Immortal Herbs Bestowed: Martial Soul Transformation, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red Chooses Its Master

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. When Tang San appeared at the gates of Shrek Academy with Dugu Bo, everyone who had been waiting for days immediately surrounded them. Xiao Wu was the first to rush forward, her eyes reddening as she grabbed Tang San's arm. "Tang San, are you okay? Were you hurt?"

Seeing Xiao Wu's anxious expression, Tang San felt warmth in his heart and smiled as he shook his head. "I'm fine. Senior Dugu Bo merely sparred with me and helped me quite a bit." He stepped aside to reveal Dugu Bo behind him. The latter nodded to Yu Xiaogang and Flender, his tone unusually gentle. "This little fellow isn't bad. From now on, in Heaven Dou City, this old man will look after him." With that, he transformed into a streak of azure light and departed—after the poison transfer at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye, the backlash from the snake venom in his body had been more than half relieved. His attitude toward Tang San had also changed from initial testing to genuine approval.

Once Dugu Bo had left, Tang San immediately said to everyone with a serious expression, "Come with me. I have something important to give you." He led them through the academy's rear mountain to a secluded bamboo grove. The spiritual energy here was abundant, and it was difficult for others to discover. It was the perfect place to distribute the Immortal Grade Herbs.

"Tang San, what are you giving us? Why so mysterious?" Ma Hongjun could not help asking, his eyes full of curiosity. Tang San said nothing. He took more than a dozen jade boxes from his Soul Tool and arranged them neatly on a stone table. The moment they were opened, multicolored halos spilled forth, and a rich medicinal fragrance washed over them, making everyone instinctively take a deep breath.

"These are Immortal Grade Herbs I found at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye. Every one of them can reshape Soul Power, enhance Martial Souls, and even make up for flaws in a Martial Soul." Tang San pointed at the jade boxes and began distributing them one by one. "Listen to my arrangements. Each herb has different properties, and only by taking the right one can you achieve the greatest effect."

He first picked up the jade box containing the "Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid" and handed it to Oscar. "Oscar, this Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid can strengthen your foundation, nourish your vitality, enhance Spiritual Power, and improve the effects of your Food System Spirit Ability. It suits you best." Oscar accepted the jade box and stared at the snow-white petals inside, too excited to speak. Although his Martial Soul was powerful, it had always been limited by his Spiritual Power. This herb was practically tailor-made for him.

Next, Tang San picked up the "Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower" and walked toward Ma Hongjun. "Hongjun, your Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul has the flaw of Evil Fire backlash. This Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower is an Immortal Grade Herb of the fire attribute. It can purify the Evil Fire and allow your Martial Soul to complete its transformation." Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. Even his fingertips trembled slightly as he accepted the jade box—he had suffered over the Evil Fire problem for far too long, and now he finally had a chance to solve it completely.

Afterward, Tang San handed the "Aromatic Silk Beauty" to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, although the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is powerful, it is restricted by the saying, 'Seven Treasures Glazed Tile, nine-colored supreme.' This Aromatic Silk Beauty can break that limitation and allow your Martial Soul to evolve." Ning Rongrong cradled the jade box as tears instantly welled up in her eyes—she had known of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda's flaw since childhood. Now, she finally had the chance to become a true "nine-colored supreme."

When it was Zhu Zhuqing's turn, Tang San handed her the "Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone." "Zhuqing, this herb can enhance your speed and explosive power. It can also temper your physique and make your Nether Cat Spirit even stronger." Zhu Zhuqing nodded as she accepted it, a trace of gratitude appearing on her cool face—her Martial Soul excelled in speed, and this herb would allow her advantage to reach its fullest potential.

Finally, Tang San picked up the "Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum" and handed it to Dai Mubai. "Mu Bai, your White Tiger Spirit possesses tremendous strength but lacks resilience. This Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum can strengthen your physique, raise your Soul Power limit, and give your White Tiger Spirit even greater explosive power." Dai Mubai accepted the jade box and patted Tang San on the shoulder. "Thanks, brother!"

After distributing those, one final jade box remained on the stone table. Inside was the delicate and vivid "Lovesick Heartbreak Red." Everyone's gazes gathered upon it. Tang San picked up the jade box, his expression somewhat complicated. "This Lovesick Heartbreak Red is the finest among flowers. It can choose a master to serve. Not only can it strengthen the body, but it can also protect its master. However, plucking it and earning its recognition are extremely demanding—you must think of the one you love, be utterly sincere and devoted, and sprinkle your own blood upon its petals. The moment your heart is divided, it will not recognize you as its master."

He first walked over to Zhu Zhuqing and handed her the jade box. "Zhuqing, you and Mu Bai share deep feelings. Perhaps you can make it recognize you." Zhu Zhuqing accepted the box and tried to focus on Dai Mubai. She cut her fingertip, and a drop of blood fell onto the petals. Yet the petals merely trembled slightly, showing no sign of recognizing her as their master. Instead, they gradually lost a trace of their luster. Zhu Zhuqing shook her head helplessly and returned the jade box to Tang San. "It won't recognize me. Perhaps I still have concerns about my family in my heart. I'm not pure enough."

Tang San then carried the jade box over to Yu Xiaogang. "Master, you and Senior Liu Erlong have not seen each other for many years, yet your feelings run deep. Why don't you try?" Yu Xiaogang accepted the jade box and closed his eyes. Liu Erlong's figure appeared in his mind, and a drop of blood fell. But the Lovesick Heartbreak Red still showed no reaction. Its glow instead faded a little more. Yu Xiaogang sighed. "The affairs of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan still weigh on my heart. In the end, I'm not pure enough either."

After two consecutive failures, everyone was somewhat surprised. Tang San also frowned—he had thought this flower would easily recognize a master, but he had not expected the requirements to be so harsh. Just then, Xiao Wu stepped forward and said softly, "Tang San, let me try."

Tang San froze for a moment before handing the jade box to Xiao Wu, feeling inexplicably nervous. Xiao Wu accepted the jade box and gently opened it. As she looked at the Lovesick Heartbreak Red inside, her gaze became incomparably tender. She closed her eyes, and her mind filled with every moment she had shared with Tang San—from their first meeting at Nuoding Academy to fighting side by side at Shrek Academy, from Tang San combing her hair to shielding her from danger. Every scene was crystal clear.

She cut her fingertip, and a drop of blood fell onto the petals. In an instant, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red erupted with dazzling crimson light. Its petals trembled gently before slowly detaching from the stem and drifting into Xiao Wu's palm. Then the red light receded, and the petals became even more radiant, as though they had come alive.

"It recognized her! It recognized Xiao Wu as its master!" Ning Rongrong shouted excitedly, and everyone revealed shocked expressions. Tang San looked at the Lovesick Heartbreak Red in Xiao Wu's palm, and his heart abruptly sank—he had always liked Xiao Wu and had thought she felt the same. Yet the Lovesick Heartbreak Red required one to think of the person they loved in order to recognize a master. Since Xiao Wu had succeeded, did that mean she loved someone else?

He forcibly suppressed the disappointment in his heart and managed a smile. "That's wonderful, Xiao Wu. This Lovesick Heartbreak Red has finally found its master." Yet Xiao Wu did not notice anything unusual about him. She simply looked happily at the flower in her palm. "It's so beautiful. It feels so warm."

Next, following Tang San's instructions, everyone consumed their corresponding Immortal Grade Herbs. After Oscar consumed the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, a faint white halo emerged around him. His Soul Power rapidly soared from Level 30 all the way to Level 37, while his Spiritual Power became extraordinarily sharp. He could even sense the surrounding Spirit Power Fluctuation in advance. After Ma Hongjun swallowed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, scorching flames erupted from within him. The Evil Fire was instantly purified, and his Martial Soul was reshaped amid the flames. The original Evil Fire Phoenix became a golden phoenix. His Soul Power soared from Level 30 to Level 39, and the flaw of Evil Fire backlash vanished completely. After Ning Rongrong consumed the Aromatic Silk Beauty, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda rose from her palm. The pagoda's body continuously extended, and two additional levels appeared beyond the seventh, transforming it into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Her Soul Power broke through from Level 34 to Level 38. Its former limitation was completely shattered, and she became a true "nine-colored supreme." After Zhu Zhuqing consumed the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, a faint blue halo appeared around her. Her speed and explosive power increased dramatically, and her Soul Power soared from Level 28 to Level 35. Her Nether Cat Spirit became even more agile. After Dai Mubai swallowed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the White Tiger Spirit erupted with golden light. His physique became exceptionally powerful, and his Soul Power broke through from Level 35 to Level 39. Both his strength and resilience reached new heights. Although Xiao Wu did not consume any other herbs, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red in her palm emitted a warm glow. It not only tempered her physique but also raised her Soul Power from Level 32 to Level 36, while her Soft Bone Charm Rabbit Martial Soul became even purer.

When everyone had finished absorbing the power of the Immortal Grade Herbs, intense Spirit Power Fluctuations filled the bamboo grove, and each person's aura underwent a qualitative leap. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had reached Level 39, only one step away from becoming Soul Elders. Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda had become one of the continent's most exceptional support Martial Souls. The effects of Oscar's Food System Spirit Ability had also increased greatly, making him an even more reliable pillar for the team.

Tang San watched everyone's transformations, feeling both gratified and somewhat dejected—everyone had grown stronger, but who exactly was the person Xiao Wu loved? He looked at the Lovesick Heartbreak Red in Xiao Wu's palm, a flower that would never wilt, and silently sighed before burying his disappointment deep in his heart. "All right, everyone has broken through. Next, we need to hurry up and train for the Elite Competition!"

Everyone answered in unison, their eyes full of fighting spirit. Only Xiao Wu tilted her head in confusion as she watched Tang San's slightly lonely back. "Tang San, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Tang San hurriedly shook his head. "It's nothing. Maybe I'm just a little tired from protecting everyone while they absorbed the herbs. I'll be fine after some rest."

Under the setting sun, the Soul Power light in the bamboo grove gradually faded. Shrek's Eight Monsters had achieved an unprecedented leap in strength. They did not know that this gift of Immortal Grade Herbs had not only given them better odds in the Elite Competition, but had also brought a subtle turning point to the budding feelings between Tang San and Xiao Wu. And that Lovesick Heartbreak Red would become an important force protecting Xiao Wu in the days to come, bearing witness to the bond between the two that transcended life and death.