"Sister Lexuan." Seeing Zhang Lexuan's amused expression, Liu Lin made a snap decision. His expression turned as sincere as it could possibly be as he looked at her.
"What I actually meant just now was that, of course we should take a few Immortal Herbs back. It'd be such a shame to leave so soon."
"And there's no need for you to get jealous over a little kid, Sister Lexuan. I like older sisters like you best."
Hearing Liu Lin's words, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help the corners of her mouth from curling upward. Of course she knew the boy was changing his tune on the spot, but his flattery had certainly hit the mark.
"At least you know what's good for you. Of course I'm not jealous of a little kid. But next time you're with me, you'd better not mention anyone else."
Hearing Zhang Lexuan's words, Liu Lin nodded furiously, afraid she might change her mind.
"Got it, Sister Lexuan."
"Good. Come with me, then. I'll pick out two Immortal Herbs for your little fiancée. After all, you're still a little kid and don't know anything."
With that, Zhang Lexuan walked past Liu Lin.
Hearing Zhang Lexuan's words, Liu Lin nodded. She was right; he really didn't know what would suit Xu Jiujiu.
Although Liu Lin was a transmigrator and knew the names and effects of some Immortal Herbs,
the few Immortal Herbs described in the original novel weren't suitable for Xu Jiujiu. It was better to let Zhang Lexuan pick out two for her.
"Mm." Liu Lin nodded at Zhang Lexuan's words and headed after her.
Meanwhile, in the core area of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well,
Infernal Delicate Apricot sensed the Yang Spring's energy diminishing and grew a little angry. It sent a message to Youyou.
"Youyou, they're being so untrustworthy. Aren't you going to stop them?"
If Youyou had a human form right now, it would have rolled its eyes.
Hadn't it just seen those two suppress them with a mere wave of their hands? As long as they didn't tear the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well apart, it wasn't going to do a thing.
"Xiao Jiao, you need to change that temper of yours. We're not going to die, and we'll surely recover in the future. Losing this little bit isn't a big deal."
Still, Youyou was worried Infernal Delicate Apricot might act recklessly, so it tried to soothe her.
"And look at Xiao Bing. It's in the same situation, so why isn't it complaining?"
Infernal Delicate Apricot turned to complain to the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.
But no matter what Infernal Delicate Apricot said, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass ignored her.
At that moment, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass kept its gaze fixed on Liu Lin.
Unlike Infernal Delicate Apricot, it wasn't angry that Liu Lin had absorbed the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well's origin energy.
On the contrary, it rather admired this human. It had a feeling that the young man would accomplish great things in the future.
More importantly, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass felt that it and Liu Lin were fated to meet. It couldn't hurt to form a bond of goodwill with him.
"Xiao Bing, you coward!"
Infernal Delicate Apricot angrily insulted Xiao Bing, then went off to sulk by itself.
Zhang Lexuan walked among the Immortal Herbs surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. Her gaze swept over the herbs glowing in a multitude of colors before finally settling on one of them.
The herb had pale white petals, and flecks of moonlight gathered at its heart.
"Your little fiancée has a Star Crown Martial Soul, with an attribute that leans toward the mental type." Zhang Lexuan crouched down. A thread of moonlight shimmered at her fingertip as she carefully drew the Immortal Herb out.
"The Heavenly Star Spirit-Gathering Flower. Its effects are mild, and it can steadily improve mental strength while nourishing the body and enhancing physical qualities."
She sealed the white Immortal Herb inside a jade box she had just taken out. Her movements were smooth and practiced, as if she had done it many times before.
Liu Lin took the jade box and put it away. He was about to speak when Zhang Lexuan had already headed to the other side.
Her gaze fell on an Immortal Herb that was pale gold all over, its petals shaped like a crown.
The Heavenly Star Vine wasn't very old either, but its attributes were a perfect match. The Star Crown Martial Soul naturally resonated with star-type Immortal Herbs, and absorbing one could even lead to Martial Soul Evolution.
The Heavenly Star Vine's life energy could stabilize the meridians, making it indispensable in helping Xu Jiujiu with her future breakthroughs.
Zhang Lexuan sealed it in a jade box the same way and handed it to Liu Lin.
"These two Immortal Herbs will be enough for your little fiancée at her current stage."
After speaking, Zhang Lexuan dusted the dirt from her hands and stood up.
"If she absorbs the remaining top-grade Immortal Herbs now, it would be a waste. Wait until her cultivation is higher before coming back here to take them."
Hearing Zhang Lexuan's words, Liu Lin nodded in agreement with her suggestion.
Then Liu Lin carefully put the two jade boxes Zhang Lexuan had given him into his Storage Soul Tool.
After the two of them rested for a while at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Liu Lin and Zhang Lexuan left.
When they reached the Poisonous Miasma Zone, Liu Lin once again used Ultimate Ice to form a protective barrier, shielding them both from the poisonous miasma.
Liu Lin had become much more adept at using Ultimate Ice than he had been on the way in.
After the origins of the Immortal Herbs had tempered the two Martial Souls within him, his Soul Power flowed far more smoothly.
When the two of them reached the outside of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Zhang Lexuan pulled Liu Lin into her arms again.
Moonlight shimmered around her. With a light tap of her toes, the two of them shot away from the Sunset Forest like a silver shooting star.
Once they were out of the Sunset Forest, Zhang Lexuan didn't stop. Holding him, she flew all the way southeast.
Several days later, Zhang Lexuan set Liu Lin down in a forest not far from Star Luo City.
Then she noticed his collar, tousled by the wind, and reached out to straighten it for him. Her movements were so natural, as if she had done it countless times before.
Once she had finished, Zhang Lexuan leaned closer and gave him a light kiss.
"All right, I'll take you this far. Your big sister won't be going into Star Luo City. Let's part ways here."
She paused and took a silver-white ring from her Storage Soul Tool.
"Here. With this, you'll be able to contact me. And the me in your Sea of Consciousness has something to say to you, too. Until we meet again."
"Mm. See you next time, Sister Lexuan." Liu Lin nodded.
Zhang Lexuan nodded, then returned control of her body to her past self.
After taking control of her body, the Zhang Lexuan from the past looked at Liu Lin and said shyly, "Liu Lin, there are some things I want to tell you."
"I was very happy during the time we spent together. But I can't say I love you yet."
"After all, my future self and I are two different souls. So I don't like you as much as she does. But once I, Zhang Lexuan, set my heart on someone, I won't change my mind."
"So you'd better hurry up and make me fall in love with you. All right, that's all. Until next time, Liu Lin."
Hearing Zhang Lexuan's words, Liu Lin froze for a moment, then shouted after her as she left.
"I will! I won't keep you waiting long!"
In the distance, Zhang Lexuan heard Liu Lin's words, and the corners of her mouth lifted despite herself.
Liu Lin stood where he was, gazing in the direction Zhang Lexuan had gone.
Only after she was out of sight did Liu Lin turn around and head toward the gates of Star Luo City.