Huo Yuhao was pleasantly surprised as he said, âWhat is it?â He had to understand what these toxic things were so that he could devise a plan to fight against them.
Wang Qiuâer replied, âThat looked like the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes.â
Huo Yuhao was taken aback. âJade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes? Whatâs that?â He had learned about many plants during his lessons at Shrek Academy, as some soul beasts existed as plants, but he had never heard of this one.
Wang Qiuâer stared at him with solemn eyes and said, âYou are right about one thing; these poisonous clouds do have life, and this life originates from those flowers.â
A thought crossed Huo Yuhaoâs mind as he asked, âAre you saying that these bluish-green flowers are plant-type soul beasts?â
Wang Qiuâer nodded and said, âAt least some of them are.
âThe Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. Its toxins contain acute corrosive acid, and itâs known as the number-one corrosive toxin, while also containing an extremely powerful neurological poison. Coming into contact with it will cause the physical body to decay, and one will also have to withstand intense pain and suffering. However, this flower is also very rare and precious, and itâs possibly every plant-type soul masterâs dream. If plant-type soul masters can find a Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes that has already become a plant-type soul beast, and assimilate it as their own soul ring, then that soul master will possess the flowerâs intense venom. Youâve already seen how powerful that poison can be.â
Huo Yuhaoâs eyes widened, and his jaw hung slack. âAre you telling me that this area that is at least a kilometer wide and possibly stretches around the entire valley is filled with these Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes soul beasts? There are so many of them, yet they can still be considered an endangered species?â
Wang Qiuâerâs eyebrows were locked together as she said, âI am also very surprised at this fact, and thatâs also why I didnât tell you about it in the beginning. According to what I remember, the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes likes to live in groups, but their reproductive capabilities are terrible. They have strict requirements for their environment, and they have to absorb immense amounts of nutrients to sustain themselves during their growth process. Not all the flowers that we just saw have evolved into soul beasts, but most of them have already completed the evolution process. Otherwise, how could they control so much of the bluish-green toxic clouds to attack us?
âI think you noticed that some of their leaves were shaped like human hands with nine fingers. This species is known as the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Nine Absolutes, and that means they have evolved to become plant-type soul beasts. Furthermore, this flower also belongs to a superior level in the world of plants, and has at least ten thousand years of cultivation when they evolve into soul beasts. That also means that there are possibly hundreds or thousands of Jade Phosphorous Flowers of the Nine Absolutes among the plants we saw. Letâs not discuss us, even a group of Titled Douluo would be in a hurry to get away from here. The ten-thousand year Jade Phosphorous Exotic Flowers channel something called the Jade Phosphorus Poison Cloud, and every plant releasing their poisonous clouds at the same time is a power thatâs nearly invincible.â
Huo Yuhao drew a cold breath as he heard Wang Qiuâerâs explanation. Huo Yuhao had always believed ever since he got that letter from Niu Tian that this task was accomplishable, since Niu Tian had given it to him. Even though it was possibly overwhelmingly challenging, he should at least have a chance of success.
However, after listening to Wang Qiuâerâs explanation of how frightening the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Nine Absolutes was, he understood that his chances were as slim as they could get. He would undoubtedly become fertilizer for the these flowers if he pushed forward forcibly.
There were countless plant-type soul beasts around this place... top-tier plant-type soul beasts! They could also work together, and they could launch an attack with a colossal area of effect, as if they were an army. They could be said to have no loopholes at all.
How could he have even a sliver of chance under such circumstances? Huo Yuhao grew silent, and even his eyes began to dim and grow solemn. He could no longer see any hope at all.
Wang Qiuâerâs eyes flowed with struggle and conflict as she stared at Huo Yuhaoâs dejected and defeated face, as if she were hesitant about something.
Huo Yuhao heaved a sigh and said, âI will remember this place. Letâs retreat and rest up.â He had already used two Milk Bottles, and even though he still had several incendiary cannon shells, they would be completely useless against the Jade Phosphorous Poison Cloud, and fire even seemed to make these clouds stronger. If they pushed forward blindly, they would be simply sending themselves to certain death. He wasnât afraid of death if he had to do so to save Dongâer, but he couldnât just die for nothing.
Huo Yuhao grabbed Wang Qiuâerâs hand as he spoke, and turned around and flew away from the valley. He flew out of the area covered by the miasmic clouds before they descended back into the Setting Sun Forest.
Huo Yuhao took the two empty Milk Bottles from Wang Qiuâer once they were on the ground, and then gradually infused soul power into each Milk Bottle while he silently contemplated.
His mental state wasnât in the right condition at the moment, and there was no way he could make it better. He was faced with an impossible situation, and there was practically no way he could move forward. As intelligent as he was, Huo Yuhao began to feel as if he was at his witâs end, and he had exhausted everything he had.
Wang Qiuâer just stood there as she watched his dark and gloomy expression. Her tensed brows began to smooth out as she heaved a faint sigh and said, âI donât think Iâm wrong to label the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes as rare and precious. Venomous flowers as powerful as this are extremely rare even deep within the Great Star Dou Forest, and there are hardly more than three that appear at the same time even if they do. They require too much from their surroundings, and that means itâs very difficult for them to evolve into soul beasts. So many Jade Phosphorous Flowers of the Seven Absolutes existing in this area only proves one thing.â
Huo Yuhao looked up at her and asked, âWhat does it prove?â
Wang Qiuâer lowered her voice and said, âIt proves that the valley behind them truly contains some exotic treasure, and Iâm certain that, whatever it is, thereâs a lot of it. Perhaps the valley has an environment thatâs extremely beneficial for growth, and that has provided enough nutrients for these flowers.
âI observed carefully when you pulled me through the air before this. I realized that the Jade Phosphorous Flower of the Seven Absolutes dots the area surrounding the valley, but not a single one grows near the edge of the valley. That means there should be something inside the valley thatâs countering them and holding them back, such that they donât dare to spread inside the valley. The miasmic clouds that we faced before this probably come from these flowers â such an enormous volume of these flowers has led to the death of many soul beasts, while the vegetation all around has been corroded. The forestâs unique location and environment also means that itâs a lot easier for this miasma to form, and this accumulation over the years has resulted in the level of miasma that we see now.â
Huo Yuhao lowered his voice and said, âThat also means that my judgment is correct. The herb that can save Dongâer must be located within that valley. However, we still have no way of crossing over to the other side. The Jade Phosphorus Flowers of the Seven Absolutes, and the Jade Phosphorus Flowers of the Nine Absolutes that they have evolved into, arenât something we can fight against. The Jade Phosphorous Poison Cloud is probably so dense that the clouds will dispel my Class 6 soul protective barrier immediately once they touch it. If that happens, the two of us will melt into liquid in the blink of an eye.â
Wang Qiuâer frowned and said, âYou donât have to make it sound so disgusting. Havenât you heard of the saying that everything in the world has a weakness? The flowers are strong, but there must be something in the world that can counter it. For example, such a thing exists in that valley. Furthermore, I also know one such weakness.â
Huo Yuhao was taken aback as he said urgently, âYou⦠why havenât you told me before?â
Wang Qiuâer said coldly, âYou are the one who wants to save Wang Dongâer, not me. I would have told you if you hadnât been so melancholic.â
Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned, and emotions undulated in his eyes for a moment. âPlease tell me, Qiuâer. Iâ¦â
Wang Qiuâer interrupted him roughly and said, âSure, I can tell you. But only if you kneel down and beg me to.â
Huo Yuhao was stunned once more, and then he was instantly infuriated. âAre you crazy?â
Wang Qiuâer stared at him with an extremely noble and cold look. âIâm not crazy, youâre the one thatâs crazy. So what if you can pierce through the Jade Phosphorus Poison Clouds? Can you predict the dangers that you will face afterwards? Since youâve already decided to die, what use do you have for dignity? Kneel and beg me, and I will tell you. Otherwise, scram back to the academy.â
Huo Yuhao gradually calmed down, and he heaved a faint sigh. âDoes this really have to happen, Qiuâer?â
Wang Qiuâer grunted coldly, but said nothing.
Huo Yuhao turned around and gazed at the miasmic clouds in the distance. âI have already explained so much to you. Why do you still not understand?â
Wang Qiuâer didnât even look at him as she turned around and began walking in the direction that led out of the Setting Sun Forest. She was very sure that Huo Yuhao had no chance of finding that herb and surviving through the ordeal at the same time.
âWait!â Huo Yuhao called out to her.
Wang Qiuâer turned around and glanced at him coldly. âLetâs go!â
Huo Yuhao stared at her deeply and said, âSince it has to happen, then so be it.â
Wang Qiuâerâs expression relaxed a little. Is this guy finally going to cooperate with me? However, for some reason, there was a thread of disappointment deep within her heart. In the end, oneâs own life was more important...
However, her large blue eyes suddenly began to widen just when that thought appeared in her mind⦠because as she looked on, Huo Yuhaoâs tall figure knelt grandly on the ground in her direction.
Huo Yuhaoâs expression was still as calm as ever... yes, he was kneeling on the ground. This was the first time that he had knelt down in front of someone other than his mother.
Men would never kneel without a good reason, but he was full of determination as his knees touched the ground.
âI beg you, Qiuâer, tell me what the Jade Phosphorous Exotic Flowersâ weakness is. Thank you.â His voice was still as calm as before, but this calm was heartbreaking. Every single word pierced Wang Qiuâerâs heart as if they were sharp blades.
He⦠heâs actually kneeling down. Heâs actually kneeling down before me! He has relinquished a manâs dignity just to save her. Why? How can this happen? Why?!
Wang Qiuâer felt as if her face was growing cold, and she touched her cheeks subconsciously, and felt tears.
Iâm crying... Iâm actually crying! Are my tears flowing for him? No, why would I cry for him? Why?
Her lips were trembling, and she continued to quiver as tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. She rushed to his side and grabbed his collar before she lifted him up from the ground and hurled him heavily against a thick and tall tree beside them.
Boom! The large tree shuddered as leaves drifted down onto the ground. They fluttered all around the two of them, and it felt as if they were being bathed in a rain of greenery.
Huo Yuhaoâs face was still calm and composed. Tears continued to trickle down Wang Qiuâerâs face, and her emotions immediately erupted.
âAre you trying to protest against me?!â she shouted at him hysterically.
Huo Yuhao said nothing. He stared at her with a faint smile on his face, and his smile was just so calm and plain in that momentâ¦