Chapter 10: Tome’s Deep Secrets, Medical Soul Showdown

Lin Wanqing and Zhao Xuan returned to the General's Mansion by noon, sun high. Last night's "Magus Medic" remnant in Xue'er's soul was sealed, but its "I'll return" lingered. In the study, clutching the Lin Clan Manual, she murmured, "General, that ghost's tied to this book. We've got to dig in—keep it from popping back."

Zhao Xuan stood by the window, brows knit, cool. "You sealed it—can it still stir?"

She squinted, smirking slyly. "General, don't sleep on this creep. Calling itself 'Magus Medic,' obsessed with the Manual—there's a big secret here. I probed the Emperor last night—today, we crack this tome!"

He nodded, eyeing the book. "How?"

She grinned cheekily, tapping her pendant. "Trust me, General—into the Medical Soul Realm, straight to the source!" She inhaled; purple flared, swallowing them. A blink—they stood in the Realm: springs bubbled, herbs floated, gold specks danced.

She set the Manual at the spring's heart, calling, "Master Hua Tuo, you there? What's this book hiding—show up and spill!"

The spring surged, gold coalescing—Hua Tuo's phantom emerged, grave. "The Lin Clan Manual is my life's work, blending medicine and might, defying death. But my disciple, 'Magus Medic' Zhang Xuan, turned traitor, twisting it into a demonic art, scourging lives. I sealed his soul in the book, locked with a ban only Spirit Heart Grass breaks."

Lin Wanqing jolted. "Zhang Xuan? That remnant in Xue'er?"

He nodded. "Indeed. Though sealed, it seeped out via external force, latching onto her to steal the book and revive. You broke its shard—now master the Manual fast, purge it fully, or it'll regather, endless woe."

Zhao Xuan frowned. "Purge? How?"

Hua Tuo smiled faintly. "Spirit Heart Grass as base, Purple Dawn Grass as aid—forge an 'ExtSoul Pill,' meld it with the Manual, burn its root. But Zhang's cunning—his soul hides deep. Enter the book and fight."

Lin Wanqing blinked. "Into the book? Wild ride! General, up for it?"

He huffed, "Why not? Start."

She grinned, waving; the furnace flared. With Spirit Heart Grass and Purple Dawn Grass, she crafted the "ExtSoul Pill," gold gleaming. Swallowing it, power synced with the Manual, purple blazing. "General, hold me—we're diving in!"

Gripping the book, their minds sank—scene shifting to a blood-red wasteland, sky roiling, distant roars echoing.

At the wasteland's core, a black-robed figure loomed, face blurred, eyes blood-lit. He sneered, "Lin Wanqing, Zhao Xuan—daring my turf? The book's mine—no one takes it!"

She squinted. "Zhang Xuan? Old ghost, you rode Xue'er, dreaming of comeback? Keep dreaming!"

He cackled. "Dream? This tome's my demonic root—my soul's eternal, you're dead!" A wave; blood mist surged, spawning countless shades, charging.

Zhao Xuan drew, icy. "Wanqing, I block—you hit!"

She nodded, channeling the Manual. Drug Soul Palm roared, purple mist dragon clashing with blood fog. Shades wailed, dissolving. "This palm owns dark vibes!" she marveled.

Zhao Xuan's sword danced, slashing shades. "Don't gawk—find his core!"

Her Wheel spun, purple locking Zhang's soul—buried in the mist. "Gotcha!" She darted, Drug Soul Palm piercing as a spear.

Zhang roared, "Kid, ruining my soul?" Hands sealed, blood mist forged a giant axe, meeting her spear. Boom—wasteland quaked, mist parting; he stumbled.

Zhao Xuan struck, sword like a dragon, piercing Zhang's chest. He screamed, soul cracking, yet grinned. "You can't end me—my split soul's out there!"

Lin Wanqing frowned. "Split soul?" She waved; ExtSoul Pill's power fused with purple, blasting again. Gold encased Zhang, his shrieks piercing, "No! I'll return!"—then ash.

The wasteland faded; they returned to the Realm. Lin Wanqing exhaled, "General, done! Ghost's toast."

Zhao Xuan scowled. "Split soul means it's not over."

She nodded, low. "Gotta track that shard—stop more mess."

Back in the study, she set the book down, grinning. "General, your backup nailed it—that creep was tough."

He grunted, "Your palm's no joke."

She winked. "So I'll guard you next—deal?"

His ears pinked; he muttered, "Your call."

She giggled: Tough shell, soft core—mine.

(End of Chapter)