Immortal Herb Secured, First Cracks Appear

The piercing alarm bells rang like funeral knells, instantly tearing apart the false prosperity of Glazed City's festival!

Deep within the treasury, Zhu Zhuqing darted through the thick black mist and suddenly blazing red light like a startled night owl! Behind her, the thunderous roar of violent spirit skills, the furious shouts of guards, and the hum of activated Soul Tools blended into a deadly cacophony, like death warrants chasing her down!

"Left! Go beneath the third shelf!" "Falling-rock trap above! Speed up!" "Turn right! Avoid the freezing rays!"

Yang Yu's cold, precise commands echoed continuously in Zhu Zhuqing's mind like the calmest possible guide. Her nerves were stretched to their limit, her Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Soul pushed to the extreme. Her body had nearly become a blurred black streak as she raced desperately through the complex terrain! Every turn and burst of speed narrowly avoided the spirit skills raining down behind her and the traps constantly dropping from above!

The Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade Marrow Box in her arms was icy to the touch, yet it seemed to burn hot enough to make her heart pound wildly! The Immortal Herb! She had it! But the price was total exposure!

"The exit is fifty meters ahead! Three Soul Kings are blocking the way! Charge through!" Yang Yu's voice carried an unquestionable decisiveness!

A fierce gleam flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes! The Third Spirit Ring beneath her feet lit up instantly! Netherworld Slash! Her speed surged again! She became a dark blade of light that tore through the black mist, charging straight toward the faintly visible side door of the treasury that was slowly closing ahead! Three Soul Kings dressed in Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect uniforms had already formed a defensive formation there, their spirit rings gleaming as their powerful Soul Power fluctuations merged together!

"Stop her!" the leading Soul King roared, throwing a punch. Violent fist force surged forth like raging waves!

The other two struck at the same time. A sharp sword light and a dense barrage of ice spikes sealed off every route of escape for Zhu Zhuqing!

There was no avoiding it! She could only force her way through!

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze was icy, without the slightest hint of retreat! Just as the attacks were about to strike her, a silver talisman in her arms suddenly lit up—the Void Talisman Fragment!

Buzz! The space around her body twisted slightly! The three violent attacks seemed to pass through an invisible membrane of water, their power instantly weakened and deflected slightly! But that was all! The remaining force still slammed viciously into her body!

Pfft! Zhu Zhuqing spat out a mouthful of blood, her delicate body shuddering violently. Yet borrowing the force of that impact, she became even faster! Like a fearless madwoman, she crashed straight through the gap in the three men's combined attack! Several bone-deep wounds instantly appeared on her shoulder and arm, blood streaming down her body!

But she succeeded! She burst through the side door and vanished into the more chaotic night and the shadows of the surrounding buildings!

"Chase her! She's seriously injured! She can't get far!" The three Soul Kings were shocked and enraged as they rushed after her!

However, the instant they charged out through the side door! Swish! Swish! Swish! Three tiny golden petals, nearly silent, swept across the night sky like deathly kisses from hell!

The three Soul Kings' bodies abruptly stiffened. A tiny bloody hole appeared between each of their brows at the same time, and the shock and fury in their eyes instantly froze. They fell straight backward, lifeless.

Yue Guan's bewitching figure emerged from the shadows like Gui Mei, a spotless golden petal still pinched between his fingertips. He glanced in the direction Zhu Zhuqing had disappeared, a faint curve appearing at the corner of his lips. "Tsk, tsk. That little wildcat runs fast."

With that, his figure melted back into the shadows, as if he had never appeared at all.

The festival's main venue had long since descended into chaos. The alarms and sounds of fighting from the treasury were clearly audible, and the terrified crowd scattered in every direction. Compared to this, the earlier explosion and unrest had been mere child's play.

The gentle smile on Ning Fengzhi's face had vanished completely, replaced by unprecedented fury and a livid expression! Someone had actually dared to break through layers of guards and invade the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's core treasury on the day of the festival?! This was an utter humiliation!

"Uncle Jian! Leave this place to you! Uncle Gu, come with me to the treasury!" Ning Fengzhi shouted sharply. No longer caring about appearances, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda around him shone brilliantly as his speed soared and he raced toward the treasury! Gu Rong stepped out of the void as well, following close behind!

Chen Xin stood atop the platform with the Seven Kill Sword in his arms like a god of slaughter. Cold sword intent blanketed the entire venue, suppressing the chaos, while his sharp gaze remained fixed on a certain direction—the place where Yang Yu's group of three had been standing earlier! Yet when he looked over, there was already no one there!

Yang Yu had already taken the pale, trembling Ning Rongrong and retreated amid the chaos to the shadow of a corridor pillar near the edge of the venue, where it was relatively quiet.

"Brother Yu... Sister Zhuqing..." Ning Rongrong's voice trembled with sobs as her little hand tightly clutched Yang Yu's sleeve. She could feel the terrifying commotion from the treasury, and her heart had risen to her throat.

"She got it." Yang Yu's voice was calm and unruffled, as though he were merely stating a fact.

Ning Rongrong's delicate body trembled as she abruptly looked up. Her sapphire-like eyes were filled with shock, lingering fear, and a trace of... uncontrollable excitement and ecstasy?! She got it?! The Aromatic Silk Beauty?! They had really succeeded?!

But in the next moment, boundless terror drowned her again. Such a huge disturbance had alerted her father, Grandpa Sword, and Grandpa Bone. Could Sister Zhuqing still escape? If she was caught... if she gave them away...

"Don't worry. She won't die." Yang Yu seemed to see through her thoughts and said indifferently, "Just do what you're supposed to do."

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached. Xiao Wu came running over, panting and looking panicked, her face still marked with soot. "Rongrong! Brother Yang Yu! Are you two okay? You scared me to death! I don't know what happened, but there was suddenly an explosion... It seems something happened at the treasury too..."

Her performance was flawless. The panic in her eyes did not seem fake, but the corner of her eye remained fixed on the treasury with an anxiety and longing she could not hide. She had successfully created chaos, but where was the Immortal Herb? Had Zhu Zhuqing succeeded?

When Ning Rongrong saw Xiao Wu, it was as if she had found a lifeline. Just as she was about to say something, Yang Yu stopped her with a look.

Yang Yu's gaze swept lightly over Xiao Wu. "We're fine. It isn't safe here. Let's return to our residence first."

With that, he took Ning Rongrong by the hand and turned to leave without the slightest hesitation. Xiao Wu stood frozen in place, watching their departing backs. In particular, when she saw Ning Rongrong's profile, panicked yet faintly carrying a strange excitement, unease and jealousy began gnawing at her like venomous snakes. They definitely know something! The Immortal Herb... could it already have...

At the back mountain, in the Nuoding Academy dormitories, Zhu Zhuqing staggered into her room like a blood-soaked figure and crashed heavily onto the floor. Her body was covered in crisscrossing wounds, the deepest nearly exposing bone, and blood had dyed her black combat outfit red. The searing pain and exhaustion of her Soul Power made her vision repeatedly darken.

Yet she gritted her teeth, using the last of her strength to pull out the insulated Soul Tool pouch from her arms and open it with trembling hands. The Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade Marrow Box was completely intact, and its icy touch slightly revived her spirits.

I succeeded... though the price was steep...

She struggled to sit cross-legged, attempting to circulate her power and heal her injuries. But her wounds were too severe and her Soul Power was in disarray. Another mouthful of blood surged into her throat.

At that moment, the door was pushed open. Yang Yu entered with Ning Rongrong.

"Sister Zhuqing!" Ning Rongrong cried out in alarm when she saw Zhu Zhuqing's miserable state, instinctively wanting to rush over.

But Yang Yu reached out and stopped her. He walked up to Zhu Zhuqing, crouched down, and calmly swept his gaze over the wounds covering her body without the slightest change in expression.

"The box." He held out his hand.

Zhu Zhuqing struggled to hand him the Cold Jade Marrow Box, a faint trace of barely noticeable anticipation in her cold eyes.

Yang Yu opened the box. In an instant, seven-colored radiance filled the room! An indescribable, refreshing fragrance spread through the air. Breathing it in invigorated the spirit, and even made one's Soul Power seem more active! Resting quietly in the center of the box was a tulip that seemed carved from seven-colored glazed tile. Its layered petals shimmered with flowing light, while specks of golden radiance were hidden in its stamen. It was breathtakingly beautiful!

The Aromatic Silk Beauty! An Immortal Grade Herb!

Ning Rongrong's and Xiao Wu's eyes instantly widened—Xiao Wu had secretly followed them over and was peeking through the doorway. Their breathing quickened! Xiao Wu in particular had an uncontrollable greed and longing erupt in her ruby-like eyes! That was it! The thing that could save her life!

Yang Yu carefully examined the Immortal Herb, then nodded. "It's real."

He closed the lid, and the strange fragrance instantly faded away. He looked at Zhu Zhuqing as emerald Power of Creation once again curled around his fingertips and touched the center of her brow. Gentle life energy flowed into her body, temporarily stabilizing her severe injuries. But fully recovering would not be easy.

"You did well." Yang Yu's voice remained flat, revealing no particular praise. "Rest."

With that, he picked up the jade box and turned to leave.

"Brother Yu!" Ning Rongrong could not help calling out, her eyes urgently fixed on the box in his hand. "That Immortal Herb..."

"What are you in such a hurry for?" Yang Yu did not look back. "Now that we have it, I have my own plans for how it will be distributed."

Ning Rongrong choked back her words. Looking at Yang Yu's departing back and then at the heavily wounded Zhu Zhuqing on the floor, the excitement on her small face faded slightly, replaced by a trace of unease and grievance. I was the one who provided the map and information... Sister Zhuqing risked her life to get it... why...

Xiao Wu, hiding outside the door, clenched her fists tightly enough for her nails to dig into her flesh! Yang Yu was taking the Immortal Herb away?! He had never intended to share it with them?! Then what had her and Zhu Zhuqing's risk been for?!

Jealousy, fury, fear... countless emotions instantly swallowed Xiao Wu whole! She abruptly turned around and ran back to her room like a wounded beast.

Inside the room, Zhu Zhuqing slowly closed her eyes and silently circulated her power to absorb that strand of Power of Creation. There was no expression on her pale face, as though she was neither surprised nor bothered by Yang Yu taking away the Immortal Herb. So long as her hidden injuries could be healed and she could gain power, she did not care about the process.

Ning Rongrong stood where she was, looking at the indifferent Yang Yu as he left and then at the silent Zhu Zhuqing healing herself. A chill suddenly rose in her heart. For the first time, she clearly felt that an invisible, icy wall seemed to stand between herself and them.

Nothing happened that night. The next day, the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remained under high alert. The news of the treasury theft was forcibly suppressed, but the atmosphere among the upper ranks was frighteningly grim. Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluos wore dark expressions, clearly having found nothing in their search.

Yang Yu acted as though nothing had happened, continuing to supervise Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's recovery training. Zhu Zhuqing's injuries were severe, but nourished by the energy of the Creation Lotus, she recovered at an astonishing speed. Her aura only became colder and more silent. Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, was distracted and repeatedly made mistakes during training.

Xiao Wu did not appear for the entire day.

It was not until evening that Yang Yu called Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing into his room.

He took out the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade Marrow Box and placed it on the table. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, who had just secretly slipped over and hidden beneath the window, instantly began breathing faster!

Yang Yu opened the box, and seven-colored light emerged once more. He carefully took out the Aromatic Silk Beauty.

Then, before Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu's disbelieving eyes, he reached out and gently broke off the smallest seven-colored petal, its color slightly dimmer than the rest.

He held out that single tiny petal to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Your contribution. You earned it." Yang Yu's voice was calm and flat. "This petal has the mildest medicinal properties. It is enough to begin repairing the cracks in your foundation and stabilize your realm. Take it directly. I'll help you refine the medicinal power."

At last, a ripple appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's cold eyes. Without any hesitation, she accepted the petal, placed it directly in her mouth, and sat down cross-legged.

Yang Yu pressed his palm against her back. Pure Soul Power flowed into her body, guiding the Immortal Herb's medicinal effects.

Ning Rongrong stared blankly at the scene. Looking at the Immortal Herb missing a small petal, then at Yang Yu, her small face instantly turned pale! Her body began trembling slightly.

Only... one petal? He gave it to Zhu Zhuqing? Then... what about me?

Beneath the window, Xiao Wu's pupils suddenly contracted! Her eyes instantly filled with endless fury and despair! One petal?! He only gave her one petal?! Then what about the rest?! Yang Yu, that liar! He never intended to give them anything!

Only then did Yang Yu seem to notice Ning Rongrong. He picked up the Immortal Herb missing a petal, glanced at it, and casually held it out toward her.

"Here. Take the rest and play with it for now. Once we return to the sect, have your father help you deal with it." His tone was as casual as if he were handing her an ordinary toy. He even yawned. "This thing's energy is too intense. Absorbing it now would just be a waste."

Boom! Ning Rongrong's mind instantly went blank! She stared at the Immortal Herb, still shimmering with flowing light despite missing a tiny petal, then at Yang Yu's careless expression that even carried a trace of impatience. An indescribable chill and grievance instantly shattered her mental defenses!

Take it and... play with it?! The energy is too intense?! A waste?! This is the sect's greatest treasure, the thing that can solve the flaw in my Martial Soul! I took an enormous risk and betrayed my family to help get this! But in Brother Yu's eyes... it's just... a toy he can casually give me to "play" with?! It's not even as important as the petal Zhu Zhuqing "earned"?!

The crushing disparity and humiliation of being looked down upon stabbed viciously into her heart like poisoned thorns!

She suddenly slapped the Immortal Herb from Yang Yu's outstretched hand. The seven-colored flower fell into the dust.

"Who wants your worthless thing!" Ning Rongrong screamed through tears, her sapphire-like eyes filled with tears and unwillingness. "I'll never speak to you again! Liar! You big liar!"

She glared fiercely at Yang Yu, then cast a resentful look at Zhu Zhuqing, who was absorbing the medicinal power. Then she turned and ran out crying.

Beneath the window, Xiao Wu stared at the perfectly intact Immortal Herb that Ning Rongrong had knocked to the ground. Extreme greed and madness erupted in her eyes!

An opportunity! My opportunity is here!

Inside the room, Yang Yu watched Ning Rongrong's retreating figure, then looked at the Immortal Herb stained with dust on the floor. A cold, profound curve slowly rose at the corner of his lips.

The crack had already been planted.