"Amorous Heartbreak Red?"
Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes widened slightly as her fair hand gently stroked the white flower before her.
The Amorous Heartbreak Red trembled instinctively at first, trying to avoid her touch.
But in the next moment, it bowed its head, and its white petals softly brushed against Qian Renxue's palm.
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes and smiled:
"It tickles, Xiao Feng, it can actually move on its own?
But why is it called Amorous Heartbreak Red when it's clearly a white flower?"
Lin Feng felt a bit uneasy inside:
"Because of that trace of blood-red at its core.
According to legend, a long, long time ago, there was a boy who loved flowers like his life. His courtyard was filled with lotus and peony, a riot of colors.
He would chant poems to the flowers, confide his feelings to them. Whenever a flower wilted, he would mourn deeply, collecting the petals and burying them, shedding tears again and again.
His extreme devotion to flowers eventually moved the Flower Fairy in the heavens.
She descended to the mortal world, took human form, and became his wife.
But their happiness was short-lived. The gods discovered her secret marriage to a mortal and, in fury, took her back to the divine realm, forever separating the two.
The boy was heartbroken, became gaunt with grief, and even neglected his beloved flowers.
One day, an old man came and told him that the white peony in his courtyard was the imprisoned form of his wife.
If he destroyed it, she would lose her divine body and become mortal again, allowing them to be together.
But the boy loved her too much to do it. Instead, he returned to caring for the peony with all his heart.
Eventually, he died of heartbreak, coughing up a mouthful of blood before his death, which stained the flower red — thus was born the Amorous Heartbreak Red."
After hearing the tale, Qian Renxue was visibly moved, lost in thought for a long time.
A crystal tear fell from the corner of her eye.
Lin Feng pursed his lips:
"If one wishes to take the flower, they must think of the one they love most, with genuine affection, and spit out a mouthful of blood essence.
If there's even a hint of distraction in the heart, it will fail."
She stared dazedly at the Amorous Heartbreak Red before her, then gazed dreamily at Lin Feng:
"So, Xiao Feng, you're hoping I can take it, right!?"
Given their shared experiences, this was already a clear confession of their feelings.
Lin Feng nodded solemnly. In the Douluo Continent, people matured early — at nearly ten years old, they already understood love between men and women.
In truth, Lin Feng was a bit uncertain himself. He was sure he couldn't pick it.
He did have feelings for Qian Renxue, but he also had a fondness for the seductive Ling Yuan… and perhaps even more…
Lin Feng sighed inwardly — maybe this was just a flaw of men: always looking at what's in the pot while eating from the bowl.
With memories of his past life, he knew he couldn't focus on only one person in this world of Douluo.
He never claimed to be a saint. He acknowledged his affections for many, but was also willing to take responsibility.
As a transmigrator, if he couldn't even change a few events from the original story, what was the point?
All he wanted was to give his true heart — and be rewarded for it.
If you think that's unrealistic — well, you're wrong. This is the Douluo Continent, where everyone is a die-hard romantic.
Once they fall in love, they're loyal for life.
Those tragic "Li Ruyan-type betrayals after years of devotion" — totally laughable here.
Pfft!
Without hesitation, Qian Renxue spat out a mouthful of blood essence onto the Amorous Heartbreak Red, instantly dyeing its petals a crimson hue.
The once-white petals turned blood-stained, the radiant and mournful filaments shifting shape.
Qian Renxue closed her eyes, and Lin Feng's image filled her mind.
Scene after scene flashed by — memories of their time together.
While undergoing the test of the Amorous Heartbreak Red, Qian Renxue also began questioning her own heart: what did she truly feel for Lin Feng?
They met in the library, where she was drawn to his diligent and driven demeanor.
They became friends, and she was amazed by his talent and insight, seeing him as someone who could one day stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
Then her mother became increasingly cold toward her, and her father grew more distant.
In that time, Lin Feng remained a true companion, no matter the season, no matter the hour.
He listened to her, taught her things she never knew, stirred emotions she had never felt.
He had quietly walked into her heart and taken up a significant place there.
Later, after Qian Xunji's death and her break with Bibi Dong, Lin Feng became the first person she thought of for comfort. That was the day she kissed him.
Her furrowed brows eased, her heart finally at peace.
Whether he was a rival she admired, a partner she trusted deeply...
Or someone she relied on, someone she loved dearly — someone she could see as her future other half...
It was all love. And she truly did love Lin Feng — there was no denying it.
The Amorous Heartbreak Red suddenly shook violently, then, to Qian Renxue's delight, slowly descended from the obsidian stone into her palm.
It fluttered with joy, floating gently in her hand.
"Xiao Feng, did you see that?" Qian Renxue wiped away her tears, her violet eyes shimmering like stars.
"Xiao Xue, I like you too."
Lin Feng replied softly.
"Mhm!"
Qian Renxue lowered her gaze and walked to his side. Her lips, soft and dewy like a peeled lychee, pressed lightly to his forehead.
When they parted, their foreheads rested together. Qian Renxue ran her fingers along Lin Feng's cheeks, gazing at his increasingly handsome face with a trace of enchantment.
"Xiao Feng, let's stay together forever."
"Mhm, I won't let you go."
Lin Feng wrapped his arms around her waist and said gently.
"Xiao Xue, aren't you going to consume it?"
"No, I want to keep it by my side. It's like a little spirit, carrying my feelings."
Qian Renxue looked at the floating Amorous Heartbreak Red and said softly.
The next morning, Lin Feng and Chrysanthemum Douluo headed again to Dugu Bo's estate.
Qian Renxue's preparations for her mission were nearly complete.
The investigation into Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's daily behavior was already thorough.
That prince of the Heaven Dou Empire probably never imagined that all his maids and guards were people from the Spirit Hall.
Now all Qian Renxue needed to do was perfect her soul bone disguise technique, fully assume Xue Qinghe's identity, and pass the scrutiny of several Title Douluo.
Then, at the right moment, the real prince would be replaced.
Lin Feng silently mourned the real Xue Qinghe for two and a half seconds, then shifted his focus to Dugu Bo.
Today, Dugu Bo was like a new man — full of energy and spirit.
The grin on his face and the gleam in his teeth spoke volumes of the joy in his heart.
"You're here, little brother?" Dugu Bo greeted cheerfully, waving at Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo almost choked, pointing angrily at him:
"You brat, I'm several years older than you!
Calling me little brother? Do you have a death wish!?"
Dugu Bo waved dismissively. Having resolved the martial soul issues in his family, he was in an unbothered mood.
"What do you care? If Ghost Douluo suddenly married a young wife, wouldn't you have to call her sister-in-law too?"
"What kind of dumb comparison is that? Utter nonsense! And that old ghost doesn't care about romance anyway!"
Dugu Bo shrugged. "Say what you like. So, what brings you two here today?"
Lin Feng nodded slightly. "Grandpa Dugu, it's time for you to report to the Spirit Hall."
"So soon?"
Dugu Bo was a bit surprised.
Chrysanthemum Douluo snorted. "What? Still want the Grand Worshipper to come get you himself?"
"Ahem, well… I guess a bit of urgency is good. I'll leave in a few days, alright?"
Dugu Bo coughed awkwardly.
"It's for your own good to go early. You're about to break through to Title Douluo. With our backing, and the Grand Worshipper's protection, your ninth spirit ring will be much easier to obtain."
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up, and he nodded at once.
Lin Feng and Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged a glance, a smile flickering in their eyes.
With the mission coming soon, the fewer high-level soul masters left in Heaven Dou City, the better.
As Dugu Yan watched sadly, Lin Feng and Chrysanthemum Douluo returned to base.
"Xiao Xue, Sister Ling Yuan, I'm planning to condense my second soul channel."
Lin Feng summoned his Innate Treasure Orb, its faint purple soul ring pulsing.
T/N: For up to ten chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle