Immortal Herb and the Journey to Star Dou

She nodded slightly, a trace of resolve flashing through her silver eyes as she reached out and accepted the Immortal Herb.

A cool sensation traveled from her fingertips. Taking a deep breath, she placed the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone into her mouth.

In an instant, a cool, sweet essence spread through her mouth and slowly slid down her throat into her stomach, as though a clear spring were flowing through her body.

Moments later, Zhu Zhuqing felt a powerful yet gentle force erupt from her dantian. Like a surging tide, it swiftly swept through her entire body.

Her body began trembling uncontrollably. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, soaking the dark hair at her temples. Seeing this, Shen Lian immediately stepped forward and sent streams of gentle Soul Power into Zhu Zhuqing's body, helping her guide the Immortal Herb's power.

"Focus your mind and calm your breath. Guide the medicinal power through your eight extraordinary meridians!"

Shen Lian's voice carried unquestionable authority.

Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth, enduring the surging power within her. Following Shen Lian's instructions, she concentrated and slowly guided that force through her meridians.

Whenever it passed through a meridian, it felt as if countless tiny needles were piercing her. Yet what followed was the comforting sensation of her meridians widening and being nourished.

As time passed, a faint white glow emerged around Zhu Zhuqing. Soft cracking sounds came from her bones, as though they were being reshaped.

Shen Lian watched Zhu Zhuqing intently, his eyes filled with both anticipation and nervousness. Silently, he prayed that she would successfully absorb the Immortal Herb's power.

Who knew how much time had passed before the power within Zhu Zhuqing finally began to settle.

Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes, surprise and delight shining within them.

At that moment, she felt strength overflowing from every part of her body. Every cell seemed to be cheering, her eight extraordinary meridians were completely unobstructed, and the speed at which Soul Power flowed through them was several times faster than before.

She tried circulating her Soul Power, and a powerful aura burst from her body, making even the surrounding air tremble.

"Brother Lian, I... I feel like my body has undergone a complete transformation!"

Zhu Zhuqing spoke excitedly, unable to hide the exhilaration in her voice.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's utterly renewed appearance, Shen Lian smiled in satisfaction.

"Congratulations. From now on, your cultivation will yield twice the results with half the effort."

Outside the window, the night deepened. Moonlight flowed like water over the two of them, bearing witness to this wondrous moment.

Zhu Zhuqing silently vowed that she would not let Shen Lian's help go to waste. She would continue advancing along the path of cultivation and grow stronger.

Moonlight shone through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows across the blue brick floor.

Shen Lian's gaze was sharp as he carefully assessed Zhu Zhuqing's condition. Then he reached out and lightly squeezed her arm. The muscle beneath his fingertips was firm and resilient, containing vigorous strength, and this left him quite satisfied.

"Zhuqing,"

Shen Lian withdrew his hand, his expression serious. A hint of relief and expectation filled his eyes as he continued speaking to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Your current physical strength is enough for you to absorb a Spirit Ring of around two thousand five hundred years as your third Spirit Ring."

His words were full of certainty. This meant that, with his help, Zhu Zhuqing's physical condition had undergone a qualitative leap and could withstand the power impact brought by a stronger Spirit Ring.

At his words, Zhu Zhuqing's silver eyes instantly lit up with dazzling radiance. An irrepressible smile rose on her lips, and joy surged through her heart like a tide.

She had never imagined that, with Shen Lian's help, she could reach such heights. This carried extraordinary significance for her future path of cultivation.

"No matter what, it's all thanks to you, Brother Lian."

Zhu Zhuqing spoke sincerely, her voice full of gratitude.

If not for Shen Lian, she would never have obtained the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, absorbed Whale Rubber, gained a Spirit Bone, or achieved her current improvement. She would remember this kindness forever.

Shen Lian smiled and waved his hand. The warmth in his smile dispelled some of the heaviness of the night.

"All right, Zhuqing. Rest for now. At dawn tomorrow, I'll take you to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt the third Spirit Ring you need."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded solemnly and watched Shen Lian leave.

As the door slowly closed, her gaze remained fixed on it. Her heart was filled with both anticipation and unease over tomorrow's Spirit Ring hunt.

Outside, the night wind rustled the leaves, as though whispering softly of the adventure awaiting her.

The next day arrived. Morning light pierced the clouds and scattered fragments of gold across the bluestone path.

Shen Lian held the Dragon-Slaying Blade in his hand. The crimson cloth strip wrapped around its hilt snapped loudly in the wind.

Zhu Zhuqing tightened the laces of her dark boots again and again. The dagger at her waist glinted coldly. The two exchanged a glance, then strode resolutely out of the village.

In the distance, the outline of the Star Dou Great Forest sprawled across the horizon like a colossal beast. Beast roars faintly echoed from the rising mist, as if proclaiming the unknown dangers ahead.

As they entered the forest's outer region, decaying leaves gave off a teeth-grinding crunch beneath their feet.

Shen Lian spread his spiritual power like a spiderweb, remaining constantly vigilant of his surroundings.

His Martial Soul, the Dragon-Slaying Blade, had long since been drawn. Dark violet patterns flowed along its surface, and every swing produced a sharp howl through the air.

Zhu Zhuqing stayed close behind and to his side. As she moved swiftly in a low crouch, her silver hair, dampened by dew beneath the moonlight, reflected scattered glimmers.

For three days, they crossed thorn-covered ridges and waded through foul-smelling swamps, yet they never encountered a Soul Beast suited to Zhu Zhuqing. An inescapable tension hung in the air.

At noon on the third day, the blazing sun filtered through the mottled canopy, stamping coin-sized patches of light across the bed of dead leaves.

Leaning against an ancient tree thick enough for two people to embrace, Shen Lian handed Zhu Zhuqing the last half piece of dried venison. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed dryly.

Suddenly, the veins on the hand gripping his blade bulged—dozens of Soul Beast auras were approaching from the southeast at astonishing speed!

"Zhuqing, come here! I'll hold you and fly into the air. A group of Soul Beasts is running toward us!"

Before Shen Lian had even finished speaking, the Vermilion Bird Wings behind him unfurled like flames. The fierce fluctuations of Soul Power shook the remaining leaves from the branches.

Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing threw herself into his arms. The dagger at her waist scraped across his arm, leaving behind a streak of blood.

The moment they shot into the sky, a thunderous crash erupted from the ground. Dead trees were smashed in half, and amid the flying wood chips, a three-meter-tall Gale Demon Wolf appeared.

Blue-gray lightning crackled around the demon wolf's body. Saliva dripping from its stark white fangs corroded the ground.

Behind it, dozens of century-old demon wolves formed a fan-shaped encirclement, their claws scraping sparks from the rocks.

At the center of the encirclement, a two-thousand-year-old Starlight Deer lay curled in a puddle. The starlight on its antlers had dimmed, and one of its hind legs had been torn open in a horrifying wound.

Shen Lian's pupils suddenly contracted as the Vermilion Bird Wings traced a blazing arc through the sky.

A three-thousand-year-old Gale Demon Wolf!

Shen Lian's eyes also lit up as he looked at the three-thousand-year-old Gale Demon Wolf.

Because Shen Lian felt that this three-thousand-year-old Gale Demon Wolf was the Spirit Ring meant for Zhu Zhuqing.