At the gate of Heaven Dou City.
Ya Li and Old An were waiting at the city gate for the arrival of Yun Ming.
Today was the day Ya Li was to leave Heaven Dou City, and she and Yun Ming had agreed to meet here.
Standing before the carriage, Ya Li looked at the bustling and prosperous Heaven Dou City, truly feeling reluctant to leave. Half a month was far too short; she hadn't spent nearly enough time with Yun Ming.
Seeing Ya Li like this, Old An couldn't help but sigh. He hadn't expected that such a love-struck Ya Li would harbor such great "ambition."
He had actually been quite surprised when Ya Li decided to leave Heaven Dou City so early, but when she told him the purpose of her trip yesterday and that she was already prepared to put it into action, he was somewhat shocked. After all, in his eyes, Ya Li had always been like an angel—clean and kind—and she didn't look like someone greedy for power, let alone someone who would attempt to usurp it.
The reason Ya Li told Old An her goal was, naturally, not a whim. First, the scale of her actions this time was significant, and it was impossible to keep it hidden, so it was better to inform him proactively and let him choose whether to join. Second, Old An had followed her for so many years, and Ya Li believed she had the confidence to bring him under her command.
The final result was indeed as Ya Li had expected; upon hearing that she had such grand ambitions, Old An immediately expressed his willingness to pledge his loyalty.
It wasn't just about the benefits he and his family would receive if Ya Li truly succeeded. Having followed her for so many years, he had long since recognized her character in his heart. To say something sacrilegious, in Old An's eyes, Ya Li was more like the descendant of the Angel God than anyone in Martial Soul Hall, including Qian Daoliu. Knowing just this was enough for him, a believer of the Angel God, to follow her.
Just as Ya Li was already missing him before even leaving, and Old An was contemplating the future, Yun Ming was leading Oscar, Dugu Yan, Feng Xiaotian, and the other members of the Empire Team from another direction outside Heaven Dou City, heading toward Ya Li's location.
The members of the Empire Team were surprised to see the beautiful young girl appearing ahead, but they quickly realized what was going on. Oscar, in particular, wore a lecherous grin and teased Yun Ming.
"I was wondering why Boss Yun's team battle training plan came so suddenly this time. So, the training was just a cover!"
Ning Rongrong also chimed in, echoing her partner.
"The real purpose is that the Captain couldn't bear to part with Sister Ya Li."
Yun Ming glared at these two "enlightened" ones. They were currently flirting within the team every day, so naturally, they had no empathy for the pain of his long-distance longing. Now that he had the opportunity and the conditions, Yun Ming certainly had to seize them.
Just like in the original timeline, Oscar and Ning Rongrong had developed feelings for each other.
Although their experiences during this period were completely different from the original timeline due to Yun Ming's interference—and even with Ning Fengzhi's meddling in matchmaking—because Yun Ming had always ignored Ning Rongrong and had shown a lack of interest in her from the very beginning, the proud Ning Rongrong had never developed romantic feelings for him.
Later, because Yun Ming entrusted Oscar with important tasks, he was in frequent contact with Ning Rongrong. Coupled with Oscar's good looks, talent, and personality, the two young people naturally developed feelings for each other.
Ya Li had been here for many days, and Yun Ming had naturally introduced her to the Empire Team, so everyone knew her relationship with him. Furthermore, since Yun Ming had actually moved up the team battle training that was supposed to happen later, none of them were fools; they could naturally see the real motive behind it.
Seeing that Yun Ming only glared at Oscar and the others, Feng Xiaotian, who had been trained the hardest by Yun Ming, also spoke up boldly.
"Captain, you're something else! This move of using public office for private gain has taught me a lot."
Hearing that even this guy Feng Xiaotian dared to tease him, Yun Ming smiled faintly and replied.
"Don't you dare learn from me. If you did this, wouldn't it just be a waste of time?"
"After all, Huo Wu doesn't even want to pay attention to you. If you pester her, she might just beat you up."
Yun Ming's calm words were like a sharp arrow piercing Feng Xiaotian's chest. Thinking of his issues with Huo Wu, he gave a bitter smile.
"Captain, do you have to be so ruthless?"
Hearing this, the group of pranksters behind Yun Ming burst into laughter and chimed in.
Oscar: "Yeah! Brother Feng, you'd better save it. Lest you end up heartbroken and physically hurt."
Niu Bi: "Old Feng, I support you! Go chase her! At worst, you'll just get beaten up!"
"..."
Seeing this group start to roast him, Feng Xiaotian shut his mouth. There was no helping it; his track record was too poor, and he had no confidence when speaking.
Feng Xiaotian could only silently swear in his heart that he would secretly woo his goddess until he stunned everyone.
Hearing the playful banter of the Empire Team, Ya Li also noticed Yun Ming, the team, and the carriages following them. Looking at this, she seemed to realize what the surprise Yun Ming had mentioned was.
After Yun Ming walked up to Ya Li, he skillfully took her small hand and said.
"How is it? Are you satisfied with this surprise of traveling together?"
Ya Li responded joyfully.
"Satisfied, of course I'm satisfied!"
Ya Li had been feeling reluctant to separate just a moment ago, and now that Yun Ming said he would be traveling with her, how could she not be satisfied? However, thinking that the Empire Team had to participate in the Soul Master Competition later, and since Yun Ming had chosen to form a team, he probably wouldn't be competing much, so she asked with some confusion.
"But won't this delay your team's training?"
Yun Ming smiled.
"Don't worry! This trip is part of the plan; don't worry about it affecting us."
Hearing Yun Ming say this, Ya Li felt relieved.
Afterward, the nine members of the Empire Team plus Ya Li boarded the carriages and headed toward their first stop.
To avoid feeding the others an excessive amount of "dog food" and to enjoy their own space, Yun Ming and Ya Li shared a carriage.
Inside the carriage.
Yun Ming turned his head to look at Ya Li, who was sleeping while hugging his arm and leaning on his shoulder. A faint arc appeared at the corners of his mouth. Days like this, accompanied by her, even if plain, were so vivid and interesting, intoxicating him.
Thinking of the other surprise he had prepared for Ya Li today, Yun Ming gently took an object from his bosom, quietly placed it in Ya Li's hand, and then closed his eyes to take a nap.
The two snuggled like this, enjoying the beauty of their leisure time.
About half an hour later, Ya Li woke up. Looking at the gorgeous, vibrant, and dripping-with-dew flower in her hand, which emitted a golden-red luster, she let out a soft "huh" in her heart. It looked familiar, but she couldn't recall what it was for a moment.
Sensing Ya Li's movement, Yun Ming opened his eyes. Seeing her confused and adorable expression, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Ya Li looked up and saw the playfulness in her lover's eyes and the teasing in his laughter. Feeling a bit dissatisfied, she gave Yun Ming's head a light headbutt with her own, then spoke up in protest.
"If you dare to laugh at me again, I'm going to get angry!"
Hearing Ya Li's warning, Yun Ming hurriedly suppressed his smile and replied.
"Alright, alright, I won't laugh! I won't!"
Then, catching her off guard, he planted a kiss on Ya Li's cheek. Because Yun Ming had already kissed her several times over the past few days, and since there were only the two of them in the carriage, Ya Li only felt a slight shyness and gave a coquettish rebuke.
"What are you doing!"
Yun Ming looked at her with a smile and chuckled softly.
"Saint Spirit is just too cute, I couldn't help but want to kiss you."
Hearing Yun Ming call her cute, Ya Li became even more bashful. With a flushed face, she changed the subject.
"You're so improper."
"What is this flower? It looks a bit familiar."
Yun Ming allowed his soul power to surge, sealing off the sound before smiling and responding.
"An Immortal Herb of divine quality, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red!"
'Hm?!!'
Hearing the name from Yun Ming, Ya Li turned her head and looked at the flower in her hand with surprise. She had only ever seen records of this king of immortal herbs and had never seen the real thing, which was why she hadn't recognized it immediately. Now that Yun Ming had given her the answer, she naturally recalled the descriptions of it.
Thinking of the way this flower had to be plucked, it was a trial of absolute true love!
Ya Li looked at Yun Ming, her eyes as gentle as water and filled with affection, and whispered.
"Brother Ming."
She was deeply moved and didn't quite know what to say.
Yun Ming stroked Ya Li's head and said tenderly.
"It's alright. Between you and me, isn't it perfectly normal that I could pluck this?"
"I believe that if you were the one to pluck it, you would have succeeded just as easily."
That was true, but hearing Yun Ming's words, Ya Li's emotions and love continued to overflow, and she stared straight at him.
Yun Ming found it hard to bear being stared at by Ya Li's affectionate, wide eyes and said helplessly.
"If you keep looking at me like that, I won't be able to stop myself from wanting to bully you again."
According to Ya Li's usual personality, she would typically call him 'improper' or 'shameless' at a time like this.
However, things were clearly different today. Hearing Yun Ming's words, Ya Li seemed to know what to do; she raised her hands, wrapped them around Yun Ming's neck, and kissed him directly, using her actions to express the feelings in her heart.
Ya Li had actually launched a surprise attack, and Yun Ming lost the initiative for a moment. But feeling Ya Li's fiery passion, Yun Ming followed his heart, closed his eyes, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and responded earnestly.
Perhaps sensing the eruption of emotion between its two owners, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red seemed to become even more vibrant and delicate, swaying gently.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Perhaps because they had kissed for too long, Ya Li was a bit breathless now.
Once her heart calmed down, Ya Li realized she had been caught off guard again. Feeling a bit flustered, she still stubbornly insisted.
"If anyone is going to do the bullying, it has to be me bullying you."
Yun Ming looked at Ya Li, who had 'changed her face' immediately after the kiss, and knowing she was shy, he responded dotingly.
"Fine, Saint Spirit is the best."
"I will always be Saint Spirit's punching bag!"
Yun Ming was very satisfied with Ya Li's response just now; what was a little concession to the one he loved?
Seeing Yun Ming concede so decisively, Ya Li smiled, held the vibrant Lovesick Heartbreak Red to her chest, and said to him earnestly.
"Brother Ming, I will keep it forever."
Yun Ming, who had been expecting a different reaction from Ya Li, reflexively retorted when he heard she wanted to keep it.
"No! You have to eat it."
Ya Li: "."
Snap!
The pink bubble atmosphere inside the carriage shattered instantly, and Ya Li was stunned by Yun Ming's sudden reaction. After coming to her senses, she immediately refused loudly.
"The Lovesick Heartbreak Red is so incredibly meaningful, how could I eat it!"
Although Yun Ming didn't know why he had said that, his sixth sense was instinctively sounding an alarm: if the Lovesick Heartbreak Red remained in existence, it would surely bring a great catastrophe upon him!
Yun Ming's premonition wasn't wrong; historically, the successive owners of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red had indeed encountered life-or-death crises.
Xiao Wu, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong'er/Wang Qiu'er, Tang Wulin—they were all the same. Anyone who had plucked this thing and didn't eat it immediately basically ended up using it directly or indirectly to save their own lives. So, whether this Lovesick Heartbreak Red was a flower of love or a death-inducing flower was hard to say.
(Tang Wutong's situation is a bit complicated. When she appeared, Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er were essentially dead. Let's consider Wang Qiu'er plucking the flower and Wang Dong'er consuming it as one cycle! This Lovesick Heartbreak Red definitely carries a bit of a jinxed attribute.)
Yun Ming clearly trusted his instincts, and he continued to advise Ya Li.
"Be obedient, this thing cannot be kept! Otherwise, it will surely bring a life-or-death catastrophe upon me!"
Upon hearing Yun Ming say that keeping this flower might cost him his life, Ya Li's expression changed drastically. She hurriedly tossed the flower aside, her body surging with holy light in her anxiety, ready to perform a full examination on Yun Ming immediately.
Seeing this, Yun Ming stopped her at once and comforted her.
"Stop, stop, stop!"
"I am not injured or ill, and this Immortal Herb will not affect my health."
"I just have an instinctive feeling that if this object continues to exist, it will surely bring disaster upon me."
"You know as well as I do that for people like us, such feelings never come from nowhere."
After hearing Yun Ming's explanation, Ya Li retracted her Spirit. She cast a complex look at the Lovesick Heartbreak Red she had tossed aside and spoke.
"Is that so? Alright then."
"I'll eat it!"
Hearing that it might pose a hidden danger to Yun Ming, Ya Li would not keep the flower, no matter how much she liked it.
Ya Li picked up the Lovesick Heartbreak Red and stuffed the entire flower into her mouth.
Watching Ya Li consume the Immortal Herb, the instinctive danger alarm in Yun Ming's mind was finally silenced.
The flower, as hard as gold and stone, turned into liquid the moment it entered Ya Li's mouth, merging entirely into her body. After consuming the Immortal Herb, Ya Li immediately sat cross-legged in the Carriage and began to refine its medicinal power.
As the medicinal power took effect, a faint golden-red glow appeared on Ya Li's body. At the same time, massive waves of Life energy surged from within her, and her Wish Angel Spirit manifested.
Sensing the fluctuations of Life coming from inside the carriage, Old An hurriedly opened the door to investigate. After Yun Ming signaled that there was no issue and that he should continue the journey, Old An finally set his mind at ease.
As Ya Li gradually refined the medicinal power, her Soul Power and blood energy fluctuations grew increasingly powerful. Her already fair and translucent skin became even more delicate and white, and the previously blurred face of her Wish Angel Spirit became clearer, looking more and more like Ya Li herself.
Why did Yun Ming give the Lovesick Heartbreak Red to Ya Li? It was precisely because it was a perfect match for her Wish Angel!
The Lovesick Heartbreak Red possesses the effect of bringing the dead back to life and regrowing flesh and bone, representing the highest quality of vitality, which perfectly complemented the healing abilities of the Wish Angel.
Two hours later, Ya Li opened her eyes, a flash of golden-red light passing through them. Seeing Yun Ming before her, she immediately asked.
"How is it? Has the crisis been resolved?"
Yun Ming smiled and nodded. Seeing this, Ya Li breathed a sigh of relief; although she didn't quite understand, as long as Yun Ming was fine, that was all that mattered.
With the burden lifted from her heart, Ya Li also noticed the changes in herself: the surging vitality, the more powerful Soul Power fluctuations, and her further evolved Spirit.
After eight months of closed-door cultivation to strengthen her Spirit, combined with the final boost from the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, she had finally helped her Wish Angel Spirit break through the top-tier level and ascend to the ranks of a Super Spirit.
Yun Ming smiled and asked.
"How do you feel?"
Ya Li replied.
"Very good, it feels like I've been reborn."
Yun Ming: "That's good!"
Opening the carriage window and looking at the tall city walls not far away, Yun Ming said to Ya Li.
"Saint Spirit, let's tidy up!"
"The first stop of our journey has arrived."
ps: Seeking monthly tickets and recommendations.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader