Deepening the Stereotype

Xu Tiance thought it over carefully.

The original story had explicitly stated that Du Busi was over two hundred years old and entering his twilight years. His life essence was severely depleted, which might be the very reason he had never broken through to Level 99. To do that, he first had to replenish his life essence.

And in Peerless Tang Sect, the thing that could replenish life essence... was, of course, the Gold of Life.

As life essence in its ultimate solid form, the Gold of Life could make up for Du Busi's losses. It could also help him stabilize his Sea of Consciousness and control his Isotopic Resonance Dual Soul Cores.

So... all they needed was to get the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife, then purify it into the Blade of Life—the Gold of Life. With that in hand, Du Busi would have a strong chance of breaking through.

Purification was right up Electrolux's alley. As for Xu Tiance himself... he should be able to manage it too, right?

After all, he possessed the Ultimate Light attribute. He ought to be able to purify it.

Even if he failed, only nine years remained before Electrolux descended into this world. Xu Tiance just had to win the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife at auction within those nine years, then use it and his own Ultimate Light attribute to attract Electrolux.

The trouble was, that plan might take a while.

A faster approach would be to search the Star Dou Great Forest for that giant golden turtle. After swallowing the Gold of Life from the Lake of Life, the creature had been terrified Di Tian would find out. Right now, it should be hiding in some corner of the forest, silently enduring its suffering, without yet seeking Bi Ji's help.

Finding it would naturally yield a great deal of Gold of Life.

Of course, that was only his plan for helping Du Busi form Isotopic Resonance Dual Soul Cores... Xu Tiance actually had an even madder idea.

Du Busi already possessed powerful poison arts, and the first Soul Core he had formed contained his innate venom. But that poison still wasn't potent enough. If Xu Tiance took him to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to absorb the poisonous clouds of the Jade Phosphorus Seven-Absolute Flower and perfect his first Soul Core, then used the Gold of Life's ultimate vitality to form Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Soul Cores... Du Busi's strength would surely stand at the summit of the entire continent.

With Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Soul Cores, Du Busi might even be able to challenge Di Tian—provided Di Tian did not use the Dragon God Claw.

But that method carried enormous risk. One misstep could leave Du Busi shattered to pieces. Forget becoming a Level 99 Limit Douluo; he would be lucky to escape with his life.

The safest option was still Isotopic Resonance Dual Soul Cores.

As for Kong Deming... there were far too many ways to help him break through to Level 95. The simplest was to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, find an Immortal Herb suited to him, and have him take it. His breakthrough would follow as naturally as water flowing into a channel.

They might even find an Immortal Herb suitable for Du Busi there.

At that thought, something stirred in Xu Tiance's heart. He slowly said, "This disciple has heard that the ancestors of Shrek Academy attained Godhood because they consumed Immortal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in their early years. If my two teachers could take Immortal Herbs from there, I believe you would both break through smoothly."

At his words, Kong Deming and Du Busi exchanged a glance.

Ordinary Soul Masters might never have heard of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, but as two of the strongest men of their era, Du Busi and Kong Deming certainly had.

It was just that ancient texts contained only scattered references to it, with nothing that could pinpoint its location. Finding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was all but impossible.

"The ancient records do describe the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well as a wondrous place, but they're just as vague about its location. There's nowhere to begin looking."

Du Busi slowly shook his head, regret crossing his face. "When I was young, I came across a text about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and went to search the Sunset Forest. But not long after I entered, a poisonous miasma blocked my path. I lost my bearings and eventually made it back out, shaken but unharmed. After that, I devoted myself to cultivation, planning to return once I was stronger. I even developed my innate poison arts for that very purpose. Unfortunately... even after I became a Titled Douluo, the miasma still kept me out."

Xu Tiance's eyes widened slightly.

He had always wondered why Du Busi, whose Gold-Rank Body Martial Soul had undergone a second awakening—and whose Martial Soul was his own body—had mastered innate poison arts. Surely it wasn't just because his name contained the word "poison"?

Now the mystery was solved.

So Du Busi had developed his innate poison arts specifically to deal with the miasma outside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!

To go that far just to seize the Immortal Herbs inside... it only deepened the stereotype.

As he spoke, Du Busi furrowed his brow, a thoughtful look entering his eyes. "Things are different now. Back then, I had only just become a Titled Douluo. Now I've spent many years at Level 98. That miasma stopped me before, but it might not stop me today!"

"So we can go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

A sharp gleam suddenly lit Kong Deming's eyes.

Like Du Busi, he had been at Level 94 for many years, only one step away from becoming the Level 10 Soul Engineer he had long dreamed of being. Relying on his own efforts, it would take him at least another decade.

If they could find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, they could cut that time drastically.

"Whether it works or not, we have to try."

Du Busi's voice was calm as his gaze settled on Xu Tiance. "The ancient records say the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well holds countless Immortal Herbs. If Tiance and that girl Ye Guyi, with her Holy Angel Martial Soul, could each take one and build a solid foundation, it would greatly benefit their future cultivation. So whether for the two of us or for Tiance, we must make the trip."

Kong Deming nodded slightly. Clearly, he agreed.

A trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well wouldn't take much time anyway. With their strength, he and Du Busi could certainly protect the two youngsters.

"In that case, let's leave at once. Jinpeng, while I'm away, the usual rules apply: you'll handle the sect's internal affairs. If you're unsure about anything, set it aside until I return to decide."

Kong Deming glanced at Du Busi, who was already handing out instructions, and the corners of his mouth twitched twice.

I know you're in a hurry, but... isn't this a little too hasty?