Perhaps she had misunderstood everything. Her concern had thrown her into disarray, and after learning that Tang Chen was in danger, she had lost her usual composure.
At that thought, a chill ran down Bo Saixi's spine. If she really had misunderstood everything...
Perhaps Lord Sea God had never meant for her to come to the Douluo Continent to search for Tang Chen, yet she had left Sea God Island without permission. If Lord Sea God found out, she would have to face the consequences.
Thinking of this, Bo Saixi found herself in a dilemma. Should she leave the Douluo Continent immediately and return to Sea God Island to protect her people, or continue searching for Tang Chen?
In terms of duty, Bo Saixi naturally felt she should return to Sea God Island immediately to shelter its people, but in terms of her personal feelings, she did not want to leave.
She wanted to learn Tang Chen's whereabouts from Zhao Ling. If she knew where Tang Chen was, she could go and save him from his fallen state.
Even if Tang Chen died early after regaining his senses because his body was too weak, she was unwilling to watch him remain possessed by the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King, reduced to nothing but a puppet.
Bo Saixi gritted her teeth and decided to stay. She clung to the hope that she might get lucky, since one day in the Divine Realm was one year in the mortal realm.
In all her years as High Priest of Sea God Island, Lord Sea God had descended very rarely. Sometimes, he would not descend even once in ten years.
Perhaps, by the time she obtained news of Tang Chen from Zhao Ling, saved Tang Chen, and returned safely to Sea God Island, Lord Sea God would still not have descended upon the island, much less learned that she had ever left.
Clinging to that hope, Bo Saixi stopped letting her thoughts run wild. She refused to believe she could be so unlucky that Lord Sea God would descend during this brief period when she was away from Sea God Island.
While Bo Saixi's thoughts wandered, Zhao Ling and Ah Yin had already begun exploring the cabin. They discovered that it had two floors, each with two rooms.
The rooms were fully furnished with beds, clean bedding, tables, chairs, and bookshelves. The bookshelves were also filled with books for leisure and entertainment.
Zhao Ling casually took a book from a shelf and glanced at it. It was actually a novel called "The Overbearing Crown Prince Fell in Love with Me." Oh, no-in a fantasy world, it should be called a storybook.
He hurriedly stuffed the book back into place, only to find another storybook called "The Empress Ran Away with the Baby."
He promptly smacked himself on the head with the book. What rotten luck. Utterly rotten luck. He immediately felt the need to wash his eyes out.
Why were there books like these aboard the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle? This was absurdity galloping beyond the horizon. Wasn't the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle supposed to be a product of some cultivation plane? Why would such trite storybooks exist there?
If books such as "Detailed Explanation of Formations," "Complete Collection of Forbidden Techniques," or "Celestial Cycle Star Dou Art" had appeared, Zhao Ling could have understood. But what was the deal with these trite books?
Seeing Zhao Ling react so strongly, Ah Yin curiously took the book from his hand and began reading with interest.
"Uh..." Zhao Ling hurriedly tried to stop Ah Yin. "Yin'er, you shouldn't read those books."
"I don't care. If you won't let me read it, then I'll read it all the more." Ah Yin gave a soft huff and could no longer be bothered with Zhao Ling. The storybook's contents soon captured her attention, leaving Zhao Ling with no choice but to let her read them.
After a day of flying, the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle reached the skies above Heaven Dou Imperial City late that night. Zhao Ling had to admit that, although the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle was not particularly fast, its flight path had been a straight line the whole way.
It was nothing like the winding roads traveled by carriages on the ground. Sometimes, a distance of only ten kilometers in a straight line required traveling dozens or even hundreds of kilometers because of the terrain.
Flying in a straight line like this had saved Zhao Ling a great deal of time. The frustrating part was that it was now too late, and the city gates had already closed. It seemed they could only spend the night outside the gates and enter the city tomorrow.
Chapter 110: Not wanting to get on his bad side
Zhao Ling landed the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle on the outskirts of Sunset Forest, a hundred li from Heaven Dou Imperial City.
Standing at the bow, Zhao Ling gazed into Sunset Forest, wondering whether he should claim the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for himself first.
After all, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well contained many immortal-grade herbs. Those treasures could bring not only him many benefits, but Ah Yin, Dong'er, and the others as well.
Moreover, he had just obtained the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record from the system. Presumably, he should be able to identify most of the herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, at the very least.
He could easily pick some mature herbs and place them in his storage space for future use.
He was not boasting-his storage space was nothing like those useless Storage Soul Tools.
Whatever he placed inside his storage space would come out in exactly the same condition as when it had gone in, as though time stood still within it.
This allowed the items Zhao Ling placed inside his storage space to retain the greatest possible freshness.
He owed this discovery to an occasion when he had bought a few piping-hot steamed buns in Suotuo City. He had originally intended them as snacks for Ah Yin, but during that period, Ah Yin had fallen fast asleep whenever she arrived at the Great Soul Arena.
Zhao Ling had tossed those buns into his storage space. A couple of days ago, while organizing it, he had unearthed the buns and discovered that they were still scalding hot. He had even tasted them.
This discovery had made Zhao Ling realize that his storage space could preserve things at their utmost freshness. The only thing that displeased him was that it could not store living creatures.
As for those mature immortal-grade herbs, once placed in his storage space, they would absolutely look freshly picked even after ten thousand years, as long as Zhao Ling did not kick the bucket.
With that thought, Zhao Ling made up his mind to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well under cover of night, harvest the mature herbs, and leave the immature ones to keep growing.
Thinking of this, Zhao Ling hurried into the cabin and saw Ah Yin reading "The Empress Ran Away with the Baby" by lamplight, occasionally letting out a silly giggle.
Influenced by her, Bo Saixi had also picked up "The Overbearing Crown Prince Fell in Love with Me" and was reading with great relish. From time to time, the two even exchanged their thoughts on their reading.
Zhao Ling sighed softly and said to Ah Yin, "Yin'er, your husband is going out for a while. Would you like to come with me...?"
"No, no, I don't have time. Honey, go by yourself." Without even raising her head, Ah Yin simply waved a hand, signaling that Zhao Ling could leave on his own.
Zhao Ling felt rather depressed. What was going on with this girl? Ah Yin was so engrossed in a storybook that she would not even come along with him?
Zhao Ling cast another glance at Bo Saixi, but withdrew his gaze the very next instant.
Forget it. Even Ah Yin, who had already shared his bed as his wife, could not tear her eyes from that storybook. Why should he seek attention from Bo Saixi, who did not care about him?
Thus, Zhao Ling left the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle alone and headed into Sunset Forest.
By now, Zhao Ling's skill had given him courage. Ten years ago, he certainly would not have dared venture deep into Sunset Forest alone in the middle of the night like this.
After all, although the depths of Sunset Forest were not as fraught with danger as Star Dou Great Forest, they were still extremely dangerous for most humans.
There were untold numbers of Soul Beasts tens of thousands of years old within it, and even hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts were not entirely absent.
However, for the current Zhao Ling, neither Soul Beasts tens of thousands of years old nor hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts would find it so easy to cause him trouble.
Of course, some blind low-level Soul Beasts, such as hundred-year and thousand-year pig and wolf Soul Beasts, saw an unfamiliar human entering Sunset Forest late at night and followed him with ill intent, hoping to eat him.
Zhao Ling was a good boy who enjoyed helping others and enjoying himself alone, so he slaughtered all those blind low-level Soul Beasts and stored them in his storage space.
In any case, Zhao Ling was something of a carnivore. In the future, he could often take out the meat of these low-level Soul Beasts and roast it. Brushed with oil and sprinkled with cumin and chili powder, the flavor would be superb.
Most tedious of all was encountering a pack of over a hundred Netherworld Wolves. Their levels were pitifully low, yet these sneaky bastards loved hunting their targets in groups.
They dared not attack Zhao Ling head-on and only dared attempt sneak attacks. Seeing that Zhao Ling had yet to release his Soul Rings or display his strength, they assumed he was an ordinary person.
However, Zhao Ling had killed quite a few Soul Beasts earlier and had blood on him, so these Netherworld Wolves could smell various kinds of blood on his body.
Thus, the pack of Netherworld Wolves kept hovering several dozen meters around him, unwilling to leave just like that, yet afraid to approach for fear of losing their lives.
Zhao Ling then released just a little of his Titled Douluo presence. Instantly, all hundred-plus Netherworld Wolves collapsed in fright, while the somewhat stronger Soul Beasts farther away hastily fled for their lives.
Zhao Ling had originally intended to show great mercy and send all these Netherworld Wolves to the afterlife, but after some thought, he gave up. He already had plenty of wild boar meat, wolf meat, and even leopard meat in his storage space-enough to eat until he was sick of it.
Zhao Ling then came before the Netherworld Wolf King. It looked to be seven or eight hundred years old, but to Zhao Ling, this Netherworld Wolf King was trash. He would have turned his nose up at it even as his first Soul Ring.
Looking into Zhao Ling's indifferent eyes, the Netherworld Wolf King instinctively trembled in fear of the strong. It desperately wanted to get up and flee, but did not even have the courage to stand, continuously burying its head lower.
Seeing its frightened appearance, Zhao Ling raised his hand and delivered more than a dozen slaps to its head. Smack, smack, smack...
Only after the Netherworld Wolf King's head had swollen as though stung by a swarm of bees did he give it a mocking, sinister grin.
"You'd better remember this face and my scent. If you dare bring these wolf pups to follow me the next time I come to Sunset Forest, I'll skin you."
With that, Zhao Ling continued toward the depths of Sunset Forest. Watching his figure gradually disappear, the Netherworld Wolf King hurriedly let out a howl and fled in panic with the other Netherworld Wolves.
Although its intelligence had yet to awaken, it understood that Zhao Ling had not killed it just now but had warned it instead. Naturally, it chose to escape quickly. As long as it fled fast enough and never encountered that terrifying human again, all would be well.
As for taking revenge-heh, it did not have the nerve. The presence he had casually released was who knew how much stronger than that of the Soul Beasts tens of thousands of years old in the center of Sunset Forest. It did not want to get on his bad side again...
Chapter 111: Sour and bitter inside
Inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Zhao Ling's eyes lit up at the sight of the various natural treasures growing in such abundance.
The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record given to him by the system made it possible for him to identify these natural treasures.
"So this is an eight-petal immortal orchid? It looks rather pretty. It's mine now."
"Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew? Pick it. This thing is extremely effective for cultivating eye techniques. Unfortunately, my Purple Demon Eye is already at maximum level. I'll have to wait and see whether I get a chance to obtain a new eye technique, then find an opportunity to use it."
"Cockscomb phoenix sunflower, infernal delicate apricot, octagonal mysterious ice grass... Wahahaha! All good stuff! Mine, mine, all mine...
"Tang San, don't blame me for snatching your opportunities. These immortal-grade herbs are simply too tempting, and you were born too late. I'm truly sorry."
As Zhao Ling looked at those mature immortal-grade herbs, his gaze gradually grew crazed.
He had intercepted all twelve mature immortal-grade herbs mentioned in the original story.
Zhao Ling felt not the slightest guilt about this. Ah Yin was his woman now anyway.
Without her union with Tang Hao, logically speaking, Tang San should no longer be able to appear on the Douluo Continent. However, the possibility that this world could repair its plot could not be ruled out.
Perhaps, even without Ah Yin, Tang San would still transmigrate to the Douluo World, only becoming the child of Tang Hao and another woman. That was entirely possible.
But so what? The immortal-grade herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were ownerless to begin with. Naturally, whoever arrived first got them.
Would he, Zhao Ling, fear Tang San coming to cause him trouble? What a joke. What did he have to fear?
After harvesting all twelve immortal-grade herbs, Zhao Ling took a thorough stroll around the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
He discovered that the valley was filled with all kinds of natural treasures. Perhaps they were not as precious as the twelve immortal-grade herbs he had collected, but many were still valuable medicinal herbs.
After some consideration, Zhao Ling pondered whether he should go to the entrance of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's valley and put up a sign reading, "Private herb garden. Trespassers die."
Although the potent poisonous miasma surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well meant ordinary people could not enter it at all, nipping trouble in the bud was still necessary.
At this stage, that old fellow Dugu Bo definitely had not moved near Sunset Forest yet, much less discovered the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, this naturally formed, first-rate herb garden.
Now that Zhao Ling had claimed this place first, even if Dugu Bo came here in the future to treat the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor poison in his body, as he had in the original story, he would have to weigh his actions after seeing the words on the sign at the valley entrance.
If Dugu Bo dared trespass, Zhao Ling would dare teach him why the flowers bloomed a different shade of red.
With that thought, Zhao Ling found a huge rock near the valley and carried it to the entrance through sheer brute strength.
Then, after using the Canglan Sword to cut the stone flat and smooth, he used its tip to carve, "Private herb garden. Trespassers die-left by Demon-Suppressing Douluo."
Previously, no one would have known the name Demon-Suppressing Douluo, but thanks to Spirit Hall spreading the word, that title had already become famous across the Douluo Continent.
Perhaps it had not reached the point where everyone knew it, but those clans and sects would definitely have heard of it.
Zhao Ling did not know whether Dugu Bo had advanced to Titled Douluo yet, but he should at least be a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse. There was no reason he would not have heard the name Demon-Suppressing Douluo.
After carving those words into the stone, Zhao Ling kept feeling that something was missing. It seemed he would have to buy some paint to color the letters after entering Heaven Dou Imperial City.
Red paint would be best. Once colored, the carved words would definitely be clear and eye-catching. Moreover, red itself was close to the color of blood and would better warn those would-be intruders itching to act.
After finishing all this, Zhao Ling glanced back into the valley and then left.
A few leaps later, Zhao Ling appeared beside a hot spring. Looking at the steaming water, he felt rather tempted to climb in and have a good bath.
After all, secluded natural hot springs like this were rare on Blue Star. Zhao Ling still remembered visiting a natural hot spring with his parents when he was fourteen.
However, merchants reeking of money had already developed that natural hot spring under various pretexts, resulting in thousands upon thousands of tourists visiting it every day.
This had directly resulted in the natural hot spring remaining almost constantly packed during the daytime. It was far more crowded than dumplings dropped into a pot, and that hot spring trip had left Zhao Ling quite dissatisfied.
Now that he had encountered a natural hot spring open to him alone, how could Zhao Ling pass it up? He immediately stripped naked, jumped into the spring, and happily began soaking.
Bliss. Truly the height of bliss. Feeling his whole body bathed in the warm spring water, Zhao Ling narrowed his eyes in enjoyment.
After soaking for around fifteen minutes, the refreshed Zhao Ling lingered no longer and walked toward the outskirts of Sunset Forest, whistling.
When he returned to the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, Zhao Ling discovered that Ah Yin and Bo Saixi had both chosen rooms and gone to sleep.
Zhao Ling released his spiritual power to inspect the four rooms and discovered that Ah Yin and Bo Saixi had both chosen rooms on the upper floor.
After determining which room Ah Yin occupied, he withdrew his spiritual power and headed toward her room.
Meanwhile, inside Bo Saixi's room, she sensed spiritual power entering to investigate and instinctively held her breath, growing wary.
She wondered whether Zhao Ling would come to her room despite knowing how powerful she was.
Although she knew the possibility was extremely small, she still harbored some suspicion.
After all, she truly was beautiful, no less so than either of Zhao Ling's two fiancées. Bo Saixi did not doubt the devastating effect her charms had on men.
Soon, however, she realized she had been overthinking everything. Zhao Ling had already entered his fiancée's room next door, allowing her to breathe a secret sigh of relief.
Moreover, some rather sickeningly sweet words drifted over from the neighboring room.
"Honey, it's so late. Why did you only just get back? I was worried sick."
"It's fine, my dear wife Yin'er. With your husband's current strength, venturing into Sunset Forest is a matter of minutes."
"My husband is amazing. Here's a reward from Yin'er. Mwah."
Listening to those sickeningly sweet exchanges, Bo Saixi felt utterly uncomfortable, as though she were being force-fed a couple's public display of affection.
Perhaps someone would say that Bo Saixi and Tang Chen were a couple, so how could Bo Saixi be subjected to a lonely single's torment?
Before you continue