Hearing Tian Meng's words, Zhou Sichen smiled faintly and explained the unique ability of his main body martial soul—Threefold Mystical Heavenly Flame Transformation—to both him and Elder Yi.
After listening to Zhou Sichen's explanation, Tian Meng was nearly certain: Zhou Sichen's main body martial soul had undergone a secondary awakening.
However, something about it still seemed incomplete.
This ability was acquired through an external medium—similar to how Spirit Eyes evolved after awakening—and couldn't truly be considered an innate ability of his main body martial soul.
Zhou Sichen sensed this as well. It felt like he was just a step away from a complete secondary awakening—he just didn't know exactly what was missing.
Still, he had a strong premonition: once his martial soul fully awakened, it would grant him an immensely powerful special ability.
Feeling the strength coursing through him now, Zhou Sichen believed that even without drawing upon the power of the Book of Contracts, he could now go toe-to-toe with Spirit Masters below rank 70.
If he employed the Threefold Mystical Heavenly Flame Transformation, he might even be able to battle a rank 70 Spirit Sage.
This Ice and Fire Body Tempering had been nothing short of a rebirth for him.
The only regret was that neither the Ice and Fire Body Tempering nor the Piercing Autumn Dew elixir had significantly improved his spirit power. The energy from the three immortal herbs had primarily enhanced his spiritual power and physical constitution.
That didn't mean he'd gained nothing.
By absorbing and refining the medicinal energy inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Zhou Sichen's cultivation and spirit power were thoroughly purified.
His spirit power, originally comparable to a rank 41 Spirit Ancestor, had improved slightly during the refinement process, reaching rank 42.
In essence, his spirit power had increased by a full level in just one day.
Once he acquired his fourth spirit ring, the extra two levels would be fully realized.
After feeling the changes within himself, Zhou Sichen leapt out from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and landed at the shore.
The two immortal herbs, which had been paying close attention to the movement within the well, blushed deeply when they saw Zhou Sichen standing completely naked on the shore.
His physique was like a masterpiece sculpted by the heavens—flawless and aesthetically powerful, every line of muscle elegant yet exuding raw strength. Wherever the eye wandered, it found perfection.
Wait a minute, aren't we just plants? Why are we having such strange thoughts?
Youyou and Jiaojiao only dared to glance once before quickly turning away, afraid that lingering any longer would stir unnecessary thoughts...
Zhou Sichen, unaware of their embarrassment, quickly grabbed a soul tool from the shore, took out a set of clothes, dressed neatly, and tied his black mid-length hair into a short ponytail with a hair tie. He looked fresh and sharp.
With a smile, Zhou Sichen looked at Youyou and Jiaojiao. "This feels incredible. Thank you both for your help!"
His first words were those of gratitude, which made the two immortal herbs feel delightfully warm inside.
Youyou radiated a purple glow and scanned Zhou Sichen's condition—her eyes widened in shock.
"Your physical constitution... It's improved this much? At this rate, I bet you could absorb a 50,000-year spirit ring now, couldn't you?" she exclaimed in disbelief.
Zhou Sichen smiled and replied, "It's all thanks to you two. Without your help, I never could've made such progress."
Zhou Sichen's constant praise made the two immortal herbs feel genuinely proud, as if they had directly contributed to his growth.
The two herbs couldn't help but engage him in excited conversation, throwing questions at him.
Of course, Zhou Sichen didn't disclose everything. He simply mentioned that his physique had undergone a major transformation—now immune to all poisons. His blood could neutralize toxins, making him comparable to the Killer Orchid Heart.
Still, he chose to take the Killer Orchid Heart with him anyway. While he no longer needed it, he could gift it to his elder sister, Ye Guyi.
She was, after all, a Holy Angel, already immune to most evils. If she were further protected by the Killer Orchid Heart, she would become entirely immune to poisons.
In the future, she would have no weaknesses, and her safety would be greatly enhanced.
Choosing one of the seven immortal herbs for his sister was a decision he would never regret.
Having already chosen three, Zhou Sichen still had four more herbs to pick from.
Now that his body had caught up to his spiritual strength thanks to the Ice and Fire Body Tempering, the two were nearly in perfect balance. That bold idea growing inside him became even more tempting.
After chatting for a while and sharing some of the sensations from his recent transformation, Zhou Sichen turned to Youyou and said, "Youyou, for my fourth herb, I want to choose Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson."
Youyou wasn't surprised. After all, Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson was the emperor of immortal herbs—none could compare. Who wouldn't be tempted?
But this herb wasn't like the others. It couldn't be taken so easily.
Youyou replied casually, "I trust you already know how to pick the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson. Are you sure you're ready?"
Zhou Sichen gave a bitter smile. "Honestly, I'm not sure. But I have to try, don't I? If I don't even have the courage to try picking it, what right do I have to talk about true love?"
Youyou found his words reasonable and pointed to a spot not far away. "Go ahead. I hope you succeed."
Jiaojiao also watched with great interest, curious to see whether Zhou Sichen could succeed.
Without hesitation, Zhou Sichen turned and walked toward the location of the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson. As he passed, plants parted on either side, clearing a path for him.
He walked slowly and steadily, soon arriving in front of a dark, pitch-black boulder.
Atop the stone was a fragile white flower, so delicate it looked like a breeze could knock it over.
Shaped like a peony, but thinner and more ethereal, the flower emitted no fragrance, bore no leaves, no embellishment—just a faint, blood-red tint, full of tragic sorrow.
Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson, also known as Lovesick Grass—born for true love, perishes for true love.
A divine herb among immortals, hailed as the emperor of all immortal herbs.
Though it had reached the realm of 100,000 years, it possessed no sentience.
Not because it couldn't evolve—but because it chose not to.
Had it evolved, it would've become the most powerful of all immortal herbs. As the emperor of herbs, it would've ruled them all, commanding every plant in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
But it didn't.
It simply wished to quietly protect its belief in love—just like the scholar of old, like Xiao Wu once did—silently awaiting someone destined.
Once it chose, it would give everything.
That was the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson's devotion to love.
Zhou Sichen paused, lowering his head to look at the red streak on the white petals. A faint glow shimmered over it—like blood flowing from a wound.
He knew how to pick the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson. He'd read about Tang San and Xiao Wu's genuine, heartfelt love in that book.
Did Zhou Sichen have someone he loved?
Yes.
Ye Guyi was that person. They loved each other deeply, their hearts already promised, their lives intertwined.
But Zhou Sichen had never been a simple man. He desired too much—so much that it bordered on greed.
He wanted to dominate the world, to control everything, to possess all beautiful things. If something caught his eye, he would stop at nothing to make it his.
Before meeting Dugu Xianmeng, he could have confidently said Ye Guyi was his one and only.
But during those days spent with Xianmeng—and her deliberate, seductive approach—he couldn't help but develop a sense of possessiveness.
It wasn't just physical desire. It was about her potential, her abilities, and what she could offer in the future.
Maybe it wasn't love yet, but she had certainly left a mark on his heart.
Fate had truly played a hand. Zhou Sichen hadn't expected to meet Dugu Xianmeng at Shrek Academy, nor for her to leave such an impression, nor to find himself standing before the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson so soon.
But he was here now, and the past was unchangeable. Zhou Sichen would not dwell on what couldn't be undone—he would only seek solutions moving forward.
Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson—a flower for lovers only.
No ordinary herb, it chooses its master.
Only those destined, with true love in their hearts, may take it.
To pluck the flower, one must think only of their beloved, offer a drop of blood onto its petals, with a mind free of distraction and a heart devoted to one person.
Zhou Sichen recalled the description. Using his immense spiritual power, he sealed away all thoughts of Dugu Xianmeng.
Then, with a flick of his right hand, he drew blood from his fingertip and let a single drop fall onto the flower.
In his mind, memories of Ye Guyi surfaced—eating together, sleeping side by side, training, growing stronger, making promises, planning their future…
Years of shared experiences flashed by like a slideshow, and a gentle smile appeared on Zhou Sichen's face.
But just as the blood was about to merge with the petal, a strange force surged forth—and Dugu Xianmeng's image abruptly appeared…
The scenes were brief, yet unforgettable.
Her boldness, her tenderness, her willingness to yield…
Even Ma Xiaotao, Han Ruoruo, and Ling Luocheng appeared momentarily in his mind.
Zhou Sichen watched as his drop of blood slid off the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson, failing to merge. A faint smile, unreadable in emotion, spread across his face.
He really was a philanderer, wasn't he? With such a good woman already, and yet…
He was still eyeing what was in the pot while eating from his bowl.
Heh.
Zhou Sichen didn't deny his own nature. This was who he was—insatiable, ambitious, aiming to conquer all, to defy even the heavens!
Youyou and Jiaojiao exchanged a silent glance, unsure whether to feel happy or sad.
But before they could speak, golden radiance burst forth from Zhou Sichen's body. His aura turned commanding and self-assured—like a sovereign looking down upon the world.
If love must be eternal, then why limit it to romantic affection?
To love another, one must first love oneself. If you can't cherish your own life, how can you love someone else? How can you promise them eternal devotion?
Zhou Sichen never believed in fate. My fate is mine to decide. True love is not something others define for you—it must be felt, experienced, and understood from within.
In this moment, Zhou Sichen thought of many things—family, lovers, comrades, teachers, friends, power, desire, strength, wealth…
All of it coalesced into a pure stream of spiritual energy, igniting like golden flames.
Everything he did was for himself. Before loving others, he would love himself. Only those who truly love themselves have the right to love others—and to make promises that last forever.
His spiritual power transformed into a blazing golden flame, wrapping around the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson like the most beautiful flower.
At that moment, the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson gently swayed, as if resonating with the burning golden blossom surrounding it.
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