"Don't… don't come over here!"
For the first time in its ten-thousand-year life, the Snow-feather Swan Kiss felt death so close.
"Actually! Actually, I'm a perfect match with Youyou! It can detoxify—if you take it with you too, it'll definitely be useful in the future! I'm serious!"
Seeing its future completely dark, Snow-feather Swan Kiss gritted its teeth. It stretched out a pure white petal and pointed at Youyou beside it, speaking with extreme seriousness.
"Since you want me to die, don't think you're walking out alive either!"
Snow-feather Swan cursed inwardly.
"Hey! Snow-Snow, what are you doing!"
"We've lived together for so many years, can't you make a little sacrifice for everyone?"
Youyou froze, then shouted anxiously.
Born from the same root—why must we destroy each other?
At this moment, Snow-feather Swan ignored Youyou's cries. It voluntarily transformed back into its immortal-herb form and drifted toward Jiang Jue's hand.
"Smart one," Jiang Jue nodded with satisfaction as the Snow-feather Swan landed obediently in his hand.
"Later, you can leave behind your seeds. After another ten thousand years, you may well live a second life."
Although Jiang Jue needed these herbs, he wouldn't drain the pond dry just because he wanted fish. He would leave seeds behind so that future immortal herbs could grow—and then, in the future…
And he wasn't pressed for time anymore. The wisp of Tang San's divine sense hidden here had been destroyed by the God-King of Destruction; the greatest threat was gone.
Snow Emperor was still above the spring, absorbing its power to stabilize herself, preparing for what was to come.
Perfect opportunity for Jiang Jue to package the herbs.
This scene fell into Nangong Wan's eyes. His eyes rolled, and he immediately walked up to the remaining herbs, shouting loudly:
"There's an old saying: those who recognize the times are wise."
"Our young master is showing you mercy—don't fail to appreciate it, or else… hehehe."
Earlier, when the purple light rushed toward Jiang Jue, Nangong Wan wasn't paying attention, so Little Tiger blocked it instead—he regretted missing his chance to shine. Now he was determined to perform well.
"Human, we can also acknowledge you as our master. Can you spare us?"
Youyou looked at the black fog swirling around Nangong Wan. It knew the end was near, but still resisted instinctively.
"What do you think?" Jiang Jue raised an eyebrow and asked lightly.
"…Alright then."
Face pale with despair, Youyou glanced back at the Phoenix-Crested Sunflower and Kirin Golden Camellia behind it. Reluctantly, it transformed into its herb form and floated to Jiang Jue.
"Human… you must treat Youyou gently. Youyou is afraid of pain."
The Fragrant Kirin Immortal fell into Jiang Jue's hand and said no more.
Man is the knife, I am the fish. Better to beg cutely than to die pointlessly—and since its main effect was detoxification, maybe this human wouldn't kill it.
"You two?" Jiang Jue asked coldly.
"Even ten thousand years later, I'll still be a fine immortal herb. Let's go."
The Phoenix-Crest Sunflower and the Kirin Golden Camellia looked at each other, then suddenly roared—flames surged around them—but then they simply reverted to their herb forms and flew into Jiang Jue's hand.
The Fragrant Kirin Immortal: "…"
It had thought they were going to fight desperately—turns out… that was it???
It silently gave up resisting and also fell into Jiang Jue's hand.
"A bunch of ungrateful herbs—not even a 'thank you.'"
Nangong Wan muttered, then stood beside Jiang Jue, eyes burning with desire to improve himself.
Hearing his words, the herbs trembled together.
They were being robbed and still expected to say thank you? What kind of bandit reasoning was this?
Looking at the Snow Emperor still absorbing the spring, Jiang Jue asked the captured herbs:
"All these years—has any soul master ever managed to leave this place?"
"Well… not really. That person said no one except his descendants could know about this place."
Youyou hesitated, but still answered.
"And has any soul master with the Jade Phosphor Serpent spirit ever come here?"
"There… has been."
This time, Youyou's silence lasted longer. It clearly didn't want to recall this.
"Ai, Dugu Bo… among all the investors, you were the biggest sucker."
Jiang Jue sighed in his heart and shook his head.
Apparently, the descendants of Dugu Bo had come here—but none left alive.
Not entirely Dugu Bo's fault though—Tang San's involvement changed everything.
"But now… with the God-King of Destruction, things won't need to be kept hidden anymore."
Jiang Jue touched the spot on his right hand where the staff-shaped mark had disappeared. He felt more confident now—receiving that purple light was the God-King's signal.
"Bingdi, since everything is handled here, you should absorb some of the ice spring as well. It'll benefit you."
He looked at the Ice Emperor beside him.
"No rush—let Xue'er finish first. You two will be going to the bottom of the Yin-Yang Spring later."
Ice Emperor waved her hand lightly.
"Human—no, Young Master—there's a very high-quality immortal herb over there," Youyou suddenly said, even changing the way it addressed him.
"It's extremely important—if you gain its acknowledgment, it's like gaining another life. It is the true god-rank king of immortal herbs!"
Seeing Snow Emperor still absorbing energy, Jiang Jue nodded slightly.
"This way, please—it's right ahead."
Following Youyou's guidance, Jiang Jue reached a huge dark stone. On top of it grew a tiny white flower.
It resembled a peony, but thinner and more fragile—without fragrance, without leaves, with no ornamentation at all.
Only a faint touch of blood-red, filled with sorrow.
"This is Love-Severing Heartbreak Red…"
As Jiang Jue approached, he felt a wave of sorrow wash over him.
"Yes—this is Love-Severing Heartbreak Red. It has also reached ten thousand years, but it has no sentience—not because we suppress it, but because it chooses not to evolve."
"It refuses evolution, choosing instead to silently guard its obsession with love."
Youyou sighed deeply. If Love-Severing Heartbreak Red chose to evolve, the overall power of the Yin-Yang Spring's herbs would soar.
The white flower trembled slightly, as if sensing visitors, and turned toward Youyou in Jiang Jue's hand.
"So you brought a human here?"
Suddenly, a refined, elegant voice echoed.
"Y-you—you can speak???"
Youyou jumped in fright, stunned beyond belief.
(End of chapter)