Bibi Dong looked at the disciple before her, a complicated glint flashing in her eyes.
Just as in the dream, her disciple had a deep understanding of Martial Soul Theory.
He knew secrets no one on the continent had ever discovered.
It was clear how great his talent for Martial Soul Theory was.
There really was a difference between a born genius and one who became a genius through hard work.
"Teacher, do you know where Elder Chrysanthemum lives?"
"I heard he has a book about flowers and plants."
"I'd like to borrow it and have a look."
Su Chen struck while the iron was hot. He had been born so many years before Tang San.
He had to seize the opportunity and get his hands on the Immortal Herbs.
Since he had been born in Spirit Hall, he couldn't just watch Tang San destroy it.
He, Su Chen, was a man who intended to become the Pope of Spirit Hall.
If possible, it would be best to destroy Tang San's birthplace.
Solve the problem at its source.
"Flowers and plants?"
"Focus on your cultivation. Don't go chasing skirts."
"Don't waste your time on useless things."
Bibi Dong refused him outright.
So young, and already thinking about chasing skirts.
What a waste of precious cultivation time.
After Bibi Dong returned to her room to cultivate,
Su Chen slipped out of Saintess Hall and headed straight for Elder Hall.
If you wanted something done, you did it yourself.
As the disciple of Spirit Hall's Pope's disciple,
he was sure Chrysanthemum Douluo would give him a little consideration.
"Ow?"
Just as Su Chen passed a corner, he suddenly bumped into something soft.
Caught completely off guard, Su Chen bounced back four or five steps and nearly fell to the ground.
He lowered his eyes.
Before him was a perfectly curved silhouette.
She turned around. She was a woman in her twenties,
dressed in a black leather outfit with gold-trimmed shoulder and arm guards that accentuated her tall, voluptuous figure.
Her short, purplish-black hair was neat and sharp, and her striking features carried a faint blush.
"Well now, little brother, you hurt your big sister!"
The woman rubbed her backside. The anger on her face faded when she saw he was just a little boy, and her lips curled in amusement.
"You suddenly came up behind me. You gave your big sister quite a fright."
"I'm sorry. I didn't see you."
Su Chen gave her an utterly harmless smile. The woman looked him up and down, then suddenly crouched down.
"White hair and red eyes... You wouldn't happen to be the little disciple Saintess Bibi Dong took in, would you?"
When Su Chen nodded, her smile grew brighter. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Ye Lingyuan, captain of Spirit Hall's Guardian Knights. That means you're under my protection, too."
"Ye Lingyuan!"
Su Chen repeated the name. It sounded familiar.
Wasn't she Lingyuan Douluo, one of the nine elders in Elder Hall in the future?
He couldn't help sighing inwardly.
The only titled elder in Spirit Hall to be killed by a Soul Beast.
"Little guy, what's with that look?"
"Why are you looking at me like I'm an idiot?"
When Ye Lingyuan gave her name, Su Chen's gaze had turned so strange.
She felt confused and a little angry. Was there something wrong with her name?
"No, no... Sister Lingyuan, I just think your name sounds lovely. I was a little dazed. I heard there's a powerful Soul Beast called the Ling Yuan. It's as mighty as a phoenix."
Su Chen knew that when you were out in the world, you had to keep your words sweet—especially when speaking to a future titled elder. Building a good relationship now could open another path for him later.
"Giggle, you really are an adorable little thing."
"I don't mind telling you: my Martial Soul is the Ling Yuan."
Ye Lingyuan laughed so hard she seemed to sway like a flower in the breeze. Her favorability toward him had practically reached its peak.
"Big Sister is so amazing! No wonder you became captain of the Guardian Knights."
"Big Sister, do you know where Elder Hall is?"
"I have something I'd like to discuss with Elder Chrysanthemum!"
Su Chen continued.
"Elder Chrysanthemum?"
"Since you're so sweet to your big sister, I'll take you there myself."
Ye Lingyuan stood up and suddenly took Su Chen's hand, leading him toward Elder Hall.
"A book about flowers and plants?"
In Elder Chrysanthemum's courtyard, he looked at the two unexpected visitors and listened as they asked to borrow a book about flowers and plants.
Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately took a liking to the little fellow. He hadn't expected someone with such an evil Martial Soul to be interested in this subject.
"Wait here, boy."
Chrysanthemum Douluo hurried back into the house and returned with a book in his hand.
He lovingly flipped through it first, then finally held it out to Su Chen.
"This is the Immortal Herb Illustrated Record. Besides descriptions of flowers and plants, it also contains some wondrous Immortal Herbs."
"Legend has it that obtaining even one Immortal Herb can defy fate and change your destiny. No matter how much Innate Soul Power you have, you can eventually become a Titled Douluo."
"I'll lend it to you for now. Remember to return it once you've finished reading."
Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't act stingy in the slightest.
As someone who loved flowers and plants,
he felt as if he'd found a kindred spirit.
It was just a shame the little fellow was so young, and was only beginning to learn about flowers and plants.
Ye Lingyuan listened from the side in amazement, then gave him a strange look.
Everyone knew Chrysanthemum Douluo loved flowers as much as his own life, but she hadn't realized he'd gone completely mad.
A single blade of grass could defy fate and change your destiny?
Hard to believe.
She turned to look at Su Chen. The little fellow had already accepted the book, beaming with delight.
He'd clearly believed every word.
Ye Lingyuan's lips twitched. So he really could only fool children.
After leaving Elder Hall, Ye Lingyuan teased him, "Little guy, Saintess Bibi Dong knows you're interested in raising flowers and plants. You have Innate Full Soul Power. If she finds out you're wasting your golden cultivation years on something useless, I think she'll be furious."
Su Chen ignored her, absorbed in the contents of the book.
Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Aromatic Silk Beauty...
They were all recorded in it.
And the methods of consuming them were the same as in the original story.
The only difference was that one could take multiple Immortal Herbs, rather than being limited to a single one in a lifetime, as Tang San had claimed.
Su Chen studied the details carefully. If he found Immortal Herbs that complemented each other, their medicinal effects would only grow stronger.
"I hope Elder Chrysanthemum wasn't lying to me."
Compared with Tang San, Su Chen trusted Chrysanthemum Douluo's records more.
After all, Tang San had taken three Immortal Herbs for himself and nothing had happened to him.
"Next, I just need to figure out how to get to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye."
"Dugu Bo probably hasn't found that place yet."
"Hm? Why am I flying?"
As Su Chen pondered, he suddenly felt his feet leave the ground.
The next moment,
he felt something bump into him, and then he sank into a warm embrace.
Ye Lingyuan picked him up and playfully kissed his cheek.
Her red lips left a wet mark on his face.
"What are you mumbling about, little guy?"
"I've been talking to you for ages. Why are you ignoring me?"
Forced to lie against her ample chest, Su Chen caught a faint, delicate fragrance.
He rolled his eyes helplessly.
"Put me down. I'm going back. I'll tell Teacher if you don't watch out."
"You're already learning how to tattle? Then go back and tell her I kissed you. Giggle."
As she spoke, Ye Lingyuan left another wet mark on Su Chen's tender, chubby cheek.