Chapter Three: Nine-Heart Begonia

“What? Nine Hearts Begonia!” Upon hearing this, a woman named Ziyun’s expression changed drastically.

As a healing-type Spirit Master, how could she not know about the Nine Hearts Begonia martial soul of the Ye family? It was hailed as the continent’s premier healing-type martial soul, with only three existing simultaneously across the land. Each bearer of the Nine Hearts Begonia was a core member of the Ye family. Her own Purple Crystal Lotus was incomparable to it.

Moreover, the Ye family’s patriarch was a Title Douluo powerhouse, someone respected by the royal family of the Heavenly Dou Empire and the top three sects.

Ziyun’s face darkened. She had originally thought her advantage was unmatched, but just as things were about to succeed, a core member of the Ye family appeared.

Douluo Ju looked at Ye Qianqian with surprise; he hadn’t expected someone from the Heavenly Dou Empire to show up.

He hesitated. In terms of healing, what martial soul could rival the Nine Hearts Begonia? Naturally, having someone like that was best.

But since this was someone from the Heavenly Dou Empire, there was no guarantee she would be treated with care. If anything went wrong, Ju would have to face Bibi Dong’s wrath.

It was better to bring them both to the Pope’s Hall and let Her Eminence the Pope decide! Ju thought. He was only responsible for the initial selection; the final decision had to be left to Bibi Dong.

“You will come with me to see Her Eminence the Pope. The choice is entirely up to Her Eminence,” Ju said, turning toward the Pope’s Hall.

Ziyun and Ye Qianqian hurried to follow, accompanied by the little girl beside Ye Qianqian.

...

After some time, the group arrived before the Pope’s Hall.

Facing the closed doors, Ju bowed deeply and said, “Her Eminence, there are currently two suitable candidates. The decision now rests with you.”

Shortly after Ju’s words, a voice echoed from within the hall, and the large doors slowly opened.

“Enter.”

Bibi Dong looked up at the newcomers, cradling Ling Xiao, who was sound asleep in her arms.

“Ziyun, greetings to Her Eminence the Pope!”

“Ye Qianqian, greetings to Her Eminence the Pope!”

Both women bowed deeply, nerves tightening their hearts before the most powerful figure on the continent.

Ju stepped forward and introduced them, “Her Eminence, these two are both healing-type Spirit Masters. One wields the Purple Crystal Lotus, the other the Nine Hearts Begonia martial soul.”

“Nine Hearts Begonia... from the Ye family of the Heavenly Dou Empire?” Bibi Dong asked, eyes fixed on them. She still favored Ye Qianqian; no martial soul could compare to the Nine Hearts Begonia in healing effectiveness.

The relationship between the Heavenly Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall was neither good nor bad—simply normal, with no major conflicts. The Ye family traditionally stayed out of state affairs and did not oppose any factions, so there was little worry about mischief from them.

Furthermore, this was the Spirit Hall. If a Soul Emperor could harm Ling Xiao here, then the Soul Douluos and Title Douluos wouldn’t stand a chance.

Feeling Bibi Dong’s gaze, Ziyun bit her lip, her expression falling. Knowing the presence of the Nine Hearts Begonia, she realized she had likely lost her chance, yet her heart still burned with unwillingness.

“Ye Qianqian,” Bibi Dong’s voice called out.

“Her Eminence!” Ye Qianqian’s heart tightened.

“Starting today, you will serve as Xiao’er’s wet nurse. You must care for her well. During this year, you cannot leave Spirit City. Even if you need to leave the Spirit Hall, a senior elder must accompany you. Do you accept?” Bibi Dong looked at Ye Qianqian.

“Yes, Your Eminence. But could I entrust someone to inform my father in the Ye family? Also, may I bring my daughter back with me?” Ye Qianqian asked.

“That is permitted. Elder Ju will visit your Ye family shortly. As for your daughter, she will remain here in the Spirit Hall and will not return,” Bibi Dong replied.

“Your Eminence...” Ye Qianqian’s face showed reluctance.

“My daughter is about to awaken her martial soul and must return to the Ye family,” she said.

“Awakening her martial soul here in the Spirit Hall is fine. Even acquiring soul rings, we can arrange the best ones for her. Don’t you want to be by your daughter’s side when she awakens?” Bibi Dong’s face flickered with a strange expression—pain, malice, desire, and sorrow all intertwined.

...

“This...” Ye Qianqian hesitated. She naturally did not want to leave her daughter, yet freedom would be restricted in the Spirit Hall.

At that moment, the little girl holding her hand tugged at it.

Ye Qianqian looked down at her, eyes filled with reluctance.

“Mommy, I don’t want to leave you!” the girl said sadly.

“Lingling, if you stay with Mommy, you can only be in the Spirit Hall and Spirit City. You should return home where your grandfather is waiting,” Ye Qianqian crouched down, speaking softly as she gently stroked the girl’s head.

“No, I want to be with Mommy,” Lingling shook her head, tears welling in her eyes, her voice hoarse.

Witnessing this, Bibi Dong’s emotions stirred violently; her slender fingers twitched, but she suppressed her feelings.

“Enough. Both of you will stay in the Spirit Hall. Now, come with me.” Bibi Dong stood and spoke with an unyielding tone, then walked toward the inner chamber.

Ye Qianqian dared not argue and followed with the little girl.

Watching them leave, Ju turned to Ziyun.

“Will you leave, or join the Spirit Hall?”

“Elder, I choose to leave,” Ziyun said. Since she had failed, it was better to go. She had her own family.

“Very well.” Ju did not stop her. After all, she was only a Soul Saint. Although a healing-type Spirit Master, she was not particularly valuable to the Spirit Hall.

The two left the Spirit Hall; Ju had the guards remove the notice before flying toward the Heavenly Dou Empire.

...

Elsewhere, Bibi Dong led Ye Qianqian and the others into a spacious room capable of holding a hundred people. Inside was a large bed that could comfortably sleep over ten, with all necessary facilities.

“From now on, you will live here. There are maids outside; just tell them if you need anything.”

“Now I entrust Xiao’er to you. You must take full responsibility. If anything happens to Xiao’er because of you, the Ye family will perish with you!” Bibi Dong’s voice was low and serious, her gaze fixed on Ye Qianqian.

“I will take good care of her,” Ye Qianqian said firmly. She knew Bibi Dong cared deeply for this child and had no grudge against the Spirit Hall; naturally, she would not harm a child.

Bibi Dong nodded and handed Ling Xiao to Ye Qianqian. At that moment, Ling Xiao awoke, his sharp black-and-white eyes looking at her.

“Her Eminence, the child has awakened; perhaps he is hungry!” Ye Qianqian said softly, her gaze warm.

“Yes. Fulfill your task well.” Bibi Dong left the room to attend to Spirit Hall affairs.

...

After some time, Ju arrived at the Ye family in the Heavenly Dou Empire.

As Ju appeared above the Ye residence, a Title Douluo aura rose from deep within, spreading across the area. An aged voice sounded.

“I wonder what Elder Ju from the Spirit Hall wants with the Ye family!”

At that moment, an elderly man dressed in black and white appeared before Ju, his expression grave.

“Old Ye, I come without ill intent. I am here under Her Eminence’s orders to inform you of something,” Ju said calmly.

“What is it?” Ye Shuyun’s eyes flickered with suspicion.

“Your daughter and granddaughter will remain in the Spirit Hall for one year.”

“What?” Ye Shuyun’s face changed, his aura becoming unstable.

His daughter, Ye Qianqian, possessed the Nine Hearts Begonia martial soul and, like him, had innate soul power at level nine—an absolute core of the Ye family, with potential to become a Soul Douluo or even Title Douluo.

His granddaughter, Ye Lingling, also showed great promise to inherit the Nine Hearts Begonia.

Now both were imprisoned by the Spirit Hall. The Spirit Hall intended to sever the roots of the Ye family!

“You’ve imprisoned Qianqian and Lingling! What are you trying to do?” Ye Shuyun’s voice was furious, nine floating soul rings swirling around him, his overwhelming aura unbearable to others, his face pale.

Though Ye Shuyun’s martial soul was purely healing, without offense, he was still a Title Douluo.

Facing his wrath, Ju remained composed. Even in the past, he could suppress Ye Shuyun. Now, Ye’s aura was like a gentle breeze to him.

“Old Ye, don’t be so hasty. The Spirit Hall would not harm a Soul Emperor and a child. This is just an opportunity for you—a simple and safe task. Afterward, Ye Qianqian may select any one ten-thousand-year soul bone from the Spirit Hall’s treasury,” Ju said calmly.

Ye Shuyun’s face showed shock, his aura weakening.

“Who knows if you’re telling the truth? What task needs a healing Soul Emperor?” Ye Shuyun said after a moment’s silence, his tone calmer.

A ten-thousand-year soul bone—he himself only possessed one, and it was a fairly ordinary left leg bone. If Ju was truthful, allowing selection of any soul bone, including the best ones, would greatly aid even a Title Douluo.

“Old Ye, the Spirit Hall won’t deceive you. You only need to wait a year. That is all. If you don’t believe me, you may come to the Spirit Hall and discuss it with Her Eminence,” Ju said, then departed, leaving Ye Shuyun alone, deep in thought.

“Clan Leader!” a voice called, rousing Ye Shuyun from his reverie. He landed on the ground.

A middle-aged man approached cautiously and asked, “Clan Leader, the Spirit Hall has imprisoned the young master and young lady. Shall we go to the Spirit Hall...”

“No need. Since Elder Ju said the task is safe, there’s nothing to worry about. The Spirit Hall would not bully an old man like me,” Ye Shuyun interrupted.

“Yes!” The man retreated.

Ye Shuyun looked toward the direction Ju had left, lost in thought.

...

Time passed. Six months had elapsed since Ye Qianqian and Ye Lingling arrived at the Spirit Hall.

In the second month, Ye Lingling awakened her martial soul in the Spirit Hall—the Nine Hearts Begonia. She also possessed innate full soul power, a rarity that shocked the entire Spirit Hall.

Such innate full soul power appeared only once every few centuries.

The news reached Ye Shuyun the next day. Unlike the excitement and joy of the other Ye family members, Ye Shuyun remained silent, seemingly unmoved. No one dared to ask him why.

Inside the Pope’s inner chamber at the Spirit Hall, Ye Qianqian was reading books on soul bones while Ye Lingling was cultivating her soul power. Having awakened her martial soul a month prior, she had already ventured into the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain her first soul ring, which was over four hundred years old. This ring immediately boosted her soul power to level twelve.

Now, her soul power had risen to level fifteen.

At that moment, the door opened and a child entered.

He had delicate features and bright eyes, appearing around four or five years old.

“Xiao’er, you’re back!” Ye Qianqian smiled warmly at Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao was growing quickly; at just half a year old, he was already about the size of a four- or five-year-old child.

“Aunt Qianqian, Sister Lingling is still cultivating!” Ling Xiao walked over to Ye Qianqian and asked.

“Yes, cultivating soul power is very important. You must work hard,” Ye Qianqian said, lifting Ling Xiao into her arms.

“Aunt Qianqian, when will I awaken my martial soul and start training?”

“Xiao’er, it’s still early. You must wait until you’re six years old before awakening your martial soul and beginning training,” Ye Qianqian said, gently ruffling his hair.

“Xiao’er will definitely awaken a very powerful martial soul—maybe even create a miracle!”

“Really?” Ling Xiao hesitated.

“Of course. I believe in you,” Ye Qianqian said, a strange gleam flashing in her eyes. In just half a year, her soul power had reached level sixty-seven.

With your uniqueness, if you cannot awaken a powerful martial soul, then who else could? Ye Qianqian thought silently as she looked at Ling Xiao in her arms.