Chapter 57: The Fire and the Bloom
"And Wuhun City requires it."
"It must be done by me, the instigator of this matter…"
"I will personally lead the escort of Prince Xingluo to Xingluo City."
As she finished speaking, Qian Renxue's eyes turned sharp, filled with loathing and fury toward Wuhun City.
Whether she truly sends him there or not—
This matter, at its core, is a slap across the face of the Heaven Dou Empire!
"What does Emperor Xue Ye think?" Qin Chuan asked gravely.
"He doesn't want to agree. If he really complies with this, the Heaven Dou Empire will look inferior to Xingluo in the eyes of the world," Qian Renxue replied thoughtfully.
"But I suppose he'll give in eventually."
Emperor Xue Ye was too old. With his deteriorating health, all he wanted was stability—at least until imperial power fully transferred.
No emperor would want a war to erupt just as they neared the end of their life.
It benefits neither him…
Nor the empire.
Sure enough, just as Qian Renxue's words faded, someone knocked on the guest room door.
The one who arrived was the same little eunuch from the day before.
But this time, he held a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand.
There weren't many words on the scroll.
It was concise and direct, with only one command written:
Go!
"He compromised."
After dismissing the little eunuch, Qian Renxue tossed the edict onto the table. Though she had expected this outcome, she still couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Then when do you plan to leave?" Qin Chuan asked, also feeling helpless.
Bibi Dong's tactic hadn't achieved much directly—just left a bitter taste behind.
And in light of the diplomatic balance between the two empires, Qian Renxue had no choice but to follow through.
"I'm not sure yet. Probably within a day or two," Qian Renxue replied. "But it might work out for the better. Once I return from Xingluo, Liu Erlong should have arrived. By then, I won't be bound by anyone in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Qin Chuan nodded silently, lost in thought.
That meant his journey to Sea God Island would have to be postponed.
"By the way, did you manage to find a suitable soul beast for Lingling yesterday?" Qian Renxue asked, now that the main matters were settled.
"I did," Qin Chuan answered calmly. "A wall ghost vine that's nearly ten thousand years old. Took a lot of effort."
With that, he smiled and pulled out two jade boxes from his storage soul guide.
"Speaking of which, I have something for you."
He opened one of the jade boxes to reveal half of a pitch-black Ganoderma lucidum.
Qian Renxue looked on curiously.
"The Immortal Longevity Ganoderma. It was discovered by Ye Lingling, so I offered her half," Qin Chuan said casually.
Qian Renxue wasn't too bothered by that.
Instead, she examined it with great interest and asked, "What does it do?"
"An immortal herb," Qin Chuan replied with a smile. "You're familiar with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, right?"
"The owner of that martial soul is restricted—unable to break through to Soul Douluo or above in their lifetime."
"But Ning Rongrong, their young master, managed to break that limitation. Not only can she become a Titled Douluo, but she might even challenge gods in the future."
Qian Renxue was sharp. The moment she heard that, she looked back at the Immortal Longevity Ganoderma in surprise.
"So it's because of this so-called immortal herb?"
"It's due to the immortal herb, yes—but not this specific one." Qin Chuan shook his head. "Still, this herb is extraordinary."
That alone was enough to astonish her.
"Is the effect of this immortal herb really so miraculous?"
"Brother Qin Chuan, did you say you're giving me this half?"
She couldn't help but confirm again.
"Of course. What else would I do with it?"
Qin Chuan gently pushed the piece toward her and added, "Immortal Longevity Ganoderma—while it can't cause a qualitative leap like Ning Rongrong's case, it can still extend your life by a hundred years… and maintain your youthful appearance."
The idea of a longer life didn't faze her much.
But the promise of eternal beauty…
That caught her attention instantly.
Qian Renxue's face lit up with joy.
"Brother Qin Chuan, are you really giving this to me?"
She asked again, uncertain but hopeful.
"Of course," Qin Chuan said with a faint smile.
"This was always meant for you."
"Thank you, Brother Qin Chuan. You're so good to me," Qian Renxue said softly, quickly taking the herb into her hands and admiring it.
Her gaze then drifted to the second jade box.
"What's in there?"
"This one's also for you." Qin Chuan opened it with a smile.
Inside lay a twin-colored red spider lily, vibrant and untouched beneath the protective jade.
Its petals shimmered—half blazing like fire, half a lush green—twisting around each other yet never merging.
"Red Spider Lily—also called Higanbana or Huangquan Bianhua. Another kind of immortal herb, though I'm not entirely sure of its exact effects."
As he spoke, Qin Chuan gently lifted the flower from its case and offered it to her.
"Another immortal herb?" Qian Renxue reached out to take it.
But the moment her fingers brushed the Manjusaka—
A jolt like lightning surged through her body!
Qin Chuan was struck too!
At that instant—
Countless images flashed through Qin Chuan's mind like a fast-spinning reel.
He was no longer in the present.
He saw ancient times—primitive, untamed lands filled with monstrous beasts. Humanity, still weak, was nothing more than prey.
Tragedy.
Destruction.
Endless suffering.
Soul masters crawled forward.
Some fought ferociously. Others grovelled, begging the heavens to send a god to save them.
But no god came.
Because the only ones who could save mankind—
Were humans themselves.
And then…
A boy walked out of a humble mountain village.
His martial soul mutated upon awakening, revealing unimaginable talent.
A terrifying soul beast attacked at night, seeking to kill him.
The entire town protected him, sacrificing their lives.
His rise was soaked in blood and pain.
Anyone close to him or any friendly soul master clan…
Was destroyed by soul beasts.
But then, one day, a girl appeared at his side—
Radiant like an elf, with a six-winged angel martial soul.
She was powerful too.
Yet facing the endless tide of soul beasts…
She fell.
She died the night before he broke through to Titled Douluo, giving her life to pave his path.
And he—finally ascended.
But he was too powerful.
More terrifying than any other Titled Douluo of the time.
Cradling her corpse, he began his rampage.
Slaughtered until his hands ached, his spirit broke, his soul power dried up, and his tears turned to blood.
He killed every soul beast that had taken part in the siege…
One by one…
Without mercy.