Chapter 112: The Acacia Heartbroken Red Has a Problem
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Zu Zong handed the Acacia Heartbroken Red to Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu stared blankly at the blood-stained peony before her, then gently nodded, her eyes fixed on Zu Zong. "I'll try."
Her soul power circulated, driving her blood. Her cherry lips parted, and a mouthful of blood sprayed onto the petals.
At the very instant she spat blood, her mind was filled with Zu Zong's figure. From their first meeting at Dorm Seven of Nuoding Academy to his heartfelt confession, the memories of their six or seven years together flashed across her heart.
Blood fell upon the petals. Zu Zong, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling all fixed their eyes on the flower, waiting quietly.
The Acacia Heartbroken Red did not tremble, but silently separated from the Wujue Stone, falling into a slender jade hand.
Wiping the blood from her lips, Xiao Wu revealed a faint smile on her delicate face, gazing at the flower in her hand with dreamy eyes. "I succeeded."
Everyone, including Zu Zong and Zhu Zhuqing, smiled in relief.
Yet, an astonishing scene unfolded. The Acacia Heartbroken Red, which had already fallen into Xiao Wu's hand, suddenly began to tremble violently.
Its body glowed red, breaking free of her grasp, and its roots reattached themselves to the Wujue Stone.
The flower's swaying gradually ceased, showing no sign of falling again. Xiao Wu's connection to it was severed.
"What's going on?" Xiao Wu exclaimed in shock.
Everyone's expressions turned bewildered.
Zu Zong frowned. By all reasoning, once the Acacia Heartbroken Red was successfully plucked, it should have belonged to Xiao Wu. Why had it returned to the Wujue Stone?
Could it be that true love alone was not enough, and that fate was also required? But who, then, was its destined one?
"Xiao Wu, don't be anxious," Zu Zong comforted. "Your feelings are true, without doubt. Otherwise, the flower would not have fallen from the stone. Perhaps you simply lack the destined bond with it."
As he spoke, Zu Zong once again held the Acacia Heartbroken Red out before Zhu Zhuqing with a smile. "Zhuqing, try it."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, not refusing this time. Since Xiao Wu had failed because of lacking destiny, she had no reason not to attempt. After all, she believed her feelings for Zu Zong were no less deep than Xiao Wu's.
Following the same method, she spat blood onto the petals. The result was the same. After briefly falling, the flower returned to the Wujue Stone.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression dimmed, yet inwardly she felt some relief. Though she had not succeeded in claiming the flower, it at least proved her love was genuine.
She said quietly, "Xiao Zong, it seems I am not the destined one either. Perhaps you should give the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone to Xiao Wu."
Zu Zong shook his head. "No need. I still have spare immortal herbs."
Just as he prepared to put away the Acacia Heartbroken Red and fetch a substitute for Xiao Wu,
a soft sound rang out. Zu Zong turned his head, only to see blood already falling upon the flower's petals.
Before he could react, the Acacia Heartbroken Red trembled violently again. Though slower than with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, after some effort it finally separated from the Wujue Stone, falling into a delicate jade hand.
Wiping her lips, Ning Rongrong's pretty face bloomed with a sweet smile. "I didn't expect that I would be the destined one."
Yet before anyone could recover from their shock, the flower once again returned to the Wujue Stone.
Ning Rongrong, however, was unfazed. She smiled. "What a pity."
Though curious about Ning Rongrong's true feelings, Zu Zong felt relieved when she failed. If the one to claim the king of immortal herbs was not his wife, he would rather leave it in his storage space forever. He had already repaid her kindness by giving her the Qiluo Tulip—that was more than enough.
Zu Zong shook his head deliberately. "One mustn't be greedy. Every immortal herb is a treasure favored by the heavens. Having too many is not beneficial, but harmful. You already have the Qiluo Tulip. If you consume another immortal herb, its effects cannot be fully absorbed."
With those words, he stored the Acacia Heartbroken Red back into the system's space.
A flash of golden light, and a large chrysanthemum appeared in Zu Zong's hand.
The blossom shone a magnificent purple, its every petal covered with soft fuzz that made it strangely endearing. The whole flower was seamless, exuding no fragrance, while its central stamen rose half a foot above the petals, tipped with a faint golden glow.
Zu Zong walked up to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, this flower is called the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. It is a neutral immortal herb. Consuming it will circulate energy through your limbs and open your meridians, allowing you to cultivate a diamond body that knows no destruction."
Xiao Wu was greatly surprised. "A diamond body that knows no destruction, is that real?"
Zu Zong smiled. "Though 'diamond body' is a slight exaggeration, this herb suits your spirit well. Your Soft Bone Charming Rabbit is a strong-attack type, with soul power that is neutral. All of your strength lies within your body. With this herb, your cultivation will advance with half the effort for twice the result.
"Its effect is similar to Zhuqing's Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. If you consume it now, you may quickly break through to level forty. I believe it will help you overcome your bottleneck. After you gain a soul ring, its lingering effects should give you an even greater boost."
Xiao Wu kissed Zu Zong lightly on the cheek. "Thank you, Xiao Zong."
Zu Zong smiled faintly. "Alright, everyone, go and refine the herbs. Aunt Erlong is outside, guarding us."
As he spoke, he took another herb from the system's storage space. At first glance it looked ordinary, the whole plant jade-green, yet at its center grew three snow-white leaves, each holding droplets of water like morning dew.
Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Xiao Zong, what is this? Is it also an immortal herb?"
"This herb is called the Autumn Water Dew. Consuming it trains fiery golden eyes, able to perceive countless wondrous things. Though that sounds exaggerated, it is indeed greatly beneficial to my eyes. It is an immortal herb. Most importantly, its effects are mild and will not conflict with the two immortal herbs I previously consumed."
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu revealed looks of understanding. They both knew Zu Zong's second spirit was his eyes.
Zu Zong thought silently, "I hope this Autumn Water Dew can trigger an evolution in my Sharingan."
He raised the herb, tilted it slightly, and let the few droplets of clear liquid fall into his mouth. As the last drops left the leaves, the entire Autumn Water Dew withered in his hand, crumbling into dust and scattering away.
Without another word, Zu Zong walked to an empty corner, sat down, and assumed a meditative posture with five hearts facing the sky, beginning his cultivation quietly.
In the small courtyard, the only one still awake was Liu Erlong, standing outside the door. Her gaze lingered on Zu Zong, eyes filled with struggle. In her heart echoed a voice only she could hear.
—Zu Zong, are you truly not my little Zong?
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