"What's going on?!"
Du Busi's expression changed drastically. He sprang upright like a startled tiger, stepped in front of Zichuan, and firmly shielded him behind himself. Dark green Soul Power instantly gathered around him as his eagle-sharp gaze swept over the countless Immortal Herbs that had "come alive" throughout the valley.
He sensed it! How could there be any ordinary medicinal herbs in this valley?
These were clearly terrifying plant-type Soul Beasts that had been lying dormant, each with cultivation of at least tens of thousands of years, perhaps even over a hundred thousand years! It was only because of this place's unusual environment, or because they had deliberately concealed themselves, that even he had been deceived until now!
"The aura of deities... It's the aura of deities!"
A voice as crisp as a young girl's yet carrying the vicissitudes of endless years rang through the air, filled with indescribable excitement.
The voice seemed not to come from any single direction, but rather from the resonance of countless thoughts.
"That's right! Deities! And... more than one?"
Another voice, deep like that of a middle-aged man, sounded out, full of uncertainty and shock.
"Destruction... and life... the two most fundamental supreme laws? How can they possibly coexist?" a voice as cold as ten-thousand-year black ice murmured, filled with confusion.
"It's that child! His forehead... look at his forehead!" another voice cried out in astonishment.
For a moment, the entire valley buzzed as countless thoughts intertwined, collided, and discussed. These Immortal Herb Soul Beasts, who usually kept themselves hidden and cultivated in silence, now seemed to have erupted into chaos.
Their cultivation was profound, and their intelligence had long since become no less than that of humans—perhaps even older. More than any other Soul Beasts, they understood what the word "deity" meant!
That was the ultimate goal they had pursued bitterly for countless ages, yet could never reach! It was the only path to transcend mortality and attain eternal immortality!
Yet now, within this secluded Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they had sensed two completely different yet equally supreme divine auras at the same time!
Even more terrifyingly, those two auras came from the same being—the black-haired boy who looked no older than six or seven and was being protected behind the green-haired human!
Their thoughts surged toward Zichuan like a tide, instantly locking onto the two God-Bestowed Marks between his brows. As the God of Destruction's aura was released, they glimmered faintly and could no longer remain hidden: a dark purple shattered star and emerald green unfurling leaf veins.
Mark of Destruction! Mark of Life!
"D-Dual Godhood Inheritance?!" The deep voice trembled.
"He bears the inheritances of the two God Kings, Destruction and Life... This..." Even the cold voice now carried shock.
"Unprecedented! Unheard of!"
The Immortal Herbs' mental fluctuations grew even more intense, and the emotions within them swiftly shifted from initial shock and horror into an indescribable fervor and... longing?
At that moment, in the central region where the Yang Spring and Ice Spring of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well met, an Immortal Herb lightly swayed. It was enveloped in a faint purple-gold radiance, shaped like a tulip yet exuding an elegant, noble aura, as though it could rule over all flowers.
The next moment, purple-gold light flared brilliantly, condensing into an illusory humanoid figure above the Immortal Herb.
The figure gradually solidified into the phantom of a handsome, refined man of indeterminate age. He wore an extravagant purple-gold robe and a jade crown.
Standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze immediately settled on Zichuan behind Du Busi, lingering for a long time on the two marks between Zichuan's brows. An incomparably complex light flashed through his eyes.
Shock, understanding, reverence, and finally a solemnity that was nearly devout.
He stepped forward, and his phantom bowed slightly toward Zichuan, performing an ancient and solemn salute.
His voice was gentle and clear, carrying a strange rhythm as it echoed through the valley and instantly suppressed all the noisy thoughts:
"Aromatic Silk Beauty of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, along with my fellow companions, greets Your Excellency."
Following his words, dazzling lights lit up everywhere throughout the valley!
At the center of the scorching Yang Spring, flames rose above an Immortal Herb that was entirely crimson and shaped like a flaming lingzhi mushroom. They condensed into the phantom of a stunning woman wearing a fiery red dress, with a voluptuous figure and a blazing pride between her brows—Infernal Delicate Apricot.
By the Cold Extreme Ice Spring, cold air gathered above an icy blue, translucent octagonal herb that seemed carved from ice crystals. It formed the phantom of a white-robed woman with silver hair and silver eyes, a cold and beautiful face, and an icy aura that warned strangers to stay away—Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.
Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Ink Jade Divine Bamboo, Earth Dragon Golden Melon, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Primordial Immortal Grass.
One figure after another manifested. Each exuded terrifyingly immense energy fluctuations and an ancient aura. They had different forms and temperaments, but at this moment, all faced Zichuan and lowered their heads slightly in respect.
Nearly all the Hundred-Thousand-Year plant-type fierce beasts of the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were gathered here!
They usually remained deeply hidden, but after sensing the aura of a successor to supreme deities, they had collectively revealed their true forms!
The purple-robed man formed by Aromatic Silk Beauty lowered his posture to the extreme. Respectfully, with a hint of cautious probing, he said:
"May we ask what orders Your Excellency has upon arriving at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? Though we are spirits of grass and wood, dwelling in this remote corner, if Your Excellency requires anything, all of us at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well are willing to serve you like loyal hounds and horses."
Now this was real prestige!
Zichuan stared at the breathtaking scene before him. Seeing these Hundred-Thousand-Year fierce beasts, each of whom could cause the entire continent to tremble if placed outside, treating him—a "six-year-old child"—with such respect, left his mind blank for a moment.
But he quickly understood. A successor of deities!
On Douluo Continent, especially in the eyes of these Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts who had lived for countless years and bitterly pursued the divine path, that identity carried a weight greater than mountains! Especially his Dual Godhood Inheritance—it was even more astonishing!
So this was what the God of Destruction meant by "guaranteed satisfaction"? This was why he had the confidence to bring him here now? They had not come to take a risk—they had come to... receive "tribute"?
Zichuan instantly understood, and at the same time gave the God of Destruction a thumbs-up in his heart. Old Zi, solid!
"Old Zi, is this the surprise you prepared for me?" he asked inwardly, unable to hide his excitement.
"Hmph, what else would it be?" The God of Destruction's voice carried undisguised smugness.
"Just an Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, along with a few grass-and-wood spirits—do they deserve to put on airs before you? The moment I leaked even a trace of my aura, they had to come kneeling to welcome you! So, satisfying, right? From today onward, this place is your backyard. Whichever Immortal Herb here catches your eye, take your pick!"
Zichuan looked at the dazzling array of "Hundred-Thousand-Year Immortal Herbs" before him, and even his breathing became hurried.
Take his pick? The temptation was enormous! His Heart of Destruction now had its first Soul Ring, while the Heart of Life was still empty. And after reaching level 20, he could attach another Soul Ring.
In other words, he currently had three vacant Soul Ring slots: the second ring for Destruction, and the first and second rings for Life!
If he could obtain the Soul Rings of these top-tier Immortal Herbs... the prospect was too beautiful to imagine!
"But..." Zichuan suddenly thought of a crucial question, and the blazing excitement in his heart cooled slightly.
"Old Zi, these Immortal Herbs are all at the Hundred-Thousand-Year level. Can my body withstand a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring right now?" Even with two hearts and the healing of the Heart of Life, absorbing a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring at level 20 sounded no different from suicide.
"Who told you to absorb them?" the God of Destruction said in a tone that practically asked, Are you stupid?
"Huh? If I don't absorb Soul Rings, then how..."
"Make them sacrifice themselves!" The God of Destruction said it casually, as naturally as if he were saying, "Have them pick the fruit for you."
Before you continue