Lovesickness Unspoken, Heartbreak Yet to Bloom

Night fell over the valley.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well did not fall silent as a result.

A thin mist rose from the milky white, cold spring.

The crimson fire spring emitted a dark red glow in the darkness.

Two opposing forces, one hot and one cold, converge at the center of the spring.

Finally, it transformed into a wisp of gentle water vapor, slowly drifting upwards towards the valley.

At the camp.

Dugu Yan had already gone to sleep.

After several attempts to expel the accumulated toxins, her body felt much better than before, but she was still mentally exhausted.

Ye Lingling stayed by her side.

Qin Ming then went to find Dugu Bo to discuss confidential arrangements after returning to the academy.

Only Dong Jian and Li Man remained sitting near the fire.

There were more than a dozen bamboo strips in front of Li Man.

Each piece records the location, life fluctuations, possible attributes, and danger level of different herbs.

She wrote a line.

pause.

Then I crossed out three more words.

Dong Jian sat down opposite her.

"Not finished yet?"

"Very far off."

Li Man did not look up.

"This only confirms the approximate attributes."

"Before actually bringing it back to the academy, we still need to consider how to harvest it, how to preserve it, and whether its medicinal properties will change after leaving the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Dong Jian picked up a piece of bamboo.

It says on it:

Large golden flowers.

The plant-based Martial Soul resonated strongly.

It exhibits no obvious aggression.

Purify, streamline, and concentrate.

It may alter the Martial Soul Origin.

"Is this the one you're planning to choose?"

"For now."

Li Man took the bamboo strips back.

"The Green Jade Bamboo reacts most strongly to it."

"But a strong response doesn't necessarily mean it's suitable."

Dong Jian said:

"Senior Dugu Bo has given you permission to test."

"Just a test."

Li Man emphasized.

Just because your Martial Soul has successfully evolved doesn't mean my Martial Soul can withstand it as well.

Dong Jian looked at her.

"Are you worried that the original bamboo formation won't work after the Martial Soul changes?"

Li Man paused slightly in her hand holding the bamboo strip.

This is exactly what she's worried about.

The Green Jade Bamboo is not a top-tier Martial Soul.

It lacks the powerful bloodline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

It lacks the almost irreplaceable healing abilities of the Nine Heart Begonia.

In many people's eyes, it is just an ordinary plant-based Martial Soul with a slight degree of resilience.

But Li Man has been using it to cultivate for many years.

Green Bamboo Binding Formation.

The Green Bamboo Rebound.

Mobile Formation Eye.

The Instant Formation Eye.

Three-Layer Bamboo Formation.

The Parasitic Bamboo Formation Eye.

Each ability is not a complete answer directly granted by the Soul Ring.

Rather, it was a system that she gradually developed after repeatedly adjusting the position of the array's core and having it broken time and time again.

If the Martial Soul Evolution...

The Green Jade Bamboo has lost its original flexibility.

Or it could become a plant that excels only at direct attacks.

All past training will be affected.

"I'm not afraid of becoming stronger."

Li Man said.

"I'm afraid of what will happen after my Martial Soul changes."

"I don't know how to use it."

Dong Jian looked down at his hands.

After the Yin-Yang Iron-Eating Beast evolved.

He had encountered the same problem.

The local Light-Heavy Conversion is stronger.

The black-and-white cycle is more stable.

For the first few tests.

He was even unable to complete his familiar footwork because the changes in his strength were too rapid.

"Practice again."

Dong Jian said.

What kind of answer is that?

"That's what I've been doing for the past few days."

"You have the foundation of Circular Force Redirection, Mountain-Shifting Step, and Sinking Body Stance."

Li Man looked at him.

"If the roots, nodes, and conduction mechanisms of the Green Jade Bamboo all change..."

My original foundation may also change.

"Then let's start by finding the parts that won't change."

Dong Jian said:

What you truly rely on is not what the bamboo looks like.

"You're the one who knows when the road will be closed."

When will the scene change?

"When to abandon the exposed key points of the formation?"

Li Man did not answer immediately.

Dong Jian continued:

"The Martial Soul has changed."

The judgment will not disappear.

"And."

You always say I rely too much on strength.

"You can't rely solely on the original form of your Martial Soul."

Li Man looked up.

Are you trying to comfort me?

"No."

What is that?

"I'll return the words you said to me before."

Li Man watched him count the breaths.

Finally, she let out a soft hum.

No wonder it sounds so awful.

That being said...

She still set the bamboo slip with the golden flower inscription aside.

The fire flickered gently.

Silence returned between the two.

Dong Jian closed his eyes.

The Spiritual Origin left behind by the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew remains overly active.

Even without actively entering the state of Force Observation.

He could also hear more sounds from afar.

Cold spring water drips onto the rock wall.

Bubbles burst beneath the fire spring.

Small insects crawled across the dry leaves at the edge of the valley.

There was also the extremely soft rustling sound when Li Man rubbed the bamboo strips with her fingers.

"Are your eyes bothering you again?"

Li Man asked.

"No."

"Then why are you frowning?"

"After closing your eyes."

Dong Jian said:

"I heard more."

"Because you're looking for it."

"What's the meaning?"

"Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, but I'm not forcing you to listen."

Li Man put down the bamboo strip.

"It's because you believe that all changes might be useful."

"That's why they're unwilling to let it go."

"Force Observation requires attention to detail."

"But not every leaf swayed."

"They're all related to combat."

Dong Jian opened his eyes.

How do you distinguish them?

First, decide what you really want to see.

Li Man said:

"The same applies to formations."

"I can sense many plants."

"But they wouldn't treat every single blade of grass as a crucial element."

"Otherwise, it's not about controlling the battlefield."

"We're being dragged along by the battlefield."

Dong Jian nodded.

I closed my eyes again.

This time.

He no longer tried to listen to the entire valley.

Only the sounds from the campfire and the vicinity of the camp are preserved.

Other details passed through my consciousness.

But they were no longer forced to stay.

A moment later.

His tense brows gradually relaxed.

Li Man picked up the bamboo strip again.

Dong Jian suddenly said:

"When I was in the spring."

She stopped moving.

"What's wrong?"

At first, I couldn't hear anyone's voice.

Dong Jian looked at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

I heard you call it twice more later.

I shouted it many times.

"I only heard it twice."

Li Man looked down at the bamboo strip in her hand.

Which two times?

"First."

Dong Jian said:

"Let me keep going."

When the power of ice and fire tore the Martial Soul apart.

The two illusory figures, the black bear and the white bear, had separated.

Li Man discovered that there was still a connection of Soul Power between the two.

She instructed Dong Jian to complete the next power conversion.

The second time.

This happened after the Black and White Bear's shadow approached again.

She asked him to come back.

Which was the last time you listened to it?

Li Man asked.

I listened to it both times.

How is that possible?

"Keep going."

Dong Jian said:

"Only then can I come back."

Li Man remained silent for a long time.

"Don't use that kind of excuse in the future."

"There was no perfunctory response."

That means you haven't figured it out.

"No, not at all."

Dong Jian thought about it carefully.

That's how it was back then.

Li Man did not argue with him.

Just tighten the fingers gripping the bamboo strip slightly.

"I'm really angry."

"It wasn't you who consumed the Ice and Fire Herbs."

Dong Jian looked at her.

What is it?

You waited until it was time to gather herbs.

"You only just told me you'd definitely eat it."

Li Man said:

You always put yourself in a position where you can't back down.

"Only then will you let others know what you're planning to do."

I'm letting you know in advance.

Dong Jian asked:

Would you agree?

"I won't agree immediately."

Li Man answered without hesitation.

"I will list out all the possible points where it might fail."

"I'll make you practice it again and again."

"Until I can't find any new problems."

"In the end, they'll still let me go."

"If it's absolutely necessary to go."

Li Man said in a low voice:

I'll stand where I can catch you.

The fire crackled softly.

A Fire Star rises.

It went out quickly.

Dong Jian did not say that he ultimately succeeded.

The result could not erase the danger of that time.

After he entered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Li Man couldn't continue.

The Meridian Suppression Formation cannot enter the meridians.

Even the Green Jade Bamboo could not withstand the power of the spring water.

What she can do.

Only by standing on the shore.

Watching the two bear shadows gradually split apart.

Then wait for him to surface.

"Next time."

Dong Jian said.

I'll let you know in advance.

"Just tell?"

"I'll listen to you finish listing the questions."

"Then what?"

"I'll decide whether or not to go."

Li Man glanced at him.

The last sentence was barely audible.

She began to put away the bamboo strips.

Come with me.

Where to go?

"Look at the golden flowers one more time."

"Now?"

"The life force fluctuations of the surrounding herbs are too strong during the day."

Li Man said:

"Many plants will actively gather their energy at night."

"It's easier to determine its own attributes."

The two did not alert anyone else.

Following the outer route permitted by Dugu Bo, they approached the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well again.

Moonlight falls on the valley.

Many herbs that bloom during the day have already closed their petals.

A few rare herbs still emit a faint glow.

The golden tulip grew in a crevice between rocks.

Even without sunshine.

The petals remain as warm and lustrous as gold.

Li Man was three steps away from it.

The Green Jade Bamboo has already appeared on its own.

The pale gold dragon pattern on the bamboo shimmered.

The golden flowers also rotated.

All petals face Li Man.

"The reaction is more pronounced than during the day."

Dong Jian said.

Li Man released a very weak bamboo shoot.

Avoid touching the flowers.

It senses the life fluctuations near the roots only along the soil.

A moment later.

She said:

"It has been absorbing the purest primordial Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi from its surroundings."

"After different attributes enter the root..."

"Everything will be reorganized."

"Finally, only the parts most suitable for plant growth are left."

Dong Jian asked:

"Can it make the Green Jade Bamboo even purer?"

"Not just pure."

Li Man said:

"It might draw out the dragon pattern power within the Green Jade Bamboo that has never truly taken shape."

The golden dragon pattern on the Green Jade Bamboo is a change that gradually appeared after the Second Soul Ring.

Later, after multiple training sessions on formations, Martial Soul Fusion, and the Parasitic Bamboo Formation Eye.

The dragon pattern is becoming increasingly clear.

But it has always just been a special pattern on the Martial Soul.

It did not truly change the essence of Green Jade Bamboo.

Golden flowers before my eyes.

Perhaps this will allow this hidden power to be fully awakened.

Li Man retrieved the bamboo whiskers.

They did not approach any further.

"Test it tomorrow."

Dong Jian nodded.

The two turned to go back.

Take a few steps.

Dong Jian suddenly stopped.

Through the spiritual perception brought by the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, a very strange life fluctuation was captured.

Not strong.

However, it is extremely concentrated.

There's one more plant behind it.

Li Man followed his gaze.

Behind the golden tulips.

Several dark rocks form a natural depression.

In the center of the rock.

A small, pure white flower grows there.

The flowers were unremarkable.

There was no golden glow.

There was no cold fog or heat wave.

In the center of a pure white petal.

However, it had several bright red lines on it.

Like blood streaks.

It's like a heart hidden inside a flower.

Li Man first observed her surroundings.

No aggressiveness was detected.

She went around to the side.

Prepare to determine the root system structure.

However, a common thin vine was hidden by the rocks at its feet.

The vines brushed against my fingertips.

It left a shallow wound.

A drop of blood fell.

No drops fell on the petals.

It landed on the edge of the black stone, just half a step away from the white flower.

The white flower suddenly trembled slightly.

The red patterns in the flower center light up simultaneously.

The petals were originally facing the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Slowly turn towards Li Man.

The Green Jade Bamboo instantly appeared in his palm.

"Martial Soul Resonance?"

Li Man asked.

"No."

Dong Jian's eyes gleamed with a clear, bright light.

The Force Observation is activated.

He did not see a connection of Soul Power between the white flower and the Green Jade Bamboo.

The blood did not flow to the roots.

The changes in this white-flowered plant.

It's not because of plant-based Martial Soul.

What has truly changed is...

It is that pure life force deep within the heart of the flower.

When Li Man turned to look at Dong Jian.

The white flowers and red patterns shone brightly for a moment again.

That moment was extremely faint.

If there is no Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.

It's simply impossible to detect.

Dong Jian has withdrawn from Force Observation.

"It didn't respond to the Green Jade Bamboo."

What is that?

"Have no idea."

Dong Jian did not present his guess as the answer.

"The blood may have only briefly awakened it."

Li Man looked down at Black Stone.

The drop of blood remained in place.

It was not absorbed by the flower.

"It's not the blood itself."

She took out a new bamboo strip.

Write a few lines:

White flowers.

Red stripes.

Rooted in black stone.

It has no obvious cold or heat symptoms or toxicity.

A vital sign appeared when the blood came near.

It does not resonate with the Green Jade Bamboo.

Do not touch for now.

After writing.

She was preparing to leave.

The white flowers trembled slightly.

A petal tilted slightly in their direction.

It looks like it's looking at you.

Dong Jian said.

Flowers have no eyes.

"I didn't see any eyes either."

"Then why did you say it?"

"Because you turned around."

Dong Jian replied:

"It turned around too."

Li Man glanced at him.

"It might be the wind."

There was no wind in the valley.

Dong Jian did not point this out.

On the way back to camp.

Li Man suddenly asked:

"If I were the one entering the spring."

Where will you stand?

"Closest to you."

Dong Jian answered.

"What if we die together if we get close?"

"Let's find someone we won't die with first."

"And I can take your place."

"Can't find it?"

Dong Jian stopped in his tracks.

Li Man also stopped.

Moonlight fell into her eyes.

That's not the look you'd have when discussing tactics.

She did not wait for the most reasonable formation to be arranged.

There was no waiting for a route that could be practiced repeatedly.

Dong Jian said:

"I'll tell you first, though."

I'm going there.

Li Man looked at him for a moment.

That statement is useless.

"Why?"

"Because at that time."

I will still tell you not to come.

Would I listen?

"Won't."

She answered quickly.

"So it's useless."

Li Man turned and continued walking.

Dong Jian followed her to her side.

"At least I told you in advance."

Li Man remained silent.

But the corners of her mouth lifted up very slightly.

Calmness was quickly restored.

Their shadows stretched side by side in the moonlight.

Center of the Black Rock.

The white flower was still facing the direction they had left in.

The red patterns in the flower center are alternating between light and dark.

It did not yearn to be absorbed like the golden tulip.

It also didn't demonstrate how much it could increase Soul Power.

It's just waiting.

Waiting for someday in the future.

Some people no longer use teammates, partners, formations, or Martial Soul Fusion to explain why they are willing to stay by another person's side.

We await that answer.

It has truly become clear.