The Eight-Petaled Golden Orchid and the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower

"How do you feel?" Beside a giant crystal mirror, Ya Fei looked at Xiao Se's face, which appeared more ordinary than before, and asked with a smile.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, which was almost unrecognizable compared to his previous self, Xiao Se smiled calmly and said, "Not bad. Now no one will doubt my age anymore."

"Oh? Have you been hiding your age?" Ya Fei asked, slightly surprised.

Xiao Se nodded slightly, smiling but saying nothing. He then took out a jade card from his storage ring and handed it to Ya Fei, smiling, "Sister Ya Fei, this one's on me. Go ahead and settle the bill."

"No need for money. And don't be quick to refuse. This mask would only fetch around 300,000 gold coins at auction. Today, you helped me with a big problem, and now things will go much smoother for me in the Miteer family. Consider this my gift to you." Ya Fei smiled warmly, shaking her head as she pushed the card back with a delicate hand.

Hearing this, Xiao Se paused for a moment but ultimately did not refuse. Instead, he retrieved a jade box from his system storage and handed it over with a smile, "Since Sister Ya Fei gave me something, consider this my return gift."

Ya Fei took the jade box, surprised, and asked, "What is this?"

Xiao Se smiled calmly, "Why don't you open it and see?"

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei opened the box.

Instantly, a unique fragrance filled the entire room.

The rich, refreshing scent of orchids permeated the air, uplifting the spirit and making everyone take deep breaths.

Inside the jade box lay an exquisite orchid with eight delicate petals, pure white in color, and gently trembling, exuding an aura of nobility untouched by the dust of the world.

Xiao Se spoke seriously, "This is called the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid, a type of immortal herb unlike the magical medicines known on the Dou Qi Continent. Its medicinal properties are extremely mild but rich. It can strengthen your foundation, cleanse impurities from your body, and solve the problem of your slow cultivation speed. Its effects will last in your body until you break through to the Dou Ling level."

Ya Fei's eyes widened with shock and disbelief as she spoke softly, "Xiao Se... this is too valuable."

Xiao Se chuckled, "As you said, with our relationship, is there a need to be so particular? Besides, this immortal herb is useless to me. It's better suited for you. Go ahead and eat it. There's no special way to consume it; just chew and swallow, then use your cultivation technique to absorb the effects into your body. Over time, it will be absorbed gradually."

This immortal herb was something Xiao Se had obtained last time after drinking Kuchikamizake and traversing to another world through a girl.

Although the memory of the event was erased due to the wine's effects, Xiao Se deduced that such immortal herbs likely came from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well of the Douluo Continent.

Before leaving for the capital, Xiao Se had already thought of which herbs to gift to those close to him.

Ya Fei smiled and sat cross-legged on the floor in the corner of the room, placing the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid into her mouth and beginning her cultivation.

Seeing Ya Fei entering her cultivation state, Xiao Se smiled slightly, removed his alchemist's robe, and with a wave of his hand, released a protective barrier. He then took out a green lotus platform, sat cross-legged on it, and retrieved a soft, trembling, crimson immortal herb.

This herb looked simple, composed of roots and basic red leaves. Its top resembled a rooster's comb, with golden veins running through the leaves. The moment Xiao Se took it out, the room's temperature rose slightly.

"The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower—perfect for someone like me who cultivates fire-based Dou Qi."

Just as he was about to consume it, a multicolored python shot out from his chest pocket.

The little snake slithered to his wrist, its purple eyes wide, giving him a pleading look.

"You want to eat this?" Xiao Se said helplessly.

The snake nodded gently.

"Sorry, this herb is important to me. How about some Amethyst Source instead?" Xiao Se shook his head, pulling out the last bottle of Amethyst Source from his storage ring and offering it.

The snake shook its head vigorously, its gaze fixed on the crimson herb in Xiao Se's hand.

"Seriously? You're getting picky now?" Xiao Se sighed, putting away the Amethyst Source. His eyes flickered with an idea. He then retrieved an even hotter red root system—this was the root of the Infernal Delicate Apricot.

"Little one, how about this?"

The snake sniffed the root and flicked its tongue. Sensing the intense fire energy within, it hesitated before suddenly leaping at Xiao Se's hand, swallowing the root whole. A burst of red light erupted from its body, and the little snake curled up, entering a deep slumber.

"It seems the little guy will need some time to refine this energy." Xiao Se smiled, placing the snake back into his storage pouch. He then turned his focus back to refining the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.

Time passed, minute by minute, hour by hour. After three hours, the effects of the immortal herbs began manifesting changes in both Xiao Se and Ya Fei.

Ya Fei sat quietly, emitting a fragrant scent unique to the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid. A soft white mist slowly rose from her skin, flowing along her graceful figure.

Compared to Ya Fei, Xiao Se's transformation was much more dramatic. His upper garments had turned to ash, revealing a robust and flexible physique. The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower's effects were undeniable, as sweat oozed from his body and heat waves rose from his head. His fair face flushed under the steam's influence.

As the sun set, Ya Fei awoke first, stretching lazily. A smile bloomed on her face—Xiao Se's immortal herb had not only unblocked her meridians but also elevated her strength from Dou Zhe two stars to Dou Zhe five stars. She was confident that, in the near future, she wouldn't lose to any of the Miteer family's geniuses.

"Xiao Se?" She stood up and glanced around the room. Upon seeing Xiao Se sitting shirtless, steaming, and meditating on a green lotus platform, her cheeks flushed.

"Who would've thought, this little guy looks skinny, but he's surprisingly muscular without clothes," she muttered, turning to sit casually in a chair by the table, her hand supporting her chin, waiting patiently with a smile.

Unbeknownst to her, as she turned, the demon sword tattoo on Xiao Se's right wrist glowed faintly red.

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