The Immortal Herbs That Actively Offered Themselves as Sacrifices!

"Sac... sacrifice?!" Zichuan nearly bit his tongue, his eyes widening into perfect circles.

A sacrifice? A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast offering itself voluntarily? Wasn't this the kind of treatment reserved only for the Child of Destiny Huo Yuhao and the cheat-code protagonist Tang San?

And even then, those events only occurred after they had weathered countless trials, shared life-and-death bonds, and reached a deep level of emotional intimacy.

He was just going to walk up and ask for one? Would these immortal herbs and fierce beasts, which had cultivated for a hundred thousand years and possessed supreme intelligence, ever agree? Wouldn't they just collectively go berserk and scatter him like fertilizer?

Zichuan felt a sudden wave of trepidation. This "meal" was being spoon-fed to him, but wasn't it a bit... too hard to swallow? He was afraid of choking!

Just as Zichuan's thoughts raced, caught between excitement and anxiety, Du Busi, who stood shielding him, felt a shock so profound it was like a mountain collapsing or a tsunami crashing down!

He had originally thought he had discovered a blessed land, perhaps containing a few rare medicinal herbs with some age to them.

But who could have imagined that every single strange flower and herb in this valley was actually a plant-type fierce beast that had cultivated for at least a hundred thousand years!

These were terrifying existences capable of shaking the entire soul beast world with a single stomp, yet here they were, collectively manifesting to bow before his little disciple—the six-year-old boy he had picked up, the child who had awakened the Dual Heart Martial Soul—calling him "Your Excellency" and looking entirely at his beck and call!

A successor to a god?

A dual god-rank successor?

Du Busi whipped his head around to look at Zichuan. This time, he looked with extreme scrutiny.

He saw the two ancient marks on Zichuan's forehead that he hadn't noticed before; they were glowing faintly, emitting an aura that made his very soul tremble.

He also recalled Zichuan's incredible Martial Soul, soul rings, and domain...

Every inconsistency seemed to have an answer in this moment.

He wasn't just a simple Child of Destiny... he was a successor already chosen by the gods! He was an existence destined to tread the path of divinity!

No wonder! No wonder he could discover the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well! No wonder his cultivation speed was so rapid! No wonder he possessed so many heaven-defying opportunities!

Du Busi's heart hammered against his ribs, an indescribable ecstasy and excitement instantly washing away all his shock and doubt.

The way he looked at Zichuan no longer held the affection one might have for a junior, but was instead a mixture of immense pride, awe, and the extreme exhilaration of someone who realized, "I bet on the right horse!"

Had he picked up a treasure? No, he had picked up a god! He had picked up a sun destined to illuminate the Body Sect for ten thousand generations!

How could the Body Sect not flourish? With a god's successor at the helm, let alone surpassing Shrek, even ascending to the God Realm in the future might not be impossible!

Du Busi trembled with excitement, his rugged face flushed deep red, and he nearly couldn't stop himself from roaring toward the heavens.

But he was, after all, an old monster who had lived for over a hundred years. He forcibly suppressed his excitement, took a deep breath, and slowly stepped aside from his position in front of Zichuan.

In this moment, he understood. This was not an occasion for him to stand in the way. This was a moment that belonged to the successor of the gods.

He cast his gaze toward the noble-looking man in purple robes, the Aromatic Silk Beauty, then looked at the other immortal herb incarnations radiating terrifying auras, and finally let his eyes fall back on Zichuan. His expression was incredibly complex, filled with pride, expectation, and a trace of indescribable emotion.

The valley was silent. There was only the gurgling sound of the Ice Spring and Yang Spring merging, and the thick, inseparable flow of spiritual energy.

All the manifested immortal herb beasts were waiting for Zichuan's response.

Zichuan felt the weight of Du Busi's complex gaze and looked at the lineup before him; his heart couldn't help but race uncontrollably. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Now, the pressure was on him.

How could he accept this "meal" so that he could enjoy it without choking to death?

The valley was silent. There was only the gurgling sound of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well waters merging, and the almost tangible fluctuations of spiritual energy, heavy with the excitement of the immortal herbs.

Zichuan stood beside Du Busi, facing the dozen or so incarnations of immortal herb beasts with their vast auras and varied forms, his heart pounding wildly.

He knew it was his turn to speak. The God of Destruction had set the stage for him and spoon-fed him the meal, but how he ate it—and how he carried himself—was entirely up to him.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anxiety, and tried to make his voice sound calm, yet tinged with the just-right amount of reserve and sincerity befitting a "successor of the gods."

His gaze swept over the Aromatic Silk Beauty at the lead, then looked at the other eager immortal herbs, and he spoke slowly:

"Respected... immortal herb seniors." He chose the title the Aromatic Silk Beauty had used earlier to show respect.

"My name is Zichuan. As you can all see, I bear the inheritance marks of the two God Kings of Destruction and Life."

He pointed to the marks on his forehead, not to show off, but simply to state the facts.

"However, the path of inheritance is long. I have only just stepped onto the path of a Soul Master; my soul power is only at level 20, and my Dual Martial Souls have yet to be fully developed. My strength is still shallow."

His tone was earnest, carrying a hint of the "frailty" and "thirst for power" that belonged to a youth.

"The road ahead is thorny, surrounded by powerful enemies. I must grow as quickly as possible so that I do not fail the trust of the God Kings, and do not fail... this inheritance."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the immortal herbs once more, his voice clear and firm:

"I came here today uninvited, truly hoping to obtain the assistance of you, my fellow daoists."

The words were phrased tactfully, but the meaning could not have been clearer. I need help, I need power, and you—the immortal herb beasts of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—possess great power and unique attributes, making you the most suitable source of "assistance" for me.

As for what form this "assistance" would take... he didn't explicitly say. But combined with his "level 20 soul power," his "Dual Martial Souls," and the most direct way for a Soul Master to gain power...

Beside him, Du Busi felt his heart nearly jump out of his throat!

His face turned incredibly colorful, his eyes widened, and he nearly couldn't stop himself from slapping Zichuan on the back of the head. You brat! Do you have any idea what you're saying?!

You're hinting to a group of hundred-thousand-year fierce beasts to sacrifice themselves for you right to their faces?! Do you think this is a vegetable market?!

Even if you are a successor of the gods, this is just... too damn direct! Where is your shame?! No, this isn't about being thick-skinned; this is straight-up suicide!

Du Busi's muscles tensed instantly, his soul power circulating wildly within him like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

He stared fixedly at the incarnations of the immortal herbs and fierce beasts opposite him; if they showed even a hint of dissatisfaction or killing intent, he would unleash his full power without hesitation, prepared to suffer grave injuries or even perish just to carry Zichuan out of there!

This kid was too reckless! He was practically dancing in a minefield!

However, the scenes of rage, reprimand, or direct assault he had anticipated did not occur.

The valley fell silent for a moment.

Immediately following.

"Choose me! Exalted One! Choose me!"

A shrill cry, filled with urgency and even cracking slightly, shattered the silence.

It was the woman in the red dress, the incarnation of the Infernal Delicate Apricot! She stepped forward, her fiery red eyes burning as she stared at Zichuan, her chest heaving violently as if she feared being a step too late:

"I am the Infernal Delicate Apricot, nurtured by the Yang Spring of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and my fire attribute has reached the absolute limit! If the Exalted One uses me as a ring, you will surely gain supreme fire control, capable of incinerating the eight wildernesses! I am willing to sacrifice myself! Now! Immediately!"