Xie Zhaolin slowly opened her eyes, the sharp gleam within them dimming as her aura settled.
She could feel it clearly, that surge of power inside her body that was now several times stronger than before. A rush of indescribable satisfaction welled up from deep within her chest. She hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. Borrowing the purified beast core's power to break through had been easier and faster than she'd ever imagined.
Her gaze shifted toward Hun Yu, its leaves now slightly withered from condensing the beast core. A hint of satisfaction flashed through her eyes. She lifted a finger and lightly brushed one of its drooping leaves.
"Good work," she said flatly, but her tone carried an unusually gentle warmth.
Feeling her touch, Hun Yu's leaves rubbed against her fingertip affectionately, sending out a wave of joy and reliance through their mental bond. Then, as if trying to cheer itself up, the top of its stem shimmered faintly. With a soft poof, a delicate little flower bloomed, pale lavender and beautifully charming.
It was obvious that it had bloomed purely to please her.
The corners of Xie Zhaolin's lips curved ever so slightly.
This little thing was getting smarter by the day.
Her thoughts spun quickly. Now that Hun Yu had developed intelligence and possessed such a heaven-defying ability to purify beast cores, keeping it in her spirit beast pouch would only hinder its growth. Worse, it'd waste its sharp senses and supportive talents.
If she kept it by her side, she could make better use of it.
But... how should she keep it with her?
A sentient plant beast with such a distinct aura couldn't just follow her around in its true form. That'd be far too eye-catching and could easily draw unwanted trouble. As she pondered, Hun Yu seemed to sense her hesitation. A soft, childlike voice echoed in her mind, laced with hope.
"Master... can I... stay outside... and follow you? I'll be really good..."
Xie Zhaolin glanced at it, her expression unreadable, then nodded. "You can. But you must hide your presence. Don't draw attention."
Hun Yu trembled with excitement, its leaves swaying wildly. It clearly already had an idea.
Its three leaves began to glow faintly, the stem stretching longer, thinner, and more flexible. Its entire body shifted shape, transforming from an upright plant into a soft, winding vine.
It carefully coiled itself, one loop after another, around a lock of Xie Zhaolin's hair that fell by her shoulder. The movement was so gentle, as if it feared it might hurt her.
The vine was a lush green with a subtle metallic sheen, intertwining with her jet-black hair in a surprisingly harmonious way. With delicate precision, it wove her hair into a few slender braids. At last, its top—the three leaves and the small flower bud—rested lightly behind her ear.
The pale purple flower, which had bloomed to please her, now nestled beside her hair like an elegant ornament. Unless one looked closely, it seemed no more than a beautiful accessory.
Its natural aura of plant energy and sharpness was tightly restrained until it was barely detectable.
Once everything was done, the Hun Yu sent a careful yet proud thought. "Master... is this okay?"
Sweeping her divine sense over it, Xie Zhaolin found its aura perfectly hidden, its new form blending seamlessly into her hair. She gave a small nod of approval. "Not bad."
The little flower behind her ear swayed happily in response.
After a moment's thought, she spoke again. "Since you've gained intelligence and follow me now, you should have a name."
Her eyes fell on the vine twined with her hair, the faint green color, and that small lavender flower blooming by her temple.
"'Hun Yu' sounds strange, and it's too revealing. You've been reborn and now follow me, so there's no need to keep your old name."
Her tone was calm, but her words carried no room for argument. She paused, her gaze lingering on the tiny flower. The name Hun Yu didn't just sound awkward—it exposed what kind of plant it was, and even hinted at its unique abilities.
If someone with bad intentions overheard, they might figure out its origin and target it. When traveling the world, sometimes a simple name could be its best protection.
Besides, it had a new bond and a new start now.
The vine around her hair trembled slightly, drawing her attention. She looked at its three leaves, then at the little purple flower.
"You're vine-like and cling easily, your leaves are serrated, and your flower's a soft lavender... I'll call you Zi Ying," she said slowly.
The vine quivered with delight, the flower shaking in joy as it sent out a wave of pure happiness.
"Zi... Ying... Zi Ying! Zi Ying likes it! Thank you, Master, for giving me a name!" The childish voice repeated the new name with earnest excitement, as if it was the most precious thing in the world.
From that moment on, the name Zi Ying marked a true break from its past as the Hun Yu that had once harmed its master. Now it had a new identity, a new belonging.
Xie Zhaolin nodded slightly, unsurprised by its reaction.
A proper name meant more than most realized to a sentient being.
"Good. Then remember what you promised," she said coolly. "Stay by my side, speak cautiously, and never reveal your intelligence without my permission. Don't talk to others unless I allow it."
"Yes, Master!" Zi Ying answered sweetly, the vine tightening slightly before going completely still, becoming once again a perfect, elegant hair ornament.
With that settled, Xie Zhaolin turned toward the cave entrance, her sharp gaze sweeping over the endless stretch of beast plains beyond.
The commotion outside had died down. For a cultivator at mid-stage Golden Core, the search parties posed little threat now. She could safely stay here for a while longer.
Having made up her mind, she didn't hesitate.
Over the next few months, she fully immersed herself in the vast plains.
With her mid-stage Golden Core cultivation and a body strengthened by thunder tribulation, her hunts were swift and efficient. Her strength continued to grow at a steady, astonishing pace. Her cultivation grew denser and more stable, her control over baleful qi smoother than ever.
Meanwhile, the aura from her hair ornament, Zi Ying, also strengthened. It absorbed impurities from beast cores, growing denser in color, the lavender flower occasionally releasing waves of life energy.
Though it stayed hidden, Xie Zhaolin could sense its origin slowly healing.
You You handled sentry duty and organized the spoils, and together they'd become a seamless team.
Outside, the rumors about "Ninefold Purple Heaven Divine Thunder" and the "mysterious tribulation survivor" finally began to fade away.
===
紫 (zǐ) → purple, violet, or lavender
莺 (yīng) → oriole (a small songbird), often used in poetic names for its delicate and lively connotation
So 紫莺 literally means "purple oriole," evoking something graceful, lively, and beautiful—perfectly fitting for a vine spirit with a small lavender flower.