Listening to the peculiar method of harvesting and recognizing ownership, Xiao Wu blushed slightly and reached out to gently pick the Lovesick Heartbroken Red rooted on the Wujue Stone.
With soul power circulating within her, she stirred her qi and blood, and parted her cherry lips slightly to spit a mouthful of fresh blood onto the petals.
Under the guidance of the Lovesick Heartbroken Red's aura, Xiao Wu's mind was instantly filled with the image of Chu Chengzhou.
Their first meeting at Notting Academy—called "Big Brother Chu of the Seven Dorms"—yet in her eyes, he was just a little human cub, "Little Chu Trash."
She remembered visiting Little Chu Trash's home at the end of their first school year, becoming the god-granddaughter of his grandparents and his god-sister.
Every little moment they spent together over the years flashed through Xiao Wu's mind.
Although their time together hadn't been dramatic or epic, everything had felt warm and ordinary. But ever since that day at the Rose Hotel, when Chu Chengzhou called her his "child bride," she hadn't resisted. In fact, she even felt a little secretly happy. That was when Xiao Wu realized—she had unknowingly been shaped into Little Chu's image.
As her blood fell on the petals, the Lovesick Heartbroken Red trembled lightly, then silently fell from the Wujue Stone, landing gently in her delicate jade-like hand.
"So beautiful…"
Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, Xiao Wu smiled softly, gazing dreamily at the flower in her hand.
Seeing the flower in Xiao Wu's hand, Chu Chengzhou also smiled tenderly and stepped forward to pull her gently into his arms.
He understood very clearly what it meant for Xiao Wu to be able to pick the Lovesick Heartbroken Red.
In that moment, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. This little bunny had given her heart entirely to him—how could he possibly go around flirting with others? That really wouldn't be right!
Wait—no, no. Xiao Wu was lively and outgoing, loved making friends, and especially enjoyed being the big sister. Finding her a couple of younger sisters would be perfectly fine!
"Brother~"Xiao Wu called softly, pouting as Chu Chengzhou held her in his arms.
Taking the hint, Chu Chengzhou didn't hesitate—even with two other girls nearby—and leaned down to kiss her red lips.
Ning Rongrong: "…"Zhu Zhuqing: "…"
The two exchanged glances. Zhu Zhuqing, holding the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, sat to the side and began consuming it as Chu Chengzhou had previously instructed.
Hmph~ Scumbag!Ning Rongrong shot a fierce glare at the happily kissing Chu Chengzhou, then began taking the Beautiful Silk Tulip herself.
After a long kiss, they parted.
"Xiao Wu, go ahead and eat the Lovesick Heartbroken Red! It will not only boost your innate talent, but also likely raise your soul power by about ten levels."
Chu Chengzhou said, gently rubbing Xiao Wu's bunny ears.
Although Xiao Wu had reached level 44 Soul Sect at only 13 years old—far surpassing the average genius Soul Master—her innate talent was really only on par with a full innate soul power individual.
Her rapid advancement was largely due to her "re-cultivation" and also because she didn't use a normal meditation method, but instead the upgraded version, Nine Breaths of Internal Qi.
As a top-tier immortal herb, the Lovesick Heartbroken Red would still significantly boost her talent, even if the improvement wasn't as dramatic as it would be for someone with trash talent.
Even excluding the talent boost, the immense medicinal power would continue to slowly release over time, accelerating her cultivation.
"Ten levels?"Xiao Wu's eyes widened with disbelief.
She had heard Chu Chengzhou say before that immortal herbs could boost soul power without side effects, but she'd thought it'd be maybe one or two, maybe three or four levels at most. She never imagined it could be ten!
Chu Chengzhou nodded, "More or less~"
In the original story, Xiao Wu did use the Lovesick Heartbroken Red, but not by consuming it—it was used to revive her body. So he wasn't exactly sure how much it would boost someone's power when eaten.
But people differ, and so do immortal herbs. As a premium among premiums, this flower was definitely above the rest.
Even if it didn't immediately grant ten full levels, eight or nine would be likely.
Right now Xiao Wu was at level 44. Consuming the herb, along with absorbing a soul ring far beyond her age limit, she should be able to surpass level 54 and reach Soul King level.
"Brother, didn't you say that once it recognized me, it wouldn't wither? It's such a beautiful flower… maybe I should just keep it?"
Xiao Wu looked reluctant.
"No way—you must eat it!If you don't, it'll be nothing more than a pretty flower. There are tons of beautiful flowers out there. If you want, I'll go buy you a whole cart!"
Chu Chengzhou shook his head seriously.
This thing wouldn't appreciate in value. The sooner she consumed it, the sooner she'd boost her talent. Keeping it would just waste its potential.
Xiao Wu's expression fell. She thought for a moment and said, "But if I eat it and my soul power level gets too high, won't that mean I can't enter the Soul Master Tournament?"
The tournament only had an age limit, not a power limit. Xiao Wu was within the age range—but she wasn't confident anymore.
If the flower boosted her by 10 levels, she'd be a level 54 Soul King. With her fifth ring and nearly a year left before the tournament, she might end up a six-ring Soul Emperor.
That would be too monstrous—even if she looked 19, her power level would draw too much attention.
She had no strong backing. Even if she did, assassinating geniuses from rival factions was common practice.
She could hide her identity as a transformed soul beast and even fool Title Douluos, but the quality of her soul power, skill effects, reaction speed… those could all give her away to sharp observers.
Too many risks. If she became a Soul Emperor, she wouldn't dare compete anymore.
But the Soul Master Tournament was the event for soul masters. How could Sister Xiao Wu miss out?
Chu Chengzhou fell into thought at her words.
After a moment, he asked, "You really want to participate that badly?"
"Mhm! Dean Flender and Dean Erlong both have high hopes for me. I can't let them down!"
Xiao Wu looked a little troubled.
"Alright then, don't eat it yet. Save it until after the tournament."
Chu Chengzhou offered a compromise.
After all, it was only about a year away. Not a huge delay.
The tournament still had prelims and elimination rounds before the finals. With Xiao Wu's current speed, even without the herb, she'd probably reach Soul King level by then.
A 19-year-old Soul King wasn't unheard of.
Hu Liena from the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation also became a Soul King around 20.
As for exposing her true age—so long as no one found out she was a soul beast, and Bibi Dong didn't know Chu Chengzhou killed Xiao Wu's mom, the Spirit Hall wouldn't dare make a public move against a tournament participant.
Inside the forest mimicry training ground, Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu meditated quietly, cultivating and protecting the two girls as they absorbed their immortal herbs.
As the medicinal effects kicked in, changes occurred in Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
After taking the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Zhu Zhuqing was bathed in a pale jade glow. Eventually she shifted from sitting to standing upright, hands gently placed over her chest, quietly absorbing the medicine.
Ning Rongrong's change was dazzling. Her Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda floated in front of her, soul rings flickering, surrounded by radiant golden light and a rich floral fragrance.
The golden light came from her body, radiating celestial beauty. Each pulse of golden light made her pagoda more splendid.
Time passed. After three hours, Ning Rongrong opened her eyes.
"Huh? I'm level 30?!"
Feeling the surge of power within, she exclaimed in surprise.
And it wasn't just level 30—she could feel hidden power still dormant due to her missing third soul ring.
"Look at your pagoda,"Chu Chengzhou's voice sounded.
Ning Rongrong blinked, then looked down.
"One… two… three… eight… nine—nine?! Why… why is it nine?!"
She stared in disbelief. Her once-familiar Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had become a Nine-Treasure one.
This meant one thing—her martial spirit had evolved into the legendary Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the very form her father, Ning Fengzhi, had pursued all his life!
"So… Rongrong, don't you feel like devoting yourself to me now?"Chu Chengzhou teased via voice transmission.
Ning Rongrong's heart, once burning with excitement, instantly cooled. She glared fiercely at him.
Before that message, she had felt like that. If they were alone, she might've jumped him.
But now? Scumbag! Even if it was just in an illusion, he'd already taken advantage of her.
Still… she couldn't help feeling tenderly affectionate toward him.
He was talented, handsome, had helped her break through her martial spirit's limits…
"Ugh, if only there was no Xiao Wu!"
Looking at Chu Chengzhou with a warm smile, Ning Rongrong sighed in her heart.
If not for Xiao Wu, she'd have taken him home to meet her father already.
But she came second. And if her father or grandpas found out, she'd probably be fine—but that scumbag would get his legs broken!
Maybe only when he became a great power on the continent would her family approve.
"Eh? Rongrong, your martial spirit evolved, but why do you look kind of upset?"
Xiao Wu asked curiously.
She knew about the Seven-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. No matter how talented its owner, their soul power would be capped at level 79 Soul Sage.
But now it had transformed into a Nine-Treasure Nine-Colored Pagoda, with no such limitation—why didn't she look excited?
Shouldn't she be over the moon right now?
"No, no, I'm of course happy that my martial soul evolved—I just suddenly thought of something, that's all."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Ning Rongrong quickly waved her hand.
This damn scumbag has such great talent. He's bound to become a top powerhouse on the continent someday. I'll just wait patiently.
"Meow—"
Just then, a soft meow rang out.
The three of them turned to look, only to see Zhu Zhuqing on the side slowly open her eyes, as if waking from a deep dream. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with light, though her expression was still a bit dazed.
"Zhuqing, how do you feel?"Xiao Wu stepped forward to ask.
"I feel great. My soul power has reached level 30, and I think after I get my third soul ring, I'll definitely be above level 31. Senior Chu, thank you!"
Feeling it out, Zhu Zhuqing smiled as she spoke.
Even with her usual cool and distant personality, she couldn't help but smile.
"You're welcome! We're good friends—and you're Xiao Wu's bestie, after all!"
Chu Chengzhou waved his hand with a smile.
To Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, the words sounded harmless. But to Ning Rongrong, they held a deeper meaning.
Good friends? Female friends!Xiao Wu's bestie? Xiao Wu's lil' sister!Chu the Scumbag is living up to his title! Not only is he eating from one bowl and eyeing the pot, he's now staring at other people's pots too. Truly unforgivable!Wait… does that make me the second wife?Well, whatever, I'll just pretend I don't know.
Having a third wife to help me share the pressure from the first wife in the future doesn't sound too bad. Plus, we're all good sisters, right?
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's go eat dinner first!Rongrong, Zhuqing, make sure to stabilize your soul power over the next few days. Although the immortal herbs don't have side effects, the sudden surge in soul power still needs proper adaptation."
Chu Chengzhou reminded the two.
"Mhm!"
At the academy cafeteria, Chu Chengzhou finally ran into Ma Hongjun and Oscar, who had been missing at lunch.
He handed them the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and the Mixed Essence Immortal Grass, explained how to use them, and let them go back to consume the herbs on their own.
Guarding the girls while they cultivate is expected, but for Ma Hongjun and Oscar? Nah. Plus, there's probably a little "side event" tonight. He definitely didn't want to miss it.
Night fell.
In the dorm room, Chu Chengzhou was meditating.
"Knock knock knock—"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Tsk~ the side event has arrived!
Chu Chengzhou got up and opened the door.
As expected, Ning Rongrong was standing outside.
A single Quality Tulip broke through the limits of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, fulfilling a long-held wish—how could they not celebrate a little at night?
That night, in a dreamy haze, Chu Chengzhou recalled some strange knowledge from his past life—and applied it well, unlocking quite a few new positions.
The next morning.
As dawn broke, in the dorm room, Chu Chengzhou was about to begin his morning meditation when a loud knock came from outside, along with Ma Hongjun's excited voice:"Boss Chu! Hurry and open the door, me and Little Ao are here!"
"Folks, open the door! The commander's here!"
For some reason, that odd phrase popped into Chu Chengzhou's mind.
"What the hell are you knocking this early for?"
Shaking his head to clear the nonsense, Chu Chengzhou got up reluctantly and opened the door.
"Huh? Fatty, your old hen evolved?"
Looking at the much slimmer and noticeably more pleasant-looking Ma Hongjun, Chu Chengzhou—though mentally prepared—was still surprised.
As for their current soul power levels, Chu Chengzhou saw through it at a glance.
The power of immortal herbs was no joke. Even the immature ones were incredibly effective.
Originally, Ma Hongjun and Oscar were at levels 28 and 32, respectively. After consuming the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and the Mixed Essence Immortal Grass, Oscar's soul power surged 5 levels, hitting level 37.
As for Ma Hongjun—like Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing—he lacked a third soul ring, so his power only showed as level 30. The exact amount was unclear, but definitely under 31.
Still, it was certain that Ma Hongjun's increase wasn't as significant as Oscar's.
The Mixed Essence Immortal Grass specializes in boosting soul power. When it comes to increasing soul levels, only the Lovesick Heartbroken Red herb might compare.
If that herb had been mature, Oscar might've even hit level 40 instantly.
However, in terms of overall benefit, Ma Hongjun definitely gained more.
He even slimmed down—his internal evil fire was probably resolved.
"Boss Chu, you're like my rebirth parent!"
As soon as the door opened, Ma Hongjun stepped up and grabbed Chu Chengzhou's hand, eyes full of gratitude.
"...Scram. I don't have such a perverted son!Anyway, release your martial soul—let me take a look."
Chu Chengzhou shook him off, looking slightly disgusted.
Ma Hongjun didn't mind and laughed awkwardly. His soul power surged as he released his martial soul.
"Clang—!"
A thick phoenix cry echoed. Behind him appeared a black phoenix engulfed in orange flames.
It looked a lot like the little fire phoenix spirit beast.
But Chu Chengzhou clearly sensed that the black phoenix burning with orange flames also radiated a strong earth attribute.
Clearly, the Earth Dragon Golden Melon had transformed Ma Hongjun's mutated hen martial soul into a dual-attribute fire-earth variant phoenix.
"Not bad. The hen became a phoenix! Fatty, your evil fire should be gone, right?"
Nodding in satisfaction, Chu Chengzhou asked.
"Of course! The evil fire came from my martial soul mutation. Now that it's evolved, the evil fire's naturally gone. My cultivation speed's also improved a lot!"
Puffing out his chest, Ma Hongjun boasted proudly.
"It's just a mutated phoenix, what are you so smug about?"
Chu Chengzhou rolled his eyes.
"Boss Chu, don't look down on a mutated phoenix! My Lava Fire Phoenix is the real deal!"
Ma Hongjun said with pride.
He had named his evolved martial soul Lava Fire Phoenix.
Though it used to be called a phoenix, it was really just a chicken with some phoenix traits. Even Ma Hongjun secretly acknowledged that.
But now, that chicken phase was history. His martial soul had become a top-tier flying beast martial soul with dual fire and earth attributes: the Lava Fire Phoenix!
While not the same as a pure fire phoenix, its level was equivalent—just with different elemental attributes.
"Lava Fire Phoenix, huh? Tsk~ Oscar, what about you?"
Clicking his tongue, Chu Chengzhou looked at Oscar.
"My martial soul hasn't changed, but I've tested it—my cultivation speed has greatly increased."
Oscar squinted his peach blossom eyes and smiled.
His bro Ma Hongjun had evolved his martial soul and solved the evil fire issue. And for Oscar, gaining five soul levels and two years' worth of progress was huge. His cultivation speed also saw a major boost.
"Excellent! Oscar, keep it up. I hope you can reach four rings before the Soul Master Tournament."
Chu Chengzhou patted Oscar on the shoulder, satisfied.
Oscar was already at level 37, just three away from level 40. With the Mixed Essence Immortal Grass and time, he'd definitely hit Soul Sect before the tournament.
As for Ma Hongjun, that was unlikely.
The Earth Dragon Golden Melon was immature, and much of its power was used to evolve his martial soul. His soul power growth was naturally limited. Even with improved talent, there might not be enough time.