After arriving at the senior class area of the academy, Lin Jie wandered around for a while but didn't see Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, or the others in the classroom. He guessed they were probably in the cultivation chambers—or possibly back at the dorms.
He had no intention of attending class anyway. The lessons taught here no longer held much interest for him. Frankly speaking, he didn't think he needed to be taught by these instructors at all—or rather, there wasn't much they could teach him now.
Leaving the classroom area, Lin Jie headed toward the back garden of the academy. There was a small courtyard there where Liu Erlong often spent her time when she wasn't busy with academy affairs. The environment was quiet and peaceful—perfect for relaxation.
After walking for over half an hour, he arrived at the garden, but to his surprise, Liu Erlong wasn't there. Instead, he found Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu was the first to spot him. Her ears twitched slightly as she asked, "Lin Jie? What are you doing here?"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing turned around as well. When Zhu Zhuqing saw Lin Jie, her usually calm and cool expression softened, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Now that she had opened her heart to Lin Jie, their relationship had quietly solidified. Just seeing him made her happy.
She smiled sweetly at him.
"I came looking for Erlong-jie," Lin Jie said, "but I guess she's not here today."
Zhu Zhuqing answered softly, "We were also hoping to see her, but she left for some business. She probably won't be back for a while."
Since Liu Erlong wasn't around, Lin Jie thought it was the perfect time to hand out the immortal herbs he had been saving. After a moment of thought, he looked at the three girls and said, "Since Erlong-jie isn't here, I might as well give you all something I've been meaning to."
"A gift?" Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She leaned closer and asked, "What kind of gift?"
Xiao Wu perked up as well, her interest clearly piqued.
Lin Jie lightly flicked his soul tool ring, and with a flash of light, three delicate jade boxes appeared before them.
"What are these?" Rongrong asked, puzzled as she examined the ornate boxes.
"Immortal herbs," Lin Jie replied with a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing blinked in confusion. It was the first time she'd heard the term.
"Immortal herbs?" Xiao Wu said in surprise, stepping closer. It seemed she actually had some understanding of what they were.
Still a little lost, Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Jie. "What are immortal herbs exactly?"
"They're heavenly-grade spirit herbs," Lin Jie explained. "Treasures so rare they exist more in legend than reality—said to be born of the essence of heaven and earth, blessed by sun and moon. Each one contains incredible power and has unique effects."
"These three were originally meant for me, but I decided they'd serve you better. You don't have to worry—there are no side effects. You can absorb them safely."
As he spoke, Lin Jie opened the first jade box. Inside lay an elegant plant with twisting vines and delicately woven leaves, but at the top bloomed a golden tulip. A rich, regal fragrance wafted from it—dazzling and noble.
He turned to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, your Martial Soul, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, is incredibly rare and special. I gave this a lot of thought before selecting this for you—this is the Qiluo Tulip. Graceful, noble, radiant with divine light. It draws on the essence of the world and complements your Martial Soul perfectly. Though you can't eat it directly, you can inhale the fragrance from its pistil, letting the essence slowly enter your body as you cultivate. It'll spread through your meridians and bring about unimaginable results."
Ning Rongrong's smile widened as she accepted the Qiluo Tulip. "Thanks so much, Lin Jie!" she beamed and, without hesitation, leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Er…" Lin Jie scratched his cheek awkwardly and cleared his throat. "Rongrong, the environment here is quiet and secluded. You can start absorbing it now—no one will disturb you."
"Got it." She trusted Lin Jie fully, so she took the tulip, sat cross-legged a short distance away, and began.
Zhu Zhuqing had seen her kiss Lin Jie. Her eyes flicked away and she let out a faint "hmph," obviously a little jealous.
"Hey! What about mine?" Xiao Wu piped up, impatient after seeing Rongrong get hers.
"Don't worry, I didn't forget you," Lin Jie reassured. "There are two more herbs—one is called Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, and the other is called Yearning Heartbroken Red."
He looked between Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. Both were watching him with hopeful expressions.
Opening one of the boxes, he revealed a snow-white flower about the size of a palm. It resembled a peony and had no leaves—only the flower itself. Its root was embedded in a black stone. Amid the white petals were streaks of blood-red that gave it a striking, almost haunting beauty.
"This is the Yearning Heartbroken Red," Lin Jie explained. "It carries an old legend."
He pointed at the blood-colored streaks on the petals. "See that red in the center?"
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu leaned closer.
"What's the legend?" Zhu Zhuqing asked softly, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, tell us!" Xiao Wu chimed in eagerly.
Lin Jie smiled. "Alright, since you're both curious, I'll tell you."
"Long ago, there was a young man who loved flowers. His entire courtyard was filled with blooming lotus and orchids. Every time petals fell, he would gather them and bury them, weeping over their fading beauty. His deep affection for flowers moved the Flower Fairy of the heavens. She descended to the mortal realm and became his wife. Their days were filled with joy."
"But happiness was short-lived. The Heavenly Court discovered the affair and ordered the Flower Fairy to return. The young man was left heartbroken, neglecting his beloved garden until it withered into ruin."
"One day, a white-haired elder appeared and told him that his favorite white peony was the reincarnation of his beloved. If he destroyed the flower, she would lose her divine body and return to him as a mortal. But he could not bring himself to do it. He watered the flower with his tears day and night until he died from longing. Just before he passed, he poured his blood onto the flower—and that blood became the crimson you see now."
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu listened quietly, completely absorbed. Even Ning Rongrong, who had been meditating, opened her eyes to gaze at Lin Jie in awe.
"This isn't just any herb," Lin Jie continued. "To pick it, one must truly yearn for their beloved. Only by pouring a drop of blood into the petals while thinking of that person with all your heart will the herb accept you. As for its effect… well, you'll see."
He looked at the two girls. "So… who wants to try it?"
Zhu Zhuqing met his gaze, hesitating for a moment. Then she turned to Xiao Wu and said gently, "Why don't you go first?"
Xiao Wu hesitated briefly, then nodded.