The strict trials and harsh tests he had imagined never appeared. Everything was surprisingly simple.
At this moment, Gu Yechen was receiving the Flower God's inheritance. Following the Flower God's instructions, he closed his eyes, relaxed, and let the light and energy from the outside world flow into him.
As he gained his new Martial Soul, his other scythe Martial Soul withered rapidly, as if it had never truly awakened.
Having so easily obtained a Martial Soul claimed to be the strongest among flowers, Gu Yechen couldn't help but feel something was off. The other party seemed unusually pleased in the end.
From beginning to end, the white-robed man never appeared before Gu Yechen in person but communicated through a "thousand-mile transmission" technique, which was actually just one of his basic abilities.
Following the Flower God's guidance, Gu Yechen spread out his palm and summoned his Martial Soul with his mind.
Looking at the strange red flower floating above his right palm, Gu Yechen watched it with hopeful anticipation because the Flower God had said this was the strongest imperial flower.
It was supposed to be stronger than king-level and emperor-level flower Martial Souls, yet it looked so ordinary—just like a wildflower by the roadside.
Was it really as powerful as the Flower God claimed?
The Flower God had said that this Martial Soul was called the Hell Red Lotus. When Gu Yechen reached the Soul Saint level and could manifest the true form of his Martial Soul, it would evolve once more into the strongest Hell Demon Lotus.
So this was... the imperial flower's finest?
However, the Soul Saint level was far beyond his current reach. For now, this plain little red flower was called the Hell Red Lotus—a Martial Soul that came with a soul ring.
"Hell Red Lotus!"
Martial Soul attribute: Support.
Martial Soul ability: Debuff.
Martial Soul development direction: Auxiliary attack type.
In other words... this was an auxiliary Martial Soul that could attack. Using a support-type Martial Soul to attack sounded ridiculous, but since the Flower God said it was the strongest Martial Soul, it must have some special use.
Actually, this was not the strongest Martial Soul in the Flower God's inheritance, but the second strongest—because the strongest Martial Soul belonged to the Flower God himself.
Still, this was indeed an imperial-level Martial Soul. It simply hadn't evolved yet, so its current power was equivalent to that of an emperor-level Martial Soul.
Though Gu Yechen was somewhat naive, he wasn't stupid. The reason this strange red flower had fooled his eyes was because it came with its own soul ring.
A pale white soul ring circled the red flower. The strongest imperial flower was indeed extraordinary. It seemed that this would save him the time and trouble of hunting down soul beasts to gain soul rings.
"Alright, since you've obtained the strongest new Martial Soul, it's time for you to leave!"
The clear voice rang out again. Then, the scene blurred, and Gu Yechen's consciousness gradually faded.
When he came to, he found himself still standing at the center of the altar.
It really was an illusion. He patted his slightly dizzy head and then got up to leave the altar.
"Did you see the Flower God?" Ye Lingzhu hurriedly asked.
As a servant of the gods, she naturally worshipped the Flower God unconditionally. Just now, the Flower God had left the sacrificial table he was always by for the first time.
Until now, the Flower God hadn't returned. Could it be that he had truly taken a liking to this boy's talent?
Ye Lingzhu had been an ordinary person until a chance encounter with the Flower God. After communicating and agreeing to serve as a servant, she had received a king-level Martial Soul—the Nine Hearts Begonia.
The Ye family's secret of the Nine Hearts Begonia line was that all their Martial Souls came from the Flower God. Because of this, they could never grow into a large family.
Even if she had ten children, only one would inherit the Nine Hearts Begonia Martial Soul.
Over the years, she had devoted herself fully, often offering her blood essence and even building this altar palace for the Flower God, but had only earned his nod of approval—not his true admiration.
Approval and admiration were entirely different concepts. Approval meant passing a threshold, worthy of a glance, while admiration carried a sense of envy and worship.
Ye Lingzhu glanced at the fading Flower God above the candle holder, then at Gu Yechen's delicate and distinct features, and couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
She hadn't expected this guy to...
Gu Yechen nodded slightly, then shook his head. "I spoke with him, but didn't actually see him. Maybe the Flower God is a bit shy."
Uh...
Ye Lingzhu was speechless. That was the demeanor of a superior, nothing to do with shyness.
"Yechen, let's get out of here!" she suddenly became polite, as if he were her superior.
Following her footsteps, they left the secret passage. When they reached the hall, Ye Lingzhu suddenly spoke seriously:
"Although I don't know what kind of enchantment you gave my daughter, I have to tell you that the opportunity you got here came from my daughter, so you should thank Lingling properly."
"Without my daughter giving you this chance, she would have been the one to possess the Twin Martial Souls today."
You probably don't know what Twin Martial Souls are, but I'll tell you straight—if Lingling had them, her future would be boundless. Yet because of you, she was willing to give up such a great chance for transformation.
Ye Lingzhu suddenly recalled Lingling coming to discuss this with her last night. Her eyes flickered sharply at Gu Yechen. That wretched guy had managed to make Lingling stake everything on him.
Well, since things couldn't be changed now, it was best to go with the flow. She just hoped he wouldn't let Lingling down.
Her tone suddenly turned cold and stern: "Remember, never betray my Lingling. Otherwise, no matter where you hide—heaven's edge or earth's end—I won't let you go."
Faced with the mercurial Ye Lingzhu, Gu Yechen felt helpless. One moment she was respectful; the next, her tone was grim.
Luckily, his personality was indifferent, the exact opposite of hers.
Even if he was happy, he rarely showed it—because joy would expose weakness.
Smiles didn't belong on a resigned face; they would seem fake. The weak needed no smiles.
Even when sad, he wouldn't show it, as sorrow implied regrets.
Tears didn't belong on a strong face; they made one look fragile. The strong didn't need those.
Gu Yechen, who never showed joy or sorrow on his face, broke both rules today.
When awakening his new Martial Soul, he smiled happily. When he heard Ye Lingzhu speak of Lingling's quiet sacrifices, his heart was moved.
From now on, besides his mother, Gu Yechen had another weakness—Ye Lingling—the person he most wanted to protect in his life.
Thank you, Lingling!
...
After leaving the hall, Gu Yechen specifically sought out Ye Lingling to thank her. He spent two-thirds of his savings to buy her a beautiful tassel dress, a luxury only nobles would dare to wear.
Later, Ye Lingzhu helped Gu Yechen get in touch with people from the Tian Dou Royal Academy. Although her husband held significant power in the empire, they were divorced; yet because of Lingling's status, he still lent some help, making it not too difficult for Gu Yechen to join the academy.
(End of chapter)
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