Binding Interests

"Is that... the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?!"

Amid the dense white mist, Yue Guan stood not far from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which resembled a red-and-blue taiji diagram. Staring at the strange flower he knew so well, his entire body began to tremble as he cried out in an excited, shrill voice.

"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?!"

Beside him, Gui Mei froze upon hearing Yue Guan's excited shout. Following Yue Guan's gaze, he saw a strange flower almost identical to Yue Guan's Martial Soul.

There really were Immortal Spiritual Herbs in this world, and it just so happened to be the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum identical to Yue Guan's Martial Soul?

Gui Mei was momentarily stunned when he saw the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

Having worked with Yue Guan for so long, Gui Mei had naturally learned much from him about flowers and herbs, including Immortal Spiritual Herbs.

But Gui Mei had always believed that Immortal Spiritual Herbs were merely legendary and did not exist on Douluo Continent, much like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Martial Soul possessed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Yet now, he had actually seen an Immortal Spiritual Herb that existed only in legend.

"You recognize all the medicinal herbs around here?"

Yue Guan's excited voice naturally caught Dugu Bo's attention. When he noticed that Yue Guan's eyes were filled with excitement and fervor as he looked over every herb nearby, Dugu Bo could not help asking.

"Of course I recognize them all!"

After shouting excitedly, Yue Guan took a deep breath and quickly calmed down. In response to Dugu Bo's question, he raised his chin proudly and answered with obvious conceit.

As he spoke, Yue Guan walked toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, introducing each of the extraordinary-looking, top-grade spiritual herbs he discovered with an intoxicated expression.

Among them were the Cinnabar Lotus and Snow Silkworm that had appeared in the original story, as well as spiritual herbs that had not appeared before, such as Purple Ganoderma, Snow Jade Lotus, Golden Thread Jade Dendrobium, Dragon Pattern White Jade Ginseng, Ice Crystal Flower, Red Jade Fruit, and more.

But as he continued introducing them, Yue Guan seemed to recall something. The intoxication and fervor in his eyes instantly faded, and he came back to his senses.

Oh no! It seemed I had stolen the host's thunder!

Though obsessed with flowers and herbs, Yue Guan was not stupid.

This herb garden originally belonged to Dugu Bo. But now that Dugu Bo had submitted to the Saintess Bibi Dong, the herb garden belonged to the Saintess Bibi Dong to some extent.

Because the Saintess Bibi Dong also enjoyed flowers and herbs and had once borrowed many books from him that recorded all manner of flora, she recognized the medicinal herbs here as well.

With the Saintess Bibi Dong knowing all these flowers and herbs, yet remaining silent, he had kept introducing them one after another.

What else could that be but stealing the host's thunder?

Thinking of this, Yue Guan shook his head inwardly with some helplessness.

"My apologies, Her Ladyship, the Saintess. I was simply too excited. How does Her Ladyship intend to deal with the medicinal herbs here?"

After regaining his composure, Yue Guan quickly stood up, bowed apologetically to Bibi Dong, and asked.

"How should we deal with these medicinal herbs? Naturally, we should pick out what can be used and use everything that can be used first!"

In response to Yue Guan's question, Bibi Dong swept her gaze over the various medicinal herbs surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, including the Immortal Spiritual Herbs, with unconcealed admiration. Then she smiled.

"Use them all?"

Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Yue Guan froze for a moment. A trace of heartache and regret flashed through his eyes.

For others, when encountering something that could increase their strength, using it would certainly be the best choice.

But for someone like Yue Guan, who loved flowers and herbs...

Flowers and herbs, especially those like Immortal Spiritual Herbs that existed only in legend, were things he simply could not bear to use.

Instead, he would place them on display and admire them every day.

Of course, Yue Guan also knew that none of the medicinal herbs here belonged to him. They belonged to Bibi Dong, and he had no reason to interfere with how she chose to handle them.

Yet as he looked at the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum not far away, Yue Guan's eyes still struggled. Finally, he gritted his teeth, dropped to one knee before Bibi Dong, and cupped his fists.

"Her Ladyship, the Saintess, all the medicinal herbs here should, by rights, be handled by Your Ladyship."

"But Your Ladyship knows my temperament. Other medicinal herbs would be one thing, but that Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, which is identical to my Martial Soul... I truly cannot sit by and watch someone else use it."

"Here, I boldly ask Her Ladyship, the Saintess, to bestow that Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum upon me!"

Although Bibi Dong was the Saintess of Spirit Hall,

her strength was currently only at the level of a Soul King. Given Yue Guan's strength and standing within Spirit Hall, he did not need to refer to himself as a subordinate, and he had never done so before.

But in order to obtain the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Yue Guan had immediately lowered his stance to the utmost, all to receive it from Bibi Dong.

"Elder Yue Guan need not be so formal. In truth, I had intended to give this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum to Elder Yue Guan from the start. As for Elder Gui Mei, I also have an Immortal Spiritual Herb to give you."

Bibi Dong was not surprised by Yue Guan's request for the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. She merely chuckled and pulled him to his feet.

I get one too?

At the side, Gui Mei was somewhat surprised upon hearing Bibi Dong's words.

But Bibi Dong had not finished speaking.

"However, there are also some matters I would like to discuss with Elder Yue Guan and Elder Gui Mei."

Bibi Dong spoke slowly.

"What is it? Please speak, Her Ladyship, the Saintess!"

Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance before asking in unison.

Gui Mei did not crave Immortal Spiritual Herbs as desperately as Yue Guan did.

But knowing the powerful effects of Immortal Spiritual Herbs, Gui Mei naturally would not refuse after hearing that Bibi Dong intended to give him one.

"It is not anything particularly difficult. I only hope that the two elders will not tell Spirit Hall about what happened today. After all, these Immortal Herbs are far too precious..."

Bibi Dong looked at Yue Guan and Gui Mei, her beautiful face filled with seriousness and solemnity.

Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were briefly stunned, but they immediately understood her intentions.

They also understood the value of Immortal Spiritual Herbs. If they informed Spirit Hall about what had happened today, all these Immortal Spiritual Herbs would certainly be taken by Spirit Hall.

Even this herb garden would belong to Spirit Hall from then on.

Of course, as the discoverer, Bibi Dong might be rewarded with an Immortal Spiritual Herb.

But the two of them might not be!

Bibi Dong's meaning was nothing more than that she wanted to keep all the Immortal Spiritual Herbs here for herself.

But should they refuse?

Without thinking for long, Yue Guan and Gui Mei quickly made their decision.

"Rest assured, Her Ladyship, the Saintess. The two of us will keep today's events absolutely secret!"

Looking at Bibi Dong, Yue Guan and Gui Mei instantly cupped their fists and spoke with great solemnity.

Who would not like treasures that could increase their strength?

The two of them were not actually all that loyal to Spirit Hall. They served Spirit Hall only because it could bring them benefits.

And regarding today's Immortal Spiritual Herbs, when they could clearly obtain an Immortal Spiritual Herb from Bibi Dong, who would risk getting nothing by reporting this news to Spirit Hall?

At any rate, Yue Guan and Gui Mei could not do it!

But if they chose to conceal this news and not inform Spirit Hall, Yue Guan and Gui Mei would effectively be boarding the same ship as Bibi Dong.

Yet Yue Guan and Gui Mei were more than happy with that.

Because over the years they had spent interacting with Bibi Dong,

they had long since realized that Bibi Dong was absolutely not the naive and kindhearted girl described in the rumors. She was a girl of extraordinary intelligence, with deep schemes and capable methods!

With Bibi Dong's talent, she had every chance of becoming the Pope in the future.

They were only Soul Douluo now, and they might not necessarily become Titled Douluo in the future.

By choosing a side in advance, they could obtain an opportunity guaranteed to elevate them to Titled Douluo. Who would not want that?