The crimson hue in Qian Renxue's hands slowly rose, tinting Ye Tian's dark eyes.
The flower in Qian Renxue's grasp resembled a peony, lacking leaves, with several startling red patches on its pure white petals. Vivid red like blood, it gave off a breathtaking feeling.
This was unmistakably the King of Immortal Herbs missing from the Wishful Treasure Sack—the Lovesick Heartbreak Red. The Dark Obsidian Stone beneath it had disappeared.
It truly had found its owner!
Ye Tian stared blankly at the scene before him.
The golden-haired, purple-eyed maiden with flushed cheeks held the blood-red flower symbolizing 'true love,' staring directly and unabashedly at him...
As if deliberately proving something to him,
Or as if silently speaking heartfelt words to him.
The message was deafeningly loud!
Among all present, Ye Tian was the most knowledgeable about these Immortal Herbs, and the Lovesick Heartbreak Red was no exception.
This 'demonic flower' that had persisted through tens of thousands of years in Douluo Continent required the picker to be completely focused on their beloved when plucking it, with sincere devotion and a drop of heart's blood shed upon it.
If there was even the slightest distraction, even if the picker coughed up blood and died, they still wouldn't be able to pluck the flower!
Ye Tian gazed at Qian Renxue, whose cheeks now bloomed with two additional red blossoms, as his thoughts gradually returned.
He couldn't help but wonder when Qian Renxue had begun to develop feelings.
Even in the Douluo Continent, wasn't this too early?
And he hadn't even started making any moves yet!
"I don't know when it started either~"
Qian Renxue pursed her red lips, holding the Lovesick Heartbreak Red with both hands as if she had read Ye Tian's current thoughts.
She whispered softly:
"I wasn't sure myself before. Tell me, is the legend of this flower true?"
"Well..."
Ye Tian opened his mouth but didn't know how to respond.
The legend seemed to be true indeed.
But whether he said yes or no, neither seemed quite appropriate.
If he said yes...
It would be like shouting at the top of his lungs,
'That's right, Little Xue, you've actually been devoted to me for a long time!'
Too strange, too embarrassing.
But if he said no, Ye Tian would feel like a scoundrel,
And even more, he'd feel guilty about deceiving her emotions.
"Huh?"
Jin Yue'er was completely baffled.
"Sister Xue, what are you talking about? I don't understand..."
"..."
Qian Renxue didn't answer, just stared at Jin Yue'er with profound resentment—
So profound it made Jin Yue'er's hair stand on end.
She immediately covered her mouth.
"Mmph!"
Jin Yue'er covered her mouth with both hands, fearfully shrinking under Qian Renxue's oppressive gaze, gradually lowering herself.
Eventually,
She crouched down holding her head to the side.
Trying her best to stay out of Qian Renxue and Ye Tian's line of sight.
"..."
Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze from Jin Yue'er, her eyes returning to Ye Tian...
"Um, Little Xue~"
Ye Tian smiled awkwardly, feeling uncomfortable all over:
"Isn't it a bit unprofessional for me to answer this question?"
"I only read about it in books."
"Haha, but—"
As he spoke, Ye Tian couldn't help but laugh dryly, not wanting Qian Renxue's efforts to go to waste. He smiled gently and added:
"I do feel your sincerity though."
"???"
Qian Renxue's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
She was quite dissatisfied with Ye Tian's slight reaction!
But she quickly understood,
Realizing the concerns in Ye Tian's heart.
She couldn't help but feel somewhat self-reproachful,
She didn't think Ye Tian was being pretentious—this was precisely a reflection of his serious and responsible nature.
After all, Ye Tian had only learned about this Immortal Herb from the "Herbal Compendium." He was merely relying on hearsay and couldn't make any guarantees.
It was no different from her own situation.
Neither could confirm the authenticity of this flower!
At least, that's how it appeared to outsiders like Qian Renxue.
This was also where Ye Tian's caution lay.
He couldn't say that he had witnessed the ten-thousand-year changes of the Douluo Continent.
Or that he knew the Lovesick Heartbreak Red had had many owners!
"I'm sorry, Ye Tian."
Qian Renxue sincerely expressed her apology.
After a moment of contemplation,
A flicker of shyness and determination passed through her eyes.
Ye Tian was right! This was her confession—how could she ask such a question?
Asking Ye Tian to judge her feelings?!
She, Qian Renxue, shouldn't be someone so hesitant!
Thinking of this,
Qian Renxue took a deep breath.
When she closed her eyes and opened them again, all the uneasiness in her gaze had vanished.
Leaving only calmness and resolve.
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth, stared straight at Ye Tian, and parted her crimson lips.
"Anyway, please forgive my presumption!"
"I just didn't know how to tell you... Before, I wasn't sure, and I didn't even know if the legend of this flower was true. But after you jumped into that spring... I can guarantee one hundred percent—I was serious! At that moment, I was absolutely certain I could pluck this Lovesick Heartbreak Red!"
As she spoke,
Qian Renxue's face grew increasingly flushed, so embarrassed she wished she could disappear.
Her voice gradually became less clear...
Jin Yue'er, crouching nearby, looked up in shock, staring at the blushing, breathless Qian Renxue. She finally understood what Qian Renxue and Ye Tian were discussing!
Her golden eyes watched Ye Tian's increasingly complicated expression,
For the first time,
A sour feeling arose in her heart.
But Jin Yue'er knew very well that Qian Renxue could essentially be considered her master.
No matter what, she could only come second.
If it weren't for this, she would have already pursued Ye Tian without restraint.
In the distance,
Jin E and Dugu Bo could hear the commotion here. Although eavesdropping wasn't proper, gossip about these prodigies ignited even these old-timers' burning curiosity!
They practically wished they could cut off their own ears,
Have Jin Yue'er hold them in her hands, and press close to hear every word of their conversation,
Even the thumping of their heartbeats.
"Then, I acted as quickly as I could and plucked this flower, just to tell you through it..."
Qian Renxue gradually lowered her head, murmuring somewhat dejectedly.
Seeing Qian Renxue's utterly embarrassed state, how could Ye Tian not feel even the slightest bit moved?
But due to her age, he didn't dare to act rashly toward Qian Renxue.
"Little Xue—"
As soon as Ye Tian spoke, he was interrupted by Qian Renxue.
"You don't need to say anything,"
Qian Renxue looked up at Ye Tian, whose eyes were filled with apology.
"And don't look at me like that..."
"It's... it's my fault for making this so awkward. No matter what you say, I'll just feel like you're only comforting me."
Qian Renxue couldn't bear Ye Tian's direct gaze.
After stammering through her words, she lowered her head again, biting her red lips fiercely.
His heart was filled with resentment!
Such a perfect confession opportunity—and she had ruined it just like that!
"Little Xue, actually, I didn't mean to comfort you."
Ye Tian gazed at Qian Renxue before him, speaking softly, just as he was about to say more.
The girl in front of him suddenly sprang up!
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