I Said Stop, No More Fighting

Dugu Bo was, after all, a powerhouse at the Title Douluo level.

Even though the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor was completely at a disadvantage in its contest of strength against Fang Yuan, it still had countless tricks up its sleeve. Its enormous body was agile and flexible, bonelessly soft.

As a result, Fang Yuan felt as though his heavy punches were striking cotton. He was only a Soul Emperor, after all. Facing a Title Douluo who was fully committed to stalling him, it would be far from easy to subdue him through sheer force.

As time passed, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor was delighted to discover that Fang Yuan's aura was rapidly declining.

His strength and speed, which had once completely overwhelmed a Title Douluo, were gradually dropping back toward his original Soul Emperor cultivation.

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor opened its jaws and laughed gleefully. "Hahaha, brat, this move of yours really does have a time limit! Now that its effect has passed, let's see how a mere Soul Emperor can fight me!"

If one ignored the blood spilling from the corners of his mouth as he spoke, as well as the vast patches of scales blasted off his body, then judging solely by that triumphant voice, one would undoubtedly think Dugu Bo had gained the upper hand.

In the distance, Tang San's heart suddenly leaped into his throat.

Through some unknown method, his teacher had erupted with terrifying power for a short time, actually matching that enormous poisonous snake over thirty meters long. However, his teacher's technique seemed to have a time limit as well.

Now, the enhancement had finally reached its limit.

Tang San did not hesitate in the slightest and prepared to step forward.

After witnessing the battle between his teacher and the giant snake transformed from that green-haired oddball, Tang San had keenly noticed something.

That strange green-haired old man seemed to be suffering greatly from his own poison.

If Tang San exposed this and offered him a way to ease the poison, he should be able to threaten him into sparing his teacher's life.

However, before Tang San or Dugu Bo could make a move, Fang Yuan let out a long laugh.

The first Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet: As Before!

A flash of white light appeared, instantly restoring him to his previous state.

Then, one yellow and two purple Soul Rings rose from beneath Fang Yuan's feet once more, landing behind him and transforming into a huge Blood Battle Cloak.

Tang San stared wide-eyed.

Dugu Bo was dumbfounded.

In the original world, using Incomplete Freedom Transformation consumed the foundation of the Gu worms. As Before Immortal Gu, true to its name, could only affect people; it could not restore the state of Gu worms.

However, after coming to this continent where martial souls were used for battle, the Gu worms had become Soul Rings, becoming part of Fang Yuan's body.

Thus, As Before, which originally could not be used on Gu worms, could here indirectly restore the state of the three Gu worms—attitude, Mutation, and Adaptation—by restoring Fang Yuan himself.

With this, Incomplete Freedom Transformation became sustainable indefinitely!

Before the stunned gazes of Dugu Bo and Tang San, Fang Yuan's laughter continued.

"Though forms may change ten thousand times, the heart remains unchanged. Why should a man hide his appearance?

"Only a totem reveals masculine beauty; a cloak should adorn a dashing man.

"The ice plains are boundless, fragrant with snow; I subdue fire dragons and cultivate Silver Empresses.

"I charge straight into Rakshasa to toy with angels, reigning alone through eternity to prove myself a God King."

Hearing Fang Yuan's laughter, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's eyes gradually filled with terror and despair.

His expression twisted into madness as a black Soul Ring suddenly lit up.

He still had one final trump card left unused. He could still make one last desperate gamble!

"Eighth Soul Skill, Time Freeze!"

An invisible ripple spread from above the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's head in an instant.

At the same time, two pale white beams shot from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's eyes like lightning. Soul bone skill—Medusa's Gaze!

The invisible ripple and pale white beams struck Fang Yuan's body at the same time. His body abruptly froze, and beginning from his feet, he gradually turned into grayish-white stone.

"Teacher!"

Tang San's heart clenched as he prepared to rush out.

However, Fang Yuan moved faster. A flash of white light appeared, and the freezing and petrification effects on him vanished without a trace.

It was still his first Soul Skill, As Before.

The predecessor of the Soul Skill As Before was the Time Path As Before Immortal Gu, so it was unaffected by Dugu Bo's Time Freeze Soul Skill.

Its powerful ability to rewind time and heal also easily removed the petrification effect of Medusa's Gaze.

His recovery ability actually has no time limit! Dugu Bo felt his heart turn cold.

When Fang Yuan had previously used As Before to instantly restore his own state, Dugu Bo had certainly been surprised. Yet he had believed that such a powerful Soul Skill must come with certain restrictions.

That recovery skill was merely a Soul Skill granted by his first Soul Ring. If it did not have extremely harsh limitations, would that not be defying heaven?

Yet Fang Yuan had used it twice in rapid succession, and it had even restored and healed the effects of his soul bone skill. How could Dugu Bo not be shocked?

Fang Yuan's expression remained calm, and he no longer attacked. With his arms folded, he quietly watched the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor opposite him, whose expression was on the verge of collapse.

All of the opponent's methods had failed. This battle had already exposed the full extent of his strength.

Tang San stood in the distance, watching the emerald serpent's face display an extraordinarily human range of emotions: fury, hysteria, utter panic, and countless others.

Then, just as he thought the giant snake was about to fight to the death—

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor suddenly returned to his original form, becoming Dugu Bo once more, the tall, thin old man. He spoke anxiously.

"Er... can we make peace?"

"So Brother Fang merely wanted a few herbs. Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Dugu Bo wore a smile as he led Fang Yuan and Tang San toward a hidden cave at the mountaintop.

Passing through the cave would lead them to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well within the mountain basin.

Hearing Dugu Bo's words, Fang Yuan smiled faintly and said slowly, "Senior Dugu never gave me the chance to propose a trade."

After sensing the cultivation levels of Fang Yuan and Tang San, master and disciple, Dugu Bo had attacked without a word.

In his view, what was there to discuss when a Title Douluo encountered a Soul Emperor and a Soul Master? He could simply take what he wanted.

Unfortunately, Fang Yuan's steel plate had been far harder than he expected.

Hearing Fang Yuan's words, Dugu Bo gave an awkward laugh. "Haha, it is simply because these ice and fire springs are far too important to my Jade Phosphorous Serpent lineage. I had no choice but to be exceedingly cautious."

As they spoke, the three had already passed through the narrow cave and encountered a hazy expanse of mist.

With Fang Yuan carrying Tang San, the three leaped directly down to the bottom of the valley.

At the center of the valley lay a hot spring divided into two sections. One half was milky white, the other crimson red, sharply distinct and completely unable to merge.

"This is..." Tang San's eyes widened instantly, and his body trembled uncontrollably with excitement. "The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!?"

The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record of the Tang Sect from his previous life recorded the three greatest treasure basins in the world. One of them was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well before him.

One spring, twin origins; yin and yang mutually opposed. Rare plants growing within it would grow ten times faster!

Sure enough, the area beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was filled with lush grass and blooming flowers. Rare medicinal treasures scarcely seen in the outside world grew here as wildly and freely as common cabbages.

This was truly a treasure land favored by the heavens!

Dugu Bo stopped where he was, turned to face Fang Yuan and Tang San, master and disciple, and said with a smile,

"Other than those I planted myself, I do not recognize many of the herbs here. Take a look and see which ones are useful to you. I will make the decision and give them to you."

Fang Yuan's gaze swept over the Immortal Herbs growing within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and a smile slowly appeared on his face.

"Then naturally..." He extended his right hand as though grasping something in the air.

"I want them all."