Chapter 25: Binding Interest
"Is this… the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum?"
In the thick white mist, standing near the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well—which resembled a red and blue Tai Chi diagram—Yue Guan, upon seeing the strange flower he was so familiar with, trembled and cried out excitedly in a feminine voice.
"Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum?!"
Hearing Yue Guan's exclamation, Gui Mei was momentarily stunned. He looked in Yue Guan's direction and saw a strange flower nearly identical to his martial spirit.
Could there really be a spiritual herb of magical grade that existed in this world, and that it happened to be the very same Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum as his martial spirit?
Seeing the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, Gui Mei was also briefly astonished.
Having worked with Yue Guan for so long, Gui Mei was very familiar with all sorts of flowers and plants, including high-grade spiritual herbs.
However, the Ghost Douluo had always believed that immortal herbs were merely legends and didn't exist on the Douluo Continent—just like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon sect's martial spirit.
But now, unexpectedly, he was witnessing one of these legendary immortal herbs.
"You know all the herbs around here?"
Yue Guan's excited voice drew the attention of Dugu Bo. Seeing Yue Guan observing the surrounding herbs with such enthusiasm, Dugu Bo couldn't help but ask:
"Of course I do!"
After exclaiming enthusiastically, Yue Guan took a deep breath and quickly calmed down. Facing Dugu Bo's question, he couldn't help but speak with pride.
As he spoke, Yue Guan stepped closer to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and introduced the high-quality herbs with extraordinary appearance and form that he found.
Among them were the Scarlet Flame Lotus and the Snow Silkworm, which had appeared in the original story, as well as other herbs that had not previously shown up, such as Purple Ganoderma, Snow Jade Lotus, Golden Jade Dendrobium, White Jade Dragon-Patterned Ginseng, Ice Crystal Flower, Red Jade Fruit, and more.
However, as he introduced them, Yue Guan seemed to remember something, and the intoxicated passion in his eyes instantly vanished. He sobered up completely.
Oops! It seems I'm stealing the spotlight!
Even though he was obsessed with flowers and plants, Yue Guan was not naïve.
This medicinal garden originally belonged to Dugu Bo. But now that Dugu Bo had submitted to Saint Bibi Dong, the garden, to some extent, now belonged to Bibi Dong.
Since Saint Bibi Dong also loved flowers and plants and had borrowed many books on various flora from him, she also knew about the medicinal materials here.
Bibi Dong already knew all the various herbs and plants here, yet Yue Guan had gone on to present them as if she didn't.
If that wasn't stealing the show, what was?
Thinking this, Yue Guan couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.
"I'm sorry, Saint. I got carried away. How do you plan to handle the herbs?"
After coming to his senses, Yue Guan quickly stood up, bowed to Bibi Dong in apology, and asked:
"How to handle these herbs? Of course, pick the usable ones and use all that can be used first!"
In response to Yue Guan's question, Bibi Dong couldn't help but smile as she looked around at the herbs surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, including the immortal herbs.
"Use them all?"
Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Yue Guan was stunned, a flash of pain and sorrow passing through his eyes. Perhaps for others, finding something that could increase their strength would undoubtedly be the best outcome.
But for someone like Yue Guan, who loved flowers and plants—especially those like immortal herbs that only existed in legends—he couldn't bear the thought of using them at all.
Rather, he would prefer to cherish and appreciate them daily.
Of course, Yue Guan also understood that all these medicinal herbs didn't belong to him but to Bibi Dong. He had no right to interfere in how Bibi Dong handled them.
But as he looked at the strange chrysanthemum not far away, Yue Guan's eyes still twitched slightly. Finally, he gritted his teeth, knelt before Bibi Dong, and clenched his fists.
"Your Highness, all these medicinal herbs should be managed by Your Highness."
"But Your Highness also knows my character. If it were other herbs, it would be fine. But that strange chrysanthemum, identical to my martial spirit—I can't just sit and watch someone else use it."
"Here, I dare to ask Your Highness to reward me with that strange chrysanthemum!"
Although Bibi Dong was the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall,
Yue Guan didn't need to consider himself a subordinate due to his strength and status in the Spirit Hall. He had never seen himself as such.
But to obtain the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, Yue Guan immediately humbled himself completely, all to obtain Bibi Dong's favor.
"Elder Yue Guan, there's no need to be so formal. In fact, this Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum was originally intended for you, Elder Yue Guan. And Elder Gui Mei, I also have a magical-grade spiritual herb to give you."
Bibi Dong was not surprised that Yue Guan had asked for the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. She simply chuckled and helped Yue Guan up.
"I get one too?"
Gui Mei was slightly surprised upon hearing Bibi Dong's words.
But Bibi Dong wasn't done speaking.
"However, I also have some matters I'd like to discuss with Elders Yue Guan and Gui Mei."
Bibi Dong said slowly:
"What is it? Please, speak, Holy Maiden!"
Upon hearing Bibi Dong, Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged glances and asked in unison.
Though Gui Mei didn't long for the immortal herbs as much as Yue Guan did,
he knew how powerful their effects were, and upon hearing Bibi Dong say she would give him one, he certainly wouldn't refuse.
"It's not difficult. But I hope both of you will not report what happened here today to the Spirit Hall. After all, these immortal herbs are far too valuable…"
Looking at Yue Guan and Gui Mei, Bibi Dong's beautiful face turned serious and solemn.
After hearing Bibi Dong's words, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were momentarily stunned and understood Bibi Dong's intentions.
They knew how valuable the immortal herbs were. If they reported this to the Spirit Hall, the organization would undoubtedly claim them all.
Even this medicinal garden would end up belonging to the Spirit Hall.
Of course, as the one who discovered it, Bibi Dong might be rewarded with one immortal herb.
But for them? There was no guarantee.
Bibi Dong's intention was simple: to keep all the immortal herbs for herself.
But should they refuse?
Without much hesitation, Yue Guan and Gui Mei made a decision in their hearts:
"Don't worry, Holy Maiden. We will stay silent about what happened today!"
Looking at Bibi Dong, Yue Guan and Gui Mei immediately clasped their fists solemnly and declared.
Who wouldn't want a treasure that could boost their strength?
They weren't loyal to the Spirit Hall out of devotion—but because it brought them benefits.
As for today's immortal herbs, who would risk gaining nothing by reporting the matter to the Spirit Hall when they could obviously get one from Bibi Dong? In short,
Yue Guan and Gui Mei couldn't do that!
However, by choosing to hide the matter and not inform the Spirit Hall, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were now on the same side as Bibi Dong.
But they were happy with this outcome.
Because after years of working with Bibi Dong,
they already knew that she was not the innocent and kind girl rumored to be, but rather a woman of remarkable intelligence, intrigue, and skill!
With Bibi Dong's talent, it was entirely possible for her to become the next Pope in the future.
Currently, they were only Spirit Douluos, and might never reach the level of Title Douluo.
But if they made preparations in advance, they could secure a 100% chance of ascending to Title Douluo. Who wouldn't want that?
(End of this chapter)