When the crimson light faded, everything returned to calm. Zhou Sichen stood quietly, holding the Book of Contracts in his hands as four spirit rings hovered around him.
Having formed a soul contract with the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson, Zhou Sichen now shared a direct connection with her—and instantly understood all of her abilities.
His heart surged with excitement and joy.
As the emperor among all plant-type immortal herbs, Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson represented the absolute pinnacle. With her by his side, no plant would ever dare oppose him—they would instinctively submit.
She had granted him a 100,000-year spirit ring, and this ring came with an ability befitting its legendary status.
While Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson did not possess conventional offensive skills, her domain was that of absolute command over plant-type beings.
Yet, because of her unique nature, she possessed an ability that could only be described as miraculous:
Once every year, she could produce a clone—an offspring devoid of consciousness, but identical in effect to the original.
In other words, Zhou Sichen would receive a new Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson every year.
The impact of this could not be overstated. This herb could revive the dead, restore flesh to bone.
Even though these clones were considered soul skill manifestations and contained only half the energy of the original, they still retained full effect.
And even with reduced potency, they rivaled true immortal-grade herbs.
For Spirit Masters below rank 70, consuming a clone would conservatively increase their spirit power by five levels, while also triggering a full-body transformation. It was nothing short of a rebirth.
It meant that once a year, Zhou Sichen effectively gained the power of a divine cheat.
The Book of Contracts flipped open to its fourth page, revealing the image of a radiant Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson in full bloom.
The blood-red 100,000-year spirit ring pulsed with light. A streak of deep crimson shot forth, coalescing into a stunningly beautiful flower.
The Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson swayed gently, releasing a soft glow. The imperial pressure that had only moments ago vanished... descended once more.
All the plants in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well bowed even lower in reverence.
Zhou Sichen, with a mere thought, caused the first three of his four spirit rings to retract into his body. The fourth—the blood-red one—flickered slightly, then slowly detached and merged back into the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson.
It wrapped around her like flesh and soul becoming one.
A burst of radiant crimson bloomed outward. When the light faded, both the spirit ring and the flower had vanished.
In their place stood a woman, dressed in a flowing crimson gown.
She bore no excess ornamentation. Her blood-red hair cascaded down her back, her heels added to her imposing stature, and her long gown brushed the tops of her calves. Her figure was flawless. Her face was beyond beautiful, exuding a royal majesty that made it difficult to meet her gaze.
She studied her body with a hint of wonder, her expression touched with joy.
She was no longer just the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson, the emperor of herbs without sentience. Now... she was alive.
This feeling was both surreal and beautiful.
Perhaps now, she was beginning to understand what Zhou Sichen meant by "self-love."
To love others, one must first love oneself. And this form—her current self—was something she truly admired, something she had never dared to imagine.
She turned to look at Zhou Sichen, an unfamiliar but sincere emotion rising within her. He had given her a new life, new hope, and an experience she had never dreamed of.
After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice hesitant:
Zhou Sichen smiled gently. "Congratulations, Honghong. This is your true self now. And everything your heart desires—I will help you witness it."
"Honghong?" she repeated softly. "That's the name you gave me?"
Zhou Sichen nodded. "Do you like it?"
A warm smile spread across her exquisite face. "I do. I like it very much."
Zhou Sichen continued, "Because of the nature of my Martial Soul, our contract is technically master-servant in form. But you will never be my servant. We are companions—equals."
Honghong nodded slightly. At first, she had harbored some regret. After all, she was no longer just an immortal herb emperor... now she was bound as Zhou Sichen's servant.
But after sensing the presence of the other three contract spirits within Zhou Sichen's Martial Soul, her doubts faded.
Even though they had formed master-servant contracts, Zhou Sichen had never treated them as subordinates. He had always seen them as friends, as true partners.
Now, he had reassured her again—just to ease any lingering doubts.
"I understand. I won't misunderstand. You gave me new life, a new future. In a way... you are my master," she said.
Zhou Sichen could hardly believe what he was hearing.
Was this really something a former emperor-class immortal herb would say?
Honghong smiled faintly. Her radiant form burst into crimson light. With a delicate wave of her hands, a surge of soul power rippled outward. Moments later, a smaller version of the Lovesick Heartbreak Crimson bloomed in her hands.
This was the child-form—a special soul skill granted by her current transformation.
She held the flower in both hands and offered it to Zhou Sichen. "Master, this is my gift to you."
Zhou Sichen received it and gave her a warm smile. "Thank you."
Though none of the other immortal herbs dared to raise their heads or sense what was happening, every word exchanged between the two echoed clearly in their ears.
Their emperor... had called a human "master"?
Many of the herbs already had some idea of how their emperor had been born, but even so, it was difficult to accept.
Zhou Sichen carefully placed the clone into a fine jade box, then stored it inside his soul tool. Through his Martial Soul connection, he sent a mental message to Honghong.
Her beautiful eyes flickered as she replied telepathically,
"Thank you, Master, for treating my people kindly."
Then, with a gentle motion of her arms, a soft crimson aura swept through the air, lifting the heads of every kneeling plant.
"Rise, my people," Honghong said with grace.
She had used only a trace of her power. Aside from the already-awakened Youyou and Jiaojiao, the other herbs remained dormant.
Youyou and Jiaojiao slowly lifted their gazes, looking up at Honghong.
That stunning figure filled their vision. They couldn't help but feel sincere reverence... and perhaps a hint of envy?
Youyou finally spoke, "Your Majesty, you've..."
Honghong maintained her serene smile. "Yes. I've gained sentience. It may be difficult to accept, but it was Master who granted me life and hope. I've seen a different kind of future."
"Perhaps... this is a new path for all of us. And as your emperor, let me walk it first."
Youyou and Jiaojiao looked concerned. "But Your Majesty... isn't this too great a sacrifice?"
Honghong glanced at Zhou Sichen. "What do you think of our Master?"
The two looked at each other, then slowly answered, "He's... different. And he's kind."
Hearing this, Honghong smiled even more warmly. "Then what are you afraid of?"
Her awakening had been unforeseen by all. But with her arrival, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well now had a true ruler—a monarch to lead them.
No longer were they rootless and directionless. They now had something to believe in.
Though Honghong had chosen to follow Zhou Sichen, she remained the one and only emperor of all plants. That truth could not be denied.
The smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by imperial solemnity. Under her renewed pressure, the surrounding plants once again bowed in reverence.
Her voice rang out, powerful and resolute:
"From this day forward, the old rules of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well shall be revised. We may honor the legacy of those who came before, but from now on—we decide our own fate."
Youyou and Jiaojiao immediately knelt. "We obey, Your Majesty."
The other plants, still half-asleep, swayed in agreement—expressing their complete submission.
Now that Honghong had awakened, neither Youyou nor Jiaojiao brought up the matter of Zhou Sichen choosing more immortal herbs.
With their emperor present, everything must serve her will. Even if it cost them their lives—they would do so without hesitation.
From this moment on...
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had truly come under Zhou Sichen's control.
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