The next visitors to arrive at Song Qing's herbal sanctuary were Hu Liena and Qian Renxue, and as fate would have it, they arrived at the same time. Hu Liena, with her usual graceful stride, entered the garden just as Qian Renxue was stepping through the entrance.
Both women stopped short, their eyes widening as they took in Song Qing's noticeably changed appearance. Hu Liena's beautiful eyes scanned him from head to toe, a look of pleasant surprise on her face. Qian Renxue, on the other hand, simply stared, her amethyst eyes holding a mixture of astonishment and… perhaps a hint of something akin to admiration?
"Little Qing!" Hu Liena exclaimed, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Look at you! You've really grown! And your hair… it's so bright now! What happened?"
Qian Renxue simply nodded in agreement, her gaze still fixed on Song Qing. "Indeed, Qing. The change is… remarkable."
Song Qing chuckled, feeling a little self-conscious under their intense scrutiny. "It's just the effect of some of the more potent immortal herbs that have finally matured," he explained, offering them the same reasoning he had given his other friends. "They've done wonders for my physique."
Hu Liena's eyes widened as she looked around at the thriving garden. "They've matured this much already? Your garden is truly a treasure, Little Qing!"
Qian Renxue, who had been observing the garden with a keen eye, also seemed impressed. "The vitality here is quite extraordinary, Qing."
Song Qing smiled, pleased by their reactions. He then turned his attention to selecting appropriate immortal herbs for them. For Hu Liena, he chose a vibrant, fiery-red flower. "Senior Sister Liena, this 'Phoenix Feather Blossom' should further enhance your spirit's power and perhaps even unlock new abilities."
Hu Liena accepted the flower with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Little Qing! You always know just what I need."
Then, he turned to Qian Renxue, carefully selecting a luminous, golden fruit. "Renxue," he said, handing it to her, "this is a 'Sun Essence Fruit'. It's incredibly potent, especially for someone of your… angelic affinity." He knew this herb would resonate strongly with her Seraphim spirit.
Qian Renxue accepted the fruit, her amethyst eyes studying it with curiosity. "Thank you, Qing. I have never consumed an immortal herb before."
Song Qing's eyes lit up with excitement. "Then the effect should be quite significant, Renxue! In fact," he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "I wouldn't be surprised if you reached the Soul Saint level straight away."
Qian Renxue's reaction was immediate and profound. Her eyes widened in utter shock, her delicate hands almost dropping the golden fruit. "Soul Saint? Level 70? Immediately?" she stammered, her voice filled with disbelief. "But… I thought it would take me years to reach that rank!"
Song Qing nodded, a confident smile on his face. "Immortal herbs are not to be underestimated, Renxue. Especially one as potent as the Sun Essence Fruit, and given your innate talent… yes, I believe it's quite possible." He watched her, a sense of anticipation building within him. He knew the potential of these herbs, and for someone as gifted as Qian Renxue, the results could be truly extraordinary.
Hu Liena, who had been listening to their conversation with interest, gasped softly. "Soul Saint level? That's incredible, Renxue!" She looked at Song Qing with admiration. "Little Qing, your herbs are truly miraculous!"
Qian Renxue was still staring at the golden fruit in her hands, her mind clearly reeling from the possibility. The thought of reaching such a high level of power so quickly was almost unbelievable. She had always been driven and ambitious, but the path to Soul Saint had seemed long and arduous. Now, Song Qing was suggesting it could happen almost instantly.
"Are you… are you sure, Qing?" she asked, her voice still filled with a hint of disbelief.
Song Qing nodded reassuringly. "I have a very good feeling about this, Renxue. Just find a quiet place to consume it and focus your energy. I have no doubt you'll experience a breakthrough."
A look of determination settled on Qian Renxue's beautiful face. She clutched the Sun Essence Fruit tightly in her hand. "Then I will do as you say, Qing. Thank you… for everything." Her gaze met his, and he saw a depth of gratitude in her amethyst eyes that warmed his heart.
Hu Liena placed a hand on Qian Renxue's shoulder. "I'm so excited for you, Renxue! Imagine, reaching Soul Saint level so soon!"
Qian Renxue offered Hu Liena a small smile, her mind clearly already focused on the potential power she was about to gain. She looked back at Song Qing, a newfound respect shining in her eyes. His knowledge of these mystical herbs was truly astounding.
"I should go and find a secluded place then," Qian Renxue said, her voice now filled with anticipation. "I will see you both later." With a nod to Hu Liena and a lingering, grateful look at Song Qing, she turned and gracefully exited the herbal garden, the golden Sun Essence Fruit clutched firmly in her hand, the promise of immense power hanging in the air.
Hu Liena watched her go, then turned back to Song Qing, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Little Qing, you really think she'll reach Soul Saint level right away?"
Song Qing nodded confidently. "With her talent and the potency of that herb? Absolutely. Renxue's potential is limitless." He smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction at being able to help his friends grow stronger. The future was looking brighter with each passing day.
~~
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were also quite pleased with Song Qing's growth spurt. When they visited him a few days after Hu Liena and Qian Renxue, their reactions were filled with genuine happiness for his improved health.
"Little Qing, you look so much better!" Ye Lingling exclaimed, her gentle eyes filled with warmth as she took in his taller frame and brighter hair. "You seem much stronger now."
Dugu Yan nodded in agreement, a rare, genuine smile gracing her lips. "Indeed, Little Qing. It's good to see you looking so… robust." She playfully punched him lightly on the arm. "Don't go getting too strong for us now!"
Song Qing laughed, feeling a warmth spread through his chest at their genuine happiness for him. He explained his use of the immortal herbs, and just like the others, they were astonished at how quickly his garden had yielded such potent treasures. He gifted them each with appropriate herbs to enhance their own cultivation, with Dugu Yan receiving a 'Serpent's Marrow Flower' to further strengthen her Jade Phosphorus Serpent spirit, and Ye Lingling receiving a 'Life Spirit Grass' to enhance her healing abilities.
Nearly ten days later, as Song Qing was carefully pruning a 'Sun Moon Divine Sunflower', he sensed a familiar, powerful aura approaching his garden. He turned to see his teacher, Bibi Dong, gracefully stepping through the entrance. It had been some time since he had last seen her. In fact, almost a full month had passed.
"Teacher!" Song Qing exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across his face. "You're here! I was wondering when you'd have some free time."
Bibi Dong's gaze swept over him, her violet eyes widening slightly as she took in his changed appearance. She stopped in her tracks, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Qing'er," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise. "You've… you've grown quite a bit." Her eyes lingered on his brighter blue hair and the emerald green of his eyes. "And your appearance has changed… significantly."
"Yes, Teacher," Song Qing replied, a little bashful under her intense scrutiny. "It's the effect of the immortal herbs I've been consuming."
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, her gaze still fixed on him. 'So, he's finally grown into a young man,' she thought to herself, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her. It was true, she had rather liked his cute, almost childlike appearance. There was a certain innocence to it that she had found endearing. But now… now he was undeniably handsome, with a taller, stronger physique and those striking, emerald green eyes. 'No, I haven't lost out at all,' she mused, a faint smile touching her lips. 'In fact… this is quite good too.'
"I haven't seen you in a while, Teacher," Song Qing said, breaking the momentary silence. "How have you been? Did you… did you finally get around to using those herbs I gave you?"
Bibi Dong's gaze softened as she looked at him, the warmth she always held for him returning to her eyes. "Yes, Qing'er. I did." She took a deep breath, a subtle shift in her aura becoming apparent to Song Qing. "The Heavenly Essence Root and the Earthly Wisdom Fruit… their effects were… profound."
'Indeed,' Bibi Dong thought to herself, a sense of newfound clarity filling her mind. The oppressive influence of the Rakshasa Goddess, which had lingered like a persistent shadow for so long, had finally begun to dissipate. Her mental energy felt clearer, sharper, and significantly more intense. Her spiritual energy had also undergone a qualitative leap, her soul feeling stronger and more resilient than ever before. Even her physical body felt lighter, more powerful, as though a weight she hadn't even realized she was carrying had been lifted.
"I feel… much better, Qing'er," she said aloud, her voice carrying a newfound lightness. "My mind feels clearer, my spirit feels stronger… even my body feels revitalized." She smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached her eyes. "Thank you, Qing'er. Those herbs were truly a gift."
Song Qing beamed, feeling a sense of immense satisfaction. He had known the herbs were potent, but to hear his teacher speak of such significant improvements was truly gratifying. "I'm so glad they helped you, Teacher! That was my greatest wish."
Bibi Dong stepped closer, her gaze softening further as she looked at him. She reached out and gently cupped his cheek, her thumb stroking his skin. "You always think of me, don't you, Qing'er?" she said softly, her voice filled with affection.
Song Qing blushed slightly at her touch. "Of course, Teacher. You're the most important person in my life."
Bibi Dong's smile widened, and she pulled him into a warm embrace, holding him tightly. As she did, she couldn't help but notice the change in his scent. Gone was the faint sweetness of a child; now, there was a subtle, yet undeniably masculine scent emanating from him. 'A manly scent,' she thought, a strange, almost wistful feeling stirring within her. She held him for a moment longer, savoring the feeling of his stronger arms around her, the subtle shift in their dynamic.
"Come," she said, releasing him but keeping her hand clasped in his. "Tell me all about what you've been doing. And show me these miraculous herbs that have turned my little Qing'er into such a… striking young man."