Qian Renxue Receives a Gift, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well

"You'll know when we get there." Zhao Linchuan gave the same answer as always, keeping her in suspense.

The exquisite carriage traveled along the road outside Heaven Dou City.

Inside the carriage, Qian Renxue seemed to suddenly recall something. She took a warm jade box from her Soul Tool and held it out to Zhao Linchuan, her eyes sparkling. "Lin Chuan, open it and take a look."

Zhao Linchuan glanced at her and accepted the jade box.

It felt cool and smooth in his hands. The instant he opened the Box Lid, a heavy, majestic aura spread outward.

Inside lay a Left Leg Soul Bone that radiated a deep brown glow. As the light flowed over it, its exceptional quality was obvious.

"This is... for me?" Zhao Linchuan was somewhat surprised.

"Mhm!" Qian Renxue nodded vigorously, a bright smile on her face. "This is what I promised you before. Are you satisfied?"

Zhao Linchuan stared at the priceless Soul Bone in silence for a moment.

It was a very valuable gift, but he did not want to accept it. To put it bluntly, it was beneath his notice, because his ambitions were far greater.

Yet in the end, he gently closed the jade box and put it away.

"One should return courtesy for courtesy." He raised his eyes to Qian Renxue, an unreadable glint flashing through them. "Later, I'll prepare a 'surprise' for you too."

"Oh?" Qian Renxue was immediately intrigued. She unconsciously leaned a little closer, her eyes full of anticipation. "What kind of surprise?"

"Don't rush. First, let me explain a few things to you on the way." Zhao Linchuan waved a hand, then his expression turned serious as he began to give her a detailed introduction to certain Heaven and Earth Rare Treasures—Immortal Herbs.

He described the forms and traits of several crucial Immortal Herbs one by one, especially their terrifying effects, capable of defying heaven and changing fate and creating peak experts.

Zhao Linchuan's account sounded like something out of a myth. A single herb could create a Titled Douluo?

That completely overturned the common sense of the Soul Master world.

Yet Qian Renxue merely widened her eyes slightly and did not question him.

For some reason, she had an almost blind trust in the words of the man before her.

The composure and wisdom he possessed beyond his years had long since captivated her deeply.

No one knew how long the carriage traveled before it finally came to a slow stop.

When Qian Renxue followed Zhao Linchuan through a hidden poisonous miasma and stepped into the valley surrounded by mountains, even with all her experience and knowledge, she could not help but suck in a breath and exclaim in heartfelt amazement.

"What a... spiritual and beautiful Cave Heaven Blessed Land!"

Before them, red and white spring water was clearly divided like Tai Chi, yet existed in perfect harmony, giving off hazy vapors of blazing heat and bone-chilling cold.

Exotic flowers and strange grasses filled the valley. The dense natural essence was so rich it seemed almost tangible, and even breathing made one feel as though one's Soul Power was subtly increasing.

However, her gaze was soon drawn to a proud, solitary figure in a Dark Green Robe seated beside a Stone Table in the distance.

"Huh? That is... Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo?"

"That's right." Zhao Linchuan naturally reached out and took hold of her wrist. "Stay close to me. Many of the plants here are highly poisonous, so don't touch anything carelessly."

"Oh..." The warmth against her wrist made Qian Renxue's cheeks flush. She obediently allowed him to lead her toward the Stone Table.

"Old Man." Zhao Linchuan called out in greeting.

Hearing him, Dugu Bo slowly set down his teacup and looked over, his tone oddly sarcastic. "Well, well? A rare guest indeed!"

"What wind blew such an important, busy 'big shot' as you all the way to these Desolate Mountains and Wild Ridges of mine?"

He deliberately stressed the words "big shot." His gaze then fell upon Qian Renxue. She looked somewhat familiar, but he could not remember where he had seen her before. "And this is... your sweetheart?"

Without changing expression, Zhao Linchuan smoothly gave the excuse he had prepared long ago. "She's the niece of the aunt of the younger sister of the daughter of my Fourth Maternal Uncle from my Third Aunt's Family."

"The niece of the aunt of the younger sister of the daughter of your Fourth Maternal Uncle from your Third Aunt's Family?" Dugu Bo frowned and spent a long time counting on his fingers before suddenly realizing something. His eyes widened.

"That's not right! Aren't you an orphan, Kid?! Where did all these relatives come from?!"

Zhao Linchuan smiled but did not address the matter.

Dugu Bo had only mocked him out of habit and did not pursue it. Instead, he changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of complexity. "I heard about what happened to you, Kid."

"Putting everything else aside, leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a good move!"

He snorted, speaking with the air of someone who had been through it all. "I warned you long ago not to waste your time on that overbearing, unreasonable young miss, but you refused to listen."

"Now that you've seen sense, it can be considered a blessing." His tone shifted, and a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes as he spoke half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"Since you're free now, how about... I play matchmaker and have you become partners with my Yanzi?"

"Yanzi may be a little proud, but her heart has always been set on you. Besides, whether in looks or talent, she is first-rate."

"Her parents often mention you in front of me. They think highly of you."

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's expression instantly darkened a little. Her gaze swept toward Zhao Linchuan like a blade.

She had not known that this fellow had such ties with Dugu Bo's granddaughter.

"Ah, you terrible Old Man, can you stop making fun of me..." Zhao Linchuan quickly begged for mercy and changed the subject. "I'll go take a look at the Herb Garden first. You can keep drinking your tea."

"Kid." Dugu Bo stopped him, his tone carrying an unusual heaviness. "Remember, the affairs of this world are mostly fair."

"The more you take from here today, the heavier the karmic debt you will have to repay someday."

"When it accumulates into a mountain too great for you to ignore, don't blame this Old Man... for demanding an exorbitant price."

Zhao Linchuan did not stop walking. With his back to him, he casually waved a hand, though his voice carried clearly. "I'll remember that. When the time comes, Old Man, just name your price."

"As long as it is within my ability, there will be nothing I refuse."

"Anyway, I have nothing but this worthless life. If that day truly comes, take it if you want it."

"Good! Straightforward! This Old Man believes you!" A hint of admiration flashed through Dugu Bo's shrewd eyes. Then he looked at Qian Renxue and spoke meaningfully.

"Little girl, there is no love without reason in this world, nor is there hatred without reason."

"If someone with no relation to you is willing to devote everything to treating you well, they must be after something."

"He must have already told you about the effects of Immortal Herbs."

"The more he gives you today, the more you will have to bear in the future."

"Have you... thought it through?"

At those words, Qian Renxue gave a dazzling smile, one that appeared especially bright and beautiful beneath the glow of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.