Journey to Sunset Forest

Chrysanthemum Douluo's gaze flickered slightly.

"And another thing..."

Fang Mo continued, "My physical foundation is too weak. Although my meridians have been strengthened by Whale Rubber, my bones and tendons still need further development."

"So what you need is..."

"Immortal Herbs that strengthen the tendons and bones and improve one's constitution. They don't need to be especially precious; ordinary-quality ones will do.

At the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, I don't need to claim the best resources. Leave those for those who need them more."

Chrysanthemum Douluo quietly watched Fang Mo, the emotions in his eyes growing complicated.

A six-year-old child was giving up top-grade Immortal Herbs that were within easy reach, yielding the best resources to others.

Such magnanimity...

Chrysanthemum Douluo recalled his younger days, when he had traveled to every corner of the continent in search of the legendary Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, even falling out with others over it.

Chrysanthemum Douluo fell silent for a moment.

"This old man understands. Leave the matter of the Azure Soul-Condensing Orchid to me.

As for Immortal Herbs suitable for strengthening your constitution, I will also help you look for them at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

There is an Immortal Herb there called the Earth-Spring Golden Lotus. Its quality is not top-tier, but it is exceptionally effective at nourishing the tendons and bones. It is most suitable for your current condition."

Fang Mo gave Chrysanthemum Douluo a slight nod.

"Thank you, Elder Chrysanthemum."

"Don't thank me."

Chrysanthemum Douluo waved his hand and picked up the golden chrysanthemum again, his tone returning to its usual languidness.

"Helping you is also helping myself. To see the legendary Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well with my own eyes has been this old man's lifelong wish."

Fang Mo turned and walked toward the door.

Chrysanthemum Douluo suddenly called out from behind him.

"Young master."

Fang Mo stopped walking but did not turn around.

"This old man has lived most of his life and seen countless geniuses," Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice came from behind him. "But someone like you... this is the first time I've seen one."

Fang Mo did not respond.

He pushed open the door and stepped into the corridor.

Watching Fang Mo's receding figure, Yue Guan, Chrysanthemum Douluo, finally understood.

Why Spirit Hall's Golden Generation had delayed obtaining their Soul Rings and breaking through, and why the Pope had informed him in advance that they would need to go out tomorrow.

So it was all for the legendary Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

The following morning.

Pope Palace was busier than usual.

Two units of the Pope's Guard assembled in the front courtyard. Warhorses neighed, and the clatter of armor rose and fell without pause.

Golden Crocodile Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo stood nearby, while Chrysanthemum Douluo inspected the case he carried with him, which held all sorts of specialized tools for harvesting Immortal Herbs.

Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei, was as silent as ever, hidden in the shadows with only a pair of dark eyes visible.

Bibi Dong stood on the steps before the main entrance of Pope Palace, dressed in her dark purple armored robe. She was not wearing her papal crown, and her long hair was tied high.

Her gaze swept over everyone present before finally settling on Fang Mo's group.

Fang Mo stood among the group, shoulder to shoulder with Qian Renxue, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

The five stood in a row, like five blades yet to be drawn.

Qian Renxue stood to Fang Mo's right, her eyes carrying a faint trace of anticipation.

Fang Mo had told her that he had asked Chrysanthemum Douluo about Immortal Herbs, though he had not mentioned the Azure Soul-Condensing Orchid by name.

Qian Renxue had remained silent for a long time after hearing that.

Then, she spoke.

"Fang Mo."

"Hmm?"

"You've always been thinking of Mother."

"No matter which mother it is, you're always trying to find a way for her. And I... can't do anything."

Fang Mo turned to look at her.

Sunlight fell across Qian Renxue's profile, tracing a gentle outline.

At nine years old, Qian Renxue's brows and features had already begun to reveal the noble bearing unique to the Six-Winged Angel.

Yet at this moment, her expression was soft, tinged with a hint of self-reproach.

"You've already done very well."

Fang Mo spoke softly.

Qian Renxue was slightly stunned.

"Your very existence is her greatest comfort."

Fang Mo's tone was calm. "You don't need to do anything special. You only need to be there, somewhere she can see you, living well and growing stronger."

Qian Renxue's lips trembled slightly.

She said nothing, only quickly turned her head away. Her golden hair fell along both sides of her cheeks, concealing her expression.

But Fang Mo saw that the tips of her ears had turned red.

The silence lasted a long time.

Then Qian Renxue suddenly reached out and gently grasped Fang Mo's wrist.

Her fingers were slender and slightly cool, her fingertips carrying a faint floral fragrance.

"Little Brother Fang Mo."

"Mm."

"Thank you."

Qian Renxue spoke very softly, as if afraid the wind would carry her words away.

"Not only for Mother." Her hand tightened slightly. "But for me too."

"Only after you came did I learn..." Qian Renxue's voice dropped to a near whisper. "So this is what it feels like to be cared for."

Bibi Dong glanced at the two of them, then turned around to face everyone.

"Set out."

Her voice was not loud, yet everyone present heard it clearly.

Six Title Douluo-level combatants, along with five geniuses from Spirit Hall's younger generation.

The lineup of this team was unprecedented even in the history of the entire Douluo Continent.

Fang Mo jumped into the carriage and took a seat by the window.

Qian Renxue followed him aboard and naturally sat beside him.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue sat opposite them, while Yan was squeezed into a corner, seemingly still muttering something under his breath.

The carriage slowly set off, leaving Spirit City through its northern gate and traveling north along the official road.

Toward Sunset Forest.

There lay the opportunity that had belonged to Tang San in the original story, but this time, it would belong to Fang Mo and Spirit Hall.

At that moment, Fang Mo was thinking of something else.

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

It was a forbidden land protected by a poison array, occupied by Dugu Bo in the original story.

The poisonous mist was a natural barrier formed over tens of thousands of years. Ordinary Soul Masters would die the moment they stepped inside.

Was Dugu Bo still the Poison Douluo entrenched deep within Sunset Forest?

Fang Mo was not sure.

Since he had transmigrated to Douluo Continent, the butterfly effect had already begun to appear.

Qian Renxue had not gone undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire, Bibi Dong had gained control of Spirit Hall ahead of time, and the secret of Whale Rubber had been discovered early...

Every event that diverged from the original story was changing what came next.

Whether Dugu Bo was still in Sunset Forest and whether the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well remained as it had been in the original story were both unknowns.

"Little Brother Fang Mo."

Qian Renxue's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"That place you mentioned before..." Qian Renxue's expression turned serious. "Where exactly is it in Sunset Forest?"

Fang Mo pondered for a moment.

"Deep within Sunset Forest, there is an area shrouded in poisonous mist."

He lowered his voice so that only Qian Renxue could hear him. "Once you pass through the poisonous mist, you'll see the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."

Qian Renxue frowned slightly.

"Poisonous mist?"

"Mm. That poisonous mist is no ordinary miasma. With so many powerful people among us, getting inside will be very easy."