novelraw Chapter 308: Does Senior He Huan Want Me to Save It?
Chapter 308: Does Senior He Huan Want Me to Save It?
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation.
“Follow me.”
Hua Tu, hearing the command, struggled to poke his head out from the surrounding petals, but the figures of Yu Zhao and He Huan were long gone.
He pouted in disappointment.
Once again, he’d been left behind.
Under He Huan’s guidance, Yu Zhao navigated the boundless sea of flowers. Her expression was calm, but her mind pondered why He Huan had summoned her.
Living in isolation on Ten Thousand Flower Island, He Huan was powerful enough that even the Vine King wouldn’t dare provoke her lightly. What problem could possibly require her assistance? And He Huan seemed so confident that Yu Zhao was capable—where did such certainty come from?
After a moment of reflection, Yu Zhao found no answers and decided to stop overthinking. In just a little while, she would know.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they stopped.
Ahead of them stood a spherical flower wall, closed on all sides and protruding at the center, distinctly conspicuous.From above came a barely audible sigh.
“This is the matter I need your help with. You’ll understand when you see it.”
Yu Zhao nodded, stepping toward the flower wall.
Sensing her approach, the flower branches contracted, parting to form a path.
Her eyes flickered slightly, but she quickly stepped inside.
Within the vibrant flower wall lay a patch of fertile, moist soil. In its center grew a plant barely reaching Yu Zhao’s knees.
This plant, unremarkable in the outside world, appeared frail and stunted, lacking leaves. A single bare branch stood against the wind.
At its tip was a tiny bud, no larger than a fingernail, drooping as if on the verge of collapse.
Yu Zhao frowned slightly. “May I take a closer look?”
“Of course.”
She moved closer, carefully observing. The plant’s green branch appeared vibrant at first glance, but the bud and faintly yellowed base betrayed its true state.
From the plant, she sensed two opposing forces—one brimming with vitality, the other steeped in decay. These two energies had likely clashed many times, currently locked in an uneasy balance. However, the balance was precarious; the resurgence of the decaying energy threatened to overwhelm the plant entirely.
If unresolved, the plant would likely perish before the conflict was settled.
“Senior He Huan, do you wish for me to save it?”
This was the only conclusion Yu Zhao could reach.
“Yes,” He Huan replied softly.
Yu Zhao’s eye twitched slightly. She suddenly understood why she had seen Pu Xing Yu’s complicated expression when assigning her to stop the Seven Stars Sect from stealing spirit veins.
The tasks she was given often exceeded her capabilities, leaving her no choice but to smile bitterly and doubt her success.
Yu Zhao had cared for spiritual herbs before and could roughly deduce the plant’s condition.
It was likely injured during growth or affected by external factors, leaving behind an invasive force of decay that hindered its development.
There were two main ways to address this: remove the decaying force or bolster the plant’s vitality to drive it out.
Both methods, seemingly simple, were exceedingly complex.
If the decay had lingered this long, it must have fused with the plant to some degree. Extracting it would undoubtedly harm the already fragile plant.
On the other hand, injecting vitality would disrupt the current balance, potentially causing unforeseen issues.
Neither approach was ideal, making it an almost unsolvable problem.
“Senior He Huan, I…”
Yu Zhao offered a faint, helpless smile, about to explain, when He Huan interrupted.
“I wouldn’t have sought you out if I wasn’t confident you could help. Didn’t you once consume a special spiritual herb brimming with vitality?”
Yu Zhao’s heart stirred.
He Huan continued, “Your cultivation level isn’t sufficient to fully refine it, so much of the plant’s essence remains within you. I can help you absorb the remaining energy, but I’ll need to take a portion as payment for saving you.”
Yu Zhao was momentarily stunned before realization dawned.
She had achieved her Nascent Soul thanks to the Longevity Fruit, but she had overlooked its residual effects. The fruit had saved Cui Jue from a body ravaged by poison; her own breakthrough seemed almost mundane in comparison.
It turned out the fruit’s potency still lingered, awaiting her to absorb it.
After a brief moment of thought, Yu Zhao made her decision.
“I’m willing, but I have one request.”
“Oh? Let’s hear it,” He Huan said, her tone inexplicably cooler.
Feigning ignorance of the shift, Yu Zhao replied calmly, “You may take the plant essence you need, but please don’t help me absorb the remainder. I’ve recently broken through, and my state of mind remains unstable. Rushing things would be unwise. Thank you for your kindness, but I must decline.”
Though others only saw her success, few knew how perilous her Nascent Soul formation had been. Layer after layer of illusions had nearly driven her mad, where one misstep could have meant failure.
Determined to avoid risking her balance again, she resolved not to attempt another breakthrough until her state of mind was honed.
He Huan, surprised by her request, fell silent for a moment before her tone grew warmer.
“It’s your body, after all. You have the final say.”
“Then please, Senior, begin.”
Yu Zhao seated herself calmly, clearing her mind.
“Aren’t you worried I’ll tamper with your body?” He Huan teased.
“If Senior wished me harm, you wouldn’t need to ask for my permission. I’m not entirely oblivious,” Yu Zhao replied confidently.
Since He Huan could detect the plant essence within her, she undoubtedly had countless ways to take it by force. Yet, He Huan had chosen the gentlest, most respectful approach.
Yu Zhao wouldn’t judge her benefactor with suspicion.
“You’re impressive,” He Huan said, unable to hold back her praise.
Though she had considered other ways to obtain the essence, Yu Zhao’s conduct since arriving on Ten Thousand Flower Island convinced her to opt for mutual benefit.
Yu Zhao’s response did not disappoint.
The extraction process proved far less painful than Yu Zhao anticipated, likely due to He Huan shielding her from discomfort.
Before she realized it, He Huan’s gentle voice echoed in her ears.
“It’s done.”
“Thank you, Yu Zhao.”
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