"Qiluo Tulip? What's that? Sounds like the name of a flower..."
Ning Rongrong looked a bit shy. In all her years, no one had ever given her flowers before—well, except that Sausage Uncle.
Just thinking of Oscar made her heart skip a beat. Her eyes cleared for a moment, betraying the sudden swirl of emotions.
Chen Feng chuckled. With a swipe of his fingers, a strange yet beautiful herb appeared in his hand.
This plant was quite peculiar. Its roots and leaves resembled a fine, interwoven vine, meticulously coiled. But at the top bloomed a single golden tulip, radiant and opulent.
A rich fragrance surrounded it, filling the air with a sense of royal splendor and a noble aura.
The moment Bone Douluo laid eyes on the flower, his expression changed with astonishment.
"Chen Feng, last time I heard from Sword that you consumed several immortal herbs from Dugu Bo's medicine garden and had a massive power breakthrough. Could it have been this type of herb?"
"Exactly, Grandpa Bone." Chen Feng nodded. "This Qiluo Tulip was chosen especially for Rongrong. It aligns perfectly with her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. Consuming it allows one to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, bask in the brilliance of sun and moon."
He gently handed the flower to Ning Rongrong, speaking with care:
"This flower isn't to be eaten directly. You must gently inhale the essence from its stamen and gradually absorb it into your body. Only then should you circulate your soul power slowly to allow the medicinal strength to spread through your limbs and meridians."
Ning Rongrong accepted the flower, giggled, and gave it a playful kiss.
"It's so pretty—I almost can't bear to eat it!"
"Now?" Chen Feng smiled knowingly. "If that's how you feel, you might just miss out on an incredible surprise."
"I haven't finished," Rongrong laughed. "It's beautiful, yes—but I'm going to eat it!"
Without hesitation, she took the flower and walked to the side, beginning the process as Chen Feng had described.
In no time, the entire flower had been consumed.
A surge of majestic energy radiated outward, and Ning Rongrong's presence suddenly blossomed like an empress descending to the mortal world—dazzling, radiant, and resplendent beyond compare.
"Focus your energy," Chen Feng reminded her. "Calm your mind and refine the medicinal power."
Ning Rongrong quickly released her Martial Soul, channeling her soul power to compress the medicine into her body and begin its absorption.
Her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda floated quietly in front of her, shrouded in a kaleidoscope of colorful halos. Three soul rings glowed in sequence, enhanced now by a rich golden brilliance.
Bathed in this divine light, Rongrong looked like a celestial maiden, descended from the heavens. With each pulse of golden radiance, her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda grew even more dazzling.
Watching the transformation, Chen Feng glanced at her spirit with deep satisfaction, then turned to his three companions. Drawing in a breath, he said:
"Brothers—I've also prepared a gift for each of you."
He looked at Yu Tianlong first.
"Tianlong, this is for you: Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower."
This immortal herb was the supreme fire-element treasure—pure yang, potent and nourishing. Not only could it enhance one's physical constitution, but it could also refine the flame attribute of a Martial Soul.
In his previous life, this herb had been consumed by Ma Hongjun, and it was precisely what had neutralized his evil fire, allowing him to rise to fame across the continent.
Yu Tianlong quickly backed away, waving his hands in protest.
"Chen Feng, I really can't accept it. I already consumed the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma you gave me… How could I take more from you?"
Chen Feng shook his head.
"Your Martial Soul is the mutated Firestorm Dragon. A fire-based immortal herb is the perfect match. If you don't take it, who else could use it?"
Yu Tianlong glanced at the others, sighed heavily, and finally accepted it.
The herb was bright red, soft, and trembling slightly with heat. The air around it immediately grew warmer upon its appearance.
"Swallow it whole," Chen Feng instructed. "Don't chew. No matter how painful it gets during absorption, you must endure it. If you interrupt the process, the medicine will be wasted."
Yu Tianlong nodded, tilted his head back, and swallowed it. He then stepped aside to begin refining the herb.
Despite the name "Phoenix," the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was named for its fiery shape, not its compatibility with phoenix spirits. That was merely a coincidence. For Yu Tianlong, it was a key to further evolution, potentially allowing his Martial Soul to surpass even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Next, Chen Feng turned to Yang Dianfeng.
"There's no need to give me anything," Yang said with a smile. "You already gifted my grandfather the Fragrant Silk Immortal Grass—such treasures are incredibly rare. It's not worth wasting more on me."
Chen Feng chuckled.
"No, Dianfeng. I know just how terrifying your Broken Soul Spear truly is. In my heart, it ranks among the top five weapon-type Martial Souls—easily standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Seven Kill Sword. It simply needs someone worthy to unleash its full potential."
"For that mission, you must accept this gift. No arguments."
Before Yang Dianfeng could respond, Chen Feng's tone turned stern:
"If you turn me down again, how can we still call ourselves teammates? We're aiming to win the Continental Championship together, remember?"
With that, he forcibly pressed a jade box into Yang's hands.
Yang Dianfeng, clearly moved, didn't argue further. He simply tightened his grip on the box, his eyes glowing with even more determination.
"This is the Supreme Nine-Dragon Ginseng," Chen Feng explained. "One of the finest ginsengs among immortal herbs. It's second only to the Blood Jade Dragon Ginseng in its class. It will strengthen your body and refine your Martial Soul. Just chew and swallow it."
Yang Dianfeng slowly opened the jade box. Inside was a luminous ginseng root, glowing faintly gold.
Its surface was raised with detailed lines—like the scales of a dragon preparing to soar, its five claws extended majestically.
He exchanged a glance with Chen Feng, then silently nodded before walking aside to begin absorbing the herb.
Only Niu Zhen remained.
The hulking young man scratched his head awkwardly, visibly uneasy.
Chen Feng let out a soft sigh.
"Zhen, of all of us, your talent may be a little behind. Unfortunately, I don't have another immortal herb suitable for you."
Niu Zhen gave an embarrassed grin.
"That's okay. Getting something for nothing would just make me feel guilty."
"Still…" Chen Feng smiled, taking out a small golden flower bud. "I do have this Diamond Flower. It's not quite an immortal herb, but it's far superior to any ordinary medicine. It'll greatly enhance your physical resilience and toughness—perfect for a defense-type like you."
The Diamond Flower was about the size of an adult's fist. Its diamond-shaped golden leaves radiated outward, and at its center, the tightly closed bud looked like a miniature Buddha sitting upon a lotus throne.
Niu Zhen rubbed his head in panic.
"I really can't take it! If my grandpa finds out, he'll beat my butt raw!"
Chen Feng couldn't help but laugh.
"Everyone else accepted theirs—if you're the only one who refuses, doesn't that make you look like an outsider? We're a team, you know."
Still hesitant, Niu Zhen opened his mouth to protest. But his silly honesty only made Chen Feng sigh again.
Suddenly, Chen Feng shoved the flower straight into Niu Zhen's mouth, forcing him to swallow it.
"Do I have to resort to violence to get you to accept a gift?" he joked.
Niu Zhen, caught completely off guard, swallowed the flower in one gulp.
With a miserable expression, he asked:
"Uh… Is that how you're supposed to take it? Am I gonna be okay...?"