Chapter 26: The Resonance of Spirits
Returning to the hotel.
Qian Renxue insisted on calling a healing spirit master to tend to Qin Chuan's injuries.
Before long, a cold-looking girl in a black dress arrived.
"Your Highness, did you summon me?" the girl asked softly as she stepped into the room.
"Yes," Qian Renxue replied, seated beside Qin Chuan. She smiled gently and introduced the girl, "Lingling, you're considered the best healing spirit master on the entire continent. Please take a look and see if His Majesty Qin Chuan is injured."
Qin Chuan turned his gaze toward the door upon hearing her name.
The girl stood with a quiet air, wearing a long black dress. Her black hair draped elegantly over her shoulders, and her presence felt like moonlight—cold, calm, and refined.
She was Ye Lingling.
Her martial spirit was the legendary Nine-Hearted Begonia.
This spirit had no offensive capabilities but was unmatched when it came to healing. Its abilities were so astonishing that it became irreplaceable in any team formation.
It was known far and wide as the strongest healing spirit on the continent.
"Your Majesty Qin Chuan, are you hurt?" Ye Lingling asked politely.
Though Qin Chuan had rarely shown himself during their travels, there wasn't a single person on the Tiandou Imperial Team who didn't recognize him.
A Titled Douluo in his twenties—his existence had shocked the young elite soul masters, making him an idol in their eyes.
And, as had been mentioned before, many female soul masters held a deep admiration for him, especially those without strong combat capabilities. For them, a powerful partner was often essential to survival.
Qin Chuan—young, handsome, and exceptionally talented—was their dream prince.
"Yes," Qian Renxue replied before Qin Chuan could speak, her voice carrying a hint of complexity.
"Our journey to the Pope's Palace was far from smooth. Several incidents occurred along the way, but we managed to make it back."
Ye Lingling walked further in.
Qin Chuan was seated on the sofa, his posture relaxed, his features strikingly handsome. He didn't look the least bit injured.
But as a healer, Ye Lingling knew better than to rely on appearances. She focused, letting her spirit power rise.
With a soft hum, she released her martial spirit—the Nine-Hearted Begonia.
A delicate fragrance filled the air as a large begonia flower formed above her. Pink in color, with white-tipped petals that radiated vitality, the flower floated gently above her head, releasing a powerful wave of healing energy.
The flower began to spin.
Countless petals fell like gentle rain, swirling with faint colors before merging into Qin Chuan's body.
In truth, Qin Chuan wasn't injured.
Though Bibi Dong had attacked fiercely, he hadn't been her true target, so he hadn't suffered serious harm.
However, under the nurturing effect of the Nine-Hearted Begonia's spirit power, he felt an overwhelming sense of comfort—his blood felt like it was singing, and astonishingly, his spirit power cultivation began to subtly rise.
It was a sensation he had never experienced before.
His deep gaze fell on Ye Lingling, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Ye Lingling, on the other hand, appeared confused. She frowned slightly as she realized something strange—her spirit power wasn't depleting as it should during healing. Instead, it was… slowly increasing?
She followed the flow of energy—and her eyes landed on Qin Chuan.
A sudden blush crept onto her cold face. Despite her surprise, she voiced her thoughts.
"Your Majesty Qin Chuan… Is it your martial soul?"
That was the only explanation she could think of.
Their martial spirits… were somehow resonating, affecting each other.
"Seems likely," Qin Chuan said, his tone calm, but his eyes locked on her. "Has anything like this ever happened to you before?"
"Never," Ye Lingling replied immediately, shaking her head.
Qian Renxue looked at the two of them, completely baffled. "What are you talking about? What happened with your martial souls?"
"Ah, it's nothing, Your Highness," Ye Lingling said quickly, instinctively trying to cover it up.
Qin Chuan, however, answered openly, "It seems her martial spirit can resonate with mine, enhancing both of our soul powers during contact. It even accelerated my cultivation."
Qian Renxue's expression changed at once.
Ye Lingling managed to stay composed, but Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed in thought. She immediately considered the implications.
"Lingling," Qian Renxue ordered suddenly, "Try it on me too."
There was no room for refusal in her voice.
"…Understood."
Ye Lingling nodded, somewhat reluctantly, and activated the Nine-Hearted Begonia once again.
Petals fell, drifting toward Qian Renxue.
But this time, nothing changed.
Ye Lingling frowned.
There was no feedback. No energy flow. No resonance.
Just normal healing output.
"How is it?" Qian Renxue asked urgently.
"It feels normal," Ye Lingling replied. "It doesn't enhance my spirit power like before."
"…I see."
Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment, her emotions a storm of confusion, frustration, and realization.
Then she waved her hand irritably. "You may go. I have something to discuss with His Majesty Qin Chuan."
"…Alright."
Ye Lingling cast a complicated glance at Qin Chuan, then quietly left the suite.
The door shut behind her.
The moment it did, Qian Renxue turned to Qin Chuan, her voice sharp and impatient.
"Brother Qin Chuan, what's going on?"
Qin Chuan shook his head slightly. "I'm not sure. But when her spirit power flowed into me, I could feel mine growing stronger… subtly but surely."
"It's like a martial soul fusion skill?" Qian Renxue's eyes lit up with realization.
"Something similar, yes. But this seems to be one-way—it only boosts my cultivation," he explained. "It's not an attack or defense fusion. It's cultivation-based."
Qian Renxue drew in a sharp breath. "Even at your level… a Titled Douluo, it still improves you?"
Qin Chuan nodded. "Yes. The growth is slow, but it's faster than meditating on my own."
Qian Renxue's expression turned increasingly sour. Her emotions flickered between jealousy and resignation.
After a long silence, she muttered, "So… what are you going to do next?"
She bit her lip, clearly conflicted. "If she really helps your cultivation, I… I can accept her."
Qin Chuan looked surprised. "What are you talking about?"
Her eyes turned red as she looked down and whispered bitterly,
"You're such a difficult man to hold onto."
Stepfather?
Qin Chuan's face froze with confusion.
Qian Renxue continued quietly, "It wasn't easy for me to drive that woman away. I worked so hard… and now another one appears—Ye Lingling—whose martial spirit just so happens to match yours."
Qin Chuan sat in silence, his expression turning increasingly awkward.
Qian Renxue wasn't done.
"There's also Ning Rongrong, who's trying to marry you and pull you into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"And that Zhu Zhuqing girl too… I don't even know why she's involved."
Her cheeks puffed in frustration, tears welling in her eyes.
Qin Chuan looked helpless and didn't respond.
But just then, a knock came from the door.
Knock knock.
"Your Highness, I am Zhu Zhuqing of the Shrek Academy team. May I speak with His Majesty Qin Chuan?"
Bang—!
Qian Renxue's face darkened instantly. She kicked Qin Chuan hard in the calf and snapped with gritted teeth,
"You brought this on yourself!"