Faced with the deal proposed by the Laurel Immortal Tea, Zhu Ziyang immediately agreed on Jiang Nannan's behalf. After all, this deal was a guaranteed win for her from every perspective.
"That's wonderful!" Chacha said joyfully. "Then it's happily settled! When you're able to absorb a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, you must come find me!"
"Alright! I understand!" Jiang Nannan had gradually digested the shock of the situation and responded with a gentle smile.
"Good. Now you two can choose one immortal herb. I, Chacha, will help you harvest it, and then you should leave the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well," said Chacha, clearly in a cheerful mood. "I'm afraid if you stay too long, the others will notice."
"Can we discuss it first?" Jiang Nannan glanced at Zhu Ziyang and, seeing him wink at her, instantly understood and asked.
"No problem, but you only have three minutes!" Chacha replied.
"Brother, do you need anything?" Jiang Nannan immediately turned toward Zhu Ziyang and asked softly.
"I do have a few ideas, but I want to hear your thoughts first," Zhu Ziyang said, looking contemplative before turning to her. The girl's cheeks were flushed—clearly from excitement.
"My thoughts?" Jiang Nannan was slightly surprised, lowering her head in thought. After a few seconds, she looked up at him and said, "Brother, why don't we both say the name of the herb we want at the same time, and then we can compare?"
"Sure." Zhu Ziyang nodded with a smile.
The two locked eyes and spoke simultaneously:
"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower!" ×2
Realizing they had both chosen the same herb, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan shared a knowing smile. Unable to help himself, Zhu Ziyang wrapped an arm around her waist and said softly, "Nannan, we really are in sync!"
"Hehehe." Jiang Nannan laughed, basking in his warm embrace, though her beautiful eyes held thoughts of their own. She knew Zhu Ziyang chose the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower for Ma Xiaotao—it was one of their goals in coming to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. And she chose it for the same reason.
The girl had her own calculations. She had always been aware of the ambiguous relationship between Zhu Ziyang and Ma Xiaotao. Though unwilling in her heart, she couldn't object. After all, Ma Xiaotao's martial soul defect was well-known, and she couldn't stop Zhu Ziyang from helping her suppress her evil fire. That would make her the one in the wrong.
So, she chose the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, which could cure Ma Xiaotao's martial soul defect. Once Ma Xiaotao used it, her excuse to get close to Zhu Ziyang under the pretext of controlling her flames would vanish. At the same time, she would leave a more thoughtful impression on Zhu Ziyang's heart. Two birds with one stone!
Though Jiang Nannan had been well protected by Zhu Ziyang, she was no naive and innocent fool. She'd always been working hard to improve herself—not just in cultivation, but in intelligence and wisdom as well.
Unfortunately, no matter how perfect her plan, it couldn't override the unpredictable whims of fate.
"Have you two decided which immortal herb you want?" Chacha asked as they turned back to her.
"Yes, Chacha. We want one Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower," Jiang Nannan replied with a smile.
"Oh my, you two really know how to pick!" Chacha exclaimed in surprise. "You actually chose Kuku, who's the farthest from me. That's going to be tricky!"
"What? Is the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower off limits?" Jiang Nannan asked nervously.
"It's not that you can't choose it, it's just a little troublesome," Chacha said, shaking her branches. "Alright, stretch out your hand."
"For what?" Jiang Nannan asked in confusion.
"Come on, just stretch it out! I'm not going to hurt you!" Chacha huffed, shaking her flower with a hint of annoyance.
Left with no choice, Jiang Nannan reached out a hand toward her. Chacha extended a branch and placed it gently in her palm. Jiang Nannan stared at it, not understanding.
"This flower of mine is meant for you. Pluck it, and then you can safely pick Kuku's flower," Chacha said, her voice tinged with reluctance and tremor. "Be gentle, alright? I'm really afraid of pain."
Jiang Nannan gave a tender smile and said softly, "Thank you, Chacha. I'll be careful."
As she spoke, she gently grasped the branch, her other hand moving swiftly. With a crisp snap, she plucked Chacha's flower.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Chacha wailed, her tone full of grievance. "You tricked me! You said you'd be gentle, but you were so rough!"
"Hehe, a quick pain is better than a lingering one," Jiang Nannan laughed. "If I'd gone slow, I might not have succeeded in one try. Then you'd have to endure the pain over and over, right?"
"That... makes sense," Chacha said, seeming convinced, unaware of the sly smile in Zhu Ziyang's eyes. "Alright, take my flower with you. As long as you hold it, the others won't notice you. But listen carefully—you can only pick one of Kuku's small flowers. Her main flower is her true body. Touch it, and she'll wake up. If that happens, you're both doomed."
"Small flower?" Jiang Nannan hesitated. "Do the small flowers have the same medicinal properties as the main one?"
"Of course not!" Chacha said. "Kuku is a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Her offshoots are just pure immortal herbs. How could they be the same?"
"Can the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's offshoots cure Ma Xiaotao's martial soul defect?" Jiang Nannan muttered to herself, clearly uncertain.
"You don't have to worry," Chacha said reassuringly. "Even though the offshoots aren't soul beasts, they're still true immortal herbs. In fact, offshoots only exist because the main body evolves into a higher life form. Technically, they're the actual immortal herbs now, while we've become herb soul beasts."
"Is that so?" Jiang Nannan felt a little more at ease, though still hesitant.
"I'm guessing you chose Kuku to help a human fix their martial soul, right?" Chacha said. "Ten thousand years ago, Kuku's predecessor was used for that exact purpose. Back then, her medicinal power wasn't even as strong as her current offshoots. So don't worry—you're fine."
"Alright then. I trust you." Jiang Nannan finally relaxed and walked toward the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower by the Yang Spring.
Zhu Ziyang watched nervously. Every time she passed another immortal herb, he felt his heart leap, afraid one might suddenly lash out and attack her.
"Aiya, don't worry!" Chacha said, sensing his concern. "That girl has my flower. No one will touch her."
"I hope you're right," Zhu Ziyang said with a hint of menace. "If Nannan really is harmed... then all of you will pay the price."
With that, he released a trace of his deathly aura. Chacha trembled instinctively, then stubbornly retorted, "Just you? We can summon the Ice and Fire Dragon Souls!"
"Ice and Fire Dragon Souls?" Zhu Ziyang raised an eyebrow. He had just recalled another purpose for coming here. His eyes lit up with interest. "What are those?"
"Hmph! They're the remnants of two Dragon Kings! Their strength surpasses all of us combined!" Chacha boasted proudly, oblivious to the gleam growing in Zhu Ziyang's gaze.
"How is that possible? Why would Dragon King souls exist here?" Zhu Ziyang questioned.
"Hmph! Shows how little you know! The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well exists because their bones lie beneath the springs!" Chacha declared. "See those two springs? The Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King's remains are buried at their bottoms!"
"So that's it!" Zhu Ziyang's eyes sparkled as everything clicked into place. "I understand now. Thank you, Chacha!"
"Hehe, good! Just don't get any bad ideas!" she said proudly. The innocent Laurel Immortal Tea still had no idea of the danger she'd revealed—scheming humans often hide blades behind their smiles.
"Of course!" Zhu Ziyang nodded sincerely, while silently adding in his heart, 'Not this time… but next time? Who knows.'
(End of Chapter)
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