Ice Fire Refined Golden Body, Fifth Soul Ring

Ice Fire Refined Golden Body, Fifth Soul Ring

The two extreme pools of water with utterly opposing attributes within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well continuously dissolved into vapor and drifted into the air, turning into dense white mist that added a touch of mystery to the surroundings.

Cold Sky Spear in hand, Shen Hanyu swiftly plucked two completely different top-grade, highly toxic immortal medicinal herbs.

The Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass respectively represented intense fire poison and rare frost poison. Yet, if consumed together and supplemented by the spring water of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they could forge Ice and Fire Immunity. They could also strengthen one's constitution into a body immune to all poisons, greatly enhancing physical fitness.

This was precisely what Shen Hanyu sought. An incomparably powerful physique was something no formidable Battle Soul Master could resist.

Shen Hanyu used the tip of his spear to pick the two immortal herbs, then swiftly swallowed them. An extreme heat abruptly erupted within his body, nearly making him feel as though he had plunged into magma.

A moment later, an indescribable chill surged out from his internal organs and spread through his entire body, nearly freezing even his blood and meridians.

Enduring the agonizing pain throughout his body, Shen Hanyu said softly:

"Senior Dugu, I'll have to trouble you to stand guard for me."

Then he leaped forward and plunged straight into the point where the two differently colored pools met, slowly sinking beneath the surface...

On a huge boulder by the shore, Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back. There was neither sorrow nor joy in his eyes, yet a deep tremor stirred within them. He then slowly sat cross-legged and waited quietly at the perimeter...

A day and a night soon passed...

Shen Hanyu suddenly opened his eyes, then burst from the pool in a single leap. Soaked from head to toe like a drowned rat, he landed on the earth by the shore.

After Shen Hanyu coughed twice, an indescribably powerful sensation filled his body. He straightened up, his bones crackling loudly as his height increased a little more.

"Not bad. As expected of two superb top-grade immortal herbs. Not only has my physical fitness more than doubled, but this Ice and Fire Immunity and poison-immune constitution are practically perfect. In that case, when I obtain my sixth—or even seventh—Soul Ring, I can begin absorbing Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings. That plan can also begin taking shape..."

As Shen Hanyu coughed violently several times, the residual energy within his body was completely refined, transforming into the purest Soul Power and nourishing every corner of his body.

Dugu Bo appeared before him, a trace of shock on his face. He quickly placed a hand on Shen Hanyu's shoulder, sending a gentle stream of Soul Power into his body to inspect it. The result left his face filled with disbelief.

"Kid, you really are a little monster. If you weren't standing right here, I'd truly suspect that you were a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form. With such terrifying physical fitness, even an ordinary Soul Sage would probably be no better than this..."

Shen Hanyu gave a muffled laugh and said:

"My Martial Soul is the top-tier Tool Martial Soul, the Cold Sky Spear, and my family is in the medicinal herb business. Ever since I was young, I've consumed plenty of precious medicinal herbs that strengthened my foundation, replenished my vitality, and opened my meridians. On top of that, I began traveling alone to train when I was eight, and I started absorbing Soul Rings beyond my level from my very first Soul Ring. If I didn't have some capital to rely on, I don't even know how many times I would've died."

Dugu Bo patted Shen Hanyu's shoulder. His gaze was complicated as he said:

"Your Martial Soul is unique and powerful. Compared with the Clear Sky Hammer, it could even be said to be superior. It's just that although the Clear Sky Sect has gone into seclusion, its prestige remains. Otherwise, within thirty years, the title of the world's number one Tool Martial Soul will sooner or later belong to you."

Shen Hanyu snorted coldly and said:

"Those cowards from the Clear Sky Sect only know how to bully the weak and fear the strong. They possess great strength, yet lack the determination and resolve to match it. I only hope they don't block my path. Otherwise, if the chance arises, I won't mind leaving no one in the Clear Sky Sect alive."

Dugu Bo sighed inwardly but did not refute him. He merely said:

"You may appear calm and peaceful, but your killing intent is buried deep within."

Dugu Bo paused before continuing:

"What is truly terrifying on the continent has never been an expert whose reputation and killing intent spread far and wide, but an outsider who knows how to conceal and disguise himself. If such a person acts at a critical moment, he can alter the continent's entire balance of power. Kid, you are like that outsider. You clearly aren't part of the game, yet the feeling you give me is that you are the game itself. Impossible to see through, impossible to fathom."

Shen Hanyu rolled his eyes and said:

"Senior Dugu, there has never been any right or wrong on the continent, only strength and weakness. Besides, we're comrades standing on the same side now. Would I really set you up?"

Dugu Bo said nothing, but his eyes seemed to say, I feel like you're exactly that kind of person...

Shen Hanyu felt somewhat wronged. He had clearly only been a little arrogant. Why did they have to slander such a good and handsome man as him...

Two and a half days later.

The Mixed Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Two figures swiftly weaved through the branches of ancient trees that blotted out the sky and sun. Beneath their feet was not solid ground, but bubbling marshland. From time to time, they could see quite a few crocodiles lying on raised patches like rotting logs, basking in the already weak sunlight.

A jade-green figure led the way, while a white figure followed not far behind. The two continuously traveled deeper into the forest, disturbing many resting Soul Beasts.

A moment later, Dugu Bo stopped. Shen Hanyu landed beside him and said gravely:

"This area is far too quiet. It doesn't resemble the Mixed Zone of the Star Dou Great Forest at all. Senior Dugu, are you certain there is a Purple Gold Profound Ice Beast here with over Fifty Thousand Years of cultivation? Those Soul Beasts are naturally savage and warlike. How could the place they inhabit be this quiet? There isn't even the slightest trace of an aura."

Dugu Bo's expression was not much better. After a long while, he said:

"I once saw that beast here. At the time, I brought people here to obtain my ninth Soul Ring, and one of the Soul Sages traveling with us died to that beast's sneak attack. I just never expected that after a few decades, this place would change so drastically, turning from a forest into marshland. Even I don't understand it."

Shen Hanyu said nothing after hearing this. After consuming the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, his Mental Power, now comparable to that of a Soul Sage, continuously swept across every inch of the surrounding area, yet he still discovered nothing.

After carefully sensing the surroundings, Dugu Bo looked toward one direction and said:

"This way. Follow me." With that, he rapidly headed in that direction.

Shen Hanyu did not hesitate in the slightest and hurried after him.

After traveling for roughly the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, Dugu Bo stopped atop the tallest ancient tree, seemingly waiting for Shen Hanyu.

The surrounding vegetation gradually became sparser, and the water began to flow. Shen Hanyu knew this was a sign that they were nearing a river.

Looking at the increasingly sparse grass and trees around him, Shen Hanyu felt an inexplicable unease. He quickly came to stand beside Dugu Bo and surveyed the area ahead, as well as the clearly visible river surface. Startled, he could not help but say:

"Why are there so many Swamp Crocodiles and Spined Earth Crocodiles here?"

Across the broad river, groups upon groups of crocodiles nearly covered the entire waterway as though they cost nothing. Their pairs of cold eyes were all fixed on a certain spot on the river's surface, while an inexplicable, grim killing aura filled the area and lingered without fading...