Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 89: Confession

When Yang Potian returned to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy after more than a month, he was genuinely happy to see his friends again. However, Ye Lingling was still wearing her veil, hiding any expression on her face.

Yang Ping'an was the first to speak up. "Big brother, your cultivation speed is insane! You're already a Soul Elder! This must be the fastest anyone's ever reached that level."

"Ping'an, just focus on your training. You'll get there too. I have faith in you," Potian reassured him.

Later that evening, after dinner, Potian didn't return to his room for cultivation. Instead, he went to Ye Lingling's dorm. When he knocked on her door, a soft voice responded from inside. "Hello? Who is it?"

Potian paused briefly before speaking. "Lingling, it's me, Yang Potian."

The room went silent. There was no sound at all, as if she didn't want to open the door.

Potian hesitated, then continued. "Lingling, please let me see you. I really have something I need to say."

"Can't you say it from outside?" she replied.

"No, Lingling. Trust me, it's something I need to say in person."

After a moment, the door finally opened, but to his surprise, it was Dugu Yan who stood there, while Ye Lingling sat on the couch, lost in thought.

Potian looked at Dugu Yan and asked, "Yan, can you give me a moment alone with Lingling? I promise I won't upset her."

Dugu Yan smirked mischievously. "Oh, Potian, you're already calling her 'Lingling' so intimately, even though you're not even together yet. Should I congratulate you in advance?"

Potian felt his face flush with embarrassment. He replied softly, "Yan, could you give us some privacy? Don't worry, I'll make sure it's worth your while."

"You little rascal," she teased. "Now you want to bribe me? Isn't it a little late? Weren't you the one who used to ramp up our training and put us through so much hardship?"

"Come on, Yan, try to see it from my side. I was just a bit immature back then. Besides, the training was for your own good," he said, trying to smooth things over.

"Oh, for our good? Since when did overworking us do anything but ruin our skin?" she shot back.

"Don't worry about that, Yan," Potian said confidently. "The Po Zhi Clan has a special remedy for that. It'll make your skin even smoother and more radiant. I'll bring some for you."

Dugu Yan raised her eyebrows, surprised. "And you didn't think to give us this 'special remedy' earlier?"

"Well, I thought you were already beautiful enough. I figured you didn't need it."

"Little brat," she laughed, "not seeing you for a few days has made your tongue sharper. Alright, I'll leave you two to talk, but remember—if you upset her, you'll be answering to my poison."

After throwing him a parting smirk, Dugu Yan turned to glance at Ye Lingling, then left the room.

Potian approached the sofa and sat down across from Ye Lingling. "Lingling," he began, "I've always thought you were the kindest, most beautiful, and gentlest girl I've ever met."

He took a deep breath. "The truth is, I've liked you for a long time. I'm just not very good at expressing my feelings."

A brief flash of light crossed Ye Lingling's eyes, but it quickly faded. "Captain, I appreciate your words. But… I don't think we're suited for each other. You're the heir to the Po Zhi Clan, and I'm from the direct line of the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan. We're… not meant to be."

Potian immediately responded, "Who says we're not meant to be? Whether it's the Po Zhi Clan or the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan, if we're together, no one will interfere."

Tears welled up in Ye Lingling's eyes. "But my clan, the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan, carries a curse. Only two Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit masters can exist in this world at any time. I bear the burden of inheriting that spirit. My life and my destiny will never be free."

Hearing this, Potian felt a wave of relief. "Lingling, I understand the condition of the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit. But it's not a curse; it's merely a flaw in the spirit. Look at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Their spirit is incredibly strong as a support-type, yet it can't progress beyond level 79, stopping short of Soul Douluo."

"My clan, the Po Zhi Clan, has devoted generations to refining medicinal herbs. I know of two mystical herbs that could cure the flaws of the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit."

Her eyes widened in shock, unable to hide her tears. "How is that possible? I come from a family of healers. How could I not know?"

Potian replied with conviction, "Lingling, have you heard of the Qiluo Tulip and the Lovesick Heartbreak Red? Both are rare, sacred herbs."

He continued, "The Qiluo Tulip, known as the King of Herbs, possesses unparalleled elegance and can detect and command all earthly and spiritual attributes. By taking it, one can absorb the essence of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon."

"And the Lovesick Heartbreak Red is the rarest of all god-tier herbs, capable of healing mortal wounds and regrowing lost flesh. It should be able to resolve the defects of the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit."

"With these two herbs, we can correct your spirit's flaws."

Her face showed a glimmer of hope but quickly darkened with doubt. "Captain, I've never even heard of these herbs. Are you sure you're not just making this up?"

"Lingling, do I seem like someone who would lie? Besides, I already have leads on these two herbs. I'll find them one day and help cure your spirit."

Seeing her soften slightly, Potian pulled a book from his belongings—the Po Zhi Clan's cherished Encyclopedia of Douluo's Mystical Herbs. He opened it to the entries for the Qiluo Tulip and Lovesick Heartbreak Red, where illustrations vividly brought the plants to life.

She studied the book in awe, captivated by the ancient text and intricate illustrations. It was clear the book was a treasured heirloom of the Po Zhi Clan, its pages steeped in the clan's history.

After a long while, Ye Lingling gently closed the book and handed it back to him. "Thank you, Captain. Thank you for giving me a glimmer of hope."

Potian reached out, gently brushing her hair, and attempted to lift her veil. But she recoiled like a startled deer, whispering, "Captain, we still don't know each other that well. I'm not used to…this way of talking."

Potian smiled warmly. "Lingling, don't worry. I'll make sure every day from now on is filled with happiness and joy. I'll make you the happiest girl in the world."

With that, he got up to leave. Before going, he turned to say, "Lingling, please don't mention these herbs to anyone else. I already have some leads, but too much attention would make it difficult to secure them."

It wasn't that Potian was reluctant to share the herbs—if he could, he'd give them to her now. But fixing the well-known defect of the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit would draw dangerous attention to Lingling and her family.

After all, if Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan found out that the Nine-Hearted Begonia's flaw could be corrected, he'd stop at nothing to get his hands on these herbs—even if it meant sacrificing half of his clan's resources.

(End of Chapter)

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