Shui Bing'er looked at the two Immortal Herbs before her, each radiating astonishing energy fluctuations, then at Ning Xiaochun's clear, earnest eyes. The frozen lake of her heart churned with towering waves.
She could naturally sense the immense energy and extraordinary qualities contained within the two Immortal Herbs. Their value was probably even greater than the Blood Swan Kiss petals Dugu Yan had used just moments ago!
This was an unbelievable opportunity that could improve the quality of a Martial Soul!
One should not accept rewards without earning them. That was a principle Shui Bing'er had lived by since childhood. Though she and Ning Xiaochun were engaged, theirs was only a transactional arrangement. How could she accept such a precious gift for nothing?
"This... is too precious." Shui Bing'er took half a step back, hesitation and resistance filling her icy blue eyes. "I... I can't accept this. I haven't done anything for you. I don't deserve such a grand gift."
Ning Xiaochun seemed to have expected her refusal. His smile remained unchanged, even taking on an air of "naturally." Tilting his head as he looked at Shui Bing'er, he spoke in a clear voice that carried a hint of timidity:
"Bing'er, if you aren't strong enough... how will you protect me in the future?"
"I'm a pure Support System Soul Master, after all. I don't have any combat ability. When we travel and run into danger, I'll have to rely on you!"
"The stronger you are, the safer I'll be. Just think of these Immortal Herbs as... an advance investment in my 'bodyguard.'"
"So don't feel like you owe me anything. Just think of it as accepting them so you can protect me. That work?"
The boy's voice was clear. His reasoning sounded a little shameless, yet it was so blunt that it struck home.
Rather than make some grand speech, he had offered a reason Shui Bing'er couldn't refute, one that suited his "afraid of dying" persona to a tee.
He needed her to grow stronger so she could protect him. Accepting the Immortal Herbs would help her fulfill that duty better.
This reason neatly sidestepped Shui Bing'er's belief that one shouldn't accept rewards without earning them. It also fit the sense of responsibility their arrangement had bound her to, and even... faintly stirred some thread in the heart of the girl frozen beneath the ice.
Did he... really trust me that much, enough to entrust his safety to me?
Shui Bing'er looked into Ning Xiaochun's wide eyes, filled with "sincerity" and "fear of death." Something seemed to gently stir a hard place within her heart.
She fell silent for a moment, her icy blue eyes lingering on Ning Xiaochun as if to etch him firmly into her heart. Then she reached out her slender, fair hand and accepted the two Immortal Herbs. One was icy cold to the touch; the other, warm.
"Fine." Shui Bing'er's voice remained cool, though it seemed to hold something more.
"I'll grow stronger. And then..."
She paused without finishing, but her meaning was clear.
I'll protect you.
A wide grin blossomed across Ning Xiaochun's face. "Mm! I believe in you, Bing'er!"
Next, Ning Xiaochun chose Ink Jade Divine Bamboo for Sword Douluo. It contained incredibly pure, sharp Geng Metal energy, making it ideal for tempering a sharp Martial Soul like the Seven Kill Sword. It could make the sword's energy more concentrated and pure.
For Bone Douluo, he chose Earth Dragon Golden Melon. It contained the energy of the earth's dragon veins, heavy and immense. It could nourish and strengthen Beast Martial Souls connected to the earth and space, such as the Bone Dragon, improving their defense and strength.
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo said nothing, but the gratification and excitement that flashed in their eyes didn't escape anyone. At their level, advancing any further was as difficult as climbing to the heavens. These Immortal Herbs were undoubtedly an immense opportunity.
At last, it was Ning Fengzhi's turn.
Ning Xiaochun's gaze fell upon a spot near the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, where spiritual energy was at its densest.
There grew two plants of similar appearance, like flowers carved from the finest tulip jade. Their entire forms were crystalline, their petals unfolding in layers, while a faint golden glow flowed around their stamens. They gave off an unusual fragrance, rich and elegant, that soothed the heart and mind.
Aromatic Silk Beauty! And there were two of them!
This was the king of all herbs, able to absorb the essence of heaven and earth and the radiance of the Sun and Moon. In the original story, Ning Rongrong had taken one of these Immortal Herbs, allowing her Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda to evolve into a Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda and break free of its Martial Soul's limitations!
Ning Xiaochun's heart pounded. With one of these, his father's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda could evolve!
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would have a Soul Master with a true Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, one with limitless potential! The sect's support abilities would undergo a qualitative leap!
But... there were only two.
One for him, one for his father.
Then... what about Rongrong?
What about his little sister, Ning Rongrong, a year younger than him, who was still running wild and playing around in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and hadn't yet awakened her Martial Soul?
If he and his father took them, even if Rongrong awakened a Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda in the future, she'd be trapped at Rank 79 forever, unable to break through to Soul Douluo.
In the original story, Ning Rongrong had been able to evolve her Martial Soul and become the Nine-Colored Goddess precisely because Tang San had given her an Aromatic Silk Beauty.
His palm was flesh, and the back of his hand was flesh, too. His father had been kind to him beyond measure and was his greatest source of support. He had to grow stronger. Ning Xiaochun also needed to evolve his Martial Soul to face the dangers of the future. But his little sister...
Ning Xiaochun was caught in a dilemma unlike any he had faced before. He stood there, watching the two Aromatic Silk Beauties sway gracefully, his little face bearing a weight and struggle far beyond his years for the first time.
No. No, that wouldn't do. Ning Xiaochun shook his head hard. He was timid, afraid of dying, and wanted to live in peace, relying on others to support him. But his love for his family was etched into his bones.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was his haven. His father, his little sister, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, and the clan members who had watched him grow up were all people he wanted to protect.
Sacrificing his sister's future so he could keep the opportunity for himself? That went against everything he believed in: "grow steadily and protect those who matter."
"Dad..." Ning Xiaochun looked up, his voice a little hoarse, and laid out his inner conflict.
"These two Aromatic Silk Beauties can probably... no, they can definitely let the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda evolve, breaking through the limit of seven tiers and becoming the legendary Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda!"
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda?!" Ning Fengzhi's entire body shuddered. For the first time, his refined expression faltered under the force of such overwhelming shock.
As a Soul Master with a Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, he understood better than anyone what "nine tiers" meant!
It was the only way to break through the shackles of their bloodline and reach a higher realm! It was a legend countless generations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's ancestors had dreamed of!
Joy crashed through Ning Fengzhi like a tidal wave. Yet, as the head of a sect who had weathered many storms, he quickly forced down his excitement and noticed the heaviness and struggle on his son's face—an expression entirely at odds with the incredible news.
"Xiaochun, what's the matter...?" Ning Fengzhi crouched to meet his son's gaze, his voice gentle.
"There are only two." Ning Xiaochun's voice was low, thick with disappointment and self-reproach.
"One for each of us would be perfect. But... what about Rongrong? She'll awaken her Martial Soul next year, too. What if she also gets a Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda..."
He didn't finish, but Ning Fengzhi understood completely. So that was what his son was agonizing over.
Warmth welled up in his heart. This child was exceptionally talented and thoughtful. Sometimes his timidity left one laughing and crying at once, but his sincerity and sense of responsibility toward his family had never changed.
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