Main Quest Settlement! Returning Laden with Spoils

[Ding! Immortal Herb interception main quest settlement complete!]

The system's voice continued to ring out in Qian Renyuan's mind.

[Host has successfully seized the core Immortal Herb opportunity of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!]

[Host has successfully changed Dugu Yan's originally destined fate!]

[Host has successfully subdued and healed Poison Douluo Dugu Bo!]

[The Child of Destiny Tang San's Immortal Herb opportunity has undergone an irreversible deviation!]

[Quest Rating: Perfect!]

[Quest rewards have been generated!]

A string of prompts fell one after another, and the reward section on the system panel lit up.

Qian Renyuan did not check it right away. He was still deep within Sunset Forest, and freshly picked Immortal Herbs were still placed beside him. Since the system rewards had already been generated, it made no difference when he counted them.

He raised a hand and dismissed the system panel, his gaze returning to the valley before him.

A few days ago, when he entered Sunset Forest, only Jiangmo Douluo had been by his side.

Now, as he left, he had taken away every mature Immortal Grade Herb in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, changed Dugu Yan's fate, and made a rank ninety-one Titled Douluo willingly call him master.

Even this Cornucopia nurtured by heaven and earth had become an Herb Garden open only to him.

This trip could be called a complete windfall.

"Master."

Dugu Bo stood beside the newly opened mountain path and raised a hand, dispersing the last wisp of poison gas.

"The formation has been sealed. The old paths are all blocked, and the outer poison formation has also been moved."

"From now on, without this old man leading the way, even if a Titled Douluo barges in, it will be very difficult for him to find the true entrance."

Qian Renyuan glanced over the mountain wall. The spot that had originally allowed passage had already been filled with massive boulders, and between the cracks in the stone coiled a layer of dark-green poisonous mist barely visible to the naked eye.

Dugu Bo had left an even more hidden passage on the other side. Its entrance was concealed by vines and rocks, and only by stepping on the correct spot would the poisonous mist part on its own.

"Not enough."

Dugu Bo froze for a moment. "Does Master have any further instructions?"

"From now on, change the entry and exit route again every once in a while. Don't let anyone figure out a pattern."

Dugu Bo quickly understood. No matter how complicated a formation was, as long as the entrance never changed, someone might be able to observe it over a long period and find a flaw.

But if even the path itself changed, then even if an outsider obtained the route once, they would still be unable to enter a second time.

"This subordinate understands."

Dugu Bo looked toward the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, his expression somewhat complicated.

He had lived here for many years and had long since grown used to treating the valley as his own territory. Now that the Herb Garden had completely changed hands, however, he did not feel much reluctance in his heart.

The Martial Soul Backlash that had tormented the Dugu Clan for generations had already been resolved, and Yanyan had even evolved the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor martial soul.

Compared with these things, a mere Herb Garden amounted to nothing.

Moreover, Qian Renyuan had not destroyed the Herb Garden. As long as the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well remained, the Dugu Clan would still be able to benefit from this place in the future.

"Let's go."

Qian Renyuan turned and left.

The group departed through the passage. Behind them, the poisonous mist closed once more, vines drooped down, and there was no longer any sign that a path had ever existed there.

By the time they returned to the manor, the sky had gone completely dark.

Dugu Bo first had someone clear out a room and temporarily placed all the jade boxes inside. Jiangmo Douluo did not leave the doorway. With the Coiling Dragon Staff planted on the ground, no one in the manor dared approach even half a step.

Even through the lids of the boxes, a faint medicinal fragrance still spread through the room.

Dugu Bo looked at the neatly arranged jade boxes, his eyes involuntarily growing heated. In the end, he could not help asking, "Master, how do you plan to deal with these Immortal Grade Herbs?"

"Bring them back to Spirit City."

"All of them?"

"All of them," Qian Renyuan answered cleanly and decisively.

Dugu Bo frowned and said hesitantly, "Spirit Hall has many powerful experts. Once they learn the value of these medicinal herbs, I'm afraid some people will be tempted."

"So what if they're tempted?" Qian Renyuan raised his eyelids slightly, a trace of disdain flashing through his deep black eyes. "Since these things are in my hands, how they are distributed is naturally for me to decide."

Dugu Bo fell silent. He suddenly realized that he had still underestimated Qian Renyuan's ambition.

A suitable Immortal Herb could allow a soul master to break through a bottleneck, improve their foundation, or even change their martial soul.

Among Spirit Hall's Soul Douluos bitterly struggling at bottlenecks, and even its Titled Douluos, who could resist such temptation?

When all the Immortal Herbs were in Qian Renyuan's hands, anyone who wanted one would first have to prove their worth.

"Only the few of us know the list of Immortal Herbs."

Qian Renyuan's gaze swept coldly over Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan. "After we return to Spirit City, don't say a single word you shouldn't."

Dugu Bo's heart tightened, and he cupped his fists. "This subordinate will remember."

Dugu Yan nodded as well. She had already witnessed the power of these Immortal Herbs, so she naturally knew how much trouble would be drawn in if the information leaked.

"Then what about the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well?" she asked.

"It is still Dugu Bo's Herb Garden. At least in the eyes of outsiders, it always will be."

A hint of approval flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes.

If Spirit Hall publicly announced that it had occupied the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, the Heaven Dou Empire would inevitably react, and other powers would surely follow the information to search for the Herb Garden.

Continuing to let it bear the name of Dugu Bo's private Herb Garden was instead the safest choice.

"This old man will arrange for people to guard the manor."

Dugu Bo said, "They will only be responsible for the perimeter and will not know the true entrance to the valley."

"What about you?" Qian Renyuan asked.

Dugu Bo raised his head and said without the slightest hesitation, "This old man will return to Spirit City with my lord."

Since he had acknowledged Qian Renyuan as his master, of course he had to let all of Spirit Hall clearly see his stance.

Qian Renyuan gave a slight nod. "Fine."

Dugu Bo looked at Dugu Yan again. "Yanyan, stay at the manor for a few more days. Once your body is completely stable, return to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Dugu Yan frowned slightly. "Grandfather, I can't go to Spirit City with you?"

"No."

Dugu Bo refused very decisively. His loyalty to Qian Renyuan did not mean Dugu Yan also had to enter Spirit Hall immediately. If she stayed at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she could still preserve a line of contact with the Heaven Dou Empire for Qian Renyuan.

Qian Renyuan did not object. Then he looked at Dugu Yan. "After you return to the academy, cultivate as usual. However, without my permission, you are not to show anyone the changes in the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor."

Dugu Yan still felt somewhat unaccustomed to hearing this order, but she did not talk back the way she had at first.

"Got it."

Early the next morning, the convoy returning to Spirit City was ready.

Dugu Yan stood in front of the manor, watching the convoy gradually depart.

Only when the last carriage disappeared at the end of the woods did she lower her head and look at her palm.

Dark-green Soul Power gathered in her palm, and the phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor flashed and vanished.

"Spirit City..."

Dugu Yan murmured it once, a hint of unwillingness to lose appearing in her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly and silently swore in her heart:

The next time I see Qian Renyuan, I have to... become stronger!