Chapter 85 — Xue Qinghe's Invitation
Inside Qi Tian's Sea Calming Pearl, several types of immortal herbs were already growing.
However, he wasn't in a hurry to let Zhu Zhuqing take the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone Immortal Herb.
He wanted to wait until he completed Ning Rongrong's mission, then possess Zhu Zhuqing again and personally consume the immortal herb.
Qi Tian wanted to test something—whether he could skim off another wave of system rewards.
But the chances weren't high. After all, the soul power cultivation he gained while possessing the girls was a stage reward from the system.
Now that the mission was complete, those rewards were likely gone.
Even so, while the system reward might disappear, his soul could still be nourished when his soul power increased during herb consumption.
So Qi Tian naturally didn't rush to give Zhu Zhuqing the immortal herb.
...
Outside Heaven Dou City, at the center of Sunset Forest—the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Bibi Dong stood in the valley, looking at the herb fields that had been completely stripped clean. Yet, there was not the slightest anger in her expression—only excitement.
"It's him. It really is him!" Bibi Dong said, trembling slightly.
She looked at the water level of the twin springs—clearly lowered. Her heart was now certain: this was Qi Tian's doing.
Ordinary people, after arriving here, would only pick herbs. None of them would dare to even think of touching the spring water.
But Qi Tian understood its value. Only he would think of a way to take some of the water away.
"Don't tell me… he wants to use the spring water to strengthen the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Bibi Dong thought.
The inner disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were all support-type soul masters, unable to attack. If they used this spring water, they would indeed become troublesome.
Bibi Dong herself wasn't afraid—she was immune to the two terrifying spring energies.
What troubled her was Qi Tian's stance. If Qi Tian intended to help the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect… would she still need to proceed with exterminating them?
"Hmph. I'll capture you first. Let's see where you run this time." Bibi Dong murmured coldly.
...
Heaven Dou City, the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Qian Renxue felt a hint of surprise when she saw Bibi Dong, but she hid her emotions very well.
She asked calmly, "Senior Sister, why are you here? Is the Spirit Hall operation being moved up?"
Qian Renxue had already prepared for everything. Her influence was now considerable—not only was Dugu Bo her subordinate, but she also had connections in the military, Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and the nobility. She had even taken Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as her teacher.
At this point, as long as Emperor Xue Ye died, someone would immediately drape the yellow imperial robe on her shoulders.
Bibi Dong shook her head. "No need to rush. It's not the right time yet."
She didn't want the continent to plunge into chaos too soon, because it could affect Qi Tian. At the very least, she needed to obtain information about him first.
"Then why did the Senior Sister come to Heaven Dou City? Don't tell me—you came to see me?" Qian Renxue felt secretly pleased.
She viewed the current Bibi Dong as both an idol and a rival. If Bibi Dong came specifically to see her, that was undoubtedly an acknowledgment.
But Bibi Dong shook her head again. "Didn't we just see each other a short while ago? Why would I come here just for you?"
Qian Renxue had indeed returned to Spirit Hall recently, and they had already met.
"Go invite your junior sister over. I have something to discuss with her," Bibi Dong said.
"My junior sister?" Qian Renxue froze. Since when did she have a junior sister? Did her father take another daughter or disciple?
"It's Ning Rongrong," Bibi Dong clarified.
Qian Renxue finally understood—it was Xue Qinghe's junior sister.
She was curious about why Bibi Dong wanted Ning Rongrong, but she didn't press further. Bringing Ning Rongrong over would answer everything.
Bibi Dong invited Ning Rongrong, naturally, because of Qi Tian.
Charging straight into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to snatch Ning Rongrong—that would only be something a fool would do.
Prematurely intensifying the conflict between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall brought Bibi Dong no benefits at all.
…
A few days later, Qi Tian once again possessed Ning Rongrong's body.
The mission was about to be completed, and Qi Tian couldn't help feeling a bit reluctant to leave Ning Rongrong's soft, fragrant little body.
Fortunately, after completing the mission, as long as Ning Rongrong agreed, he would still be able to possess her again.
And since Ning Rongrong needed to contract spirit souls in the future, she definitely wouldn't refuse his possession!
Qi Tian gently pinched Ning Rongrong's soft little "bun" and called her soul awake.
"Senior? You're here?" Ning Rongrong finally opened her eyes.
Her attitude satisfied Qi Tian, so he asked, "Have you been cultivating seriously these past few days? Nothing unusual happened recently, right?"
"Senior, I've been working very hard. Some parts of my body are still a little sore!" Ning Rongrong replied.
She was looking forward to bathing in medicinal herbs with Qi Tian again, letting him massage her body to ease her muscles. That was one of her motivations for training so hard.
"You've done well. Here—I'll leave the prescription with you. From now on, prepare the herbs yourself and take medicinal baths. It'll help relieve the soreness."
Qi Tian was about to finish his mission. He wouldn't be possessing Ning Rongrong constantly anymore, so naturally, he had no reason to keep the medicinal bath recipe to himself.
Besides, the prescription came from Yu Xiaogang. Even if it spread, nothing major would happen—at most, some herbs might increase in price.
And with the Sea Calming Pearl in his possession, which held an Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he could grow any herbs he wanted himself.
Ning Rongrong was pleasantly surprised. This precious medicinal bath formula… he was giving it to her just like that?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had many battle-type soul masters. With this prescription, the Sect's strength could definitely rise another level.
But she was still a little disappointed—today, she wouldn't be soaking in a medicinal bath with Qi Tian.
"Senior, yesterday my Crown Prince Senior Brother invited me to visit the Prince's Mansion, and my father agreed," Ning Rongrong finally brought up the main matter.
'Crown Prince Senior Brother? Qian Renxue? Why would she invite her?' Qi Tian was puzzled.
But Qi Tian didn't think too deeply about it. He decided to meet Qian Renxue once, then take the immortal herb, complete the mission, and leave.
It had been a long time since he'd seen Qian Renxue and Dugu Yan.
For him, only half a year had passed; for Qian Renxue, being possessed had already been something from seven or eight years ago.
After washing up and under Ning Rongrong's instructions, Qi Tian put on a pure-white long dress for the banquet.
Wearing the elegant gown, Ning Rongrong looked like a precious gem—refined, noble. Even Qi Tian couldn't help glancing at the mirror a few more times.
Bringing along the guards, he headed toward Heaven Dou City, which was over a dozen li away.
When he arrived at the Prince's Mansion, Xue Qinghe was already waiting at the entrance.
Though Qi Tian wore a formal dress, Xue Qinghe was dressed only in a simple cyan robe, appearing gentle and approachable.
"Senior Brother, sorry to keep you waiting!" Qi Tian greeted with a bow.
Xue Qinghe smiled and praised, "Junior Sister, you are absolutely radiant today. After just a few months apart, you've grown even more beautiful."
He led Qi Tian into the mansion and into the reception hall.
Inside the hall sat a woman in a brilliant golden gown, staring at him with bright, burning eyes.
The moment Qi Tian stepped into the room and saw her, his pupils tightened, and a strange sense of guilt surged in his chest.
'What is she doing here? Isn't Qian Renxue supposed to be in deep hiding?'
Qi Tian suddenly felt nervous. He had seen something he definitely shouldn't have seen—and for something like this, the usual consequence was silencing.
—
End of Chapter