After leaving Dugu Mansion, Lin Yu used his Wind-Thunder Wings soul bone to rush back to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Upon arriving, Lin Yu collected the evolved Eight-Petal Ice Lotus and Blazing Delicate Apricot, just as he had done with the Snow-Colored Peacock Kiss and Sky Jade Serpent Orchid. He placed both herbs into the Heaven and Earth Cauldron, refining them into two medicinal pills.
Lin Yu then consumed both pills and jumped into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to begin his Ice and Fire Body Refinement.
In the blink of an eye, a day passed.
Thanks to his strong physique, Lin Yu successfully refined the essence of the evolved Eight-Petal Ice Lotus and Blazing Delicate Apricot, further enhancing his body and granting him complete immunity to both ice and fire.
After finishing the refinement process, Lin Yu left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and returned to the Dugu Mansion.
"Senior Dugu, how did the task I gave you go?"
Upon arriving at Dugu Mansion and seeing Dugu Bo greet him, Lin Yu immediately asked.
"Young Master, I've already passed along the method for evolving the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul through Yan Yan, who informed her classmate Ye Lingling from the Nine Heart Begonia Clan. Yan Yan should have the results when she returns today."
Hearing Lin Yu's question, Dugu Bo smirked confidently as he answered, leading Lin Yu inside the mansion.
"In anticipation of your arrival, I've had a banquet prepared for you, Young Master. Please follow me."
After enjoying the midday banquet, Lin Yu spent the afternoon cultivating in Dugu Mansion. By evening, Dugu Yan returned from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Upon her return, Dugu Yan informed Lin Yu that the Nine Heart Begonia Clan would be visiting Dugu Mansion the following day.
When Dugu Yan told her friend Ye Lingling that Lin Yu knew the method to evolve the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, she mentioned that it was her grandfather, Dugu Bo, who knew of someone capable of helping.
As a result, the Nine Heart Begonia Clan decided to visit Dugu Mansion to inquire further with Dugu Bo.
Tomorrow, huh?
Hearing Dugu Yan's news, Lin Yu stroked his chin in thought.
The next day arrived quickly.
A luxurious carriage pulled up in front of Dugu Mansion.
From the carriage stepped a beautiful noblewoman dressed in a deep blue palace gown, her long dark blue hair cascading like a waterfall, and her deep blue eyes sparkling. She was accompanied by a tall, broad-shouldered man with red hair and a young girl in a white dress with dark blue hair and eyes.
"So this is Dugu Mansion?"
The noblewoman, dressed in the blue gown, took a deep breath as she looked at the grand estate before her, feeling a bit anxious.
She was here to ask Dugu Bo who knew the method to evolve their Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul and wasn't sure if she'd get an answer.
She was none other than Ye Zhixin, the head of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan and mother of Ye Lingling.
The tall, red-haired man beside her was Su Kuang, a powerful Assault-Type Spirit Douluo with the Berserk Blood Lion Martial Soul, and Ye Lingling's father.
As an auxiliary clan, much like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo as powerful pillars, the Nine Heart Begonia Clan also nurtured strong offensive spirit masters. Su Kuang was the strongest combatant in their clan, his strength as a Spirit Douluo, combined with Ye Zhixin's support, made him nearly invincible at their level.
Approaching the entrance of Dugu Mansion, Ye Zhixin introduced herself and her family to the guards.
Soon after, Dugu Bo appeared with Dugu Yan.
"Haha! Clan Leader Ye, Brother Su, long time no see! And this must be Lingling!"
Seeing the trio, Dugu Bo greeted them warmly with a laugh.
"Come, come, please enter. My Young Master has been expecting you!"
Young Master?!
Hearing Dugu Bo's words, both Ye Zhixin and Su Kuang were taken aback. They exchanged shocked glances.
While Lin Yu's battle the previous day—where he defeated the Three Elders of Heaven Dou, Yu Yuanzhen, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin with Ning Fengzhi's assistance—had occurred, the news hadn't fully spread yet.
So when Dugu Bo implied that he had pledged loyalty to someone, both Ye Zhixin and Su Kuang were astonished.
After all, Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo, and even the royal family couldn't fully recruit him. His position as a royal guardian was due only to a favor he owed Prince Xue Xing.
Who could have the strength to make Dugu Bo submit?
Though filled with questions, they didn't need to ask. They'd find out soon enough once they went inside.
Led by Dugu Bo, the group entered Dugu Mansion and was soon brought before the guest hall.
As they entered the hall, they saw a young man seated at the head of the room.
Dressed in black, no older than sixteen or seventeen, with shoulder-length black hair, a cold but handsome face, and an imposing demeanor, the young man's eyes locked onto Ye Zhixin as they arrived.
"Young Master, this is Clan Leader Ye Zhixin of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, her husband, Bloodthirsty Lion Spirit Douluo Su Kuang, and their daughter, Ye Lingling."
Dugu Bo introduced the trio to Lin Yu.
Lin Yu's gaze swept over Ye Lingling, and Su Kuang, and finally settled on Ye Zhixin.
"Please, have a seat."
Rising from his seat, Lin Yu gestured for them to sit.
Exchanging another glance, Ye Zhixin and Su Kuang silently took seats in the hall, while their eyes remained on Lin Yu.
The youth in front of them was a stranger, clearly just coming of age. How could someone so young command the allegiance of Dugu Bo?
As they scrutinized Lin Yu, both Ye Zhixin and Su Kuang found themselves filled with disbelief.
Once they were seated, Lin Yu wasted no time, cutting straight to the point with a smile.
"I assume the reason you're visiting today is to inquire about the method to evolve the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, correct?"
Hearing Lin Yu's words, Ye Zhixin's eyes narrowed, and her suspicions grew stronger.
For years, the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, much like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, had been seeking a way to evolve their martial soul. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan aimed to evolve their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, allowing them to break past the Spirit Saint level.
Meanwhile, the Nine Heart Begonia Clan had longed to evolve their martial soul to break free from the curse that only two Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Masters could exist per generation.
The fact that no one in Dugu Mansion had ever mentioned knowing such a method made it clear: this solution came not from Dugu Bo but from the young man before them.
But what did this youth intend? Did he wish to recruit the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, just as he had recruited Dugu Bo and the Jade Phosphor Serpent Clan?