Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

After breakfast, just as everyone was about to head out, Lin Jie suddenly spoke up, "Hold on a second. I've got a gift for you all."

"A gift?" Oscar's eyes lit up, staring at Lin Jie with anticipation.

Lin Jie flicked his finger across his soul tool ring, and a thirty-centimeter-long jade box appeared in his hand.

Tang San's curiosity was piqued. Even before the box was opened, he caught a whiff of a fragrant aroma.

Ma Hongjun asked, "Lin Jie, what is that?"

"What, Xiao Wu, Rongrong, and Zhuqing didn't tell you?" Lin Jie replied, a little surprised.

"Tell us what?" Ma Hongjun and Oscar asked at the same time.

So they really hadn't mentioned it. Lin Jie didn't bother explaining further and simply opened the box.

Inside lay a herb that looked simple at first glance—crimson grass-like leaves forming a crest-like shape at the top, with fiery golden-red veins running through them. The plant rested quietly in the jade box, but the moment it was revealed, everyone felt the surrounding temperature noticeably rise.

"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower!" Tang San couldn't help but cry out the name the moment he saw it.

"Cockscomb what now?" Oscar asked, confused, as did Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, all three with puzzled looks.

Tang San immediately stepped up to Lin Jie, asking eagerly, "Lin Jie, can I take a closer look?"

"Go ahead," Lin Jie said, pushing the jade box toward him.

Tang San examined the herb closely, his face tinged with amazement. It was his first time seeing such a true immortal-grade medicinal herb.

"The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower is an immortal herb of the purest Yang attribute. It greatly boosts Spirit Power upon consumption—and most importantly, it has no side effects," Lin Jie explained.

"I found it during my training trip, purely by chance. Xiao Wu, Rongrong, and Zhuqing have already taken their own herbs. This is the last one, so I wasn't sure which of you to give it to."

"What? Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, and Rongrong already took them?" Tang San looked at Lin Jie in shock. No wonder he'd sensed such drastic changes in Xiao Wu after she returned yesterday.

"That's right. We've already taken ours—and we've all broken through to level forty!" Ning Rongrong said happily.

"Level forty? All three of you?" Ma Hongjun and Oscar exclaimed in unison, staring at the girls in disbelief.

Dai Mubai and Tang San were also stunned as they looked at Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.

After all, Dai Mubai had struggled immensely just to break through to level forty, and Ma Hongjun had only recently reached the early thirties. Yet here were three of their companions, all suddenly at level forty. Who wouldn't be shocked?

Ning Rongrong smiled. "That's right. We just need to hunt for our next Spirit Rings and we'll be full-fledged Spirit Ancestors."

Tang San came to his senses, thinking of the unique properties of immortal herbs. He looked at Lin Jie and asked, "Lin Jie, is it because of the herbs they advanced so quickly?"

Lin Jie nodded. "Yeah. Xiao Wu and Rongrong each gained seven levels, and Zhu Zhuqing rose a few levels as well."

After hearing that, Ma Hongjun and Oscar both looked at the jade box like it was a priceless treasure.

A six-level increase—instantly, with no side effects. That would save years of training!

Lin Jie looked at the group. "Since I only have one left, you guys will have to decide among yourselves who gets it."

The four of them exchanged glances. With only one herb left, it really wasn't clear who should take it.

They didn't doubt Lin Jie's words—after all, he had already given herbs to Xiao Wu, Rongrong, and Zhuqing. And none of them felt it was unfair; it was Lin Jie's herb, and he could give it to whoever he liked. The fact that he was offering it at all was generous enough.

Oscar desperately wanted it. He was currently a level thirty-two Spirit Elder—if he took the herb, he might jump all the way to thirty-eight. The thought alone made his heart race.

Ma Hongjun, however, wanted it even more. He had a gut feeling that if he took this herb, he might finally be able to get his Evil Fire under control.

Dai Mubai was also tempted when he heard the girls had reached level forty, though he didn't show it as obviously as Oscar and Fatty.

Tang San, looking at the herb, couldn't help but wonder what kind of place could grow multiple immortal herbs together like this. But after a moment, he pushed that thought aside. He looked at the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower again. Though he coveted it, he also knew—it wasn't suitable for him.

"I really do want this herb," he said, "but it's not a good match for me, so I'll pass."

Oscar and Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. That made sense. With Tang San's talent and cultivation speed, whether he had an immortal herb or not probably didn't matter too much.

Then Tang San said, "I do have a suggestion, though. Not sure if I should say it."

"Go ahead," Lin Jie said.

Tang San turned to Ma Hongjun. "I think Fatty is the best candidate for this herb."

Oscar frowned. "Why? Are you saying I can't take it?"

Tang San exchanged a look with Lin Jie. Lin Jie gave a nod, and Tang San continued, "Fatty's Evil Fire is unstable and already harming his body. If this continues, there's a real chance it'll consume him entirely. The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower can purify the impurities in his Phoenix Flame, making him a true Phoenix-type Spirit Master. That's why I believe he's the most suitable."

Dai Mubai and Oscar both mulled it over and realized the logic held. Although Oscar looked reluctant, he still nodded in agreement.

Ma Hongjun's face lit up with pure joy. Hearing that this herb was tailor-made for him was almost too good to be true.

Lin Jie closed the lid on the jade box and pushed it toward Ma Hongjun. "Fatty, the method for taking the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower is important. Don't chew or swallow it. Guide your Spirit Power and let it flow through your body. No matter how painful it gets, you must endure. Otherwise, everything will be for nothing."

Ma Hongjun took the box with shaking hands. "Lin Jie, thank you! I really don't know what to say."

Lin Jie smiled. "No need to be so polite. We're brothers, aren't we?"

"Yeah, we're brothers!" Ma Hongjun beamed.

Tang San, Oscar, and the others came over to congratulate him—though Oscar couldn't quite hide the envy in his eyes.

Oscar sighed and turned toward the girls. "By the way, you three broke through to level forty, right? That means the Dean will have to take you to hunt Spirit Beasts again."

"Yup. Looks like Dean Flender's got more work to do," someone joked.

Just then, commotion erupted outside the hall.

"Where's Tang San? Tang San!" A group of students suddenly rushed in, calling loudly.

"They're looking for me?" Tang San looked at the students in confusion—he didn't recognize any of them.

One of them called out urgently, "Tang San, you'd better come out quick. Tai Long, his father, and his grandfather are all here to see you!"

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin