"Here—this is proof you're allowed to take those two things."
Chen Junting flicked his wrist—the vellum parchment landed right before Youyou.
The moment Youyou recognized the scent of the script, the entire flower trembled with excitement, unable to speak. "Th-this…!"
"I… can't read," it finally blurted out.
…
The three young men froze.
Even Chen Junting's outstretched hand hung awkwardly in midair.
Right. Of course a flower wouldn't know human writing.
And if you can't read it, why the hell are you so shocked?!
"Well…" Under their stares, Youyou awkwardly swayed its petals. "Even if I can't read, I recognize his aura on this letter. It's definitely that person's."
Just as I thought, Chen Junting mused inwardly.
He'd known all along this letter wasn't just Niu Tian's doing—Tang San had a hand in it. The content clearly deviated from the original canon.
He was certain the original letter never contained the line:
"The manual was left at that sacred site as payment for the divine herbs—do not remove it lightly, or face dire consequences."
Without Tang San's direct involvement, Niu Tian—true to his nature—would never have bothered with such elaborate details.
Chen Junting's gaze drifted to Huo Yuhao—and found him already watching back.
Their eyes met, both filled with complex, unspoken understanding.
Though their turmoil stemmed from different angles, the source was the same: Tang San.
But that wasn't the priority now.
"Since it's confirmed—hand over the book."
Chen Junting stepped forward, thrusting out his hand without ceremony. A lethal aura simmered around him—as if Youyou dared say "no," the flower would cease to exist.
"Here! I'll give it right now!" Youyou immediately cowered.
A book—crafted from an unknown, ancient material—floated from its blossom core to hover before Chen Junting.
He snatched it and flipped it open without hesitation.
But the moment he read the first line, he nearly burst out laughing:
"This book was left by our ancestor, Tang San."
What a masterful move—having a progenitor impersonate his own descendant.
But more chilling was the realization: Tang San had been setting chess pieces ten thousand years ago.
As Chen Junting casually flipped through the manual—handling it with utter disregard that made Youyou's petals quake in silent agony—his fingers finally stopped at the chapter: "One Hundred Solutions to Hidden Weapons."
No surprise—it was the part that thrilled him most.
After all, the second-ranked "Bodhi Blood" and top-tier "Guanyin's Tear" had carved legendary feats before Tang San even ascended to godhood:
—Bodhi Blood had exploded the innards of the Deepsea Demon Whale King—a near-million-year soul beast.
—Guanyin's Tear had pierced the heart of Angel God Qian Renxue while Tang San was still mortal.
Tang San's character might be despicable—but his achievements and treasures were undeniably real.
Just the technique's effect—"ignores all defenses, never misses"—was enough to make Chen Junting's eyes gleam.
He'd never trained in hidden weapons, so mastering "Bodhi Blood" or "Guanyin's Tear" might be impossible.
But he could adapt—use the principles to forge his own sword techniques.
And just imagine: one day, when facing Tang San, it wouldn't be only his "Guanyin's Tear" that bypassed defenses…
Tang San… you really are a good person!
"You!" Chen Junting snapped, tossing the manual to Huo Yuhao. "Take a look yourself. His 'cleverness' is just laughable." (Meanwhile, Electrolux had already imprinted every word into his divine consciousness.)
Huo Yuhao caught it and began reading instantly. When Gu Tianchen leaned in, he shared it freely—after all, this manual now belonged to the sect, and Gu Tianchen was part of the sect family.
Meanwhile, Chen Junting turned back to Youyou.
"How dare you speak his name so casually?"
Youyou—shocked by Chen Junting's audacity—actually mustered the courage to protest.
Huh? Loyalty? Chen Junting almost admired it.
But his expression stayed cold as ice. "So… this manual was personally left by Tang San himself, then?"
"You can't say his name—yes, yes! It was him!"
Youyou had meant to stubbornly correct him again—but a bone-chilling dread (despite having no bones) shot down its nonexistent spine. Survival instincts kicked in: "I'LL SAY ANYTHING—JUST DON'T KILL ME!"
"Is that so." Chen Junting's voice was glacial.
Still the same cowardly flower.
He glanced at Huo Yuhao—whose eyes had just lifted from the manual, now cemented in grim certainty by Youyou's slip.
Who'd have thought Dong'er's origins were this grand?
Or that he'd become a god's pawn—a rather significant one, at that. Why else sacrifice your own "daughter"?
But… how should Huo Yuhao face Dong'er now?
Seeing the confusion in Huo Yuhao's eyes, Chen Junting clicked his tongue—then glared at the still-trembling Youyou.
WHAM! He kicked it again.
"Agh! Why'd you kick me again?!"
"Simple. Where's the other thing I need?!"
"Here! Taking it out now!"
In a flash, a jet-black stone—the Wu Jue—floated toward Chen Junting, crowned by a delicate white peony: the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
"Yuhao—catch!"
Chen Junting threw it without ceremony, then fixed Huo Yuhao with a piercing stare:
"Remember this: Tang San manipulated you—but Dong'er's love for you is genuine. She's just another of his pawns. And she'll likely suffer for it, too. Look at Sunset Forest—what does its ruin tell you about Tang San's 'kindness'? If you're a real man, bear the weight of love. If you doubt your heart—this flower is your final test."
Huo Yuhao's hands trembled as he cradled the flower. Memories of every moment with Wang Dong/Wang Dong'er flooded his mind.
Brother Junting's right!
What the hell was I hesitating about?
The moment his resolve hardened, love erupted from his soul. The deeper his earlier guilt, the fiercer his devotion now burned.
His spiritual power evolved once more—becoming formless yet substantial—and fused completely with his soul power.
"Not bad, Yuhao," Chen Junting praised, genuinely impressed.
Genius remains genius. Different path, same destiny.
But then—
Pfttt!
Huo Yuhao spat a mouthful of blood—which instantly froze into crimson ice shards.
Everyone stared, stunned. The silence turned profoundly awkward.
Until Gu Tianchen cleared his throat:
"…Frozen blood probably won't activate the Lovesick Heartbreak Red. Right?"
Chen Junting caught Huo Yuhao's desperate look. Calmly, he raised his right palm—formation patterns swirling in his grasp.
"Yuhao—lean in. Try again."
In the end…
Another spray of blood. The flower bloomed.
Chen Junting and Gu Tianchen said nothing.
Neither did Youyou.
But deep within its petals, the flower shivered in terror.
…Have I just learned too much?
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