"Hey! What's with you? Why are you resorting to violence the moment we disagree?" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was startled by the terrifying aura radiating from Xian Lin'er and cried out in alarm.
"Weren't you the one who just said you're not easy to talk to? Then I'll beat you until you are," Xian Lin'er frowned and responded.
"Ah—wait!" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower realized she had said the wrong thing and hurried to explain, "I was just bluffing! Just bluffing! I really am easy to talk to!"
"Really?" Xian Lin'er looked doubtful.
"Really, really!" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower nodded repeatedly, nearly shaking off her own big red petals. "If there's anything you need, just tell me. As long as it's within my power, I'll help you. Just please don't attack me—or wake the others!"
"Alright, we only came here for one thing," Zhu Ziyang stepped forward with a smile.
"What is it?" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower asked instinctively.
"To find her seventh soul ring," Zhu Ziyang said as he gently nudged Ma Xiaotao forward.
"Her seventh soul ring?" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower felt her already-small brain beginning to overheat. She hadn't caught on to what they meant and replied dumbly, "I can sense a phoenix bloodline on her. She must be the one who consumed one of my seedlings, right? What kind of soul ring are you looking for?"
"I want you to be my soul ring," Ma Xiaotao said softly, like a whisper in Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's ear. But to her, it was like a thunderclap from the heavens.
"W-What!" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower immediately leaned back as if trying to get away from Ma Xiaotao and shouted, "No—no way! I don't want to die! How about this—let me introduce you to some other spiritual herbs that could become soul rings? Look, there's a 90,000-year-old Fireflame Grass over there, and an 80,000-year-old Blazing Heart Flower over there…"
She began to anxiously pitch other herbs to Ma Xiaotao, clearly panicked. Her submissive attitude was a far cry from the pride expected of a 100,000-year soul beast. But thinking about it, it wasn't surprising. These herb-turned-soul-beasts weren't true soul beasts. They had the years but lacked the matching combat strength.
When facing someone like Zhu Ziyang, a Soul King or Soul Emperor, they were confident. But in front of a Super Douluo like Xian Lin'er or Cai Meier, they bowed their heads.
"No way. I want a herb. A 100,000-year herb," Ma Xiaotao shook her head with a smile and stared straight at Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
"Ah!" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower finally realized they were targeting her. But she still tried to struggle. "Wait! In the Yang Spring, there's a 100,000-year-old Infernal Delicate Apricot. She's an ultimate fire herb—she's much more suitable for you than I am!"
That comment stunned Ma Xiaotao, Xian Lin'er, and Cai Meier. Zhu Ziyang's mouth twitched as well. But before any of them could reply, a furious female voice echoed from within the scorching Yang Spring.
"Good job, Aster! After how nice I've been to you, this is how you repay me?" A large red flower rose from the hot spring—it was the Infernal Delicate Apricot.
"Ahahaha, Jiao-jiao! Y-You're awake?" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower had been caught red-handed betraying her friend and now felt like her end was near.
"Hmph! If I hadn't woken up, wouldn't you have sold me out already?" Infernal Delicate Apricot responded coldly. "I really misjudged you."
"No, Jiao-jiao, listen to my explanation—no, my defense!" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower cried, nearly sobbing.
"Fine. Explain then," Infernal Delicate Apricot replied with an expression that said, I might listen… depending on my mood. Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was overjoyed and immediately began blabbering her explanation.
"Ziyang, is that big red cabbage-looking thing really an ultimate fire herb?" Xian Lin'er leaned over to Zhu Ziyang and whispered.
"Yes, she's called Infernal Delicate Apricot. Born in the Yang Spring, she's a miraculous plant of heaven and earth. Being an ultimate fire herb is normal for her," Zhu Ziyang nodded.
"Then… can I have her?" Ma Xiaotao's eyes sparkled. Compared to the cowardly Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, the Infernal Delicate Apricot looked like a much stronger candidate for a Spirit Soul!
"That's a bit tough," Zhu Ziyang said awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "She's one of the strongest herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Her strength rivals that of a true 100,000-year soul beast. With your current power, Sister Xiaotao, you can't control her. Maybe when you reach your eighth or ninth ring."
"I see… well, alright then. Let's stick with the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower," Ma Xiaotao looked a little disappointed but quickly shook it off.
"Hey, aren't you all being a bit too dismissive of me?" Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower was still trying to explain to Infernal Delicate Apricot, completely ignoring the four humans who were now staring at her like hawks. Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but complain.
But whether it was Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower or Infernal Delicate Apricot, neither of them responded. Or maybe they just didn't care.
Just as things were about to get tense, a familiar voice spoke up from behind.
"Hey, hey, boy. Why didn't that silver-haired girl come?"
Zhu Ziyang turned around. It was the Moon Immortal Tea Laurel speaking.
"You mean Nannan? She didn't come. She doesn't need a 100,000-year soul ring yet," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile.
"I see," Moon Immortal Tea Laurel swayed her branches and said, "So you brought these girls here to take Aster away?"
"Yes. But our method might be different from what you're imagining," Zhu Ziyang said patiently.
"What's the difference? You humans always want to eat us and absorb our soul rings and soul bones," Moon Immortal Tea Laurel's tone was full of discontent. "Humans are so greedy!"
"You're talking like that because you think Ziyang has a good temper and won't do anything to you, huh?" Ma Xiaotao approached, flames rising from her hand in a threatening display.
"Ah! Zhu Ziyang, get this woman away from me! She's dangerous!" Moon Immortal Tea Laurel screamed in panic.
"Sister Xiaotao, stop teasing her." Zhu Ziyang pulled Ma Xiaotao back and said to Moon Immortal Tea Laurel, "Tea-tea, you've really misunderstood us. You'll understand in a moment."
"Hmph! Do whatever you want. But if you're not from that person, then you're not allowed to take any herbs. If you want herbs, have that person's people come!" Moon Immortal Tea Laurel huffed.
"That person?" Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier exchanged glances. They hadn't expected the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to already be claimed by someone else.
"Yes, that person's people. What were they called again?" Moon Immortal Tea Laurel looked confused for a moment, then got impatient. "Ugh, anyway! Without that group, you can't take a single herb. Oh—except Aster. She's been rejected by Jiao-jiao."
"This..." Xian Lin'er, Cai Meier, and Ma Xiaotao looked at each other, still confused.
"Tang Sect!" Zhu Ziyang instantly understood. That person could only be Tang San. And that sect? It could only be the Tang Sect.
"Yes! That's it—Tang Sect!" Moon Immortal Tea Laurel said excitedly. "Only Tang Sect members can get Youyou's approval and take away seven herbs. Anyone else who tries will get attacked by her."
"This..." Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier looked at each other again, realizing they'd stumbled upon a shocking secret.
"Sigh! If I had known, I would've brought that Tang Ya girl!" Ma Xiaotao muttered with regret.
"It's fine. Our target was Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower anyway. As for the others, we've got time," Zhu Ziyang consoled with a smile.
"Xiaotao, Ziyang's right. Let's secure Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower first. Everything else can wait," Xian Lin'er said solemnly, her expression a bit more reverent now. She had picked up on something deeper from the conversation.
Cai Meier nodded too. After living for so long, they knew many hidden truths. It was normal they'd notice clues others might miss.
The four of them looked again at Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. She now looked completely wilted, like she was ready to wither on the spot. Clearly, her explanation hadn't been accepted by Infernal Delicate Apricot. That must be why Moon Immortal Tea Laurel said she had been rejected by Jiao-jiao.
(End of Chapter)
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