Immortal Herb Healing and Qiluo's Foreshadowing

Li Hao collapsed into the soft embrace of Zhu Zhuqing, gasping for air as his strength failed him.

An extreme sense of weakness surged from the depths of his soul, leaving him unwilling to move even a single finger.

Yet, his hands remained tightly cradled around the peerless immortal herb that was currently drifting toward death.

Aromatic Silk Beauty.

That rich, fragrant scent was no longer as overbearing as before; instead, it had grown faint, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

"Papa, it... it's about to die!"

Xiao Wu's voice was laced with tears as she circled Li Hao, so anxious she was nearly jumping.

Her large, watery eyes were filled with worry and heartache.

"Master, its life origin is dissipating!"

Medusa's analysis was more precise, her usual haughty demeanor completely vanished, her emerald snake-like pupils filled with gravity.

"You must stabilize its origin immediately using the purest life energy!"

Zhu Zhuqing did not speak, merely supporting Li Hao more firmly.

Her other hand rested gently on Li Hao's shoulder, channeling her faint yet steady Nether soul power in an attempt to help him recover his strength.

Save it!

It must be saved immediately!

Only this single thought remained in Li Hao's mind.

This was not just for the expectant gazes of Xiao Wu and the others, but for his own sake as well.

The toll of this Karma Fishing had been too great; if he ended up with nothing to show for it, he would truly be at a total loss.

Struggling, he stood up with Zhu Zhuqing's assistance.

"Go... go to the Illusion Dream Tree Demon!"

His steps were unsteady, his body dragging as he walked step by step toward the towering giant tree in the center of the Soul Beast Paradise.

That was the life core of the entire Soul Beast Paradise.

Illusion Dream Tree Demon.

As Li Hao approached the trunk, cradling the dim immortal herb, the entire giant tree seemed to sense that aura of near-death. It swayed without wind, and countless soft green ribbons of light descended from its branches and leaves.

Those ribbons of light, like the gentlest of hands, softly enveloped the Aromatic Silk Beauty in Li Hao's grasp.

Vast and pure life essence poured continuously into the withered roots of the immortal herb.

The decline of the immortal herb was temporarily halted.

However, that dissipating aura of death remained stubbornly entrenched in its core, continuously devouring the life force being channeled by the Illusion Dream Tree Demon.

Treating the symptoms, not the root cause.

[Host, don't just stand there.]

The system's gloating prompt sounded once again.

[If you want to save it, external blood transfusions aren't enough. You must act as a bridge, using your own power to guide the paradise's life energy and fuse it with the herb's own origin.]

[Use your Soul Ancestor level soul power, your spirit power that has just recovered a little, and... that ability you haven't really used much.]

[Near-Death Lock and Heal!]

Li Hao's mind tightened.

He took a deep breath, no longer hesitating.

He carefully placed the immortal herb beneath the roots of the Illusion Dream Tree Demon, then sat cross-legged, pressing his hands onto the damp soil.

"I'm counting on you."

He spoke softly to the three family members beside him.

Xiao Wu, Medusa, and Zhu Zhuqing understood immediately.

Without a word, they formed a triangle, firmly shielding Li Hao and the immortal herb in the center, vigilantly watching their surroundings to guard him.

Li Hao closed his eyes, extending his soul power and spirit power—which had only just recovered a sliver—without reservation, carefully connecting them to the immortal herb.

Hum!

His consciousness instantly entered a wondrous world.

On one side was the vast, ocean-like, surging vitality of the Illusion Dream Tree Demon.

On the other was the Aromatic Silk Beauty's faint, golden spark of origin, flickering as if it could be extinguished at any moment.

And he himself was the only bridge connecting the two.

"Near-Death Lock... Heal!"

Li Hao roared in his heart.

A strange power surged from the depths of his Martial Soul, precisely locking onto that point of golden origin spiritual light, forming a protective shield to prevent further dissipation.

Then, he began to carefully guide the life energy of the Illusion Dream Tree Demon, thread by thread, into that golden spiritual light.

This was an extremely delicate and mentally taxing process.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Fine beads of sweat soon appeared on Li Hao's forehead, and his face, which had just regained a hint of color, turned pale once more.

The dual consumption of soul power and mental power made his brain feel like it was being pricked by countless needles.

But he didn't stop.

He could clearly feel the extreme desire for life emanating from the immortal herb's origin.

He could also feel the three pairs of worried and expectant gazes behind him.

He could not fail.

Xiao Wu watched with wide eyes, her small fists clenched tightly, and she whispered prayers incessantly, "You must get better, you must get better..."

Medusa stood with her hands behind her back, her snake-like eyes flashing.

She was contemplating the earth-shattering changes that would occur in the entire Paradise's ecosystem and in each of their evolutions if this immortal herb were successfully saved.

Zhu Zhuqing stood still like an ice sculpture, but her tense body revealed her extreme nervousness.

This immortal herb carried the hopes of all of them.

After an unknown amount of time.

Perhaps a few hours, perhaps an entire day.

Just as Li Hao felt he was about to be completely drained, his consciousness beginning to blur.

The point of golden origin spiritual light he was connected to trembled violently!

It was no longer passively receiving, but actively and greedily absorbing the life energy of the Illusion Dream Tree Demon!

A faint, yet extremely pure, life fluctuation fed back from within the immortal herb!

It worked!

Li Hao's spirits soared!

He immediately increased the intensity of his guidance.

Visibly, the originally dim and lusterless Aromatic Silk Beauty began to undergo an astonishing transformation.

Its slightly curled nine petals slowly unfurled, blooming with resplendent brilliance once more.

The withered roots became plump and full of vitality.

The faint fragrance that permeated the valley was no longer the intense scent of near-death, but had become softer, more distant, carrying a refreshing aura of life.

It was alive!

[Ding!]

[Congratulations to the Host for successfully healing the rare immortal herb—Aromatic Silk Beauty.]

[Detected stable life signs of the immortal herb, and deep life resonance with the Host and Soul Beast Paradise...]

The system paused, then posed a question that made Li Hao's heart pound with a tempting tone.

[Would you like to proceed with... Bond Evolution?]

Bond Evolution?

Li Hao's breath hitched.

To turn this immortal herb into a Soul Beast Girl too? To make it the fourth family member in Paradise?

His first reaction was resistance.

His social anxiety alarm blared in his mind once again.

He was already struggling to handle the three of them, and now another one?

And a plant at that?

Would they need to hold a photosynthesis special session during family meetings from now on?

However, this thought flashed and was gone.

He immediately thought of something deeper.

Soul Beast Paradise was growing larger and its ecosystem becoming more complex.

He, as a lazy landlord, simply couldn't manage it all alone.

Xiao Wu was lively and active, Zhu Zhuqing was quiet and reserved, and Medusa was proud and strong; none of them were the type skilled in meticulous management and logistical support.

As for plant-type Soul Beasts, they naturally possessed powerful auxiliary abilities to regulate ecosystems, promote spiritual plant growth, and gather energy.

If...

If this Aromatic Silk Beauty evolved into a Soul Beast Girl, would she become the general manager of Paradise? A perfect support talent?

Isn't this exactly what a lazy landlord like him has been dreaming of?

"Master, accept it!"

Medusa's voice suddenly rang in his ears.

She had clearly realized this as well, her emerald snake eyes burning with unprecedented anticipation and ambition.

"A Soul Beast Girl with an immortal-grade foundation—her existence is enough to cause a qualitative leap in the energy level of the entire Paradise! This would be of immense benefit to all of us!"

Li Hao looked at the beautiful immortal herb, which radiated a soft glow under the light of the Illusion Dream Tree Demon, and felt the pure, intimate aura of life emanating from it.

The slight social anxiety he felt was instantly replaced by a grand vision.

Family...

A new family member who could help him manage his home.

Li Hao looked at the immortal herb, brimming with infinite potential, and no longer hesitated.

"Yes!"

Deep in his heart, he used all his strength to respond.

"Bond Evolution!"