Picking the Immortal Herbs beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was both a test for Yu Tiancheng and a perfect opportunity to verify the legacy of the Myriad Poisons True Explanation.
He held a specially made jade knife and bent down toward the Infernal Delicate Apricot.
The instant the blade touched its stem, a wave of scorching heat hit him, and faint ripples even shimmered in the air.
Sizzle—
The jade knife sliced cleanly through the stem, and the fiery red Immortal Herb fell.
The moment it left the earth, the temperature around them plummeted, as though the herb had drained away all the heat.
Yu Tiancheng reacted at once, producing a Cold Jade Box and sealing the herb inside. The entire movement was smooth and effortless, taking no more than three breaths.
Dugu Bo stood to one side, his eyelids twitching as he watched. "Kid, that was... more skillful than the old hands who've been picking herbs for decades."
"The book has the method." Yu Tiancheng wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned toward the other side.
The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass was entirely ice-blue, rooted quietly at the edge of the cold spring.
This time, he covered both hands in silvery-white Time-Space Power before daring to reach out.
Even so, the instant his fingertips touched the leaves, a bone-chilling cold pierced him to the marrow. His fingers visibly turned bluish-purple.
"Three, two, one—"
Yu Tiancheng counted silently, flicked his wrist, and plucked the Immortal Herb.
Almost at the same moment, the Warm Jade Box was ready to catch the ice herb just as it began to melt. The lid snapped shut, sealing in the cold.
"That was close." He let out a long breath.
Dugu Bo shook his head with a wry smile. "I've guarded this treasure trove for decades. I knew these flowers and plants were extraordinary, but not their names, much less how to pick them. I've certainly learned something today."
The most demanding one was the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.
At midnight, Yu Tiancheng sat cross-legged beside the Immortal Herb, his Spiritual Power intensely focused.
Under the moonlight, dewdrops began to form on the crystalline leaves—one, then a second, then a third. Each drop was as clear as a gem.
Now!
He tilted the Jade Bottle, and all three drops of Immortal Dew fell into it almost simultaneously. He sealed it in one smooth motion.
The whole process was as fast as lightning. From the dew forming to its collection, it took no more than three breaths.
As for the Aromatic Silk Beauty, it grew in the most secluded crevice where ice and fire met.
Following the special method recorded in the Myriad Poisons True Explanation, Yu Tiancheng carefully extracted it with its roots and surrounding soil intact, then placed it in a specially made jade box.
Over two days and two nights, all twelve Immortal Herbs were safely gathered.
After the last Immortal Herb had been properly stored, he was so exhausted he could barely stand. But looking at what he had gathered filled him with joy.
At dusk on the third day, the setting sun draped the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in golden-red light.
Yu Tiancheng laid out the Immortal Herbs one by one. Their colorful radiance mingled, making the entire valley look like a fairyland.
"Today, let's divide up these herbs." Yu Tiancheng looked at the group, smiling.
He first picked up the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and walked over to Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong was taken aback. "For me?"
"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum can make the body as strong as steel." Yu Tiancheng explained earnestly, "Your Fire Dragon Martial Soul is powerful, but defense is its weakness. This flower can strengthen your body from the ground up. When you try to break through to Titled Douluo, it'll improve your chances by at least thirty percent."
Liu Erlong looked at the golden chrysanthemum, then at her nephew's sincere expression. Warmth welled up in her heart. She accepted it and said softly, "You really shouldn't have. Something this precious..."
"You're the closest person I have in this world." Yu Tiancheng smiled. "Besides, this Immortal Herb will be of the greatest use to you."
Liu Erlong didn't refuse again. She carefully put it away, already resolved to return and cultivate in seclusion so she could refine it.
Next was the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid.
Yu Tiancheng walked over to Dugu Bo. "Senior, this is the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid. It's especially effective at strengthening the body and restoring vitality."
"You've only just recovered from the poison, and your body is weak and your foundation damaged. This flower will help you recover quickly and nourish your foundation, allowing your cultivation to rise another level."
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up. "Good! Then I won't stand on ceremony!"
He took the Immortal Orchid and sat cross-legged on the spot to refine it.
The orchid melted in his mouth into a gentle, warm current that coursed through his body. Soul Power surged around the old poison master, and his aura steadily climbed—
From the middle stage of level ninety-three, to the late stage, then the peak!
In just half an hour, his cultivation had reached the peak of level ninety-three, a hair's breadth away from level ninety-four!
Dugu Bo opened his eyes, which gleamed brightly. "What a treasure! I feel at least twenty years younger!"
Yu Tiancheng smiled and turned to Ye Lingling, taking out the jade box holding the Aromatic Silk Beauty.
"Miss Ye, this flower is called the Aromatic Silk Beauty. It can elevate the Martial Soul Origin." His voice grew solemn. "The Nine Heart Begonia has been constrained by the Twin Birth Curse for centuries. Perhaps this flower can break it."
After all, in the original story, Ning Rongrong had taken this Immortal Herb and even transformed her Martial Soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Even if taking this herb didn't break Ye Lingling's limitation, her Martial Soul would still undergo a qualitative leap.
Ye Lingling's hands trembled slightly as she took the jade box. "Break the limitation? Is that... possible?"
"Try it and see." Yu Tiancheng encouraged her.
Ye Lingling took a deep breath and opened the jade box. The golden Aromatic Silk Beauty shimmered. She parted her lips and swallowed the Immortal Herb.
The moment the petals entered her mouth, they melted into golden liquid like fine nectar, which merged into her blood within seconds.
The next instant—
Hum!
The Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul appeared of its own accord! A pale blue flower bloomed above Ye Lingling's head. Beside its original nine petals, a tenth slowly grew, then an eleventh... until it stopped at eighteen!
The flower's color shifted from pale blue to a brilliant purple-gold, and its healing aura grew several times stronger.
Soul Power surged around Ye Lingling, rising all the way from level thirty-five to level forty!
More importantly, Ye Lingling could clearly feel it: deep within her Martial Soul Origin, the curse that had plagued her family for centuries had shattered!
"It really... it really broke..." Ye Lingling's voice choked with emotion. She bowed deeply to Yu Tiancheng. "The Nine Heart Begonia Clan will remember this kindness forever!"
She couldn't imagine how thrilled her grandmother and mother would be when they heard the news.
If her family had known this secret sooner, perhaps her father...
Yu Tiancheng hurriedly helped her up. "Miss Ye, you're too kind."
Last came the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.
Yu Tiancheng handed the Jade Bottle to Dugu Yan. "Miss Yan, this dew improves eyesight and Spiritual Power. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul requires precise control to wield poison, so this is perfect for you."
Dugu Yan took the Jade Bottle, her eyes reddening. "Yu Tiancheng, thank you... truly..."
She swallowed the Immortal Dew, and a pale blue glow immediately appeared in her eyes. Her eyesight and Spiritual Power increased several times over. She could even clearly see the Soul Power flowing through the air!
Her Soul Power also soared from level thirty-eight to level forty-three!
She didn't know how she could ever repay this kindness.
Yu Tiancheng simply smiled. He had helped them cure their poison and gained Immortal Herbs in return. They had both gotten what they needed.
He carefully put away the seven remaining Immortal Herbs, already knowing what he planned to do with them.
After dividing the herbs, Yu Tiancheng sat cross-legged beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and took out the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.
"Next, I'm going to use these two Immortal Herbs to temper my body." He looked at the group. "Please guard me."
Liu Erlong immediately replied, "Don't worry."
Dugu Bo nodded solemnly. "With me here, no one will disturb you."
Yu Tiancheng took a deep breath and put both Immortal Herbs into his mouth at once.
The power of ice and fire erupted!
Before you continue