"Eight-petal Immortal Orchid… purifies spirit power, clears the mind, and removes inner impurities…"
"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower… the king among fire-attribute plants, abundant in pure yang essence, capable of reshaping meridians and strengthening the body…"
"Qi Rong Tong Tian Chrysanthemum…"
As each name slipped from Ye Lingshuang's lips, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan's body trembled uncontrollably. His carefully maintained feminine composure cracked bit by bit, disbelief spreading across his face like a spiderweb.
This little girl… she actually recognized them?!
And not just one or two.
Her voice, though soft, carried a faint tremor—like someone standing before a lifelong dream suddenly made real. It was as if she had fallen into a trance, muttering one Immortal Herb after another, her words flowing without pause.
More terrifying still—
She didn't merely name them.
"Splendid Gold Perfume Orchid… king of all herbs, capable of discerning treasures throughout the world. Upon consumption, one may absorb the essence of heaven and earth, the radiance of the sun and moon…"
"Yearning Heartbroken Red… the most emotional of all flowers. It cannot be plucked by force. Only one of true feeling and upright character, who waters it with heart's blood, may obtain it…"
"Narcissus Jade Bone… Autumn Water Gaze Dew…"
Every Immortal Herb she mentioned was accompanied by an accurate explanation of its effects, origins, and legends—precisely matching the knowledge Chrysanthemum Douluo had painstakingly accumulated over decades.
The smug disdain that had lingered on Yue Guan's face stiffened completely.
In its place was pure, unfiltered shock.
It was as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
How… how was this possible?!
These were secrets that even Spirit Hall guarded carefully. How could a young girl, barely grown, possess such profound and complete knowledge of Immortal Herbs?!
Meanwhile, Ye Lingshuang herself seemed entirely unaware of the storm she had stirred.
Her clear, icy eyes were locked onto the ethereal treasure land at the entrance of the restaurant—the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, shrouded in mist, overflowing with rare plants that existed only in legends.
Her breathing grew rapid.
Her fingers trembled.
Step by step, as if drawn by an irresistible force, her feet carried her forward, toward the Immortal Herbs that had haunted her dreams for as long as she could remember.
"Lingling!"
Dugu Yan's heart leapt in alarm. She hurried forward and reached out, trying to pull her back.
But before her fingers could even brush Ye Lingshuang's sleeve—
Ye Lingshuang suddenly stopped.
It was as if she had woken abruptly from a dream.
She turned around sharply.
The girl who had always been calm and restrained now looked entirely different. Behind the black veil, her eyes burned with two faint but resolute flames, no longer tranquil like an ancient well, but fierce and unwavering.
Her gaze bypassed everyone else.
It locked directly onto one person.
Lin Feng.
The owner of this treasure land.
The master of these Immortal Herbs.
And—her only hope.
In the next instant, under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Ye Lingshuang made her move.
She took several quick steps forward and blocked Lin Feng's path.
Then—
"Thud!"
A dull, heavy sound echoed.
She dropped to her knees.
The hard bluestone slabs beneath her seemed incapable of causing her any pain. She knelt there without hesitation, her posture straight, her head lifted. Though her face was hidden by a veil, her delicate contours were still visible, and her eyes shone with a purity so intense it bordered on fanaticism.
"Sir!"
Her voice trembled, not with fear, but with overwhelming excitement and determination.
"Lingling is willing to pay any price!"
"For the rest of my life, I can be your slave, your servant—working like an ox or a horse, without complaint!"
She inhaled deeply, as though gathering all her courage, then spoke the words that instantly sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"Even… even if I must offer my body, I will do so willingly!"
"I ask only one thing—please grant me a single Immortal Herb!"
Silence fell.
Absolute, suffocating silence.
Then—
Qian Daoliu's eyes widened slightly.
Ning Fengzhi's brows shot up, his fan pausing mid-motion.
Several pairs of ears subtly tilted forward.
Good heavens.
This was explosive gossip.
"Swish!"
Almost at the same moment, several sharp gazes snapped toward Ye Lingshuang like drawn blades.
Bibi Dong's eyes turned icy, her expression chilling.
This girl looked pure and detached, yet her move was ruthless—trying to leap straight into the inner chambers?
Hu Liena clenched her fists tightly, her lips pressed together in silent indignation.
Shameless little vixen!
Do you not understand the concept of first come, first served? I've been waiting in line for ages!
Zhu Zhuyun's reaction was even more direct. She ground her teeth, a faint grinding sound escaping as jealousy flared in her eyes. If Lin Feng hadn't been present, she might have already lashed out.
A sudden appearance. Exceptional temperament. Bold tactics.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
As for Dugu Yan—
Her shock was the greatest of all.
She stared blankly at Ye Lingshuang kneeling on the ground, utterly unable to reconcile this scene with the quiet, aloof best friend she had known for years.
This was the girl who barely spoke to teammates.
The girl who kept her distance from everyone.
And now she was saying such words—openly, shamelessly, in front of so many people?!
Unable to hold back, Dugu Yan rushed forward and grabbed Ye Lingshuang's arm.
"Lingling! What are you doing? You're not like this at all!"
But Ye Lingshuang did not respond.
She didn't even turn her head.
It was as if Dugu Yan's voice could no longer reach her ears. She simply knelt there, unmoving, her gaze fixed stubbornly on Lin Feng.
As though his nod would be her rebirth.
And his refusal—her eternal damnation.
"Heh."
A soft chuckle broke the tense atmosphere.
Lin Feng looked down at the kneeling girl, casually pinching his chin.
There was no lust in his eyes, no excitement at her bold offer. Only mild curiosity—and a hint of amusement at the sudden turn of events interrupting his plan to lie back and relax.
"I am rather curious," Lin Feng said slowly, his voice calm yet clearly audible to all.
"What makes you willing to pay such a price just to obtain an Immortal Herb?"
His lips curved slightly, carrying a trace of teasing interest.
"Is it simply because of the herb's value… or is there another reason?"
At his words, Ye Lingshuang's tightly tensed body relaxed just a fraction.
He didn't reject her outright.
That meant hope!
Fearful of missing this fleeting chance, she didn't dare hesitate. She spoke quickly, urgency thick in her voice.
"To answer you, Sir—it is because of a curse!"
"A curse?" Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, genuine interest flickering in his eyes.
"Our family's Martial Soul possesses the strongest group healing ability on the Douluo Continent," Ye Lingshuang said, her voice lowering. "But this power comes at a terrible price."
"In the same era, only two Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Masters may exist in this world."
"If a third heir is born… then one from the previous generation must sacrifice their life to 'make way' for the descendant."
Her voice trembled.
"My grandmother… to allow me to awaken my Martial Soul… severed her own heart meridian when I was six years old."
By now, her voice was choked with sobs.
Understanding dawned across the crowd.
So that was the truth.
The gazes directed at Ye Lingshuang softened, the earlier vigilance and mockery giving way to sympathy.
"But!" Ye Lingshuang suddenly lifted her head, tears clinging to her lashes as a blazing hope ignited in her eyes.
"It is recorded in our family's ancestral texts!"
"This curse is not unbreakable!"
"If one can obtain a legendary Immortal Herb, its immense medicinal power can cleanse the bloodline and completely sever this fate!"
She clenched her fists.
"For countless generations, we searched… but never found even a trace of one."
"So…"
She bowed heavily once more, her forehead striking the ground.
"When Lingling saw that Sir possessed so many Immortal Herbs today, I truly—truly could not allow myself to miss this one chance!"
"I beg you, Sir… please grant my wish!"
The air grew quiet once more.
And somewhere among the women present, a shared thought silently echoed—
Even if you want to climb into your senior's bed…
Shouldn't you at least line up properly first?
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