Leaving Seclusion, Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well

Time passed second by second. Qian Daoliu quietly stood guard within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, waiting for them to finish absorbing the herbs.

The first to wake was Qian Xunji. After all, he had the highest cultivation, and he had been the first to take an Immortal Herb.

As soon as he opened his eyes, Qian Xunji felt refreshed and invigorated. The Immortal Herb's power had nourished his body, purifying the light and fire attributes within him and greatly increasing his potential.

"Truly a wondrous treasure."

Qian Xunji looked at his hands, beaming with delight. "This Immortal Herb is truly excellent. If everyone in the Spirit Hall took one, our strength would soar to the heavens in a single bound."

"Indeed."

Qian Daoliu walked over slowly. "But, Ji'er, this must be kept secret. No one outside the elders of the Worship Hall can be told."

"I understand."

Qian Xunji naturally nodded in agreement.

"Also, Father, what should we do with this man named Dugu Bo?"

Qian Daoliu pondered for a moment, then waved a hand. "It doesn't matter. Since Xiao Ban spoke up, we'll spare his life. I trust he understands the consequences of betraying the Spirit Hall."

"Yes."

Their conversation had been overheard by Dugu Bo, who had just woken nearby. The two had noticed him waking and deliberately said those things to put him on notice.

Dugu Bo naturally chose to keep their secret. He was also surprised that Ban Shu held such a high position in the Spirit Hall—that a single word from him could decide something so important.

When Dugu Bo walked over, the two Qian men tacitly fell silent. Dugu Bo was happy enough to enjoy the quiet. As dusk fell, he gathered some firewood and set up camp nearby, waiting for the other two to wake.

"Gentlemen, I have some excellent tea. Would you care to join me for a taste?"

The sun sank below the western hills, and darkness fell over the sky. Firelight played across the three men's faces, revealing nothing of their expressions.

Dugu Bo added wood to the fire as he watched the two from the corner of his eye. They had nothing in common to talk about, and the atmosphere was stiff.

At last, in the middle of the night, a purple light began to flicker. The father and son of the Qian Family sprang to their feet and went to Bibi Dong's side.

"What a powerful dark attribute!"

Qian Xunji was a little surprised. With the sacred attribute of his Angel Spirit, he was unusually sensitive to this kind of Martial Soul. Still, Douluo did not regard every dark Martial Soul as belonging to an Evil Soul Master.

Those who became Fallen Ones in Douluo were almost all extremely wicked. It was rare for someone to be forced into becoming an Evil Soul Master.

"After receiving the power of this Immortal Herb, Dong'er's Twin Martial Souls will surely advance further. But the risks will increase along with them."

Only then did Dugu Bo realize that the child before him had Twin Martial Souls. He looked at her in surprise.

The Spirit Hall was the Spirit Hall, all right. Its geniuses came in droves. Judging by Ban Shu, his talent was surely no less than this girl's.

"Phew..."

Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes after absorbing the Immortal Herb's medicinal power. Seeing Qian Xunji and Qian Daoliu, she smiled and stood up. "Teacher, Grandpa Qian, my Soul Power has increased so much! A full five levels!"

"What?"

Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji exchanged a glance, both showing their surprise. They had expected the Immortal Herb to increase her Soul Power, but hadn't expected a single herb to give her such a great gain.

"Oh, right. Where's Xiao Ban?"

Bibi Dong looked around, puzzled when she didn't see the person who should have been there.

"Xiao Ban found a suitable Immortal Herb too. He took it and is refining it. We just need to wait for him here."

Qian Daoliu didn't say exactly where Ban Shu had gone. Telling her would only make her worry. In his spiritual perception, Ban Shu was still doing just fine in the spring.

In fact, the energy within him was almost overflowing from the spring. Qian Daoliu had no idea which Immortal Herb he'd eaten for its effects to be so powerful.

"..."

A day passed quickly, and those waiting outside the spring grew anxious.

Bibi Dong especially kept glancing around, trying to figure out where Ban Shu was.

But the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well was only so big. She looked all around and still got nowhere.

"Grandpa Qian, where is Ban Shu?"

Qian Daoliu knew he couldn't keep hiding it forever, so he pointed to the Ice and Fire Spring Eye. "Xiao Ban is actually inside the spring eye. I don't know how he managed it, but he's definitely not in any danger."

"Really?"

Bibi Dong looked toward the distant Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. She didn't understand its power, but from how scorching hot and bitterly cold it felt, it was clearly no harmless place.

Dugu Bo studied it carefully before reaching a conclusion. "This spring is extremely dangerous. Even ordinary Titled Douluo wouldn't dare touch it. Xiao Ban must have used some special method, so there's no need to worry."

"Don't worry."

Qian Xunji patted Bibi Dong on the shoulder. "Xiao Ban won't die so easily. The person he loves most is here, after all."

At that, Bibi Dong's face turned scarlet. "Teacher, what are you talking about? Xiao Ban is still so young. How could he..."

"Hahahaha."

Qian Xunji laughed heartily. "Do you think your teacher can't see what's in your hearts? You're both still young and need to focus on cultivating. Once you're both grown, I'll personally arrange everything for you."

Bibi Dong covered her face, her voice muffled as she spoke. "Then... thank you, Teacher."

"I just don't know whether Xiao Ban likes me." Bibi Dong slowly lowered her hands and stared blankly at the spring eye.

"Heh heh."

Qian Xunji patted her reassuringly. "Don't worry. I've seen how the two of you get along. Xiao Ban may be a bit dense, but he's not completely clueless."

"All you need to do is tell him how you feel. With his status and abilities now, plenty of girls will like him. You'd better be careful."

"Hmph, how could I ever lose to those ugly girls out there!" Bibi Dong lifted her chin, looking proud.

"Hahahaha!"

Three days passed quickly. Ban Shu remained motionless in the spring the whole time. If Qian Daoliu hadn't been able to sense his spiritual fluctuations, he would have thought the boy was gone.

Finally, at noon on the third day, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well suddenly began to boil. Bubbles of all sizes rose to the surface and burst.

Bang!

With a loud blast, Ban Shu leaped out of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in a pose fit for the Great Sage emerging into the world.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

After climbing onto the bank, Ban Shu coughed a few times, then slowly stood up.

Bibi Dong hurried over at the sound and saw Ban Shu emerge from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, completely naked.

"Ah!"

Bibi Dong shrieked and hurriedly covered her eyes. "X-Xiao Ban, what are you doing!"