In the instant the Great Master spat out blood, a jolt of clarity struck him as well. Two words surfaced in his mind — words that had tormented him his entire life: "little sister."
This time, the Lover's Heartbreak swayed even more violently. It seemed on the verge of toppling from the Wujue Stone, yet in the end it fell short by the slimmest margin, swaying back to its original position. Whether it was the Great Master's blood or the blood Zhu Zhuqing had spat out earlier, both gradually faded and disappeared.
The Great Master said hoarsely, "I have never been able to let go of the burden in my heart. What right do I have to obtain this herb?" With a heavy heart, he turned toward the window, as if those sorrowful memories had come flooding back once more.
Just as Tang San was about to put the Lover's Heartbreak away and retrieve the backup herbs for Zhu Zhuqing, a soft sound — *pfft* — reached his ears. Tang San turned to look and saw a mouthful of fresh blood already splashing across the petals of the Lover's Heartbreak. Before he could react, the flower didn't so much as tremble this time, yet it had already risen silently from the Wujue Stone and drifted downward, landing in a pair of delicate, slender hands.
Xiao Wu wiped the trace of blood from the corner of her lips, a faint smile gracing her lovely face. Her gaze was somewhat dreamy as she looked at the exquisite bloom resting in her palm. "I never expected that I would be the one destined for this flower."
Tang San's heart trembled, and Zhu Zhuqing standing beside him was equally stunned. Neither of them had ever imagined that the final owner of the Lover's Heartbreak would turn out to be Xiao Wu.
In that brief moment, Tang San's gaze had been fixed on the Great Master, so he hadn't seen it. But Zhu Zhuqing had witnessed it with perfect clarity — when Xiao Wu spat out that mouthful of blood, her eyes had never left Tang San for even an instant. That look of absolute devotion was something Zhu Zhuqing would never forget for as long as she lived.
All this time, all she had seen was how well Tang San treated Xiao Wu. Now she truly understood just how important Tang San was in Xiao Wu's heart.
Zhu Zhuqing had seen it with perfect clarity. The way Xiao Wu looked at Tang San — so pure, so unguarded. Perhaps even they themselves didn't know whether what they felt was romantic love. But the bond between them was, without question, the most pure and genuine thing imaginable, without a single flaw.
And that Lover's Heartbreak had become the most perfect witness to it all.
Tang San stared at Xiao Wu in a daze, unable to speak for a long while. Xiao Wu lowered her head, her fingertips brushing gently over the petals. "Xiao San, that story has to be true, doesn't it?"
Tang San said, "I don't know. Take it — it will give you the greatest help."
Xiao Wu shook her head. "No, the Great Master was right. How could anyone bear to consume such a celestial herb? Didn't you say that once it acknowledges its master, it will never wither? I want it to stay with me forever. I will love it and cherish it."
"But..." Tang San hesitated, about to say something, but Xiao Wu cut him off.
"Don't worry, Brother. I won't fall behind the others. I will definitely cultivate hard." Xiao Wu naturally understood what Tang San was worried about.
Although she had forgone consuming the Lover's Heartbreak and thus missed the chance to further enhance her strength, she felt deeply content in her heart at this moment. Just as Zhu Zhuqing had been thinking, all this time she had never truly understood the nature of her feelings for Tang San. But right now, in this very moment, the Lover's Heartbreak had told her everything.
For her, nothing in the world could be more important than this.
Tang San would never force Xiao Wu to do anything. He reached out and gently stroked her head, smiling softly. "Then take good care of it, and it will protect you forever."
Reaching into his Eight Treasure Spirit Pouch, Tang San produced the sixth celestial herb.
It was a crystalline white stalk, looking as pure and immaculate as a jade lotus rising from white lotus roots. Tang San held it out before Zhu Zhuqing and smiled. "This herb is called the Narcissus Jade Bone. Its function is to nourish the tendons and fortify the bones, opening all seven meridians and eight channels. I originally prepared it for Xiao Wu, but since she already has the Lover's Heartbreak, this celestial herb is equally suited to you. Go ahead and consume it."
Perhaps because she had failed to earn the recognition of the Lover's Heartbreak, Zhu Zhuqing looked somewhat dispirited. She shook her head gently. "Since you prepared it for Xiao Wu, you should give it to her."
Tang San shook his head. "No. One must not be greedy. Every one of these celestial herbs is a treasure blessed by the heavens — possessing more than one brings no benefit and may even cause harm. Although Xiao Wu didn't consume the Lover's Heartbreak, its presence alone is enough that consuming any other celestial herb would prevent her from fully absorbing it. This Narcissus Jade Bone rightfully belongs to you. Its effects are remarkably similar to those of the Heaven-reaching Chrysanthemum that Mu Bai received. Your Martial Soul is similar to his, so it will work perfectly for you as well. When you consume it, eat only the petals first, and finally suck on the stamen — that will allow you to absorb its full potency. You'll need to channel your Soul Power to catalyze it. Zhuqing, remember — you must calm your mind and settle your spirit before you can absorb its essence."
"Thank you, Third Brother." Zhu Zhuqing accepted the Narcissus Jade Bone and walked alone to a secluded corner, where she sat down.