Born of Ice and Fire, Dying by Ice and Fire

After his spiritual search yielded nothing, Zhang Qingxuan's gaze turned cold. Even the air around him seemed to freeze solid as he demanded in a frosty voice, "Who are you, skulking about and playing tricks? How dare you spy on me from the shadows!"

"Lord Soul Master, please calm your anger." At that moment, another completely different voice abruptly rang out.

This voice was crisp and aloof, like shattered jade striking pearls, forming a stark contrast to the earlier fiery and flamboyant tone.

This time, the voice was loud enough that even White Dragon beside him suddenly raised his head. His vertical pupils contracted, his whiskers tensed, and a low warning hiss rumbled from his throat as he vigilantly scanned the valley.

Yet Zhang Qingxuan's lips curled slightly into an amused smile. "Oh? You want my help? Then why did you stand by and watch while I remained here for days?"

"If you truly wished to ask for aid, why wait until now?"

The fiery voice immediately followed, carrying urgency and flattery. "Forgive us, Lord Soul Master! We were blind before and truly did not think you had the ability to help us."

"But now that we have personally witnessed you confront and absorb even the Heavenly Tribulation, we are certain that only you can save us from this dire situation!"

"Then show yourselves." Zhang Qingxuan still stood with his hands behind his back, but his gaze swept over every inch of the surrounding space as though it were tangible. "Let me see just what sort of beings you are."

"Actually... we are standing right in front of you. You simply never noticed us." The aloof voice carried a trace of helpless self-mockery.

Then the fiery voice added, its tone rather subtle, "And besides, hadn't you considered digging up the two of us—these immortal herbs—to refine pills?"

Zhang Qingxuan's pupils abruptly shrank. He nearly instantly turned his head, his gaze locking tightly onto the two immortal herbs growing atop the twin springs at the center of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

Infernal Delicate Apricot.

His figure flashed, and with one step, he appeared beside the springs. The shock on his face could no longer be concealed. "You have actually developed complete intelligence?"

"Yes, and no." Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass gently swayed its crystalline branches and leaves, producing a clear rustling sound.

"Through a certain special protection, we escaped the detection of your divine sense. Yet because of that very protection, we have also been trapped here, unable to advance or retreat."

Zhang Qingxuan raised his brow slightly, reining in his surprise and returning to his usual indifference. "Get to the point. What exactly do you want from me?"

Infernal Delicate Apricot spoke first, its voice urgent and anxious. "We beg Lord Soul Master to act and deal with the two clusters of Ice and Fire Origin deep beneath the springs of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!"

"Explain clearly." Zhang Qingxuan's voice betrayed neither joy nor anger.

Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass's voice drifted over, as though recounting an ancient and weathered tale.

"My sister and I have truly been made by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, and ruined by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."

"From the day we were born, we took root here and absorbed the most extreme essences of ice and fire in the world. Our cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, far surpassing countless spiritual plants in the world. That was the gift bestowed upon us by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."

"However, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

Its voice suddenly lowered. "After our cultivation broke through the hundred-thousand-year threshold, we discovered to our horror that our foundation was constantly draining away... All our nourishment and spirituality were being quietly devoured by the two true clusters of Ice and Fire Origin at the bottom of the springs."

Infernal Delicate Apricot took over, her tone filled with unwillingness and helplessness. "We fought with all our strength, but all our power came from this place. It was no different from an egg striking a rock—we simply could not break free from its restraints!"

"At this rate, within three years, the intelligence of the two of us will completely dissipate, and we will return to the most primordial motes of energy between heaven and earth."

Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass said bitterly, "Originally, we had already lost all hope. Compared to the other immortal herbs that could never develop intelligence and would remain trapped here for their entire lives, we were already the lucky ones."

"But today, you appeared." Infernal Delicate Apricot's branches and leaves trembled slightly, giving off scorching heat.

"You even dared to swallow the origin of the Heavenly Tribulation whole. Those two clusters of Ice and Fire Origin surely cannot be much of a challenge for you!"

Hearing this, Zhang Qingxuan did not immediately agree. Instead, he folded his arms and fell into brief contemplation.

The two clusters of Ice and Fire Origin they mentioned are most likely the residual origin powers of the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King!

After a while, he suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze shooting toward the two immortal herbs like blade edges. "Why should I help you?"

"If I erase your intelligence right now, wouldn't I obtain two peerless immortal herbs without any hidden risks far more easily?"

The instant his words fell, Infernal Delicate Apricot sank into deathly silence. Even the flames around her dimmed somewhat.

Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, however, remained exceptionally calm, even carrying the resolute air of one willing to risk everything. "So long as you are willing to help us, my sister and I are willing to swear upon our souls to serve you faithfully for all eternity, without the slightest betrayal."

"Besides, even if you stand aside and do nothing, we will eventually perish. Rather than wait helplessly for death, we may as well gamble on this sliver of hope."

Zhang Qingxuan's gaze slowly moved between the two immortal herbs as he weighed the gains and losses.

A moment later, a glint flashed through his eyes. He suddenly chuckled, his laughter echoing through the valley. "It seems... your luck is indeed quite good."

"Today, you happened to meet the right person."

"Thank you, Master!" Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot replied in unison, unable to conceal their excitement and relief.

"Since that is the case, accept this 'pledge of allegiance.'" Zhang Qingxuan flicked his finger, sending two profoundly mysterious streams of light tearing through the air. They contained powerful soul restrictions and shot directly into the core souls of the two immortal herbs.

"Understood."

They offered no resistance whatsoever. Instead, they even opened their soul defenses of their own accord, allowing the mysterious light imbued with the will of a ruler to merge into the depths of their souls.

From that moment on, the names of master and servants were set. Their karmic ties became entangled, no longer to be severed.

Meanwhile, at the Li Family residence in Spirit City.

Yang Wanqing had just finished circulating the Soul Power within her body. As she slowly opened her eyes, she saw her husband, Li Yuntian, standing behind her at some unknown time.

He stood with his hands behind his back. The weariness of constant rushing about had faded somewhat from his brow, replaced by a measure of calm composure.

"How is it going? How far has the business transfer progressed?" Yang Wanqing rose, straightened her collar, and asked with concern.

Ever since Zhang Qingxuan had given them the cultivation technique that day, the couple had reached an understanding: rather than remain entangled in mundane affairs all day, they would gradually convert the rights to sixty percent of the profits into tangible assets and hand all of them over to Spirit Hall to manage.

That way, they could free up more time to focus on cultivation and no longer waste their mental energy on those petty commercial dealings.

Seeing his wife inquire, Li Yuntian nodded slightly, a glimmer of relief flashing through his eyes. "Yes, it has been settled. His Holiness the Pope agreed. Over the past few days, I have directly transferred most of the businesses to Spirit Hall."

He paused, his tone becoming increasingly firm. "Give it another ten days to half a month, and I'll transfer all the rest as well. In the end, we'll only keep a few businesses like Whale Rubber—enough to cover the Li Family's daily expenses and supply cultivation resources. That will be sufficient!"

After hearing her husband's words, Yang Wanqing let out a long breath, as though a thousand-pound burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

However, her delicate brows soon furrowed, as if she had recalled a troublesome matter. "What do you plan to do with those clan members...? I'm afraid they will not let this go."