Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Zuzong handed the Yearning Hearbroken Red to Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu stared blankly at the beautiful, blood-stained peony in front of her and nodded slightly, looking straight at Zuzong. "I'll give it a try."
Activating her internal soul power, she gathered her energy and gently opened her cherry lips, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the petals.
The moment she did so, her mind was flooded with memories of Zuzong—from their first meeting in the dorm at Nuoding Academy to his heartfelt confession. Everything they'd experienced over the past six or seven years played vividly in her mind.
As the blood landed on the petals, Zuzong, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling all focused their attention on the flower, quietly waiting.
The Yearning Hearbroken Red didn't sway, but it slowly detached from the black stone, falling gently into Xiao Wu's delicate hand.
Wiping the blood from her lips, Xiao Wu smiled faintly, her eyes dreamy as she gazed at the enchanting flower in her hand. "I did it."
Everyone, including Zuzong and Zhu Zhuqing, smiled warmly.
But then, something unexpected happened. The Yearning Hearbroken Red, which had settled in Xiao Wu's hand, began to tremble violently. It radiated a bright red light, broke free from her grip, and reconnected to the black stone beneath it.
The shaking eventually stopped, and the flower no longer showed any sign of falling. Xiao Wu, at that moment, lost her connection to it.
"What's going on?" Xiao Wu exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone looked puzzled.
Zuzong frowned. By right, once the flower was successfully picked, it should belong to Xiao Wu. Why did it return to the stone? Was pure love not enough? Did it require a destined person? But who could that be?
Zuzong consoled, "Xiao Wu, don't worry. Your genuine feelings were undeniable. Otherwise, the flower wouldn't have fallen in the first place. Maybe you're just not the destined one."
He then handed the Yearning Hearbroken Red to Zhu Zhuqing with a smile, "Zhuqing, your turn!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. This time, she didn't refuse. Since Xiao Wu's attempt failed due to lack of destiny, Zhu Zhuqing thought there was no reason for her not to try, as she believed her love for Zuzong was just as deep.
Following the same method, Zhu Zhuqing spat a mouthful of blood onto the flower, but just like with Xiao Wu, the Yearning Hearbroken Red fell briefly before reconnecting to the black stone.
Zhu Zhuqing looked disappointed but also felt a sense of relief. Although she hadn't succeeded, her love for Zuzong had been affirmed.
With a downcast expression, she said, "Zuzong, it seems I'm not the destined one either. Perhaps Xiao Wu should take the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone instead."
Zuzong shook his head, "There's no need for that. I have another spare herb."
As Zuzong was about to store the Yearning Hearbroken Red and retrieve a backup herb for Xiao Wu, suddenly, the sound of someone spitting blood echoed. Zuzong turned to see that Ning Rongrong had just spat blood onto the flower.
Before he could react, the Yearning Hearbroken Red began to tremble again. Though slower than with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, it eventually detached from the black stone and fell into a delicate hand.
Wiping the blood from her lips, Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly. "Looks like I'm the destined one."
However, before anyone could recover from their shock, the flower returned to the black stone once more.
Ning Rongrong didn't seem to mind. She smiled, "What a pity."
Though Zuzong found it curious that Ning Rongrong had shown genuine feelings, he was relieved she hadn't succeeded in claiming the flower. If the one to take it wasn't one of his wives, Zuzong would rather leave it in his system's storage space forever. After all, giving her the Qiluo Tulip last time was already enough to repay his debt to her.
Feigning disappointment, Zuzong said, "One mustn't be too greedy. Every one of these celestial herbs is a heavenly treasure. Too much is not only unhelpful but harmful. You've already taken the Qiluo Tulip, so taking another herb will hinder its full absorption."
With that, Zuzong stored the Yearning Hearbroken Red in his system's storage space.
In a flash of golden light, a large chrysanthemum appeared in Zuzong's hand. The flower was a beautiful purple hue, and each petal looked soft and fuzzy, unusually endearing. Despite its flawless appearance, it emitted no fragrance. The central stamen stood over half a foot tall and shone faintly with a golden light.
Zuzong walked over to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, this is the 'Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum,' a neutral celestial herb. Eating it will harmonize your body, enhance your soul power, and grant you an almost indestructible body."
Xiao Wu was taken aback, "An indestructible body? Really?"
Zuzong smiled, "While that's a bit of an exaggeration, this herb pairs well with your martial soul. Your Soft Bone Rabbit is a power-based soul, and your strength lies in your body. With this, your training will yield much better results."
He added, "Its effects are similar to Zhuqing's Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. If you take it now, it might help you break through to the fortieth level. After you gain a soul ring, the herb's effects will continue to enhance you."
Xiao Wu kissed Zuzong on the cheek. "Thank you, Zuzong."
Zuzong smiled gently, "Alright, everyone, start refining! Aunt Erlong is just outside guarding the door for us."
As he spoke, Zuzong retrieved another unassuming herb from his storage. The herb was a vibrant green, but its center had three snow-white leaves with a few dew-like droplets.
Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Zuzong, what is this? Another celestial herb?"
"This is called the 'Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.' Eating it will give you 'Golden Eyes' to see through all things. Though that's an exaggeration, it'll be beneficial for my eyes, which makes it valuable to me."
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu nodded in understanding, knowing Zuzong's second martial soul was his eyes.
Silently, Zuzong hoped, "I hope this Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew can help my Sharingan evolve."
He tilted the herb slightly and let the clear droplets drip into his mouth. As soon as the liquid left the leaves, the entire herb withered and turned to dust in his hand.
Without saying much, Zuzong moved to a corner, sat down in a meditative position, and began his cultivation.
In the small courtyard, the only one still awake was Liu Erlong, who stood outside the door, her gaze fixed on Zuzong. Struggling with her thoughts, she couldn't shake a lingering question in her heart.
"Zuzong, are you really not my little Zong?"
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