The bright purple-gold light dissipated, and Qian Yuelong, having withdrawn her martial soul, swept her gaze over the frost that had condensed on their bodies, and said gently, "You can open your eyes now."

Regardless of how much shock Qian Yuelong's soul ring caused Yu Yongsi, the four people who opened their eyes upon hearing the sound were also filled with doubt and surprise.

They knew that Qian Yuelong must have used a healing soul skill on them, but why did she make them close their eyes? The less you know, the longer you live.

This time, no one said it outright.

After looking down at his injuries with surprise, he bowed slightly to Qian Yuelong to adjust his breathing to speed up the recovery, or perhaps to help Lu Ming tidy up the remains of the knights who had protected them.

With a livid face, Yun Yi took a deep breath, stood next to Qian Yuelong, and lowered his voice, saying, "Holy Maiden, may I speak with you in private?"

Qian Yuelong nodded, and the two walked to a place not far from the camp. When the others who noticed this scene saw that it was Yun Yi following them, they immediately lowered their heads and went about their business.

As soon as the surroundings quieted down, Yun Yi couldn't hold back any longer and said with heartache, "Holy Maiden, what kind of soul beast is your third soul ring? How come it's a healing soul skill!"

You are a combat-type Soul Master!

She really felt her blood pressure skyrocketing.

Even if the Holy Maiden returns safely this time, she feels that Lord Chrysanthemum Douluo is probably still...

Qian Yuelong sighed, "It's just my third soul skill. It doesn't mean I'm switching to a healing-type. I'm still a control-type soul master. Besides, what we lack most right now is healing-type soul masters. I don't even know if Fang Yi's reinforcements will include any healing-type soul masters. If they do, it'll be a double insurance. Clay's fate is still unknown. As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, although your mission is to protect me, I also have a responsibility to protect your lives."

Yunyi felt a mix of emotions upon hearing this.

These Soul Masters who traveled in the gray areas had followed not only Qian Yuelong, but also the former Pope Qian Xunji.

Compared to the other important figures in the Spirit Hall, she felt that Qian Yuelong was simply an anomaly.

For no other reason than that she is too responsible.

It seems to show equal care and give opportunities to everyone, but it is equally decisive when necessary.

When faced with an attack from a more powerful enemy, other adults would naturally think that the best course of action is to flee.

As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. As for subordinates who died or got lost during the escape, they will only be sent to search for them when they are remembered later.

By the time they found their missing companions, the bodies were already cold, and it was generally assumed that these Soul Masters who went missing in battle were dead. Those who survived, even if barely clinging to life, would find their way back. Those who didn't return were most likely dead.

And what about the saintess?

She would even risk her life for those unimportant Soul Masters.

To be honest, Yunyi had very mixed feelings.

She looked at the willful little saintess, paused for two seconds, and then said, "But saintess, what about Lord Chrysanthemum Douluo?"

"I'll explain to the teacher. Besides, I didn't lose money on this trip," Qian Yuelong said meaningfully.

Yun Yi looked puzzled, but seeing that Qian Yuelong didn't intend to elaborate, she didn't press the matter further.

Back in the tent, Qian Yuelong sat cross-legged, rubbed the vine ring on her index finger, and poked at 886.

'Xiao Ba, open the growth task.'

Growth Task (5): A Third Blossom

Quest Description: Since we already have two Lotus Traitors, let's have one more. You will receive another "Lotus Traitor" upon reaching Soul Power level 30.

Task progress: 3/3 (Rewards pending)

Quest Rewards: Obtain the outfit "Fearless Journey" (from the C-grade set "Crimson Law"), +50 Faith Points.

It's really done.

Qian Yuelong paused in her stroking of the vine ring.

After absorbing the third Ice Frog's spirit ring, her spirit power level has now jumped to level 33.

Although this growth task has no time limit, it is in a way a time-limited task, stipulating that she must obtain another Lotus Traitor when she reaches level 30 Soul Power.

Exploiting loopholes, that's really something.

Qian Yuelong sighed inwardly.

886 was dumbfounded: 【This actually works?】

'Why not? I think it'll work perfectly.'

As she spoke, Qian Yuelong had a thought and accepted the reward for the fifth growth task. The content of the sixth growth task also appeared on the task panel, which made Qian Yuelong suddenly fall silent.

Growth Task (Six): A Budding Talent Shows Its Tip

Task Description: It's said that the tallest tree in the forest catches the most wind, and it's normal for a hundred flowers to bloom. Go find more outstanding individuals and gain their approval!

Task progress: 0/100 (To be completed)

Quest Rewards: Obtain Headwear "Dreamy Blossoms" (from the B-grade set "Jacaranda Weeping Branches"), +200 Faith Points

Qian Yuelong: 100 Xiuer? What does that mean?

Does "letting a hundred flowers bloom" mean she should start recruiting followers right now?!

But her Heavenly Evolution Technique is still stuck at the basic level, not even at the first level.

Qian Yuelong also started to feel a headache.

On one hand, there's the allure of a B-grade set and doubled faith points; on the other, there's the risk of being locked up in a dark room.

First of all, the fact that the task progress is at 0 is very unfriendly.

She had no idea what the criteria were for judging "outstanding" individuals in this task.

Talent? Cultivation? Ability? Or something else?

'Xiao Ba, can you find the evaluation criteria for this task?'

886 crying: [Sorry, host, I can't find this standard. You'll have to experiment on your own qaq]

Qian Yuelong: "."

She suspected that the main system was monitoring each host's situation in real time, and that it had become even more enigmatic towards her, who had just exploited a loophole in the text.

She opened her eyes and reached out to press her temples.

Seeing this, Yunyi was about to approach and ask with concern when she suddenly sensed several powerful auras rapidly approaching them.

"All personnel on alert!"

Yun Yi's aura changed drastically, and she became like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, revealing her full brilliance.

Awakened by Yun Yi's warning, everyone, including Qian Yuelong, went on high alert, guarding the area around the tents where the wounded lay and the remains of the fallen knights were placed.

"Whoosh whoosh-!"

Several figures surrounded by five rings leaped up, and looking around, there were as many as a hundred people, all of whom were five-ring Soul King powerhouses!

"Clang, clang!"

The sound of hard armor clashing against each other rang out, and one after another, Soul Master Knights clad in mithril armor and wearing silver feather helmets entered everyone's field of vision.

Among them were two or three Soul Emperors with six rings!

Some of them were in their Martial Soul Possession form, spreading their wings and soaring in mid-air; others were standing on the broad treetops; still others were on the ground. Their uniform mithril armor had a twelve-winged white feather pattern outlined in light gold on the chest.

"Bang!"

Just as everyone was in astonishment, there was another deep thud. Fang Yi, dressed in black, leaped out of the dense bushes and landed steadily in front of everyone. When he saw Qian Yuelong being protected by Yun Yi, who was looking on with a wary expression, his eyes lit up with an amazing light.

"Young Miss! I'm so glad you're alright!"

Qian Yuelong, finding the words extremely familiar, glanced subtly at Yun Yi, whose face was beaming with joy.

Are they really not siblings like Xie Yue and Hu Liena, who take their parents' surnames?

—A side note—

This chapter is also known as "The Useless System and Its Boss Host".

(End of this chapter)