"Pills? What kind of pills are so powerful that they can help a Soul Douluo break through their bottleneck?" Yu Tianheng stroked his chin, puzzled.
As a cultivation resource, pills were not foreign to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but they were usually only effective for assisting low-level soul masters in their cultivation. As a soul master's power increased, the effectiveness of pills diminished.
For example, his grandfather, a Rank 95 Titled Douluo, couldn't benefit from consuming any number of pills.
"This one," Tian Lin said with a smile as he took out his last Purple Gold Pill. "This is a ninth-grade Purple Gold Pill. It strengthens the foundation and purifies soul power. It works regardless of your rank. I refined five of these pills: one I gave to Senior Dugu, one to Elder Yin Yang, two to my parents, and this last one is for you, Teacher Qin Ming. I hope it helps you break through to the Soul Emperor level soon."
Currently, Qin Ming is a Rank 54 Battle Soul King. According to the original story, he would have broken through to the Soul Emperor level in about three years, becoming the second youngest Soul Emperor on the continent. With the aid of the Purple Gold Pill, this record could likely be achieved even sooner.
"What? For me?" Qin Ming was startled. "Xiao Tian, this is far too precious. How can I accept it?"
A pill that could even help a Soul Douluo breakthrough was undoubtedly priceless. Despite his desire, Qin Ming didn't feel comfortable accepting such a gift.
"Teacher Qin, consider it my way of thanking you for your guidance over the past year. Besides, the Purple Gold Pill isn't as precious as it seems. Elder Yin Yang was able to successfully break through because he had already reached the peak of Rank 89. The pill was merely a trigger. If it were given to someone who had just reached Rank 89, even ten Purple Gold Pills might not have had the same effect," Tian Lin explained with a smile.
Tian Lin highly valued Qin Ming's potential. At his current rate of improvement, Qin Ming was likely to reach the Titled Douluo level before the age of 60. More importantly, Qin Ming, though affiliated with the academy, was not tied to any clan or sect. Tian Lin thought that, in the future, he might try to recruit Qin Ming to his group. After all, no sect would complain about having too many Titled Douluo.
"Alright… thank you, then," Qin Ming finally said, unable to resist the temptation of the Purple Gold Pill.
"Oh, and there's also something for Teacher Zhou Yan. It's a flower called Pink Fragrance. Though it's not as valuable as an immortal herb, it's highly beneficial for someone like her, who excels in powder-based skills. Teacher Qin, could you pass it on to her for me?" Tian Lin added. He hadn't forgotten Zhou Yan. He still remembered how she had stepped forward to protect him during the Orf incident. Tian Lin never forgot those who showed him kindness.
Oslo wrapped an arm around Tian Lin's neck and teased, "Xiao Tian, you've been giving away such precious pills and herbs to everyone else. What about us? Don't tell me you didn't prepare any gifts for us!"
"Senior Oslo, before we talk about gifts, shouldn't you pay back the gold soul coins you owe me first?" Tian Lin shot him a look, his tone teasing.
"Uh…" Oslo nearly forgot about that. Tian Lin was indeed his biggest creditor. Asking for a gift while still owing money was a bit shameless. "How about this? I won't ask for a gift if you write off my debt!"
Yu Tianheng and the others covered their faces, pretending not to know him. This was too embarrassing. As a senior, Oslo not only asked his junior for a gift but also tried to dodge his debt. He was tarnishing the Emperor Battle Team's reputation.
"No way. What's mine, I'll always collect. Senior Oslo, you'll have to keep owing me those gold soul coins. I won't let you use a gift to pay off your debt," Tian Lin said firmly.
Hearing this, Oslo looked utterly defeated. Meanwhile, the others picked up on something else in Tian Lin's words: he had indeed prepared gifts for them. Ye Lingling stepped forward decisively, extending her hand. "Xiao Tian, my gift."
Though she rarely spoke, she always got straight to the point.
"As expected of Senior Lingling—so straightforward. Here, this is yours," Tian Lin said, reaching into his storage pouch and pulling out a jade box, which he handed to Ye Lingling.
Without hesitation, Ye Lingling opened the box. A rich fragrance immediately filled the air, and the strong orchid scent made everyone feel a sense of clarity and calm. Ye Lingling, in particular, felt her soul power begin to circulate on its own.
Inside the box was an Beautiful Silk Tulip, pure white and exuding an aura of transcendence.
"Senior, this is the Beautiful Silk Tulip, one of the immortal herbs. It has the gentlest medicinal properties, making it perfect for support-type soul masters like you. It will strengthen your foundation and remove impurities from your body. With this, you should be able to address the slow cultivation speed of support-type soul masters," Tian Lin explained.
Ye Lingling's eyes widened. "What? There's such an herb in the world? And you're giving it to me? I thought the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was full of support-type soul masters."
"Of course, it's for you. Don't worry about my clan. I have other plans for them," Tian Lin replied with a smile. "The method of consumption is simple: chew and swallow it. Afterward, your soul power will increase by several levels, and you can prepare to hunt for a new soul ring."
Hearing this, Ye Lingling didn't hesitate any longer. She accepted the herb and went off to absorb its energy. Meanwhile, the other eight members of the Emperor Battle Team stared at Tian Lin with eager eyes.
They had initially assumed that, even if Tian Lin had prepared gifts for them, they would be ordinary items. They never expected such priceless treasures.
"Don't worry, everyone. Each of you has a gift," Tian Lin assured them. "Oslo, this is for you: the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. It can nourish your tendons and bones, as well as open your meridians."
The Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, originally Zhu Zhuqing's immortal herb, seemed more suited for girls. However, given Oslo's flamboyant personality, it was surprisingly fitting for him.
Oslo happily accepted the herb. After asking Tian Lin for instructions on how to use it, he went off to start cultivating.
"Senior Yu Feng, yours is the Windfire Seven-Leaf Flower. It's perfect for soul masters with wind or fire attributes. As they say, 'fire borrows the force of wind, and wind enhances the power of fire.' After consuming this, the wind you generate may carry the scorching heat of fire," Tian Lin said, taking out another herb. It had seven leaves: three green ones on the left, representing wind; three red ones on the right, representing fire; and one yellow leaf in the middle, symbolizing the balance between the two.
To consume this herb, only the yellow leaf needed to be eaten; that's where the medicinal power resided.
"Thank you, Xiao Tian. I'll repay you in the future," said the usually reserved Yu Feng, deeply moved by the gift.
After Yu Feng came the Shi brothers. Their gifts were no longer immortal herbs but pills—Black Tortoise Golden Pills, refined from the Golden Tortoise herb.
For the Shi brothers, who possessed turtle-type martial souls, there was nothing more suitable than these pills.
The honest brothers promised to repay Tian Lin for his kindness before eagerly consuming the pills.
Tian Lin smiled, nodding. Their willingness to consume his pills without hesitation was a sign of their trust in him.