Black Jade Divine Bamboo, Lovesick Heartbreak Red

Sunset Forest was shrouded in rising miasma.

Beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Bo sat cross-legged on the ground, cultivating.

Ever since completely purging the poison that had plagued him for years, he had remained here to cultivate.

I, Dugu Bo, had never felt so refreshed!

With a single breath, Dugu Bo broke through once more and successfully entered Rank 91.

Just as he was immersed in the joy of his increased strength, two vast, abyss-like auras suddenly appeared in the sky.

"Who goes there?!"

Dugu Bo immediately tensed his entire body and looked up at the sky.

But after a single breath, he dropped his guard.

The newcomers were acquaintances—and his masters.

Xu Peinian and the others landed, and Dugu Bo promptly stepped forward and asked respectfully:

"Young Master, you have arrived."

"Mm. How have you been lately, Senior Dugu?"

"Hahaha, this old man has been doing quite well lately. I sensed that Young Master was coming, became so excited that I broke through on the spot."

I still prefer your unruly look... Xu Peinian could not help smiling when he saw the once-notorious old poisoner bowing and scraping before him.

"Then congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior. Today, I brought some friends to collect a few immortal herbs."

Xu Peinian did not continue exchanging pleasantries with him and directly explained why their group had come.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the herbs surrounding it had long nominally belonged to Spirit Hall, where Xu Peinian was from. How could Dugu Bo dare object? He immediately replied:

"What is Young Master looking for today? Does this old man need to fetch it personally?"

"Mm... You should come along as well."

"Yes."

Then Xu Peinian and his party made their way grandly toward the pool known as the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Th-This is?!"

Hu Liena covered her cherry lips, utterly astonished.

The sight before them was remarkably strange. Two distinctly colored pools of water existed together within a single hot spring.

Although Zhu Zhuqing did not cry out in surprise, her eyes were still filled with shock.

"This strange pool is called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It is one of the three exceptionally rare treasure basins.

Not only is it itself a heavenly treasure, but it can also cultivate rare plants around it in an extremely short time. There are poisonous herbs here, as well as immortal herbs."

Hearing Xu Peinian's introduction, everyone present became even more astonished. Even Dugu Bo, who had claimed this place as his territory for many years, actually knew very little about it.

"Zhuqing, come here."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing immediately stepped forward to Xu Peinian's side.

Ignoring Hu Liena's resentful little gaze, Xu Peinian introduced something to Zhu Zhuqing:

"Do you see that plant that looks like bamboo?"

Following the direction of Xu Peinian's finger, Zhu Zhuqing saw a section of bamboo rooted in the soil beside the spring. It seemed to have been tempered from dark iron, black with a hint of jade-green, and its body emitted a cold azure glow.

"It is called Black Jade Divine Bamboo. It has exactly nine segments and can increase a Soul Master's physical toughness. It can also greatly enhance attack power and strengthen the effects of offensive soul skills. It is an ideal immortal herb for assault-type Soul Masters."

"Assault-type? But I am an agility-attack-type Soul Master?"

Zhu Zhuqing's tranquil eyes were filled with confusion, as though a string of question marks hung above her head.

"That is exactly what I was about to say."

Xu Peinian paused, then said solemnly:

"Zhuqing, although agility-attack-type Soul Masters have a decent path of development, once you reach higher realms in the future, you may find yourself lacking in strength. This Black Jade Divine Bamboo can help you transition into an assault-type Soul Master."

"Of course, I will respect your own wishes. If you do not want to become an assault-type Soul Master, I have other immortal herbs here that would suit you."

Xu Peinian had prepared for both possibilities. If Zhu Zhuqing was unwilling to switch to the assault type, he would give her the Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone, just as in the original story.

"Think it over carefully first. It will not be too late to decide later."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Peinian was about to call Hu Liena over when a soft yet resolute voice interrupted him:

"I will listen to you. I want this Black Jade Divine Bamboo."

Zhu Zhuqing's voice was like pearls falling onto a jade plate, crisp and pleasant. The absolute trust within it struck straight into Xu Peinian's heart.

He had saved her life. How could he possibly harm her?

Zhu Zhuqing's tranquil eyes simply stared at Xu Peinian without blinking.

Damn it, why didn't this bitch hesitate? Then A-Nian would have only fallen for me!

Not far away, Hu Liena's fists clenched so tightly that the crisp crack of her finger joints could be heard.

This brought Xu Peinian back to his senses. He flicked his sleeve and gave an awkward laugh.

"Ahaha, then Zhuqing, refine it. Remember, Black Jade Divine Bamboo cannot be consumed. You need to wrap it in Soul Power and slowly absorb its medicinal effects."

After speaking, Xu Peinian turned to Golden Crocodile Douluo and sincerely requested:

"Grandpa Golden Crocodile, I am counting on you."

"No trouble at all."

Golden Crocodile Douluo easily dug out the Black Jade Divine Bamboo, then wrapped it in Soul Power and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing accepted the bamboo and thanked him before walking to one side to prepare to refine it.

"Sister Liena, come here for a moment."

Xu Peinian waved to Hu Liena.

Hu Liena pursed her lips and walked toward Xu Peinian with great reluctance.

Even after reaching his side, she muttered quietly:

"Oh? A-Nian finally remembered he has an older sister?"

Xu Peinian leaned close to Hu Liena's ear and whispered:

"Sister Liena, don't you understand? The most important person always makes their grand entrance at the end."

"Such a smooth talker~"

Hu Liena shot him a glare and took the opportunity to put a little distance between them.

Mainly because the warm breath Xu Peinian had exhaled made her ticklish. She feared that if they stayed so close, she would lose control and pounce on A-Nian in public, devouring him completely.

"Alright, Sister Liena. That Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone was prepared for you."

Xu Peinian pointed to a pristine, crystal-white flower that looked like a green lotus and white lotus root, and spoke to Hu Liena.

But Hu Liena seemed not to hear him at all. Her gaze was fixed on another flower beside it.

It was an ordinary-looking white flower, but its stem was connected to a massive jet-black stone. Several patches of blood-red color stained the white petals.

"A-Nian, what is that flower called?"

Xu Peinian was momentarily stunned when he saw the immortal herb Hu Liena was pointing at, as though he had not expected her to ask about it.

Still, Xu Peinian explained:

"This flower is called Lovesick Heartbreak Red. It is a divine treasure among immortal-grade herbs. There is also a legendary tale behind it. Long ago... those crimson bloodstains were the heart's blood of a young man."

After telling the story behind it, Xu Peinian continued:

"This flower is extraordinary. It chooses its own master. To pick it, you must think of the person you love and spit a mouthful of blood onto its petals. Only the utmost sincerity can pluck it. Once removed, as long as it remains beside its master, it will never wither. If consumed, it can raise Soul Power by at least ten ranks and completely transform the body."

"Although its effects are indeed somewhat better than those of your two herbs, its requirements are equally harsh. As far as I know, neither of you has someone you deeply love, so I did not include it among the options."

As his words fell, even Zhu Zhuqing, who was some distance away and preparing to refine the Black Jade Divine Bamboo, could not help having her eyes tremble.

She was not only moved by the love story contained within it, but it had also drawn out an indescribable longing buried deep in her heart.

Just as everyone was still lost in thought, a golden-red figure walked directly up to the flower.

Soul Power circulated within her body, stirring her blood and qi. Hu Liena parted her cherry lips and sprayed a mouthful of blood onto the petals.

Before they had time to think further, Xu Peinian and the others instantly shifted their attention to the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

Some were filled with anticipation, while others concealed their sorrow.