Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well

"Is this the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well? What a sight!"

Immortal Herbs carpeted the mountains as far as the eye could see, and at the center stood two wonders born of ice and fire.

One spring held two sources: the Frigid Yin Spring and the Blazing Yang Spring, each restraining the other.

From a distance, one side looked like a volcanic crater, billowing with steam as magma churned within and scorching heat radiated from it.

On the other side stood a towering ice mountain, its surface smooth as a mirror and reflecting a frigid light.

"I won't even comment on how you're not bothering to act surprised. You could at least say you read about this in an ancient book."

As he spoke, he walked over to Yu Tianshuo and stood beside him. Together, they gazed in a daze at this wondrous work of nature.

He even murmured,

"I discovered this treasure land by chance while absorbing my Eighth Soul Ring. At first, I was simply stunned by the scenery."

"I didn't realize there was anything special about these flowers and plants. I only discovered their extraordinary properties after getting closer."

"For example, that one has poison even more terrifying than the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's."

As he spoke, he pointed to the 'Snowy Swan Kiss' and continued,

"At first, I didn't feel anything when I approached it, but the moment I touched it, its deadly poison traveled up my hand and entered my body."

"Although it strengthened my poison again, it also caused irreversible damage to my body."

"Be careful. In a moment, take the book and go through them one by—"

Only after snapping out of his memories did Dugu Bo realize that Yu Tianshuo had already started gathering Immortal Herbs with a shovel and jade boxes.

Though speechless at the sight, Dugu Bo still began identifying the Immortal Herbs based on what he had read in the book last night.

"Master, catch."

As he spoke, Yu Tianshuo tossed a jade box toward Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo caught it. Before he could ask, Yu Tianshuo began explaining its effects.

"Master, give this Calm Heart Orchid to Senior Brother later. It can mend damage to the soul."

After throwing it, he pointed to an Immortal Herb beneath a tree up ahead that resembled a Jade Phosphor Serpent.

"And that Jade Phosphor Seven-Absolute Flower over there. If you hadn't condensed a Soul Core, Master, I wouldn't dare let you absorb it."

"This herb has a high degree of compatibility with the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, and it can further strengthen and purify your poison."

"Once you absorb the Jade Phosphor Seven-Absolute Flower and fully digest it, your Martial Soul should be able to evolve further."

Seeing his disciple lost in the task, transformed into an emotionless herb-pulling machine, Dugu Bo said nothing. He simply sat cross-legged on the spot, resting his chin in his hand as he watched.

After the time it took an incense stick to burn, Yu Tianshuo finally returned to Dugu Bo with a full haul.

"Master, these are all the Immortal Herbs we can harvest normally. There are some others we'll have to wait to pick until I've absorbed a few Immortal Herbs."

As he spoke, he took a jade box out of the sack.

"Master, this is an Earth Dragon Golden Melon. It contains a trace of Earth Dragon bloodline. Later, you can combine it with other Immortal Herbs that strengthen the body and give Yanyan small amounts at a time."

"Then, with some of my blood as well, it should help Yanyan escape her troubles with poison and even evolve her Martial Soul into a dragon species."

Dugu Bo said nothing, only smiling as he looked at the disciple he had taken in.

It was easily the best decision he had ever made.

Not only had Yu Tianshuo helped him solve his family's hereditary Martial Soul problem, he had also thought of the youngest child in the family.

Dugu Bo gazed at Yu Tianshuo with pride.

But Yu Tianshuo couldn't quite handle that look. Blushing, he interrupted his master's fatherly display.

"All right, Master. Go deliver the Immortal Herbs to Senior Brother first."

"If we're lucky, we might find a suitable Soul Beast at the foot of the mountain. Once Senior Brother finishes absorbing the Immortal Herbs, he should hurry and absorb a Soul Ring."

Seeing Yu Tianshuo blush and change the subject, Dugu Bo simply continued smiling and nodded to show he understood.

With no other instructions from his disciple, Dugu Bo stood and prepared to head down the mountain to find his fool of a son.

Once Dugu Bo had left, Yu Tianshuo began absorbing the Immortal Herbs he needed.

He took a jade box from the very edge of the sack and opened it.

Inside was an Immortal Herb with a cap like a blazing sun of red gold. Blood-red dragon-scale patterns wound around its stalk, and even after being plucked, a phantom dragon accompanied it with a roar.

[Dragon Blood Red Sun Ganoderma]

This should be the most suitable Immortal Herb Yu Tianshuo could find in the Herb Garden.

Its effects were to directly temper dragon bloodlines, awaken the [Dragon Might] Domain of dragon-type Martial Souls, and improve the hardness of dragon scales and the heat of dragon breath.

Although he didn't know whether the Golden Scale Dragon Martial Soul was stronger than the Golden Dragon King, tempering his bloodline first and seeing how much it improved should tell him something.

Besides, there was a chance he could gain the [Dragon Might] Domain. That could only be a good thing.

Thinking this, he carried the Dragon Blood Red Sun Ganoderma to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, sat down, and began to regulate his breathing.

Once he had finished, Yu Tianshuo picked up the Dragon Blood Red Sun Ganoderma and swallowed it in a few bites.

Before he could even wonder what it tasted like, the Immortal Herb was absorbed by Yu Tianshuo as if returning to its embrace.

???

Yu Tianshuo was dumbfounded by what had happened.

Wait, wasn't there supposed to be an absorption process?

How did it get digested as soon as I swallowed it?

Feeling the strength he had gained from eating the Dragon Blood Red Sun Ganoderma, he took a look at the Dragon Might Domain that had begun to form.

Yu Tianshuo was utterly baffled.

Unconvinced, he took out the Immortal Herb [Jade Dragon Emperor Ginseng].

It could improve the bodies of dragon-type Martial Souls and strengthen their recovery. There was also a chance it would grant him Dragon Emperor Tyrant Body, which could temporarily triple his strength while active. This was a rare Immortal Herb indeed.

He ate it, and just like before, its energy was digested in an instant.

But this time, Yu Tianshuo sensed what was happening.

Most of the Soul Power and medicinal effects within the Immortal Herb nourished his dragon body; only a small portion helped his Soul Power grow.

With his body as powerful as it was now, he felt he could even try absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

He could more or less guess what was going on. His Martial Soul was extraordinarily powerful. Even Tang Wulin, who had the Golden Dragon King bloodline in the original story, hadn't shown this kind of effect.

Then, if I make a bold guess, could my Martial Soul be even stronger than the Golden Dragon King?

At the thought, he couldn't keep the smile off his face.

After taking some time to calm down, he turned his attention to whether he should absorb more Immortal Herbs.

In the end, he decided to eat every dragon-affiliated herb, except for the Earth Dragon Golden Melon he was saving for Yanyan.

After that, he would eat the [Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass] and [Infernal Delicate Apricot].

Though he already had decent resistance to poison, the effects of being impervious to water and fire and immune to all poisons were still incredibly appealing.

They could also form a miniature Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well inside his body, which would increase the rate at which his Soul Power grew.

All of these things could only do him good.

He acted at once, taking the Immortal Herbs that could nourish his dragon body from the sack.

Eating as he went, he headed toward the [Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass].