"I... I don’t know. I just accidentally pounced on it. It must like me, right?" Rong Taotao said, his voice trailing off as he grew less and less confident.

Of course, Si Huan Nian didn’t believe a word of it.

What was the Nine-Petaled Lotus?

It was the most supreme treasure in the Snow Realm! 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

As a Snow Realm Soul Beast, the Ice Soul Guide was far more likely to win the Nine-Petaled Lotus’s favor than a human like Rong Taotao.

Si Huan Nian asked, "Did it merge into your body on its own?"

Rong Taotao nodded repeatedly. "Mhm."

At a loss, Si Huan Nian could only try to find a reason. "Perhaps the Lotus Petal was severely damaged and just found a random person to use as a source of replenishment."

Hearing this, Rong Taotao quickly added, "After it burrowed into me, I was completely drained..."

"No, that’s just the Lotus’s normal state of being in this world. My earlier guess was just a shot in the dark, since I can’t find any other reasonable explanation." Si Huan Nian shook her head, resigned. "Maybe you really are special."

Rong Taotao: "Er..."

Si Huan Nian continued, "But it certainly should be your reward. Your companion told me that you risked your life to save them, which is how you ended up getting flung to the edge of the Martial Arts Arena by the Snow Cage Grass."

At this, Si Huan Nian’s brow finally relaxed. She reached out and, as if giving a reward, ruffled Rong Taotao’s naturally curly hair. "I haven’t been teaching you for that long, but time and time again, you manage to turn in a stunning report card."

Si Huan Nian found it hard to ask any more of a child like him.

’Is this how a Soul General’s son should be? Should he risk life and limb for his companions?’

’No, not at all.’

’This had nothing to do with him being a Soul General’s son.’

’In that moment of true crisis, what drove Rong Taotao’s decision had absolutely nothing to do with his father being a Soul General. It was all him.’

’Rong Taotao was an independent individual—with his own thoughts, his own soul, and his own choices.’

’In that moment, he wasn’t anyone’s son. He was just Rong Taotao. A brave partner and a loyal comrade.’

Rong Taotao felt a bit embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, asking meekly, "Teacher, how do I use this Lotus Petal? I can feel it roaming around inside me, but I can’t connect with it."

"At your current level of strength, it’s very difficult to control it." Si Huan Nian thought for a moment, gathering her words. "For now, think of it as a type of Lifebound Soul Beast. Of course, the analogy isn’t perfect, but it will be easier to understand that way."

As she spoke, Si Huan Nian gestured to the Cloud Dog at her side. "White Clouds and Grey Dogs is very weak, with a timid and cowardly personality. It’s willing to be bound to you, grow with you, and depend on you completely."

"But this Lotus Petal is different. It is the ultimate treasure of the Snow Realm, and its power is immense. Right now, you can’t even dream of using it. It shouldn’t even be staying inside your body—who knows when it might just fly off on its own..."

Rong Taotao pouted. ’It’s in my hands now, and it thinks it can just fly away?’

’As if I’d let it!’

Si Huan Nian continued, "Fortunately, the Nine-Petaled Lotus is fundamentally different from a Lifebound Soul Beast. It won’t gradually assimilate you and turn you into a Humanoid Soul Beast. It’s just that you won’t be able to use it for a very long time."

Rong Taotao asked, "How long, exactly?"

Si Huan Nian replied, "Perhaps when you become a Soul Captain. I absorbed a Lotus Petal when I was at the Soul Captain stage, and it was very cooperative then.

"Of course, everything in the Snow Realm has its own unique traits. My Lotus Petal’s purpose is defense and guarding one’s mind, so its temperament is rather tranquil, not nearly as fiery as yours.

"When you can truly wield the Lotus will ultimately depend on you."

Rong Taotao: "Oh... alright."

Si Huan Nian suddenly said, "You’re very hungry."

Rong Taotao paused, confused. "Huh? Oh!"

Si Huan Nian: "Your body is weak, your limbs are tired."

Rong Taotao: "Ah..."

Si Huan Nian: "Heart palpitations."

Rong Taotao: "That one... not yet."

Si Huan Nian suddenly smiled, her enchanting expression tinged with a hint of sympathy and pity. "You’ll slowly get to experience most of the symptoms of hypoglycemia."

Rong Taotao: ???

Si Huan Nian asked, "Do you know why I eat candy every day? Do you know why I have you fetch my meals, and why every portion is so huge?"

Rong Taotao: "Because of this Lotus Petal?"

"Correct. The title ’Sugar’ of the Pine Soul Four Rites is all thanks to this Lotus Petal.

"I don’t actually have hypoglycemia, I just exhibit the outward symptoms of the condition." Si Huan Nian once again took a piece of Little Rascal candy from her sleeve, unwrapped it, and held it to Rong Taotao’s lips with two fingers.

Rong Taotao: "Thank you, Teacher."

Si Huan Nian replied, "Don’t thank me, little one. I’m just glad to have met a kindred spirit."

Rong Taotao: "..."

Si Huan Nian popped a Cubed Sugar into her own mouth and continued, "The Nine-Petaled Lotus will bring you many unexpected benefits: incredibly fast absorption of Soul Power, rapid cultivation of Soul Techniques, and its own inherent functions and Soul Skills to aid you in battle.

"But at the same time, while it resides in your body, it will also absorb your nutrients to sustain itself.

"In the future, your appetite will be huge, you’ll never be able to go without candy, and...

"Before every battle, you’d best eat your fill. During a fight, even a single heart palpitation or a brief dizzy spell... in short, any small mishap could cost you your life."

The moment Rong Taotao heard "incredibly fast absorption of Soul Power" and "rapid cultivation of Soul Techniques," he forgot everything else. He let out a sly chuckle. "It’s just eating, right? My family isn’t poor."