She had kept them hidden for a long time.
Previously, Qian Renxue had considered giving these immortal herbs to her subordinates rather than using them herself, partly out of pride, perhaps even a touch of narcissism. Her talent was likely the highest that could exist on the Douluo Continent. These herbs, which could significantly enhance the aptitude of ordinary Soul Masters, were to her little more than soul power boosting pills.
Even the rule that one person could only absorb a single immortal herb, because these herbs cannot improve the talent that was already maxed out. Except for the herbs whose nature didn't align with her martial soul, she could take all the other immortal herbs, which would not feel much but like herbs of different tastes.
But now, her goals had shifted. Qian Renxue wanted to raise her cultivation quickly and for that, she had no intention of holding back any longer.
With a calm yet resolute gaze, she looked at the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid in her hand. The fragrant aroma lingered in the air, soothing and invigorating all at once. She gently plucked one petal, then another, consuming them slowly. A warm current surged through her body, as if spring water was flowing along her veins, cleansing every corner of her being. Her skin shimmered faintly, as if the imaginary impurities within her body were being expelled silently, almost imperceptibly, through her pores.
Her already strong foundation solidified with every breath she took.
Once she had finished ingesting the orchid, Qian Renxue paused, letting the medicine circulate fully. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the power settle. Her soul power had probably increased , but she did not check it and went for the next herb.
In the jade box laid Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, a pure white flower with gem-like brilliance, its roots like blue jade, flawless and otherworldly.
Following the prescribed method, Qian Renxue carefully detached the petals, eating them one by one. The moment the petals dissolved in her mouth, a refreshing chill spread through her body, reaching deep into her muscles and bones. Her limbs trembled lightly. Then she leaned forward and drew in the stamen, sucking gently. A sensation akin to countless silk threads brushing through her meridians spread outward, unblocking passages, reinforcing bones, and softening muscles. Her eight extraordinary meridians were being gradually cleared and reinforced.
Qian Renxue realized that she had taken the immortal herbs too lightly. The herb was clearly improving her who had the highest talent.
However during the absorption she felt a sharp pain as her meridians were widening forcefully, she didn't scream or tremble in agony like other cultivators might. Only her slightly furrowed brows betrayed the intense transformation occurring within.
The air around her stirred, her long golden hair fluttering lightly despite the stillness of the room. A warm halo spread from her core outward.
Moments later, she opened her eyes. A flash of light passed through her pupils.
Qian Renxue felt the surge of soul power coursing through her veins, stabilizing rapidly at Level 49.
"So… taking both herbs didn't give me a direct boost of five plus seven levels?" she muttered to herself, a trace of disappointment in her tone.
Just as she was beginning to assess her current state, her brows furrowed again.
'My soul power… it feels far more condensed than before.'
The realization gave her a momentary pause. 'Well, I suppose that's not entirely bad. Condensed soul power means higher quality. I'm building a better foundation.'
But just as her mind began to ease, a new disturbance caught her attention. Her expression shifted once more as she concentrated inward.
A vortex was forming in her dantian.
"A soul power vortex?" she blinked in disbelief. "Did I start forming it without even realizing?"
It seemed that the dual ingestion of immortal herbs had pushed her soul power density to a threshold where a vortex naturally began to emerge. While that wasn't inherently negative, soul power vortexes were prerequisites for forming a soul core, it wasn't something she had prepared for.
Her face darkened. She remembered the soul core cultivation manual she had received from Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. Before giving it to her grandfather and the other elders she had read it and knew the process of forming a soul core. A soul core could only be forged with vast quantities of soul power… far more than she currently had.
"Did I just make my own path more difficult?" she groaned, covering her face with her palm.
"Damn it."
The frustration was evident on her voice. Because while she had reached Level 49 in one go, her further advancement is going to be very difficult, if she does not find another way.
All she had wanted was to accelerate her cultivation, not to complicate it further. While the immortal herbs had undeniably refined her foundation to an almost terrifying degree, they had also raised the bar for her future advancement. The power she had gained came at the cost of a steeper climb ahead.
The joy of reaching Level 49 had long faded by the time she lay in bed that night. Frustration gnawed at her as she stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.
That night, Qian Renxue drifted into sleep, silently brooding over the consequences of her newfound strength.