Within the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, this fervor swept through as well. Marco and Ye Lingling had become the center of attention in the academy these past few days.
"Marco, I heard Senior Li defeated three Soul Douluos single-handedly with just his spear? Is that true?" During a break between classes, Shi Xiaohu squeezed up to Marco's desk, his eyes wide and round, his face full of admiration.
Lin Xiaoyu also leaned in, curious: "And I also heard that Senior Li used that... Eighth Spirit Ability at the end to injure a Titled Douluo?"
Even the usually aloof Yu Tianheng couldn't help but ask: "Marco, what exactly is special about Senior Li's Martial Soul, the Hundred Wood Divine Spear?" As a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master, he naturally had an investigative desire for powerful Martial Souls.
Osler hooked his arm around Marco's shoulder, his face full of envy: "Marco, your father is too amazing! The entire academy is talking about him now!"
Faced with his classmates' barrage of questions, Marco could only respond briefly: "My father did indeed go to the Breaking Clan, but I'm not too clear on the specific details." Yet in his heart, he was filled with pride, and at the same time, his resolve to train hard grew even stronger.
Even the academy teachers couldn't contain their curiosity. One day after class, their homeroom Teacher Sun specifically kept Marco behind and asked tactfully: "Marco, your father... um... would it be convenient for him to come to the academy to give a talk? Many teachers and students are very interested in Senior Li's combat techniques."
Marco politely replied that he would need to ask his father's opinion, but in his heart, he understood that after this battle, his father's reputation as a "Fighter" had once again resounded throughout the Soul Master World, and their family was bound to face even more attention and challenges.
As night fell, in the study of the Li residence, Li Zhaoyan and Ye Wantang sat facing each other. "The Spirit Hall won't let this go easily," Li Zhaoyan said with a grave expression. "Although I severely wounded the Ghost Panther and temporarily relieved the Breaking Clan's siege, I've also thoroughly offended the Spirit Hall."
Ye Wantang gently held her husband's hand: "No matter what, we'll face it together. Since we've brought the Breaking Clan here, we need to settle them properly. After all... that is my mother's bloodline."
Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. Li Zhaoyan gazed into the distance, his eyes profound. The storms of the Soul Master World seemed to have only just begun.
Under Li Zhaoyan's leadership, the Breaking Clan smoothly relocated to Heaven Dou City, settling in a quiet yet spacious courtyard in the western part of the city. After a few days of rest, the Li family of four formally went to visit—this was also the first time Marco and Ye Lingling were meeting their mother's family relatives.
The courtyard of the new residence was more modest than imagined, yet it was imbued with the characteristics of the Apothecary Family everywhere. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of medicinal herbs; various herbs drying in the shade hung under the eaves, and carefully processed medicinal plants were piled in the corners. Several clansmen were busily sorting herbs in the courtyard; though weariness from the migration still showed on their faces, hope had been rekindled in their eyes.
Yang Wudi, hearing of their arrival, personally came out to greet them. The clan leader of the Breaking Clan was around fifty years old, with a resolute face, eyes as sharp as an eagle's, and a tall, straight posture like a pine tree. Despite the hardships of their escape, he was hale and hearty, showing no signs of despondency. When he saw Li Zhaoyan's family, a sincere smile appeared on his face: "Zhaoyan, Wantang, you've come! Please, come in!"
His gaze fell upon Marco and Ye Lingling, a complex mix of emotions flickering in his eyes—familiarity, sentimentality, and a trace of barely perceptible guilt. "This must be Marco and Lingling, right? You've both grown so much... The last time I saw you, you were still infants in swaddling clothes." He sighed softly. "Time truly flies."
Ye Wantang smiled gently. "Brother Yang, all these years... have you been well?" Her question carried both concern and a sense of closure toward the past.
Yang Wudi shook his head, then nodded. "It's a long story... but it's all in the past now. Come, let's talk inside."
The living room was simply yet practically furnished, with a few wooden chairs, a long table, and several medicinal herb diagrams hanging on the walls. In the corners stood several medicine cabinets labeled with the names of various herbs. After everyone was seated, Yang Wudi's wife brought tea, in which floated a few special leaves emitting a cool, refreshing aroma.
"This is my own blend of Mind-Soothing Tea," Yang Wudi explained. "It's made with mint leaves, chamomile, and a touch of calming blossoms. It soothes the mind and relieves fatigue."
Marco took a small sip and felt a wave of coolness travel from his throat down to his dantian, instantly refreshing his spirit. He couldn't help but praise, "Excellent tea! The proportions are just right—a little more would be too cooling, a little less would weaken the effect."
Yang Wudi looked at Marco in surprise. "Marco, you're knowledgeable about pharmacology too?"
Marco replied modestly, "I've just read a bit of miscellaneous knowledge in my spare time and only scratched the surface."
As the conversation continued, it naturally turned to the future development of the Breaking Clan. Li Zhaoyan asked with concern, "Brother Yang, has the clan's relocation gone smoothly? If there's anything you need help with, just say the word."
Yang Wudi smiled confidently, a glint of familial pride shining in his eyes. "Thank you for your concern, Zhaoyan. The basic arrangements are complete, and the medicine workshop has started operating. Our Breaking Clan may not excel in other areas, but when it comes to medicine-making and healing, we are unmatched on the continent! Here in Heaven Dou City, who would worry about our medicines not selling?"
His tone carried the unique pride and confidence of the Breaking Clan: "I'm not boasting, but the effects of our clan's medicines—whether for healing or detoxifying—are at least thirty percent stronger than ordinary medicines on the market! Many nobles and Soul Master families specifically request medicines from our Breaking Clan."
When it came to his area of expertise, Yang Wudi became increasingly animated: "The medicinal heritage of our Breaking Clan is mainly divided into two categories: healing and detoxification."
"In the healing category, we have 'Wound Healing Balm' for external injuries, 'Vitality Restoration Powder' for internal injuries, and 'Blood Clotting Paste' for stopping bleeding... Each of these has been refined and perfected over dozens of generations."
"The detoxification category includes 'Toxin Clearing Pill' for common poisons, 'Snake Toxin Clearing Powder' for snake venom, and 'Insect Toxin Solution' for insect toxins... These are all exclusive secret formulas of the Breaking Clan."
Growing more enthusiastic, he retrieved several porcelain bottles from the medicine cabinet and displayed them one by one: "Look at this 'Wound Healing Balm'—it's carefully formulated with over ten herbs like pseudoginseng, dragon's blood, and hyacinth orchid, offering excellent effects for stopping bleeding and promoting tissue regeneration. And this 'Toxin Clearing Pill' mainly uses coptis, honeysuckle, and andrographis to neutralize common toxins..."
Marco listened attentively, nodding from time to time. When Yang Wudi mentioned several special medicinal herbs, Marco's heart stirred as he recalled the names of some immortal-grade herbs from his past life memories. He couldn't help but interject, "Uncle Yang, I once saw some peculiar herb names in an ancient text, such as 'Faint Fragrance Kirin Immortal Grade', 'Love Longing Heartbreak Red', and 'Exquisite Velvet Sky-Piercing Chrysanthemum'. The book said these immortal-grade herbs possess incredible effects. Have you heard of them?"
The living room instantly fell silent, with everyone's gaze fixed on Marco. The porcelain vial in Yang Wudi's hand trembled slightly, nearly slipping from his grasp. His eyes blazed with intense light as he urgently asked, "What text? Where did you see it? Which herbs were mentioned?"
Marco hadn't expected Yang Wudi to react so strongly. After a moment's contemplation, he cautiously replied, "I can't remember exactly which text it was—just some miscellaneous book I happened to browse in my father's study as a child. It mentioned these names... but I'm not familiar with their specific properties and effects." Naturally, he wouldn't reveal that this knowledge came from his past life memories.
Clear disappointment flashed in Yang Wudi's eyes, but seeing everyone's curious expressions, he still explained, "These names... I've only seen fragmentary records of them in our clan's most ancient secret texts. They're said to be legendary immortal-grade herbs, each possessing miraculous effects that defy nature, but they've been extinct for over a thousand years..."
He took a deep breath, his voice filled with yearning and regret: "According to the secret texts, 'Faint Fragrance Kirin Immortal Grade' can neutralize all poisons, 'Love Longing Heartbreak Red' has the power to revive the dead, and 'Exquisite Velvet Sky-Piercing Chrysanthemum' can strengthen the physique and break through Meridian constraints... But these are just legends—no one has ever seen them with their own eyes."
Marco was inwardly astonished that this world's immortal-grade herbs so closely resembled those from his previous life. Suppressing his excitement, he maintained calm and said, "I see. Thank you for enlightening me, Uncle Yang."
These words, however, sparked an even greater interest in the Breaking Clan's pharmacological heritage within Marco. After pondering for a moment, he turned to his parents and made a solemn request: "Father, Mother, I wish to study pharmacology under Uncle Yang."
Seeing their hesitant expressions, he immediately added, "I know Soul Master cultivation is fundamental, and I promise you I won't neglect my training. Studying pharmacology can not only broaden my knowledge but might also help me find methods to assist my cultivation, allowing my Soul Power to advance faster."
Li Zhaoyan and Ye Wantang exchanged glances, both showing hesitation and consideration. Ye Wantang said softly, "Marco, pharmacological study requires significant time and energy. You're currently in the golden period of cultivation—if you divide your attention..."
"Don't worry, Mother," Marco said firmly. "I'll manage my time properly, focusing on cultivation with pharmacology as supplementary study. Moreover..." He looked toward Yang Wudi, "Uncle Yang is a master in this field. This is a rare opportunity."
Yang Wudi now spoke up, his tone appreciative: "Zhaoyan, Wantang, Marco has talent and shows high sensitivity to pharmacology. If he's willing to learn, I can impart all my lifetime knowledge to him. The Breaking Clan's pharmacological heritage also needs a suitable successor."
He looked at Marco, his eyes filled with anticipation: "If Marco is truly interested in pharmacology, I can start by teaching him the basics. It won't take up too much of his cultivation time. Perhaps... he might really achieve something in this field."
Li Zhaoyan pondered for a long while before finally nodding: "Since that's the case, let it be as you say. But remember your promise—his cultivation must not fall behind." He then turned to Yang Wudi, "Brother Yang, I'll have to trouble you with this. If Marco ever slacks off, feel free to discipline him strictly."
Yang Wudi laughed heartily: "Don't worry, I'll teach Marco as if he were my own disciple!"
Ye Lingling also spoke softly: "Brother, I'd like to learn some basic pharmacology too. Is that alright?" She looked at Yang Wudi, her eyes full of hope.
Yang Wudi smiled warmly: "Of course, Lingling. The Nine Heart Begonia is a healing-type Martial Soul, so learning pharmacology is especially fitting. I can teach you how to identify medicinal herbs and some basic formulas. It will also benefit the development of your Martial Soul."
And so, the matter was settled. From the next day onward, Marco and Ye Lingling would set aside one to two hours after their daily lessons to visit the Breaking Clan and learn pharmacology from Yang Wudi.
Marco quickly displayed a remarkable talent for pharmacology. Not only did he possess an extraordinary memory, allowing him to swiftly recall the properties and effects of various medicinal herbs, but he could also extrapolate and understand the principles behind different formulas. The more Yang Wudi taught him, the more pleasantly surprised he became, often exclaiming: "If Marco dedicates himself to pharmacology, his future achievements will surely surpass mine!"
True to his word, Marco never neglected his Soul Power cultivation while studying pharmacology. On the contrary, with the help of Yang Wudi's specially crafted auxiliary cultivation potions, his Soul Power improved even faster than before.
His training with the Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit and Armament Haki also progressed steadily. The shade of black representing "Hardening" grew increasingly solid, and its coverage expanded from initially two fingers to his entire palm.
During these turbulent times, Marco had found a unique path to strength. Learning pharmacology not only broadened his knowledge but also laid a solid foundation for his future growth. No one could have predicted just how crucial this knowledge would become in the days to come...