Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, A Domineering Demand for Dugu Bo's Submission

Three hours had passed.

Demon Subduing Douluo followed behind Ji Ye, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture as leisurely as if he were strolling through his own backyard.

"Little Ye, are you sure we haven't taken a wrong turn? If we go any further, we'll be in the poisonous miasma zone; that stuff is something even a Soul Emperor can't withstand."

"We're not wrong," Ji Ye replied without looking back.

The two walked for another hour or so. The surrounding environment grew increasingly dim, and the trees took on bizarre shapes, their trunks covered in dark green moss while vines hung down like curtains.

The humidity in the air grew heavier, and a faint, pungent, spicy scent could be detected.

Demon Subduing Douluo frowned. He stopped in his tracks and raised a hand to signal a halt.

"There is poisonous miasma ahead."

Ji Ye stopped as well, standing beside him.

His gaze pierced through the dense shadows of the trees, looking toward the faint, ethereal light green mist ahead.

"We've arrived," Ji Ye said.

Demon Subduing Douluo was stunned for a moment.

"Arrived? That's poisonous miasma ahead, are you sure?"

Ji Ye nodded.

"I'm sure. Senior, activate your Soul Power shield and take me inside."

Demon Subduing Douluo glanced at him, remained silent for two seconds, and then asked nothing more.

The Soul Power within his body surged suddenly, and a pale golden light barrier enveloped them both.

Fine patterns of Soul Power flowed across the surface of the barrier, isolating the surrounding poisonous miasma.

"Let's go."

The two stepped into the light green miasma.

The mist churned outside the Soul Power shield, emitting a faint hissing sound as it continuously corroded the barrier.

Yet, before the Soul Power of a Titled Douluo, this poisonous miasma appeared incredibly weak.

Not a single trace of toxic gas could penetrate inside.

Ji Ye walked in front with steady steps, showing not the slightest hesitation.

Demon Subduing Douluo followed behind him, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding mist, his brow never relaxing.

What kind of treasure could this godforsaken place possibly be?

After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the mist ahead suddenly began to thin.

The light grew bright once more, and their field of vision widened bit by bit.

When the last trace of green mist dissipated from his sight, the scene before him caused Demon Subduing Douluo to come to an abrupt halt.

It was a small valley surrounded on all sides by towering rock walls, which were covered in dense vines and moss.

In the center of the valley lay an irregularly shaped pool of water, its colors clearly demarcated.

One half was blue, radiating a chilling cold; the other half was crimson, like molten magma.

The two colors of water met at the boundary, yet they did not fully mix, forming a strange, curved line.

The edges of the pool were covered in all sorts of exotic plants; some bloomed with enormous flowers, some bore crystal-clear fruits, some had leaves as transparent as jade, and others shimmered with a metallic luster.

The air was filled with a rich, medicinal fragrance. Just one breath made one feel refreshed, and the flow of Soul Power within the body became noticeably smoother.

Demon Subduing Douluo stood where he was, his mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time.

"This... what is this place?"

Ji Ye walked to the edge of the pool, crouched down, and reached out to test the temperature of the blue water.

The moment he touched it, Ji Ye immediately pulled his hand back.

It was freezing!

Extreme ice!

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

"A treasure of the world."

Just then.

A majestic voice rang out.

"Who dares trespass in my herb garden?!"

Ji Ye stood up, brushed the water droplets from his hand, and turned to look in the direction of the voice.

Demon Subduing Douluo turned as well.

An old man in green robes emerged from the shadows of the rock wall.

His figure was gaunt, with a head of long green hair and a dark green robe.

He stood there, and upon seeing that the pool water remained intact, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Only then did his gaze shift to the two people by the pool.

A youth in gray and a middle-aged man.

His eyes landed on Demon Subduing Douluo, and his pupils constricted slightly.

"Someone from the Worship Hall?" Dugu Bo's voice was a few degrees lower than before, carrying a hint of vigilance.

"How did you find this place? How did you get through the poisonous miasma outside?"

Demon Subduing Douluo took the Coiling Dragon Staff off his shoulder and thrust it into the ground; the staff embedded half an inch into the soil with a dull thud.

"Old Poison, that's a boring question. How did we get in? We walked in, of course. Those poisonous miasmas of yours might stop a Spirit King or a Spirit Emperor, but they are useless against me."

The corner of Dugu Bo's mouth twitched.

The vigilance in his eyes turned into wariness.

"Demon Subduing Elder, I have always kept to myself regarding the Worship Hall. What is the meaning of you trespassing into my herb garden today?"

Demon Subduing Douluo chuckled.

"This herb garden of yours is quite nice. My little Ji Ye has taken a liking to this place; from today on, it belongs to the Worship Hall."

Dugu Bo's gaze fell on Ji Ye, looking him up and down.

He knew Demon Subduing Douluo, but he had never heard of a "little Ji Ye" in the Worship Hall.

"Senior Dugu, I am Ji Ye."

"So you're the one who said you wanted to gift my herb garden to your Worship Hall?" Dugu Bo was clearly displeased.

He had managed this place for many years; it had long since belonged to him.

"Little brat, do you know what you're saying?"

Ji Ye stood by the pool, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, a faint, elusive smile on his lips.

Threatening me?

"I know. I said that this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is now under the management of the Worship Hall. And you, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, from today on, you shall submit to the Worship Hall."

"Bullshit!" Dugu Bo's voice suddenly rose several octaves, his long green hair trembling along with him.

"I have lived for so many years, and no one has ever dared to speak to me like that!"

Demon Subduing Douluo stood to the side, and upon hearing that "bullshit," his grin widened.

Dugu Bo was courting death himself.

Ji Ye was not intimidated by the roar, his tone remaining calm.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is ownerless land; it belongs to whoever occupies it."

Dugu Bo's eyes darkened.

"I have managed this place for over twenty years—"

"Then it's our turn to manage it now." Demon Subduing Douluo interrupted him, his tone still airy, but the smile had vanished from his eyes.

"Old Poison, stop the nonsense. My little Ji Ye has taken a liking to this place. If you're sensible, leave on your own. If you're not—"

He took a step forward, and rings of spirit power lit up around the Coiling Dragon Staff.

"I'll send you on your way."

Dugu Bo's fists clenched and unclenched, then clenched again.

He glanced at the Coiling Dragon Staff in Demon Subduing Douluo's hand, then at Ji Ye standing by the pool. After a long silence, he finally squeezed a few words through his teeth.

"...What exactly do you want?"

Ji Ye looked at Dugu Bo, his tone flat yet beyond reproach.

"It's simple. This Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well belongs to the Worship Hall. You will continue to guard this place and help us tend to the herbs, and the Worship Hall will provide you with protection and cultivation resources. From today on, you are a member of the Worship Hall."