Li Dixian held two immortal flowers in his hand.
As soon as they appeared, they captivated Zhu Zhuqing's gaze.
One was entirely white and lustrous like jade, its stem translucent like a green lotus and white root, unstained by dust, exuding an ethereal aura.
The other was only the size of a palm, with a disc-shaped corolla and cup-shaped secondary corolla, its pure white petals stained with a few drops of blood.
Li Dixian first offered the immortal flower resembling a green lotus and white root to Zhu Zhuqing.
"It's called 'Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone.' It can help increase soul power, strengthen one's Spirit, and is especially good at enhancing agility and agility-based attack types."
"Zhuqing-jie, please consume it now."
Joy flickered in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
The effects of this immortal flower were extraordinary and delightful.
But what warmed her heart even more was that Li Dixian had kept her in his thoughts.
She gently raised her delicate hand, then paused.
"What about you? Such an extraordinary immortal flower, you should consume it instead."
Li Dixian shook his head and smiled:
"I've already consumed an immortal herb that suits me."
"This one was specially reserved for Zhuqing-jie."
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing was still hesitant,
He added casually:
"Hmm, this herb also has the effects of moisturizing tendons, strengthening bones, and rejuvenating one's appearance."
Before he finished speaking,
The Narcissus Jade Muscle and Bone had disappeared from Li Dixian's palm and landed in Zhu Zhuqing's hand.
"Thank you."
Zhu Zhuqing replied softly.
Seeing this, the smile on Li Dixian's lips deepened.
Indeed, even the coldest girl couldn't resist the temptation of "rejuvenating one's appearance."
Zhu Zhuqing held the immortal herb and sat cross-legged on the cushion Li Dixian usually used in the courtyard.
The immortal herb entered her mouth.
A soft white light enveloped her body like ripples.
Her already graceful figure appeared even more perfectly proportioned in the halo, and her skin, which surpassed frost and snow, glowed with a dewy radiance.
A moment later, the halo gradually receded, and Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes.
Her dark pupils were like two deep pools, and a drifting plum blossom happened to touch her sleeve, only to be pulverized by the soul power emanating from her body.
At this moment,
Zhu Zhuqing's soul power
had clearly jumped from level thirty-one to level thirty-eight.
Li Dixian nodded in satisfaction, feeling no trace of unfairness in his heart.
Although he had consumed three immortal flowers, his soul power increase was not as significant as hers.
However, two of them helped him cultivate the Meltfrost Spirit Vein Body.
And the Jade Heart Orchid of the Sword Soul allowed his Azure Lotus Sword to enter the ultimate realm.
Such a solid foundation and profound potential were far beyond what a simple increase in soul power could compare to.
"Congratulations, Zhuqing-jie."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her gaze to her wrist; the old scars had faded without a trace, and her skin was delicate and flawless.
She looked up at Li Dixian, her eyes brimming with emotion:
"Li Dixian... thank you..."
Li Dixian smiled and waved his hand.
He still remembered when, in the Star Dou Great Forest, Zhu Zhuqing risked her life to help him lure the Sword Tail Scorpion swarm.
He took out the second blood-stained, peculiar immortal flower.
"As for this one..."
Li Dixian's tone became slightly serious.
"If Zhuqing-jie wishes to obtain it, it will require some sacrifice, and success is not guaranteed."
"This herb is called 'Yearning Heartbroken Red.' Even among immortal-grade medicinal herbs, it is considered one of the top tier."
"It also has a legend about love..."
"In short, it's an extraordinary flower that chooses its master. When picking it, you must think of the person you love."
"Only with utmost sincerity and genuine devotion, by spitting a mouthful of hot blood onto its petals, can it be plucked. And once it recognizes a master, it will never wither."
"If one is half-hearted, even if they spit blood until death, they will never be able to pick the flower."
"Zhuqing-jie..."
Li Dixian initially thought Zhu Zhuqing would again decline and yield it.
Unexpectedly—
"I'll try."
Zhu Zhuqing said decisively.
Her eyes reflected the blood-stained peony, "Yearning Heartbroken Red."
"Alright, don't force yourself."
Li Dixian subtly reminded her; he knew the difficulty of picking this immortal flower.
Zhu Zhuqing did not answer, quietly circulating her soul power within her body, urging her vital energy and blood to rush straight to her heart.
She parted her cherry lips slightly.
A mouthful of hot heart's blood sprayed onto the pure white petals.
In that instant,
Zhu Zhuqing's mind was filled only with the figure of the white-robed youth beside her—
The awkwardness of their first meeting in the Star Dou Forest; then the youth's resolute brows when he declared, "If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret"; and when she was surrounded by the Sword Tail Scorpion swarm, the youth descended like a god... Though they had known each other for a short time,
Her heart's lake was already filled with boats bearing Li Dixian's name.
After their separation in Star Dou,
She resumed drinking alcohol, which she had abstained from for a long time.
It was as if only when she was slightly tipsy could she relive the carefree smile of the white-robed youth under the Star Dou moonlit night.
Pfft—!
Fresh blood gushed forth, staining the petals red.
The pure white flower quietly drifted down, lightly falling into a slender, slightly trembling hand that had already reached out.
Under Li Dixian's astonished gaze,
Zhu Zhuqing tightly cradled the blood-stained Yearning Heartbroken Red in her hands.
With bloodstains still fresh on her lips, she bloomed into a radiant smile she had never shown before.
"Li Dixian, look, I picked it."
"Zhuqing-jie, are you truly not going to consume the Yearning Heartbroken Red?"
Li Dixian confirmed again.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.
"No."
Her fingertips gently caressed the petals, her clear voice carrying a rare tenderness.
"You just said that once it recognizes a master, it will never wither, right?"
Li Dixian nodded.
"That's good."
Zhu Zhuqing's smile was faint yet resolute.
"I want it to stay with me forever."
The unspoken words flowed in her heart.
"I will forever gaze upon this true heart that beats for you."
The next day,
Li Dixian introduced Zhu Zhuqing to some good friends.
Their time together flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for Zhu Zhuqing to bid farewell.
Outside Heaven Dou City, at the Ten-Mile Long Pavilion.
The winding official road disappeared into the distant dust.
Li Dixian accompanied her all the way here, and the two walked side by side in silence.
"Zhuqing-jie, are you really not staying in Heaven Dou City?"
Zhu Zhuqing's hand gripping the reins tightened slightly. After a moment of silence, she whispered:
"No."
Beneath her lowered eyelashes, a shimmering glint of tears was clearly visible.
How could she bear to leave?
But his steps were getting faster and faster, his figure becoming more distant.
She was unwilling, and unable, to become a burden to Li Dixian's free journey across the continent.
She also wanted to become stronger!
Strong enough to stand by his side!
And although some people in Shrek disgusted her,
Xiaowu and Rongrong were both exceptionally talented good sisters.
Traveling with them would spur her onward.
"Alright."
Li Dixian nodded.
He was not one to wallow in sorrow of parting.
He would only think that today's farewell was for an even better reunion in the future.
"Zhuqing-jie, take care on your journey."
He paused, his tone deepening:
"Remember, if anyone bullies you, you must tell me."
"Mhm."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and assented.
Suddenly,
She abruptly turned around and threw herself into Li Dixian's arms like a young swallow returning to its nest. Her warm breath brushed against his ear as she whispered:
"What Dugu Yan said... 'Consider it as if I said it...'"
"The next time we meet..."
"I will fulfill it."
After speaking,
She pulled away, mounted her horse, and sharply shook the reins.
In the rising dust, her slender figure gradually receded, eventually blurring out of sight.
Li Dixian stood at the Long Pavilion, gazing for a long time.
Only when her figure completely vanished at the end of his vision
Did he lift his head, take a gulp of spicy wine, and wash away the bitter taste of parting in his chest.
The road ahead was long and arduous.
He had to keep moving forward.
To seek sharper swords and more mellow wine.
"It's time to hunt for my third soul ring..."