After learning about Bai Qi refusing control over the [Primordial Root], both Xie Ru's and Ma Su's faces were worthy to be painted.

With both of them having cultivated in the [Delicate Forest Palace] and having a connection to the impossible treasure that the [Root] actually was, it was truly unimaginable for them for someone to refuse - especially someone like Bai Qi, a man that both of them and from the deep of their hearts, accepted as a true genius.

Xie Ru even forgot all her anger after being shoved away from Bai Qi by the jade-like orbs surrounding the latter, courtesy of no one else than Ma Su, who she learned to be so far above her cultivation that Xie Ru felt nothing but dread from.

And even after the [Fairy] herself, someone that both women deeply bowed and called nothing but founder after the introductions that followed their unexpected summons revealed the truth about the [Primordial Root], of how it actually had nothing to do with her, the [Fairy Goddess], but was nothing but the first natural treasure of this plane, the first plant to have absorbed qi in the entirety of it, Xie Ru couldn't understand why Bai Qi refused.

On the other hand, Ma Su, who had lived not much more experiences along with Bai Qi, understood very well. After all, no matter how precious the treasure was, and no matter how much power it would give to the person accepted by its caregiver, the [Fairy], Fei Xian, she knew that Bai Qi would never agree to remain for years standing guard over the [Primordial Root].

No matter how powerful he could become or what kind of power he would have over the [Delicate Forest Palace] lifeline, the formations that allowed the so-powerful power to exist.

And so, as both Fei Xian and Zhen Xian asked again, and Bai Qi again refused, it would only be Ma Su and Zhen Xian to stay quiet and not attempt to convince Bai Qi of anything.

Sometime later, it would be Bai Qi's turn to actually attempt and convince Ma Su to accept the honor, considering that someone like her, who now was living to right the wrongs she committed, was a candidate good enough for it. And yet, Bai Qi would be in the same shock as the ex-bandit refused. As well as the fact that Xie Ru, someone who had always planned to return to the [Seven Islands Plane], would be the one to fall on her knees, deeply bow to the so-called [Fairy], and ask for the bestowal of such an honor.

"Bai Qi, no, Chen Guang, no, Wu Guang, I..." In all truth, seeing how Bai Qi and Ma Su refused such an opportunity, Xie Ru acted without even thinking. But after doing so, as it actually clicked in her mind, she attempted to explain herself but was stopped by a sudden shake of Bai Qi's head.

"There is no need to explain anything. This one is a rare opportunity, and except for the ones present here, no one could even dream about it. So, do not consider yourself guilty of anything. Don't be forced to believe that your decision will affect your family or your benefactors from the Chen family. In fact, I am pretty sure no one will be happier than them for you." While Bai Qi considered that one's words and loyalties should remain unchallenged, he also understood that for someone like Xie Ru, this was an opportunity that she could not allow to pass.

And so, surprised as he may be by Ma Su's refusal or the calmness with which the two remanent spirits accepted the outcome, he actually calmed down the stressing out Xie Ru before also bowing towards the two beings of old that still remained in this world, just because of their connection to the [Primordial Root].

***

With the matter of the new heir decided and the two remanent spirits, both of an evolved flower that was now called a [Fairy] and a simple man that had risen up to become the first among all of the cultivators of the entire plane, receiving true freedom, death, as all of this was nothing else than a grand ceremony to at last - depart, one could think that the events in the depths of the sanctuary would end quickly, but it wouldn't be so.

Unhappy as she may be for being refused by Bai Qi, the only candidate of all and the second male she was interested in during all of the hundreds of years, one that had actually made her think about - at last - leaving this plane, Fei Xian, the [Fairy Goddess] took Xie Ru away while starting to explain her about what exactly did the so-called boon, or curse, as Bai Qi himself considered such, entailed.

As for Bai Qi and Ma Su, who had declared, as she refused, her intention to follow the former as no one but a follower, at least until she herself decided that she could stride out on her own, they had planned to leave the sanctuary, temple, and also the grounds of the [Delicate Flower Palace] immediately, were stopped by Zhen Jian, who even in his half-spiritual state carried a cultivation and pressure far above Ma Su's 4th level of the Warrior Lord.

"Do you think you two, a woman who had nearly completed the challenge by herself just some years ago and the man who crossed all of the dangers and challenges I did, will be allowed to leave here just like that?" As he stopped their movements with a simple thought, the remnant spirit of the aged man lightly smiled, his emotions a mix of happiness and sadness. The former because of the freedom to at last leave this world. The latter because of what it meant for him, even if he was nothing but a strand of consciousness maintained only by the miraculous energies of the [Primordial Root].

Some four days after the [Martial Path of the Herbs] rewards ceremony, in a luxurious room deep inside the [Delicate Forest Palace] grounds;

"It is truly lamentable that you have decided to leave so quickly. We would have hoped to host you for a while more." Contrary to what one could expect from her status, Hudie Xiuying showed neither superiority nor conceit and spoke with Bai Qi nearly as an equal.

"I thank you for your kind words, senior, but since the start of this journey was to visit all my companions from the [Seven Islands] plane. Also, I am worried that the two I am yet to visit are starting to get worried. After all, more than a year has passed since we separated." On the other hand, Bai Qi was extremely polite, far more than usual. To that, there was no wonder. Hudie Xiuying was not only the most powerful person he had met on this plane, a peak Warrior Emperor, but she was now also related to him through Xie Ru and the blessings of the so-called [Fairy Godess], Fei Xian.

***

In the end, Bai Qi and Ma Su walk out of the teleportation formation connecting the inner lands of the [Delicate Forest Palace] and the city of [Baoshi Hua] an entire week after the festival finished.

{I understand why you refused some of the rewards - the connection being far more important, but why didn't you accept the protection badge from the head elder?} At some point, Ma Su had thought that she was dreaming, still locked in the restraining formation she had been sent to after she crossed the [Martial Path of Herbs] entrance. And even if she had calmed by now, her eyes were still full of complicated emotions as she looked at Bai Qi.

{Right now, the [Palace] has a lot on their hands, and accepting their commitment to protect me would only make them spread even thinner than right now. Thus, isn't better for me to show consideration and refuse?}

{Maybe it is so...} In all truth, Ma Su had another question to ask, the main one, at least for her. Yet, she would not ask, neither then nor later.

If Bai Qi could hear Ma Su's thoughts, he would have laughed out loud. While the top-tier Martial Skill was valuable, Bai Qi believed loyalty was far more important at the moment, especially considering the great harvest he had just obtained. Bai Qi had not only succeeded in obtaining the skill, but he also managed to gain an unexpected amount of treasures within his [Void Ring] in just a few days. This outcome was beyond his expectations, and he gave up on just a single of these unexpected gains in exchange for a full pardon of Ma Su. Wasn't it great?

***

Though Bai Qi had not made any enemies by his actions, it wasn't as if all of the participant powers had left [Sword and Herb] with good thoughts. In truth, a lot of them didn't.

{Ma Su, do you sense it?} Bai Qi's senses were still at the peak of a Warrior Lord, but he was perfectly capable of sensing farther than most, especially when it was something aimed at him.

{Yes, we are being surrounded from all sides. Should I deal with them?} Having been disguised for several weeks, Ma Su was eager to drop the pretense of being a Warrior Lord and show her true power, not to mention that it would be a perfect way to work out some of the stress from being locked up without any explanation.

{First, let's learn what they want.} In all truth, both Bai Qi and Ma Su had not a single doubt about what it would be, as no one would block all possible escape routes for a greeting.

Wang Yating's thoughts were straightforward. As the leader of the [Blue Owl Alliance], a power that barely qualified even to communicate with the [Delicate Forest Palace], she had attempted to make the most of this unexpected boon, the [Sword and Herb] festival.

All of her disciples, at least the ones in a calling distance, had been recalled to take part in the festival, and yet, not only no one of them obtained any ranking in the top 25, but she was barely granted a couple of breaths of attention from the [Palace] people, even when considering that Wang Yating, at some point, had been a disciple of it!

"But no matter, with the herbs that this boy, a damn rogue cultivator, obtained, I will have enough resources to cultivate at least one genius and show everyone that the [Blue Owl] is no worse than their damn ranked powers!" Wang Yating's roared her thoughts aloud, but she couldn't care about stealth anymore. After all, Bai Qi and the Warrior Lord that accompanied him, by now, were already surrounded by a few of her trusted aides. And without any manner to call upon the support of anyone, there was no way that the pair of Warrior Lords would escape her, a peak 3rd-level Warrior King!