Two months later.
"Zhong, are you leaving?"
At the edge of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Dugu Yan's green eyes reflected Wang Zhong's figure as he was picking herbs, asking with reluctance.
Wang Zhong carefully plucked a orchid-like plant from the ground, at the two leaves on its stem, and placed it into the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch gifted to him by Dugu Bo. Hearing Dugu Yan's question, he walked over and sat beside her, saying gently, "Yes, I've been here for four months."
"Every month, Elder Gui and Elder Ju would come to the Sunset Forest to visit me. The last time Elder Ju came, he said I would have to leave when he visits next."
"Can't you stay a little longer?" Dugu Yan pouted, very unhappy.
"Sister Yan, we are just parting ways, not severing ties. I know you are here, and you know I am at the Spirit Hall Academy."
"No matter who wants to see the other, we can ask our elders to take us."
Wang Zhong softly appeased her. Although parting between good friends was always sad, their next meeting would surely be filled with laughter and joy.
Sighing softly, Dugu Yan didn't speak, merely resting her chin on her hand and gazing blankly at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in the distance, her eyes filled with dejection.
Wang Zhong did not leave either, just sat beside her, keeping her company.
The immortal herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were completely harvested by Wang Zhong. Like a swarm of locusts passing through, not a blade of grass was left. Of course, Wang Zhong did not pull out the immortal herbs by their roots. He pinched each one above the root, from the two leaves on the stem, preserving their most complete root systems.
Even for herbs where the roots and stems were used for medicine, he left a portion as seeds. With the existence of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, in a few hundred years, they would grow back again.
As long as future generations did not cause destruction, this would be an inexhaustible medicinal garden.
Around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, there were also some spiritual herbs personally planted by Dugu Bo. Although not as precious as immortal herbs, they were also rare medicinal materials. Wang Zhong was happy to reap the benefits and take them away.
After all, the other party had said that this place belonged to him!
With a hint of mischief in his heart, Wang Zhong, with a silly grin, accompanied Dugu Yan in her daze.
After a while, Dugu Bo walked in. Upon seeing the originally dense, herb-filled medicinal field, with patches missing here and there, one would think a wild boar had passed through.
"Little fellow, you're quite unceremonious!"
"You've taken all of my years of effort!"
His mouth twitched. Dugu Bo also felt a pang of heartache; these were his years of accumulated treasures.
In response, Wang Zhong scratched his head a little sheepishly, returning a silly smile.
Shaking his head helplessly, Dugu Bo said, "Alright, don't act so foolish. Since I said this place belongs to you, then these spiritual herbs are yours as well."
"Besides, you've left the complete root systems and some stems and leaves. Give them some time, and they'll grow back."
Wang Zhong stood up and walked in front of Dugu Bo, clasped his fists heavily, and said sincerely.
"Thank you, senior, for the favor of gifting me medicine today! Wang Zhong is young and has nothing to offer in return."
"Wang Zhong owes you a debt of gratitude. If you ever need me to do something in the future, just ask, as long as it doesn't harm those around me, I will do my utmost to complete it. If I discover anything you need in the future, I will bring it to you immediately."
"Thank you, senior!"
After speaking, Wang Zhong bowed deeply to Dugu Bo.
However, Dugu Bo subtly shifted his steps and said indifferently, "You haven't even accepted my one favor and three requests, so how could I possibly accept your debt of gratitude and bow for these medicinal herbs?"
"Some immortal herbs are nowhere as important as Yan Yan's future and my life!"
"Let's not speak of this again!"
After speaking, Dugu Bo sighed softly and continued, "Ghost Charm is waiting for you outside the Sunset Forest. Are you ready?"
"Yes, everything is ready."
Speaking of which, Wang Zhong patted the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Pouch in his embrace with great satisfaction, his expression indescribably happy. Seeing Wang Zhong's action, Dugu Bo's face darkened considerably.
Dugu Yan, standing by, watched their interaction and couldn't help but burst into laughter, her clear giggles echoing.
"That's good, let's go."
Beneath their feet, the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul appeared, about to lift them both. However, Dugu Yan suddenly ran over, gave Wang Zhong a tight hug, and then gently kissed his cheek.
After doing so, Dugu Yan retreated to the side, a happy smile on her small face, waving at Wang Zhong and saying, "Take care!"
"Next time we meet, I'll definitely surpass you!"
"Take care!"
In two months, she had already obtained her second spirit ring, her spirit power reaching level twenty-three. After her martial soul evolved, she also discovered that her spirit power cultivation speed was more than several times faster than before.
And all of this was thanks to that single Jade Dragon Tongue Orchid.
Although this medicinal herb was in her grandfather's medicinal garden and Wang Zhong simply told her to eat it, if he hadn't understood its medicinal properties, she might never have undergone such a transformation.
With such gratitude and reluctance to part, Dugu Yan's gentle kiss on Wang Zhong's cheek was the most fervent and sincere expression of her feelings.
"Mm, take care!"
Sitting on top of Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, Wang Zhong returned a light smile and nodded heavily.
The giant snake slithered away, leaving the depths of the desolate cliff as it had been before, with only Dugu Yan remaining.
But this time it was different. Before, she was alone in body and spirit, but now, only her body was alone, yet in her heart, there would always be a figure accompanying her.
Clutching the wooden fang necklace she had never taken off, Dugu Yan's face was full of smiles, without a trace of loneliness or desolation.
"Next time, we will meet again."
The girl's determined voice echoed in the cliff bottom, persistent and earnest.
Outside the forest, Yue Guan and Ghost Charm stood at the perimeter, quietly waiting.
Soon, a giant snake head emerged from the forest and stopped silently before them. Wang Zhong leaped from the snake's head and thanked Dugu Bo, "Thank you, senior, for your four months of guidance and the favor of gifting me medicine."
"Alright, we've said all that, no need to dwell on it." Dugu Bo waved his hand casually from atop the snake, then said to Yue Guan and Ghost Charm, "This little fellow is now delivered to you in perfect condition."
"I should be going!"
With that, he turned and left on his serpent, regardless of their response.
"That old poisoner, his personality is still as detestable as it was decades ago." Yue Guan sighed helplessly, then turned his gaze to Wang Zhong and asked with a smile, "Little fellow, how was your life these past four months?"
"Not bad!"
Wang Zhong gave a thumbs-up and grinned broadly.
"Haha, it seems you've gained quite a lot!"
"Let's go, Her Majesty the Pope is still waiting for us!"
Ghost Charm's hoarse voice rang out. wisps of black mist rose from around him, enveloping the three of them. When the black mist dispersed, the figures of the three had vanished without a trace.