Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes

Within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's council hall, gilded floor tiles reflected the slanting sunlight from outside, yet could not dispel the sudden chill that had frozen the air. Chen Xin clenched the hilt of the Seven Kill Sword, and the blade shook violently with his movement, producing a series of faint clatters.

"What?" His voice was not loud, but it carried the piercing majesty unique to Sword Douluo, making dust on the rafters rain down. "How dared that old bastard Dugu Bo? How dared he lay a hand on Wang Chuan!"

Below, Yu Tianheng stood with his head lowered, dust from his journey still clinging to his dark armor. He did not dare meet Chen Xin's eyes and could only answer in a deep voice, "Reporting to Sword Douluo, from what I observed, Senior Dugu took Young Master Wang Chuan away into the forest outside the city yesterday. No signs of a struggle were left at the scene, but... no other clues could be found either." Though Dugu Yan had not been seen either, considering how deeply Dugu Bo doted on his granddaughter, she was likely unharmed. Wang Chuan's safety was the urgent concern.

"No traces left?" Chen Xin stepped forward, Soul Power unconsciously spilling from his body as pale blue sword qi flickered in his palm. "That Old Poison has always been ruthless. Wang Chuan is such a kind-hearted child—how could he possibly be a match for him?" The air itself seemed set ablaze by his fury, and even the embroidered palace lanterns hanging in the hall grew faintly hot.

"Uncle Jian, please calm down." Ning Fengzhi sat in the seat of honor, lightly tapping the table with his fingers. His eyes were filled with worry, but he remained composed. "Dugu Bo may be eccentric, but he is by no means reckless. He should understand what it means to touch someone valued by our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Besides, he is a free Soul Master. If he truly intends to hide, it will be difficult for us to track him with the manpower we currently have."

Chen Xin drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the rage in his heart. The blue sword qi gradually faded. He turned and walked toward the rear of the hall, his steps heavy. "Then he had better hide for the rest of his life. He must not let me find an opening." Before his words had faded, he had already circulated his Soul Power, trying to sense any lingering trace of Wang Chuan's aura. That child's Second Spirit, Ambrosial Arbor, carried a unique pulse of life. Perhaps it could provide the faintest clue.

The hall fell silent again. Ning Fengzhi watched Chen Xin's departing back, his brows tightly furrowed. He called softly toward the outside of the hall, and two guards dressed in green immediately appeared. "Pass down the order. Have the outer disciples investigate in three groups, focusing on valleys and dense forests within a hundred li outside the city. We must find Wang Chuan's whereabouts." He paused, then added, "Keep this from Rong Rong for now. If she finds out, she will likely insist on joining the search. It is too dangerous."

What Ning Fengzhi did not know was that Ning Rongrong had been clutching an embroidered handkerchief and following behind Yu Tianheng ever since he entered the sect. She had originally wanted to ask her father to accompany her to the rear mountain to pick spirit fruits, but outside the hall, she heard the words "Dugu Bo," "Wang Chuan," and "can't be found." Her heart instantly clenched, and tears rolled down like pearls from a broken string, soaking the front of her dress.

"You're all too afraid to look for him, aren't you?" She bit her lip, her voice choked with tears but filled with stubborn determination. "Brother Chuan is mine to find!" With that, she turned and tried to run toward the sect gates, only to be stopped by an elderly figure.

Gu Rong had appeared outside the hall at some point. Looking at Ning Rongrong's tear-streaked face, he sighed helplessly. "Miss Rong Rong, it is too dangerous outside. You cannot go."

"Grandpa Gu, move!" Ning Rongrong pushed hard against Gu Rong's arm, but could not move it in the slightest. "Brother Chuan was taken away by Dugu Bo! If I don't go find him, he'll be in danger!"

"Old Poison may be overbearing, but he will not harm Young Master Wang Chuan for the time being." Gu Rong tried patiently to persuade her, but Ning Rongrong could not hear a word of it and only cried and fussed more fiercely. Left with no choice, Gu Rong circulated his Soul Power, gently lifted Ning Rongrong, and sent her back to her courtyard. No matter how she cried, screamed, and smashed the teacups on the table, he simply stood guard outside without taking a single step away. He knew that stopping Miss now was the best protection he could offer her. When Ning Fengzhi learned of it, he merely nodded lightly, though the worry in his eyes deepened.

At the same time, deep within a forest that ordinary people could scarcely reach, an entirely different scene unfolded. Clouds and mist drifted through the area, and the air was thick with the fragrance of medicinal herbs, mixed with a peculiar ripple of Soul Power. On the ground, a clear spring exuded a faint chill. Not far away, another pool steamed with heat. Two utterly opposing auras intertwined, forming a marvelous balance. This was Dugu Bo's secret treasure ground—the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes.

Wang Chuan slowly opened his eyes. The moment he awoke, the surrounding aura startled him. Supporting himself against the ground, he sat up and felt the Soul Power within him stirring as though it had been awakened. In particular, his Second Spirit, Ambrosial Arbor, transmitted a joyful throb, as if it had found the environment most suited to its growth.

"Awake?" Dugu Bo's voice came from nearby. He had finished meditating and slowly walked over to Wang Chuan.

Wang Chuan looked up, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings, but he did not see Dugu Yan. He could not help frowning. "Senior, where is Senior Sister?"

"Stop looking. She isn't here." Dugu Bo placed the herbs on a stone table nearby and said evenly, "The ice and fire aura here is too concentrated. It benefits the growth of medicinal herbs, but it would harm her body. I already sent someone to take her back to the academy and had her let your family know you are safe, so they would not worry themselves sick." He paused and looked at Wang Chuan with a hint of surprise in his eyes. "As for you, kid, not only were you unaffected by this aura, but your Ambrosial Arbor spirit even benefited from it. That is quite unusual."

Hearing this, Wang Chuan felt somewhat relieved. He rose to his feet and began carefully examining his surroundings. He recognized most of the medicinal herbs here, and many were rare treasures seldom seen in the outside world. Yet he had never encountered such a peculiar environment in any text.

"Senior, this environment truly is rare," Wang Chuan praised sincerely.

A trace of pride appeared on Dugu Bo's face. He walked over to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes and pointed to the two pools. "It is normal that you have never seen it. I discovered this treasure ground by accident years ago, and it is hidden extremely well. I never gave it a name before, so from today onward, I shall simply call it the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes."

"This place belongs to you, Senior. Naturally, you should name it." Wang Chuan smiled, his gaze still lingering over the medicinal herbs around him. He could sense that every single herb here contained exceptionally pure energy.

Dugu Bo watched Wang Chuan for a moment in silence before suddenly speaking. "Kid, I acted rashly before." His voice was much gentler than it had been. "You pointed out the hidden problem with my spirit out of kindness, but because you struck a sore spot, I attacked you. I was wrong." He looked at Wang Chuan, his tone firm. "As compensation, I will give you these Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes for your use. If you wish to refine pills or cultivate here, you may come whenever you wish."

Even Wang Chuan was stunned by those words. He knew the value of this treasure ground. Setting aside the rare medicinal herbs alone, the unique ice and fire aura here would be enough to make countless Soul Masters flock to it.

"Senior, you are too generous." Wang Chuan hurriedly waved his hands. "I was also at fault in what happened before. I should not have casually exposed the issue with your spirit. These Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes are your hard-earned treasure. I cannot accept them."

"Once this old man has spoken, he does not take his words back." Dugu Bo's expression darkened, his tone turning forceful. "If you refuse, then this land will become ownerless from this day forward. Whoever wants to seize it can seize it." Though he was a Titled Douluo, he knew nothing about how to use medicinal herbs. Rather than let this treasure ground go to waste, he would rather give it to Wang Chuan, who understood such things. It would serve as both an apology and the beginning of a good relationship.

Wang Chuan looked into Dugu Bo's resolute eyes and knew he was not joking. After pondering for a moment, he finally bowed. "Since Senior insists, then this junior will gratefully accept. Thank you for your generous gift, Senior."

At last, Dugu Bo smiled faintly. He pointed toward a patch of medicinal fields in the distance. "Several recovery herbs are growing there. If you need them, pick them as you please. From now on, I will leave this place in your care."