With the insidious Asura God's Divine Will finally dealt with, Song Qing wasted no time. He focused his mind, and the gentle green light of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit enveloped him once more as he activated Verdant Embrace.
The healing energy, now unhindered, worked its magic rapidly. It felt like a warm, soothing balm washing over every cell of his body, mending the lingering aches and strengthening his weakened muscles. It didn't even take a full hour before he felt completely healed, his body humming with renewed vitality.
'Finally!' Song Qing thought, a wave of relief washing over him. He moved his limbs experimentally, stretching and flexing. He did notice a slight sluggishness, a reminder of the three years he had spent immobile.
'No problem,' he mused. 'A little exercise will fix that in no time. With the residual power of those immortal herbs still in my system, I'll be back to my peak physique before I know it.'
Later that day, as his visitors started to arrive, they were met with a sight that left them utterly stunned. Song Qing was no longer lying still in bed. He was sitting up, looking around the room with a bright and alert gaze.
Dugu Yan was the first to enter, her usual confident stride faltering as she took in the scene. "Little Qing?" she asked hesitantly, her emerald eyes wide with disbelief. "You're… you're sitting up?"
Then came Ye Lingling, her gentle smile widening into one of pure joy, but still tinged with shock. "Little Qing! You're awake and… you look completely healed!"
Ning Rongrong, followed closely by her father and the two Douluo, gasped. "Qing! How… what happened?"
Zhu Zhuqing, who had practically flown into the room, stopped dead in her tracks, her brown eyes fixated on him. "Qing… you're okay?"
Even Hu Liena, who usually maintained a calm demeanor, looked genuinely surprised.
Bibi Dong, who had entered last, her face initially carrying a hint of her usual sternness, softened considerably at the sight of Song Qing sitting up. However, a flicker of caution still remained in her eyes. She moved towards him slowly, her gaze scrutinizing his every movement.
"Qing'er," she said, her voice a mixture of relief and suspicion. "What is going on here? How can you be moving around already? Your injuries… they were severe." Her mind flashed back to the insidious energy of the Asura God's Will. 'Could it be?' she wondered, a chilling thought creeping into her mind. 'Did that divine will somehow… take over?'
She subtly reached out, a wisp of her spiritual power probing his soul. What she found banished her fears and replaced them with a genuine smile. His soul was not just intact, it felt… incredibly radiant, stronger than before. And there was absolutely no trace of the Asura God's Will.
"Qing'er," she asked again, her voice now filled with warmth and curiosity, "how did you recover so quickly?"
Song Qing simply shrugged, offering a casual smile. "Well, Teacher, you know I have my secrets." He paused for a moment, then added, "I had a hidden healing immortal herb. I ate it, and it worked wonders."
It wasn't a completely believable explanation, but in that moment, no one seemed to care about the specifics. Relief and joy washed over the room.
Suddenly, Song Qing found himself engulfed in a flurry of hugs. Zhu Zhuqing practically launched herself at him, squeezing him tightly. Then came Ning Rongrong, followed by Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan, all showering him with affection and relief. Even Hu Liena joined in, her embrace warm and heartfelt.
Song Qing, who had been lying still for so long, was suddenly overwhelmed by the closeness of his friends. He felt their soft bodies pressing against him, each with their own unique and intoxicating fragrance. A wave of shyness washed over him, his face flushing slightly. He hadn't expected such an enthusiastic welcome back to the world of the living.
His flustered expression only seemed to make his friends even happier, confirming to them that he was indeed the same old Song Qing they knew and loved. Laughter and happy chatter filled the room as they peppered him with questions and shared their relief.
After a while, Song Qing, still feeling a little overwhelmed but incredibly happy, gently pulled back from the group hug. "Hey, everyone," he said, his voice a little breathless. "It's great to see you all, but… could I have a word with my teacher alone for a bit?"
His friends, understanding his need for a private conversation, readily agreed and began to file out of the room, their smiles still bright.
Once the door closed behind them, leaving just Song Qing and Bibi Dong, the powerful Pope let down all her carefully constructed restraints. With a soft cry of relief, she rushed forward and embraced her dear disciple, pulling him into a tight hug. Then, she began to shower his face with kisses, her emotions finally overflowing after three long years of worry. She held him so close that his face was nestled in the soft valley between her ample breasts, a familiar and surprisingly comforting sensation for Song Qing.
He enjoyed the warmth and affection of his teacher's embrace for a few moments before gently pulling back, a soft smile on his face. "Teacher," he said, looking up at her, "it wasn't exactly a hidden immortal herb that healed me so quickly."
Bibi Dong raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Oh? Then what was it, Qing'er?"
"It was my plant spirit," Song Qing explained, deciding to reveal a little more but still holding back the full truth. "It has… miraculous healing abilities. It was even able to deal with that strange divine will that was preventing me from waking up." He deliberately omitted the name of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit, knowing that revealing such a unique and powerful spirit might raise too many questions.
Bibi Dong stared at him for a moment, her gaze intense, as if trying to see through his words. But Song Qing's expression was open and innocent. She eventually nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. "Your spirits truly are extraordinary, Qing'er," she said softly. "I'm just glad you're finally awake and well." And in that moment, that was all that truly mattered to her.
A few peaceful moments passed, the silence in the room comfortable after the emotional reunion. Then, Song Qing's gaze turned serious as he looked at his teacher.
"Teacher," he began, his voice now stronger and more resolute, "what actions have you taken against Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Clan?"
Upon hearing those words, a slight frown creased Bibi Dong's beautiful features. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a near whisper, a look of slight embarrassment on her face. "Honestly, Qing'er… we haven't been able to find either of them. That bastard and his clan are infuriatingly good at hiding. For a sect known for their powerful attacking spirit, they should really be called the masters of disappearing!"
As he heard her words, Song Qing let out a soft sigh. "That's… a relief," he said, his tone genuine, which clearly confused Bibi Dong.
She stared at him, her brow furrowed. "A relief? Qing'er, why would you say that?"
Song Qing met her gaze, his own eyes holding a chilling glint. "Because I was worried you had already torn him apart, along with his entire clan. If that had happened, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take my revenge personally."
Bibi Dong's expression softened, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Qing'er, trying to take revenge on Tang Hao is far too dangerous for you. He is a Titled Douluo, a powerful one at that. You should let me handle him."
But Song Qing shook his head firmly, his youthful face set with a determination that belied his age. "No, Teacher. I want to be the one to take revenge against Tang Hao. Personally." He paused, his gaze becoming distant for a moment.
"While the past three years might have passed by in the blink of an eye for me because I was in a coma… it must not have been the case for all of you who cared for me. You must have suffered each day, worried sick."
His voice held a quiet intensity. "That's why I want to take revenge. And I will take such revenge that it will completely destroy Tang Hao's will to the point that he will be begging for someone to end his miserable existence."
Bibi Dong was taken aback by the cold, determined look on her disciple's face. She had never seen such intense resolve in him before. But she understood his anger; it was indeed justified. After a moment, she nodded slowly. "Alright, Qing'er. I understand. But how do you plan to take such revenge?"
Song Qing's gaze turned thoughtful. "For that, I need to prepare properly. And I need your assistance, Teacher. I need you to help me hunt a spirit beast of at least 60,000 to 80,000 years old for my plant spirit. I want its transformation ability as my Fifth Soul Ring."
Bibi Dong's brow furrowed in confusion. "A transformation ability? Why would you need that for your plant spirit as your Fifth Soul Ring, Qing'er? Moreover, you need to first cultivate to Soul Power Level 50 to attach the fifth soul ring to your plant spirit."
In response, Song Qing offered a confident smile. He subtly lifted the effects of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit's Veiled Aura, and instantly, the soul power radiating from him surged. His soul power level jumped from the previously perceived 45 to a solid 50.
Even Bibi Dong gasped, her eyes widening in genuine shock as she sensed the sudden increase in his spiritual energy. "Qing'er! What… what just happened? How did your soul power increase so suddenly? You've been unconscious for three years!"
Song Qing chuckled softly. "That, Teacher, is just one of the abilities of my plant spirit. It allows me to partially or completely conceal my soul power. Before I fell unconscious three years ago, I had simply forgotten to turn off this ability."
Bibi Dong was stunned. This meant that for the past three years, even while he was in a coma, this ability had been working flawlessly, concealing his true soul power even from her, an Extreme Douluo.
"This… this means…" Bibi Dong trailed off, her eyes filled with disbelief. "You had already reached Soul Power Level 50 three years ago? You could have become a Soul King at the young age of eight?" She shook her head in amazement. "Your talent, Qing'er… it truly is beyond comprehension."
Song Qing simply smiled. "My plant spirit is quite special, Teacher. And I need that transformation ability as my Fifth Soul Ring to accomplish the first stage of my plan for Tang Hao."
Bibi Dong considered his words for a moment, her sharp mind already piecing together possibilities. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, Qing'er. I understand. I know of a species of monkeys that possess remarkable transformation abilities. I believe the Spirit Hall's intelligence network can locate one around the 80,000-year mark for you. I should have an answer for you within a week."
Song Qing nodded seriously, his eyes filled with determination. Then, without warning, he reached out and hugged Bibi Dong tightly, his face pressed against her soft form. "Teacher," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine remorse, "I'm so sorry for making you worry all these years."
Bibi Dong's stern expression softened instantly. A warm smile touched her lips as she heard her dear disciple's words. She gently patted his head. "It's alright, Qing'er. What matters is that you're awake now."
Song Qing nodded, pulling back slightly. He then reached into his spatial ring and produced two exquisite-looking fruits, radiating a faint, ethereal glow. He handed them to Bibi Dong. "Teacher, I have these for you. They are called the Heavenly Essence Root and the Earthly Wisdom Fruit. I plucked them from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
He explained their properties to her. "These herbs will significantly enhance your mental energy and help alleviate any lingering negative effects from your Martial Spirits or any other energies within you. They will also strengthen your physique, ensuring you can handle the immense power you wield. Please use them as soon as you can, Teacher. They will really help you."
Although Bibi Dong had never heard of these particular immortal herbs, she trusted Song Qing implicitly. She smiled warmly and nodded. "Thank you, Qing'er. I will use them soon."
A little while later, Song Qing emerged from his room alongside Bibi Dong, greeted by the relieved faces of his waiting friends. He smiled brightly at them. "Hey everyone! I'm feeling much better now. Don't worry about me anymore."
He then went to each of them, interacting with Rongrong, Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and his Senior Sister Liena, his voice filled with genuine happiness. "I'll be back to my old self in no time. In fact, I'll be looking for you all soon for some spars. I need to get my battle sense back and rebuild my muscle memory."
Finally, he turned to Hu Liena, a gentle smile on his face. He reached into his spatial ring again and produced two more unique-looking herbs, one a vibrant purple orchid, the other a star-shaped anise with seven distinct points. He handed them to her. "Senior Sister Liena, these are for you. The Bewitching Demon Orchid and the Seven Star Anise. I also plucked these from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
He explained the method of consumption and then apologized, a hint of regret in his voice. "I was meant to give these to you three years ago, Senior Sister. I'm so sorry for the delay."
Hu Liena's eyes widened as she looked at the exquisite herbs, a hint of understanding dawning on her face. She smiled warmly at Song Qing.
"Don't even think about it, Little Qing. I'm just incredibly happy that you're awake and well." She accepted the herbs gratefully. "I'll ingest them as soon as possible." She knew, instinctively, that these herbs would bring about significant changes and only by becoming stronger could she be more of help to Song Qing.