Immortal Herb

"That red one is the Infernal Delicate Apricot, and that white one is the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. They need to be used together and can greatly increase resistance to both ice and fire attributes."

"And that one..."

He introduced them one by one, leaving Dugu Bo dumbfounded.

"These... these are actually all immortal-grade herbs?" Dugu Bo murmured.

"I've been here for decades, yet I never knew..."

Gu Ci smiled but said nothing more.

He walked over to a medicinal herb. It was entirely jade-green, shaped like an orchid, and gave off a faint glow.

His Heavenly Eye told him that it was Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma. Though it was not among the very finest immortal herbs, it was the most suitable one for him and Dugu Yan right now.

"Grandpa Dugu, Yanyan and I can take this Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma first."

Gu Ci said, "It can gently raise Soul Power and improve one's physique without any danger. Once we adapt to its medicinal effects, we can consider the others."

Dugu Bo nodded, then asked, "What about that twenty-thousand-year Whale Rubber?"

Gu Ci looked toward the scarlet herb and the snow-white herb by the pool.

"After Yanyan and I finish taking the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma and our bodies become stronger, we can use the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass to neutralize the medicinal effects of the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber."

"Then we should be able to absorb it safely."

Dugu Bo took a deep breath. His gaze at Gu Ci carried a few more complicated emotions.

This child not only possessed astonishing talent, but also such knowledge. He truly was a lucky star bestowed upon the Gu Family by heaven.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

Dugu Yan had long since run out of patience. She tugged at Gu Ci's sleeve and shook it. "Brother Gu Ci, let's hurry up and begin!"

Gu Ci smiled and rubbed her head. "All right, let's begin."

He walked over to the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma and carefully plucked it.

His Heavenly Eye opened as he carefully observed the flow of energy within the immortal herb.

After confirming that there was no problem, he split the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma in half and handed one half to Dugu Yan.

"Yanyan, eat it directly, then sit cross-legged and refine its medicinal power. I'll stand guard beside you. Tell me immediately if anything feels wrong."

Dugu Yan took that half of the immortal herb and stuffed it into her mouth without hesitation.

Gu Ci also swallowed his own half and sat down cross-legged.

The medicinal power soon spread out. A gentle energy rose from his abdomen and slowly flowed through his entire body.

It was not scorching like Whale Rubber, but comfortably warm and soothing, as though his whole body had been immersed in a hot spring and every pore was opening.

Gu Ci circulated his Soul Power, guiding the medicinal energy into his meridians, muscles, and bones.

Time slowly passed.

Who knew how long it had been before Gu Ci opened his eyes.

A flicker of delight flashed through his gaze.

His physique had strengthened further, and his meridians had widened considerably as well.

When he turned his head, Dugu Yan had also just opened her eyes.

The little girl's face was full of excitement. She jumped to her feet and cried, "Brother Gu Ci, I've broken through to Rank Ten! I can absorb a Soul Ring now!"

Gu Ci smiled and nodded.

Just then, something stirred in his heart.

His Heavenly Eye opened on its own and looked toward the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

Vague images faintly surfaced in his mind.

A woman in white stood atop a snow-capped mountain...

The image vanished in an instant, but Gu Ci froze.

This immortal herb seemed to be calling to him.

Gu Ci stared at the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, while the Heavenly Eye between his brows remained open unconsciously.

He could clearly see a faint halo surrounding the immortal herb. That halo was not an energy fluctuation, but something far more mysterious.

Under the gaze of his Heavenly Eye, he could even vaguely sense the immortal herb's emotions—loneliness, longing, and a persistent wait.

"What? Is there something wrong with this one?"

Noticing his odd behavior, Dugu Bo walked over and asked.

Gu Ci shook his head, then nodded. "This one is called Lovesick Heartbreak Red. It is the most precious of all the immortal herbs here, and also the hardest to pick."

"Oh?" Dugu Bo became interested. "How is it difficult?"

Recalling the description from the original work, Gu Ci slowly said, "Legend has it that only someone truly devoted and sincere, with no desires or demands in their heart save for the one they love, can pick it."

"When picking it, one cannot have the slightest distracting thought. Otherwise, it will wither immediately."

Dugu Bo paused, then laughed. "Those are rather harsh conditions."

"At my age, my heart is filled with Yanyan's poison and cultivation matters. I definitely won't do."

He looked at Gu Ci with a hint of expectation in his eyes. "You could give it a try. What distracting thoughts could a six-year-old child possibly have?"

Gu Ci gave a bitter smile.

He had lived two lives, and there were far too many things hidden in his heart. How could he possibly be free of desire and demands?

What was more, he wanted this immortal herb precisely because he had something to gain from it.

"I'm afraid I can't either." Gu Ci shook his head. "We'll talk about it later."

He withdrew his gaze and looked once more at the immortal herbs around him.

With the aid of the Heavenly Eye, he quickly sorted the immortal herbs in the valley into categories.

Aside from those few top-grade immortal herbs, there were also quite a few ancient spirit herbs. Though they could not compare to immortal herbs, they were still rare treasures.

"Grandpa Dugu, can I pick these immortal herbs?" Gu Ci asked.

Dugu Bo generously waved a hand. "Pick as many as you like. I've been here for decades, and aside from occasionally using them to make poisons, I've barely touched them."

"If you can make use of them, that would be best."

Gu Ci nodded and began.

He first plucked the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and carefully placed it in a jade box.

This immortal herb was most suitable for an assault-type Soul Master. He could give it to his father in the future.

For his mother, he chose Moonlight Grass. Similar to Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, it could greatly enhance spiritual power.

Then there was an Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Its medicinal nature was mild and rich, making it the most suitable immortal herb for consolidating one's foundation.

He could give this one to Dugu Yan and help her build a solid foundation.

There was also Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew...

Gu Ci picked them one by one. Every time he picked one, he used his Heavenly Eye to confirm its medicinal properties and ensure there could be no mistake.

Dugu Bo watched from the side, utterly dumbfounded.

This boy did not look like he was gathering medicinal herbs at all. He looked as if he were picking vegetables from his own backyard—he recognized every single plant and knew the use of every single one.

"Brother Gu Ci, this one is so pretty!"

Dugu Yan pointed at an entirely fiery-red immortal herb shaped like a phoenix and cried out.

Gu Ci took one look. It was the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.

"This one is suitable for Soul Masters with Fire Attribute Martial Souls."

He smiled. "Although your Jade Scale Snake is not fire-attributed, if you find a Fire Attribute Soul Spirit in the future, you can use it to strengthen it."

Dugu Yan nodded, seeming to understand only part of it.

An hour later, Gu Ci had stored away all the immortal herbs that could be picked.

He deliberately left behind some of the younger ones so they could continue growing.

At last, his gaze fell upon the Lovesick Heartbreak Red once again.

After hesitating for a moment, he still walked over.

Squatting down, Gu Ci stretched out his hand but did not touch it.

His Heavenly Eye opened as he carefully examined the immortal herb.

Suddenly, his consciousness blurred.

Before him was no longer the Ice and Fire Dual Pools, but a world of endless white.

At the peak of a snow mountain, a woman in white stood with her back to him. Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, and her robes fluttered in the wind. She stood there as though she had already waited for thousands upon thousands of years.

"You're here."