Chapter 216: Please, Just Let Me Touch It
So immortal herbs really do exist in this world, and they actually found them.
Forget Xie Yue step aside. Chrysanthemum Douluo was now determined to take those two girls as his disciples!
The thought had only just formed in his mind, but in an instant, the "rough gem" he had just labeled Xie Yue as was completely discarded. Compared to immortal herbs and those who had consumed them, Xie Yue's appeal dropped to the lowest level possible. Was he even worthy?
As he thought about Han Li and the unnaturally fast cultivation of his group, even more theories formed in Chrysanthemum Douluo's mind.
Perhaps… they didn't just find one. At the very least, they must have discovered five or more. Otherwise, it would be impossible for those two unfamiliar girls to still carry traces of their unique aura.
Thump. Thump.
Yue Guan felt his heart pounding wildly. He had to catch up and ask them. The clues were right in front of him there was no way he could hold himself back.
"What's wrong with you?"
Ghost Douluo's raspy voice snapped him out of his daze. He suddenly realized that Xie Yue and Yan were also staring at him.
"Old Ghost, stay here and keep watch. I just remembered something important I forgot to tell His Holiness. It's urgent I can't delay."
Without hesitation, Yue Guan turned to Ghost Douluo, completely ignoring Xie Yue and Yan's puzzled expressions.
After spending so many years together, how could Ghost Douluo not sense something was off? He saw the determination in Yue Guan's eyes a decision made despite the risks, no matter what consequences it might bring.
"Go. I'll handle things here."
Ghost Douluo nodded without a second thought. If Yue Guan had already made up his mind, then even if it turned out to be a mistake, even if it brought trouble later, he was willing to share the consequences.
"Thanks, Old Ghost."
Yue Guan didn't care about the two juniors' reactions. The moment he got the green light from Ghost Douluo, he moved at full speed, chasing after Han Li's group.
As a streak of golden light vanished into the distance, Ghost Douluo turned back to Xie Yue and Yan, his voice calm.
"You two can report this to the Pope when we return."
With that, he didn't wait for a response. He simply closed his eyes and leaned against a large tree, ignoring them entirely.
Yan looked at Xie Yue in confusion, but Xie Yue simply lowered his head in thought, seemingly deep in contemplation.
Meanwhile, Han Li's group hadn't gone far yet.
"Hm? Why is Elder Ju chasing us? Did you say something to him, Han Li?"
Dugu Yan, who had been animatedly recounting Han Li's battle with the three of them years ago to Ye LingLing and Zhu Zhuqing, suddenly turned her head toward the back.
"Nope."
Han Li innocently shook his head. He had even left the spiritual link open he was just as curious about what Chrysanthemum Douluo wanted.
Could it be that he no longer feared Bibi Dong? Had he finally figured things out?
"Your Holiness, please wait! I have something important to ask!"
Before the golden light even got close, Yue Guan's spiritual energy had already reached them, carrying an undeniable mix of urgency and excitement.
To be honest, the moment Han Li heard that, he seriously considered speeding up and ditching him.
This kind of desperation… it was too familiar. How many powerful figures had fallen to this exact scenario? Could he really handle it?
But then again, this was Douluo Continent. Han Li forced himself to stop.
The legendary Ten Headed Sun Serpent was only ten meters long in this world, and his own luck was as high as it could get. He should be able to take one hit, right?
Seeing them stop, Yue Guan didn't slow down at all. If anything, he sped up, as if an unparalleled treasure was right in front of him.
"Your Holiness, I know this is abrupt, but I must ask did you find immortal herbs?"
He stopped so suddenly that his long golden hair flew into his face, but he didn't even bother to fix it. His gaze, full of hope, darted between Zhu Zhuqing and Ye LingLing.
So that's what this is about. Han Li instantly understood.
No wonder Yue Guan had chased after them, despite knowing it would raise Bibi Dong's suspicions.
For someone as obsessed with flowers as he was, this was worth the risk.
After all, in the original timeline, Yue Guan had been ordered to attack Tang San's group, and just from discovering Dai Mubai's potential, he had wanted to take him as a disciple. That alone showed how much he valued immortal herbs.
Ye LingLing's aura had faded significantly due to the recent sacrifice and absorption of soul ring and soul bone energy.
But Zhu Zhuqing… she hadn't been exposed to any other energy sources. Even though over a month had passed, someone like Chrysanthemum Douluo could still recognize the lingering traces on her.
Han Li had genuinely forgotten about this.
To him, immortal herbs had long since lost their appeal. It hadn't even crossed his mind.
But now that it had come up, an idea formed in his mind.
"Yes, I did find immortal herbs. More than one, actually."
Han Li smiled as he spoke, deliberately piquing Yue Guan's curiosity.
"Really?"
Yue Guan's breathing quickened, his eyes practically burning as he stared at Han Li.
"Absolutely. And we've already consumed them. We should actually thank you for that book of records you provided. Without it, we wouldn't have known how to use them properly."
After reminding everyone through the mental link, Han Li led the group in offering Chrysanthemum Douluo a sincere bow.
Seeing all six of them bow in unison, Yue Guan suddenly realized the significance of the moment. If what Han Li said was true, then these were six individuals who had all consumed immortal herbs six of them, standing right in front of him, paying him respect.
For a moment, his eyes gleamed with excitement. He looked at the six with a newfound intensity.
This… this was paradise!
He stared at them for a long while before sighing.
Such priceless treasures were right in front of him, yet he was powerless to do anything about it. If only fate would give him another chance…
But unfortunately, there were no "ifs" in life. Han Li and his group all had teachers.
Even if they didn't, Yue Guan was still working under Bibi Dong. Given her personality, she would never allow him to get too close to the Worship Hall.
And he didn't dare to defect with Ghost Douluo, either. He was certain that if they ever attempted such a move, Bibi Dong would have them both secretly eliminated she was truly a madwoman.
As for the Grand Worshipper, there was no way he would stand up for them. After all, even his own son…
Yue Guan forcibly cut off those dangerous thoughts and refocused on the people before him.
"Your Holiness, since you've all already consumed them, could you tell me which immortal herbs each of you took?"
Yue Guan spoke humbly, showing no signs of jealousy.
Well, perhaps just a little. But after all these years of research, he had never managed to find any himself proving that fate simply wasn't on his side.
Now, just meeting people who had consumed immortal herbs was already a blessing.
"This isn't exactly a secret. Of course, unless the Pope asks directly, I'd appreciate it if Elder Ju could keep this confidential."
The herbs had long since been absorbed. Even if others knew, what could they do about it? Han Li wasn't particularly concerned, though he made a token request for discretion.
"I swear on my Martial Soul that aside from Old Ghost, I won't speak of this to anyone. And I'll make sure Old Ghost swears the same oath he won't reveal anything about the immortal herbs to outsiders."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's reaction was intense he immediately swore a Martial Soul Oath.
"No need for that. Just don't go spreading it to the entire continent."
Han Li was surprised by his eagerness and quickly cut off the oath's effectiveness.
A careless oath could come true, and he didn't want Chrysanthemum Douluo dying a meaningless death over this. Han Li actually had a good impression of him.
Hearing that, Yue Guan's mood improved even more. He had been right about Han Li after all, how could someone who loved flowers be a bad person?
Of course, Dugu Bo was an exception. He mentally added that note to himself.
"I took Autumn Dew Clear Vision and Eight Petal Immortal Orchid. As for Yan, she consumed a previously unrecorded herb with a draconic aura technically a variant of the Nine Grade Purple Mushroom, which I named Nine Grade Dragon Mushroom. Bing'er took the standard Nine Grade Purple Mushroom."
Han Li explained before gesturing toward Ye LingLing and Zhu Zhuqing.
"They took Beautiful Silk Tulip and Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone."
"As expected, my instincts weren't wrong. Such a pity I didn't get to see them in their original form."
Yue Guan sighed with regret, giving them all a somewhat envious glance before turning his attention to Xiu'er.
Everyone else had taken herbs there was no way this girl, who had been with Han Li the longest, had missed out.
"As for Xiu'er, she took Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and Lovesick Heartbroken Red."
Han Li smiled, having deliberately saved her for last.
"Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum… Lovesick Heartbroken Red…"
Yue Guan muttered the names to himself a few times before staring at Xiu'er for a long moment. Then, he let out a bitter laugh.
"I kind of regret asking now."
"Xiu'er, why don't you show Elder Ju your Martial Soul?"
Han Li turned to Xiu'er. He wouldn't let Yue Guan see the herbs themselves, but there was no harm in showing him the mutated Martial Soul.
Of course, touching was out of the question.
Xiu'er obediently nodded and released her Martial Soul, though she concealed her soul rings.
When she deliberately gathered her energy, the golden purple glow of her Martial Soul shimmered before them. Yue Guan's eyes grew misty.
"What a beautiful color."
He instinctively reached out but stopped himself at the last moment, forcing his hand back.
"As for the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Fiery Apricot Delicate, I gave those to my master and Qian Renxue. Elder Ju, your previous speculations about their medicinal uses were correct you can update your research."
Han Li casually dropped another bombshell, acknowledging Yue Guan's expertise in this field.
"Thanks, I guess."
Yue Guan felt numb at this point. He stared at Han Li with a faintly resentful expression.
So many immortal herbs…
Yet I haven't even seen one?!
I know you won't give me any, but could you at least let me look at one?!
Damn it! This brat! And to think I actually thought he was a good kid!
At that moment, Han Li officially overtook Dugu Bo in his internal ranking though in the opposite direction.
"Don't look at me like that. Actually, I do have one left. If you want to see it, that's not impossible."
Feeling his intense gaze, Han Li spoke up quickly.
"Really? Let me see it!"
Yue Guan's spirit reignited, his eyes shining with hope.
"Oh, no Your Holiness, please, I beg you, let me see it! No, let me touch it!"
His attitude made a complete 180, to the point where the others could barely watch.
He subconsciously began rubbing his hands on his exquisitely embroidered robes, as if preparing them for a sacred touch.
Yet his eyes remained locked onto Han Li, unblinking.
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