"Xinglan, I..."
"I didn't mean to."
Seeing Ye Xinglan's visibly troubled expression, Xu Xiaoyan froze for a moment. The rosy hue on her face instantly faded as she lowered her head, speaking with a hint of self-reproach.
At this moment, how could she not realize what was going on?
She had only been thinking about hugging him quickly and then leaving the scene with Xinglan. She hadn't expected that Xinglan had also wanted a hug this time—something he hadn't done before, so she hadn't paid much attention to it. It was all her fault...
"Ah, it's fine..."
Ye Xinglan lowered his head dejectedly and waved his hand dismissively. At this point, there was no use dwelling on it.
"There will definitely be chances in the future."
A glimmer of starlight flashed in Ye Xinglan's eyes as he murmured to himself. Hugging once or twice now didn't mean much. What he truly longed for was the day he could stay by the other's side.
Lost in thought, he retrieved an Immortal Herb from his Soul Guidance Device, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"..."
"Next is Si Duo."
After Xu Xiaoyan and Ye Xinglan left, Tang Luochuan made his way to the neighboring dormitory, Room 109, and pressed the doorbell.
Logically, as the one living closest, Wu Siduo should have been the first to receive an Immortal Herb. Well, hers was...
"Who dares disturb my cultiv—huh?"
"Luo Chuan!?"
The moment the door opened and she saw who was standing there, Wu Siduo's expression froze momentarily before her eyes visibly brightened.
"Please, come in."
A gentle smile spread across her face as she welcomed him into the dormitory, her voice soft.
She had been meditating on her bed earlier.
As someone quite passionate about cultivation, she would normally make anyone who dared interrupt her training regret it—by showing them the might of her Netherworld White Tiger. But if it was Luo Chuan...
Truth be told, she didn't mind being disturbed by him.
"You were cultivating earlier?"
Tang Luochuan stepped inside, his gaze lingering on her as a faint smile played on his lips. He had clearly overheard her earlier complaint about being interrupted.
"Mhm..."
Wu Siduo smiled demurely, her voice quiet.
"What level are you at now?"
Tang Luochuan looked at her and asked softly.
"46."
"Why do you ask?"
Wu Siduo answered earnestly before tilting her head slightly in confusion.
"Take this and absorb it."
"You should reach Soul King afterward."
Tang Luochuan took out another Immortal Herb—one that shimmered with alternating light and dark hues, white and black intertwined, the auras of light and dark attributes merging seamlessly.
The Light-Dark Origin Herb.
This was a top-tier Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, containing both light and dark elements. For someone like her, capable of autonomous Martial Soul Fusion and possessing the Netherworld White Tiger as her Martial Soul...
It was nothing short of perfect.
"This is..."
Staring at the Immortal Herb in his hand, Wu Siduo immediately recognized its extraordinary value and couldn't help but murmur in awe. Moreover, just as Luo Chuan had said...
Consuming this would make her a Soul King?
But she was only at level 46!
That meant the value of this herb was even higher than she had imagined. After all, this was a jump from four stars to five stars at the Soul Ancestor level.
Even with her Innate Full Soul Power, reaching that stage through cultivation alone would take her at least a year. In other words, consuming this herb would save her anywhere from half a year to a full year of training.
"This is the Light-Dark Origin Herb. It's highly beneficial for Martial Soul possessors with light or dark attributes. Your Evil Eye White Tiger and Nether Cat happen to correspond perfectly," Tang Luochuan said with a smile as he gently placed the Immortal Herb in her hands.
"..."
Wu Siduo took a deep breath, staring at the Immortal Herb in her palm, her emotions turbulent and unsettled.
At this moment, she finally understood why Tang Wulin's girlfriend had improved so dramatically over a single break—she must have absorbed similar Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasures.
But...
This still couldn't calm the storm of emotions in her heart.
There was nothing wrong with Luo Chuan giving treasures to his brother's girlfriend, but what about her? Under what identity was she accepting Luo Chuan's gesture now?
"Luo Chuan, thank you."
Wu Siduo raised her head, her beautiful eyes meeting his. She didn't have that identity yet, but in the future...
She would!
"It's no..."
Tang Luochuan's "it's nothing" never left his lips, because in the next instant, Wu Siduo casually placed the herb on the nearby table and stepped forward to embrace him.
Right now, the Immortal Herb seemed far less important in her eyes.
"Si Duo..."
"Don't speak. Let me hold you for a while."
Tang Luochuan froze slightly, but she had already anticipated his response, cutting off his words like interrupting a spell.
"..."
He didn't resist, silently cursing himself as shameless in his heart...
Half a minute later, Wu Siduo reluctantly released him, her flushed face wearing a faint smile as she gazed at the visibly unsettled Tang Luochuan.
Luo Chuan...
Hadn't refused her!
"I'll properly absorb this herb's energy."
"I won't waste it."
Then she looked at him and smiled.
She wouldn't waste this gift from Luo Chuan! Nor would she waste... the feelings behind it.
"I know you won't."
Tang Luochuan managed an uneasy smile in response.
Wu Siduo had always been a hardworking girl—in the past, now, and surely in the future too.
"I should go now."
"I won't disturb your cultivation."
He waved lightly, quickening his pace as he spoke, ready to leave after achieving his goal, his merits hidden...
Well, perhaps not that impressive.
"Alright."
She responded softly.
"I won't waste your kindness..."
After seeing Tang Luochuan out and closing the dormitory door, Wu Siduo returned to her bed, gently stroking the Light-Dark Origin Herb with a tender smile.
Then she swallowed it and entered a meditative state, preparing to absorb its energy.
Wu Siduo: Immortal Herb, instantly refined!
"Si Duo..."
Leaving her dormitory, Tang Luochuan headed toward the staircase, his expression complicated. What did she mean by 'just hold for a while'...
"But..."
"I really am shameless."
He couldn't help muttering to himself. Perhaps he was just a scoundrel—Xiao Yan, Si Duo, even Xing Lan whom he'd wanted to embrace but was pulled away by Xiao Yan.
He'd come to deliver Immortal Herbs to his companions, yet things had turned out like this... though perhaps it was within his expectations.
"What a sin."
A strange light flickered in Tang Luochuan's eyes as he murmured.
(End of chapter)