants to be like Mom, a doctor who saves lives!"
"Alright, Lingling, you must study the medical texts diligently. Starting tomorrow, Mom won't go easy on you anymore!"
"Mom, bring it on! Lingling isn't afraid at all!"
...
Looking back now, Ye Lingling could only regret her childish words.
(End of Chapter)