At that thought, Gui Mengguan smiled at Qianjun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo, then trotted out a lie he had prepared long ago. "So that's how it is. I happened to find a damaged ancient book tucked away in the Spirit Hall Library. It only said a few things: deep in Sunset Forest, there's a blessed land called the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, filled with rare treasures. But a powerful natural formation guards it, and ordinary people can't even find the entrance. You have to wait for the formation to weaken with time before you can get in. I thought it was a famous secret realm. I never expected even you two grandpas hadn't heard of it."
"A fragment of an ancient book from the Spirit Hall Library?"
Falling Devil Douluo raised an eyebrow and glanced at Qianjun Douluo, thoughtful. The Spirit Hall Library held a vast collection, especially in the Worship Hall's restricted archives. It really did contain many fragments handed down from ancient times, some with only a few words about secret realms. The brothers spent most of their time guarding the Worship Hall and rarely read such miscellaneous records. It was hardly surprising they had never heard of this one.
Qianjun Douluo frowned slightly. "Sunset Forest may not be among the most dangerous places, but thousand-year and Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts roam its depths. It's full of danger. Even if there is a blessed land protected by a natural formation, it's not something you children can go looking for now."
"Oh, come on, my dear grandpas!"
Qian Gujue was the first to protest. He loved roaming around, and the mention of a blessed land made his eyes light up. "It's just Sunset Forest! With you two around, not even a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast could hurt us, let alone a thousand-year one. Let's just take a look! Even if we can't find the entrance, we can treat it as a training trip to hunt Soul Beasts!"
"Exactly!"
Oupai immediately backed him up. "If the blessed land in that ancient book really exists, it's an opportunity for Spirit Hall. Of course we should take a look. And if we don't find it, we haven't lost anything."
Gui Mengguan added gently, "Grandpas, let's just go and see. We promise not to wander off. We'll follow your instructions."
Tang San spoke at just the right moment, calm but certain. "Grandpas, I think we should go too. If such a place exists, it would be a shame to miss it. And if the ancient book was wrong, there's no harm in treating the trip as training."
He already had plans of his own.
He had come to this world with all the Tang Sect's arts from his previous life: Hidden Weapons, poison techniques, medicine-making, and cultivation methods. He knew them all.
Over the years at Spirit Hall, he had managed to pass off much of his knowledge as talent. But he could not hide how much more he knew than his peers forever. Someday, someone would notice and ask where it had all come from.
At first, he could claim he had thought of it himself, or learned it from books in the library. But those excuses would only hold up for so long.
If the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well really existed, he would have a perfect explanation for everything.
He could say he had found a cave dwelling left by someone before him at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, with Tang Sect texts and teachings hidden inside. All his knowledge could be traced back to it.
That would explain where his knowledge came from and let him use every Tang Sect art openly, without hiding them or inventing more excuses.
Besides, the immortal herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well held an irresistible appeal for him.
The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, the Infernal Delicate Apricot, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red that could rebuild a body, the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng—each one could make his path of cultivation smoother.
All four children chimed in, pleading and cajoling, their eyes full of hope.
Qianjun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo exchanged a helpless look.
These four children were Spirit Hall's future, treasures everyone cherished. Even if they wanted to visit the outskirts of Star Dou Forest, the brothers would have to go along and protect them, let alone take a look around Sunset Forest.
And with the two of them there, they could certainly keep all four children safe.
"Very well."
Qianjun Douluo finally relented and waved a hand. "Since you all want to go, we'll stop at a nearby city for a day, then head to Sunset Forest first thing tomorrow. But I'm warning you now: once we get there, you'll do exactly as we say. No wandering off on your own. Understood?"
"Understood! Thank you, Grandpa!" the four children answered in unison, their eyes bright.
Gui Mengguan, Qian Gujue, and Oupai exchanged glances, each seeing the others' smiles.
Whether they got their hands on the immortal herbs or not, they could at least reach the place first and learn how the formation worked.
They were determined to seize Douluo Continent's greatest opportunity before anyone else.
Tang San leaned against the carriage window, watching the scenery rush past as he rubbed his fingertips together. Anticipation flashed in his eyes.
The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. The perfect excuse for the Tang Sect inheritance. And those immortal herbs that could change my fate...
I have to go to Sunset Forest.
Qian Gujue sprang up from his seat, twirling the Coiling Dragon Staff neatly in his palm. "This is great! Thank you, Grandpa Falling Devil! Let's not waste time going back to Spirit City. We can head straight toward Sunset Forest, spend tonight in nearby Luo Ke City, stock up on supplies, and enter the forest first thing tomorrow. Much easier!"
"Exactly!"
Oupai nodded at once. With a flick of his fingers, a small, finely crafted Godly Zhuge Crossbow Martial Soul appeared faintly in his palm. Its mechanism gave a crisp click. "Going to Spirit City and back would waste three days. There's no need."
Gui Mengguan joined in, smiling at the two Titled Douluo. "Grandpa Qianjun, Grandpa Falling Devil, we all want to see it as soon as possible. With you two there, the outer and middle parts of Sunset Forest won't be dangerous. Please let us go straight there?"
Tang San nodded slightly. A few strands of Blue Silver Grass marked with golden lines appeared in his palm, their leaves swaying gently. "Grandpas, I agree we should go straight there. My Blue Silver Grass can sense nearby life and help us avoid Soul Beasts. It can also strengthen everyone's vitality. We'll be fine."
The four children took turns arguing their case, hope shining in their eyes. Qianjun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo exchanged another helpless look. These four were Spirit Hall's pride and joy, and they had all been spoiled enough to have minds of their own. But they had a point. With the brothers' strength, taking them into Sunset Forest should pose no real problem.
"All right, all right. You little rascals win." Falling Devil Douluo waved a hand with a rueful smile. "We'll stop in Luo Ke City tonight and enter Sunset Forest first thing tomorrow. But I'm warning you: once we're in the forest, you don't leave our sides. Not even for a step. Understood?"
"Understood! Thank you, Grandpa Falling Devil! Thank you, Grandpa Qianjun!" the four children answered in unison, their eyes lighting up.
The carriage immediately changed course and headed for Luo Ke City.
In less than half a day, they reached the recently prosperous city.
Qianjun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo spared no expense. They booked the best rooms at an inn, then sent the four children to buy supplies.
Oupai had nothing in particular he wanted to buy, so he simply looked around. Qian Gujue picked out practical camping gear and powder to ward off poison. Gui Mengguan took Tang San along to buy plenty of jade boxes for storing plant samples, preparing for their coming visit to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
Before you continue