"Is this your first soul skill?!"
Hu Liena couldn't hide her surprise as she watched Lin Yu activate his first soul skill. Instead of the healing effects she had expected, Lin Yu's Chaos Green Lotus spirit dropped a lotus seed, which transformed into a radiant golden lotus.
She couldn't believe her eyes. She had never seen a soul skill like this before!
But what use could such a skill have?
If Lin Yu's Chaos Green Lotus spirit absorbed a soul ring only to produce different colored lotuses, it seemed like a waste. Sure, the golden lotus was beautiful, but Spirit Hall didn't need decorative flowers.
A martial spirit that couldn't produce effective soul skills was practically useless!
For a moment, Hu Liena felt a pang of worry and frustration.
But while Hu Liena was concerned, Lin Yu was thoroughly satisfied as he gazed at the golden lotus in his hand.
He knew exactly what this golden lotus was and what it could do.
This wasn't just any ordinary lotus—it was the legendary Merit Golden Lotus, and its effects were likely tied to healing!
Its healing ability would undoubtedly surpass that of even the Nine-Hearted Begonia!
"Does this golden lotus of yours have any special abilities?" Hu Liena asked, a bit skeptical as she looked at the flower in Lin Yu's hand.
If this golden lotus had no significant powers, it would mean Lin Yu's Chaos Green Lotus spirit was essentially a wasted martial spirit.
After spending so much time with Lin Yu, Hu Liena had grown quite fond of him. She didn't want to see his potential wasted.
"Of course it does!"
A smile spread across Lin Yu's face at Hu Liena's question. He channeled his soul power into the golden lotus in his hand.
Immediately, the lotus emitted a dazzling golden light.
Under Lin Yu's control, the golden light enveloped Hu Liena.
As the light-infused her, Hu Liena instantly felt a surge of energy. Her fatigue from trekking through the Star Dou Forest for over a day vanished in an instant. She had never felt so rejuvenated!
"What kind of effect is this...?"
Hu Liena looked at Lin Yu, astonished by how incredible she felt.
"It seems to be a healing ability," Lin Yu replied thoughtfully. "The power of this golden lotus seems to convert my soul power into a special healing light. And considering my innate full soul power, the effect is quite strong!"
"How much soul power do you have left?" Hu Liena asked, intrigued.
"About two-thirds," Lin Yu answered after checking his reserves.
"Wait a moment! Elder Yue Guan, please catch a soul beast—alive!" Hu Liena called out to Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.
Though Yue Guan wasn't entirely sure what Hu Liena had in mind, he quickly left and returned with a Wood Bud Deer.
The Wood Bud Deer was a common herbivorous soul beast found in forests. It looked much like an ordinary deer, except its fur was a mix of various colors. The most distinctive feature, and the origin of its name, was the unique buds that grew on its antlers during spring and autumn. These buds were a rare soul power-enhancing food and were highly sought after by soul masters.
Once Yue Guan brought back the deer, Hu Liena swiftly approached it and, with a quick motion of her short sword, severely injured the creature. Then she turned to Lin Yu.
"Lin Yu, use your golden lotus again—this time on the deer. Let's see what it can do."
"Oh, alright," Lin Yu replied, steadying himself as he took a deep breath. The sight of the deer bleeding heavily on the ground was unsettling, but he quickly refocused.
He poured his soul power into the golden lotus once more, directing a beam of golden light toward the injured Wood Bud Deer.
In an instant, the golden light enveloped the deer, and under its radiant glow, the creature's severe wounds began to heal at a visible rate. Within moments, the deer was completely restored, as if it had never been injured.
"What incredible healing power!"
Hu Liena was stunned. The deer had gone from the brink of death to fully healed in mere seconds. Such a rapid and potent healing effect would be difficult even for a healing-type soul master of the Soul Elder rank to achieve.
After her initial shock, Hu Liena was elated. She was the one who had brought Lin Yu into Spirit Hall. If she maintained a good relationship with him, Lin Yu could become a powerful ally in the future!
"Alright, now that you've absorbed the soul ring and become a soul master, let's leave the Star Dou Forest and head back to Spirit City!"
With a bright smile, Hu Liena decided it was time to return to Spirit City, now that they had tested Lin Yu's first soul skill.
The journey back was much quicker and safer than when they had first left Spirit City to find Lin Yu. Now familiar with the route, and with all dangers like bandits cleared away, they made swift progress.
In less than a month, the group finally arrived back at Spirit City.
"So, this is Spirit City?"
As the carriage approached the towering walls of the city, Lin Yu lifted the curtain to get a better view. The city's massive, imposing walls, over eighty meters tall and thirty meters thick, were built entirely of sturdy granite. The sight filled Lin Yu with awe.
The carriage continued into the bustling city, where the streets were lined with people and shops. The lively atmosphere, with merchants shouting and the clamor of the crowds, was overwhelming.
Lin Yu couldn't help but marvel at the grand hotels, tall clock towers, and lavish buildings that lined the streets. Even though he had seen large cities in his previous life, nothing quite compared to the ancient, Western-style architecture of Spirit City. It had a unique charm all its own.
As Lin Yu continued to take in the sights, their convoy, led by a squad of Holy Royal Knights, made its way up the hill to the central Pope's Palace.
Finally, they arrived at the magnificent, golden palace.