Obtaining Immortal Herbs

Dugu Bo used his Martial Soul Avatar to bring Jiang Mingyang to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Once they had landed, Jiang Mingyang hurriedly said with a smile, "Senior Dugu, I hope to gather some Immortal Herbs and older Medicinal Herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"In exchange,

"First, I'll help you cure your poison;

"Second, I've given you a way to cure Dugu Yan's poison;

"And third, I'll give you a Soul Bone more than sixty thousand years old."

Shock flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes. Then he raised his brows. "Are you sure the herbs in this well are worth that much? You're even offering a sixty-thousand-year Soul Bone?"

Jiang Mingyang thought for a moment. "I won't hide it from you, Senior.

"The Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well can only be gathered through special methods. But once gathered, their immense energy can raise a Soul Elder's Soul Power by five or six levels outright.

"That's extremely important to a young Soul Master racing against time."

Dugu Bo looked at him. "I don't know anything about that, yet you've told me the truth, little fellow. Tsk, tsk! Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?"

Jiang Mingyang met his gaze. "You may not know these herbs' true value, but I couldn't keep it from you.

"Wouldn't that amount to cheating you?

"I'm not someone who refuses to bend when circumstances call for it. But you and my father know each other; you could even be called friends. Cunning and trickery are for enemies, not friends.

"And though these herbs are precious, they aren't nearly as useful to a Titled Douluo.

"You have a fearsome reputation, Dugu Bo, but from what I've heard of you... Well, you're a man of your word."

Dugu Bo burst out laughing. "You really are something! Jiang Tian has had countless fortuitous encounters in his life, but I'm afraid you're the greatest of them all!"

He patted Jiang Mingyang on the shoulder. "You truly are something. Take a look and see what can cure me.

"Set aside a share of the herbs for Yanyan, too. Beyond that, take and use whatever you like. I haven't been this happy in a long time!"

Dugu Bo turned to leave, then suddenly remembered something.

He summoned his Martial Soul Avatar and spat out a green bead. Taking out a Brocade Pouch, he placed the bead inside and handed it to Jiang Mingyang. "Tie it to a cord and keep it with you. It'll form a shield to protect you from harm inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well." With that, he left.

Jiang Mingyang couldn't help thinking that Tang San seemed to have swallowed it outright. Was this what preferential treatment looked like? Tsk, tsk. Not bad at all.

Jiang Mingyang tied the Brocade Pouch to his wrist, jumped into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and began searching for suitable herbs.

According to the original story, what suited Dugu Bo was a Mixture of Weakened Infernal Delicate Apricot and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

If he took the full strength of both, his poison cultivation would be all but ruined. Since Dugu Bo had kindly allowed him to gather the Immortal Herbs, Jiang Mingyang would return the favor and make sure the cure was done properly.

On the north side of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, a chrysanthemum-shaped Immortal Herb was blooming. It looked exactly like Chrysanthemum Douluo's Martial Soul: the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was symmetrical, like a Taiji Diagram. At the heart of each half grew an Immortal Herb. One bore frost and radiated bitter cold; the other burned with fierce flames and gave off searing heat. They faced each other across the well.

They were, of course, the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

Jiang Mingyang quickly gathered three Nine-Grade Purple Ganodermas, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, the Aromatic Silk Beauty, the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, the Snow-Colored Swan Kiss, and the Aromatic Silk Beauty.

As for the Infernal Delicate Apricot, the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, and the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Jiang Mingyang decided to take them himself.

Although his Third Soul Skill could protect him from water and fire, it lasted too little time. He needed to save it for the knife's edge.

Jiang Mingyang still wanted immunity to water and fire, while the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew could strengthen his mind.

The one thing his Third Soul Skill feared was mental attacks. This would fill that gap nicely.

Jiang Mingyang hurriedly took the herbs the way Tang San had in the original story. Afterward, his Soul Power reached level forty, though he could feel that he had not exhausted their energy. He would probably gain another level or two.

In return, Jiang Mingyang would give Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan the Aromatic Silk Beauty and the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. They had been theirs to begin with, after all.

He would give his adoptive mother the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, his adoptive father the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and his two elder brothers Nine-Grade Purple Ganodermas.

He had no choice; none of the remaining herbs suited those two. Jiang Mingyang could only marvel at how perfectly these herbs favored the Shrek Seven Devils. They might as well have been made for them.

Later, he would give the Lovesick Heartbreak Red and the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone to Qianqian.

Jiang Mingyang still had a Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma, the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, the Snow-Colored Swan, and the Aromatic Silk Beauty. He would find a use for them someday.

Sensing how much time had passed, Jiang Mingyang hurriedly cut himself with his Martial Soul. Blood flowed freely, and he refined it into a Medicinal Pill.

Jiang Mingyang leaped out and glanced at the sky. Hm. It had only just gotten dark.

"Senior Dugu!" he shouted. "Where are you?"

A figure approached swiftly. "Here!" Dugu Bo said excitedly. "So soon? It's only been two days! Is it ready?"

Two days?

Jiang Mingyang nodded and handed him the Medicinal Pill. "Take this, along with a few other medicines, and you'll be fine."

In the original story, Tang San had written Dugu Bo a prescription. After coming to Douluo Continent and studying medicine, Jiang Mingyang had realized that it simply helped the Medicinal Pill take effect while strengthening the body's foundations. He knew how to make it too.

Dugu Bo eagerly swallowed the Medicinal Pill.

Jiang Mingyang then handed him the Aromatic Silk Beauty and the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. "These Immortal Herbs are for you and Dugu Yan. A person can only take one Immortal Herb in a lifetime, but the Aromatic Silk Beauty is worn rather than consumed. It protects its wearer from poisons."

Dugu Bo looked at them. "Little fellow, which one is better?" He clearly wanted to leave the better one for Dugu Yan.

Jiang Mingyang understood his love for her. "Wearing the Aromatic Silk Beauty makes you immune to all poisons. The Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone nourishes the muscles and bones and lets energy flow through the body's meridians."

Dugu Bo nodded at once, and Jiang Mingyang returned his Poison Pellet to him.

Jiang Mingyang had accomplished nearly everything he had come to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to do. He felt lighter all over.