Douluo Dalu/Soul Land's

Douluo Dalu/Soul Land's
Chapter 221



Chapter 221


Secret Light Seagod


(TL by Bagelson)


Born from the Speed Clan, what Bai Chenxiang did best was speed. But after stepping into the Light Seagod, his expression instantly changed. With just this one step, he already had the feeling of being unable to move. The tidal-like pressure expelled his body, and a golden mist began to rise under his feet.


No wonder, no wonder they would die after climbing several dozen steps. It seems that even ten steps would be very difficult for me. No, no way, I can't fall far behind. We are all the same age, why can't they do it, but I can't?


Clenching his teeth, Bai Chenxiang's eyes revealed a resolute light, and he started climbing.


Tang San looked at Bai Chenxiang painstakingly stabilizing his pace, and he revealed something from a grateful expression, I hope he can get a harvest here. '


Lifting up his right arm and slowly pouring his spiritual power inside, Tang San called out to Xiao Wu's soul who was sleeping on the right arm's spirit bone.


This was the first time he took the initiative to summon Xiao Wu's soul, before he had always been afraid that Xiao Wu's soul would hurt him, but this time was different. If he did not communicate effectively with Xiao Wu, then bringing his body up the mountain could easily cause irreparable damage.


The Blue Silver Emperor was released, Xiao Wu's soul that was asleep inside the spirit ring and spirit bone was slowly released under Tang San's guidance. Xiao Wu's limber body twitched faintly in his embrace, and his originally empty eyes shone with dazzling vigor.


"Ge——"


The soft cry deeply touched the softest part of Tang San's heart. Forcibly refusing to kiss her, Tang San said:


“Xiao Wu, we're already on Seagod Island. Can you feel everything that happened to us before? ”


Beyond Tang San's expectations, after Xiao Wu called out to him once, his expression suddenly changed, covered with a layer of cold ice. Releasing Tang San's arm, she turned her head and did not look at him.


Ever since Tang San and Xiao Wu met, this was the first time something like this had happened. Tang San was unwilling to be confused.


"Xiao Wu, what's wrong?"


Xiao Wu snorted, still without noticing Tang San, but directly walked towards the stone stairs. Clearly, even though his soul was hidden in Tang San's spirit ring and spirit bone, he was still aware of the outside world, and also understood the reason Tang San had called out to him.


Seeing Xiao Wu start climbing the stairs, Tang San scratched his head. Intelligent as he was, he still did not understand why Xiao Wu suddenly ignored him, and moreover looked extremely angry. The two of them had known each other for many years, and Xiao Wu had never been angry with him, where did this come from?


Not daring to be negligent, Tang San hurriedly chased after, following Xiao Wu up the stairs.


The second time he was immersed in the Light Seagod, Tang San felt different again. With the experience of the last time, he discovered that his body's ability to endure seemed to be somewhat improved. Especially the first few steps, even though the pressure was still there, it didn't feel so scary.


“Xiao Wu, don't ignore me! Whatisit? "


While Tang San climbed upstairs, he anxiously asked in a low voice despite the fact that speaking would affect the circulation of spirit power.


Xiao Wu was now already standing on the third step. After shooting sharply towards Tang San, Xiao Wu looked a little sullen, then continued climbing.


The golden fog filled the air, and as they rose, the pressure grew heavier. The Mysterious Heaven Skill within Tang San's body also began to circulate faster. Making him slightly astonished was that Xiao Wu's climbing speed was suddenly extremely fast, continuing to rise without the slightest hesitation. In a momentary job, the two chased after Bai Chenxiang.


Bai Chenxiang's movements had already become extremely slow. Standing at the fourteenth step, it was extremely difficult for him to step forward. His face was flushed red, his four spirit rings were constantly flashing. His body was slightly bent, as if looking for a gap in pressure. A layer of watery mist mixed with the golden fog of light swirling around him, it was clear he had already reached his limit.


This is the gap in his power. The physique, spirit, spirit power, spirit bones, all the parts added together formed an impassable gap between him and the Shrek Seven Devils. But he still did not give up, still clenched his teeth and lasted a long time.


Tang San suddenly recalled something, and when passing by Bai Chenxiang, he told her:


“Don't force it too hard, you really can't get back to the ring sea range by the Light Seagod. You have no trial light protection, so you will be targeted by the sea spirit beast within the sea ring. ”


What surprised Tang San was that after Bai Chenxiang continued to endure for a long time, he finally actually stepped onto the fifteenth step. But his body was already shaking and trembling. The charming face of deep red showed a joyous expression. Only he himself knew that he had already broken through the limits of his abilities with this one step. He clearly felt a spirit power that had not advanced for a long time suddenly break through, rising to the forty-sixth rank.


She did not force it any further, she did not dare to try it with Tang San's warning. Learning from the previous example, he slowly retreated back.


While Tang San was talking to Bai Chenxiang, Xiao Wu had already continued climbing, reaching the twentieth step. Tang San was surprised to learn that Xiao Wu's current climbing speed was actually a little faster than when he first entered the Light Seagod.


What the hell is going on? Could it be that Xiao Wu's strength had already surpassed his? No, it won't. Tang San still clearly remembered that when Xiao Wu sacrificed himself for him, his spirit power level was roughly between rank sixty-one and sixty-two. He had been unable to cultivate ever since, so how could he be stronger than him?


Accelerating, fusing his inner strength, Tang San chased after Xiao Wu. In front of the intense pressure from the Light Seagod, the spirit power he had optimally restored now began to quickly be consumed again. But this time Tang San had learned his lesson. In order to save spirit power, he used the Deathgod Domain and Blue Silver Domain when he stood at the twentieth step. It was really as he had expected, under the influence of the two great domains his pressure was drastically reduced, and rising from step twenty to thirty was obviously much faster than last time, and he naturally also consumed far less spirit power. Domains consumed spirit power and spiritual power, but due to being an innate domain they did not really consume much, at least much less than Seagod's Light caused.


Nevertheless, Tang San still only chased after Xiao Wu at the thirty-fifth step.


Xiao Wu's steps were also getting more and more difficult, each step was extremely slow. Tang San clearly remembered that when Dai Mubai ascended the first time, he had reached the thirty-fifth step. And now, Xiao Wu was already standing at the thirty-sixth rank.


What the hell is going on? Xiao Wu's strength had already surpassed Mubai? Tang San was inwardly alert, his control of spirit power loosened, and he immediately felt the pressure he was suffering from increase rapidly, his steps forward as well then slowed down. Fortunately it was still only at the thirty-fifth step, and he hurriedly set his mind, following Xiao Wu forward.


He could actually move a little faster than Xiao Wu now, but he still chose not to, just keeping by his side. He did not want Xiao Wu to have an accident. Following him, if something happened, he could react immediately.


What surprised Tang San was that, although Xiao Wu's progress was difficult and slow, he had already climbed forty steps.


This was his first climb, and he did not use any abilities either! How can it be like this? In fact, once the pressure reaches the limits that the human body can bear, even a single step forward is extremely difficult. Wasn't it impossible for Xiao Wu's body to become stronger than Dai Mubai?


Perplexed, Tang San wanted to warn Xiao Wu not to force him, but after reaching the fortieth step, the pressure he was experiencing was also immense, and he basically could not say a word to warn her, otherwise he would not be able to move forward .


However, the shock that Xiao Wu gave off was still not finished. His body started to twist slightly, as if changing from being unable to bear the pressure, but Tang San quickly discovered that this was not the case. Wiggling Xiao Wu kept to a steady rhythm, as if the pressure of the Light Seagod would pass through it with each twist, and he also kept the momentum to move forward.


Simultaneously, Xiao Wu's fair complexion began to glow golden red. Seeing this golden red color, Tang San immediately realized something. He understood how Xiao Wu could continue climbing the stairs with his steps.


That's right, Xiao Wu had sacrificed his soul for him, but his physical body also then ate two immortal grade herbs.


If the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng could be called just a medicine, then Red Heartning Hearted was of the best quality. Among the medicines Tang San brought from the Ice Well and Yin Yang Flame back then, this was the king of the most precious immortal class, Heart-Destroying Longing. After Xiao Wu obtained this potion and did not eat it because he was pitiful, it caused his spirit power to always be inferior to the others.


Then he sacrificed himself for Tang San, and on the verge of death, Tan San helped him eat this immortal grade herb, thus resurrecting Xiao Wu's physical body. After taking the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, other than its own effect on Xiao Wu, its greatest benefit was to fully reveal the medicinal effects of the Destructive Longing Desire within Xiao Wu's body. In the days since, the reason Xiao Wu was so sleepy was probably because she was absorbing medicine while sleeping. His spirit power not only grew, but it might even grow at a frightening rate, not even less than his. Those are two great immortal treasures! It even includes the Heartbroken Red of Desire which according to legend can help one cultivate the body without the impact of vajra. No wonder Xiao Wu had such endurance, and his spirit power had also clearly increased. This is the real reason.


The reddish golden light that floated out from his body should be the efficacy of Longing Desire. He simply did not know if his body had recovered the condition of the unbreakable vajra.


Figuring out the main details, Tang San was immediately overjoyed. Chasing next to Xiao Wu, the two continued advancing.


Xiao Wu's strange rhythmic writhing seemed to be very effective. Although it did not surpass Tang San's domain, it still strengthened his ability to bear the pressure far away. Ever since the Yearning Heartbroken Red tendon washes and improves the exchange of marrow, his body has equally achieved machine-like toughness. As he walked forward step by step, he slowly reached the fiftieth step.


Setting foot on the fiftieth step, Xiao Wu finally stopped, his face showing a somewhat painful expression. He did not continue forward, but started to retreat slowly. Tang San also did not try to advance, but instead poured his remaining spirit power into his two great domains, expanding the range to cover Xiao Wu, accompanying him down together.


With the support of Tang San's two large domains, Xiao Wu's knit eyebrows smoothed out. Glancing at Tang San, he quickened his pace. Soon, the two had reached the foot of the mountain.


Bai Chenxiang, his entire body drenched in sweat, had already sat to the side and started cultivating. As Tang San descended, he immediately supported Xiao Wu. Since he had yet to strike his limit this time, he still had a lot of spirit power left, and his condition was still quite good.


“Xiao Wu, what's up? Are you okay?"


Xiao Wu slowly shook his head,


"My body still hasn't reached its limit, but my soul can't accept it. If with your domain support, I think reaching the sixtieth step should not be a problem. Therefore, if you only carry my physical body, there is no need to think about my endurance before sixty steps. Actually, I might still be able to climb even higher. The Yearning Heartbroken Red's body transformation was shocking. When I examined myself just now, I could see my meridians, blood, bones, everything seemed to have turned into gold. They are not only solid, they are also very flexible. This may be related to my original soft skill development. ”


Tang San nodded, saying:


“Quick return to me. You really can't ruin your soul. ”


Although Xiao Wu was leaning against Tang San's shoulder, his eyes still lost their tenderness,


“So what if I'm broken? Are you going to worry about me? Then what about you? "


"I?"


Tang San looked disturbed. Seeing Xiao Wu get angry, he could not help his fear of silence.


Xiao Wu angrily said:


"Tang San, remember this, the next time you are in danger and forcefully block my soul, I won't care about you anymore. ”


Seeing Xiao Wu's eyes filled with displeasure, Tang San understood where his anger was coming from. That day when facing the final attack of the Inner Sea Demon Pope, in order to protect everyone, Tang San had prepared a suicide attack. Moreover, in order to keep Xiao Wu's soul unharmed, he forcefully kept his soul within the spirit circle and bones, not letting it out. Like this, even if Tang San died by himself, Xiao Wu's soul could still exist within the spirit bone, and there was still hope for his survival.


Seeing Xiao Wu's eyes filled with displeasure, Tang San understood where his anger was coming from. That day when facing the final attack of the Inner Sea Demon Pope, in order to protect everyone, Tang San had prepared a suicide attack. Moreover, in order to keep Xiao Wu's soul unharmed, he forcefully kept his soul within the spirit circle and bones, not letting it out. Like this, even if Tang San died by himself, Xiao Wu's soul could still exist within the spirit bone, and there was still hope for his survival.


"So you're angry about that ……"


Tang San wanted to explain, but no matter how intelligent he was, he currently did not know what to say.


Xiao Wu opened his mouth wide, and forcefully bit his shoulder, making Tang San grimace in pain.


“Ge, from now on let me out to climb the stairs with you every day. That feeling of pressure seemed to have a tempering effect on my body and soul. If I guessed correctly, after my soul got angry, it should have been able to join my body longer. I'll come back first. Don't forget what I said, humph, another mistake, and I will .... ”.


After the latter, his gaze finally became gentle, his moving expression almost attracting Tang San's soul as well. Amidst the red lights rushing out, Xiao Wu's supple body softened, his soul once again returning to the spirit ring and spirit bone in Tang San's body.


With Xiao Wu's soul back, Tang San was also unable to hold his breath slowly. He discovered that Xiao Wu who was angry at him had a greater impact than the Light Seagod at the fifty-fifth step.


At this time, Tang San heard deliberately holding back the laughter behind him. When he turned his head to look, other than Bai Chenxiang, his comrades had already woken up from cultivation, all looking at him with laughing expressions, not one of them without the meaning of schadenfreude.


The loudest laughs among them were Dai Mubai's three terrible companions, Oscar and Ma Hongjun.


Tang San who was a little angry from embarrassment said:


"What are you laughing at?"


Dai Mubai coughed once, and said:


“Little San, like this. Actually, being denounced was also a kind of happiness. We're all men, I understand you. ”


Tang San snap:


"In other words, are you very afraid of Zhuqing?"


Dai Mubai straightened his chest, saying:


"How am I? Will I be condemned? ”


As he spoke, he swept the hostile Hell Ferret that had already turned next to him with a glance, hurriedly adding, adding,


“We respect each other as husband and wife. ”


Oscar laughed loudly, saying:


“Alright, boss Dai, don't explain that. Every one of us, brothers know about you and Zhuqing. Merely, I just didn't expect little San who was always so tight to also have a weak side, haha, hahahaha. ”


"Little ao. ”


Tang San's expression suddenly calmed down.


Oscar seemed distracted for a moment,


Tang San simply squeezed his hand, letting out a bone cracking sound,


“Although you have a mirror clone sausage now and can use our abilities, you are still a Spirit Master's food system before, your combat power still needs to be improved. Come on, let me help you improve your combat experience properly. The pressure I can give you will definitely have a great benefit to your strength. ”


Looking at Tang San's esteemed appearance, the smile on Oscar's face instantly froze,


“Little San, don't be like this, you used your position to bluff here. Rongrong, save me. ”


As he spoke, he dodged behind Ning Rongrong at the speed of an invertebrate.


Yet unexpectedly, Ning Rongrong still nodded with deep consideration, saying:


“I feel third brother is right! Your actual combat abilities really need to be improved. ”


Oscar's eyes rolled, saying curiously:


"Then you can give me a boost, right?"


Before Ning Rongrong spoke up, Tang San had already said:


"He can . Coming ”


Oscar immediately jumped out from behind Ning Rongrong,


"Little San, then we'll start now. We will fight for three minutes. ”


Tang San glanced at him, though,


“Your impressive attitude was leaked even before the battle. Three minutes is enough. ”


Of course he saw what Oscar was thinking, this fellow had clearly seen him rise to the fiftieth step now, his spirit power was substantially reduced. And he himself also had the impetus of Ning Rongrong's Seven Tile Glossy Tile Pagoda, and considered himself confident of victory. However, just as Tang San had said, he was the previous Master Spirit's food system. How did his combat abilities compare to Tang San's?


Three minutes later …. . .


"Aaah ... Little San, I hate you, this is naked vengeance, abusing authority for personal vengeance ……"


Oscar's current performance is more sad than sorry. In the three-minute battle earlier, he instantly ate the mirror clone sausage with Tang San's blood, and even faster cloned himself. His original body used the spirit of the Blue Silver Emperor, while the clones used the Clear Sky Hammer, and Ning Rongrong's thrust also fell on the two simultaneously.


But even so, the result was still a miserable defeat.


The only thing that the clone mirror imitation could not replicate was the spirit bone ability. Tang San only used a very simple way to completely destroy the main body and the Oscar clone.


Teleportation plus the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track plus grappling skills, Tang San's martial arts were not within the range of spirit abilities, and certainly could not be cloned as well. Under the roaring wind and heavy rain from Tang San's indeterminate attack, Oscar only managed to fight at first by relying on the fourth spirit ability, then was instantly defeated.


Of course, Tang San would not attack him too hard, just forcefully throwing him a few times. The one thrown around Oscar felt his body going loose.


Seeing Oscar's unconvinced expression, Tang San grinned, saying:


"There's nothing to be done about it, the chickens are all powerful. ”


Oscar looked at Tang San helplessly. Crawling from the ground, he had a bitter expression:


“There really isn't the slightest gap, it seems like my actual combat experience won't cut it. Merely, the most important part is that the ability of your spirit bones is too abnormal. Teleportation is shameless! And that absolute defense too. Too abnormal. ”


Tang San said:


“Ability is one thing, people use it again. How about we go again, and I don't use teleportation or an invincible golden body? ”


Looking at the beautiful light in Tang San's eyes, Oscar shivered,


"Let it go, don't try to lure me. I won't give you a chance to bully me. We will talk after I train properly. My true combat experience really should be strengthened, otherwise, how am I going to protect Rongrong? ”


Tang San of course had the intention of using his position to take revenge, after all, when a man was called henpecked, and that was also true, he could not help but become a little angry from embarrassment. But at the same time he also wanted to warn Oscar, because of the food system, in order to show great strength in battle, he had to invest more effort in cultivation and battle.


"Fatty, what are you hiding for?"


Dai Mubai reached out, pulling Ma Hongjun from behind him.


Ma Hongjun smiled shyly, looking at Tang San:


"Third brother, I don't see anything right now. I don't need to fight. ”


As he spoke, he still saw Bai Chenxiang cultivating to the side, as if afraid that he would see his deflated appearance just now.


Seeing Fatty's cute expression, everyone couldn't help but laugh.


Tang San sat on the ground, saying:


“Who will fight with you? Don't you see me going down the mountain now? And against little Ao on top of that, my spirit power was cleansed. ”


Hearing this, Oscar instantly rose from the side,


“Fatty, this could be a rare opportunity for you to bully little San! Go, fight him. ”


Ma Hongjun immediately said with a righteous fury:


"Third brother, I'm not someone who causes trouble. See Little Ao really moves our relationship as brothers. If I were you, I couldn't stand it. Nevermind, a brother will help take care of you, I will give him some battle lessons later. ”


Oscar looked shocked at Fatty, though,


"Fuck me, Fatty, when did you become like a chicken? Still accusing others of causing trouble. ”


Ma Hongjun grinned, saying:


“Smart people know to stand with the strong. Of course I'm on the third brother's side. If you think third brother is really out of spirit power, how about you step up? If I end up like you, I'll be an idiot. ”


"You… . . . ”


"You… . . . ”


Oscar seemed to be speechless to Ma Hongjun. He raised his leg to kick it, but cleverly managed to be avoided by Fatty.


Helplessly, the problem had been defeated, Oscar threw two large recovery sausages at Tang San, coughing once, his face serious. By the way, he himself had a handsome appearance, as long as he did not smile he really did look like a real man,


“Do not be noisy. Come on, let's talk about everyone's experience climbing the stairs. ”


Everyone seemed to be laughing at Oscar changing the subject, but no one revealed it now. Tang San asked:


"How many steps did you all climb when I cultivated before?"


Oscar blushed, saying:


"I used a mirror clone sausage, and just managed twenty-seven. Fatty thirty, Rongrong was the saddest, only twenty steps before giving up. Zhuqing reached thirty-two steps. Speaking of which, Rongrong and I really got the worst of this Light Seagod. We were not originally considered a Spirit Masters combat system. Even if we don't lack spirit power, and our physical attributes grow slightly when we get the spirit ring, we are still too far behind you against Spirit Masters. This was especially demonstrated at the level of physical endurance and spirit support ability. Without the support of spirit abilities, we cannot move a single step. I'm still fine, I have a mirror clone sausage, but using your abilities is very difficult for Rongrong. His body was the weakest, even if he upgraded himself with the Seven Treasures Pagoda Tiles, he still could not turn his body strong. Moreover, he also had to climb much higher than us. One hundred and thirty-six steps, in just one year, maybe .... ”.


Now that Oscar no longer changed the subject, his worried eye expression was hard to hide.


Tang San had also not expected Ning Rongrong to actually only be able to climb twenty steps. Oscar was right, he and Ning Rongrong had special circumstances due to being Spirit Masters support systems. The amplification of their spirits on their bodies was far from as powerful as the battle Spirit Masters. Naturally climbing the stairs was also much heavier than the others.


“I have experienced the Seagod Light pressure twice in a row, so I felt some changes in it. It seems that these trials are very difficult for each of us to complete. However, there was also a gap in it. The trials given by Seagod will not be passable. If my calculations are correct, it is even now possible to help one person complete this trial. ”


Tang San's words immediately startled everyone, they did not understand where Tang San's confidence came from.


Tang San continued:


“When me and Xiao Wu climbed the stairs now, I used the domain power to help him down. My domain is just as effective for him. And in the previous experiment, I found that although the Light Seagod was formidable, it was unable to block additional spirit abilities and personal impulse spirit abilities. We do not take this ordeal every man for himself, do not forget that we are one. ”


Ning Rongrong said:


"Third brother, what do you think, if we focus our power on one person, then we can help him complete this trial?"


Tang San nodded, saying:


"Absolutely. Although not all of us have abilities that can help others, Little Ao's sausage, the Nine Pagoda Tiles Nine Treasures you support, my Deathgod and the Blue Silver Domain, are, they can still raise our friends. Especially someone like Dai Mubai who had three body strengthening abilities. Adding us three for support, I'm sure we can help him qualify. ”


Dai Mubai's evil eyes shone with light, crazily leaping from the ground,


“So so, then what are you waiting for, let's try now. ”


Tang San said:


“No, don't rush. Even though I am seventy percent sure we can help you graduate, we really can't do it now. Besides, not only can you not be the first one to pass, you should even be the last one, passing along with me. As for the exact order, I still need to think about it. ”


Ma Hongjun said:


“Third brother, why can't we help boss Dai pass the trial first? Aren't we going to be much more relaxed for everyone to pass through? "


Tang San glanced at him, lowering his voice:


“I don't want any of us to feel relaxed first. I've thought about it carefully, judging from how Seahorse Douluo sees you getting a black-level trial, this black-level trial is extremely difficult. Moreover, there is clearly a mission that is impossible for us to complete at this level. They gave each sea Spirit Master ten years to complete one trial, but we only had one year. However, will Seagod really give us an experiment that is impossible to complete? The answer is definitely no. As a result, in every test there must be some secrets that can help us pass. And this secret is exactly the same as our first test, traversing [1], Seagod's Light. ”


“Despite whether Seagod was a true god, when viewed from the state of this Seagod Island, he was definitely an existence with unimaginable power. Since it is like that, why would he give us the opportunity to deceive Seagod's Light? Since Seagod's Light can give us a test according to our abilities in the Seahorse Sacred Pillar, then it is impossible not to know we can help each other. What we can think, as gods, of course he will not ignore. Therefore, the hole here is actually a decoy for us. If we can't resist this bait, the second ordeal may be our death. ”


At this moment, even Dai Mubai could not understand, either,


"Little San, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"


Tang San smiled calmly, saying:


"No . Boss, let me finish. What I say is not at all superfluous, and I am even ninety percent sure I can prove it. Let me ask, before when cultivating after climbing, do you feel your cultivation speed increasing clearly, and your body also reacting? ”


Everyone nodded one after another, similar things happened to them as well.


Tang San said:


"Religion . The Seagod's Light gives us tremendous pressure, a pressure that will substantially deplete our spirit power. Under such pressure, our cultivation speed will give a doubling effect to half the work. At the same time, it will also continue to strengthen our body's ability to resist pressure. Then, after we finish the trial, will Seagod's Light still prevent us from ascending to Seagod's Hall? The answer is just as negative. In other words, as long as we finish the first trial, we will lose the pressure from Seagod's Light. Therefore I can tell everyone with certainty, the meaning of "overcoming, the Light of the Seagod" as the first trial does not bother us, but gives us the opportunity to increase our strength. Only as far as possible can we increase our power through Seagod lights in this first year will we have a chance to pass the test later. Therefore, not only are we unable to complete the trial beforehand, we still have to delay the completion until the last day. We have to maximize the benefits of Light Seagod. ”


Pa pa pa, just as everyone was contemplating Tang San's explanation, a sound of applause reached them. They did not know when, but that red silhouette appeared once again, only this time, he appeared on the stairs leading to the Seagod Hall.


Seagod Douluo Bo Saixi slowly walked over, her noble face filled with admiration. The applause came only from his hands that were as soft as garlic leaves.