Qian Xunji's Rebellious Streak

"Immortal Herbs? What do you mean?" Jun Yan looked puzzled.

"Medicinal herbs in this world vary in quality, just like Martial Souls. Some exceptionally rare herbs have effects so astounding that they seem otherworldly, so they're called Immortal Herbs.

"The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower your father took was a fire-attribute Immortal Herb. It could increase Soul Power, strengthen his Martial Soul and help him break through bottlenecks."

"And my Martial Soul, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, is also an Immortal Herb."

As he spoke, Yue Guan opened his right palm. A faint yellow current appeared above it, and the yellow light gradually changed to purple. At the center of the purple was a glimmer of gold.

Amid the spreading purple light, a huge chrysanthemum grew. It was a magnificent purple, and, strangely, every petal looked fluffy and especially adorable. The entire flower formed a seamless whole, yet gave off no fragrance. Its central stamen rose more than half a foot above the petals, its tip shimmering with a faint golden light.

"But this is only a Martial Soul. If I could obtain the actual herb and take it, not only could I circulate Qi through my four limbs and blood through my eight meridians, I could even cultivate an indestructible vajra body."

At that, a trace of longing appeared in Yue Guan's eyes. Because his Martial Soul and the Immortal Herb were one and the same, if he could eat it, he would be able to absorb its medicinal power to the fullest. Then he would surely shed his mortal body and soar into the heavens.

But Immortal Herbs belonged in the heavens. How often could they be seen in the mortal world?

Understanding dawned on Jun Yan. "So there's such a thing! Now I want to learn about them even more. Please teach me, Elder."

Yue Guan gave a self-mocking smile. "Immortal Herbs can be found only by chance, not by searching. For you to obtain one was already a stroke of heaven-defying luck. Take me, for example: despite knowing so much, I've never obtained a single Immortal Herb. I've only brought myself needless trouble."

"I think my luck is pretty good. Maybe I'll come across another one someday!" Jun Yan said with a smile.

Seeing that Jun Yan was determined, Yue Guan had no intention of keeping his knowledge to himself and readily agreed. "All right, then. I'll tell you about every Immortal Herb I know."

"Thank you, Elder."

"Even among Immortal Herbs, there are differences in quality. The most precious is the king of flowers, Lovesick Heartbreak Red..."

True to his word, Yue Guan passed on everything he knew about Immortal Herbs to Jun Yan. Sometimes, worried that his explanations weren't clear enough, he even drew pictures for him.

In less than half a day, Jun Yan had learned the properties of those Immortal Herbs, as well as how to pick, store and take them.

Of course, besides the exceptionally precious Immortal Herbs, Yue Guan also introduced Jun Yan to some top-grade exotic flowers and rare plants.

Jun Yan naturally welcomed them all. After all, Immortal Herbs were few in number, while most of the herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were top-grade medicinal herbs.

Only when night fell did Yue Guan finish his teaching.

"Oh, right, this is for you." Yue Guan tossed Jun Yan a small gray bag.

"What's this?" Jun Yan asked, looking at the bag.

There were no patterns on it; it looked just like an ordinary cloth bag. If Yue Guan hadn't given it to him, Jun Yan wouldn't have spared it a second glance.

Yue Guan replied, "I call it the Hundred Flowers Bag. It's a Space Soul Tool I use to preserve my flowers."

Jun Yan sent his consciousness into the Hundred Flowers Bag, only to find it completely empty. He looked up at Yue Guan.

Knowing what Jun Yan wanted to ask, Yue Guan said directly, "Of course it's empty. Why would I give you the exotic flowers and rare plants I worked so hard to collect?"

That meant he had another one. Jun Yan hung the Hundred Flowers Bag at his waist. "Thank you, Elder."

Yue Guan nodded with a smile. "You managed to obtain an Immortal Herb, so your luck must be better than mine. If fate brings you another one in the future, you must show it to me."

"Of course. Maybe I'll even give you a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum then."

Yue Guan burst out laughing. "Then I'll wait and see."

After laughing to his heart's content, Yue Guan asked seriously, "You're going to Spirit Hall's Elite Selection Tournament this time too, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Good. Stay with me and Old Ghost when the time comes. We'll both protect you."

Jun Yan nodded. "I know. But do you mean this trip to Sea God Island won't be safe, Elder?"

Yue Guan did not speak with absolute certainty. "In any case, it won't be that simple. As far as I know, the strongest person on Sea God Island is a Peak Douluo, and she's a follower of the Sea God. Killing her is practically impossible, and to make her submit, Spirit Hall would have to raise the Sea God to its altar alongside the Angel God."

"That's impossible!" Jun Yan said decisively.

"Exactly. No deity can compete with the Angel God for faith. That's the foundation of Spirit Hall. In other words, the Sea God Douluo won't stand by and watch Sea God Island be destroyed, not even with the Great Enshrined on Spirit Hall's side."

At this, Jun Yan asked curiously, "Even you know all this, Elder, so the people in the Elder Hall and Worship Hall must know it too. Why is the Pope still going through with it?"

"Ah!" Yue Guan let out a long sigh. "Since you insist on knowing, I'll tell you. But what I say today must stay between us. No third person can know."

Jun Yan patted his chest. "Don't worry, Elder. I won't go around talking about it."

"Actually, this is mainly because His Holiness the Pope is determined to outdo others."

"Determined to outdo others?" Jun Yan was utterly baffled. Since when could those words be applied to Pope Qian Xunji?

Yue Guan lowered his voice. "Whether in strength or prestige, His Holiness the Pope falls short of the Great Enshrined. In Spirit Hall, ten sentences from the Pope don't even carry as much weight as one from the Great Enshrined. Although they're father and son, His Holiness the Pope is still desperate to achieve something that will eclipse the Great Enshrined."

"But even so, he shouldn't provoke a powerful enemy like Sea God Island!"

"Although His Holiness the Pope insisted on this decision, the Great Enshrined won't stand by and do nothing. Once they reach Sea God Island, the Great Enshrined will keep the Sea God Douluo in check. But if it truly comes down to life or death, the Sea God Douluo will surely strike without hesitation, and the time before the Great Enshrined steps in to stop her will be dangerous. As long as we hold out until the Great Enshrined acts, victory will ultimately belong to Spirit Hall."

Now Jun Yan understood. Yue Guan's view was actually different from his. Yue Guan was optimistic; he thought Spirit Hall could win, though it would face danger. But Jun Yan, with his knowledge of the future, knew that Spirit Hall would be the losing side this time.

Of course, Jun Yan would not tell Yue Guan any of that.

"My father said Spirit Hall would send six Titled Douluo this time. Besides you and Elder Gui Mei, who else is going?"

Yue Guan replied, "There are Lords Qian Jun and Jiang Mo. After they return, they should become members of the Worship Hall. The other two are Ye Feng and Lang Ming."