Consider it your betrothal gift to her

Yue Guan had no heart left to bicker with him at this moment; his entire focus was captivated by the immortal herbs on the table.

Suddenly, his movements froze abruptly.

His gaze was locked firmly onto a magnificent, large chrysanthemum in the center of the table.

Every petal of that chrysanthemum was fuzzy, and the stamen in the center stood tall, its tip shimmering with a faint golden luster.

"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum!"

Yue Guan's lips trembled. He could feel his own Martial Soul, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, cheering wildly within his body!

It was a resonance originating from the deepest depths of his bloodline and soul!

It was a Martial Soul encountering its true primordial divine object!

He turned his head sharply to look at Qin Yao, and for the first time, an expression bordering on pleading appeared in those peach-blossom eyes.

"Your... Your Highness..."

Qin Yao watched him in this state without speaking, simply listening quietly as he continued to identify them.

Yue Guan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the agitation in his heart, and named the remaining immortal herbs one by one.

He finally stated the names and effects of the remaining herbs, and with each one he mentioned, the hearts of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan beside him trembled a little more.

Qin Yao listened quietly, mapping the effects of these immortal herbs against his own plans.

The Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul of the Great Elder Qian Daoliu belonged to the holy light attribute, so that "Holy Bright Heart-Cleansing Grass," capable of condensing the origin power of light, was just right.

The Second Elder Golden Crocodile Douluo's Martial Soul, the Golden Crocodile King, followed the path of extreme strength and defense; that "Earth Dragon Golden Melon," shaped like a giant dragon and containing earth-element essence, could greatly enhance his physical body.

For the Third Elder Azure Luan Douluo and the Fifth Elder Light Feather Douluo, the "Vein-Solidifying Spirit Ginseng" and the "Clear Essence Spirit Sunflower"—one to nourish the meridians and the other to clear the mind and focus the spirit—could both help them stabilize their cultivation.

As for the Sixth Elder Thousand Jun and the Seventh Elder Falling Devil, they were twin brothers with the Coiled Dragon Staff Martial Soul and shared the same origin of cultivation techniques; that "Ten-Thousand-Year Coiled Dragon Fruit," which could be split between the two, was practically tailor-made for them.

Qin Yao had a plan in mind.

He waved his hand, and the dozen or so treasure-radiating immortal items on the table vanished instantly, all collected into his storage Soul Tool.

The rich fragrance that had filled the entire hall suddenly vanished.

The only thing left was the "Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum" that haunted Yue Guan's dreams.

Yue Guan's heart stopped along with the disappearance of those herbs, only to begin pounding wildly because of this single remaining chrysanthemum.

Dugu Bo watched from the side, arms crossed, chuckling to himself; he didn't speak, just waited to watch the show.

"Elder Yue Guan."

Qin Yao finally spoke, his voice flat and ripple-free.

"Your Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Elder Gui Mei, the Two-Pole Stasis Domain, is very useful."

These words left Yue Guan stunned.

He had not expected the first thing the Holy Son would say was an evaluation of his strength.

"Thank you for the praise, Your Highness."

"What I want is not an elder of the Pope Palace, but a follower of me, Qin Yao."

Qin Yao tapped his fingers lightly on the table, producing a crisp sound.

"Pledge your loyalty to me, and to the Worship Hall. This Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum shall be yours."

As these words fell, Yue Guan's expression instantly became complex.

Pledge loyalty to the Holy Son, to the Worship Hall.

Was this not clearly asking him to defect from the camp of the Pope to the side of the Worship Hall?

The status Yue Guan held in the Martial Soul Hall today relied not only on the previous Pope, Qian Xunji, but also on the current Pope, Bibi Dong.

Yet, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum before him was the origin of his Martial Soul; it was the immortal herb he had dreamed of, the one that could allow him to break his shackles and charge toward a higher realm!

Should he pledge loyalty? It was such a difficult choice!

Seeing his conflicted state, Dugu Bo could not help but speak up, his tone filled with the superiority of someone who had been through it all.

"I say, Chrysanthemum Guan, what are you still hesitating about?"

"The Pope has treated you well, but can she give you this?"

Dugu Bo pointed at the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum on the table, then patted his own chest.

"Look at me, how long have I been following the Holy Son? Not only are my chronic poison injuries gone, but my soul power has also broken through to level ninety-two!"

"Look at yourself, how many years have you been stuck at level ninety-five?"

"Besides, whether it is the Pope Palace or the Worship Hall, we are all people of the Martial Soul Hall."

Every word of Dugu Bo's pierced Yue Guan's heart.

It was true; he had been stuck at level ninety-five for too long. And regardless of the Pope Palace or the Worship Hall, they were all people of the Martial Soul Hall.

That was also a fact.

Qin Yao did not apply any more pressure, choosing instead to stand up directly.

"Elder Yue Guan, you only have one chance. Think it over carefully."

After saying this, he also gathered up the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum from the table.

"Once you've made up your mind, come find me at the Worship Hall."

With those words, Qin Yao turned and walked out of the courtyard, leaving Yue Guan standing there alone, his expression shifting uncertainly.

Worship Hall.

When Qin Yao stepped into the great hall, the five Elders were already waiting there.

"Good lad! You've finally returned!"

Qin Xiong's booming voice was the first to ring out. He lunged forward in a single stride, his fan-sized palm aiming to slap Qin Yao on the shoulder.

"Grandfather, take it easy." Qin Yao dodged to the side.

"Hahaha!" Qin Xiong didn't mind, laughing heartily, "Your Second Grandfather and the others have been waiting impatiently."

Golden Crocodile Douluo, with his massive frame, sat below the main seat. He merely snorted at these words, but his crocodile-like eyes clearly betrayed a hint of eagerness.

The brothers Thousand Jun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo also watched Qin Yao with burning gazes.

"Grandfathers, I have kept you waiting."

Qin Yao didn't beat around the bush and took out the immortal herbs he had allocated one by one.

"Second Grandfather, this item is called the Earth Dragon Golden Melon; it is the most suitable for your martial soul."

"Third Grandfather, this is the Vein-Solidifying Spirit Ginseng."

"Fifth Grandfather, the Clear Essence Spirit Sunflower."

"Sixth Grandfather, Seventh Grandfather, this Ten-Thousand-Year Coiled Dragon Fruit is just right for the two of you to split."

As each immortal herb was distributed, the entire Worship Hall became immersed in a frenzy of joy.

The several Title Douluo cradled their respective immortal herbs, feeling the surging energy within them, their faces beaming with delight.

"Good lad! You didn't forget us two old fellows!" Thousand Jun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo held the Coiled Dragon Fruit, unable to stop grinning.

Finally, Qin Yao cradled the Holy Bright Heart-Cleansing Grass, which radiated a soft white light, and walked before the Great Elder, Qian Daoliu.

"Great Grandfather, this item can cleanse the soul and temper the body, condensing the origin of light. It will be of great benefit to your Seraphim martial soul."

The great hall fell silent instantly, and everyone's gaze focused on Qian Daoliu.

Qian Daoliu looked at the immortal herb, a trace of approval flashing in his ink-gold eyes.

He reached out, lightly touched the leaves of the Holy Bright Heart-Cleansing Grass, and then withdrew his hand.

"A fine treasure."

He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of sentiment.

"Unfortunately, for me, it is of little use."

Everyone was stunned.

"Big Brother, this..." Golden Crocodile Douluo was somewhat confused.

Qian Daoliu waved his hand, a calm smile appearing on his face:

"I am already at level ninety-nine. I am only one step away from the god-level, yet that step is a chasm as wide as heaven and earth. This hurdle cannot be crossed by a single immortal herb. My path was destined long ago."

His gaze turned to Qin Yao, and he pushed the Holy Bright Heart-Cleansing Grass back toward him.

"Take it."

"Make a trip to Heaven Dou City and deliver this immortal herb to Xue'er personally."

"Consider it the betrothal gift you are giving her."