Bo Saixi followed Qian Daoliu's gaze. In an instant, she spotted the many plants and Soul Beasts growing in secret around the spring, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.
Beside the cold pool, several strange plants with gleaming white bodies had taken root in the frozen soil. Fine ice crystals clung to their branches and leaves, which spread like pieces of glazed jade. A gentle sway sent wisps of freezing mist drifting down, while the thin ice wrapped around their roots glinted with a cold silver light.
In one corner of the hot spring, scarlet plants grew vigorously. Their branches looked as if they had been cast from molten iron, and layers of crimson leaves overlapped one another. A faint, warm-red glow flowed between their veins, and a haze of heat curled around them.
There were also several strange plants woven from two contrasting colors. Frost coated the branches and leaves on one side, while heat shimmered from the other. Their flowers and leaves were large and full, and a rich, rosy radiance lingered around them.
All these plants brimmed with life. Their branches and leaves stirred faintly, and each radiated an intimidating pressure. They were no ordinary spirit herbs; every one of them was a powerful Soul Beast lying dormant here.
At the same time, Qian Daoliu noticed that Huo Yuhao had been moving as if he knew the place like the back of his hand. Clearly, this was not his first visit..
Qian Daoliu watched as Huo Yuhao called out to the surrounding air, "Youyou, come out!"
"I've come to take the other six Immortal Herbs I need!"
As soon as he spoke, an Immortal Herb beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well addressed Huo Yuhao in a hostile tone. "Huo Yuhao, you really are impatient!"
"You've come back so soon to pick the six Immortal Herbs you have left!"
As she spoke, the Immortal Herb transformed into a human form and came before Huo Yuhao. Qian Daoliu studied her carefully.
The woman was slender and graceful, dressed in a pale violet skirt woven from layer upon layer of petals. A faint, luminous floral fragrance swirled around its hem. Her smooth black hair fell softly, with a few pale-pink tendrils of flowers adorning it.
Her skin was lustrous as jade, and her gentle features concealed a hint of scrutiny. A faint mist of Aromatic Silk Beauty flowers always lingered around her, while the essence of plants and trees clung to her without dispersing.
She had not even released her Soul Power, yet she carried the imposing weight of a guardian who had long protected a secret realm. The surrounding flowers and plants bowed of their own accord. She was none other than the Aromatic Silk Beauty that guarded this place.
"Hmph, detestable humans! I knew you were insatiable!"
"Hmph, detestable humans! I knew you were insatiable!" As soon as the words left her mouth, a scorching red mist suddenly surged. Another Infernal Delicate Apricot spread its branches, then turned into a human form in the blink of an eye and landed beside the Aromatic Silk Beauty.
The newcomer was a woman in a fiery-red dress, its fabric seemingly woven from burning clouds. Tiny flames danced at the tips of her hair, her features were sharp and bold, and waves of blistering heat rose around her, distorting the air. She folded her arms and glanced sidelong at Huo Yuhao, her gaze sweeping over the unfathomably powerful Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi beside him as well. Her tone was full of mockery.
"You only just took a Lovesick Heartbreak Red last time. How long has it been, and you've already hurried back to claim the rest of your Immortal Herbs? Do you think the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is your own backyard?"
"And to make matters worse, you've dared to bring other people here today. Are you planning to use force if we refuse?"
As she spoke, the woman in red moved to attack Huo Yuhao and the others.
But what awaited her was a casual swing of Tang Chen's Clear Sky Hammer, which sent her flying.
"Quiet!"
The instant Tang Chen released his Clear Sky Hammer, Youyou, the woman in red, and the other Soul Beasts in the cavern around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well all felt a terrifying surge of Soul Power.
Youyou and the woman in red were the first to react.
Youyou trembled all over and blurted out, "A Limit Douluo?"
As the many Immortal Herbs shivered in fear,
Tang Chen said with some displeasure to Huo Yuhao, "Huo Yuhao, what are you dragging your feet for?"
"Which Immortal Herb can heal my dear great-granddaughter? Let's just pull it out and go!"
"Why waste your breath on these plant Soul Beasts?"
Tang Chen's words completely ignited the anger of the Immortal Herbs. Youyou, the Infernal Delicate Apricot, and the others glared at him furiously.
But they dared not speak up. After all, Tang Chen was a true Limit Douluo.
As for Huo Yuhao, he heard Tang Chen's suggestion and twitched at the corner of his mouth. But he quickly composed himself and said, "Senior, this place is a treasure land left to later generations by the ancestor of the Tang Sect!"
"This junior believes that taking what we need in a reasonable manner is the only way to make this arrangement last!"
Huo Yuhao invoked Tang San's name, hoping to persuade Tang Chen.
Sure enough, when Tang Chen heard of the Tang Sect ancestor's legacy, he no longer insisted.
Instead, he told Huo Yuhao, "Then hurry up, brat. I'm afraid Dong'er won't hold out much longer!"
"All right!"
"Senior, please wait a moment. I'll take out the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record left by Ancestor Tang San and check it over."
"I'll see which Immortal Herbs can heal Dong'er's injuries!"
At Tang Chen's words, Huo Yuhao's heart stirred.
He immediately took a thick book from his Soul Tool.
Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi had been watching from the sidelines. They exchanged a glance, and both saw surprise in the other's eyes. Then, in unison, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi exclaimed, "A human-form Soul Beast over a hundred thousand years old?"
"The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record?"
Qian Daoliu's eyes blazed. As Huo Yuhao turned the pages, Qian Daoliu used his god-level spiritual power to follow along and examine the records about Immortal Herbs in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
The more Qian Daoliu read, the more shocked he became. This Tang San, the ancestor of the Tang Sect, really knew his stuff. I've lived two lifetimes on the Douluo Continent, and I've never heard of these strange things. No wonder he managed to destroy Spirit Hall back then!
But since I've stumbled across them today...
This Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, this treasure land of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the Immortal Herbs inside it are all going to change hands!
While Qian Daoliu was lost in thought, Huo Yuhao pressed down on the page and looked up at the tense Aromatic Silk Beauty. His tone was earnest, but his stance firm.
"Youyou, the ancestor originally set aside seven Immortal Herbs for us. I only took the Lovesick Heartbreak Red. Today, I'll take the remaining six as agreed, and not a single bit more."
The Aromatic Silk Beauty furrowed her brows and countered, "Have you decided exactly which six you want? We promised Tang San that his descendants could choose seven Immortal Herbs every ten thousand years. They cannot simply pick whatever they please."
As Huo Yuhao closed the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, he replied to the Aromatic Silk Beauty, "I've chosen Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Nine-Grade Purple Mushroom, and Narcissus Jade Bone. Their medicinal properties complement one another, so they should be able to stabilize Dong'er's soul. I'll preserve their roots and stems, so I won't damage your foundations."
As soon as he finished speaking, six beams of light in different colors rose from various parts of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The six Immortal Herbs he had named shed their plant forms one after another, took human shapes, and gathered around him.
Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew wore a plain white dress wreathed in frost. A refined orchid fragrance lingered around the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum wore a splendid golden robe, and the Aromatic Silk Beauty looked displeased. Purple mist churned around the Nine-Grade Purple Mushroom, while water vapor swirled around the Narcissus Jade Bone.
Every Immortal Herb looked furious as they glared at Huo Yuhao.
Seeing this, Tang Chen gave a low snort, immediately silencing the Immortal Herbs until they stood as still as cicadas in winter.
Youyou looked sorrowfully at her chosen companions and said, "Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Aromatic Silk Beauty, Nine-Grade Purple Mushroom, Narcissus Jade Bone, I'm sorry to ask you to contribute part of your bodies!"
"Remember your promise. You mustn't damage their foundations. Otherwise, Jiaojiao and I will fight you to the death rather than let you get your way!"
Huo Yuhao breathed a sigh of relief. He was just about to follow the instructions in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record and pick the Immortal Herbs one by one.
At the same time, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, who had been watching from the sidelines, exchanged a glance. They knew it was time to act.
Looking at all the transformed Immortal Herbs, Qian Daoliu thought, With so many Immortal Herbs, how many Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings could they provide for me and Sisi?
And I absolutely have to get that Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record from the brat.
So Qian Daoliu did as he intended and secretly transmitted his voice to Bo Saixi. "Sisi, sorry to trouble you. Keep them under control!"
Bo Saixi did not hesitate. "All right!"
Then Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi released their Martial Souls: the Six-Winged Angel and the Sea God Martial Soul.
Just then, Tang Chen also sensed the fluctuations coming from Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi nearby.
"Who's there?"
"It's you, Qian Daoliu!"
"Sisi!"
Tang Chen first saw Qian Daoliu, and his expression shifted unpredictably. Then he saw Bo Saixi, and his face brightened.
"Qian Daoliu, what are you doing?"
Before Tang Chen could react, Qian Daoliu had already used the incredible speed of his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul to close in on Huo Yuhao. At the same time, Qian Daoliu wielded the Angel Holy Sword to kill Huo Yuhao, while his Soul Power formed a giant hand that reached for the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record in Huo Yuhao's grasp.
The sharp Angel Holy Light tore through the sky. Holding the brilliant, sacred Angel Holy Sword, Qian Daoliu was wrapped in terrifying divine power capable of crushing a Titled Douluo. With a shrill whistle, he thrust straight at Huo Yuhao's heart, his attack ruthless and decisive as he sought to kill him with a single blow.
Just as the sacred sword was about to strike Huo Yuhao, a soft, luminous glow suddenly lit up across his body.
A translucent Torso Soul Bone suddenly shone with brilliant light. The image of an Ice Jade Empress Scorpion appeared upon it, and layers of gentle radiance swept over his body, instantly forming a sturdy defensive barrier. It held firm against Qian Daoliu's lethal strike, and a mighty shock wave of divine power burst outward.
Although Huo Yuhao had used his Soul Bone Skill to block Qian Daoliu's attack,
Bo Saixi's Soul Skill then brought everyone present except Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu to a complete standstill.
The Sea God Martial Soul behind Bo Saixi radiated a deep-blue divine light. Bo Saixi released her "Seventh Soul Skill—Sea God True Body!"
"Ninth Soul Skill—Sea God Imprisonment!"
The Sea God True Body appeared behind Bo Saixi. Divine light as blue as the sea spread across the entire secret realm, and the power of Sea God Imprisonment swept over everything in an instant.
Tang Chen knew the terrifying power of Bo Saixi's Soul Skill well. He had circulated Soul Power to protect himself a moment earlier, so he calmly broke free of the imprisonment.
Huo Yuhao and all the Immortal Herbs, however, were locked in place by the vast divine power of the sea. Their bodies stiffened, unable to move, while their Soul Power and the essence of plants and trees came to a complete halt. Even the furious Infernal Delicate Apricot had lost all ability to resist. Only Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu remained unharmed.
This gave Qian Daoliu his chance.
Just as Qian Daoliu calmly drew the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record from Huo Yuhao's grasp and prepared to attack him again,
Tang Chen made his move.
Tang Chen also released his "Seventh Soul Skill—Clear Sky True Body!"
At the same time, his Great Sumeru Hammer Soul Skill came crashing down toward Qian Daoliu. He roared, "Qian Daoliu, you dare!"
A powerful sense of danger surged through Qian Daoliu. He released his hold on Huo Yuhao and blocked Tang Chen's lethal strike.
Qian Daoliu unleashed his Ninth Soul Skill—Angel Descent.
"Rumble!"
The terrifying Angel Descent slammed into Tang Chen's Great Sumeru Hammer.
In the confined space, neither of the two peerless powerhouses dared to use their full strength, afraid of damaging the Immortal Herbs here.
The two of them exchanged a single, simple blow, then separated completely.
Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen hovered in the air on opposite sides.
Neither attacked again. The power of a Limit Douluo was simply too terrifying; the slightest misstep could destroy this place entirely.
Just then, Huo Yuhao, the Aromatic Silk Beauty, and the other Immortal Herbs below recovered from Bo Saixi's control.
Seeing that the two Limit Douluos were about to fight inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Aromatic Silk Beauty felt like dying.
In human form, the Aromatic Silk Beauty shouted at Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen, "Stop fighting!"
Huo Yuhao stared blankly at his empty right hand, then called up to Qian Daoliu, "Give me back the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record!"
All he got in return was Qian Daoliu's contemptuous look.
Faced with Qian Daoliu's disdain, Huo Yuhao clenched his fist without thinking.
Huo Yuhao thought to himself, Qian Daoliu, I'll remember this grudge!
Then he quietly edged toward the Immortal Herbs, hoping to fish in troubled waters.
What awaited him was Bo Saixi's deathly glare.
Just then, Tang Chen spoke first from above.
"Qian Daoliu, you owe me an explanation for what happened today!"
"Otherwise, don't blame me for forgetting our old friendship!"
As he spoke, Tang Chen summoned his Clear Sky Hammer again. It suddenly grew several times larger, and he pointed it straight at Qian Daoliu.
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu laughed scornfully. "Tang Chen, what friendship is there left between us? Since you've returned to the Clear Sky Sect, I'm sure you know about the grudge between the Clear Sky Sect and my Spirit Hall from ten thousand years ago!"
"Today, I'm merely collecting some interest!"
Tang Chen's expression darkened at this. He knew there would be no peaceful resolution today.
But against Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, two Limit Douluos, he had no confidence he could escape unscathed.
So Tang Chen proposed to Qian Daoliu, "Qian Daoliu, there are many Immortal Herbs here!"
"If we fight carelessly, we could destroy this place!"
"How about you and I, old brothers, settle this with a match?"
"The winner takes ownership of this place. What do you say?"
Tang Chen spoke with absolute confidence. In his mind, Qian Daoliu was far too proud to refuse a challenge out of concern for his reputation.
And with Bo Saixi here, Qian Daoliu was even less likely to turn him down.
Sure enough, as soon as Tang Chen finished speaking,
Qian Daoliu readily accepted his proposal.
"Fine! Tang Chen, I accept!"
"But we need to set the terms first!"
"If I win, this place will belong to me, and no one from your Clear Sky Sect will ever set foot here again!"
"If I lose, this place will belong to you, and no one from my Spirit Hall will set foot here again!"
Before you continue