Just Consider It the Betrothal Gift You're Giving Her

Yue Guan had no mind to banter with him now. All his attention was fixed on the Immortal Herbs spread across the table.

Suddenly, his movements ground to a halt.

His gaze locked onto a magnificent chrysanthemum in the center of the table.

Every petal was soft and downy, while its central pistil stood tall, its tip shimmering with a faint golden light.

"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum!"

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

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

His Martial Soul had found the divine treasure that was its true origin!

He whipped around to look at Qin Yao. For the first time, a nearly pleading expression appeared in his peach-blossom eyes.

"Your... Your Highness..."

Qin Yao watched him without saying a word, simply waiting quietly for him to continue identifying the herbs.

Yue Guan took a deep breath and forced down his excitement, then named the remaining Immortal Herbs one by one.

He listed the names and effects of every last herb. Each one sent another ripple through Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan beside him.

Qin Yao listened quietly, matching each herb's effects to his plans.

First Worship Qian Daoliu's Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was aligned with sacred light, making the Holy Bright Heart-Cleansing Grass, which could refine the power of light's origin, a perfect fit.

Second Grandfather Golden Crocodile Douluo's Martial Soul was the Golden Crocodile King, and his path centered on extreme strength and defense. The Earth Dragon Golden Melon, shaped like a giant dragon and brimming with the essence of earth, could greatly strengthen his body.

Third Grandfather Azure Luan Douluo and Fifth Grandfather Light Feather Douluo could both benefit from the Vein-Solidifying Spirit Ginseng and Clear Essence Spirit Sunflower. One nourished the meridians, while the other calmed the mind and focused the spirit; both could help stabilize their cultivation.

As for Sixth Grandfather Qian Jun and Seventh Grandfather Falling Devil, they were twin brothers with the Coiling Dragon Staff Martial Soul and a shared cultivation method. The Ten-Thousand-Year Coiled Dragon Fruit, which the two of them could split, was practically made for them.

Qin Yao had made up his mind.

He swept a hand across the table, and the dozen or so radiant Immortal Herbs vanished in an instant, returned to his Storage Soul Tool.

The rich fragrance that had filled the hall abruptly disappeared.

The only one left was the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum that had captured Yue Guan's heart.

Yue Guan's heart stopped along with the disappearance of the herbs, then began pounding wildly at the sight of the one chrysanthemum left behind.

Dugu Bo watched knowingly from the side, arms folded and grinning. He said nothing, simply waiting for the show.

"Elder Yue Guan."

Qin Yao finally spoke, his voice calm and even.

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

Yue Guan froze.

He hadn't expected His Highness the Holy Son's first words to be an assessment of his abilities.

"Thank you for the praise, Your Highness."

"I don't want an elder of the Pope Palace. I want a follower of mine, Qin Yao."

Qin Yao tapped the tabletop lightly with his finger, producing a crisp sound.

"Swear your loyalty to me and to the Worship Hall, and this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is yours."

At those words, Yue Guan's expression immediately grew complicated.

Pledge his loyalty to the Holy Son and the Worship Hall.

Wasn't that an obvious demand that he abandon His Holiness the Pope's faction and join the Worship Hall instead?

Yue Guan had reached his position in Spirit Hall not only thanks to the former Pope, Qian Xunji, but also to the current Pope, Bibi Dong.

But the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum before him was the source of his Martial Soul. It was the Immortal Herb he had dreamed of, one that could help him break through his shackles and reach a higher realm!

Should he pledge his loyalty? It was a hard choice!

Seeing how torn he was, Dugu Bo couldn't resist speaking, his tone brimming with the smug superiority of a man who'd been through it all.

"Hey, Chrysanthemum Guan, what are you still hesitating for?"

"His Holiness the Pope has treated you well, sure, but can she give you this?"

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

"Look at me. I've only been following His Highness the Holy Son for a short while, and not only have my old poison injuries completely healed, my Soul Power has even broken through to level ninety-two!"

"Now look at yourself. How many years have you been stuck at level ninety-five?"

"Besides, whether it's the Pope Palace or the Worship Hall, they're both part of Spirit Hall."

Every word Dugu Bo spoke struck Yue Guan right in the heart.

He had indeed been stuck at level ninety-five for far too long. And whether it was the Pope Palace or the Worship Hall, both belonged to Spirit Hall.

That was true, too.

Qin Yao put no more pressure on him and simply stood up.

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

With that, he put the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum back away.

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

Then Qin Yao turned and walked out of the courtyard, leaving Yue Guan standing alone, his expression shifting back and forth.

The Worship Hall.

By the time Qin Yao entered the main hall, five worshippers were already waiting for him.

"You little rascal! You're finally back!"

Qin Xiong's booming voice rang out first. He rushed over in a single stride, his enormous palm about to clap Qin Yao on the shoulder.

"Grandpa, easy." Qin Yao dodged to the side.

"Hahaha!" Qin Xiong laughed without taking offense. "Your second grandfather and the others have been waiting impatiently."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's massive frame sat below the seat of honor. At that, he only snorted, but a hint of impatience was plain in his crocodilian eyes.

Thousand Jun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo, the two brothers, were also staring intently at Qin Yao.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Grandfathers."

Qin Yao didn't keep them in suspense. He took out the Immortal Herbs he had set aside for them.

"Second Grandfather, this is the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. It's the best fit for your Martial Soul."

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

"Fifth Grandfather, the Clear Essence Spirit Sunflower is for you."

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

As one Immortal Herb after another was handed out, the entire Worship Hall was swept up in feverish joy.

The Titled Douluo held their respective herbs, sensing the vast energy within them, their faces wreathed in smiles.

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

At last, Qin Yao carried the Holy Bright Heart-Cleansing Grass, its entire form glowing with a gentle white light, over to First Worship Qian Daoliu.

"First Grandfather, this herb can cleanse the soul and temper the body, refining the origin of light. It will greatly benefit your Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul."

The hall fell silent at once, every eye turning toward Qian Daoliu.

Qian Daoliu looked at the Immortal Herb, a hint of approval flashing through his ink-gold eyes.

He reached out and gently touched one of its leaves, then drew his hand back.

"A fine treasure."

He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with regret.

"Unfortunately, it won't do much for me."

Everyone was stunned.

"Big Brother, this..." Golden Crocodile Douluo said, baffled.

Qian Daoliu waved a hand, a serene smile appearing on his face.

"I'm already level ninety-nine. I'm only one step away from godhood, yet that step is as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. An Immortal Herb alone can't carry me across it. My path was set long ago."

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

"Take it."

"Go to Heaven Dou City and give this herb to Xue'er yourself."

"Just consider it the betrothal gift you're giving her."