Chapter 80: The Poor Old Poisoner
Seeing Yue Guan, who she usually clashed with, kneeling before her man, Ling Yuan couldn't help but get carried away. "Yue Guan, from now on, I am also your mistress. Shouldn't you greet me as well?"
Yue Guan's pale, baby-like face turned from green to purple. Finally, with great reluctance, he forced the words out. "Yue Guan greets Lady Ling Yuan."
"Good boy," Ling Yuan smiled, her mood brighter than ever. She had been worried Yue Guan would mock her mercilessly if he found out she'd slept with Qin Xuan. Now, watching the effeminate man she disliked kneel before her was even more satisfying than when she had first become a Titled Douluo.
However, her joy was short-lived.
"That's enough, Ling Yuan. Don't take the joke too far," Qin Xuan reprimanded gently.
"Oh," she pouted, though she didn't seem truly upset.
Qin Xuan looked around and said seriously, "Our purpose in the Star Dou Great Forest has been achieved. There's no need to stay any longer. Let's leave."
"My lord, what about my and Old Ghost's spirit rings?" Yue Guan asked hesitantly. If Qin Xuan went back on his promise, he could only curse his own bad luck.
"Don't worry. I always keep my word to my own people. Just follow me." After speaking, Qin Xuan led the group out of the forest on his flying sword, returning directly to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
When Yue Guan and Gui Mei saw the breathtaking landscape of the well, they were stunned. Yue Guan, in particular, looked at the barren surroundings where only the roots of Immortal Herbs remained and suddenly felt like crying. He finally understood where Qin Xuan's herbs had come from. It would be a long, long time before they grew back.
Qin Xuan's gaze swept over them. "Gui Mei, Yue Guan, you know that a Spirit Master's ability to withstand a spirit ring is tied to their physique. In your current state, neither of you could absorb a 100,000-year ring, even if I gave it to you."
"Especially you, Yue Guan. Gui Mei has a special Spirit and a Spirit Bone, so his endurance is superior. You don't have a single Spirit Bone on you. Do you truly have the confidence to absorb a 100,000-year spirit ring?"
"This..." Yue Guan sighed. He had to admit that even if a 100,000-year Spirit Beast lay dead at his feet, he wouldn't be able to absorb its ring.
"Don't be discouraged. Since you follow me, I won't let you miss this opportunity. I prepared this for you." Qin Xuan reached to his waist and produced a large chrysanthemum.
Yue Guan's eyes lit up. "The Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. "My lord, you actually have a second one! Heavens, Old Ghost, am I dreaming?"
"Shut up, you idiot! Hurry and thank him!" Gui Mei said, frustrated with his partner's lack of composure.
"Right, right! Yue Guan thanks you, my lord!" Yue Guan knelt down, all previous unwillingness gone, replaced by pure reverence and gratitude. Tears welled in his eyes. The Immortal Herb he had searched for his entire life was finally in his hands.
"Alright, save the tears for later," Qin Xuan said, casually tossing the precious herb to him. "This place is of great benefit to plant-type Spirit Masters. After absorbing the herb, whether you can successfully absorb the ring will depend on your own fortune."
Yue Guan carefully accepted the herb, cradling it as if it were the most fragile treasure in the world. After thanking Qin Xuan again, he went to a nearby corner to begin absorbing it.
"As for you, Gui Mei—" Qin Xuan pondered for a moment before taking out the Ten Thousand Year Ginseng King. While the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone would have been more suitable, Jing Ni had already absorbed it, and he had no regrets. The Ginseng King, with no absorption restrictions, was the next best choice.
"Thank you, Lord Qin Xuan," Gui Mei said simply. He was already loyal; with such generous treatment, the only thing he could do was become stronger to repay this kindness. As he was about to find a spot to refine it, Qin Xuan called out to him again.
"The Ginseng King's physical enhancement isn't as great as the Chrysanthemum's. You already have a Right Leg Bone. After you absorb the herb, take this 40,000-year Windchaser Left Leg Bone as well. With your cultivation, absorbing a 100,000-year spirit ring should be no problem after that."
Qin Xuan took out the Spirit Bone he'd received for recruiting Mo Ya. He clearly valued Gui Mei's quiet loyalty.
This time, it was Gui Mei's turn to be moved to tears. He said nothing more, just nodded heavily before finding a spot near Yue Guan to begin. Everything was understood without words.
Seeing this, Ling Yuan felt a pang of jealousy. She wrapped her arms around Qin Xuan's neck, her face full of mock grievance. Her expression clearly said, You give your subordinate a Spirit Bone, but what about me? Am I not as important as him?
Qin Xuan smiled and took out the Medusa's Skull that Jing Ni had acquired. "Don't worry, I already prepared yours. That leg bone isn't suitable for you anyway."
"This is a Skull from a Medusa, the Empress of Snakes. It's around 60,000 years old. It's not a wisdom-type, but it possesses a terrifying petrification ability that can even turn energy to stone. With this, your strength will rise to another level after you absorb your Immortal Herb."
Holding the Spirit Bone, Qin Xuan thought of the unlucky Dugu Bo. Not only was his precious well plundered, but even his future Spirit Bone had been intercepted. He wondered if the old fellow would ever manage to become a Titled Douluo now.