Xiao Wu carefully received the Yearning Heartbroken Red and, following Lin Jie's instructions, began circulating her Spirit Power to stir her blood essence. Then, with a soft exhale, she spat a mouthful of fresh blood onto the petals.
As the crimson droplets soaked into the flower, memories of her and Tang San together began to flicker in her mind. A gentle smile played across her lips. But then, inexplicably, an image of Lin Jie stealing a kiss from her when they were young surfaced. Her thoughts drifted to the scene of Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing together… and to what he'd once said about being a transformed soul beast. Her focus wavered. Her heart stirred with unfamiliar emotions.
Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing watched curiously as Xiao Wu completed the ritual. But after a while, the Yearning Heartbroken Red showed no signs of detaching from the Black Absolute Stone.
Xiao Wu, realizing this, glanced down at the flower with regret and then turned to Lin Jie, her voice apologetic. "Sorry, Lin Jie… I…"
Lin Jie had been fairly confident she would succeed. But watching her fail, he felt a trace of confusion. Could it be that she doesn't love Tang San with her whole heart? Or is there something unresolved in her heart…? The thought left him with a strange feeling he couldn't quite define.
"It's fine," Lin Jie said casually. "Xiao Wu, there's still one more."
Xiao Wu handed the flower back to Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, why don't you try it?"
Zhu Zhuqing accepted the flower with a soft hum, then began to circulate her Spirit Power. Her blood surged, and a fresh mouthful of blood landed precisely on the flower.
Lin Jie watched her with curiosity—could she succeed where Xiao Wu had failed?
As Zhu Zhuqing's blood touched the petals, her mind recalled the hardships she had endured within her clan. Strangely, her memories of Dai Mubai had faded. What filled her heart now was Lin Jie—memories of their time together, the passion they had shared, and the words she had whispered to him just a few nights ago: I am your wife now. A gentle, blissful smile bloomed on her face.
The Yearning Heartbroken Red, wrapped around the Black Absolute Stone, trembled slightly. As that smile spread across Zhu Zhuqing's face, the flower silently detached from the stone and landed softly in her delicate hand.
Lin Jie's pupils contracted slightly at the sight. He looked at Zhu Zhuqing again, and for a moment, an unfamiliar sensation rose in his chest.
"You did it, Zhuqing!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, glancing at both Zhu Zhuqing and Lin Jie with bright eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes and looked down at the flower in her hand. Her gaze turned to Lin Jie, eyes filled with warmth, and another smile crept across her face—one full of deep contentment.
Xiao Wu was stunned. She had rarely seen Zhu Zhuqing smile like this. Usually, her smiles were reserved and polite. But this… this was radiant. She looked beautiful.
Lin Jie stepped forward with a soft smile. "Congratulations, Zhuqing."
Her cheeks tinged red at his words. She glanced aside, then asked, "That story you told about the flower… was it true?"
He nodded. "It should be. I'll show you how to absorb the essence later."
Then he turned to Xiao Wu. "Don't be discouraged. There's still one more."
Lin Jie opened the third jade box. "This is Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. It strengthens the bones and tendons, opening your meridians. It's perfect for someone like you who practices powerful kicking techniques."
Xiao Wu accepted the jade box with renewed enthusiasm. Though she had felt a bit down earlier, her fighting spirit was quick to return.
"You can begin refining them now. I'll keep watch."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment. "What about you, Lin Jie?"
He smiled. "Don't worry. I've already used mine. The last two I have—one's for Second Sister (Erlong-jie), and the other I'm saving for when Dean Flender and the others return."
As he spoke, Ning Rongrong had already begun refining the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Xiao Wu sat down beside her to begin absorbing the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. But Zhu Zhuqing still seemed unsure, as if reluctant to use hers just yet.
Lin Jie noticed and said gently, "Zhuqing, what's wrong? Don't worry—if the Yearning Heartbroken Red fell for you, it means it's chosen you."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly. "Alright. I'll start now." She sat cross-legged and began refining the flower.
Time passed, second by second, until three hours had gone by.
The medicinal effects of the immortal herbs gradually took hold. Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu all began to change in visible ways.
A brilliant aura of multicolored light radiated from Ning Rongrong. Her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda hovered silently in front of her, glowing with dazzling brilliance. The three Spirit Rings around the pagoda pulsed as they were bathed in radiant gold light—the aura of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
In that moment, Ning Rongrong looked just like a celestial maiden. The golden light surged, making the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda even more resplendent than before.
A pale jade light enveloped Xiao Wu's body as the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone took effect, wrapping around her like a second skin.
As Ning Rongrong's light slowly dimmed, she lifted her right hand, supporting her Martial Soul. Beneath the pagoda, golden light shaped like flower petals gently shimmered—and the tower itself seemed… different.
Rongrong and Xiao Wu stood up together, both filled with joy as they ran over to Lin Jie.
"I'm so happy!" Rongrong threw her arms around Lin Jie and gave him another kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Lin Jie!"
Xiao Wu beamed as well, though when she saw Ning Rongrong kiss him, she felt something strange stir inside her chest.
"Shh, keep it down," Lin Jie reminded them. "Zhuqing is still cultivating." He was already used to the enthusiastic kisses of this carefree young heiress.
At his words, the two girls turned and looked toward Zhu Zhuqing. She remained seated with her eyes closed, calm and serene. Her entire body radiated quiet harmony, immersed in the absorption process.
Lin Jie turned back to Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu. "So, how do you feel?"
Rongrong's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I leveled up six ranks! I'm at Rank 40 now. Hehe!"
She had jumped from Rank 34 to 40—a massive leap.
"I did too!" Xiao Wu grinned. "I hit Rank 40! And I feel like my body's totally different now."
She turned and looked curiously at Rongrong's Martial Soul. "Hey, Rongrong… I think your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda changed."
"Huh?" Rongrong looked at her spirit and blinked. Her pupils shrank in shock.
Xiao Wu stepped closer and counted aloud. "One layer… two… seven… nine! Rongrong! Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—it's become a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
Rongrong was stunned. The moment she realized what had happened, a powerful surge of emotion rushed through her chest.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin