"Rules?"
Ning Bowen raised a hand, halting the Elders who'd stepped forward. "Explain."
You You swayed her large bloom, voice dripping with feigned menace: "Pass my test. One of you must eat a herb from this place. But beware—many here are lethally toxic. You might die."
Ning Bowen glanced at Yang Zihan. Of their group, only his wife possessed encyclopedic knowledge of continental herbs.
But even her face paled.
The Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well held too many plants—ten thousand years of evolution had birthed obscure species even she couldn't name. All she could hope was that You You's chosen herb was one she recognized. The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't abandon this treasure trove.
"We accept," Ning Bowen declared, heart sinking as he weighed who should take the risk.
"Then pick someone," You You said.
"I'll do it."
Chen Junting stepped forward without hesitation.
"Nonsense! Get back!" Ye Xuanji roared before Ning Bowen could decide. With a sweep of his arm, he yanked Chen Junting to the rear of the group. "This is no place for your recklessness!"
"Master, I'm serious," Chen Junting insisted, nearly stumbling. He understood his master's intent—to shield him from this deadly gamble.
But in his eyes, he was the safest choice.
He had Life Gold and Electrolux's protection. And You You wouldn't dare poison him—eight Title Douluos would raze the valley if he fell. These herbs feared death too much to be foolish.
Ning Bowen frowned. "Junting, think carefully. Even your Aunt Yang can't identify every herb here. If it's toxic, you may not survive." His voice turned grave—this was Chen Junting's life at stake.
Ning Tian gripped his arm, eyes wide with worry—but didn't protest. She knew his decisions were deliberate, unshakable. All she could offer was silent fear.
Chen Junting patted her hand, then turned to You You. "Bring the herb. I'll take the test."
Ye Xuanji sighed inwardly—then his eyes blazed with killing intent, locking onto You You.
A Level 97 Title Douluo's warning.
The other six Elders mirrored his stance.
You You froze mid-sway, her petals trembling as she weighed her survival.
Only Yang Zihan watched her coldly—like a butcher eyeing meat.
If Chen Junting were truly poisoned, she still had a method. That was to extinguish the Aromatic Silk Beauty immortal herb's intelligence and then have Chen Junting wear its body at all times. Although it couldn't remove the poison for him, it could ensure his life was not in danger.
After a tense silence, You You relented. "You've got courage, human! Let me see what suits you best."
A violet light shot from her stamen, enveloping Chen Junting. Moments later, it retracted.
"You wield that martial soul? The person mentioned it once." She sounded almost… nostalgic. "Then I'll give you this."
Another violet beam lanced out—hundreds of meters to a distant cliffside. Unobstructed, all saw it clearly: a golden herb resembling a sword-leafed orchid, seven blades radiating from its core.
Ning Bowen's eyes sharpened. As a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Saint, he recognized a treasure at once—not just the immortal herb, but the rare metal vein hidden behind its rocky perch.
He whispered to Yang Zihan: "Zihan—do you know this herb?"
"It's Golden Bone Immortal Spirit," she replied via soul voice, then gave Chen Junting a reassuring nod. "Harmless—and said to greatly benefit weapon-type martial soul users."
You You's violet light plucked the herb, floating it to Chen Junting. Seeing Yang Zihan's signal, he reached for it—only to slice his palm on its golden radiance.
"Hss—" He licked the blood from his fingers. "So sharp?"
Wrapping his hand in soul power, he took it. "How do I consume it?"
"Simple. Chew the root, then hold the leaves in your mouth—but don't swallow them." She huffed. "Actually, just open wide. I'll handle it."
Chen Junting obeyed.
The herb's root entered his mouth. Bitterness and spice flooded his senses, but he endured, eyes closed, tracking his soul power's flow.
Then—a leaf. Its edge slit his lips, blood dripping to the ground. He didn't flinch.
Ning Tian and Huo Yuhao tensed.
But the Elders saw the beginning of his transformation. Chen Junting sat cross-legged, attuned to every cellular shift.
Half an hour passed. All seven leaves rested in his mouth. Sweat drenched his brow from the agony, yet golden light now emanated from his skin. His soul power surged, a tempest of power coiling within.
Suddenly—
Excruciating pain tore through him. Golden Bone Immortal Spirit's energy flooded his right hand—
BZZZ—!
The Seven Kill Sword manifested behind him.
Chen Junting's eyes snapped open.
Spitting out the now-blunt leaves, he thrust his right hand into the air—
—and the Seven Kill Sword materialized in his grip.
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