Chapter 81: Chrysanthemum and Ghost's Ninth Soul Rings
"Thank you, my little man," Ling Yuan said with a joyful smile, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.
Qin Xuan chuckled. "There will be plenty of time to thank me later. However, I don't recommend you absorb the Immortal Herb here."
"Why?" she asked, startled.
"The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower is special. After refining it, it can purify your flames and even cause your Spirit to evolve. If you do it here, the resulting flames might burn your clothes right off. I don't want my woman to be naked in front of other men."
"You've thought of everything," she said with a captivating smile. "In that case, I'll absorb it somewhere else. I noticed a secluded cave on the way here..." She leaned in and whispered a few words into his ear.
"Then I'll be looking forward to it," Qin Xuan replied, handing her the Medusa's Skull.
Just as she was about to take it, a calm voice interrupted them. "Perhaps this Spirit Bone is more suitable for you."
Jing Ni was walking toward them, holding A Yan in one arm and a new, azure-colored Skull in the other.
"Did you get this from that 70,000-year Ghost-Eyed Jade Lion?" Qin Xuan asked, surprised.
"Yes. There were outsiders present before, so it wasn't convenient to take it out," Jing Ni nodded.
Qin Xuan was amazed by her luck. In the end, however, Ling Yuan still chose the 60,000-year Medusa's Skull. As she put it, this one was a gift prepared specifically for her by Qin Xuan. He knew it was just her pride talking; as women sharing one man, she couldn't bring herself to accept a handout from Jing Ni. He didn't expose her. When they arrived at the cave, he simply handed her the 70,000-year Ghost-Eyed Jade Lion's Wisdom Skull instead.
Early the next morning, flames shot up from the cave, scorching a large hole in the ceiling. Ling Yuan had finally completed her absorption. Her spirit power successfully reached level 93, and more importantly, her Spirit had evolved from the Fire Spirit Iris to the Fire Spirit Iris Emperor.
"Haha, this feeling of rapidly increasing power is simply wonderful!" Inside the cave, her clothes burned away, a naked Ling Yuan excitedly threw herself into Qin Xuan's arms.
"Alright, alright, quickly put your clothes on. What if someone sees?" Qin Xuan said, looking up at the hole in the ceiling.
"I don't care! If any blind fool comes near, I'll burn him to ashes! Hurry, last time we were interrupted. Today, I'm getting back everything, with interest!"
By the time the two returned to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it was evening. Yue Guan and Gui Mei were waiting patiently. Yue Guan, having finished refining the herb yesterday, was practically vibrating with impatience.
"Old Ghost, Lord Qin Xuan is back!" he called out, rushing forward to salute them. Gui Mei, who had been meditating calmly, opened his eyes and followed suit.
"Alright, no need for formalities until I'm actually the Supreme Pontiff," Qin Xuan said. "Now, I'll give you two choices. One is a 10,000-year adaptive spirit ring. Its age will increase with your endurance, up to 99,999 years. There is no risk in absorbing it."
"The second option is a direct 100,000-year adaptive spirit ring. It will also be perfectly compatible with your Spirit. However, if you cannot withstand its immense energy... I don't need to elaborate on the consequences."
Gui Mei, who had died once before, chose without hesitation. "My lord, I choose the 100,000-year ring."
"I... also choose the 100,000-year ring," Yue Guan's voice followed a beat later. He had struggled internally. The risk was enormous, but the dream of a 100,000-year spirit ring was too great to pass up. He would regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't try.
Qin Xuan said nothing more, bestowing upon them two blood-red beads. "This is it. Crush the bead, and the ring will condense."
Holding the bead, which pulsed with power far beyond any 10,000-year ring, Yue Guan's voice trembled.
"From now on, as long as you are loyal to me, Immortal Herbs and 100,000-year rings are just the beginning," Qin Xuan said, painting a grand picture. "I can even get you 100,000-year Spirit Bones. The set on my wife is your example."
The method was crude, but the effect was incredible. Yue Guan tried to hold back his tears, but failed. After so many years in Spirit Hall without receiving a single Spirit Bone, to suddenly meet such a generous superior... it was overwhelming.
[Yue Guan's favorability +20]
[Gui Mei's favorability +10]