Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
A symbol of unwavering love.
Receiving this information, Xiao Wu's eyes shimmered with emotion as a tragic love story slowly unfolded in her mind.
Legend has it:
A flower fairy from the upper realm fell in love with a mortal youth who tended flowers. She secretly descended to the mortal world to be with him, sharing a passionate love. But good times didn't last — after all, mortals and immortals are different. The flower fairy was eventually forced to return to the upper realm, leaving the youth heartbroken and despondent.
Later, he received guidance from a wise sage: his wife's true form was a peony flower. If he destroyed the flower's true body, she would lose her immortal form and fall to the mortal world, allowing them to reunite.
Though the youth deeply loved her, he couldn't bear to destroy the peony. From then on, he resumed tending to flowers, caring for them lovingly, crying day and night until his tears dried and his heart broke.
In the end, he died of lovesickness. At the moment of death, his blood spilled onto the peony's petals, dyeing them crimson — thus, Lovesick Heartbreak Red was born!
—
After receiving all this information from Ye Qiu—
Xiao Wu felt her head spinning slightly.
In her heart, this immortal herb was more than just a gift — it was Ye Qiu's acknowledgment of her.
He believed she could pick it. That meant… he really liked her. He didn't want to be apart from her.
"Ye Qiu, are you really giving this to Sister Xiao Wu?" Xiao Wu stared at Ye Qiu in a daze. She liked this flower very much.
"Would I lie about something from the heart?" Ye Qiu smiled slightly. He genuinely wanted to give this flower to the little bunny. This way, even if he took her somewhere else in the future, her identity wouldn't be exposed.
But deep down, Ye Qiu was a little worried.
He was worried Xiao Wu might not be able to pick it now.
Or maybe… she originally could, but after learning about what happened between him and Dugu Yan, her heart grew conflicted — and now, she might fail.
"I—I can definitely pick it!"
Sensing Ye Qiu's worry, Xiao Wu's watery eyes locked onto him. She immediately declared her resolve, tightly gripping Ye Qiu's hand with unwavering determination.
"Ye Qiu…?"
Xiao Wu called out softly, confused when Ye Qiu pulled his hand away.
A sharp flash of purple light passed through Ye Qiu's eyes. Suddenly, his vision became incomparably clear. He could even see through Xiao Wu's true form — a pink bunny, still growing, tender and soft.
Xiao Wu's delicate face turned crimson, hurriedly covering her chest. Ye Qiu's gaze felt like it could see right through her.
Under Xiao Wu's odd gaze, Ye Qiu glanced around, then closed his eyes to sense carefully.
In Sunset Forest, Ye Qiu had acquired another ability — active perception. This was obtained through interacting with thousand-year-old serpent soul beasts over the past month — a kind of heat-sensing vision.
Later, after absorbing the Autumn Gazing Dew from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, this ability merged with his spider senses, leveling it up.
Right now, he was sensing whether there were any powerful beings nearby. The stronger the spirit power, the brighter the figure in Ye Qiu's perception.
After a thorough scan—
Ye Qiu finally relaxed and smiled slightly. Good — that old man Tang Hao wasn't nearby for now. Who knows where he went off to drink again.
"Xiao Wu, come with me."
Ye Qiu stood up and called cheerfully to Xiao Wu as he walked out of Dorm Seven.
"Ye Qiu… wait for me!"
Xiao Wu hurried after him, proactively grabbing his hand, her head slightly lowered, cheeks flushed, sticking close behind him.
Under the curious eyes of the other dorm mates, they left.
On this school return day—
The main road of Nuoding Academy bustled with foot traffic. The scorching midday sun bore down as weary students and teachers were either packing up or resting.
Xiao Wu stuck close to Ye Qiu. Despite the intense heat, she felt a cool breeze just being near him.
In fact, it was all thanks to the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Fiery Apricot Delicate Branch — two immortal herbs. Ye Qiu's body, and even the air around him, stayed warm in winter and cool in summer.
Before long—
Ye Qiu led Xiao Wu to a corner of a teaching building.
At this time of day—
It was highly unlikely anyone would come here. But to be safe, Ye Qiu thoroughly scanned the area again. Only after confirming it was clear did he release Xiao Wu.
"Alright, this is the place."
As he spoke, Xiao Wu looked at him with hopeful curiosity. Ye Qiu patted the Wishful Treasure Pouch at his waist.
A crimson glow shot out from the pouch and landed in Ye Qiu's hand.
It was a blood-colored flower, resembling a peony.
Its base was a strange stone. A slender vine had rooted into the stone, with a few narrow leaves forming the calyx.
Crimson petals, stained with streaks of blood, bloomed atop the calyx — forming a dazzling, otherworldly blood-red peony.
Xiao Wu's heart trembled. Her blush-colored eyes sparkled with excitement, reflecting the eerie beauty of the flower. She couldn't help but gently brush its slender petals and murmured in admiration—
"So beautiful…"
"It really is," Ye Qiu smiled and handed the floating Lovesick Heartbreak Red to Xiao Wu.
"Give it a try. If you can't pick it, don't force yourself. That's not your fault. I have other things I can give you."
"No! I can pick it!"
Xiao Wu pouted and glanced at Ye Qiu. Then she bit her lip, her throat tightened — and she spat out a mouthful of fresh blood onto the petals.
This flower is extraordinary — it chooses its master.
To pick the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, your heart must be filled only with thoughts of your beloved. The slightest doubt or hesitation, and even if you cough up blood and die, you still won't succeed.
At the base of the flower is a stone called Wujue. If picked by force, the immortal herb loses all its medicinal power.
However, if picked naturally — as long as it stays near its master, it will never wither.
Watching Xiao Wu's blood drip onto the petals, Ye Qiu couldn't help but feel nervous.
As the blood touched the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Xiao Wu's mind was filled with images of Ye Qiu spanking her, teasing her, shopping with her, training together, and rising to dominance.
She truly didn't want to be apart from him.
The blood-red flower swayed slightly—
And under Ye Qiu's surprised gaze, it gently fell into Xiao Wu's palm.
A bright smile blossomed on her face, like a child showing off a perfect exam score. Radiant and joyful, she beamed:
"Ye Qiu! I—I did it! I picked it!"
"I saw."
Ye Qiu hugged the bouncing Xiao Wu as she tried to throw herself into his arms. The Lovesick Heartbreak Red in her hand was just as stunning and dazzling as she was.
He raised his hand and rubbed her head. Xiao Wu swayed gently, enjoying his touch.
"Since you picked it, then go ahead and eat it."