Li Zhexian held two immortal herbs in his hand.
The moment they appeared, they captured Zhu Zhuqing's full attention.
One was entirely jade-white, its translucent stem resembling a white lotus root, untouched by even the slightest dust, radiating an ethereal aura.
The other, barely the size of a palm, had a disk-shaped blossom, its corolla like a tiny bowl, its white petals tinged with spots of crimson, as though stained by blood.
Li Zhexian first handed her the one resembling lotus and jade.
"It's called Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone.
It enhances Spirit Power and strengthens your Martial Soul—
particularly effective for agility-type Spirit Masters."
"Sister Zhuqing, you should take it now."
A glimmer of joy lit up Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
The effects of this immortal herb were outstanding and pleasing.
But what warmed her heart even more was the fact that Li Zhexian had kept her in mind.
She lifted her delicate hand—but hesitated.
"What about you? A treasure like this… shouldn't you be the one to use it?"
Li Zhexian smiled and shook his head.
"I've already consumed the herbs suited for me."
"This one—I saved it specifically for you."
Seeing that she was still unsure, he added lightly:
"Mm, it also has effects like strengthening the body and maintaining youth and beauty."
Before the words had even finished—
The Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone had already vanished from his palm, appearing in Zhu Zhuqing's hands.
"Thank you."
She spoke softly.
Li Zhexian's smile deepened.
Sure enough—even the coldest girl couldn't resist the words "youthful beauty."
Zhu Zhuqing took the immortal herb and sat cross-legged on the cushion that Li Zhexian often used in the courtyard.
As she took the immortal herb, a soft white light enveloped her body like water. Her already exquisite figure became even more graceful in the halo of light, and her fair skin, which was as bright as snow, glowed beautifully.
A short while later, the glow faded, and Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes.
Those dark pupils were like still pools of water. A drifting plum petal landed softly on her clothes, but was instantly disintegrated into dust by the Spirit Power radiating from her body.
At this moment—
Zhu Zhuqing's Spirit Power had risen from Level 31 all the way to Level 38.
Li Zhexian nodded in satisfaction, with no hint of envy.
Although he had consumed three immortal herbs, the increase in Spirit Power wasn't as significant as this.
But two of them had helped him forge his Molten Frost Spirit Vein Body.
And the Sword Soul Jade Heart Orchid had brought his Qinglian Sword into the realm of extreme affinity.
Such solid foundations and immense potential were worth far more than raw numbers.
"Congratulations, Sister Zhuqing."
Zhu Zhuqing looked down at her wrist—the old scars were completely gone, her skin smooth and flawless.
She looked up at him, eyes shimmering with emotion.
"Li Zhexian… thank you…"
Li Zhexian just waved it off with a smile.
He hadn't forgotten that day in Star Dou Forest, when Zhu Zhuqing had risked her life to help him lure the Swordtail Scorpion.
He now took out the second herb—the one with bloodstained petals.
"As for this one…"
His voice lowered slightly.
"If you want this one, Sister Zhuqing, you'll have to pay a price. And even then, success isn't guaranteed."
"This is called Yearning Heartbroken Red. Even among immortal herbs, it's considered one of the highest grade."
"There's a legend behind it—something about love…"
"In short: this flower chooses its master."
"When picking it, you must focus solely on the one you love."
"Only with sincerity and true feeling can you spit out a mouthful of burning blood onto the petals to claim it. Once it recognizes a master, it will never wither."
"But if your heart is uncertain—even if you cough blood and die—you still won't be able to pluck it."
"Sister Zhuqing…"
Li Zhexian had expected Zhu Zhuqing to decline or hesitate.
But—
"I'll try."
Her voice was resolute.
Her eyes reflected the blood-stained peony-like Yearning Heartbroken Red.
"…All right. Just don't force yourself."
Li Zhexian gave a gentle warning. He knew how difficult this herb was to obtain.
But Zhu Zhuqing said nothing in response.
Instead, she began quietly circulating her Spirit Power, driving her blood and qi toward her heart.
Her lips parted.
A mouthful of scorching heart's blood sprayed onto the white petals.
At that moment—
Her mind was filled with only one image: the white-robed youth beside her.
From their awkward first meeting in the Star Dou Forest…
To the way he had spoken with unshakable conviction: "If I learn the Way in the morning, I can die in the evening."
To how, surrounded by Swordtail Scorpions, he had descended like a god…
They hadn't known each other for long—
But her heart had already become a boat, carved with his name, floating in its depths.
Ever since they parted ways in Star Dou,
She had taken up drinking again—something she had long given up.
As if only when tipsy could she relive the image of that white-robed boy under the moonlight, his carefree smile engraved in her memory.
Pfft—!
Blood sprayed out, staining the petals.
The once-white flower slowly drifted down—landing gently into a pair of slender, trembling hands already outstretched to receive it.
Under Li Zhexian's stunned gaze—
Zhu Zhuqing clutched the blood-drenched Yearning Heartbroken Red tightly in both hands.
The blood at her lips had not yet dried, but her face broke into a radiant smile unlike any she had ever shown before.
"Li Zhexian, look—I picked it."
"You really don't want to consume the Yearning Heartbroken Red, Sister Zhuqing?"
Li Zhexian asked again to be sure.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.
"No."
She gently stroked the flower's petals with her fingertip. Her cool voice carried a rare warmth.
"You said it won't wither after it chooses a master, right?"
Li Zhexian nodded.
"Then that's enough."
Zhu Zhuqing's smile was faint but resolute.
"I want it to stay with me forever."
The words she didn't speak aloud flowed silently in her heart: "I'll keep watching over this heart that beats only for you."
...
The next day.
Li Zhexian brought Zhu Zhuqing to meet a few of his close friends.
Their time together passed quickly.
Before long, it was time for Zhu Zhuqing to leave.
Outside Heaven Dou City, at the ten-mile-long pavilion. T
he official road meandered and disappeared into the distant dust. Li Zhexian had walked with her this far. T
hey walked side by side in silence.
"Sister Zhuqing… you really won't stay in Heaven Dou?"
Zhu Zhuqing's hand tightened slightly on the reins. After a pause, she answered softly:
"No."
Beneath her lowered lashes, tears shimmered.
How could she bear to leave?
But his steps were getting faster. His figure—further and further away.
She didn't want to become a burden to Li Zhexian's free-roaming path across the continent.
She wanted to become stronger, too!
Strong enough to walk beside him.
And even though there were some people at Shrek she disliked, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were good sisters with extraordinary talents.
Traveling with them would push her to move forward.
"…All right."
Li Zhexian nodded.
He wasn't the type to wallow in the sorrow of partings.
He only believed that every farewell is for a better reunion.
"Sister Zhuqing. Take care of yourself."
He paused, then his tone deepened.
"Remember—if anyone bullies you, you must tell me."
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and replied softly.
Suddenly—
She turned around and threw herself into his arms like a fledgling sparrow returning to the forest. Her warm breath brushed past his ear as she whispered:
"What Dugu Yan said…"
"Consider it as if I said it myself."
"Next time we meet…"
"I'll make good on it."
With that—
She pulled away, mounted her horse, and snapped the reins.
As dust rose behind her, that slender figure rode off into the distance—growing smaller and blurrier, until it vanished.
Li Zhexian stood at the pavilion, staring for a long time.
Until her figure had completely disappeared from view.
Only then did he tilt his head back and down a mouthful of strong wine, washing away the bitterness of parting from his chest.
The road ahead was long and uncertain.
He would keep moving forward.
To seek sharper swords—
And finer wine.
"…Time to hunt my third Spirit Ring."