Douluo Continent: Simulating Douluo Dalu III: The Legend of the Dragon King, Exclusively Trapping Tang San

Liu Erlong, however, shook her head and smiled. "Forget it. What happened back then is ancient history. There's no point bringing it up, and I couldn't possibly leave an academy with a Titled Douluo to go earn that pittance at that miser Flender's academy."

She had been somewhat tempted by Gong Yu's suggestion that she go to Shitrek Academy, but when she thought of Yu Xiaogang deliberately hiding from her, she gave up on the idea. Now that she had news of him, though, it would be much easier to keep an eye on him in the future.

About an hour later, an assembly of all the teachers and students of Blue Tyrant Academy was held. After a series of handover procedures, Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy was officially renamed the Academy of the Gods. Liu Erlong stepped down as dean, and Bi Ji became the Academy of the Gods' first dean.

After becoming dean, Bi Ji immediately announced a ten percent pay raise for every teacher at the academy. She also established poverty relief programs, including scholarships and financial aid, for every grade, and announced that the academy would begin expanding its enrollment and facilities.

From then on, the Academy of the Gods would no longer be solely an advanced academy, but would combine the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. After the expansion, it would be divided into three teaching areas for those levels, and teachers would be graded according to their level and assigned to teach in different areas.

Naturally, Gong Yu had told Bi Ji to announce all this. As for expanding enrollment and facilities, his main purpose was to move the information network's training to the academy. In the future, most of the children Gong Lan and the others rescued during their operations would be brought to the Academy of the Gods for training.

After the assembly ended, Gong Yu took the dean's seal and stamped the paperwork, enrolling himself, Na'er, Gong Lan, and the others.

Then he returned home with Na'er. The academy's affairs were still left to Yin Shu, whose position was elevated to vice dean.

With both a raise and a promotion, Yin Shu was happy to take on the management of the Academy of the Gods.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye. Apart from going to the academy, Gong Yu and the others spent their time cultivating at home, traveling back and forth between the two.

On this day, before Gong Yu knew it, he had gained another level, reaching level 45.

He ended his cultivation, a faint smile on his lips, and murmured, "It's time to prepare for the trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Gong Yu rose and summoned all the women.

"We have an operation coming up. We're going to the Sunset Forest," Gong Yu said calmly, looking at them. "But this time, we're not going to hunt Soul Beasts. We're going to collect some things."

"What are we going to collect?" As always, Gong Xue was the first to interrupt, and everyone was used to it.

Gong Yu said, "Things that will be useful to you. They probably won't do much for Na'er or me, but they can completely improve your aptitudes."

"There's really something that can completely change our aptitudes?" Even the usually composed Gong Lan grew somewhat excited after hearing Gong Yu's words. However, after her Martial Soul evolved into the Blue Silver King, her aptitude had actually already surpassed that of most people on the continent.

"Of course there is. We'll talk on the way." Gong Yu smiled faintly and casually took a booklet from his Soul Tool. Three large characters were prominently printed on its cover: Collection of Famous Herbs.

During Gong Yu's years in Gengxin City, he had met a member of the Breaking Clan and paid a price to have him bring a copy of his clan's Record of Famous Herbs. That copy was the Collection of Famous Herbs.

Aside from Tang San, perhaps the only people left in the world who could recognize the Immortal Herbs around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were Chrysanthemum Guan and the members of the Breaking Clan. Chrysanthemum Guan went without saying: his Martial Soul was the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, so he naturally paid close attention to Immortal Herbs.

As for the Breaking Clan, they had their roots in medicine-making and had studied all sorts of medicinal herbs on the continent. Thus, their clan possessed a Record of Famous Herbs, which specifically documented the medicinal properties, toxicity, and uses of various herbs. Each herb also had a corresponding illustration, making comparisons easy.

Gong Yu set out from Heaven Dou City with the women, and about an hour later, they reached the outskirts of the Sunset Forest.

Chapter 67: The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well

Before entering the Sunset Forest, Gong Yu came to Na'er's side and asked, "Na'er, we can't be sure whether the gods are watching inside, so are you sure you want to come?"

Na'er nodded. "It's all right. I'm human now. She's actually already separated from me and is sleeping beneath the Lake of Life!"

Gong Yu was somewhat surprised. "She separated from you? When did that happen? How come I didn't know?"

"Just yesterday," Na'er said. "She knew you were coming here, so she decided to separate from me for the time being. We'll merge again when we get back."

"I see. Then there's no problem." Gong Yu chuckled faintly, then turned to the women. "Let's enter the forest, then!"

The group entered the forest. With a clear destination in mind, they made no stops along the way. Gong Yu used his Golden Dragon King Bloodline to sense the way and headed toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

About an hour later, they finally arrived at a place filled with poisonous miasma.

Bi Ji and Zi JI suddenly appeared at that moment as well.

Zi JI stepped forward and said, "I feel a powerful summons."

"Your senses aren't wrong," Gong Yu said. "Inside is the burial place of two Dragon Kings."

"Dragon... Kings?" Zi JI spoke, placing particular emphasis on the word "Kings."

Gong Yu nodded. He understood what Zi JI meant and replied, "That's right. Two of the first generation of Dragon Kings, two of the Nine Great Dragon Kings who followed the Dragon God."

As a member of the dragon race and the leader of her clan, Zi JI naturally understood the significance of a Dragon King. Hearing Gong Yu's words, her breathing involuntarily quickened. She felt a sense of anticipation, but also a faint trace of sorrow for the two Dragon Kings.

"Come on, I'll take you through," Bi Ji suddenly said. As a powerful healing-type Soul Beast, she regarded the little poison formation Dugu Bo had set up as nothing more than child's play.

In the blink of an eye, Bi Ji led the group through the poison formation, with Zi JI following them inside.

"Come on, it's not far now," Gong Yu said calmly. He could feel the stirring in his bloodline growing stronger.

Everyone nodded, and Zi JI led the way. Now that they were here, they no longer needed Gong Yu to guide them. Zi JI could find the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well herself by following the summons in her bloodline.

After crossing a hill roughly five hundred meters high, they found a steep cliff ahead. Gong Yu had an External Soul Bone and could fly across on his own. When he took flight, the women watched in envy, especially Gong Xue, whose eyes seemed to shine.

Gong Lan extended the Eight Spider Lances from her back. Crossing a steep cliff like this was no difficult task for her, either.

Bi Ji shook her head with a wry smile. Seeing the envy in the girls' eyes, she did not know what to say. She could hardly tell them to hurry up and cultivate to the Titled Douluo level, and then they would be able to fly.

She beckoned and swept up the remaining girls, taking flight with them. But Gong Yu whooshed over, scooped up Na'er, and flew away with her. Seeing this, Gong Xue puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.

Beyond the cliff, the group came to a small valley. From a distance, they could smell what seemed to be the sulfurous scent of a hot spring.

They continued deeper into the valley and soon saw a hot spring.

The spring was not large, but it was divided into two halves. In the oval pool, the water was milky white on one side and vermilion on the other.

Even more strangely, though they occupied the same pool, the two waters were clearly divided and did not encroach on each other, always remaining on their respective sides.

The billowing steam rose from the point between the two hot springs, climbing steadily until it reached the mountain pass, where it slowly dispersed.

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. It really is magnificent."

"Young master, what is the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Gong Lan asked curiously. The other girls were curious as well.

"How should I explain it?" Gong Yu thought for a moment, then said, "The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is a kind of treasure land. Ordinary plants can't grow in a place like this at all, because they can't adapt to its special climate. But it's a birthplace for all kinds of rare plants and a favorite place of plant Soul Beasts.

"Moreover, the growth time of the rare plants growing here is shortened tenfold. For example, if you planted a stalk of Blue Silver Grass here, it would become a Ten-Year Soul Beast after one year, and reach the hundred-thousand-year level in ten thousand years."

"Hiss..." Hearing Gong Yu's words, Bi Ji could not help drawing a sharp breath. "Then if the Myriad Demon King came here for ten thousand years, wouldn't he be able to grow from the five-hundred-thousand-year level to the six-hundred-thousand-year level?"

"He could," Gong Yu replied, but added, "At the same time, though, his six-hundred-thousand-year heavenly tribulation would also come early. So for every gain, there's a loss. Rapidly increasing one's cultivation comes at a price too. If he can't survive that heavenly tribulation, what awaits him will be death."

"That's true." Bi Ji nodded, but a wave of sadness rose in her heart. Soul Beasts had long lives, but they were also envied by the heavens.

"All right, I'll start gathering the herbs." Gong Yu then turned to the girls. "Don't go near the spring without a reason. You'll lose your lives if you fall in. Also, there are lots of poisonous plants around here, so don't touch anything you don't recognize. Especially you, Xiao Xue."

At the end, Gong Yu made a point of singling out Gong Xue. That girl was not very reliable, and something could easily go wrong if he did not warn her.

"I know. Stop singling me out every time." Gong Xue was indignant and unconvinced.

"Hehe... What do you know? I still don't know what mischief you got up to in Suotuo City last time!" The mischief Gong Yu spoke of was naturally Gong Xue dragging Gong Xi'er along to torment the people from Shitrek.

However, Gong Yu did not know exactly what Gong Xue had done. That day, he had only heard a rapid succession of notifications in his mind telling him he had gained Simulation attempts. Since he had told Gong Xue and the others they could play pranks on the Shitrek Seven Devils, the system had counted their actions as his and given him all the Simulation attempts.

Later, he had asked Gong Xue and the others if they had done something bad, but they had kept it from him. Thus, even now, he still did not know about the Shitrek Seven Devils and Yu Xiaogang doing the deed in the square.

At his words, Gong Xue, Gong Xi'er, and Gong Miaomiao guiltily looked away. After they had finished tormenting the Shitrek Seven Devils that day, they had thought it a little excessive in retrospect. The men and Xiao Wu were one thing, but the reputations of the other two girls were ruined.

"Hmph... In any case, you're not allowed to cause trouble." Gong Yu warned her again, then picked up the Collection of Famous Herbs and began comparing the plants one by one.

The first thing that caught Gong Yu's eye was a large, fluffy chrysanthemum.

The chrysanthemum was a magnificent purple. Strangely, every petal looked fluffy and exceptionally adorable. The entire flower formed a seamless whole, yet gave off no fragrance. Its central stamen rose more than half a foot above the petals, and its tip gleamed with a faint golden light.

After comparing it with the Collection of Famous Herbs in his hand, Gong Yu's lips curved into a faint smile. "Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."

Chapter 68: Distributing the Immortal Herbs

Following the picking method recorded in the Collection of Famous Herbs, Gong Yu picked the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and walked out to Gong Miaomiao's side.

"Miaomiao, your Martial Soul is a chrysanthemum, so this Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum suits you," Gong Yu said.

"Young master, what does the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum do?" Gong Miaomiao asked first. The others were also drawn to the plant Gong Yu had brought back.

Gong Yu smiled slightly and explained, "The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is a neutral immortal-grade medicinal herb. Eating it sends Qi coursing through the limbs and blood flowing through the eight meridians, allowing one to cultivate an indestructible vajra body. But that's not the main point. The main reason is that your Martial Soul is a chrysanthemum. Taking it might allow your Martial Soul to evolve."

"Martial Soul Evolution?" Gong Miaomiao's eyes lit up. Then she asked curiously, "What will my Martial Soul evolve into?"

At that moment, Gong Xue snapped back, "What kind of stupid question is that, Seventh Sister? Your Martial Soul is a chrysanthemum. Even if it evolves, won't it still be some kind of chrysanthemum? Could it possibly evolve into a Beast Martial Soul?"

"Shut up and listen to the young master." Gong Lan pulled Gong Xue aside, and Gong Xue quieted down.

Only after Gong Xue stopped interrupting did Gong Yu continue, "I don't know what your Martial Soul can evolve into, but I think Xiao Xue is right. Even if your Martial Soul evolves, it should still be a kind of chrysanthemum."

Hearing this, Gong Xue pursed her lips, looking somewhat pleased with herself. But Gong Yu immediately flicked her forehead, making her eyes water with pain, and she stood to one side looking aggrieved.

Gong Yu continued, "The most famous chrysanthemum Martial Soul on the continent right now is probably the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the Martial Soul of Spirit Hall's elder Chrysanthemum Douluo. It's a top-tier Martial Soul. Perhaps yours will also evolve into the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, but that's not certain."

"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?" Anticipation flickered in Gong Niuniu's eyes. Then she asked, "How should I take it?"

Gong Yu said, "First eat the sky-reaching stamen, then eat the petals one by one. Don't eat the roots or stem. Once you're done, immediately begin cultivating where you are."

"All right, young master." Gong Niuniu nodded and immediately sat down cross-legged, then began taking the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum as Gong Yu had instructed.

Gong Yu glanced at the aggrieved Gong Xue standing to one side and shook his head. "You, honestly... Just wait!"

Hearing Gong Yu say that, Gong Xue immediately broke into a happy smile.

Gong Yu walked over to a trembling red plant that looked soft and delicate.

The plant looked simple, made up of nothing but red blades of grass. The top resembled a rooster's comb, but a closer look revealed what made it different: its leaf veins were a reddish gold. The temperature around the plant was noticeably higher.

After picking it according to the method recorded in the Collection of Famous Herbs, Gong Yu returned to Gong Xue.

Handing her the plant, Gong Yu said, "This is called the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. Don't chew it; swallow it. Gather and channel your Soul Power to guide it. The process will be very painful, but no matter how much it hurts, you must endure it, or all your effort will come to nothing.

"Its effects are very obvious. It should greatly increase your Soul Power and the effectiveness of your flames. If you give up halfway, its medicinal effects will be greatly reduced."

"I..." Gong Xue immediately felt somewhat unsure of herself, but then she thought about how she currently had the poorest aptitude among the sisters.

Third Sister Gong Yue had once been at the bottom, but ever since the Emerald Swan sacrificed herself for Gong Yue and her Martial Soul evolved, her aptitude had shot up, and even her cultivation speed was much faster than before.

Gong Xue gritted her teeth and promised, "I'll definitely succeed. No matter how painful it is, I can endure it."

Hearing that, Gong Yu smiled in relief.

Gong Yu then fetched the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid and gave it to Gong Yue.

The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid strengthened the foundation, replenished vitality, and expelled impurities from the body. It could compensate for the slow cultivation speed of food-type Soul Masters, and its medicinal effects could even last until level 70, making it just right for Gong Yue.

Gong Yu then fetched the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo for Second Sister Gong Xiao. Since her Martial Soul was a type of bamboo, the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo was undoubtedly the best fit for her.

He also fetched the Aromatic Silk Beauty for Sixth Sister Gong Niuniu.

"Niuniu, your Martial Soul already possesses the Ultimate Attributes of both fire and light, so I really can't find an Immortal Herb that will take your attributes any further," Gong Yu said. "But your Nine-Colored Amethyst Lamp is also a type of treasure, so I think this Aromatic Silk Beauty suits you best.

"Taking it allows you to absorb the essence of heaven and earth and the radiance of the sun and moon. Your Nine-Colored Amethyst Lamp is itself a treasure-type Martial Soul, so with the help of this Aromatic Silk Beauty, the two should complement each other.

"There's a secret you might not know. This Immortal Herb can make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I wonder whether your Martial Soul will advance further after you take the Aromatic Silk Beauty."

At the words "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda," Gong Niuniu's body trembled, and a trace of hatred flashed through her eyes. Though it vanished in an instant, Gong Yu still caught it.

It looks like Niuniu's origins are probably connected to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. But you'd better not be Niuniu's enemies, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Otherwise, even if Spirit Hall doesn't destroy you, I will. After saying this to himself, Gong Yu subconsciously looked at Gong Xi'er and noticed that something was off about her expression.

"Xi'er, what's wrong?" Gong Yu asked.

Gong Xi'er raised her hand and pointed to a large, pale pink flower.

Gong Yu looked over and saw that the flower had no leaves. Its stem was about three feet long, and the flower itself was enormous, a full foot across. Every petal looked as clear and translucent as crystal, while its pale purple stamens resembled purple diamonds set in its center.

Gong Xi'er said, "I felt a stirring from my Pink Rose Martial Soul. It seems to be calling me."

"All right, wait a moment," Gong Yu said.

Then he looked at Gong Niuniu and said, "Niuniu, to take the Aromatic Silk Beauty, gently draw from its stamen and slowly absorb its essence into your body. Then cultivate your Soul Power, circulating it slowly so the medicinal effects spread through your limbs and bones. Remember, you must not swallow it."

Gong Niuniu nodded.

Then Gong Yu led Gong Xi'er directly to the large, pale red flower she had pointed out earlier.

"This flower is called the Aromatic Silk Immortal Treasure," Gong Yu explained to Gong Xi'er. "It's the bane of all poisons and can neutralize any toxin. It can't cure poison itself, but it can suppress it."

Gong Xi'er reached out her right hand, intending to touch the Aromatic Silk Immortal Treasure. But just then, a strange phenomenon occurred in her hand.

Her Pink Rose Martial Soul appeared in her right hand without being summoned, as if it had a will of its own, and began to shine brilliantly.

Though it shone brilliantly, the pink light was extremely soft and not at all dazzling. Then a delicate fragrance wafted from Gong Xi'er's Pink Rose Martial Soul, refreshing the heart and lungs.

And just then, another strange phenomenon occurred.

Chapter 69: Distributing the Immortal Herbs (II)

This phenomenon was wondrous too. The petals of the Aromatic Silk Immortal Treasure closed and opened several times, as though responding to Gong Xi'er's Pink Rose Martial Soul.

Then a purple fragrance slowly wafted from the Aromatic Silk Immortal Treasure, twining and mingling with the fragrance of the Pink Rose until the two finally became one.