The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well remains as ethereal and magnificent as ever.
The red and white springs meet, steaming with both scorching and frigid mists, nourishing the valley's many natural wonders.
Returning here again, Lin Yan's state of mind was different. The first time he came, he was cautious and treading on thin ice, using the pretext of treating illness to seek opportunities.
Now that he has returned, he has become a disciple of Poison Douluo, possesses the Ice and Fire Golden Body, Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, and External Soul Bone, giving him full confidence. He has also returned as a half-master.
"Teacher, let's not delay, let's begin." Lin Yan said to Dugu Bo, his gaze sweeping over the enticing glints of the immortal Immortal Herb.
Dugu Bo nodded, looking at the valley full of treasures. Now that they were all to be harvested, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional, but more than that, he felt a sense of peace and security that "the good stuff should not go to outsiders."
With Lin Yan, a disciple proficient in pharmacology, around, these Immortal Herb can realize their greatest value.
The master and apprentice immediately got to work. Lin Yan was responsible for identifying and guiding the harvesting methods, while Dugu Bo relied on his Titled Douluo cultivation and precise control of Soul Power to harvest the fruit.
"Teacher, this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is a neutral celestial herb. Consuming it circulates qi throughout the limbs and unblocks the eight meridians, enabling one to cultivate an indestructible body. It must be cut three inches below the rootstock using a metal tool and placed in a jade box."
"This Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid has the mildest and most mellow medicinal properties. It can strengthen the body's foundation, remove impurities, and compensate for the innate deficiencies of Soul Master. When harvesting, it must be pulled up by the roots, taking care not to damage the petals. A jade shovel is recommended."
" The Aromatic Silk Beauty, a nemesis of all poisons, possesses no antidote properties itself, yet it can neutralize all poisons. Simply pluck it, but avoid placing it too close to other immortal Immortal Herb whose properties clash with its own."
" Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, moisturizes tendons and strengthens bones, and promotes the flow of Qi through the seven meridians and eight extraordinary vessels. This item should be handled with care, as it is cold in nature and should be stored in a cold jade box."
" The Lovesick Heartbreak Red..." Lin Yan walked to the immortal Immortal Herb with its poignant legend, paused slightly, and shook his head. "This thing has a spirit; it can only be obtained by those with the deepest feelings and truest nature. Forcibly taking it is useless." He had no choice but to dig up the large black stone connected to the roots of the Immortal Herb and put it away.
Lin Yan recounted the names, effects, and harvesting methods of each medicinal plant with great familiarity. Dugu Bo listened attentively, nodding in approval and feeling even more satisfied with his disciple's erudition.
He did as instructed, his movements swift and precise, carefully picking each mature Immortal Herb. Lin Yan then took the herbs, categorizing them and placing them into various jade and gold boxes that had been prepared beforehand, and labeling them accordingly.
Top-tier celestial treasures such as the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower and the Aromatic Silk Beauty were also collected one by one. The whole process was orderly and took most of the day.
In the end, the valley, which was once full of flowers and Immortal Herb, became much emptier, leaving only some obviously immature herbs and some ordinary medicinal herbs that Lin Yan had deliberately left as seeds or to maintain the ecological balance of the place.
Looking at the mountain of jade boxes piled up in the Storage Soul Tool, containing enough wealth and power to drive the entire Soul Master World crazy, Lin Yan Dugu Bo smiled at each other, both feeling an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.
"Now I can rest easy." Dugu Bo breathed a sigh of relief. Although the poison array he set up was strong, there were many talented people on the continent, and there were bound to be some oversights. Now that all the core treasures had been taken away, he was indeed much more at ease.
"Okay, teacher, let's go back." Lin Yan nodded.
The master and disciple, no longer lingering, transformed into streaks of light and left this precious land, flying straight towards Heaven Dou City.
Heaven Dou City, Dugu Manor.
Unlike other noble families, the residence of Bi Lin Douluo Dugu Bo was not luxurious and ostentatious. Instead, it exuded a sense of tranquility and solitude, which was related to Dugu Bo's past temperament.
Two streaks of light fell into the courtyard of the mansion, revealing the figures of Lin Yan and Dugu Bo.
The two had barely steadied themselves when a graceful figure in green flew out from the inner courtyard like a swallow returning to its nest. Before she even arrived, a clear voice, tinged with a hint of coquettishness, rang out. "Grandpa! Why did you take so long to come back this time!"
It was Dugu Yan. She was dressed in a dark green outfit that accentuated her slender figure. Her beautiful face showed a hint of reproach, but more than anything, she was overjoyed to see her grandfather return.
However, when her gaze swept over and she saw Lin Yan standing calmly beside Dugu Bo with a smile on her lips, her beautiful eyes instantly lit up with surprise, her steps involuntarily faltered, and a barely perceptible blush rose on her face, but she quickly concealed it.
" Lin Yan?! You... you're back too!" Her voice unconsciously rose a little, filled with obvious excitement.
Dugu Bo took in his granddaughter's changing expression, a hint of understanding and amusement flashing in his eyes. He stroked his beard and deliberately drew out his teasing tone, "Oh, Yanyan, are you here to pick up your grandpa or some kid? Wasn't it you who was always chasing after grandpa asking 'When is Lin Yan coming back?' 'Where did he go?'?"
"Grandpa! What nonsense are you talking about!" Dugu Yan's face flushed bright red, like a ripe apple. She stamped her foot and hurriedly explained, "It's... it's not that I wanted to ask him! It's Lingling! Lingling keeps nagging me all day long, asking when Junior Brother Lin Yan will return to the academy, if there's any news. I got annoyed by her questions, so I had no choice but to ask you!"
Her explanation seemed somewhat like an attempt to cover up her true feelings. Dugu Bo, a shrewd and experienced man, could easily see through his granddaughter's little scheme. She herself might not fully understand, but her attention and concern for Lin Yan were undeniable. However, upon hearing her mention Ye Lingling, Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow slightly. That little girl with the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, with her aloof personality, had unexpectedly taken a liking to Lin Yan?
Dugu Bo chuckled, not revealing anything, but giving Lin Yan a meaningful look, as if to say, "Kid, you decide what to do." He wasn't the type to interfere in the feelings of his juniors; he'd let things take their natural course.
When Lin Yan heard Dugu Bo's teasing, he remained unmoved. He truly only felt camaraderie with Dugu Yan, not romantic feelings. If Dugu Bo genuinely intended to matchmake him, he would find a suitable opportunity to politely decline. However, when he heard Dugu Yan mention that Ye Lingling often asked about him, a faint, heartfelt joy inexplicably welled up within him. That girl, possessing the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, with her aloof and lotus-like temperament and pure, innocent eyes, had left a deep impression on him.
He quickly shook his head, suppressing these romantic thoughts; now was not the time to dwell on such things. He looked at Dugu Yan, smiling as he changed the subject, " Sister Yan, long time no see." Then he turned to Dugu Bo and asked, "Teacher, did you give Sister Yan the Immortal Herb I asked you to bring her?"
"Teacher?" Dugu Yan seized on the title, her eyes widening as she looked at Lin Yan, then at her grandfather, her face filled with disbelief. " Lin Yan, you... you called my grandfather 'teacher'? You've become my grandfather's apprentice?"