"Can you tell me the name of that immortal herb?" Ning Tian stared deeply at Lin Yun, her voice filled with intense hope and longing.
"Of course, it's called the Qiluo Yujin Xiang," Lin Yun replied with a light laugh, naming the herb Xiao Xiao had taken.
Crack—
Ning Tian froze.
Qiluo Yujin Xiang… Qiluo Yujin Xiang!
"Why… why…" Ning Tian slumped weakly onto the stool, her expression completely despondent.
Immortal herbs were unique treasures of heaven and earth, with only one of each kind appearing in an era. Once consumed, another of the same kind would require an extremely long time to regrow.
Since Xiao Xiao had already taken the only Qiluo Yujin Xiang, the Nine Treasures realm—once within reach—had now shattered like a fleeting illusion, leaving no possibility of attainment.
At this moment, Ning Tian was overwhelmed with regret. Pain and self-reproach filled her heart. She hated herself—why had she clung to her status as the young mistress of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect? Why had she been too proud to stick to Lin Yun's side every day like Xiao Xiao?
In terms of looks or background, she was no worse than Xiao Xiao. But it was her arrogance that had made her believe she could win Lin Yun over through her own merits alone, rather than offering genuine affection like Xiao Xiao had.
Ning Tian asked herself—what separated her from Xiao Xiao was nothing more than that insignificant little thing called sincerity!
Yet, because of that one misjudgment, she, the young noble lady, had lost utterly, like a defeated dog!
Unspeakable regret tormented Ning Tian, nearly driving her to emotional collapse. Had she known earlier that Lin Yun possessed the Qiluo Yujin Xiang, she wouldn't have hesitated for even a second—even if it meant abandoning her dignity and everything else.
But… she had no chance now!
The pain… it was too much!
Looking at Xiao Xiao, who had clearly undergone a complete transformation, Ning Tian didn't even need to ask to guess the immense benefits she had gained. A martial soul evolution was guaranteed, an improvement in innate talent was undeniable, and she might even have the potential to become a god, following in the footsteps of the legendary Seven Monsters from ten thousand years ago.
Ning Tian… was jealous!
Ning Tian's rapidly shifting expressions and nearly frenzied gaze frightened the little loli Xiao Xiao, who shrank back and hid in Lin Yun's embrace.
For soul masters of the Douluo Continent, the legend of the Seven Monsters' ascension to godhood was common knowledge. Xiao Xiao also knew the significance of the Qiluo Yujin Xiang for the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda—it could help its users break through their limits, evolving their martial soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
When she had taken the immortal herb, Xiao Xiao had thought only of the fact that Lin Yun had given it to her. No matter how much it might benefit Ning Tian, it had nothing to do with her.
This was Lin Yun's gift to her.
But now, faced with Ning Tian's near-madness, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but feel uneasy.
She regretted it too. If she had just refused to answer Ning Tian's question earlier, things might not have escalated. The competitive streak between young girls had made her a little too smug. Though she had pretended to defer to Lin Yun's opinion, deep down, she had wanted to flaunt this in front of Ning Tian—her rival in love.
But… it seemed she had gone too far.
She had underestimated Ning Tian's obsession with the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, and she had underestimated just how desperately a Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda soul master would crave the Qiluo Yujin Xiang.
If it weren't for the fact that immortal herbs couldn't be extracted once consumed—if this were some other world—Ning Tian might have even risked offending Lin Yun by ordering a Titled Douluo from her sect to capture Xiao Xiao and refine her into a human pill to extract the herb's medicinal properties.
As for Lin Yun?
His expression remained indifferent as he watched Ning Tian's shifting emotions. He wrapped an arm around Xiao Xiao's shoulders, pulling her closer into his embrace, his gaze cold as it settled on Ning Tian.
Lin Yun's actions shattered the dark thoughts rising in Ning Tian's heart. Someone who could possess an immortal herb like the Qiluo Yujin Xiang and casually gift it to a romantic partner like Xiao Xiao—this proved that Lin Yun's status within his sect was undoubtedly extremely high.
It was impossible that he didn't have protectors watching over him.
Even if Ning Tian wanted to do something, she wouldn't be able to.
"My apologies, I lost my composure." Ning Tian forced a bitter smile, standing up and bowing deeply to Lin Yun and Xiao Xiao. "You both know how important the Qiluo Yujin Xiang is to us Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda soul masters. My temperament is still lacking—I've made a fool of myself in front of you."
After all, she was the young mistress of the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect. Ning Tian's upbringing allowed her to quickly regain her composure, no matter how jealous or disappointed she felt.
Her attitude made Lin Yun regard her in a slightly better light.
If this had been someone brainwashed by Shrek Academy, they probably would've immediately decided that since you had an immortal herb but refused to give it to them, you deserved death.
(Ahem, looking at you, Elder Xuan and Yan Shaoze.)
Thinking this, Lin Yun propped his chin on his hand, studying Ning Tian's fragile, tearful appearance with interest. His mind began to stir.
If Ning Tian had been some brain-dead liability, Lin Yun wouldn't have bothered with her. But she was different—intelligent, capable of rational judgment, untainted by Shrek's indoctrination, and not even obsessed with worshipping Ning Rongrong. All she wanted was to break through to the Nine Treasures realm.
It's fine if you have desires—what's dangerous is if you have none at all!
Helping Ning Tian evolve her Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, then using that to bring the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect under his control, might prove to be a valuable asset in the future!
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda's inability to reach the Nine Treasures level is due to an innate flaw. Any immortal herb that can replenish innate essence can achieve the evolution—it doesn't have to be the Qiluo Yujin Xiang," Lin Yun mused aloud after a moment.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well didn't contain only the Qiluo Yujin Xiang as an immortal herb capable of absorbing "sun and moon essence." The so-called sun and moon essence was, in truth, the scattered divine power of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings.
Aside from extreme ice- and fire-aligned herbs like the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Scorching Sunflame Blossom, there were plenty of neutral-effect immortal herbs.
They just weren't as high-quality as the Qiluo Yujin Xiang. Still, under Tang San's careful nurturing, the "livestock" in the well were quite well-fed. At the very least, helping Ning Tian evolve her martial soul wouldn't be a problem.
Lin Yun recalled one particular immortal herb called the "Blackgold Profound Lotus." Its medicinal properties were similar to the Qiluo Yujin Xiang. Though it hadn't reached the hundred-thousand-year soul beast level, it was at least ten thousand years old.
If Ning Tian was smart enough, Lin Yun wouldn't mind giving her a hand. When he eventually stormed the Divine Realm, he'd love to see the look on Ning Rongrong's face.
Just thinking about it… he couldn't wait!
Lin Yun's words reignited hope in Ning Tian, who had already resigned herself to despair.
As for Wu Feng, who had been silent the entire time, she felt like she didn't belong here—she should've been under the table instead.
(End of Chapter)
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