"I finally found you, my King," the man's mouth curled up as he stepped closer to Yi Ling and kneeled.
Yi Ling didn't move. She didn't know this man, and did he just call her King?
"Master, this is my fault," a voice echoed inside her head.
"Yu'er? What do you mean?"
"I met this guy on one of my travels with Tefei. He kept calling me 'his King.' I don't know why, and I didn't bother to know. Since I was short on time, I thought I lost him on my way back here. I guess he still found my tracks. But since Mu Xin's formation is active in the Abyss, no one could enter. He must've been waiting here."
"Who is he?" Yi Ling was puzzled.
"He is a 7th Rank Emergent Stage Spiritual Herb. Unlike regular spiritual herbs, this guy is five million years old. After a certain number of years, a spiritual herb can give birth to a spirit, like me. The Eternal Oak didn't have a spirit until two hundred million years later. I was able to grow unhindered because I'm inside the Ring. Spirit Herbs is what we call ourselves. Once an herb has a spirit, it can sense any spirit herbs nearby, no matter where they are. He must've sensed me inside the Ring." As if to confirm it, the man was looking at the Ring itself.
"But why is he calling you King?" Yi Ling still didn't understand.
"Master, that I do not know. When I became a spirit, my previous master was already missing. I'm sorry." Even he was confused regarding this matter.
Yi Ling sighed. Looks like this is going to be a headache. She didn't want any company this time, but from the looks of it, this man had been chasing Linyu for many months.
With a manly voice, Yi Ling spoke, "Who are you?"
"I do not have a name since I don't have a master. They just call me Green Viridis Tree." He was still kneeling, while taking a glimpse at the Sapphire Jade Ring every once in a while.
"Why are you here?"
"I can sense my King residing inside your Ring. I'm guessing that you are his master. Please allow me to explain it to him directly." He bowed his head again, still kneeling.
She didn't have time for this, she thought. Might as well do as he says, it might do them some good. She waved her Ring and Linyu appeared.
"Your Highness!" The man got up and was about to grab Linyu's hand.
Linyu dodged and moved a little farther from him. "What do you want?" he said in a very stern voice.
"Your Highness! Please don't be so mean to me. I only want to serve you." He looked at Linyu with adoring eyes. Linyu was his King, the GOD in his eyes. Ever since meeting him coincidentally, he decided to never leave his side.
Linyu was a little bit shorter than the Green Viridis Tree's spirit. This man was making Linyu uncomfortable. It was one of the reasons he tried to get away from him before.
Yi Ling was astonished. She felt like she was looking at a lover's spat. Linyu being the husband and the dashing man as the wife. Even though the dashing man looked more manly than Linyu, the latter was a bit more refined.
She shook her head, what was she thinking! But if truth be told, herbs have no genders. She laughed inside. Looks like Linyu will be getting a wife soon.
"Green Viridis, why do you keep calling me King?" Linyu asked, clearly exasperated.
"You are the King of Spirit Herbs! When I first sensed you, I felt a powerful connection, one that only a true ruler could possess," Green Viridis said with conviction.
Linyu sighed. "I am not a King. I am simply a spirit herb like you."
"No, your aura and presence command respect. Please, allow me to serve you. I promise I will not be a burden."
Yi Ling, sensing the sincerity in Green Viridis's voice, decided to intervene. "Linyu, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to have another ally. If he truly wants to serve you, why not let him?"
Linyu glanced at Yi Ling and then back at Green Viridis. "Fine, but you must respect Yi Ling as you respect me. She is our master, and her word is law."
Green Viridis bowed deeply to both of them. "Of course, I will follow her commands as if they were your own."
Yi Ling nodded, satisfied. "Alright, Green Viridis, you may accompany us. But remember, no unnecessary distractions. We have important tasks ahead."
Green Viridis nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with devotion. "Thank you, Master Yi Ling. I will not disappoint you."
As they prepared to continue their journey, Yi Ling couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. With Linyu, Tefei, and now Green Viridis by her side, she felt more confident in her quest to grow stronger and find her way back to the Jin Kingdom.