After Chaos Green Lotus absorbed Ah Yin's Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone last time, although it had conveyed quite a bit of information, it had omitted the specific requirements for the martial soul's further growth.
Bai Shu had once thought it needed more, higher-quality Spirit Bones to satisfy it.
Now that he thought about it, this was the Douluo Continent's foremost blessed land—the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Countless rare and exotic plants grew here, so it was perfectly normal for it to contain something Chaos Green Lotus needed.
While Bai Shu was deep in thought, the group had already landed at the bottom of the valley.
Looking around, he saw the clearly divided red and blue spring eyes exhaling extreme cold and scorching heat. Immortal radiance lingered in the air, and the fragrance of medicinal herbs assailed their noses.
There were even more Immortal Grade Medicinal Herbs here than Bai Shu had imagined.
Unfortunately, not one of them knew anything about herbs. Xie Biyan knew a little, but only about the herbs of the Dou Qi Continent. Here, he was just as clueless.
Bai Shu simply focused his mind entirely on his martial soul and wandered through the valley, following its most instinctive guidance.
Very quickly, Chaos Green Lotus's yearning led him to five medicinal herbs of different forms, each brimming with spiritual energy.
These herbs had distinct characteristics, but unfortunately, he recognized only one of them—the cockscomb-shaped Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower from the original story, which had been used to purge Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire.
Fire, water, metal, earth, wood... So that's it. It needs Immortal Grade herbs with Five Elements Attributes to complete its foundation? Bai Shu understood.
Somewhat regretfully, he glanced at the two supreme treasures growing on opposite sides of the Ice and Fire Spring Eye—Infernal Delicate Apricot and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.
Consuming Immortal Herbs depended on fate and compatibility of attributes. Taking too many was not only useless, but could even be harmful. These two poisonous herbs, one supremely yin and frigid, the other supremely yang and scorching, overlapped with the Five Elements spiritual materials his martial soul required. He could only give them up.
After pondering for a moment, Bai Shu made his decision. He called Xie Biyan over, pointed to the two poisonous herbs, and carefully explained their properties as well as the method of consuming them simultaneously.
"Old Xie, these two Immortal Herbs were formed from the world's greatest poisons. They suit your cultivation method's attributes perfectly. Consuming them will allow you to cultivate a Water-Fire-Immune Body and grant your martial soul two kinds of ultimate poison. You have worked tirelessly along the way and rendered great service. They are yours."
Bai Shu gave Xie Biyan no chance to refuse and continued in an unquestionable tone, "The enemies I face will only grow stronger in the future. I need a more powerful pillar of support, and you are the best choice."
Xie Biyan's entire body trembled. His gaze toward the two Immortal Herbs was filled with burning desire. He could clearly feel his martial soul's yearning for those strange medicinal herbs. He did not refuse, merely giving a deep bow, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"Thank you for your generous reward, Young Master! This old servant will never disappoint you!"
After arranging matters for Xie Biyan, Bai Shu plucked the crystal-clear Narcissus Jade Marrow Bone, which looked as though it had been carved from beautiful jade, and handed it to the curious Xiao Wu beside him with a smile.
"Here, this is yours. Eating it will not only strengthen your foundation and nourish your vitality, but it will also make you even prettier."
"Wow, thank you, Brother Bai Shu!"
The moment Xiao Wu heard that, her eyes curved into crescents. She had not expected to receive a share too. It meant Bai Shu truly regarded her as one of his own, rather than some spare soul ring!
She cheered and accepted it without the slightest politeness, even trying to rush over and give Bai Shu a hug.
Unfortunately, the moment he heard that saccharine "Brother Bai Shu," goosebumps rose all over Bai Shu's body. With a look of mild disgust, he pressed a finger against her forehead and pushed her away.
"Act normally, or you can sleep by yourself at night from now on."
Xiao Wu playfully stuck out her tongue. Not daring to make any more trouble, she happily cradled the Immortal Herb and ran off to the side.
Lastly, Bai Shu handed the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, which resembled a pumpkin and was entirely golden, with faint dragon-shaped patterns moving across its surface, to Dugu Yan, who had already been shocked speechless by the sight before her.
"Sister Yanzi, this Earth Dragon Golden Gourd contains the power of a dragon bloodline. It may allow your martial soul to evolve toward a dragon-type martial soul. I'll leave it to you."
"This..." Dugu Yan did not know how to address Bai Shu for a moment, before ultimately deciding to follow her grandfather's example.
"Young Master, isn't this too precious? I'm already deeply grateful that you helped Grandfather resolve the poison in his martial soul."
"There's no need to be so formal. We're of the same generation, so just call me Bai Shu. This treasure land belonged to Senior Dugu in the first place. It is only right that you receive it."
Dugu Bo also spoke from the side. "Yanyan, since the Young Master has given it to you, take it. Don't let his goodwill go to waste."
Since even her grandfather said so, Dugu Yan no longer declined. She accepted the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd from Bai Shu and began eating it in large bites.
Once the three of them had sat cross-legged and begun refining their Immortal Herbs, Bai Shu finally turned around. With a trace of apology, he said to Dugu Bo, who had silently stood guard beside him all this time:
"Senior Dugu, I'm truly sorry. I do not recognize many of the Immortal Herbs here either. In such haste, I do not know which one would be most suitable for you. Having you try one rashly may be risky."
Dugu Bo showed not the slightest dissatisfaction or disappointment. Instead, he gave a deep bow. "Young Master, please do not say that! Resolving the poison in the Dugu Family's martial souls is already an immense kindness. This old man is more than satisfied. Now you have bestowed such an opportunity upon Yanyan as well. I cannot thank you enough!"
Bai Shu could not help but smile. Whether those words were sincere or not, his favorable impression of Dugu Bo had increased considerably. As expected of the only Titled Douluo who had not attached himself to any great power—he certainly knew how to speak.
"Don't worry, you will not be left out. Although we do not recognize them, someone on this continent does."
Dugu Bo was somewhat curious as well. "Oh? Who possesses such knowledge?"
Bai Shu smiled. "You know him. Your old rival, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan."
"Yue Guan?" Dugu Bo found it hard to believe. He had sat on this treasure mountain empty-handed for so many years, only to discover that the person who understood these herbs was his mortal enemy. It truly was... fate playing tricks.
But immediately afterward, Dugu Bo remembered that Yue Guan was an elder of Spirit Hall. How could he possibly reveal such matters so easily?
"Young Master, forgive this subordinate for speaking bluntly, but Yue Guan may not be willing to reveal such secrets."
Bai Shu gave a mysterious smile and offered no explanation. "I have my own plans for this. Perhaps one day, the two of you may even become colleagues."
Since he did not recognize the Immortal Herbs, Bai Shu did not know whether the herbs he needed had any special harvesting requirements. Therefore, he did not absorb them, instead standing guard with Dugu Bo for the three others.
At the same time, he discovered that cultivating here doubled his cultivation speed. Soul Power that had originally required four months to rise by one level would now likely take less than two months.
After cultivating for an unknown amount of time, a high-pitched, youthful yet majestic dragon roar suddenly interrupted Bai Shu's cultivation.
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